Funmilayo Falola is a dynamic storyteller with a passion for crafting narratives that shape behavior, inspire action, and drive meaningful change. She thrives on using impact-driven storytelling to connect with audiences across diverse industries. With a deep understanding of communication, branding, and engagement, she has built a career dedicated to influencing perceptions and fostering strong connections. Her journey spans marketing, communications, and reputation management, always with a focus on purpose-driven messaging that resonates and delivers results. She currently serves as the Global Head of Communications ENGIE Energy Access(EEA), a leading pay as you go and mini grids solutions provider on Africa; She started her career in advertising with CentrespreadFCB, then moved into banking where she worked for FirstBank & Wema Bank respectively; before moving on to now work in the sustainable energy sector.
What Is Success?
Funmilayo defines success as a powerful blend of impact, fulfilment, and, on some days, simply making it through Monday without three cups of coffee! For her true success lies in storytelling that sparks change, turning strategy into action, and watching messages not just be heard—but lived. It’s about mentoring, building passionate teams, and creating a culture where people love what they do.
Beyond her career, Funmilayo finds success in living a life of balance—nurturing her passions, cherishing relationships, and embracing the occasional guilt-free binge-watch. Faith is the foundation of her journey, shaping her perspective and guiding her through life’s complexities. She believes in staying curious, evolving, and moving forward with purpose, even when the road gets chaotic.
“At the end of the day,” Funmilayo says, “success is about impact, joy, and walking in faith—making both life and work an adventure worth having.”
Pursuing a Career in Communications
Funmilayo’s path to communications was shaped by fate but, in hindsight, felt perfectly aligned with who she is. Though she studied Political Science, she accidentally discovered Public Relations and her passion for storytelling led her to advertising, where she truly fell in love with the art of communication.
Nearly two decades later, she has built a thriving career in strategic communications, internal engagement, and brand storytelling across industries from banking to renewable energy. She finds joy in creativity, mentorship, and the dynamic blend of strategy and storytelling that makes communication both impactful and exciting.
Proudest Moments
Funmilayo describes her career as a thrilling rollercoaster, dotted with several milestones. One of her proudest moments whilst at Wema Bank was successfully leading her team to deliver a campaign that blended logic and emotion to create real magic.
From advertising, Funmilayo transitioned to banking, which, for her, was a big leap. A major highlight while at the bank was being able to lead the team that signed Davido, the popular Nigerian-American singer, as a brand ambassador. Partnering with him , they launched a successful campaign to open one million bank accounts in one day. “It was no small feat,” Funmilayo points out.
Internal communications really excites Funmilayo. She has a penchant for helping employees turn strategy into action and making the process both fun and engaging. “At the end of the day, it’s about inspiring people to do their best work,” she says.
Guidance of Incredible Mentors
Today, Funmilayo is a mentor and role model for many young women professionals. Fortunately, she also had a mix of incredible mentors throughout her career. According to her, these mentors were mostly amazing women. They shaped her growth in ways beyond just professional advice. Some taught her to lead with empathy, others showed her the power of resilience, and a few even helped her with the small things, like dressing for success.
“What’s special about a mentor is how they see your potential before you do and push you to be the best version of yourself,” Funmilayo says. “They’ve celebrated my wins, offered tough love when needed, and taught me to view every experience as an opportunity to grow.” Now, she passes these lessons on. She explains that it is because mentorship is about both giving and receiving.
“It’s the people we learn from who help shape who we become,” she adds.
Challenges Galore
Funmilayo’s professional journey has not been challenge-free. “There have been many challenges – trust me, they love to show up uninvited, often when you least expect,” she says. However, she has learned to see challenges not just as a reality but also as an opportunity; She says that the key is to show up with curiosity, allowing God to lead you, ready to discover new lessons and grow from the experience.
Over the years, Funmilayo has experienced different types of challenges; She says as a leader aligning diverse teams, building trust, and navigating different personalities can be challenging. Technical challenges also occur; for example, moving from the fast-paced world of advertising to the structured, regulated world of banking. “At first, it felt like I was trying to read a foreign language, but curiosity turned out to be my translator,” Funmilayo recalls.
“What’s been most significant, though, is realizing that challenges are not roadblocks,” she adds. “They are opportunities for growth, innovation, and sometimes, even humor – because let’s be real, sometimes you need to laugh to keep going!”
Funmilayo points out that throughout her career, she has had incredible support from her mentors, and team members – they have been her safety net and sounding board. With their help, she has turned challenges into stepping stones. Now, she approaches each challenge with a mindset of “What can I learn from this?” and “How can I turn this into an opportunity to help others?”
“It’s a journey of constant learning, and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Funmilayo underscores.
A Typical Day and Work-Life Balance
For Funmilayo, no two days are the same. “That’s exactly what make me thrive,” she says. On some days, she is in strategic meetings with senior leadership, while on others, she is on the road, learning firsthand from the teams and understanding the impact of their work. Travel is a big part of her current role, and this allows her stay connected and aligned with their operations.
“Each day is a mix of strategy, collaboration, and execution — guiding communications, working with cross-functional teams, and constantly building on our efforts to drive impact,” Funmilayo says. As a leader, she is always looking for opportunities to evolve, take on new challenges, and collaborate with other teams to push boundaries and set the stage for even greater growth.
Is she able to maintain a work-life balance? According to her, balancing professional responsibilities with personal life, especially in a demanding role, requires intentionality and discipline. She strives to maintain the balance by focusing on high-impact tasks, setting clear boundaries, and ensuring that urgent matters receive immediate attention while delegating when necessary.
Additionally, Funmilayo believes in the power of strategic planning and time management to maintain efficiency without compromising well-being. She intentionally sets aside time to recharge—whether through mentorship, creative pursuits, or meaningful moments with family and friends—leaning on God to renew her strength. “This is essential,” she says.
Funmilayo recognizes that maintaining a balance isn’t just beneficial for personal well-being, but it also enhances professional effectiveness. “A well-rested, engaged, and fulfilled individual is better equipped to deliver impactful results,” she says.
A Series of Achievements
As a seasoned communications leader, Funmilayo is immensely proud of the strides she has made in driving the expansion of clean, affordable energy to underserved communities. She emphasizes that strategic communication has been integral in promoting innovative solutions that not only empower millions but also contribute to a more sustainable energy future.
Beyond external impact, she takes great pride in fostering organizational growth, particularly by shaping a strong company culture and leading effective change management initiatives. These efforts have deepened employee engagement and strengthened their connection to the broader mission.
“Ultimately, the most fulfilling aspect of my work has been seeing the tangible, positive effects we’ve had on the communities we serve, reinforcing our commitment to sustainable, inclusive growth,” Funmilayo shares.
Maintaining the Company’s Culture
Funmilayo contributes to maintaining and enhancing the company culture by creating an environment where open, transparent communication is at the heart of everything they do. For her, a key moment at the company was the launch of an employment engagement campaign, seeking for staff to always ensure purpose is at the heart of all they do. She is also proud of the inaugural CEO Impact Awards, an initiative that celebrates the dedication and achievements of their employees. These awards reinforces the value they place on each individual’s contribution to their shared mission.
Funmilayo is committed to championing a culture of inclusion and diversity at work. She points out that by embracing these differences, they foster innovation and collaboration that drive their collective success. Above all, Funmilayo leads by example. She strives to live and breathe the company’s values in every action and decision.
Goals for the Future
Funmilayo’s goals for the future revolve around continuous growth and creating lasting impact, both personally and professionally. Personally, she is committed to evolving as a leader, learning new skills, and stepping outside her comfort zone to make a greater impact in the energy sector. And for the organization, Funmilayo intends to expand its reach and drive innovation, particularly in underserved communities.
She is also focused on promoting diversity. She intends to contribute to a culture where diversity is a core value, while also nurturing talent and developing future leaders. “Ultimately, it’s about sustainability – creating a meaningful legacy for both our teams and the communities we serve, while leaving my own authentic and impactful mark on the industry,” says Funmilayo.
Impacting Next-Generation Women Leaders
Funmilayo wants to influence the next generation of women leaders in the energy sector by showing them they can own their space, no matter how challenging things may seem. She points out that her journey has taught her to embrace one’s unique perspective; learning that leading with confidence is key.
She aims to inspire and mentor women — by coaching or simply being an example of someone who balances ambition, creativity, and authenticity. “I want women to see that success doesn’t require fitting into a traditional mold; we can be bold, diverse, and game-changers in whichever way we want,” Funmilayo says.
She is passionate about pushing for more women in leadership, particularly in decision-making roles. She believes that diverse leadership drives innovation, and when women’s voices are heard, the solutions created are more holistic. Ultimately, Funmilayo wants future generations of women in energy to know their ideas and leadership matter, and that the energy sector is a space for visionaries who will build a more sustainable, inclusive future.
Advice to Aspiring Leaders
Funmilayo advises aspiring leaders not to wait for the ‘perfect moment’. She says, “It doesn’t exist.” She encourages them to jump in, make mistakes, learn from them, and keep evolving. Funmilayo explains that leadership isn’t about playing it safe; it is about embracing challenges and staying true to one’s unique qualities.
She also tells aspiring leaders to stay curious — ask questions, seek mentorship, and embrace diverse perspectives. Funmilayo believes that the more one learns from others, the better one will be at building strategies and teams that thrive. In her message, she also stresses the importance of investing in oneself — whether through education, side projects, or following one’s passions. “Continuous growth inspires others to do the same,” she says.
“Finally, embrace your authenticity, as your quirks and individuality will set you apart and help you lead in a way that resonates,” Funmilayo says. “Take risks, keep learning, and never underestimate the power of humor and resilience to help you navigate the tough times.”
