It was an unexpected yet defining moment for the News Masters team. In the middle of a demanding schedule, the Group Managing Director of Masters Energy Group, Dr. Patience Dappa, slowed her pace, exchanged warm smiles, and agreed to speak briefly on her recent academic feat. Freshly crowned with a PhD in Credit Administration Management, she spoke with clarity, depth, and the calm authority of a leader who understands both boardrooms and books. What followed was an encounter rich with insight and conviction.
News Masters Newspaper: You have just added a doctorate to an already distinguished career. What does this accomplishment represent for you personally and professionally?
Dr. Patience Dappa:
This achievement represents intentional growth. At this point in my career, the doctorate is not about titles. It is about sharpening judgment, strengthening leadership capacity, and reinforcing the belief that learning must evolve alongside responsibility. Experience is powerful, but when it is reinforced by structured knowledge, leadership becomes more deliberate and impactful.
News Masters Newspaper: Many would consider your schedule overwhelming already. Why did you decide this was the right time to return fully to academia?
Dr. Dappa:
Because leadership demands depth. Over the years, I have witnessed how credit management decisions can either stabilize institutions or expose them to risk. I wanted a deeper, research based understanding of these systems. True leadership must be anchored in knowledge, not convenience or routine. Waiting for a perfect time would have meant postponing growth indefinitely.
News Masters Newspaper: The journey could not have been easy. What tested you most, and what kept you going?
Dr. Dappa:
Time discipline was the greatest test. Managing complex corporate responsibilities while meeting academic expectations required sacrifice and structure. There were moments of exhaustion, but purpose kept me grounded. Faith, focus, and a strong support structure ensured continuity. Excellence is never accidental. It is pursued deliberately, even when it stretches you.
News Masters Newspaper: How did this academic pursuit coexist with the demands of leading Masters Energy Group?
Dr. Dappa:
Through systems and trust. I believe strongly in delegation and institutional strength. When leadership teams are empowered, growth becomes collective. I approached my studies with the same seriousness as strategic planning and governance reviews. Leadership is not about personal strain. It is about creating structures that allow both the organization and its leaders to evolve.
(She pauses briefly, her confidence evident.)
News Masters Newspaper: In real terms, how does this new qualification reshape how business decisions are taken within the Group?
Dr. Dappa:
It enhances precision. Credit risk management, sustainability planning, and governance structures are now even more data driven and policy guided. Decisions are no longer reactive. They are structured, measured, and aligned with global standards. Growth must be bold, but it must also be protected.
News Masters Newspaper: Which segments of the Group are likely to feel the strongest impact of this expertise?
Dr. Dappa:
Our energy distribution, oil and gas trading, and financial services arms stand to benefit significantly. These sectors operate on credibility, timing, and capital discipline. Sound credit administration safeguards cash flow, strengthens partnerships, and preserves shareholder value. It ultimately builds resilience across the enterprise.
News Masters Newspaper: As a woman at the helm of a major energy group, what message does this achievement send to emerging professionals?
Dr. Dappa:
It sends a clear signal that ambition has no gender and growth has no ceiling. Leadership, learning, and excellence can coexist. Women should never see intellectual advancement as a luxury. It is a necessity. This journey affirms that one can pursue academic depth without compromising professional effectiveness or personal values.
News Masters Newspaper: What counsel would you offer women who aspire to executive leadership while pursuing higher education?
Dr. Dappa:
Be deliberate. Do not wait for comfort before you stretch yourself. Build discipline early and surround yourself with people who value growth. Leadership is strengthened by knowledge, not hindered by it. When you invest in your mind, you expand your capacity to lead.
News Masters Newspaper: Beyond individual effort, what role should organizations play in supporting such aspirations?
Dr. Dappa:
Organizations must create environments that encourage development, mentorship, and flexibility. When institutions support learning, they are not doing individuals a favor. They are securing their own future leadership pipeline. Growth driven cultures always outperform stagnant ones.
News Masters Newspaper: Looking ahead, how would you want this academic milestone to define your leadership legacy?
Dr. Dappa:
I want it to stand as proof that leadership must be principled, informed, and continuously refined. Results matter, but systems matter more. If this journey inspires even one leader to pursue knowledge without fear, then it has achieved its purpose.
News Masters Newspaper: Finally, how do you now define success, having achieved so much?
Dr. Dappa:
Success today is measured by impact, integrity, and sustainability. It is about building institutions that outlive individuals, empowering people, and leaving systems stronger than they were found. Milestones fade, but legacy endures.
As Dr. Patience Dappa returned to her demanding schedule, her words lingered long after the exchange ended. Calm, calculated, and deeply reflective, she embodied a leadership philosophy rooted in knowledge and discipline. For News Masters Newspaper, this was more than an interview. It was a reminder that the most enduring power in leadership is an educated mind guided by purpose.
