The past years and decades have seen women conquer new heights and become more and more present among the leadership of different areas. However, there is still a clear disparity in terms of leadership between men and women, who often find themselves lacking a community that supports their ambitions and allows them to thrive while growing their skills as visionaries. Trailblazer Femme is becoming a community that seeks to remedy this gap.
Olubunmi Akinkugbe, better known as Dr. Bunmi, hopes to empower strong, ambitious women of color to reach their full potential and offer them support and a community that can sometimes be hard to find. She is an M.D., MPH, a certified WorkLife Strategies, a coach working with executives, a public health expert, and an image consultant. Now, she is also the co-founder of Trailblazer Femme.
Women, especially women of color, often find the world unsupportive and dismissive of their potential and needs. Here, Dr. Bunmi hopes to find a way to cultivate and develop the uniqueness of each of her clients and helping everyone find and grow their potential. The key to success is learning one’s one true purpose and building a life and a career that reflects this distinctive and unique purpose. Dr. Bunmi believes that women who find this for themselves begin to glow with a special radiance, within and also without and that this glow is a reflection of a life that is true to one’s values and ideals.
Her co-founder is Mofoluwaso Ilevbare, also known as Fofo, MBA, GPHR, FIMC, and a certified executive coach working with social and emotional intelligence, confidence, and more. Fofo is a global 501 HR Leader and a management consultant, as well as an award-winning author who dedicates herself to helping women of color achieve excellence and transformative experiences. Fofo has been recognized as a Global Champion for Women Empowerment. She has also received a Commendation Award from the State of Georgia and has been declared among the Top 100 Women of Excellence at the Women Economic Forum. Her talents are in helping each woman develop her potential through effective social and emotional coaching.
Trailblazer Femme is a way to construct a community of women, driven by their career goals and unique visions, who seek and achieve fulfillment in all areas of their life, who know and respect their unique purpose, and who move forward regardless of obstacles. This is a community with a lot of potential for leaving a positive impact on the world, as people with a dedicated vision are more likely to make it come true and as women who become leaders also turn into inspirational figures for others, leaving a trail to be followed and a positive impact on the world.
Trailblazer Femme is an organization dedicated to making positive changes in the world and impacting communities through a ripple effect that begins with the growth of inspirational, powerful, and dedicated leaders.
We had the pleasure of interviewing the founders, Olubunmi Akinkugbe and Mofoluwaso Ilevbare. Here are excerpts from the interview:
Hi, Great to have you with us today! Please share with our readers about what it is that you do.
Despite making significant strides in the workforce, the harsh reality is that women of color continue to be undervalued and underrepresented in leadership positions. They are paid less for performing the same job as their male counterparts and are often overlooked for senior leadership roles and corporate board positions.
In addition to these systemic barriers, many women of color also struggle to balance the demands of work and their personal lives. Women of color are still subject to harmful stereotypes and biases that can impede their opportunities and advancement in the workplace.
These issues are real and persistent, but with the right support and resources, women of color can break through these barriers and reach their full potential.
That is why, at TRAILBLAZER FEMME, we are committed to helping mid to senior-level career women of color LIVE boldly at work and in life. Through our premium coaching program and exclusive community resources, you can unlock your BEST self—personally and professionally, expand your influence, making a global impact without burnout.
Please tell us more about your company, Trailblazer Femme.
Trailblazer Femme is an empowering movement for career women of color, dedicated to elevating Work Life success among female leaders and creating meaningful changes in the world.
Our members span five continents and, in 12 months of joining our program, have
• built influence and impact in various career fields.
• gained clarity around their purpose and life goals
• grew more confident, got promoted at work, and negotiated higher pay
• changed careers and built portfolios without fear.
• co-authored an Amazon Bestselling book
• are courageously building their personal brands and thought leadership.
• found sustainable strategies to balance work-life without the overwhelm.
• got sponsored by well-established thought leaders and experts
As a member of our community, you’ll have access to:
• A supportive community of ambitious and confident career women who are committed to personal growth/leadership development without “burnout”!
• Expert coaching and guidance from experienced professionals
• We offer a range of coaching services, including one-on-one coaching, group coaching, and workshops, to help you develop the skills, confidence, and mindset you need to succeed.
• Monthly challenges and Quarterly connects on topics such as career development, confidence building, networking, personal branding, executive leadership, networking, elegance, and work-life balance.
• Resources and tools to help you succeed at work and in life.
Unlock your limitless potential with our holistic personal and professional design. Whether you’re looking to soar in your current career, make a career pivot, establish a personal brand or achieve work-life balance, we’ve got you covered. Take the first step to making it happen today!
Any message for our readers?
Is Your Leadership Team Gender-Diverse and Inclusive? Contact us to discuss your diversity strategy and enroll your top female leaders. Our 6-week executive circle experience is designed for high flying mid to senior-level career women of color to help unlock their full potential in the workplace and increase female representation in boardrooms!
What are the strategies that helped you become successful in your journey?
Bunmi Akinkugbe: From experience, women of color can thrive better and faster in supportive communities.
Mofoluwaso Ilevbare: Developing confidence in myself, my abilities and taking risks when others won’t, are some of the strategies I have used to accelerate my career in different roles across Europe, U.S. Middle East, Australia-New Zealand, and Africa.
Fantastic! So tell us, how can people find out more about you?
You can visit our website https://www.trailblazerfemme.com, where you can learn more about our personal and corporate programs. You can also check out our one-off coaching services and bestselling book, LIVING BOLDLY.
You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn at Trailblazer Femme and subscribe to our weekly newsletters, where we share one actional step to living boldly at work and in life.
Thank you so much for giving us your precious time! We wish you all the best for your journey ahead!