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Strategic Alliance Spolight
Friday Shot NOMINATE TODAY!
NOMINATIONS CLOSES ON 14TH JANUARY EOD 9TH JANUARY 2026 #175
TODAY’S ISSUE 1: 2026 EO Kenya Learning Calendar 2: Chapter Staff of the Year 2025/26 3: Leaders as Coaches 4: EOA Coaches Training 5: Unsure about your Forum? Wanting a new challenge? 6: Want to apply for an EO education program? 7: Jumpstart January 8: EO IGNITE 2026 9: 2026 EO Uganda & EO Tanzania Events Calendar 10: EO @ Wharton: Elevating Finance + Operations EO Kenya | Friday Shot 11: Entrepreneurial Masters Program
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STRATEGIC ALLIANCE The aim this year is to share a wide range of partnerships, benefits and perks to give EO members more value, variety and make it a Wow Experience. Top Tip: Open up the ‘Wow Deals Deck’ on a regular basis as it is continuously updated with the latest partnerships and benefits. If you have any leads and ideas for partnerships, do reach out! strategic@eokenya.org
VIEW WOW DEALS HERE
DEAL SPOTLIGHT
SPECIAL EO OFFER:
All EO Kenya members become Platinum members of EO Kenya. Bookings to be made via Serena hotel directly. Benefits are subject to change as per Serena’s prestige club policies. Benefits Platinum Card member get to enjoy include: • • • • • • • •
Earn points through your stay and utilization of room and other hotel services Welcome VIP amenities Complimentary spouse stays Access to member exclusive offers Access to Executive lounge in city hotels Complimentary massage (30 min per stay) Complimentary bottle of house wine on arrival (Africa only) Welcome gift per stay (handicraft item) (Asia only)
Email: nairobi@serenahotels.com
Click here to see all the WOW Venues and Contact info for easy booking
EO Kenya | Friday Shot
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LOCAL NEWS
2026 EO Kenya Learning Calendar
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
The High Performance Engine: Driving Accountability and Results At Scale
PwC Owners Agenda: The Global Family Business Survey
Founders and Funds Pitch Night: Raising Capital and Manufacturing In Africa
WORKSHOP
OTHER
OTHER
Speaker: Rebecca Harrison
Speaker: PwC
Speaker: TBC
Time: TBC Venue: TBC
Time: TBC Venue: TBC
Time: TBC Venue: TBC
FEBRUARY
March
March
Beyond Fear: Pushing Past Impossible
How to Sell Your Business Speaker: TBC
BTS
Sales Workshop: Growing Business Through Sales Structure and Process Speaker: Umesh Bhojwani Time: TBC Venue: TBC EO Kenya | Friday Shot
KEYNOTE
Speaker: Ryan Stramrood Time: TBC Venue: TBC
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JANUARY
WORKSHOP
Time: TBC Venue: TBC
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LOCAL NEWS
2026 EO Kenya Learning Calendar
May
My Biggest F**k Up 2.0 Speaker: EO Member
TBC Speaker: TBC
Time: TBC Venue: TBC
Time: TBC Venue: TBC
JUNE
JUNE
OTHER
BTS
A BTS at Mayers Speaker: Mayers Time: TBC Venue: TBC
EO Kenya | Friday Shot
ITB
May
WORKSHOP
Design Thinking: Tools to Solve Real Business Challenges Speaker: TBC Time: TBC Venue: TBC
KEYNOTE
Truth Coffee: The Story of South Africa’s Largest Coffee Brand Speaker: David Donde Time: TBC Venue: TBC
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April
LOCAL NEWS
Chapter Staff of the Year 2025/26
Nominations Now Open Lets all recognise Sachnas hard work.
9TH JANUARY 2026 #175
Dear EO Community, Nominations are now open for EO’s Chapter Staff of the Year Award, an annual recognition that celebrates a chapter staff professional who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to our community. Their support, leadership, and pursuit of excellence play a vital role in strengthening chapters and elevating the EO member experience. What is new this year? For the FY25/26 cycle, the program has been expanded to honor excellence at both the regional and global levels: Regional winners will be recognized on stage during Presidents Meeting. The global winner will be announced from the main stage at GLC 2026 in Dublin—a highly visible moment to celebrate one of EO’s best. Regional Recognition: Presidents Meeting Global Recognition: GLC 2026 Dublin Who can nominate? Any EO member may nominate the chapter staff professional(s) who support their chapter. Chapters with multiple staff professionals are welcome to submit more than one nomination. EO Kenya | Friday Shot
Nomination Criteria Nominations should reflect the nominee’s outstanding dedication and achievements during the period of 1 January – 31 December 2025. Submit Your Nomination Deadline for Nominations Nominations close at day’s end on 14 January 2026. We encourage all members to take a moment to recognize the chapter staff who make EO thrive. Your nomination helps shine a spotlight on the professionals who go above and beyond for our chapters and our global community. Thank you for helping us celebrate the individuals who make an extraordinary impact across EO Warm regards, The EO Team
CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE Nominations close at day’s end on 14 January 2026.
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LOCAL NEWS
EOA Coaches Training With Heléne Smuts Date: 30 January Time: 08:00am - 12:00pm Venue: TBC
9TH JANUARY 2026 #175
REGISTER NOW EOA Coaches training equips coaches to lead accountability groups, ensuring that each Accelerator is pushed beyond their comfort zone. This process fosters growth and equips entrepreneurs with the knowledge and experience to scale their businesses. Heléne, founder and Group CEO of Credo Growth, is dedicated to helping leaders and teams unlock their full potential. A seasoned Advance Coach and personality profiler, Heléne holds an honours degree in Industrial Psychology and is a TEDx speaker. With over 15 years of experience, she has worked with diverse businesses, from start-ups to global corporations, across six continents. Heléne specializes in high performance, team dynamics, EO Kenya | Friday Shot
and leadership, helping teams work together more effectively. In 2021, she published Ditch Mediocrity, empowering leaders to develop their teams. She also created an online course to support her book. A member of EO Cape Town, she mentors entrepreneurs scaling their businesses and develops entrepreneurial skills in high school students. Outside work, Heléne enjoys family time, travel, and ocean activities. FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM FOLLOW ON LINKEDIN CREDO GROWTH WEBSITE P A G E
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LOCAL NEWS
Leaders as Coaches (continued) With Heléne Smuts Date: 30 January 2026 Time: 1:00pm - 05:00pm Venue: TBC
In today’s fast-paced business world, empowering leaders to coach rather than just manage is key to success. Many teams rely too heavily on leaders for answers, creating bottlenecks and slow decision-making. If you’re looking for a way to shift this dynamic, this workshop is for you. In this interactive session, Heléne Smuts will equip participants with essential coaching skills for leadership. Learn practical frameworks to shift conversations from directive to developmental, enabling teams to think critically, take ownership, and improve problem-solving. Through guided instruction, real-world examples, and small-group practice, you’ll discover how the right coaching questions can boost performance, EO Kenya | Friday Shot
alignment, and accountability within your organization. Heléne is a seasoned coach, behavioural psychology expert, and TEDx speaker with 15+ years of experience helping teams across six continents. She’s the author of Ditch Mediocrity and a member of EO Cape Town, helping entrepreneurs scale to $1M. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her family and enjoying the ocean. FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM FOLLOW ON LINKEDIN CREDO GROWTH WEBSITE P A G E
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REGISTER NOW
LOCAL NEWS
Unsure about your Forum? Wanting a new challenge?
Changing Forums is not failure. EO leaders who have done it publicly say that moving Forums can be healthy, and can actually model growth and courage for the chapter.  The upside of changing Forum Choosing a new Forum, with support from the Forum Chair, can unlock: • Fresh perspectives and completely new industries in the room • Better alignment with your current stage of business or family life • Renewed commitment to Forum preparation and presentations • New energy around retreats, learning, and accountability You keep the friendships from your previous Forum. You add a new circle that serves the person and leader you are becoming. That is exactly in line with EO values like Trust and Respect, Thirst for Learning, Think Big and Be Bold, and Grow Together.  Thinking about it? Talk to us If any of this resonates, do not sit with it alone. Have a confidential conversation with our Forum Chair. Their role is to support Forum health, explore options with you, and help you land in the best environment for your next season of growth. You joined EO to grow. Sometimes the bravest next step is simply choosing a different room.
REACH OUT TO OUR FORUM CHAIR P A G E
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EO is about growth in every part of life. Sometimes that growth means looking honestly at your Forum experience and asking a brave question: Is this still the room that stretches me, serves me, and lights me up? If the answer is “I am not sure,” then you are not broken, disloyal, or ungrateful. You may simply be ready for a new chapter. Why Forum matters so much Forum is the heart of EO. Small groups of 6 to 10 entrepreneurs meet monthly in a confidential, structured space to share real wins and real struggles, guided by a trained moderator. It is not networking. It is not a social club. It is a place where people who get your life hold space for you to think, feel, and grow. Globally, Forum is consistently rated the number one benefit of EO, because when it works well you get: • Deep trust and confidentiality • Experience sharing instead of advice or judgment, using the Gestalt mindset • A regular place to process the 5 percent you cannot share anywhere else  When a change might be right Healthy chapters recognise that members grow, businesses evolve, and life seasons change. Some EO chapters even call out, in the Forum Chair role description, that part of the job is to “provide Forum options to members looking for an alternative Forum experience.”  You might be ready to explore a move if: • You are no longer stretched by the room • Your life stage or business scale is very different from the rest of the group • You keep thinking “I want something EO Kenya | but Friday Shot not want to hurt different, I do anyone”
LOCAL NEWS
Want to apply for an EO education program? Apply for an EO KENYA subsidy
EO Kenya | Friday Shot
9TH JANUARY 2026 #175
You have just seen the overview of what is out there. Harvard, EMP, EO Universities, leadership academies, regional events and more. If something on that list excites you, we want to help you get there. The EO Kenya board has set aside budget to subsidise members who want to attend approved EO programs and who are willing to bring the value back to the chapter. How to apply for a subsidy Please send an email to the EO Kenya Board with: The program you want to attend Name of the EO program, location, and organiser (for example EO at Harvard, EO University, RLA, GLC etc). Dates and timelines Event dates, application deadlines, and when you would need to commit or pay. Your motivation Why this program is right for you now in your EO and business journey. Why EO should subsidise you How you expect this experience to grow you as an entrepreneur and leader.
What you will bring back to EO Kenya Specific ideas on how you will share your learnings or value with the chapter. For example a short learning session, a Forum exercise, a board presentation or a MyEO event. Rough budget Indicative cost of the program fee, plus a simple idea of travel and accommodation, so the board understands the total picture. A few simple guidelines • Subsidies are limited and will be granted at the board’s discretion. • Preference will go to members in good standing who are actively engaged in EO Kenya life. • We will look for clear alignment between the program and EO’s core values and products. If you are even slightly curious, apply. Education is one of the most powerful parts of EO. We would rather have too many strong applications than unused budget.
APPLY HERE
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MEPA NEWS
EO IGNITE 2026
Experience it Live Date: 10th -12th June 2026 Location: Winelands Cape Town South Africa
10TH -12TH JUNE 2026 WINELANDS CAPE TOWN SOUTH AFRICA
EO Ignite is a regional event based in South Africa, open to EO members from across the globe rotating yearly between Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. Ignite caters to between 150-200 Entrepreneurs who aim to come together to learn, grow, bond, network and of course, have some fun. Cape Town will be the host for 2026 and we look forward to hosting you in the Winelands. The format of Ignite is centered around TED style talks, learning from our own member’s stories, their highs and lows and incredible achievements while facing the challenges of being an entrepreneur. Invited Keynote speakers follow the same 5% principle when sharing their stories. EO Kenya | Friday Shot
Ignite also offers the rare opportunity for members to “shamelessly market their business” through coordinated Mini-Pitch sessions, exhibitions and more. OPEN TO EO, EOA and SLP Forum members may attend the full conference. Spouses who are not in a SLP forum are welcome to join the members for the evening functions. There is a Spousal Supplement cost. A spousal programme will also be in place for daily activities for spouses travelling with members should they wish to take part in it (at an additional cost)
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REGIONAL NEWS
2026 EO Uganda Events Calendar
25th JANUARY
30th JANUARY
4th FEBRUARY
WORKSHOP
WORKSHOP
21st or 28th FEBRUARY
14th MARCH
GSEA Competition
Fantastic Five Forum Social
Practical AI Tools with Yasir Bucha
11th APRIL
15th-17th APRIL
WORKSHOP
Family Trail Walk
COMPETITION
WORKSHOP
Breaking Barriers
EO Kenya | Friday Shot
SOCIAL
The People Performance Engine with James Summers
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15th FEBRUARY
Breaking Barriers
WORKSHOP
SUMMIT
Global Leadership Summit (GLC)
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REGIONAL NEWS
2026 EO Tanzania Events Calendar
16th JANUARY
10th JANUARY
15th-17th JANUARY
Empowering Entrepreneurs
Forum Workshop Trainings
EO Tanzania New Year’s Social
24th JANUARY
27th JANUARY
31st JANUARY
Breaking Barriers Dinner #2
Building Businesses that Scale
GSEA Semi-Finals Competition
14th FEBRUARY
28th FEBRUARY
10th
WORKSHOP
MASTERCLASS
WORKSHOP
COMPETITION
Public Speaking Masterclass
GSEA Finals Competition
15th -17th
1st - 3rd
SUMMIT
EO Kenya | Friday Shot
Glocal Leadership Summit (GLC)
RETREAT
Chapter Retreat Zanzibar
SOCIAL
COMPETITION
ITB Inside the Engine Room of Growth
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DINNER
WORKSHOP
GLOBAL NEWS
Jumpstart January Jumpstart January returns Date: 19 Jan - 8 Feb 2026
Jumpstart January returns 19 January–8 February 2026, and registration is officially open. Jumpstart is EO’s three-week virtual learning experience—high-impact, real-world learning you can apply immediately, alongside the people who help drive your business forward. This January brings three powerful learning labs, each designed around what matters most to EO members right now: stronger marketing, smarter investing, and ready-for-anything teams. Learn More Choose the lab that fits your goals—or join all three. This lab blends timeless marketing principles with today’s most effective digital and AI-powered tools—helping you attract the right audience, convert more effectively, and measure what truly moves the needle. Explore how to think, allocate, and act like a strategic investor—across public markets, private deals, and alternative assets—while maintaining liquidity, EO Kenya | Friday Shot
discipline, and clarity. Learn how to design agile organizations, leverage AI and hybrid work models, and cultivate team dynamics that thrive in change. You will align technology with culture, redefine roles, and build a resilient workforce ready for the future. Jumpstart January is open to the entire EO community at no cost. Weekly sessions are offered twice to cover all time zones, and each lab includes: Live interactive coaching Tools you can apply in real time Space to explore real challenges and hear how others are solving them Open to EO Members, EO Accelerator Participants, Key Executives, Life Partners, and Adult Children, and EO staff. Simultaneous interpretation will be available during all live sessions to support our global community. Register today and map out your Jumpstart learning journey for 2026. P A G E
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GLOBAL NEWS
EO @ Wharton: Elevating Finance + Operations Unlocking Opportunities for Entrepreneurs
REGISTER NOW Registration is officially open for EO @ Wharton: Elevating Finance + Operations, taking place 9–13 February 2026 at the University of Pennsylvania. This five-day program, designed exclusively for EO members, is your opportunity to step into one of the world’s leading business schools and strengthen the skills that drive sustainable success. With guidance from Wharton faculty and the support of your EO peers, you will: • Sharpen financial insights to make smarter decisions • Explore operational strategies that eliminate inefficiencies EO Kenya | Friday Shot
• Gain tools to scale with clarity and confidence “This was nothing short of a world class experience. This was by far the most valuable offering from EO.” - Keera Brooks | EO Atlanta Seats are limited and demand is high. Secure your spot today and join a select cohort of entrepreneurs who are ready to elevate their business performance. Register Now We look forward to seeing you at Wharton. P A G E
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Date: 9–13th February 2026 Location: University of Pennsylvania, US
GLOBAL NEWS
Entrepreneurial Masters Program Scale with Intention. Lead with Precision. Date: 7th -11th June 2026 Location: Dedham, Massachusetts
If your vision of growth is not just about scale— but about building with intention—EO’s Entrepreneurial Masters Program (EMP) was designed for you. EMP is a three-year, application-based executive education experience held at the MIT Endicott House. It brings together 68 selected EO members annually to go deep on what fuels real business growth across five key pillars: People, Strategy, Finance, Leadership, Execution. Apply Now What EMP Delivers: EMP offers a strategic, peer-powered environment where learning is deep, practical, and transformative. Each of the program’s three sessions builds on the last—enabling cumulative growth, sustained momentum, and lasting impact. Through expert-led sessions and real-time application, you will master the art of cash flow management, sharpen your leadership approach, and align your business strategy with personal vision. Along the way, you will define your core values, refine your company culture, and walk away with a clear, actionable roadmap for scale. Above all, EMP delivers a tight-knit global cohort that returns year after year—building trust, insight, and accountability that goes far beyond the classroom. EO Kenya | Friday Shot
Participation fee: $15,000 over 3 years Year 1 includes a $7,000 payment (deposit + first-year fee); Years 2 and 3 are $4,000 each. Your EO membership may already cover part of your registration. Members who have not redeemed their Global Event Voucher can apply it toward EMP registration. No fee for unsuccessful applications — your deposit is fully refundable if you are not accepted. What are the benefits of a three-year program? The time between each annual session allows you to apply what you learned, then reconvene with your peers to reflect, analyze, and plan for the year ahead. By graduation in year three, you will have improved every facet of your knowledge and ability to lead and grow your business. Admission to the program is highly competitive, reflecting the reputation EMP has earned since its creation in 1991. If you are interested in strengthening yourself and your business, give it a go! Admission criteria are detailed on the EMP application process website. P A G E
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GLOBAL NEWS
Upcoming MyEO Events MyEO Retreat - A Conscious Start: Dinner, Reflection, and the Year Ahead 31th December – 2th January Join us 31 December – 2 January in Delray Beach, Florida, for an intimate New Years’ gathering. Share a four-course dinner, reflect, and set intentions. A transformative NeuroChange Solutions workshop will empower you to start the year grounded and inspired.
9TH JANUARY 2026 #175
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Journey to You – Sail Down the Nile 5th –14th January 2026 Join us 5–14 January 2026 for a 9-day spiritual voyage through Egypt’s sacred sites. Sail the Nile on a private dahabiya, with exclusive temple access, transformative ceremonies, and soul-awakening experiences.
REGISTER
MyEO SanSe2026 15th – 18th January 2026 MyEO SanSe 2026 brings a powerful blend of culture and leadership to Puerto Rico, from 15-18 January. Enjoy creative workshops, EO hospitality, and the vibrant San Sebastian festival’s music, art, and tradition.
REGISTER
Ski and Snowboard Weekend in Bad Gastein 15th – 18th January 2026 Join us 15–18 January 2026 for an inspiring Alpine escape of skiing, wellness, and connection at The Cōmodo Hotel. Historic Bad Gastein, Austria, is a spa town that blends mid-century design with modern Alpine culture, curated art, and deep relaxation
REGISTER EO Kenya | Friday Shot
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GLOBAL NEWS
Upcoming MyEO Events Women’s Spa Retreat in Mexico 28 February-4 or 7 March 2026 Join fellow women entrepreneurs at Rancho La Puerta in Baja California, Mexico, 28 February-4 or 7 March 2026, (4- or 7-night options) for a transformative wellness retreat. Reinvigorate through spa treatments, wellness classes, and meaningful connections with likeminded leaders.
9TH JANUARY 2026 #175
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SUYO: A Retreat for Women Who Lead 25 April -1 May 2026 Experience SUYO, a transformative surf-and-yoga retreat for women leaders in Costa Rica, running 25 April-1 May 2026. Expect guided workshops, nourishing food, oceanfront stillness, and a powerful community of women.
REGISTER
Bali and Komodo Islands Voyage 19th – 29th September 2026 Set sail 19–29 September 2026 aboard Aqua Blu for an exclusive 10-night EO adventure. Explore Bali and the Komodo Islands through diving, kayaking, hiking, and curated island experiences an unforgettable luxury expedition with fellow explorers.
REGISTER
MyEO x Zero G 21 - 22 September 2026, Experience a once-in-a-lifetime MyEO adventure in Bordeaux from 21-22 September 2026, featuring a members conference and an exclusive Zero-G flight with astronaut-led experiments, real weightlessness, and rare insights into European space training.
REGISTER EO Kenya | Friday Shot
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Get Ready to RIEMAGINE! 8th - 11th January 2026 Location: Pune, India
REGISTER NOW
EO@Wharton: Elevating Finance + Operations Unlocking Opportunities for Entrepreneurs 9th –13th February 2026
Location: University of Pennsylvania
REGISTER NOW
RLA APAC 2026 Discover the spirit of leadership in the heart of Australia 23rd – 27th March 2026 Location: Uluru, Australia
REGISTER NOW EO Kenya | Friday Shot
Global Leadership Conference Uniting EO’s Leaders Worldwide 15th -17th April 2026 Location: Kansas City, MO
REGISTER NOW P A G E
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2026 RIE South Asia
UPCOMING EVENTS
EO@Oxford Program
May 2026
Unlocking strategic innovation 26th May 2026
Unlocking Opportunities for Entrepreneurs Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
REGISTER NOW
EO IGNITE 2026 Experience it Live 10th -12th June 2026
Location: Winelands Cape Town, South Africa
REGISTER NOW EO Kenya | Friday Shot
9TH JANUARY 2026 #175
EO Saudi Summit
Venue: Oxford University, UK
REGISTER NOW
EO Women Summit 2026 8 th – 11th June 2026
Location: Pestana Palace Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
REGISTER NOW P A G E
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