Originally from Zambia, Leah Banda has over 15 years of experience in strategic marketing and public relations/communications.
Emirates Post is the national postal service provider of the United Arab Emirates, delivering registered and express mail and parcels throughout the UAE and internationally.
In her new role, Leah Banda is responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction to the marketing and communications teams to enhance the Emirates Post brand and market opportunities through marketing campaigns, digital media, business intelligence and internal branding and communications activities.
Leah Banda has worked directly with CEOs, boards and regulators in multinational and local organizations in Africa and the UAE. She has held regional management positions at BP (Zambia and South Africa), Barclays (South Africa), L’Oreal (South Africa), Standard Bank (South Africa), BancABC, part of Atlas Mara, Noor Bank (UAE) and now Emirates Post (UAE).
Professional Experience in the Middle East
Leah Banda holds a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Business Administration and Management from Golden Gate University, San Francisco, USA. She also completed an Executive Leadership Management Program at the Gordon Institute of business science, Johannesburg, South Africa. Prior to her appointment Leah Banda was, from December 2017 to March 2020, Vice President, Head of Marketing and Communications at Noor Bank, a Dubai-based bank. Prior to that, she was the founder of “PR & Marketing Advisory”, an agency operating in Johannesburg, Dubai, Kenya and Zambia, whose mission was to enable companies and entrepreneurs to positively transform their brands, businesses and reputations.
Communication and Marketing Management for Multinationals in Africa
Long before moving to Dubai, Leah Banda was based in Johannesburg, where she was head of marketing and communications for the BancABC Group, part of Atlas Mara, a financial services holding company created to undertake the acquisition of target banks in Africa. Prior to joining Atlas Mara, Leah Banda served as head of advertising for Africa and private clients at Standard Bank Group. Prior to that, she worked for L’Oreal in South Africa as Brand Manager for L’Oreal’s Garnier Skin Naturals product.
Leah Banda was also a marketing campaign manager at Barclays Investment Bank in South Africa. She began her career in Zambia with British Petroleum, where she was regional sales promotion manager. In this position, she was successful in increasing non-fuel revenue and non-fuel revenue projects increased revenue contribution by 21% for retail in Zambia in 2000. She also developed, implemented, managed and measured national, bundled and single site promotions in South Africa and 12 other associated African countries where BP operates with 400 service stations.
Certified Coach and Speaker
Leah Banda has also served as a member of the UAE Federation of Banks Marketing Committee, as well as the 2019 DBWC Mentoring Program. She is a member of Evolvin’ Women’s Corporate Advisory Board, as well as a John C. Maxwell Certified Coach and Speaker.
As a John C Maxwell Certified Coach, she explains, she helps people discover their purpose and transform to achieve their goals. “My diverse background, energetic and collaborative nature, and project management skills allow me to excel in different industries and regions by bringing a fresh perspective to organizations. I have led and continue to lead teams based on values and goals. I strive to be a transformational agent to positively impact people’s lives,” says Leah Banda.
