Melissa Allotey: Empowering women-led SMEs through strategy and innovation

What led you to choose the Cambridge MBA?

Being a mother of 2 energetic toddler boys, I wanted a rigorous yet condensed one-year programme so I could return to my family in Ghana and the Cambridge MBA was exactly right for me. Secondly, the immersive Cambridge MBA, with its unique combination of academic rigor, hands-on projects like the Global Consulting Project (GCP) and Cambridge Venture Project (CVP) and a diverse global cohort, aligns seamlessly with my goal of empowering women-led SMEs in Africa.

My entrepreneurial journey began with Lisa’s Pancakes, a gourmet pancake venture I founded in 2017. Balancing family life, motherhood and a growing career at KPMG Ghana eventually led me to close the business, a difficult choice that highlighted the unique challenges women face in combining family and entrepreneurship. This experience strengthened my resolve to design solutions that help women thrive as business leaders. Cambridge’s strong emphasis on entrepreneurship and social innovation, alongside perspectives from nearly 50 nationalities, provides the ideal environment to refine and scale these solutions. 

On a personal note, Cambridge holds deep significance for me. My grandfather, Jeremiah Mama Akita, studied History at Queen’s College in 1945 and later became Ghana’s first post-colonial archivist. His lifelong commitment to excellence was recognised in 2010 when he received the prestigious Officer of the Order of the Volta from the President of Ghana for pioneering the National Archives. Returning to Cambridge to continue this legacy makes my own journey here profoundly meaningful.

What has been your biggest career accomplishment so far?

My proudest accomplishment was leading a team at KPMG Ghana to design the concept for the firm’s first-ever SME Centre of Excellence. The Centre was envisioned as a hub to connect entrepreneurs with training, capital and investor networks, giving them the tools to scale and thrive. In this project, I worked with my team to brainstorm and conceptualise the idea, secure buy-in from senior leadership and collaborate with colleagues in KPMG Kenya who were also launching a similar initiative. Leading the Ghana team gave me the opportunity to harness the strengths of my colleagues, integrate diverse perspectives and shape a concept note that was not only innovative but also practical and ready for execution.

Before leaving KPMG Ghana, I was proud to see the project move into its implementation phase, a clear sign that the foundation we laid was solid. Although I am no longer directly involved, it is deeply rewarding to know that the Centre will continue to serve SMEs, including women-led businesses, by helping them build technical capacity, gain the confidence to enter new markets and secure transformative investments. For me, this accomplishment is not just about a project delivered, but about creating a legacy platform that will empower entrepreneurs for years to come.

How do you feel about receiving your scholarship?

Absolutely overjoyed and deeply grateful. The Navarino Studentship and Wolfson College Women’s Entrepreneur Scholarship mean more than financial support, they are a vote of confidence in my vision to uplift women entrepreneurs across Africa. To be chosen as the sole recipient of both the Navarino Studentship and Wolfson Scholarship from thousands of applicants is profoundly meaningful to me. 

In addition, these scholarships free me from financial anxiety and allow me to fully immerse myself in the MBA journey. I feel even more empowered and driven to ensure the opportunities I’ve been given multiply across communities, empowering many more women to rise and lead.

What do you hope to gain from the MBA over the next year?

In one word, transformation. I want to sharpen my strategic management skills, learn from world-class faculty and immerse myself in 2 conferences that celebrate my continent, Cambridge Africa Day and the Cambridge Africa Business Conference. I’m equally excited to build friendships and networks across the Cambridge community, learning as much from peers as from professors. 

I’m particularly drawn to the Wolfson Entrepreneurship Hub, not only to soak in the energy of its events but also to test my own ideas. Who knows? I might even pitch at the Wolfson Entrepreneurship Competition next year! 

Most importantly, I want to leave the MBA equipped to scale my impact in Ghana by driving SME development and creating lasting opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Where do you see the MBA taking you in your future career?

In the short term, I aim to work in a consulting firm or development organisation as a SME Development Consultant to help women entrepreneurs access capital and markets. 

In a couple of years, I hope to relaunch Lisa’s Pancakes as a scalable enterprise that mentors women in the food and hospitality industry. The Cambridge MBA is the bridge to these ambitions.

What does Cambridge mean to you?

To me, Cambridge means legacy, diversity and possibility. It’s personal, my grandfather studied here and I feel privileged to walk a path he once walked. In addition, Cambridge is more than a school, it’s a community of thinkers, innovators and changemakers. Being here means I can carry forward that spirit of excellence to Ghana and Africa, multiplying the impact of what I learn.  

Above all, Cambridge means empathy. The admissions team’s genuine understanding of my circumstances and their effort to ensure I could be part of this cohort has been deeply heartwarming, making me feel truly seen and supported.

Something few people know about you…

Few people know that I learned to swim after the birth of my 2 children, not for sport, but to lose weight and rebuild confidence. What began as a personal goal taught me resilience, patience and the importance of celebrating small wins. At first, I was afraid of the water, but the journey helped me overcome that fear and embrace progress step by step. Much like my entrepreneurial journey, swimming reminded me that with consistency and courage, anything is possible.