To Celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, CEO of Feed the Community CIC, Victoria Ugwoeme shares her story of being a female lead in the charity sector and how volunteering shaped her career.
Having served my community for two decades, “volunteering” played a transformative role in shaping my leadership skills and positive impact to my community. Volunteering is often seen as an act of giving, but for me it became the foundation of a leadership journey that led to my role as a female CEO in the charity sector. What started as a passion for service transformed into an opportunity to lead, inspire, and make a lasting impact and legacy in my community. My journey was not short of its challenges, judgments and moments of profound joy, shaping me into the leader I am today for service.
My childhood was filled with so many challenges, especially when my dad died. My innocent world became too complicated way too quickly. Experiencing these moments when someone was kind enough to support my mum with things, like food parcels, used clothes, donation and so on meant my mum’s little income could be diverted to keeping a roof over our heads escaping the harsh reality of becoming homeless.
This act of kindness from strangers inspired my desire to give back, and I have dedicated my time to local community projects, supporting causes ever since. Whether it was organising community fun activities, fundraising events, mentoring young people, or helping underprivileged families. Each experience taught me invaluable lessons about empathy, teamwork, and perseverance.
Stepping into leadership as a woman in the charity sector was not without challenges. I encountered scepticism about my capabilities, qualification or simply “how dare she”, causing me doubts about my decision-making, and the constant pressure to prove myself. The non-profit world, though rooted in compassion, still carried biases that I had to navigate. However, I chose to view these judgments not as obstacles, but as fuel to drive my determination to achieve my vision of a better world.
By staying committed to my vision and leading with authenticity, I gradually earned the trust of my volunteers, sponsors, and the community. I learned that leadership is not about asserting power but about inspiring change and fostering collaboration.
The greatest reward of my journey has been witnessing the tangible impact of my work. From empowering women with skill-based training to launching initiatives that transformed lives. Each milestone reaffirmed my purpose. Hearing feedback from volunteers of how working with me has inspired confidence, self worth and resilience.
Creating an environment of love, laughter and belonging has established loyalty and allies. I have felt their protection in vulnerable moments. This in turn has given me the boldness to fight their cause and be their voice. Seeing the smiles of those we serve at Feed the Community, hearing their stories of resilience, and knowing that our efforts are changing lives, fill me with immense joy.
For me personally, volunteering doesn’t just change the lives of those you serve; it transformed me in ways I never imagined. In my late 30’s I struggled with PTSD streaming from a traumatic childhood. Getting support to go through that phase allowed me to be more visible, available, safe and engaging with communities. And sometimes, it leads you to a place you never expected—at the helm of an organisation, ready to make an even bigger difference.
Through my transition from volunteer to CEO, I discovered essential leadership lessons:
●Service Leads to Growth: The more I gave, the more I learned about leadership, strategy, and impact.
●Empowerment is Contagious: By lifting others, I found myself growing alongside them.
●Tenacity: Even though I faced criticism and setbacks, I focused more on the persistent effort to keep going despite the challenges.
If my journey has taught me anything, it’s that leadership begins with service. Every act of volunteering plants a seed of potential and with dedication, that seed can grow into something extraordinary.
Are you considering a path in the charity sector or any leadership role—embrace the challenges, trust your journey, and lead with heart. Volunteering opens doors, explore it today don’t forget to embrace the experience!!!
Written by Victoria Ugwoeme