Mano Malu

“I don’t want to limit myself. I want to continue moving forward in life. I like to surround myself with people who enjoy striving too, people who take action. Show them who you are, what you’re made of and run with it! When I think of children who have no choice but to battle an illness, I want to help them and give them my support. Their resilience inspires me.”  

A truly determined woman, Mano Malu is Senior Manager of Commercial Credit at TD Commercial Banking. Of Congolese origin and a war refugee, she became a paraplegic following a car accident. She graduated in business and management engineering from the Université catholique de Louvain in Belgium. Mano has over 20 years of experience in major Canadian banks. In 2021, she won the Coup du chapeau du jury (Jury’s Choice) and the Public’s Choice awards at a gala for the Association des femmes en finance du Québec. At the 23rd edition of the Prix Femmes d’affaires du Québec, she was honoured in the category Femme engagée dans sa communauté (woman involved in her community). Mano is a model of resilience and strength, and she said YES to Les Audacieuses to prove that anything is possible.   

A life of facing challenges and overcoming obstacles 

Mano’s life was turned upside down at age 18. “I had a car accident that left me a paraplegic. I’ve been in a wheelchair ever since. I’ve learned to strive hard for what I want every day. I’ve never seen my handicap as an obstacle.” 

“I left the Congo during the civil war and emigrated to Canada as a refugee. I only had $100 to my name and didn’t know anybody. I slept at the Montreal Women’s Y Foundation. Fast-forward twenty years, I now sit on the board of that foundation. You must never give up!”  

An obvious parallel can be drawn between Mano’s journey and that of children with cancer: life comes with its share of hardships, but you must never give up. “I don’t want to limit myself. I want to continue moving forward in life. I like to surround myself with people who enjoy striving too, people who take action. Show them who you are, what you’re made of and run with it! When I think of children who have no choice but to battle an illness, I want to help them and give them my support. Their resilience inspires me.”  

Saying goodbye to her beloved hair will be difficult, but Mano simply couldn’t say no. “I really love my hair and I like to try different styles! But I felt uneasy about turning turn down the challenge for that reason. All of my decisions are guided by intuition. I do everything with my whole heart. And this Audacieuses project aligns perfectly with my values.” 

Inspired and inspiring  

Influenced by important figures, she in turn inspires others without being fully aware of it. “The people who have inspired me the most in my life all have great strength of character. Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Nelson Mandala . . . they all stood up and showed what they were made of. They didn’t let life hold them back. And if I manage to influence people, I don’t do it consciously. I stay true to myself.” 

Mano has been rewarded for her actions in Quebec. Yet she remains humble and always grateful for the recognition. “It’s really wonderful when you make kind gestures on a daily basis and people recognize them. Quebec is a one-of-a-kind society and I’m really lucky to live here.”  

Leadership, teamwork, independence and resourcefulness—Mano embodies these qualities every day at work. She’s a mentor to women in finance and women entrepreneurs. “Finance isn’t an easy field to be in. And Black women need to work even harder. You need to be self-motivated and true to stay ahead.” 

A bold woman who stands by her actions  

Mano is a generous woman who’s involved in her community. She gives Afro fitness classes to people with reduced mobility. “I’m confident in everything I do: my gestures, my words, the way I behave. I do volunteer work, teaching young people how to accept themselves as they are by being genuine. Recently, I went to an event promoting inclusion and diversity. When I arrived in my wheelchair, I found the place was neither accessible nor adapted, and I spoke up about it. That’s how I am every day.”  

You have to believe in yourself and your potential, and that’s the message Mano wants to get across. “Striving harder needs to be fun—always. And I’m ready to be bold enough to shave my hair off if it can help these brave children. They’re so strong.” 

Mano is always open to new and challenging experiences. “I like to try new things. People often say I’m positive, and it’s true. I prefer to look on the bright side of life, but it’s taken a lot of effort because I used to be very pessimistic.” 

A journey that makes her proud  

Mano is proud of her achievements and what she’s overcome along the way. “I’m proud of myself. I’ve aimed high all my life. When I had my accident, they told me I’d never walk again. But they also told me I’d be able to have children. I’m extremely proud of my three children, who are adults today.” 

“I know it may sound strange, but I see my car accident as a positive event. It was a turning point in my life. After the accident, I was transferred to a rehabilitation hospital in Belgium. I was alone and had to find my own way through it. Adversity can help us discover our true selves.”