Nana Yaa Ofosua Kissi
LinkedIn URL Nana-Yaa Kissi
Summary
A results-driven General Management and Marketing Executive with over 15 years of leadership experience shaping the FMCG landscape across 29 Sub-Saharan African markets. Proven track record of transforming business vision into accelerated, profitable growth, with full P&L ownership and a decade of Executive Board leadership. Expert in building iconic brands, leading high-performing cross-functional teams, and developing market-winning strategies for Beauty & Personal Care, Nutrition, and Home Care categories.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Beauty & Personal Care Business Director & Marketing Director
UNILEVER WEST AFRICA
08.2018 - 06.2025
- Accountable for the full P&L and overall business leadership of a €130M portfolio across multiple West African markets.
- Developed and executed a 5-year category strategy to double the business. Exceeded the 5-year target in just 3 years, increasing shareholder value by 97.3%.
- Designed and scaled a market development blueprint across Unilever Africa and Asia, driving 80%+ market share for a key oral care brand.
- Fostered a high-performance culture, resulting in the promotion of multiple direct reports to senior management, with two appointed to executive board positions.
Marketing Director
UNILEVER WEST AFRICA
01.2016 - 07.2018
- Managed the €100M marketing P&L for Unilever Ghana, responsible for category strategy and integrated business planning.
- Led the change management and successful merger of Unilever Ghana and Nigeria operations as part of a major organizational restructure.
- Launched two gold-standard innovations within six months, with one becoming a core brand for the Ghana business, exceeding business case targets.
Business Development and Marketing Head
UNILEVER AFRICA EMERGING MARKETS
04.2013 - 12.2015
- Oversaw brand development and profitability for an €80M turnover business across 16 emerging markets.
- Led the cross-functional onshoring and market entry strategy for Unilever Ethiopia, developing a 6-year plan to triple the business size.
- Achieved double-digit underlying sales growth for two consecutive years in a highly complex multi-country operating model.
UNILEVER WEST AFRICA & GHANA | Various Roles
UNILEVER WEST AFRICA & GHANA
02.2009 - 03.2013
- Progressed through pivotal category management roles, steering the strategy for Oral Care, Skin Cleansing, and Savoury portfolios.
- Consistently delivered on market share and revenue targets, building the foundational commercial and strategic expertise that enabled a successful transition to director-level general management leadership.
Education
Africa Leadership Accelerator Program -
EMERITUS
Singapore01-2024
Master of Arts - Marketing & Innovation
London School of Marketing
01.2015
Post Graduate Diploma - Business & Marketing Strategy
Eduqual
01.2014
Bachelor of Education - Psychology
University of Cape Coast
01.2001
Skills
General Management: P&L Management Strategic Planning Business Transformation Market Entry & Expansion Cross-Functional Leadership Executive Board Governance
Commercial Strategy: Growth Strategy Portfolio Management Brand Development Innovation Category Leadership Shopper & Customer Marketing
Industry Knowledge: FMCG Beauty & Personal Care Nutrition Home Care Sub-Saharan Africa Emerging Markets (D&E)
LEADERSHIP & BOARD EXPERIENCE
Executive Board Member / Director, Unilever Ghana Limited (2016 – Present), Non-Executive Board Member, Clean Team Ghana (2018 – 2021), FMCG Ultimate Woman of the Year, National FMCG Awards Ghana (2023), Top 100 Women Board Directors in Ghana, Aviance Media, Marketing Industry Personality of the Year, Marketing World Awards – Africa (2021)
Timeline
Beauty & Personal Care Business Director & Marketing Director
UNILEVER WEST AFRICA
08.2018 - 06.2025
Marketing Director
UNILEVER WEST AFRICA
01.2016 - 07.2018
Business Development and Marketing Head
UNILEVER AFRICA EMERGING MARKETS
04.2013 - 12.2015
UNILEVER WEST AFRICA & GHANA | Various Roles
UNILEVER WEST AFRICA & GHANA
02.2009 - 03.2013
Master of Arts - Marketing & Innovation
London School of Marketing
Post Graduate Diploma - Business & Marketing Strategy
Eduqual
Bachelor of Education - Psychology
University of Cape Coast
Africa Leadership Accelerator Program -
EMERITUS