Job Title: HR executive
Company: Retirement-career break
Neema Onsongo is currently on an early retirement and career break, having stepped away from corporate leadership in February 2026 to pursue purpose-driven opportunities and meaningful work aligned with her personal values and passions.
Previously, Neema served as head of people and culture for Kenya and South Sudan at Stanbic Bank Kenya.
Before joining Stanbic Bank, Neema spent eight years at Rand Mutual Assurance, initially serving as general manager for human resources and later undertaking a short-term assignment as a business advisor.
Earlier in her career, she held senior organisational development and human resources roles at Sappi and First National Bank South Africa, where she served in positions including senior organisational development specialist, human resource business partner, provincial knowledge manager, manager for organisational development and human capital consultant.
She also worked as a management consultant at Hay Group, advising organisations on people and organisational challenges, and previously served as group HR manager at Eternity Private Health Fund Administrators and human resource manager at CAMAF Medical Scheme.
Work Experience
2026–Present: early retirement and career break
2021–2026: head of people & culture, Kenya & South Sudan, Stanbic Bank Kenya
2020: business advisor, Rand Mutual Assurance
2013–2020: general manager, human resources, Rand Mutual Assurance
2011–2012: senior organisational development specialist, Sappi
2010–2011: human resource business partner, First National Bank South Africa
2008–2010: provincial knowledge manager, North West Province, First National Bank South Africa
2007–2008: manager, organisational development, First National Bank South Africa
2005–2007: human capital consultant, First National Bank South Africa
2004–2005: management consultant, Hay Group South Africa
2003–2004: group hr manager, Eternity Private Health Fund Administrators Pty
1998–2002: human resource manager, CAMAF Medical Scheme
Education
2025: Advanced management program, Strathmore Business School
2005–2007: MBA, Wits Business School
1998: Postgraduate diploma in management, HR, Wits Business School
1991–1995: BBA in management, University of Eastern Africa, Baraton
