“Leadership is both nature and nurture anyone can be developed into a leader.”
For Lilian Katiso, finance is not just about numbers. It is about transformation. She believes that when individuals understand their finances, they are better equipped to build stability, create opportunities, and drive meaningful impact in their lives and businesses.
As Managing Director of Zaddock Associates Limited, Lilian works closely with entrepreneurs, professionals, and organisations to strengthen financial management, build sustainable systems, and unlock growth. Through financial literacy training, mentorship, and hands-on “CFO-on-call” services, she works closely with SMEs to build strong financial systems, improve decision-making, and drive sustainable growth while enabling business owners to gain full mastery of their finances.
Her work has had tangible impact. In 2023 and 2024, she served as Program Director for the Accounting and Financial Management Systems programme, supporting 150 SMEs across Uganda in collaboration with Imuka Access and professors from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. She played a key role in programme design and led the recruitment, mentoring, and supervision of 24 CFOs, directly contributing to the transformation of businesses in Kampala and Mbarara. Seeing these businesses grow and become more sustainable remains one of the most fulfilling aspects of her work.
With experience spanning both NGO and private sectors in East Africa, Lilian brings strong technical expertise and leadership insight. She holds an MBA from Edinburgh Business School, is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA), and a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda. She is also a Certified Entrepreneur Trainer, reinforcing her commitment to equipping individuals and businesses with practical financial and entrepreneurial skills.
Her leadership, however, has been shaped as much by experience as by expertise. Early in her journey, feedback from a 360-degree appraisal revealed the need to be more empathetic. As a naturally task-oriented leader, this required a deliberate shift to balance results with people, strengthening her ability to lead with both structure and emotional intelligence.
Through entrepreneurship and leadership roles, she has learned that effective leadership requires adaptability. Different people and situations call for different approaches, and success lies in knowing when to apply each. She also identifies one of today’s biggest leadership challenges as building teams that combine both competence and character, noting that organisations often struggle to find both in equal measure.
Her approach to ethical leadership is grounded in deeply held values shaped by both conviction and faith. She believes integrity is not optional and often reflects on the principle:
“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely…”
For her, leadership is principled and consistent. Decisions must be anchored in truth and reputation, recognising that credibility is built over time through actions, not words.
Beyond her advisory and professional work, Lilian is also an entrepreneur in her own right. She is the proprietor and CEO of Maua and More, a garden center with three outlets, a venture born from her childhood passion for gardening. This personal journey into business gives her a practical understanding of the realities entrepreneurs face, allowing her to connect more deeply with the individuals and SMEs she supports.
Her contributions to the profession and broader business community have been widely recognised. Her pro bono work through blogs and articles earned her the ACCA Uganda Outstanding Contribution to the Accountancy and Finance Profession Award in 2016, and she was featured among the Top 40 Under 40 Most Elite, Inspirational and Influential Women in Uganda in 2017. She has also served as a judge for the CFO Awards, further reflecting her standing within the finance profession.
She continues to contribute actively as a speaker, trainer, and mentor across institutions including Uganda Revenue Authority, ACCA, Enterprise Uganda, and various professional networks. She also serves as a board member of Kampala Music School and has held leadership roles within Business Network International, where she has led other leaders and strengthened business communities.
As a member of the League of East African Directors, Lilian values continuous learning and engagement with like-minded leaders. She sees the network as a space that challenges, inspires, and supports her growth as a leader.
Her message is simple and grounded. Leadership is a journey that requires continuous growth, intentional learning, and the willingness to start where you are.
Ultimately, her work reflects a powerful truth. Financial empowerment is not just about wealth. It is about freedom, stability, and the ability to create lasting impact. When individuals and businesses understand their finances, they do not just survive. They thrive.