Meet Iyeba Maclayton. She’s a Strategic Operations Leader and the 2025 Dress for Success Vancouver Inspiration Award recipient. After immigrating to Canada from Nigeria in 2019, Iyeba connected with Dress for Success Vancouver’s dressing services and career and leadership programs. With their support, she built her confidence, strengthened her skills, and ultimately secured her dream role with a 40% salary increase. Her journey reflects resilience, growth, and the power of community support. Iyeba is a Vancouver mom to follow because she leads with purpose and lifts others as she rises.

In this Q&A, Iyeba shares her experience of starting over in a new country, the community and programs that supported her, and what it means to create a life rooted in resilience, purpose, and possibility for herself and her family.

Describe your business or career role.

As an operations leader, I approach every challenge with confidence, emotional intelligence, and authenticity. Dress for Success Vancouver helped me step into my power and realize that the possibilities are truly limitless. As a mom of three boys, I’m the ultimate project manager — balancing schedules, negotiations, and logistics daily! Outside of work, you’ll often find me on the squash court, where my competitive spirit thrives and teamwork shines. I’m proud to serve as a Dress for Success Ambassador and an active member of the Working Women’s Group, where I’m constantly inspired by the incredible women around me. Supporting, motivating, and learning from my peers allows me to share their wisdom with others in my life and community.

What makes you a Vancouver Mom to follow?

With the support of Dress for Success Vancouver, I discovered that my greatest perceived weakness, my assertiveness, could become my greatest strength, opening doors not just for me but for those around me. They showed me that possibilities are limitless when you have the right support, tools, and belief in yourself. We can transform our own circumstances and create a ripple effect that extends far beyond our individual success.

Through mentorship, volunteering, and leadership, I continue to pay it forward. I share the lessons I’ve learned, help others navigate barriers, and contribute to a network of women who, like me, are stepping into their potential. I walk with gratitude, confidence, and the knowledge that my journey is now part of a larger story – one of transformation, empowerment, and the limitless ripple effect that comes from lifting others as you rise.

Tell us about your family.

I am originally from Nigeria’s Niger Delta, and now call Richmond home, where I juggle life as a mom of three energetic boys, a wife, and Operations Manager at Agropur. Between work, family adventures, and the occasional chance to cheer my sons at soccer or basketball practice, I find time to hit the squash court, sometimes competitively, sometimes just for fun.

My family is made up of my husband, our three energetic sons, and me. My husband and I have been married for more than 14 years. It was love at first sight. We love adventure, and one of our most memorable trips was a family road trip to Las Vegas and back.

At home, we enjoy simple birthday celebrations – just us and sometimes a close friend or two and going to church together. We love Nigerian meals like jollof rice, garri and soup, meat pies, and onunu. Our home is full of laughter, warmth, and the everyday moments that make family life special.

What are your go-to activities, places, or hidden gems in Metro Vancouver that you and your family love?

We love spending time at the Vancouver Lawn Tennis and Badminton Club, where we play squash, swim, have a nice meal, and enjoy a little friendly table tennis competition. On weekends, we take the boys to their soccer and basketball practices, cheering them on whenever we can. I’m also an avid squash player, both competitively and for fun.

When we have free time, we like exploring local parks or heading to indoor play areas like The Rec Room or Extreme Air Park. Vancouver has so many ways for us to stay active, explore, and enjoy family time together.

What’s something motherhood has taught you about yourself?

Motherhood has taught me that I’m stronger and more resilient than I ever imagined. Some days I come home from work, drop my laptop bag by the stairs, and head straight into the kitchen to make dinner. I still wonder where that energy comes from.
It’s also taught me what it truly means to love and be loved unconditionally. Motherhood has stretched me, grounded me, and reminded me every day of what really matters.

Where can we follow you?

If you’d like to stay connected, you can find me here:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divayum/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iyebamaclayton/
• Dress for Success Vancouver: https://dfsvancouver.ca/

Iyeba Maclayton is one of our 2025 Vancouver Moms to Follow. She is leader whose journey reflects courage, growth, and community. After immigrating from Nigeria, Iyeba rebuilt her career with determination and support, ultimately earning the 2025 Dress for Success Vancouver Inspiration Award. Today, she advocates for confidence, career empowerment, and the power of showing up for yourself. Stay tuned for more inspiring moms who are shaping motherhood and leadership across Metro Vancouver.

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