Engage and Excel Programme Spotlight Feature: Shamiso Chikosha-Dirahu

This week, we proudly shine a spotlight on Shamiso Chikosha-Dirahu, a woman whose life and leadership reflect courage, resilience, enterprise and a deep commitment to helping women rise.

Shamiso’s journey is a powerful story of transformation. From arriving in the UK as an asylum seeker, becoming a refugee, and later building a new life as a UK citizen, she has turned personal challenge into purpose. Her lived experience has strengthened her passion for women’s aspirations, entrepreneurship, leadership growth and community empowerment.

Her leadership spans sectors and communities. As a Director of C&R Home Designs and Construction, Shamiso has stepped confidently into a male-dominated industry, demonstrating that women can lead, build and innovate in spaces where they have often been underrepresented. Her role reflects not only business ambition, but also her belief in creating opportunities, challenging stereotypes and opening doors for other women to see themselves as leaders in enterprise.

Alongside her entrepreneurial journey, Shamiso has contributed more than 10 years of financial leadership within the St Vincent de Paul Society, an international charitable organisation rooted in service and social action. This experience has shaped her understanding of governance, accountability, stewardship and the importance of sustainable support for vulnerable communities.

Her commitment to social impact extends across many respected charitable and community organisations. Through consulting, management and voluntary capacities, Shamiso has supported organisations including Compact for Race Equality, New Hope North East, Poised2Excel, One Community Link, Apna Ghar and many others. Her work has consistently centred on strengthening communities, improving access to opportunity and supporting people to thrive.

As founder of Women’s Empowerment and Wellness Network CIC (WEWN), Shamiso brings this journey, experience and vision together. WEWN reflects her belief that women need more than encouragement; they need safe spaces, practical support, networks, mentoring, wellbeing resources and visible examples of leadership that inspire them to pursue their goals with confidence.

In Her Words: "My

journey has taught me that women’s aspirations matter. When women are supported to believe in themselves, lead boldly and build with purpose, they can transform families, communities and future generations.”

At WEWN, we celebrate Shamiso Chikosha-Dirahu as a leader, entrepreneur, community builder and advocate for women’s empowerment. Her story reminds us that beginnings do not define our destination, and that with vision, resilience and service, women can create lasting change.

#CelebratingWomen #WomenEmpoweringWomen #WomenInLeadership #WomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #CommunityImpact #RefugeeToLeader #DiasporaWomen #WomenInConstruction #WEWN