Humans of Sudo: Maureen Davis

At this point, Maureen Davis doesn't have clients. She has victims.

Tell me, how do you explain someone who tracked down a prospect's favorite chicken wings spot, ordered food, delivered it, and somehow got the person on board? One thing is certain: if Maureen wants you onboard, your chances of escaping are very slim. 

As a Business Development Executive at Sudo, her job revolves around building relationships, growing partnerships, and helping businesses discover why Sudo is the right fit for them. But according to Maureen, her real superpower is simple: she genuinely enjoys people.

Today, we take a look at her journey from Customer Support Representative to Business Development Executive, the departments that give her the most wahala, and why she believes Amos Bwala could successfully negotiate with aliens.

“When did you join Sudo Africa, and what made you say, “Yep, this is where I want to work?”

"I joined Sudo Africa in 2022. What really attracted me was the challenge. I was coming from the traditional banking sector, and fintech felt completely different from what I was used to."

"I've always loved trying new things and pushing myself outside my comfort zone. Moving into fintech felt like stepping into unfamiliar territory, and honestly? I love a good challenge."

“What inspired you to pursue a career in Business Development?”

"To be honest, I wasn't inspired at first."

"I was working in Customer Support when my team lead noticed something in me before I did. I've always been very people-oriented, and they believed I could excel in Business Development."

"Since I already enjoy challenges, this role felt like the perfect test. Imagine meeting people every day and convincing them why they should trust your product."

"What also made the switch easier was seeing how much Sudo values growth. The role felt exciting, career-developing, and honestly more aligned with where I wanted to go."

“What has your journey from Customer Support Representative to Business Development Executive been like?”

"It's been incredibly interesting; I've grown so much from where I started. I've dealt with different personalities, different situations, and different challenges. It taught me emotional intelligence, patience, and discipline."

"It also made talking about Sudo feel natural. At this point, I can literally start a random conversation with a stranger and somehow end up discussing Sudo; sometimes people become clients before they even realize what's happening."

"Business Development has honestly become part of my personality."

“Which role tested your patience more: Customer Support or Business Development?”

"Both."

"Honestly, they are more similar than people think; both roles involve dealing with people every single day."

The difference is that as a Business Development Executive, you're still acting like customer support in some ways because clients always have questions, concerns, and requests."

“What has been the most challenging part of your role so far?”

"The hardest part is balancing customer expectations with company policies."

"Sometimes you genuinely want to make a client happy, but there are regulations, compliance requirements, and company policies that must be followed. Trying to explain those things can be difficult because most customers naturally want things done their own way."

“What's your biggest achievement at Sudo so far?”

"My biggest achievement is successfully transitioning from one department to another and growing in both."

"Moving from Customer Support into Business Development wasn't just a title change. It required learning new skills, adapting to new responsibilities, and proving myself all over again."

"And I'm proud of how far I've come."

“Which department at Sudo gives you the most wahala?”

The department that gives me the most wahala is Brand and Finance."

"Brand people will find me no matter where I'm hiding; I could literally be under my desk trying to mind my business, and somehow they'll appear with a camera. At this point, if I see a Brand team member walking towards me, my heart starts racing."

"PTSD. They always want me to shoot content."

"And then there's finance. Especially Amos (the accountant); he genuinely gives me unnecessary stress."

“What's one thing people always assume about you that's completely wrong?”

"People always assume I'm a man; my name usually gives people that impression. I can't count how many emails I've received addressed to 'Mr. Maureen Davis.”

"Please, I'm a pretty lady."

"Most people only realize the truth once they hear my voice on a call, but honestly, does Maureen sound like a man's name?"

“What's the most ridiculous thing you've ever done to win over a client?”

"I usually give genuine compliments, but there was one client; I somehow figured out his favorite chicken wings and fries spot, ordered it, and delivered it to him, all without him asking."

"Yes, you can call it stalking. I don't care; anything for my clients."

"There was also another prospect I wanted badly; I jokingly promised to leave my current job and come work for his company."

"Did I mean it?"
"Absolutely not."
"Did it work?"
"Absolutely yes."

“If your role at Sudo were a movie genre, what would it be?”

"Action."

"Every day is unpredictable; one minute you're in a meeting, the next minute you're chasing a lead, then you're solving a customer issue, and boom, you're on another call."

"It's basically an action movie without the explosions."

“If Sudo were a secondary school, what role would you play?”

"Definitely the Noise Maker, and somehow also the Class Captain."

"I genuinely enjoy making people laugh; I disturb people for fun, but at the same time, I like organizing things and making sure stuff gets done."

"So yes, noisy leadership."

“Which Sudo employee would you trust to negotiate with aliens on behalf of humanity?”

"Amos Bwala."

"Without thinking twice, that man can convince anybody. Amos can explain why you don't need to spend your own money while you are literally starving, and you'll leave the conversation thanking him for the advice. If aliens ever invade earth, just send Amos. We might even end up charging them rent."

“If you could say one thing to the team that stresses you the most, with zero consequences, what would it be?”

"First of all, I'd say it with my full chest. To Brand: Kindly leave me alone; I promise I've appeared in enough content."

And to the Head of Finance, AMOS (the accountant), release the funds; it is not your father's money, and we're not trying to waste it, trust me, we need it. That's why we're asking. Thank you."

From turning strangers into clients to surviving surprise content shoots from the Brand team, Maureen brings energy, humor, and a people-first approach to everything she does. Whether she's closing deals, building relationships, or launching full-scale investigations to discover a client's favorite chicken wings spot, One thing is certain: if Maureen is talking to you, there's a very good chance you'll leave the conversation smiling. And possibly using Sudo.