Equity Group Bids Farewell to Executive Director Mary Wangari Wamae
Equity Group Holdings’ board of directors has announced the retirement of Mrs. Mary Wangari Wamae, the executive director of the company. This marks the conclusion of a distinguished two-decade career at Equity Group, during which Wamae ascended the corporate ladder to become a highly esteemed figure in the Kenyan banking sector.
Mary Wamae’s journey with Equity commenced in 2004 when she joined the company as the Head of Legal. Her dedication and expertise led to her advancement, serving as the Group Company Secretary and Corporate & Strategy Director from 2007 to 2017.
During her tenure, Equity Group experienced significant growth, establishing seven banking subsidiaries across Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, Tanzania, DR Congo, and Ethiopia. The Group also diversified its portfolio, expanding into insurance, investment banking, and fintech.
“I was so happy to be a part of the incredible journey of transformation from a small building society to the globally acclaimed banking and financial services group that Equity Group Holdings has now become.” Mrs. Wamae said in a statement.
“I say ‘Asante’ to all who supported me in any way to get to where I am, Dr. Mwangi, the best mentor and coach, directors, our customers, my colleagues in execution, our partners in execution, the regulators, the communities, and all who played a part in my success story.” she added.
Under Mary Wamae’s leadership, Equity Group remained dedicated to social impact initiatives, contributing to a customer base exceeding 16.9 million in 2024.
These initiatives included promoting agribusiness activities, empowering microbusinesses through financial literacy and entrepreneurship training, advancing financial inclusion through social payments, and nurturing future leaders through scholarship programs.
In 2017, she was appointed as the first-ever Group Executive Director, tasked with overseeing Equity Group’s extensive network of subsidiaries. This promotion solidified her role as a key leader within the organization and earned her a seat on the Board of Directors for both Equity Group Holdings and its subsidiaries.
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Mary Wamae’s influence extends beyond Equity Group. She is a member of the Women Corporate Directors Kenya Chapter Association, a global organization that empowers women to become visionary leaders.
Her leadership extends to various boards, including Finserve Africa Limited and Kanjuri High School. Mary Wamae is also a published author, adding another dimension to her impressive career, having launched her book titled “The Village Girl” in 2023.
Mary Wamae’s dedication to excellence was recognized in 2021 when she became the overall winner of both the Angaza Award: Women to Watch in Banking & Finance and the Women on Board Award. These prestigious accolades highlight her embodiment of purpose, leadership, and innovation, particularly in driving social and economic impact initiatives.
Furthermore, she was awarded Private Sector Lawyer of the Year by the Nairobi Legal Awards in 2023, a testament to her 33 years of service as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya.
Her pursuit of continuous learning is also evident in her recent achievement of Certification in Women in Leadership from the prestigious University of Oxford.
