Executive coach and organisational development specialist Mbali Gushu has announced the upcoming release of her first book, Standard Operating Procedures: Life, scheduled for publication in December 2026. Part memoir and part practical leadership guide, the book draws on more than a decade of experience coaching executives, founders, and public sector leaders across Africa, offering practical lessons for young women navigating the early stages of their careers.
Gushu is the founder of Pilily, an executive coaching and organisational development firm that works with leaders across Africa and beyond. Her clients include senior executives at Smollan, leaders in the fintech sector, a Special Assistant to a Vice President, and an African mayor currently running for parliamentary office in Zambia. She is also among a select group of coaches chosen to support participants in the Amujae Initiative, the leadership programme for African women in public service founded by Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
Turning Leadership into Action
What sets Gushu apart, clients say, is her hands-on approach to leadership and organisational development. Beyond executive coaching, she works alongside leadership teams to strengthen operations, improve decision-making, and support sustainable business growth. Her experience spans organisations across a range of industries, including an aerospace startup and a consulting firm working with MEDA, ALX, the Mastercard Foundation, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
“Working with Mbali has been a game-changer for me. I’ve seen significant growth in my leadership skills, confidence, and overall well-being.”
A Decade Supporting Leaders Across Africa
Gushu’s coaching philosophy is rooted in more than a decade of experience supporting entrepreneurs and mission-driven organisations across the continent. At Ashoka, she led initiatives across Southern Africa, and later at Teach For All, she supported social entrepreneurs launching organisations in Uganda, Nigeria, Tanzania, Senegal, The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, and South Africa. She also served as Chief Operating Officer of Cloudline, one of Africa’s first airship-producing aerospace companies, where she oversaw operations while coaching engineering teams through ambitious projects.
Her leadership journey began as a member of the inaugural class of the African Leadership Academy before studying Economics at Columbia University. She began her professional career as an intern at NBCUniversal in New York, working on the Today Show, and later recruited teacher and school leaders for Nova Pioneer, a network of affordable private schools operating across South and East Africa.
Standard Operating Procedures: Life Arrives This December
Drawing on her experience coaching executives and founders, Standard Operating Procedures: Life translates leadership frameworks into practical guidance for young women beginning their careers. Combining personal stories with actionable lessons, the book explores topics such as building confidence, navigating uncertainty, advocating for oneself, and developing a personal approach to leadership and growth.
Gushu says that becoming a mother of two daughters has further shaped her perspective on leadership and mentorship. She believes that helping young women build confidence and resilience is a natural extension of the work she does every day with executives, founders, and changemakers.
About Mbali Gushu and Pilily
Mbali Gushu is the founder of Pilily, an executive coaching and organisational development firm working with executives, founders, and emerging leaders across Africa and globally. She studied Economics at Columbia University and holds an Advanced Professional Certificate in Leadership and Management from the London School of Business Administration, as well as an Executive and Management Coaching Certification from the University of Cape Town. Her debut book, Standard Operating Procedures: Life, will be released in December 2026.
Media Contact
For interviews, review copies, or additional information, please visit:
www.pililywomen.com/consultation
Media Contact
Company Name: Pilily
Contact Person: Mbali Gushu
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Phone: +27748974899
City: Johannesburg
Country: South Africa
Website: https://www.pililywomen.com
