In a world where talent often goes unrecognized due to systemic barriers, one woman has made it her mission to change the narrative. Meet Tracy Folorunsho-Barry, an award-winning employment strategist, entrepreneur, and advocate for women’s economic empowerment. As the CEO and founder of Grow Women Leaders, Tracy is at the forefront of a global movement that helps immigrant women navigate the job market, secure meaningful employment, and build thriving careers.

Tracy Folorunsho-Barry

For nearly a decade, Tracy has been a beacon of hope for thousands of women who arrive in new countries filled with ambition but struggle to find opportunities that match their skills. She understands their journey because she lived it herself.

As an immigrant to Canada, she experienced firsthand the frustration of being highly educated yet overlooked by employers. Instead of accepting defeat, she transformed her struggle into a powerful initiative that has now trained and placed over 6,000 women into jobs, with a remarkable 70-80% employment success rate.

But Tracy’s vision extends far beyond job placements. She is on a mission to reshape workplaces, challenge outdated hiring practices, and create a world where women, regardless of their background, can thrive in leadership roles. Her work not only benefits women but also helps companies build more inclusive, diverse, and high-performing teams.

Now, she is bringing this impact to Nigeria and beyond, expanding her work to bridge the gap between education and employment for women in Africa. Through her SEED principle—Support, Encourage, Empower, and Develop—she aims to provide women with the tools, mentorship, and direct employer connections they need to break into competitive job markets.

In this interview, with www.ipledge2nigeria.net Tracy opens up about her journey, the challenges immigrant women face, and the game-changing solutions that are transforming careers across continents. She shares inspiring success stories, her bold plans for the future, and a powerful message for women who feel stuck in their careers.

This is not just a conversation about employment; it’s about resilience, empowerment, and rewriting the rules for women in the workforce. Get ready to be inspired!

Tracy Folorunsho-Barry is a powerhouse in the world of employment strategy, known for her dedication to empowering women, especially immigrant women, through her organization, Grow Women Leaders. As the founder and CEO, she has made it her mission to help women break through career barriers, secure meaningful employment, and thrive in the workforce. In this inspiring interview, Tracy shares her journey, the impact of her work, and her vision for the future.

What inspired you to start Grow Women Leaders?

I know firsthand how tough it is to start over in a new country. When I immigrated to Canada, I had a strong educational background, but that wasn’t enough. Like many immigrants, I struggled to find work, and I saw countless other women facing the same obstacles.

Women, especially immigrant women, deal with additional layers of difficulty, being new to the country, facing cultural and language barriers, and often balancing family responsibilities. It became clear to me that something needed to change.

So in 2016, during Canada’s 150th anniversary, I launched Project 150 to highlight the success stories of immigrant women who had defied the odds. Women would come to these events and say, “I was a doctor back home, but I can’t find a job here.” Or, “That lawyer’s story gives me hope—maybe I can do it too.”

That’s when I realized that these women didn’t just need motivation, they needed real opportunities. And that’s how Grow Women Leaders was born.

How did you personally break into the workforce despite the challenges?

I became an entrepreneur!

I’m a mother of five, and let me tell you—that alone is a full-time job. I was juggling school, taking care of my children, and trying to get hired. It was exhausting.

One day, I saw an opportunity that aligned with my passion, and instead of waiting for someone to give me a job, I created my own path. I started my own business, and that decision changed everything.

Now, through Grow Women Leaders, I help other women do the same, whether it’s getting a job, launching a business, or stepping into leadership roles.

Your work has helped thousands of women. What are some of your biggest success stories?

We have trained over 6,000 women through our foundation, and 70-80% of them secure jobs after completing our programs.

One story that stands out is a woman who had been in Canada for eight months without a single job offer. She was highly qualified, with a master’s degree, but kept getting rejection after rejection. She was so discouraged that she even posted on LinkedIn about her struggles. After joining Grow Women Leaders, she got hired in just four days.

This is what happens when women have the right support, resources, and guidance.

You’re expanding to Nigeria. What do you plan to do differently?

We’ve done a lot of groundwork in Nigeria, but now it’s time to take things to the next level. The reality is, many Nigerian women graduate with degrees but have no clear career path.

To address this, we are introducing our SEED principle—Support, Encourage, Empower, and Develop—to help women successfully transition from education to employment.

We’ll start by empowering women and then work directly with employers to create real job opportunities. We know it won’t be easy, but we are committed to making a difference.

What are the biggest challenges facing women in the workforce today?

One word: intersectionality.

Women don’t just face gender bias; they also deal with racial, cultural, and societal challenges. Some of the biggest obstacles include: language Barriers ,  Many immigrants speak English as a second language, which affects confidence and job prospects. Family Responsibilities, women often shoulder caregiving duties, making it harder to advance their careers.

Employer Perceptions , some employers hesitate to hire women, fearing they won’t be as “available” due to family obligations.

At Grow Women Leaders, we focus on solutions rather than problems. We work to change the narrative, showing employers that when women are supported, they don’t just succeed, they thrive.

What kind of support do you provide to women?

We believe in removing every barrier that stands in a woman’s way. In Canada, we offer:

• Childcare services – So mothers can attend training or work stress-free.
• On-site meals – So women don’t have to worry about cooking after work.
• Mentorship programs – To provide guidance, career coaching, and confidence-building.

Everything we do is built on our SEED principle—Support, Encourage, Empower, and Develop.

Is your program free?

Yes! Joining Grow Women Leaders is completely free. Thanks to government funding, we can provide our programs at no cost to the women who need them.

However, depending on career level, some advanced services may have minimal fees. But in most cases, financial support is available to ensure that cost is never a barrier.

Do you have plans to expand beyond Nigeria?

Absolutely! This isn’t just a Nigerian or Canadian issue, it’s a global issue. Too many talented immigrant women move abroad and find themselves starting over from scratch.

We are actively working on expanding into the UK and other countries where women face similar struggles.

I remember how lost I felt when I first moved to Canada. I spent two years trying to figure things out on my own. No woman should have to go through that. Now, with Grow Women Leaders, we make the transition easier, faster, and more successful.

Finally, what’s your message to women who feel stuck in their careers?

Your journey is not over.

If you’re feeling stuck, know that there is a way forward. You are not alone, and you are more powerful than you think.

Whether you need guidance, training, or a community that believes in you—we are here.

At Grow Women Leaders, we don’t just help women find jobs. We help them rediscover their confidence, their power, and their purpose.

If I could do it, so can you. And we’ll be here every step of the way.

Grow Women Leaders is transforming lives across the globe, proving that with the right support, women can achieve anything. Tracy Folorunsho-Barry’s work is a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and sisterhood.