Written by Lydiah Maingi, an almunus of HHFL
Growing up at Hanne Howard Fund Lenana (HHFL), I was surrounded by people who believed in me, nurtured my potential, and provided me with opportunities that changed my early life. The unwavering support from Mama Hanne, Baba Ted, the HHFL management team, and generous donors shaped the person I am today. They instilled in me the values of hard work, resilience, and gratitude – lessons I carry with me in every step of my journey.
One of those life-changing opportunities for me came in January 2025, when I received an incredible job offer from Jennifer Blandos, the CEO of Female Fusion. Jennifer has been one of HHFL’s donors and ambassadors for more than 20 years, and to my surprise, she reached out to me on the 22nd of January to discuss a role at Female Fusion. We scheduled a Zoom meeting on the 23rd, where I had the pleasure of speaking with Jennifer and her amazing personal assistant, Candace. During our conversation, they walked me through the tasks I would be handling if I chose to join their team.
After the meeting, I knew I couldn’t turn down the opportunity. The fact that Jennifer saw my potential and wanted me on her team was beyond anything I had ever imagined. She not only offered me the job but also arranged for my travel to Dubai, covering all expenses. To top it off, she welcomed me into her home with open arms. I must say, it felt like being in my mother’s house – the warmth, hospitality, and kindness were overwhelming. I was surrounded by wonderful people, including her lovely daughter Eva and Tendai, the best chef ever!
Before my travel, Isaiah gave me hands-on training to help me use all the tools we need at Female Fusion. While I was familiar with Microsoft computers, at Female Fusion we use Apple MacBooks and lots of helpful tools that make our work easier and faster. I learned how to use AI tools that help us support our members better – from writing posts to creating images and managing our community. The training covered everything from the basics of using my MacBook to working with our member platform, scheduling tools, and podcast equipment. I also learned how we use AI to help our members grow their businesses, like creating content, analyzing data, and automating routine tasks. What impressed me most was seeing how Female Fusion uses technology to make running a business simpler for women around the world. By the end of the training, I felt confident and excited to help other women entrepreneurs use these tools too.
Joining Female Fusion
My travel date was set for February 8th, and the purpose of my trip was to undergo training for two weeks with the incredible Female Fusion team, led by Candace, Tamsin, and Katherine. During my time there, I learned about the impactful work Female Fusion does and what my role would entail.
About Female Fusion
Female Fusion is a global professional network dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs to build profitable and impactful businesses. With an international community of over 60,000 women, including more than 1,000 paid members, Female Fusion provides resources, expert masterclasses, and a strong support system to help women turn their business aspirations into reality.
The organization offers various programs and events, such as the Growth Mastermind, designed to support women in starting, building, growing, and scaling their businesses. Additionally, Female Fusion produces a podcast titled “Women on the Rise,” featuring discussions on business topics and interviews with top female entrepreneurs worldwide.
While specific mission and vision statements are not explicitly detailed in the available sources, Female Fusion’s overarching goal is to create a community where women support each other and grow together, fostering an environment that encourages collaboration and mutual success.
A Full-Circle Moment
Reflecting on my journey, I am deeply grateful for the foundation HHFL provided me. The lessons I learned, the support I received, and the opportunities that came my way have led me to this new and exciting chapter with Female Fusion. This experience is a testament to the power of mentorship, opportunity, and unwavering belief in one’s potential.
To Mama Hanne, Baba Ted, HHFL’s management, and all the donors – thank you for believing in me. Your impact is immeasurable, and I hope to continue making you proud. To Jen and the Female Fusion trailblazers, thank you for believing in me, training me and entrusting me to deliver within your mission.
