RISING WOMAN 2025; Elizabeth Muro: Legal expert with a passion for women’s advancement

For Elizabeth Muro, serving as the Legal and Business Integrity Director and Company Secretary at Serengeti Breweries Limited (SBL) is both an honour and a responsibility. She must be both an expert legal advisor and the moral compass of the business.

With over 13 years of experience in the legal and corporate sector, Elizabeth has built a career spanning corporate affairs, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory compliance, legal recoveries, and board advisory. She is paving the way for the next generation of female leaders.

“My role demands agility. I must be both an expert legal advisor and the moral compass of the business. It is about ensuring that policies, processes, and procedures are not just followed but also understood and respected. Legal and business integrity go beyond compliance; they shape a company’s culture and long-term success,” says Elizabeth.

Her career journey has been shaped by resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to ethical leadership.

Through her previous employer, she gained invaluable experience in navigating complex regulatory landscapes and corporate governance frameworks. This experience now helps her ensure that every decision at SBL aligns with both regulatory standards and ethical business practices.

Commenting on why gender diversity at the top matters, she emphasizes that it is not just about fairness but also about stronger business performance. She calls on organisations to create more opportunities for women to rise.

“It starts with intentional action—providing mentorship, investing in leadership training, and challenging outdated mindsets that still hold women back. We need to normalize women leading in industries that have traditionally been male-dominated,” she says.

She further adds that when women have a seat at the table, businesses thrive. Women prioritize well-being, inclusivity, and the building of strong collaborative teams. They do not just focus on short-term wins but also drive long-term and sustainable growth.

As the Legal & Business Integrity Director, Elizabeth ensures that ethical leadership is at the heart of Serengeti Breweries’ operations. “Integrity isn’t optional; it is the foundation of a successful business. If you compromise on ethics, you compromise on sustainability,” she says.

She leads by example, ensuring that all employees understand and adhere to Diageo’s Code of Business Conduct. Through regular training, open communication, and a strong reporting culture, she has fostered a workplace environment where employees feel safe to speak up without fear of retaliation. Her commitment to ethical leadership extends beyond SBL, as she also works closely with external business partners to align them with the company’s core values.

Elizabeth’s rise to leadership has been fuelled by hard work, determination, and an unshakable belief in herself. She credits her success to faith and resilience. She acknowledges the importance of a strong support system, noting that having family and friends who cheer you on at every step of your journey is priceless.

She believes in being proactive when addressing challenges, showing up, and demonstrating readiness to take on big assignments and champion key initiatives.

Building meaningful connections is also crucial, as they create opportunities for collaboration and mutual support in achieving common goals.

She calls upon organizations and companies struggling with gender diversity at the top to give women a real chance by creating tangible opportunities for them to lead—not just as a formality, but with the necessary resources and mentorship to help them thrive.

Elizabeth emphasizes that gender diversity must be embedded in a company’s long-term strategy. This includes allocating budgets for women’s leadership programs, ensuring equal access to executive training and mentorship, challenging biases that limit women’s career growth, and encouraging flexible work environments that support work-life balance.

Her vision is for more women to rise, thrive, and lead in Tanzania’s corporate world. When women lead, businesses flourish, communities grow, and economies strengthen. The future is female, and it is time for organizations to act accordingly.

Being featured in this year’s The Citizen Rising Woman Initiative 2025 is a testament to Elizabeth’s influence in the corporate sector. Through her unwavering commitment to integrity, diversity, and ethical leadership, she is not only shaping SBL but also inspiring a new era of women in leadership.

Her journey is proof that with resilience, a strong moral compass, and an unshakable belief in oneself, barriers can be broken. She continues to champion corporate governance and inclusivity, not only by leading but also by transforming the future of leadership in Tanzania.

Supported by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation