Page 44 - Powerlist 2019 - Digital Edition

Business, Corporates, Financiers & Entrepreneurs

INTERVIEW

Sandie Okoro

As the fi rst black woman to be appointed General Counsel of the World Bank,
Sandie, also its Senior Vice President, has come a long way since being told by a teacher
that “little black girls from Balham don’t become judges”. She talks to Alexa Baracaia,
about making a difference and relaxing in front of Game of Thrones...

ppointed the first black was the first test of it. Of course you that happened I thought, “wow,
female General Counsel get upset, stressed... but I’m of the maybe I am clever”. And then in the
A of the World Bank in 2017, mind, “okay, now, just get on with it”. early 80s you were seeing the world
Sandie Okoro has won countless My mother was like that; her attitude change – I’d be on a march protesting
plaudits for changing the face of was, “don’t bother about them, do about something every Sunday. It
the industry and paving the way for what you want to do”. was about finding my voice. And
women of colour to follow. She tells there were inspirations on TV – lots of
us about the journey to becoming How would you tell your seven-year- positive images of women, perhaps
one of the most senior lawyers in old self to respond now? more even than today - Winnie
global banking – and how the hurdles It’s such a stupid thing to say, it’s just Mandela, Indhira Ghandi. Angela
not worthy of a comeback. You have
have only made her jump higher. not worthy of a comeback. You have Rippon was one of the first female
have only made her jump higher.
Rippon was one of the first female
to think very clearly that the only
to think very clearly that the only newsreaders.
newsreaders.
Let’s begin at the beginning – tell us person that can define what you are
Let’s begin at the beginning – tell us
person that can define what you are
One of your top tips for success is to
about your background. able to do is yourself. That’s all that One of your top tips for success is to
about your background.
able to do is yourself. That’s all that
I was born and raised in Balham; my
I was born and raised in Balham; my matters. always make your bed…
always make your bed…
matters.
father was from Nigeria, and mum
father was from Nigeria, and mum
Where did the ambition to be a judge
was from Trinidad. My dad taught Where did the ambition to be a judge
was from Trinidad. My dad taught
secondary school children with
secondary school children with come from?
come from?
From watching TV! I used to come
learning difficulties and mum was a
learning difficulties and mum was a From watching TV! I used to come
nurse. Mine was a very happy and safe home for lunch and watch Crown
home for lunch and watch Crown
nurse. Mine was a very happy and safe
Court and I wanted to wear one of
childhood, and it’s fair to say there
childhood, and it’s fair to say there Court and I wanted to wear one of
was the expectation from my parents
was the expectation from my parents those wigs and gowns. It didn’t worry
those wigs and gowns. It didn’t worry
that I would get a good education.
that I would get a good education. me that the people on TV were white
me that the people on TV were white
Although that’s not quite how my and male. I just wanted to do it. And
Although that’s not quite how my
and male. I just wanted to do it. And
primary school saw it. I was absolutely determined. I’m
I was absolutely determined. I’m
not a judge now, but if you asked
not a judge now, but if you asked
In what way? me from age seven onwards,
me from age seven onwards,
that’s always what I would have
I must have been about seven or eight
I must have been about seven or eight that’s always what I would have
said.
and one of my teachers went around
and one of my teachers went around said.
the class asking us what we wanted
the class asking us what we wanted
to be. I said “a judge”. And she said, Who was a key inspiration for
Who was a key inspiration for
to be. I said “a judge”. And she said,
you?
“Sandie, little black girls from Balham you?
“Sandie, little black girls from Balham
don’t become judges.” There were many moments that
don’t become judges.”
There were many moments that
inspired me. My secondary school,
inspired me. My secondary school,
Putney High, was quite academic.
That’s despicable. Putney High, was quite academic.
Well, you know, it was pretty People said, “you’ll never get
Well, you know, it was pretty
People said, “you’ll never get
devastating. But I also remember in” and my mum said,
in” and my mum said,
devastating. But I also remember
“you don’t know
thinking “what do you know?” and “if
thinking “what do you know?” and “if “you don’t know
until you try”.
they don’t, they will now!” Later you
they don’t, they will now!” Later you until you try”.
I did, and
realise how profound those words
realise how profound those words I did, and
could have been but actually they
could have been but actually they when
when
set me on a path of defiance and
set me on a path of defiance and
determination.
An impressive response at such a
An impressive response at such a
young age…
If I reflect now, I have this
If I reflect now, I have this
unwavering resilience and that
unwavering resilience and that
40 Powerlist 2019