Thrive Brunch 2025
A heart-centred gathering for African mums, aunties & mentors raising daughters in the UK, Europe, America, Canada & beyond.
Thrive Brunch 2025
Let’s Meet in Real Life
Thrive Brunch 2025 Speakers
Our Girls and Uni Seasons – Between Two Worlds, Anchored in Truth
Temi Oluwaseun
Temi is an IT professional with a creative flair for makeovers, baking, and inspiring others through life’s transitions. Having walked through her own seasons of change, she brings warmth, empathy, and a deep faith to every space she serves in. At Thrive Brunch 2025, she will lead and coordinate our pre-event and on-the-day prayers, anchoring the programme in God’s presence from start to finish.
Bukola Babalola
Oluwabukola’s journey—from youth advocacy in Nigeria to leadership in UK healthcare—is rooted in compassion and a passion for whole-person wellness. A registered nurse, entrepreneur, and mother of two, she understands the silent pressures young women face around body image, self-worth, and health. In her session “Nourish to Anchor – Wellness for Body, Soul, Spirit & Mind,” she will speak directly to our girls, offering wisdom to help them embrace who they are, care for themselves well, and stand strong against unhealthy pressures.
Pat Emmanuel
Patricia Emmanuel is an IT professional, security consultant, and tech career coach with a passion for equipping people to thrive in every season of life. As co-founder of Bluesky Citadel, a global award-winning IT training and mentorship platform, she has spent years guiding aspiring professionals into meaningful careers.
Beyond her work in tech, Patricia is the visionary behind Your Thrive Haven and Women Who Thrive, creating faith-filled spaces where women can grow, lead, and leave a legacy. She bridges faith and everyday life, speaking with clarity, compassion, and lived experience.
At Thrive Brunch 2025, she will steward the flow of the day—holding space for stories, affirmations, and gentle truth that anchor both mothers and daughters in the theme “Our Girls and Uni Seasons – Between Two Worlds, Anchored in Truth.”
Chioma Fanawopo
Chioma is a TEDx speaker, certified educator, and award-winning Social Value Manager with over 20 years’ experience supporting parents and teens. Known for her ability to inspire and equip families, she empowers parents to lead with purpose and presence—especially as their daughters step into pre-uni and uni seasons. Her insights help mothers raise young women who are grounded, confident, and ready to lead themselves well.
Funmi Mamowora
An IT professional & mentor. A proud mother who has successfully guided three children through the journey into university and beyond. Drawing from her own hands-on experience, she now advocates for other mothers and daughters, offering practical wisdom for navigating the pre-uni and uni seasons with confidence, faith, and purpose.
At Thrive Brunch 2025, she will share the lessons, strategies, and encouragement that have shaped her family’s journey—reminding every mother that the road to university is not just about academics, but about raising grounded, resilient young women.
Fola Adekola
With 20 years in UK education, Fola has led in some of the largest inner-city schools, championing success for every child—no matter their starting point. An award-winning teacher, researcher, and senior leader, she brings rich insight into guiding young people through life’s big transitions. Her story will inspire every mother to see new possibilities for her daughter’s journey.
Joy Salau
Joy is stepping into a new season as she begins her university journey at Sheffield University in September. Determined to adapt well, she joined a weekly mentoring programme where a 2nd-year student has shared practical tips on finance, transport, and navigating campus life. These insights have helped ease her nerves and prepare her for what’s ahead.
With God as her anchor in every stage, Joy is committed to keeping her faith central so her uni years become a time of growth, excellence, and joy. At Thrive Brunch 2025, she will share her preparation journey—offering a real-time glimpse into what it means to step into uni with intention and trust in God.
Tolu Adebiyi
Tolu is a qualified Solicitor whose legal journey began at the University of Birmingham, continued through a Master’s degree at the University of Law with Distinction, and led to her current legal practice after earning her training contract. Away from the courtroom, she’s a passionate football commentator with an audience of over 45,000 on X and guest appearances on BBC News and BBC Radio 5 Live.
At Thrive Brunch 2025, Tolu will share her journey from pre-uni uncertainty to thriving in law school and building a career she loves. She’ll reflect on the challenges, lessons, and unexpected opportunities that shaped her—showing our girls that while change can be uncomfortable, it’s also where growth and self-discovery happen.
Oyin Odukudu
Oyin is a Software Engineer in Test with over 7 years’ experience in tech and a First-Class degree in Computer and Electronic Systems Engineering from Glasgow Caledonian University. Beyond her career, she mentors aspiring developers, trains in Java programming, and consults on software quality assurance, while managing the operations of two thriving businesses.
At Thrive Brunch 2025, she will share her personal journey through pre-uni and uni seasons navigating change, building resilience, and finding her footing in new environments. Her story will inspire every girl to embrace transitions as stepping stones, not stumbling blocks.
Toyosi Ibrahim
Toyosi Ibrahim is a versatile professional with experience across e-commerce, fashion, healthcare, and education, having worked with brands like Uber and Jumia Inc. She currently serves as a London Premier Advisor for YOOX NET-A-PORTER and holds a Business Management and Marketing degree from Roehampton University, London.
Passionate about fashion, visual arts, and public speaking, Toyosi blends creativity, connection, and joy in everything she does. Anchored in her Christian faith, she brings warmth, spontaneity, and a vibrant presence to her role as compere—ensuring every guest feels welcomed, engaged, and part of the Thrive Brunch experience.
Olúwátóyìn Aina
An Early Years Specialist and Children’s Minister, Olúwátóyìn has over a decade of experience creating safe, thriving spaces for children. Founder of Bringing Bible Alive (BBA), she equips families to protect and nurture in line with God’s purpose. At Thrive Brunch 2025, she will address Safeguarding & First Response Awareness, showing how to recognise silent cries, start protective conversations, and ensure girls feel safe in pre-uni and uni seasons.
Folake Aneyo
A Specialist Psychological Therapist with over 10 years’ experience in the NHS and private sector, she works with a range of mental health challenges including anxiety, depression, and trauma. At Thrive Brunch 2025, she will help mothers and mentors understand what’s happening in the adolescent mind—why girls think, feel, and react differently during transition seasons—and how brain development impacts emotions, decision-making, and risk-taking in the pre-uni and uni years. She will also equip mothers to know what’s normal, when to seek help, and how to support without controlling, while offering practical strategies to bridge communication gaps between mothers and daughters.
“She opens a window into the adolescent mind—helping mothers understand, support, and strengthen their girls through life’s transitions.”
One day. One table.
A space where wisdom meets laughter and faith meets real talk. Let’s help our girls walk into Uni strong, anchored, and supported.
