For HR leaders, the work week rarely ends at the office. Meetings, strategy sessions and people management stretch into long hours, leaving little space for personal time.
CHRO East Africa spoke to HR leaders Bernard Atonga, Josephine Mwaniki, Nicholas Mudasia, Caroline Karoki and Erica William Mboya, who shared how they recharge, combining family, passion projects and reflection to sustain themselves in demanding roles.
Family at the heart
Bernard Atonga, head of people and culture at WWF-Kenya, spends weekends focusing on his children, wife and church. Long commutes mean weekday evenings are fleeting, so Saturdays and Sundays become precious for reconnecting. Church programmes allow him to mentor parents and couples, extending his leadership beyond work.
“I’m passionate about families. One of the things we do at our church is train parents and couples. Seeing functional families is really important to me,” Bernard says. “I also listen to podcasts on leadership during my commute. Driving to work or back in the evening, that’s my learning time. It helps me think about how to lead better.”
Music and mentoring
Josephine Mwaniki, CHRO at AutoXpress Group, finds rest in music and inspiring young people. Singing has been part of her life since youth, and she continues to integrate it into corporate and community events.
She also enjoys traveling with her teenage children whenever possible and finds joy in mentoring and inspiring young adults
“We did a culture launch in December at work, where I sang with the team for our anthem,” she says. “Helping people be better people is also something I’m very passionate about. Guiding young adults gives me energy and perspective outside the office.”
Exercise and reading
Nicholas Mudasia, CHROat Coca-Cola, balances high-pressure work with gym sessions and books. Physical activity allows him to decompress, while reading stretches his thinking across leadership, personal development and finance.
“The impact of going to the gym is incredible. Part of these businesses are high-pressure environments, you need to decompress,” he says. “I also read widely, from Atomic Habits to The Richest Man in Babylon. Right now, I’m rereading 48 Laws of Power, and it’s helping me rethink some of my strategies in light of new experiences.”
Walking and connection
Caroline Karoki, head of people & culture at Anjarwalla & Khanna, treats downtime intentionally. Evenings are reserved for her husband and children, while walking allows reflection and personal space.
Travel and mentorship occupy weekends, and she engages in community projects supporting teenage girls and organising medical camps with her mother.
“I also work with initiatives supporting teenage girls and organise medical camps for the elderly. Plugging into these projects gives meaning, not just to others, but also to myself,” Caroline says.
Family, music and personal growth
Erica William Mboya, head of HR at I&M Bank Tanzania, prioritises weekends with her children. Music, time with friends and occasional dinners help her recharge. She also keeps up with technology and leadership insights online, applying lessons from real-life examples to her work.
“I don’t get enough time with my kids, so I really try, especially on weekends, to spend as much time as I can with them,” Erica says. “I hang out with friends, and follow tech talks to stay updated. Seeing what works for others helps me apply lessons in my own life and work.”
