Host Alice Kanjejo engages in an enlightening conversation with June Okal, a pioneering force at the intersection of technology, policy, and law in Africa. Currently serving as the senior manager for East and Southern Africa at the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), June's journey exemplifies how strategic thinking and continuous learning can shape a remarkable career.
June's story begins with her early experience at Equity Bank straight out of high school, where challenging work conditions taught her valuable lessons about professional life. Her path through law school at the University of Nairobi was marked by strategic choices, including joining the Google Student Ambassador program, which introduced her to the possibilities within the tech world.
Her career progression showcases impressive versatility - from specialized law firms to intellectual property consulting, Google, Facebook (Meta), and tower infrastructure companies. Each role contributed to her holistic understanding of the tech ecosystem. June's philosophy of "loyalty is to yourself" challenges traditional notions about career longevity, emphasizing the importance of continuous growth and learning.
A significant milestone in her journey was pursuing her master's degree at American University Washington College of Law, cleverly supported by a simultaneous role at Facebook. This was followed by a fellowship at Harvard's Institute of Rebooting Social Media, where she conducted groundbreaking research on social media regulation across 48 African countries.
The conversation delves deep into June's work at ICANN, where she focuses on increasing African participation in the domain name industry through talent development, capacity building, and new domain name initiatives. She emphasizes three key principles for success: continuous learning, kindness, and building solid networks. June references "The Proximity Principle," highlighting how often it's not close friends but loose connections that lead to significant opportunities.
Throughout the discussion, June repeatedly emphasizes the importance of meaningful connectivity for Africans, the need for African representation in global tech policy discussions, and the critical role of narrative-building in sharing African stories. She acknowledges the valuable contributions of the African tech diaspora in creating opportunities back home, while also addressing the unique challenges and opportunities for women in tech.
This episode serves as both an inspiring blueprint and a practical guide for aspiring professionals in the tech-policy space, particularly resonating with African professionals looking to make an impact in the global tech ecosystem while addressing unique continental challenges.
To keep up with June's journey, check out her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juneokal/
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