I grew up in a small, remote village in Mali during the harsh years of the 'Great Sahel Famine'– a time that is deeply etched in my memory. Resources were scarce and the road ahead felt steep for anyone who dared to dream beyond the immediate horizon. In first grade, our classroom overflowed with over 60 children, including 20 girls. By sixth grade, however, there were only 11 boys left; all the girls had been forced to drop out. Despite their talents and ambitions, they faced obstacles far beyond their control.Of those early classmates, I was the only one to complete high school, a privilege that often felt surreal and even miraculous. Continuing on to university, where I became a water, sanitation and hygiene engineer, was a milestone that both humbled and energised me. With each step, I've held on to a goal I'd set for myself: to be a lifelong learner and to use my knowledge to support and uplift those around me, especially the most vulnerable. I truly believe that one's success in life should not be determined by one's place of birth, gender or social status. This belief has shaped the direction of my life and work.Over the past three decades, I've worked to promote social justice, gender equality and the decolonisation of development policies and practices. My career has taken me around the globe, always with a focus on transforming systems that, like the barriers my classmates faced, can prevent people from reaching their full potential.In my book, L'odyssée du leadership: 24 leçons pratiques tirées d'expériences vécues, I share reflections from my leadership journey, drawing on personal stories and the lessons I've learned. I hope it will serve as a guide for those navigating the complex paths of the global development world, helping them to overcome challenges and realise their unique potential as leaders.Today, I remain committed to advocating for systemic change in global development and striving to create an environment where leadership is caring, inclusive, transformative and innovative. It's a privilege to share my voice on these issues and to connect with others who believe, as I do, that everyone deserves the chance to learn, grow and succeed - regardless of where they start.