From the heart of her native Cameroon to the halls of global decision-making, her path is woven with battles fought, resilience nurtured, and an unyielding quest for social justice.
A pioneer of inclusion
Brilliant from her early academic days in Cameroon, Deza quickly encountered the barriers of prejudice upon entering the professional world in France. Faced with systemic discrimination, she was forced to remove the mention of "disabled worker" from her CV just to be given a chance to be heard. But she refused to let these barriers define her future: she chose to forge her own path. Entrepreneurship became her space for freedom, expression, and action.
"Destiny has given me an immense gift: to be a woman, Black, and disabled! I fit none of the expected molds for success, and yet I thrive! My vulnerabilities are very real, but they have become my vital strength."
Deza Nguembock, Volunteer President and Founder
A journey marked by initiatives with high social impact
In 2005, Deza launched AfrikDEZArts, an initiative celebrating diversity through art and culture. In 2011, she founded E&H LAB, a hybrid communication agency dedicated to inclusion. Her work with companies and institutions has transformed perceptions of disability, placing diversity at the heart of professional practices. In 2022, she campaigned for a legislative seat in Paris, showcasing her unwavering commitment to driving meaningful societal change. That same year, she was selected as one of the 27 ambassadors for the European Commission's "Together for Rights" campaign, passionately championing the rights of people with disabilities on the global stage.
For nearly a decade, Deza has also volunteered with influential organizations such as the Fondation de France, Malakoff Humanis, and more recently EMEIS, where she shares her unique vision and expertise to guide impactful projects.
The AHADI Foundation: Transforming potential into leadership In 2023, fueled by her vision for a more inclusive future, Deza founded the AHADI Foundation. This groundbreaking initiative is rooted in a profound belief: women with disabilities, often overlooked, possess extraordinary leadership potential. The foundation seeks to reshape societal perceptions of disability and provide women with disabilities the tools and opportunities to harness their empowerment and leadership, both in Europe and across the Global South.
A recognized speaker and committed expert, Deza inspires and challenges mindsets with an original approach that reflects her unique journey. Her talks cover key topics such as entrepreneurial audacity, disability management, and the representation of diversity in communication, guiding companies in their inclusion efforts and compliance with the CSRD. Deza invites us to rethink notions of equality and societal impact while breaking down prejudices to build a fairer society.
Her journey is a relentless pursuit of social justice and inclusion. The AHADI Foundation represents its culmination: a platform where individual stories break barriers, transform perceptions, and pave the way for a new generation of leaders proud of their differences.
