“Unapologetic about her excellence” this is how Lucy Mbuthia would describe herself. She is currently the Country Director of Women in Tech Kenya and Head of Projects at Credable, a fintech company building embedded lending infrastructure across Africa.

Her journey spans over 12 years across fintech, private equity, venture capital, and program management in some of the continent’s most dynamic markets. But for Lucy, leadership was never defined by a straight path.

Instead, it was shaped by the moments she had to step into spaces she wasn’t expected to occupy.

“What shaped me wasn't a straight line. It was the accumulation of rooms I wasn't supposed to be in, deals I wasn't expected to close, and tables I had to build for myself when I wasn't invited to sit.”

Growing up with ambition in environments that often-asked women to shrink, Lucy learned early that leadership is not something you wait to be given.

“Leadership isn't a title; it's a decision you make daily.”

Discipline as Freedom

One of the most defining shifts in Lucy’s leadership journey has been her commitment to structure, what she calls liberation through structure.

For her, freedom is not the absence of discipline, but the result of it.

“True freedom doesn't come from doing whatever you want, it comes from building systems that carry you even when motivation is low.”

This philosophy is reflected in how she leads her life from early morning workouts to weekly planning rituals, journaling, and building systems at work that extend beyond her individual contribution.

But more importantly, it changed how she shows up.

“I stopped waiting to feel ready and started creating the conditions for readiness.”

Owning Her Narrative

In her work within fintech and financial services, Lucy has often found herself navigating spaces where her competence was questioned before she even spoke. But the real battle, she reflects, was not just external bias, it was resisting the urge to internalise it.

“Self-doubt is the most insidious form of bias because it lives inside you and does the work for free.”

Her response was intentional: to take control of her narrative. She began tracking her wins, measuring outcomes, and making her impact visible. She stopped waiting for people to notice and started making her work impossible to ignore.

She also leaned into community, surrounding herself with women who were equally unapologetic about their excellence.

The Ambition: She No Longer Shrinks

Looking back, Lucy is clear about what she would tell her younger self.

“Your ambition is not too much, it’s the point.”

There was a time she edited herself making her goals smaller, more acceptable. Today, she understands that the size of her vision is not something to apologise for, but something to own fully.

And alongside that ambition came other lessons: to invest early, to protect her finances, and to choose relationships that add energy rather than take it away.

The Power of Giving

For Lucy, leadership is deeply tied to generosity, not just as an act of service, but as a strategy for growth. This year’s Women’s Month theme resonates through her work with Women in Tech Kenya, she creates platforms, access, and opportunities for women, connecting them across borders and building spaces where their expertise can take center stage.

Whether through mentorship, partnerships, or global exchanges, she has seen how giving creates a ripple effect.

“The women I've poured into are now pouring into others. That's not charity, that's compounding.”

And in that compounding lies the true essence of her leadership.

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