AXA Mansard CFO Ngozi Ola-Israel Crowned CFO of the Year at Women Tabloid Awards
In a landmark recognition of financial leadership, AXA Mansard’s Chief Financial Officer Ngozi Ola-Israel has been honored as CFO of the Year by the prestigious Women Tabloid Awards. The annual ceremony celebrates pioneering women who are reshaping industries and breaking glass ceilings across Africa’s corporate landscape.
A Testament to Transformational Leadership
The insurance executive’s achievement comes as no surprise to industry observers who have tracked her decade-long tenure at the financial services giant. Rashidat Adebisi, Chief Client Officer at AXA Mansard Insurance Plc, described the award as “a well-deserved recognition” of Ola-Israel’s strategic contributions.
“Under her leadership, we’ve achieved sustained financial growth, strengthened our market positioning, and enhanced corporate governance,” Adebisi noted. “Her visionary approach was particularly instrumental in our successful implementation of IFRS 17 standards, reinforcing our commitment to transparency and global best practices.”
From Financial Control to C-Suite Excellence
Ola-Israel’s journey with AXA Mansard began over ten years ago when she joined as Group Head of Financial Control. Her rapid ascent to the CFO position in 2017 marked the beginning of an era of remarkable financial performance:
- Surpassed 2024 revenue targets by 32%
- Drove nearly 50% increase in share price
- Pioneered enterprise-wide data transformation as Chief Data Officer (2019-2024)
Beyond Numbers: A Legacy of Innovation
What sets Ola-Israel apart is her ability to translate financial acumen into tangible business solutions. Her tenure has seen the development of several groundbreaking initiatives:
“We’ve implemented KPI and premium financing dashboards that provide real-time business insights,” Ola-Israel explained in a recent interview. “Our car valuation model has significantly improved claims integrity, while the remote vehicle inspection tool revolutionized customer experience during the pandemic.”
Perhaps most impactful has been her comprehensive value chain analysis, which identified efficiency gaps and created new opportunities for operational optimization across the organization.
Championing Women in Finance
The award-winning CFO has consistently used her platform to advocate for gender equity in the male-dominated finance sector. She founded AXA Mansard’s Finance Community to foster continuous learning and currently mentors aspiring women board members through WIMBIZ (Women in Management, Business and Public Service).
“My emergence as CFO of the Year reflects AXA’s commitment to inclusive protection,” Ola-Israel remarked during her acceptance speech. “It’s about creating environments where people are empowered to care and dare.”
Sustainability at the Core
Beyond financial metrics, the executive has played a pivotal role in embedding ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) strategies into AXA Mansard’s operations. Her board-level roles at AXA Mansard Investments and APD allow her to influence governance and performance oversight across multiple business units.
Industry Recognition and Global Impact
Ola-Israel’s influence extends far beyond her organization. Recognized as one of Africa’s Top 50 CFOs in 2024 and a member of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council, she regularly shares insights at major industry forums. Her keynote address at the 2024 International Conference for Women in Insurance was particularly well-received, offering practical strategies for career advancement in the sector.
As the insurance industry navigates post-pandemic challenges and digital transformation, leaders like Ola-Israel demonstrate how financial stewardship combined with inclusive leadership can drive meaningful change. Her award serves as both recognition of past achievements and inspiration for the next generation of women finance professionals.
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