Unexpected and unknown are inbuilt in our lives from the moment we are born. At first, everything is unknown to us, and then after we gain a conscious self, unexpected keep meeting us at every turn throughout our times. There are moments in one’s life when the journey begins long before we realize we have stepped onto the path. For Dr. Josephine Songa, the Founder and Executive Director of Kaizen Top Mark, the seeds of leadership were planted in the landscapes of rural Kenya, where she first came to understand food, livelihoods, resilience, and the power of community. “Over the years, my journey would take me through research stations, academia, boardrooms, policy negotiation spaces, global fellowship platforms, and multi-country development programs across Africa.” But every step, every achievement, and every challenge has led back to one central purpose: to help build systems that nourish people, sustain livelihoods, and transform futures.
Kaizen Top Mark was born from that purpose and from the quiet, steady realization that the work of transformation must be both personal and collective.
A Journey Rooted in a Purpose
Dr. Songa’s journey toward establishing Kaizen Top Mark was shaped by professional purpose, accumulated experience, and personal reflections on impact. There comes a moment in one’s career when experience, conviction, and calling align. For her, that moment emerged after years in leadership roles across science, innovation, agricultural policy, institutional strengthening, and capacity development in Africa. “I had seen what was possible when systems were empowered to serve communities—and what was lost when solutions were fragmented, externally driven, or disconnected from those they intended to support. I knew there was a better way: one rooted in collaboration, continuity, and dignity.”
Founding Kaizen Top Mark created the space to address these gaps intentionally. It allowed her to build an entity anchored in partnership, dialogue, and practical problem-solving. It also marked a leadership shift – “a realization that I could use my voice, networks, and experience to drive transformation more directly.”
A Living Philosophy
You might feel that the philosophy of Kaizen reflects continuous improvement. “It does. Because, to us – my team and me – Kaizen is more than our name. It is an inherent attitude we live by.” Continuous improvement is rooted in humility: the awareness that there is always more to learn, refine, and contribute. Throughout her career -whether leading research teams, designing agricultural transformation strategies, shaping policy, or mentoring young professionals –Dr. Songa learned that growth is a journey, not an endpoint.
This mindset keeps her adaptive and intentional, especially in multi-stakeholder spaces where perspectives differ. At Kaizen Top Mark, the Kaizen philosophy shapes how Dr. Songa and her team work: they co-create solutions, learn alongside their partners, and approach development as a shared journey. Ultimately, they help their clients and partners grow into stronger, more capable versions of themselves.
Constantly Learning Leadership Lessons
Also, Dr. Songa’s leadership philosophy has been shaped as much by boardrooms, research labs, on-farm fields, capacity-building spaces, and policy dialogues as it has been by motherhood. Raising a family while leading national and international programs taught her the value of presence, prioritization, and grace.
She learned early that balance is not a fixed point but a constant negotiation of attention and energy. Some seasons demanded deeper professional focus; others required stepping back and being fully present at home. “Over time, I came to see these roles not as competing identities but as complementary ones.” Motherhood strengthened her empathy, patience, and emotional intelligence; it taught her courage in times of change and grace in moments of exhaustion -qualities at the heart of leadership today. “It also grounded my decisions in what truly matters.”
Every major career transition Dr. Songa made has been guided by family. She believes leadership should not require sacrificing one’s identity or loved ones, but reflect an integrated life lived in alignment with core values.
The Most Transformative Phases
Looking back today, Dr. Songa says she can see the most transformative phases of her career that prepared her for the role of a leader. What is more, those times have shaped her voice, convictions, and leadership -qualities essential for her role as Executive Director:
• Years in agricultural research and biotechnology grounded her in rigorous scientific thinking and evidence-based decision-making.
• Serving as a university lecturer and postgraduate research supervisor strengthened her mentorship skills and deepened her commitment to knowledge transfer and capacity-building.
• Leadership roles in national agricultural policy reform sharpened her systems-thinking and enhanced her ability to influence governance processes, drive institutional change, and build enabling environments for food-systems transformation.
• Working on multi-country donor-funded programs across 20+ African countries expanded her capacity to manage complex initiatives, cultivate strong partnerships, and coordinate diverse teams toward shared outcomes.
• Mentoring young African women agricultural scientists through the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) program reinforced her dedication to inclusive leadership—especially for women and youth -and affirmed the power of knowledge shared generously.
Together, these phases have given Dr. Songa the technical depth, strategic insight, and relational leadership needed to guide Kaizen Top Mark with clarity, purpose, and authenticity.
Creating an Environment for People to Strengthen Themselves
Her leadership approach is unique, but she thinks it is quite simple. “I lead with a relational, collaborative approach grounded in respect, shared responsibility, and empowerment.” People perform best when they feel recognized, valued, and trusted, she believes. “Leadership is not about authority -it is about creating environments where people can confidently bring their strengths forward.” At Kaizen Top Mark, she ensures they partner with clients as co-creators, not distant experts. “We prioritize reflection, learning, and open communication, knowing that trust is built not through grand moments but through consistent, everyday practice.”
A Challenge Conqueror
Of course, throughout her journey, there were challenges. However, to Dr. Songa, all of those challenges shaped her resilience and vision, “In fact, the person I am today.” Her leadership journey has unfolded through seasons that tested her resolve and shaped her character. Some were marked by resource constraints, politically complex environments, slow-moving reforms, and transitions across diverse institutional cultures. These experiences strengthened her resilience, deepened her commitment to building strong, inclusive systems, and taught her that sustainable transformation comes from steady, long-term investment.
A defining moment came when she stepped into entrepreneurship after an established career and trusted that the vision was enough. It required clarity, faith, and courage -and affirmed that leadership often means entering new spaces so others can see possibility.
Moreover, Dr. Songa’s academic training in agricultural sciences and business management instilled a discipline of inquiry and a commitment to evidence-based action. Professional experience across research, academia, government, NGOs, and advisory roles sharpened her understanding of how policies are shaped, how markets function, and how transformation occurs in real-world contexts.
“But it is the human experiences—working with farmers, engaging grassroots institutions, learning from women leaders, and mentoring young researchers—that shaped my heart.” They taught her to lead not from expertise alone but with empathy; to recognize that knowledge is most powerful when shared, and that leadership is ultimately service.
These experiences shaped her long-term goals in three ways:
• Strengthening institutional capacity so systems—not individuals—sustain progress.
• Advancing inclusive development that elevates women and youth.
• Championing African-led solutions rooted in our realities and aspirations.
Dr. Songa learned early that innovation and adaptability are essential traits for a leader. Throughout her career, she has been intentional in creating spaces of reflection, curiosity, and dialogue. She has always encouraged innovation in her teams and recognized it to be a result of incremental questioning, purposeful experimentation, and the courage to learn from experience rather than fear failure. “For myself, I read widely, stay connected with sector networks, and seek out environments where I am challenged to think differently.”
The Core Values
Many leaders strive to align values with action. In Dr. Songa’s case, the core values that guide her leadership are integrity, service, collaboration, excellence, and compassion. The values influence the way she engages with her team and stakeholders as follows:
• “Integrity ensures that our work is grounded in honesty and ethical engagement.”
• “Service reminds us that leadership is about improving lives and systems.”
• Collaboration enables shared ownership, lasting relationships, and meaningful impact.
• “Excellence ensures we commit to quality, discipline, and rigor.”
• Compassion keeps humanity at the center of development.
“These values influence how we design programs, interact with partners, and communicate outcomes.”
Empowering Others
The consulting field often requires balancing multiple interests and maintaining impartiality. That is why ensuring integrity and authenticity remain central to Dr. Songa’s professional practice. “Authenticity means acknowledging what we know, what we are learning, and where partnership strengthens outcomes.” Integrity means making decisions that honor people, not just outcomes.
At Kaizen Top Mark, Dr. Songa says they commit to listening deeply, co-creating solutions respectfully, and facilitating processes that empower others and strengthen ownership rather than dependency.
Opening Doors for Them
Again, mentorship is one of the greatest joys of her work, she adds. Throughout her career, she has had the privilege of mentoring women scientists, youth agripreneurs, community leaders, and young professionals. “I do this because it aligns with my purpose: to unlock potential in myself and others, especially women and youth. I also mentor because someone once opened a door for me- and leadership requires opening doors for others.” Across roles, Dr. Songa has supported early-career scientists, young professionals, created opportunities for youth agripreneurs, and championed leadership development for African women in science and agri-business. Mentorship, to her, is not simply transferring knowledge -it is affirming possibility.
Solidifying Tomorrow
As she looks toward the future, Dr. Songa is passionate about continuing to strengthen food systems governance in Africa, expanding institutional capacity development, nurturing youth and women leaders, and expanding cross-regional collaboration. She also looks forward to deepening Kaizen Top Mark’s footprint and partnerships, both regionally and globally.
A Message for Aspiring Leaders
Finally, her message to emerging leaders, especially women, is this: lead with clarity, courage, and authenticity. Your voice matters, and your journey is enough. You do not need to become someone else to lead well. Leadership is not perfection; it is purposeful growth, staying rooted in your values, and allowing strength and grace to coexist.
To the women rising, balancing ambition and family, or questioning whether their voice carries weight -remember: you are allowed to grow slowly, lead gently, and choose love while still being powerful. You do not need to be hard to be strong. Strength can be soft, leadership can be kind, and success can be profoundly human.
Above all, you can lead boldly without abandoning the parts of your life that nourish your spirit. “That, to me, is true success,” she concludes.
