At the 9th Annual Executive Women’s Dinner, leading CFOs had the unique opportunity to share their views on leadership with their mentees and other women executives in the C-suite.
On the evening of 1 August, 300 of the country’s leading women executives gathered at the Focus Rooms in Modderfontein to explore the theme of Seismic leadership: shifting landscapes, shaping leaders.
For the 2023 Young CFO of the Year and Webber Wentzel CFO Aneshree Naidoo, self-identity and knowing one’s calling are critical in the advancement of women in South Africa.
She was speaking as part of a powerful panel with Dr Denisha Jairam-Owthar, CIO at the Council for Medical Schemes, and Standard Bank’s chief people and culture officer Sharon Taylor, exploring the theme “Women of the future – innovate to dominate.”
“I implore each of you to truly ask yourself who you are and what your purpose is. Mine is to make people’s lives better. It starts with my own, my families, my stakeholders, my community,” she said.
“When you know what your purpose is, you’ll know what and why you contribute the way you do. Then bring it,” she added.
Attendees also had an opportunity to hear from Wired4Women chairperson Nomonde White-Ndlovu and Sharoda Rapeti, independent non-executive director at Altron, who participated in a fireside chat moderated by Andisa Liba, CPO at Floatpays.
I have learned late in life to be kind to myself.
“When you have a seat at the table you have a responsibility to that seat. As leaders you need to challenge yourself and do better. Do what is right, even when no one is looking. So many women before you fought for the right to choose a career,” Nomonde emphasised.
Sharoda cautioned the mentees in the audience to be kinder to themselves even when climbing the corporate ladder.
“Women are their toughest critics. It is so important for women to afford themselves grace because we are already in a tough world. Today, I laugh at myself for being so serious when I was younger. I was tortuous of myself and overly demanding, I have learned late in life to be kind to myself,” she said.
Following what was a thought-provoking fireside chat, the ladies were given an opportunity to share among themselves the biggest seismic event that they have each gone through in either personal or career and what they have learnt from it. Many stories ranging from how others navigated the journey to motherhood to finding their voices within brought encouragement and enlightenment to both the mentees and the mentors in attendance.
After the intense session of story-sharing, musician and actor Khanyo Maphumulo, known for her work in The Lion King and Sarafina, delivered a scintillating performance while guests enjoyed a delicious main meal.
The evening wrapped up with reflections and takeaways, and offered leading women executives the opportunity to network and forge new connections
This dinner was made possible with the support of principal partners Entelect, iOCO, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, MakwaIT, Mercer, Ntiyiso Consulting and Old Mutual Corporate; executive partners Africa Data Centres, BCX, BDO South Africa, Equinix, Stanlib and Workday; as well as associate partners Franklin Covey and Zoie Health Technologies.
