Dr. Harold Mayaba’s journey is a testament to resilience, purpose, and transformative leadership. Raised in rural Zambia and orphaned at a young age, Dr. Mayaba’s early life was marked by hardship that fueled his determination to pursue education and create meaningful change. From humble beginnings—studying by kerosene light and overcoming countless obstacles—he carved a path through agriculture, academia, and leadership.
After earning a PhD in Agribusiness in New Zealand, Dr. Harold Mayaba has dedicated his career to empowering individuals and organizations through purpose-driven leadership and innovative market strategies. As founder of TRADEit Zambia and leader of H|M Agri-Food Consulting & Speaking, he is advancing inclusive trade and sustainability across Africa, while shaping the future of agribusiness with a blend of compassion, research, and entrepreneurial spirit.
In a candid conversation with The Enterprise World, Dr. Harold Mayaba
1. Could you briefly share your professional journey and how it led you to your current role?
My journey started in rural Zambia, where I was raised by my grandparents after losing my mother at the age of 14. Education became my guiding light, transforming hardship into purpose. I faced many challenges—knocking on doors for help, sleeping on kitchen floors, and studying by kerosene lamp—but I persevered to complete my schooling. I pursued agriculture as a way to change both my life and my community. My career began as a Livestock Officer at Rusangu University, followed by a role as Farm Manager at the Ministry of Agriculture.
Seeking broader opportunities, I moved to New Zealand, working on dairy and poultry farms before advancing to Production Manager. While working full-time, I earned multiple degrees, culminating in a PhD in Agribusiness from Lincoln University, where I focused my research on consumer welfare and animal welfare policies. Today, I lead H|M Agri-Food Consulting & Speaking, blending academic research, consulting, and motivational speaking to guide individuals and businesses toward purpose-driven leadership and market insight. I also founded TRADEit Zambia, an e-commerce and innovation hub dedicated to empowering local entrepreneurs and fostering inclusive trade across Africa.
2. What has been the biggest driving force behind your career growth?
Purpose has been my compass throughout. My early struggles taught me that truly understanding why you exist turns every setback into preparation for what’s next. Hope fueled my belief that my circumstances wouldn’t define my future, and resilience gave me the strength to rebuild time and again. These three values—Purpose, Hope, and Resilience—are now at the core of both my message and my leadership philosophy. I’m motivated by a passion to help individuals and organizations uncover their purpose and leverage it as a foundation for transformation.
3. How do you approach leadership within your organization and industry?
I lead with empathy, clarity, and empowerment. To me, leadership isn’t about hierarchy—it’s about influence grounded in service. Whether consulting or speaking, I focus on cultivating a culture of shared purpose, where every team member understands how their role connects to a larger vision. I blend analytical thinking from my research background with compassionate leadership shaped by personal experience. The best leaders, I believe, create environments where people feel valued, inspired, and trusted to innovate. In agribusiness, this means equipping farmers, entrepreneurs, and students with knowledge—not just instructions.
4. Which initiatives or projects are you most proud of leading?
I’m especially proud of founding TRADEit Zambia, a platform that has opened digital market access to small businesses that were previously isolated. This initiative has fostered a vibrant community of entrepreneurs using technology to trade, sell, and grow sustainably.
At H|M Agri-Food Consulting & Speaking, I created the Purpose-Led Growth Framework, which guides organizations to shift from profit-only mindsets to growth anchored in purpose. My academic research on consumer preferences for cage-free eggs in New Zealand has also influenced national discussions on animal welfare policy. Additionally, mentoring students as an Adjunct Lecturer at Rusangu University is deeply rewarding, as it allows me to help nurture the next generation of agribusiness leaders.
5. How do you ensure your work creates a lasting impact beyond business success?
I believe true impact goes beyond profits—it’s about transforming people’s lives and mindsets. My consulting work focuses on training entrepreneurs in agribusiness management and value addition, while my speaking engagements aim to inspire purpose and resilience. Sustainability is at the core of everything I do, from advocating for ethical production practices to promoting socially responsible business models. My ultimate goal is to build a purpose-driven ecosystem that connects continents and empowers others to overcome adversity, just as I have.
6. What has been the most valuable leadership lesson you’ve learned so far?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that leadership starts with leading yourself. Before you can inspire others, you need to overcome self-doubt, fear, and ego. Leadership is a lifelong journey of growth, humility, and service. I’ve come to understand that failure isn’t the opposite of success—it’s a vital part of it. Each challenge strengthens resilience, deepens empathy, and clarifies purpose. The difficult experiences I’ve faced have been invaluable lessons, teaching me to lead with both strength and compassion.
7. How do you stay adaptable in a world shaped by AI, technology, and constant disruption?
Adaptability begins with mindset. I see technology as a tool to empower, not replace. By integrating AI-driven consulting and automation tools at H|M Agri-Food Consulting & Speaking, we’ve revamped our marketing strategy—streamlining communication, enhancing outreach, and connecting with a broader, more diverse audience. I’m committed to continuous learning through innovation courses and global partnerships. Yet, I balance technology with core human values like empathy, authenticity, and integrity. While machines can process data, only people create meaning—technology will never tell my story. My adaptability comes from blending innovation with humanity.
8. Who has been your greatest influence or mentor in leadership?
My greatest mentors have been life itself and those who believed in me when I had very little. Spiritually, I find inspiration in biblical leaders who guided with faith and vision. Academically, Dr. Kathryn Bicknell profoundly influenced my analytical and ethical approach to research. Her insightful questions during my PhD challenged me to think deeply and strengthened my commitment to values-driven inquiry. In terms of personal growth, global figures like Les Brown and Dr. Myles Munroe have inspired my journey as a speaker, teaching me how stories of struggle can become sources of strength. Together, these influences have shaped me into the leader I am today—purpose-driven, disciplined, and grounded in gratitude.
9. What excites you most about the future of your industry and your role in it?
I’m excited about how agribusiness is evolving beyond just production toward a focus on purpose and sustainability. As consumers become increasingly aware of ethical sourcing, transparency, and climate impact, the industry is shifting to prioritize values. I’m honored to be part of this change, connecting science, markets, and human stories. Through H|M Agri-Food Consulting & Speaking, I aim to blend data-driven insights with purpose-led strategies that help businesses grow responsibly. The rise of AI and digital marketplaces is revolutionizing how food is produced, traded, and consumed. Drawing on my research into consumer behavior, I’m committed to guiding this transformation in a way that balances data, purpose, and human values.
10. What message would you like to share with the global audience attending The Global Icons of Impact 2025?
My message is simple but powerful: “Purpose transforms pain into power.” Each of us carries experiences that can either break us or build us, and purpose is what gives those experiences meaning. Hope fuels the courage to keep moving forward, and resilience provides the strength to rise again. To the global audience, I say: build your success on purpose, not pressure. Lead with purpose, inspire with hope, and persevere with resilience. Never let your circumstances define your potential. Our world needs more than just successful people—it needs purposeful people who turn their scars into solutions. When purpose leads, impact follows. As I often say: Unleash the lion within, and let your roar be heard!
Key Takeaways:
- Purpose as a Compass: Dr. Mayaba’s career is driven by Purpose, Hope, and Resilience—values born from early struggles that have shaped his leadership philosophy and mission.
- Leadership with Empathy and Clarity: He leads by fostering a culture of shared purpose, blending analytical rigor with compassionate service to empower teams and communities.
- Vision for Agribusiness: Excited by the industry’s shift toward sustainability and ethical practices, he aims to guide this transformation through data, purpose, and human connection.
- Message to Global Leaders: “Purpose transforms pain into power.” Dr. Mayaba encourages leaders to build success on purpose, resilience, and hope, turning adversity into impactful solutions.
