Name: Nicola Muriuki
Position: Director, Legal
Company: Tala
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Sector: Fintech – Tala is a leading mission-driven financial technology company focused on financial growth, financial access, and financial literacy. It operates in 4 markets; Kenya, India, Mexico & the Philippines, and is headquartered in Santa Monica, California.
Worked in the current position for: 10 months
Years in-house: 10 months. Prior to moving in-house with Tala I spent over 10 years working in private practice with Kingsley Napley LLP in London and JMiles&Co. in Nairobi.
An overview of my role is:
I am transitioning out of a role that manages all legal and regulatory matters for Kenya into managing Tala’s global licensing strategy, partnership strategies and structures and future growth as well as supervising, mentoring and guiding Tala’s legal team in Kenya. This involves advising on product regulatory strategy, corporate governance and compliance matters, and addressing the unique challenges that arise in a global, growing start-up.
The best thing about my current job is:
The fact that no two days are the same at Tala. Advising the business on legal risk and strategy always keeps me on my toes, and it is great to work with talented and passionate colleagues who share a common goal; to support Tala’s mission of improving and enabling financial access for all.
The most challenging thing about my current job is:
Balancing the competing priorities of the input needed by different teams is a constant juggling act.
My most pivotal career move:
Moving in-house as a general counsel for Tala after over 10 years as an external legal advisor specialising in dispute resolution. It has been a huge change.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Oh gosh – lots! The immediate ones that spring to my mind are: don’t compare yourself to others, the beauty of this life is that you are on your own journey; network, even if you don’t want to, as you don’t know what doors it will open for you in the future; and never be afraid to ask for help
The key influencers that have shaped my journey?
My family, for their unequivocal support and encouragement in all that I do. Also, several lawyers at Kingsley Napley provided valuable mentorship during my early years in the legal profession, and that mentorship has shaped the lawyer I am today.
My favourite pro bono or volunteer activity is:
As a mum of three young boys, I have very little time to myself!
If I were not practising law, I would probably be:
A teacher.
What (singular) achievement are you most proud of?
On a personal level, it would have to be moving to Kenya in 2012 and building a life with my family in Nairobi. Professionally I’ll call out a recent achievement; overseeing Tala’s transition into a regulated environment in Kenya.
What’s something you love doing? And what’s something you really do not like doing?
I’ll start with what I don’t like … I do not like cooking. Over the years I have mastered a few dishes, but I generally find cooking a very stressful experience! Then, providing that I am not cooking, I love to host family and friends.