Victorine (Ahou) Goly, CDPM®, MBA
Victorine (Ahou) Goly, CDPM®, MBA, is a multilingual executive administrative and governance professional with approximately 16 years of experience supporting international development programs and senior leadership teams. She began her career as a Program Assistant with the United Nations in Ghana, where she supported donor-funded initiatives including the rice and Shea projects. In this role, she worked closely with multiple international partners to implement development programs, gaining early experience in program coordination, stakeholder engagement, and donor compliance. She continued building her expertise within the same organization by supporting various project functions, strengthening her foundation in program management and operational execution.
In 2013, Victorine transitioned to the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), where she supported the Regional Director and portfolio managers in overseeing approximately 19 active projects across global development initiatives. Her responsibilities included reviewing technical and financial reports, monitoring project deliverables, and ensuring alignment with strategic and donor requirements. Recognizing the importance of continuous professional growth, she pursued additional advanced training and certifications to strengthen her ability to provide strategic advisory support to leadership teams. Her dedication and performance led to progressive career advancement, and in 2023 and 2024, she was promoted to serve as Secretary to the Board of Directors and Executive Assistant to the CEO.
In her current leadership and governance role, Victorine serves as a key liaison between executive management, the Board of Directors, and global partners, providing advisory support on strategic decisions and governance matters. She combines expertise in project management, leadership administration, and organizational strategy to help drive operational effectiveness and institutional alignment. Grounded in her academic background in business administration and years of hands-on experience, she remains committed to advancing sustainable development initiatives, fostering cross-cultural collaboration, and supporting mission-driven organizations in achieving impactful global outcomes.
• Corporate Governance (Online)
• Project Design, Monitoring, and Evaluation
• Fundamentals of Project Management
• Expert Certified Development Project Manager (CDPM-2)
• Adaptive Project Management
• Results Based Project Management
• Sikkim Manipal University - Distance Education - BBA
• Exeed College - MBA
• University of Plymouth - MBA
• Columbia Business School
• Emirates Business School
• Church volunteer
What do you attribute your success to?
She attributes success to connecting with people, keeping an open mind, allowing herself to be mentored/groomed, continual learning, and persistent effort.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
You need to dream big and push yourself hard to achieve those dreams. Anything is possible. Sometimes we start small, but as you connect with people, as you have an open mind, and also allow yourself to be groomed, you will be able to achieve those dreams. That's the thing - you need to connect to people. We don't know it all, and with people's experience and knowledge, it helps you to grow. One of the key aspects is pushing yourself and never giving up, always trying and looking for the best. In my field, I'm always looking at how I can better my experience, how I can bring in new experience to help the organization do what we have to do or to fit in the current market. The challenge in donor-funded organizations is constant innovation - bringing new expertise and knowledge to secure more funds and new donors, and staying current with market demands.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Working in a donor-funded organization presents real challenges. We rely on donor funds to operate, so sometimes we run out of cash when we don't have donors and funding isn't secured. The challenge is to be able to innovate constantly - to always be thinking about innovation and how to bring new things to the table so that you can secure more funds or attract new donors. This reality brings me, and us as an organization, to always be bringing in new expertise and new knowledge. In my field, or where I sit, I'm always looking at how I can better my experience and how I can bring in new experience to help the organization do what we have to do and to fit in the current market demands.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me in my personal life naturally shape the way I approach my work. I am driven by ambition and determination, believing that dreaming big paired with consistent effort can turn possibilities into realities. I embrace a mindset that anything is achievable, and I seek out collaboration—actively connecting with others to learn, share, and grow together. Continuous learning is central to who I am; I remain curious, humble, and open to insights from every person I meet, recognizing that their experiences and knowledge are invaluable tools for growth. Perseverance anchors me through challenges, whether in professional projects or personal pursuits. Outside of work, I cultivate balance and inspiration through reading, movies, traveling, and cooking, while tending my cassava and vegetable farm in Africa and caring for my dogs. These passions remind me that growth is holistic, creativity thrives in many spaces, and leadership is as much about nurturing as it is about achieving.