Suggestions
Grace Lokako
Innovation - Entrepreneurship - Social impact
Professional Background
Grace Lokako is a dynamic professional committed to driving value creation through sustainable and impactful projects. She thrives in innovation-driven environments and possesses a keen entrepreneurial mindset that fuels her passion for transformative work. Grace currently leads the growth and management of innovation ecosystems at Webloom, a platform dedicated to fostering collaboration and creative solutions in Africa. Her extensive career spans various domains, including product management, innovation facilitation, and strategic consulting, showcasing her versatile skill set and commitment to social change.
Grace has cultivated a robust foundation in business and finance, beginning her academic journey at HEC Lausanne. This esteemed institution provided her with rigorous training in the field of Business and Economics, which she further enhanced through practical roles and assignments that developed her critical thinking, design thinking, and project execution skills. Her work experience is characterized by her proactive approach and her desire to combine analytical thinking with creative problem-solving techniques.
Having assumed leadership roles in numerous organizations, including a Vice President position with the Incube Challenge at the ETH Entrepreneur Club, Grace has demonstrated her ability to lead teams and drive innovative initiatives. Her passion for social impact is reflected in her involvement with programs such as the Inssinc – India Switzerland Social Innovation Camp, where she contributed to cross-cultural collaboration focusing on sustainable solutions.
Education and Achievements
Grace’s academic credentials underpin her expertise and her commitment to excellence. She holds a Master’s degree from HEC Lausanne, The Faculty of Business and Economics of the University of Lausanne, where her advanced studies equipped her with essential insights into business strategy and market dynamics. Her Bachelor's degree from the same institution adds to her comprehensive understanding of economic principles and business operations. Additionally, she completed a Foundation year at EPFL (École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne), helping her to synthesize scientific knowledge with practical applications in business contexts.
Prior to her university education, Grace earned her High School Diploma at Lycée Prince de Liège in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, which marked the beginning of her academic journey. This educational diversity lends her a global viewpoint, particularly in areas involving developing economies and emerging markets.
Professional Experiences
Grace has an enriching history of professional experiences that span several notable organizations. At Logitech, she engaged in product management, where she combined her analytical skills with strategic insights to enhance product offerings. Her tenure at the ETH Entrepreneur Club saw her influence as an Innovation Facilitator and a Board Member of the Incube Challenge, facilitating discussions, workshops, and competitions designed to inspire innovation among students and young entrepreneurs.
As an Associate Researcher in the Organizational Behavior Department at HEC Lausanne, Grace contributed to various research projects aimed at uncovering insights into effective team dynamics and workplace behaviors. Her role as a Junior Consultant in the Innovation, Quality & Research Office further enriched her skills in providing strategic recommendations tailored to organizational needs.
In addition to her consulting roles, Grace has also made significant contributions to municipal projects focused on economic growth, displaying her ability to align business strategies with community development objectives. Her project management experiences with IBM and her work in risk analysis at ECOM Trading illustrate her capability to manage complex projects and assess financial risks in corporate environments.
Throughout her career, Grace has demonstrated a unique ability to juggle multiple roles while leading innovative initiatives. Her teaching experience as a Teaching Assistant in Consumer Behavior, Social Well Being & Retailing at HEC Lausanne highlights her commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders and thinkers. Her involvement with various innovation challenges and startup camps, including her role in the Silicon Valley Startup Camp at swissnex San Francisco, indicates her passion for bridging ideas and talent across the globe.
Notable Contributions and Impact
Grace Lokako embodies the spirit of innovation, entrepreneurship, and social responsibility. Her proactive stance on utilizing innovative methodologies and analytics has significantly influenced the growth of numerous projects aimed at generating measurable social impact. Through her work with Webloom and other organizations, she has pioneered initiatives that bridge gaps in education, technology, and community development.
By fostering collaboration among entrepreneurs, innovators, and organizations, Grace not only strengthens the innovation ecosystem but also empowers individuals and groups to pursue their ambitions through sustainable practices and strategic thinking. Her commitment to make a difference is evident in her choice of projects and her role as a mentor to budding innovators.
Grace continues to inspire others with her exceptional blend of skills and her unwavering dedication to creating a positive social impact. Her journey embodies a continual pursuit of knowledge, growth, and meaningful contributions to society, making her a remarkable figure in the field of innovation and entrepreneurship.