Victoria Ogbuehi is a Security, Intelligence, and Enterprise Risk Expert. She has two Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) distinctions among many other laurels. She currently manages Coca-Cola HBC’s Enterprise Risk for Nigeria and her expertise has been instrumental to saving the business resources through the implementation of robust Business Continuity Plans and implementable contingency plans. She is the first African Director of the ASIS International Professional Standards Board.

What makes you a Risky Woman?

My approach to security management is a holistic one. Within the first few months of this role, I ensured my team is at the forefront of conducting Business Impact Analysis which of course is the first step in the development of Business Continuity Plans for our respective production facilities. We have quite some very strategic production facilities in Nigeria which underscores the overall size of our operation and we must be able to put in place measures that are capable of forestalling business interruptions.

Name your top 3 achievements

1. Outstanding Female Security Professional – Nigeria OSPAs 2019
2. Outstanding Young Security Professional – Nigeria OSPAs 2020
3. Named number 14 in the IFSEC Global “Top Influencers in Security & Fire” 2020 "Commercial Security - Association Figures/Academics/Thought Leaders" category.l.

What is the biggest risk you’ve taken in your career?

My transitioning into the corporate security field was a difficult one as most employers didn’t think that I was the right fit for two reasons. The first was that I lacked corporate experience, the second was gender-related. My husband in trying to calm me one day said that “he wouldn’t put the security of his enterprise in the hands of a woman as a CEO as it is difficult for women to cope with irregular work hours which are quite peculiar in security management” and advised I changed/switched careers if possible. He added, “you are an intelligent woman, security is full of challenges, and succeeding in other fields would be a cakewalk for you.” The risk here was that I continued taking responsibility for my career/personal growth despite the rejections even when I wasn’t sure how I was ever going to recoup those investments. Smiles… But they are paying off today.

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

I am fragile but try to put up appearances sometimes so that I don’t let so many people who look up to me down.

What is the best quality for successful leaders in Risk?

Patience is a great virtue in this field as one tends to work with some risk owners who can be quite difficult and not yielding at all since being responsible for risk(s) may not be a visible part of their KPIs. You have to do a lot of follow-ups, be patient, tolerant, and above all learn and adapt to working with people on different teams.