These sentiments were shared at the 9th Annual Executive Women’s Dinner on 1 August.
Close to 300 women leaders filled a Focus Room venue in Modderfontein on 1 August for a groundbreaking dinner and discussion under the theme, Seismic leadership: shifting landscapes, shaping leaders.
This dinner would not have been possible without the support of CFO Enterprises’ principal partners: Entelect, iOCO, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, MakwaIT, Mercer, Ntiyiso Consulting and Old Mutual Corporate, not to mention the organisation’s executive partners: Africa Data Centres, BCX, BDO South Africa, Equinix, Stanlib and Workday, as well as its associate partners, Franklin Covey and Zoie Health Technologies.
However, to truly appreciate what the theme “Seismic Leadership” really entailed, it was fitting for guests to hear it directly from the women leaders on stage themselves.
“Seismic, for me, means creating an impact that lasts forever, it means shaking the ground beneath you in a time of crisis, it means creating lasting change, it means that we can’t go backwards, only forward and forward for the better,” said Dr Denisha Jairam-Owthar, CIO at the Council for Medical Schemes.
For Nomonde White-Ndlovu, Wired4Women chairperson and CIO at Bidvest Bank, on the other hand, it’s what you do with your position that counts. “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,” she said.
Nomonde also called on her peers to make their presence felt in leadership positions.
Key takeaways from the fireside chat featuring Wired4Women chairperson Nomonde White-Ndlovu and Sharoda Rapeti, independent non-executive director at Altron, moderated by Andisa Liba, CPO at Floatpays, delved deeper into the theme of the evening – seismic leadership.
Nomonde encouraged attendees to start to form their own alliances and take a page from their male counterparts, who have done this successfully for many years.
“A lot of decisions are made outside the boardroom, and in most cases on the golf course, where the gentlemen meet for a round of golf or drinks after work,” she noted. “Therefore, if you don’t have anyone in your corner who is keeping you abreast of what’s going on, you have a serious problem – at a time when you need someone in your corner. This alliance will have people who can speak on your behalf even when you’re not in the room.”
She emphasised that senior leaders have a responsibility to create opportunities for young women entering the field and to help them advance successfully through the ranks.
“When women lead, their impact is often more profound, because they empower and liberate many others through the process.”
Nomonde expressed her commitment to increasing the presence of women of colour and ensuring that non-women of colour are also included to promote diversity in the conversation.
She also emphasised, “As we strive for equality in the corporate space, there are too few women supporting each other in this struggle. It is essential for all of us to unite in this effort.”
The esteemed women leaders didn’t come alone: they were given the opportunity to bring their mentees along for the experience. Sharoda advised the mentees in the audience to be kinder to themselves while climbing the corporate ladder, noting that women often serve as their own harshest critics.
Closing up the fireside chat, moderator Andisa asked the ladies in attendance to re-evaluate the impact their style of leadership has on their respective organisations.
“Ethical and conscious leadership has been topical in the past few years but it is time we take action on this and not use it as a catchphrase. We, as leaders of some of the most influential companies in the country, need to do better.”
However, it couldn’t be a CFO Enterprises event without some awesome entertainment. Musician and actor Khanyo Maphumulo, known for her work in The Lion King and Sarafina, delivered a scintillating performance while guests enjoyed a delicious meal.
The Women’s Dinner was also an opportunity to celebrate Women’s Month by giving back and empowering the next generation of women leaders.
To wrap up the evening on a charitable note, the CIO, CFO and CHRO South Africa communities made a donation to Feenix, an organisation that crowdsources outstanding university fees on behalf of financially strained students – without this funding, the students would be unable to graduate and enter the world of work.
With high spirits, food for thought and new relationships built, guests enjoyed the Sandton vista from a Modderfontein vantage point, with drinks in hand and a new companion by their side.
