12 June 2024 Women in finance Absa | Corporate and Investment Banking > Insights and Events > Women in Finance 2024 Why we believe in her leadership As a leading Pan-African banking group, Absa is focused and committed to empowering Africa through deliberate, authentic and impactful leadership. Absa has made continuous strides in empowering its women to lead. Absa believes that female diversity in leadership not only makes business sense, but also contributes to a better culture and more participative decision-making, which leads to more effective leadership, thereby ultimately benefitting our stakeholders. Focusing on women is a long-term commitment, which is not only celebrated in one day or a month. At Absa, we celebrate and invest in our women regularly because we believe in Her Leadership. Absa is already recognised as one of the most transformative organisations on the continent, with Forbes ranking Absa 36th out of 400 organisations championing women in the workplace. As part of our ongoing investment in women within our ecosystem, we have undertaken a number of key initiatives to support our Belief in Her Leadership campaign and therefore deliberate and focused investment in women. Mentorship and sponsorship As part of our long-term commitment to empowering women within Absa, our leadership teams as well as our senior executive teams (both male and female) have taken the responsibility of guiding women across the bank through various phases of their careers. This includes mentorship and motivation for specific sponsorships to assist individuals in realising their full potential. IgniteHER This innovative Women’s Development Programme won gold in the Best Advancement in Leadership Development for Women category at the 2022 Brandon Hall Group Human Capital Management Excellence Awards. The model aims to empower women through its 4C model by addressing issues related to context, confidence, connection and care. 100 Women in Finance Absa is a global corporate sponsor of 100 Women in Finance, a global organisation committed to gender equity in finance by promoting diversity, raising visibility, and empowering women to find their personal path to success with a vision for women to occupy 30% of senior investment roles and executive committee positions by 2040. This goal aligns with Absa’s ambitions to increase representation of women in senior roles, economic empowerment and drive towards achieving gender parity. Furthermore, in 2022 we sponsored their Kenya East Africa chapter launch, with a plan to continue this partnership across Africa with our mutual strategic priorities. Women in Tech There is a global battle for technology talent – particularly those who can integrate first-world technology in emerging markets. Absa has recognised that it needs to be at the forefront of this trend and has invested in technology talent through its partnership with Women in Tech. Women in Tech® is the world's leading organisation that fosters inclusion, diversity and equity in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) and has the ambitious goal of empowering five million women by 2030. Absa has recognised that women are a key part of delivering on its strategic goals, and has made deliberate investments to unlock female talent. Through these and other strategic goals and initiatives, women will take their rightful place in financial services and unlock the economic potential held on the African continent. Women in finance Isana Cordier Head: Consumer Goods and Services Client Coverage My passions include people, strategy, building sustainable businesses and impacting positive change with integrity, humility, and authenticity. Amelia Dieperink Head Affordable Housing: Commercial Property Finance To be a good human being while positively impacting every life I encounter. Somaya Joshua Head: Commercial Property Finance: Pan Africa The only person you’re waiting on is you ….because no one is coming Jacqueline Phuroe Head of Trade and Working Capital Product Risk and Governance (Pan Africa) My purpose is to help people identify what their true potential is and develop and track measurable actions to afford them every opportunity to reach their potential. Tebatso Matshego Head: Business Transformation and Citizenship Inspired to not only take the seat but to serve and bring about positive impact and growth in people and communities at large. To remain true to my core and be open to the possibilities that the world has to offer. Irene Mutyaba Corporate Banking Director To use my talent and skills to bring out the best in people and positively impact the communities we live in to leave a lasting legacy. Thokozile Mcopele Corporate Banker While it may not happen it my lifetime, I carry on the baton the seeks to see Africa and its descendants reach self-sufficiency. Daily, it is to convey hope and spread the joy inside of me. Mothathe Sewelo Head NBFI Trade Sales, FI Trade Sales Dedicated to effecting positive change in the world through the principles of servant leadership, my purpose is centered on empowering individuals to reach their full potential. By embodying the values I wish to see in the world, I aim to inspire and guide others toward meaningful growth and impactful contributions. Pavel Matthews Principal Legal Counsel I step boldly step into my innate excellence, and by so doing I permission and empower our diverse colleagues and communities to unlock and harness their potential for excellence and outperformance, one story at a time. Nomfundo Ndima Head Products and Proposition ( Cash Management ARO) I want to inspire the next generation of female leaders to live with passion and purpose to make an impact in the growth and development of Africa. Bring your authentic self to the table, your voice and contribution matters. Annah Watkinson Senior Investment Banker My aim is to demonstrate that consistent discipline and dedication can enable individuals to reach goals that were previously deemed impossible. Shalini De Andrade Head: Syndicate Enabling companies to achieve their growth ambitions and create functioning communities one debt financing transaction at a time. Ariane Sabania Head Private Equity, Equity Investments In everything I do I wish to make a difference and have a positive impact. If I leave things better than I found them and even just leave someone with a smile on their face, no matter the challenges – then I have done my job and it was a good day. Zine Misani Trader Derivatives Diversity and Inclusion are what make sense for building agile teams and organizations fit for the future. Vuyiswa Sigwadi Lead Data Enablement To be an inspiration to those around me, in business and personal life by making positive contributions to the society where benefits would be realised in this generation and the next. Xolisile Nene Banker Coverage: Resources and Energy We all have something to contribute towards building the Africa we want for ourselves and future generations. Like Eleanor Roosevelt put it “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”- I believe in the beauty of Africa and its people. Bulelwa Soyamba Principal: Client Solutions I aim to empower and uplift others, especially the girl child and underrepresented groups in the financial sector who still remain under represented in this industry, especially when it comes to women. This is not only my passion by an imperative to achieve financial literacy and sustainable development for our continent, and our country in particular.
