She started out as a lawyer, but then pursued her dream of becoming a journalist. Now Muriel celebrates the power of storytelling in her role at Executive Communities.
Muriel Adhiambo, Senior Writer for CFO East Africa, a part of Executive Communities, believes that her career in journalism is “where I was supposed to be”. Her love of storytelling supports her engagement with finance leaders in East Africa, and she’s learning a lot from their professional and personal outlooks.
Muriel’s career journey began in a different field entirely. After completing law school and passing the bar, she practiced law for around three years. However, during the Covid pandemic, she took this time of quietening to do some soul-searching. She acknowledged to herself that she had always wanted to be a journalist.
This led her to completing a postgraduate course in journalism and working in the mainstream media for two years. She says she felt that she was finally where she was supposed to be, professionally.
She then joined Executive Communities in 2024, where her job now involves interviewing and writing up stories about finance executives, and supporting and covering the in-person events that the community revolves around.
Engaging executives
Aside from feeling at home professionally, there are lots of reasons why she enjoys her job. “I meet lots of interesting people every day, and it is always a joy to connect with them and tell their stories. Although the work I do brings visibility to the executives in their capacity as business leaders, it also peels back the layers to reveal the person behind the role. I really enjoy that.”
Muriel feels engaged by this deeper approach to storytelling. “Reporting is fact-based – the bare bones of a story. It’s rattling off a bunch of facts and figures to provide information. But story-telling humanises and adds context,” she explains. “Stories create narratives that connect and resonate with people. I have read so many stories, and while I may not remember all of them, I remember how they made me feel.”
She’s also learning a lot from the executives, she says, including being clear about your values and what drives you. “Many of the executives I speak to have achieved great things, but at the root of that is an understanding of what they want out of life in the first place. What does success look like to you? Are you energised by the thought of building a business that continues to be profitable for years to come, or are you drawn to charitable initiatives and the impact they can have on people’s lives? When that is clear, it becomes easy to see the path forward, and things begin to fall into place.”
Muriel is personally driven by a sense of pride in her writing. “I feel most at peace when I can see the impact of my work. I like to feel that I have used my talents and abilities to make a difference in both small and big ways.”
Part of the Executive Communities team
Muriel’s positive experience of her current role doesn’t stop at the external engagement, and she has positive things to say about her experience of the Executive Communities culture. “I also love being part of the Dream Team. I didn’t know what to expect when I first came on board, but the people I work with are so kind and supportive. I truly feel that my work is appreciated.”
As the first official employee of the East African business, Muriel has found it exciting to watch the CFO East Africa community grow and flourish, and to see the business grow along with it. “About a year ago, I was the first CFO East Africa employee. By the end of this year, we will be a team of five. I also like the fact that so many finance executives in the region now recognise and identify with the CFO East Africa brand. It feels like we have done so much already, but we’re only getting started, and I’m excited to see where things go.”
Motivation and relaxation
Muriel is a thoughtful and driven person, and when asked who inspires her, she listed two quite different women, both with a deep dedication to their art. “I have loved Beyoncé since I was a child. I respect her artistry and dedication to her craft. I am also inspired by Toni Morrison. I find her work moving because it asks questions that go to the root of the human experience. There are many other writers, artists, leaders, and even ordinary people I have learned from, but these two come to mind.”
Although she is empowered by her writing work, Muriel certainly still needs some downtime. To unwind, she likes to spend time in nature and recently started hiking. She also meditates – although not regularly – but says that when she does, it’s like the noise of daily life quiets down.
“I also love live music,” she adds. “Music has always been an important part of my life. I have a guitar that now gathers dust in some corner at home. Maybe I should pick it up again.”