Deborah Auko Tendo’s story is one of resilience, leadership, and passion. The mother of three spends her days as the Head of Commercial at Wells Fargo but there is so much more to her. She balances a multifaceted career at Wells Fargo in addition to being a bestselling author, an avid traveler, and the Patron of Kenya Women in Logistics and Transport (KWiLT). Whether in the boardroom, on the page, or at the summit of a mountain, she leads with a commitment to making a lasting impact in every sphere she touches.
As someone who is always on the move, Deborah values technology that can keep up with her dynamic lifestyle. A dedicated Samsung fan from mobile to home appliances, she praises the brand for its user-friendliness, durability, and innovative features. Her favourite device, the Samsung Z Fold, allows her to multitask efficiently, making it possible to handle up to five things simultaneously. For someone who attends numerous conferences and is working on a Ph.D., features like Notes Assist and Direct Translation are game changers, enabling her to take notes and communicate in up to 40 languages with ease. Her favorite thing about Samsung is their customer service going as far as to say that the true test of a product’s worth comes when something goes wrong, and Samsung’s reliable customer service stands out in such situations
At Wells Fargo, Deborah plays a pivotal role in managing the company’s sales, retention, and customer service efforts. Her expertise centers around obtaining, retaining, and maintaining relationships with clients where her leadership also benefits from her multilingual skills. Working with importers from various regions, such as China and the Middle East, Deborah understands the value of language in business interactions. Being able to converse in multiple languages herself, she prefers to eliminate the need for interpreters and believes it enhances the negotiation process.
Deborah’s expertise extends beyond commercial leadership, she is also an accredited dangerous goods specialist. She ensures these goods are properly packaged and legally entering through ports of entry like airports and border posts. Her specialized skills add yet another layer to her already impressive career, showcasing her versatility and commitment to safety and regulation in logistics.
Furthermore, as the Patron of KWiLT, Deborah advocates for women’s empowerment in the logistics and transport sector, which has historically been male-dominated. She envisions a future where women enjoy equal opportunities, equal pay, and equal positioning in the industry. KWiLT provides a platform for women to thrive in logistics, whether it involves transport, import/export, courier services, or ferrying goods. Deborah aims to break barriers and ensure that women can excel in this sector of the economy.
For Deborah, storytelling is a powerful tool for addressing societal challenges. As such she became a bestselling author on the back of her autobiographical work, Rough Silk. The book delves into a range of social issues, including teen pregnancies, domestic abuse, mental health, polygamy, the HIV pandemic, cancer, and sexual violence. By telling her own story, Deborah hopes to inspire others to share their personal narratives. She believes that through people focusing on their stories, we can get to the next level, which is tackling the social issues that come from these stories. Her writing highlights the complex layers of life in Kenya, touching on both personal and collective experiences.
Deborah’s personal life is as vibrant as her professional one. A travel enthusiast, she has a special fondness for destinations such as Lamu, Bali, and New York. Her love for travel is not just about sightseeing but about building connections and broadening her perspective. She often travels with a group of friends, visiting places like Zanzibar, Turkey, and Mexico.
Summiting both Mt. Kenya and Mt. Kilimanjaro within a single year stands as one of her most impressive achievements. Climbing these mountains helped her deal with grief following the loss of her father and allowed her to challenge herself and learn new things.
Deborah’s message to young girls uncertain about their career paths is to look for what people need and won’t go out of fashion as they look for a career. Having initially studied law, for instance, she chose to pivot to logistics, a decision that has allowed her to stand out in a field where Kenya has a competitive edge. She highlights logistics as a critical industry in Kenya, given the country’s role as an import hub with landlocked neighbors relying on its services.
In conclusion, Deborah is a dynamic leader whose influence spans multiple sectors, from logistics and customer relations to social advocacy and personal empowerment. Her journey of resilience serves as an inspiration to many. With her passion, excellence and sense of adventure, Deborah continues to forge new paths for herself and others.
