HER Space 2026, hosted by Folakemi Oloye and organized by Teal Harmony Limited, brought together a dynamic community of women for an inspiring day centered on growth, connection, and intentional networking.

Designed as more than just a gathering, HER Space created an environment for meaningful conversations, powerful insights, and authentic connections among women navigating business and leadership, particularly within male-dominated industries.

A standout highlight of the event was its impressive lineup of speakers, who delivered insightful sessions across a range of relevant and thought-provoking topics.

 

 

The event commenced with opening remarks from the MC, Omotunde Ibironke, who warmly welcomed attendees and encouraged everyone to remain fully present and engaged throughout the experience.

 

 

 

 

 

She then introduced the host, Folakemi Oloye, who set the tone for the day with a thought-provoking question: “How do we make sure we are not just getting a seat at the table, but making an impact too?”

 

The keynote session, delivered by Jacqueline Aki, focused on the power of networking. She emphasized that networking goes beyond surface-level interactions, describing it as the intentional building of alliances that create real value and open doors to higher opportunities.

 

According to her, excellence alone is not enough. “Your work may be excellent, but you may remain unseen because influence is not built by output alone, it is also built on trust.”

She challenged attendees with key reflective questions: Do you truly know your value? Who recognizes the value you bring? Who trusts your judgment?

She further highlighted that no meaningful career is built in isolation, especially within the built environment, which thrives on collaboration.

She outlined practical steps to building a powerful network: Master your craft and strive for excellence; Make your value visible and build genuine connections; Lead with value, not just with the intention to gain; Protect your reputation; Prioritize rest and personal well-being.

The conversation continued with insights from the Head of Marketing at Teal Harmony Limited, Tosin, who spoke on the importance of creating spaces that go beyond visual appeal to deliver real commercial value. He emphasized that well-designed and properly staged spaces allow people to envision ownership and future possibilities.

 

The central theme of the event, “Winning the Table, Not Just a Seat in Male-Dominated Industries,” was further explored during a thought-provoking panel session. Conversations focused on the importance of owning one’s worth, navigating pricing and negotiation, executing with confidence, and ensuring measurable returns on investment within shorter time frames.

There was a panel session that further explored more conversations. Panelist shared practical insights and personal experiences on navigating professional spaces as women. They also emphasized that technical expertise alone is not enough growth requires continuous learning, intentional development, and the ability to draw from the experience of others. Younger women were encouraged not to downplay their value, but to remain open to learning from more experienced professionals while taking advantage of opportunities to gain hands-on experience.

Oluwatoyin Alamutu highlighted the importance of moving away from assumptions, stressing the need to understand the basics and build from a solid foundation. Esther Briggs added that while previous generations leaned heavily on hard work and excellence, the current generation must find a balance. She noted that while there is now a stronger focus on visibility, there is still a need for deeper, more intentional networking.

HER Space 2026 ultimately reinforced a powerful message: It is not enough to simply have a seat at the table, true impact comes from the value you bring, the confidence you carry, and the connections you intentionally build.