This archive report was first published on 2 September 2019.
A Day in the Life of Stella Makona Simiyu ¶
As the Chief Operating Officer at Sentinel Africa Consulting Limited, Stella Makona Simiyu's days are filled with managing project delivery, client relationship management, and more. In an interview with The Standard, published on September 2, 2019, Stella shared her daily routine, from waking up at 5:30 am to spending quality time with her family in the evening.
Stella's day starts with early morning meetings, which set the tone for the week ahead. She manages project delivery end-to-end, scheduling consultants, managing delivery milestones, and client relationship management. With a team to manage and projects to oversee, Stella's plate is full, but she finds time to indulge in overpriced coffee at 3 pm and recalibrate.
One of Stella's most career-affirming experiences was as a business continuity professional, preparing organizations for disruptions and disasters. She recalls an emotional and fulfilling experience during the terror attack at Dusit, where her client relied heavily on their work for continuity.
Stella's advice to others is to fail fast and fail forward, learning from failures and not getting stuck in them. She also emphasizes the importance of showing up, participating, and giving one's best all the time, no matter the company or person.
When she's not working, Stella enjoys spending time with her family, particularly her son, who is a curious and inquisitive mind. She values Sundays as strictly family days and leverages help from her extended family and husband to achieve a delicate balance between work and life.
