IWD Spotlight: Beyond Her Desk - How Fisayo is building a community one event at a time.

For Fisayo Osilaja, curiosity and creativity extend far beyond product research. While she spends her professional days ensuring digital products meet real human needs, she also believes people need spaces to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with themselves.

As a User & Product Researcher at Interswitch, Fisayo helps shape experiences that work for real users. Beyond her desk, she is the founder of Are-wa Collective, a community-driven platform creating thoughtful gatherings that encourage creativity, connection, and meaningful conversation.

In this conversation, she shares how curiosity turned into community-building, what leadership looks like without titles, and why slowing down can sometimes be the most radical thing we do.

Q: For those who may not know you, can you tell us a little about your role at Interswitch and the community initiative you’re involved in?

A: My name is Fisayo Osilaja, and I’m a User & Product Researcher at Interswitch. On a day-to-day basis, I ensure that the B2B and B2C products we build are user-friendly, relevant to the market, and accessible. If people can’t easily use our products, it can lead to real financial losses and missed opportunities for the business. My job is to make sure we design products that genuinely work for the people who use them.

Outside of work, I’m the founder of Are-wa Collective, a community-driven brand that curates slow, alternative events designed to inspire reflection, connection, and meaningful creativity. We host gatherings such as vision board parties and silent book clubs to help people reconnect with their highest selves and find their tribe.

Q: What first inspired you to start giving back in this way? What has been the most challenging part?

A: To be honest, I was tired of doing the same things in Lagos, dinners, clubs, and game nights. I wanted more creative gatherings and more meaningful conversations. I felt that other people might want that too: a chance to slow down.

The most challenging part has been pricing. I care deeply about creating intentional experiences, but intentional experiences cost money. Sometimes people assume that because something is community-focused, it should be free or extremely cheap. My goal is to continue finding the audience that truly understands the value of these experiences, while also building partnerships with brands that align with the vision.

Q: Was there a particular moment that made you realise you wanted to create impact beyond your professional role?

A: There wasn’t a single defining moment. I realized I wanted more from my life in Lagos and grew tired of waiting for someone else to create it for me. So, I decided to create it myself.

Q. What does leadership look like when you don’t have a corporate title attached to it?

A: To me, leadership looks like integrity, consistency, and enthusiasm.

Integrity means staying true to the vision. For Are-wa Collective, the vision is to build a more mindful and connected community where people recognise their innate creativity. Because of that, I’m very intentional about the locations and brands we partner with.

Consistency is also critical. For people to believe in a vision, they need to see that you believe in it. Showing up repeatedly, even when you’re tired or uncertain, builds trust over time.

And then there’s enthusiasm. Not everyone will immediately understand what you’re building, but enthusiasm keeps the vision alive. It’s also helped me attract volunteers, sponsors, and collaborators who believe in the mission.

Q: Can you share a story of someone whose life was changed through your initiative?

A: One of the most beautiful things I’ve seen is people forming meaningful friendships through our gatherings. Friendships rooted in shared values and creativity. I’ve also watched business partnerships and creative collaborations emerge from the community. Many of the people who attend our events are intentional, creative professionals or freelancers, so there’s a lot of organic networking. Seeing people find their tribe has been incredibly rewarding.

Q: If you could give one piece of advice to young women who want to make an impact, what would it be?

A: Believe in yourself and trust your instincts. Everyone will have opinions about what you should or shouldn’t do. But when you stay true to your vision, the universe often rewards that courage.

Q: If a young woman reading this interview feels unsure about her voice or power, what would you say to her?

A: Trust yourself. That’s one of the most important things a woman can learn to do.

Q. Why is it important for women in corporate spaces to give back intentionally?

A: Sometimes people only see us through the lens of our professional roles.

Giving back allows others to see us in more creative, compassionate, and human ways. It reminds women that you can

build a career while also nurturing community and creativity.

Q: What change would you love to see for the next generation of girls?

A: I’d love to see more bold, confident women chasing their dreams and making money unapologetically.

Q: How has leading this initiative changed you personally?

A: It has made me more comfortable with fear.

I no longer see fear purely as something that holds me back. Instead, I see it as a signal that I’m doing something meaningful.

Q: What ripple effect are you hoping your work creates?

A: More than anything, I hope it encourages people to rethink how they live their lives, to bring more whimsy, more analogue experiences, and more slowness into their routines. I want people to reconnect with their creativity, even outside of our events.

Q: What is one uncomfortable truth about women’s advancement in Nigeria that we don’t talk about enough?

A: This might be an uncomfortable take, but sometimes we benefit from leaning into our innate softness and allowing ourselves to ask for support.

Women are capable of doing everything, but that doesn’t mean we have to do everything alone. Learning to ask for help is one of the most important skills we can develop.

Q: Lastly, tell us about yourself and what you do for fun.

A: I love reading, scrapbooking, spending time with friends, going on walks, watching Netflix, sleeping, and gisting with my mum.

Impact doesn’t always look like big movements or public platforms. Sometimes it looks like creating a small, intentional space where people can reconnect with themselves and with others.

Beyond her desk, Fisayo is building community, one meaningful gathering at a time.