Gender-diverse leadership boosts performance
Organizations with gender-balanced leadership are 25% more likely to outperform peers, proving equity is a strategic advantage (McKinsey, 2023).
SCIDaR champions inclusion
By adding leaders like Temi Marcella to its board, SCIDaR highlights the importance of diverse voices in solving global challenges.
Equity drives impact
Temi Marcella, a global leader, advocates for actionable steps like mentorship and inclusive cultures to unlock innovation and better decision-making.
Organizations with gender-diverse leadership are 25% more likely to outperform their peers (McKinsey, 2023). Despite this, the push for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has faced significant backlash in recent years. At SCIDaR, we believe that diverse voices and talents are essential to solving the world’s most pressing challenges. Gender equity isn’t just a moral imperative, it’s a strategic advantage. Organizations with gender-balanced leadership are better positioned to innovate, adapt, and drive sustainable impact.
Achieving equity requires more than good intentions. It demands deliberate action, innovative programs, and a commitment to measurable outcomes. For SCIDaR this meant continual and strategic inclusion of leading ladies on the SCIDaR board. Towards this aim, Dr Amina Baloni and Temi Marcella were introduced as new additions to the SCIDaR board of directors in 2024.
Meet Temi Marcella
“Leadership focuses on empowering others, promoting equity, and driving innovation to improve humanity”. Temi
Temi Marcella, a board member at SCIDaR, embodies our commitment to inclusive leadership. Temi, an accomplished investment professional with nearly two decades of experience across developed and emerging markets, has made it her mission to drive systemic change and empower underserved communities. With a career spanning global finance, impact investing, and board leadership, Temi has consistently leveraged her expertise to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
A Global Perspective on Leadership
Born in Nigeria, raised in the UK, and having lived and worked across multiple continents, Temi’s journey into leadership has been shaped by a deep desire to create meaningful impact. Her global perspective has fueled her belief in the transformative power of capital and innovation to drive change. Yet, it is her personal experiences as a woman in male-dominated environments that have sharpened her focus on gender equity.
“Throughout my career, I’ve often been the only woman in the room,” Temi reflects. “Facing discrimination and bias was challenging, but it taught me the power of resilience, self-belief, and the courage to challenge preconceptions. These experiences have shaped my approach to leadership and my commitment to creating spaces where women can thrive.”
Why Gender Equity Matters
“Gender equity is critical for organizational excellence, not only as a moral imperative but also as a key driver of business performance,” Temi explains. “When we create inclusive cultures, we unlock diverse perspectives that fuel better decision-making, greater employee satisfaction, and stronger financial results.”
“Implementing mentorship programs, offering flexible work arrangements, and fostering a culture of accountability and respect are crucial. These steps ensure that all employees, regardless of gender, feel valued and empowered to succeed,” she says. Temi believes that achieving gender equity is particularly critical for organizations working on global development and social impact.
“Women leaders bring unique insights and approaches, especially when addressing issues that disproportionately affect women and children,” she notes. “Gender balance in leadership ensures that programs are comprehensive, culturally sensitive, and effective in meeting the needs of diverse populations.”
A Call to Action
Temi’s advice to young professionals, especially women aspiring to leadership roles, is simple “You are powerful beyond measure, and your voice matters,”…“Do not feel less entitled. Expect more, take up more space, and demand more. Be bold in challenging the status quo.”
She encourages women to dream ambitiously, lead with conviction, and see themselves in ways others might not—simply because they’ve never seen it before. “Leadership is about planting seeds for future success, even in moments of adversity,” she adds. “Anchor yourself to a purpose, a mission, and a calling.”
Join Us in Creating a More Equitable Future
At SCIDaR, we’re committed to building a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. But we can’t do it alone.
