On February 28, 2026, something different happened.
No, it wasn’t another motivational talk about “working harder”, or one more conversation that leaves you more burnt out than before you joined.
Instead, almost 800 young career women from across Africa gathered virtually for The Reset Summit, hosted by 9to5Chick, to have the real, unfiltered conversations that if we’re being honest, rarely get enough screentime.
You know the ones, right?
About ambition, pressure, burnout, visibility, and what it truly takes to grow a career that lasts.
Across Zoom and YouTube, participants joined from different cities and countries. Some logged in curious and not knowing what to expect. Others came searching for answers.
Four hours later, many left with something they didn’t have before.
Clarity.
Why The Reset Summit Was Created
Young women, especially those in the early to mid stages of their careers, hear a lot of advice about staying motivated.
But very little about the realities that show up along the way.
The pressure to constantly perform.
The quiet frustration of doing great work that goes unnoticed.
The exhaustion that comes with chasing ambition without a clear strategy.
The Reset Summit was designed as a pause.
A space to step back, rethink the pace, and gain the clarity needed to move forward with intention and a clear head.
Through a keynote session, two panel discussions, and an immersive mentorship experience, the summit opened up conversations that many women are definitely having privately but rarely see addressed publicly.
It was intentional and it was necessary. Let’s see the highlights of each.
The Keynote Session
The summit opened with a keynote by Mariah Lucciano-Gabriel, Head of Integrated Gas Ventures at Asharami Energy.
Her session, “Designing A Career That Actually Progresses,” unpacked what a lot of us professionals discover too late: working hard is not the same as moving forward.
The keynote explored questions that often remain unanswered in early to mid careers:
–The promotion path few people explain clearly
–The shift from being a high performer to becoming leadership material
–What mid-management truly demands
–The difference between being busy and being valuable
–How to think strategically about career progression early
The conversation reframed career growth as something designed intentionally, not something that simply happens over time or accidentally.
Some quotes that stood out:
Panel 1
The first panel, “Visibility Without The Cringe: How To Communicate Your Value At Work”, addressed a challenge many capable young professionals quietly face: being good at your work but struggling to communicate your value.
Moderated by Victoria Ndu, Lead, Corporate Social Responsibility at Airtel Nigeria, the session brought together:
–Tamilore Oladipo, Senior Content Creator at Buffer
–Haoma Worgwu, Marketing Insider at LinkedIn
–Blessing Abeng, Branding and Communications Professional
The conversation moved past generic advice and focused on practical realities. Questions like:
–How do you advocate for your work without feeling like you are bragging?
–How do you build presence in rooms where you are often overlooked?
Panelists explored:
–Communicating value without sounding performative
–Being heard in rooms where credibility must be earned repeatedly
–Developing executive presence without abandoning authenticity
–Why capable women are often missed and how to shift that narrative
–Mindset shifts around visibility early in one’s career
The session resonated strongly with the participants who were mostly navigating their early and mid-career stages.
Here are some quotes that stood out:
Panel 2
If the first panel focused on being seen, the second focused on sustainability.
Ambition is often framed as an unending hustle culture. But that model rarely holds up over time.
The panel “Ambition Without Burnout: The Reset Era” featured:
–Yvonne Alozie Obi, Founder of Syntari Technologies and Well Working & Living
–Peace Itimi, Founder of Founders Connect and Rivva
Together, they explored what ambition looks like when it is built to last.
The discussion covered:
–Redefining ambition in ways that are sustainable rather than draining
–Setting boundaries that protect long-term growth
–Moving from survival mode to strategic career building
–The importance of community in career progression
–What a true “reset” looks like in real working lives
A particular quote by Yvonne that really captured the spirit of the entire summit.
“You perform better in a village. Don’t build your career alone.”
It was a simple line, but it landed deeply.
Because it speaks directly to why spaces like The Reset Summit and communities like 9to5Chick matter.
Some standout quotes from this session:
The Mentorship Experience
One of the most impactful moments of the summit was the mentorship session.
Participants were placed into 16 breakout rooms, each hosted by a top-level executive. In these smaller, more intimate settings, attendees had the opportunity to ask questions, share career concerns, and receive guidance directly from women who have navigated similar paths and risen to the top of their respective industries.
Mentors Included:
- Folasade Femi-Lawal
Country Director, Mastercard, West Africa - Oremeyi Akah
Chief Customer Officer, Interswitch Group - Dr. Chizomam Ezem
SPO – Family Planning, Gates Foundation - Adaeze Kingsley-Anyanwu
Sector Head, Personal Banking, The Access Bank UK Limited - Nneka Iloanusi
IT Consultant, Aradel Energy - Yetunde Marylene Shoyebo
Communications Professional, T&T, UK - Adeyemi Oluyinka Ogunmoyela
Executive Director, Glytabs Consulting - Dooyum Okwong
Marketing, Communication & Customer Experience Manager, Letshego - Lola Oyewole-Udabor
General Manager, Penobscot Real Estate Development & Management Co. - Carine Gracia
Sustainability & ESG Leader, Independent Consultant - Ifeyinwa Okafor
Manager, Facilities Management, NUPRC - Sarah Ajose-Adeogun
Managing Partner, Teasoo Consulting Limited - Abena N. Chrappah
Founder, Social Influence & Women Who Dare Network - Ijeoma Mbaneme
Modern Work Engineering, Accenture - Ngozi Ofoefule
Co-Founder & Strategic Advisor, Hemingway Global Services Ltd - Otasowie Ena-Umweni
GM, Business Development Digital Services
It was, without a doubt, a solid lineup.
While these sessions were ongoing, Dr. Glory Edozien, founder of 9to5Chick, hosted a live mentorship conversation in the main room for participants joining via YouTube.
The mentorship segment generated some of the strongest engagement and feedback throughout the entire summit, with many participants describing it as highly insightful.
Feedback and Impact
From the feedback received after the summit, several themes stood out clearly.
Participants spoke about gaining:
- Greater visibility and confidence at work
- Clarity around career strategy and ownership
- A deeper appreciation for networking and community
- Tools for self-advocacy and navigating imposter syndrome
- Healthier approaches to work-life balance
The numbers reflected the impact.
Almost 60% said the summit exceeded their expectations. The other 40% described it as excellent.
96% reported gaining clarity about their next career move.
Two participants also won copies of a book authored by one of the mentors, courtesy of Dr. Glory Edozien.
But perhaps the most powerful reflection came from one attendee, Oluwaseun, who shared:
“I had an absolutely amazing time listening to the various panel sessions. I am truly glad I attended and even more delighted that I invited others to join as well. The value I received far exceeded my expectations, and I am genuinely grateful for the experience.
A very special thank you to the moderator, Blessing, who did an exceptional job facilitating the discussion and handling the room with such professionalism and poise. She truly set the tone for a meaningful and engaging session.
My sincere appreciation also goes to the speakers for sharing their insights so generously, and to the founder for putting together such a remarkable event. It was a beautiful and enriching experience from start to finish.”
Introducing the 9to5Chick Community
The summit also marked the introduction of the 9to5Chick Community, designed to extend the conversations and support beyond the event itself.
The community launched with two tiers:
– Starter
For women in the 0–5 year career stage looking to build strong foundations and direction.
– Advance
For professionals with 5+ years of experience seeking deeper career strategy, leadership growth, and high-level conversations.
– The response was immediate.
While the summit was still ongoing, participants began applying for the Advance tier and signing up for Starter, signaling a clear desire for continued community and support as is indicated by this particular feedback:
The Verdict
From the start of the event to the final moments, the energy remained high.
Apart from the obvious excitement of attendees, the host, Blessing Okebe, did an excellent job of maintaining the vibe throughout the event.
Participants engaged actively in the chats with questions, reactions and discussions. The atmosphere in three words? Lively, thoughtful, collaborative.
Many attendees shared the same sentiment in their feedback.
Four hours felt too short.
They arrived curious and hopeful. They left feeling equipped, encouraged, and ready to approach their careers differently.
And many were already looking forward to the next edition.
What’s Next?
The Reset Summit may have ended, but the conversation continues.
If you missed the live session, you can still watch the replay here or catch the highlights here.
And if you’re looking for the kind of support, strategy, and community that is guaranteed to actually move your career forward whether you’re in your early or mid career stage, the 9to5Chick Community is now open.
Because as you might’ve already guessed, building a thriving, sustainable career should not be something you have to figure out alone.
