IWFSA at the 2018 World Leadership Conference in Miami
The International Women’s Forum (IWF) 2018 World Leadership Conference in Miami has brought together nearly 1,000 women experts and visionaries from over 40 nations on 24-26 October 2018. Under the theme, “The World Redefined”, the three-day conference provides an important platform for women thought leaders from across the globe to engage on current issues from the future of trade to the opioid crisis and the growing number of women running for office around the world.
The World Leadership Conference is held each year in a North American city which is playing a critical role in shaping the future. A vanguard of change with rich diversity that has made bold creativity the city’s hallmark, there is no better backdrop to discuss the current seismic shifts in global issues than Miami.
Conference speakers include:
- Gloria Allred, Esq., Founding Partner of Allred, Maroko & Goldberg law firm, human and civil rights attorney and member of IWF Southern California
- Rosabeth Moss Kanter, Chair and Director of the Harvard University Advanced Leadership Initiative, Arbuckle Professor of Business Administration and member of IWF Massachusetts
- Martha Nelson, Harvard University Advanced Leadership Initiative Fellow, former Global Editor-in-Chief of Yahoo! and former Editor-in-Chief of Time, Inc.
- Bernice Steinbaum, Gallerist, Curator and member of IWF Florida
- Stormy-Annika Mildner, PhD, Head of External Economic Policy at the Federation of German Industries and the Sherpa to the Business 20 (B20), G20 Dialogue on global business
- Hannah Birna Kristjansdottir, Chair of the Women Leaders Global Forum Executive Board, former Minister of the Interior of Iceland and Mayor of Reykjavik
- Virginia Cram-Martos, Director of the Economic Cooperation and Trade Division of the UN Economic Commission for Europe
- Alina Polyakova, PhD, Rubenstein Fellow of Foreign Policy in the Center on the United States and Europe at the Brookings Institution
- Anita van Breda, Senior Director of Environment and Disaster Management at the World Wildlife Fund
- Katherine Fernandez Rundle, Miami-Dade State Attorney, co-creator of the Miami-Dade Opioid Addition Taskforce and Member of IWF Florida
- Susanne M. Torriente, Chief Resiliency Officer and Assistant City Manager for the City of Miami Beach
Some of our valued members of IWFSA in attendance are Totse Memela as well as Veronica Devine.
MUST READ: IWFSA on Sunday Times
Would you like to find out how our President @Mpho Letlape and valued member Veronica Devine are empowering women and making strides in business?
Read all about it on page 28 & 29 of the exclusive Sunday Times Celebrating WOMEN 2018 issue.
LISTEN: Dot Field Interview on Moneyweb
Dot Field of Dot Field Consulting outlines how our valued members focus on leadership and making a difference in society.
Tirelo Sibisi is Executive Vice President: People and Organization Development at AngloGold Ashanti, an International gold-mining company with 20 operations across North and South America, 8 countries in Africa and in Australasia and which employs more than 63,000 people.
Tirelo is an MBA graduate with over 20 years’ experience in the Human Resources (HR) field.
She was the Group HR and CSI Executive at PPC Cement with responsibility across South Africa, Rwanda, Ethiopia, DRC, Botswana, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. During her tenure she played an integral role in the change management program as well as the implementation of a new remuneration strategy aligned to industry best practice. She also developed and launched a Mentorship program for young talent within PPC.
She has particularly enjoyed her role in the acquisition of the new mining licenses and played an integral role in the development of sustainable community projects and Social labour plans.
Tirelo has extensive HR experience both locally and internationally. She spent her formative years in the information technology sector having spent 10 years with IBM (South Africa and Paris) and thereafter six years with Telkom. She is as a well-rounded HR Executive with strengths in succession/talent management and development, executive remuneration and expatriate management.
Dr Hannelie Nel is Director of Tennelli Industries (Pty) Ltd, a company that focuses on innovation in engineering, technology and education. She also serves as Visiting Associate Professor at the Faculty of Engineering at North-West University, and as Academic in the Postgraduate School of Engineering Management at the University of Johannesburg.
She holds a Doctorate in Engineering Management, a Master of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering and a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering. She has twenty years’ experience in both industry and academia and her work entails business and education strategy development; the design, implementation and costing of business and quality management systems; training and education; business research systems; process improvement; and gender advancement in engineering.
Dr Nel is the former President and current Fellow of the Southern African Institute for Industrial Engineering, and serves on the Board of the South African Society for Engineering Education, and formerly the MCTS at the University of Johannesburg. She is an international author and speaker in her field of expertise and has published two books and several academic papers to date. Notably her book titled Leadership and Agency by Women Engineers in South Africa was published in 2015. Dr Nel works with international companies and universities and is an associate member of the Institute of Directors. In 2014 she was recognized as Finalist in the Standard Bank Top Business Women Awards; and in 2016 she was invited to join the International Women’s Forum in recognition of her work towards the advancement of technical women. Other related awards include the 2013 WiEBE Award for Outstanding Contribution to Women in Engineering; the 2011 IEEE WIE Award for Human Capital Development in Science, Engineering and Technology; and two SAIIE awards for the promotion of industry and academia liaison. A selection of her work can be viewed at www.hannelienel.co.za and her company profile is available at www.tennelli.com. In 2017 she was nominated for the prestigious Professor Kris Adendorff Award for outstanding Industrial Engineering professional by the Southern African Institute for Industrial Engineering.
In July 2015 Nobuzwe joined Thebe Investment Corporation as the Executive: Supply Chain Solutions & Projects. She joins with extensive experience of the supply chain management function in the FMCG as well as the petroleum sector.
Prior to this, she was the Chairman at Chevron South Africa; during the 8 years at Chevron she also worked in Strategy Development, Business & Capital Planning, Government Relations, and Pricing Management. Nobuzwe gained extensive experience working with the South African Breweries and Unilever South Africa where she held various positions in Supply Chain Planning & Development, Logistics, Manufacturing, Product Development, and Quality Assurance.
In 2013-2015, Nobuzwe served on the board of the South African Petroleum Industry Association (SAPIA), and in 2013-2014 was a board member of the American Chamber of Commerce in South Africa.
She obtained her Honours Bachelor’s degree in Science from the Walter Sisulu University of Technology & Science, Mthatha. She also complete the Management Advancement Programme, and Applied Financial Management at Wits Business School; as well as the Leadership Coaching Programme at UCT Graduate School of Business.
A highly motivated and proactive Executive, who operates with a strong sense of urgency, undertakes complex assignments, is assertive, meets tight deadlines and thrives in a fast pace dynamic environment. Is an excellent strategic communicator, strategist, analytical thinker, self-starter, credible leader, trainer, who has worked in multi-stakeholder situations requiring negotiation, collaboration, influencing, facilitation, strong networks and relationships. Has over 20 years’ experience in the public and private sector combined; functional expertise in Strategic lobbying with broad range of Government stakeholders, Enterprise stakeholder analysis and engagement , Regulatory Affairs, Corporate Social Investment (CSI), Strategic Analysis , Strategic Planning, Public Policy, Business planning, Internal and External Communications, Customer relationship management, Business process architecture, IT Strategy, Business process re-design , performance measurement and program management.
An avid reader, humanitarian and a seasoned traveller; Charmaine holds a BA degree in Public Administration and Strategic Communication from UNISA and is also an MBA graduate from the UNISA School of Business Leadership. Charmaine is a Board member of the SA Women in ICT . Charmaine is the lead of the Justice Chamber of the ICT policy review stream in DTPS.
After completing her Masters degree in Psychology, Andrea Rademeyer established ASK AFRIKA some 20 years ago. This market research company is currently the largest privately-owned market research company in Southern Africa. The company operates in 14 African countries and has a client list extending to global companies.
Ask Afrika has a solid reputation for quality work and innovative advice. They have established various benchmarks, which guide business strategy, such as the Orange Index rating 120 companies on service excellence, the Trust Barometer rating 200 companies on corporate reputation and the Icon Brands, which rate 8000 brands on Useage and Attitude.
Ask Afrika also acquired the TGi business in 2008 and has successfully made TGi the benchmark for brand and media strategy in SA. WINGallup invited Ask Afrika to join during 2013 and made Andrea the Africa Chair for the operation.
Andrea’s leadership has been recognized with various accolades, including the University of Pretoria Alumni Laureate, Business Woman of the Year, Deloittes Best Company to work for awards. She is also a YPO member.
Nicqui Galaktiou is the founder and director of NGInc. She started her legal career in 1997 and she was admitted as an attorney in 1999 when she also became a member of the Law Society of the Northern Provinces. She completed her articles at a medium-sized law firm and during her 18 years became a director and the Chief Operating Officer whilst also heading the Commercial, Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department.
Nicqui has worked on matters internationally and in South Africa for international clients. Nicqui represented both public and private companies, Heads of State, political parties, celebrities and high-profile entrepreneurs.
Nicqui has extensive experience in matters involving motions, trials, dispute resolution and arbitrations. Her experience involves legal services which include:
Media Law – including appearances before the Press Council of South Africa, the Press Appeals Panel and the Broadcasting Complaints Commission;
Commercial Litigation – in various industries including IT, engineering, construction, telecommunications and property;
Bankruptcy & Insolvency Enquiries – including liquidations & sequestration’s;
Defamation and Damages Actions;
Business Fraud, Bribery and Corruption – including matters involving the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the UK Bribery Act;
Employment Law including Restraints of Trade and Disciplinary Disputes; and
Tax Law.
Nicqui’s years of invaluable experience and involvement in high profile and complex matters has greatly contributed to her success and prominence in the legal fraternity making her one of the most influential and well respected female attorneys in South Africa. She is a member of WOLELA (Women Leading in Law), the IWF (International Women’s Forum), BWASA (the Business Women’s Association of South Africa) and a by-invitation only global network for business women. Nicqui was also requested to be one of the esteemed judges at the 2016 Elle Boss Awards.
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Angela is currently Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Institute of Directors in Southern Africa (IoDSA).
She originally joined the IoDSA in July 2004 to formalise and grow the organisation’s director development offering.
Angela previously held the position of Chief Operating Officer having been promoted to the role in 2008 and as an executive director in 2009 and has been involved in the field of director education for 15 years.
As CEO, she serves on the Board and board sub committees of the IoDSA.
Angela also serves on the Chartered Director (South Africa) Governing Body and she is currently Chair of the Independent Professional Body Forum, Chair of IoDSA’s Chartered Director (SA) Examination Committee, and Chair of the Public Sector Audit Committee Forum (PSACF) steering committee.
She serves on the Executive Committee and as Chair of the Global Network of Director Institutes (GNDI) and is Deputy Chair of the African Corporate Governance Network (ACGN).
Angela also serves as Trustee of the Endangered Wildlife Trust.
Soraya Benchikh is the CEO of the British American Tobacco Southern Africa Area. Soraya began her career at British American Tobacco almost two decades ago and has held several senior management roles in Finance in countries around the world, including Egypt, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Since then she has held several regional roles in fast-growing markets in Eastern and Western Europe, before moving into general management. As General Manager for France, Soraya was tasked with the challenge of developing a turnaround strategy in a highly regulated and complex environment.
After three successful years in France, Soraya was appointed Managing Director of the Southern Africa Area in January 2016. Speaking about her role in South Africa, Soraya described the Southern Africa market as being “at a turning point” with her biggest challenge being to address the duel threats of increased regulation and illicit trade
International Women’s Forum SA proposes outstanding women to SA’s new President
[Friday, 16 February 2018]
The SA Chapter of the International Women’s Forum (IWFSA) congratulates President Cyril Ramaphosa on his election as president of the country and wishes him well in discharging the profound obligations that come with his office.
He carries with him the hopes of a nation bruised by an era of scandal and misrule.
The IWFSA wishes to urge President Ramaphosa to continue the ANC’s record on promoting gender equity in cabinet, and enlist the services of some of our nation’s finest women capable of rising to the enormous challenges he and his government confront.
We believe there are women of proven ability, integrity and courage, fit for the daunting task that lies ahead.
We, propose the following outstanding women and others of similar ilk to serve in a new cabinet and suggest that their appointment to cabinet would signal to South Africans that President Ramaphosa means business when he says he is committed to professional, ethical governance: Thuli Madonsela; Naledi Pandor; Lindiwe Sisulu; Makhosi Khoza; Cheryl Carolus; Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and more.
If any person can be singled out as a national hero in the story of our recent past, it is our former Public Protector, Madonsela, who refused to be cowed in her singular pursuit of justice, in the face of threats and attempts to paint her as a servant of the enemy. Her courage and knowledge of the law were often her only protection, and she prevailed.
Science and Technology Minister Pandor has shown herself to be a politician of integrity and was among the first in cabinet to publicly question behaviour she could not agree with. She is a forward-looking, competent professional, with extensive institutional knowledge of government.
Sisulu is another seasoned cabinet minister with the skills and determination demanded by the times. She has spoken passionately of the need to return to the governing ANC’s values in service of the people, a sentiment which the IWFSA wholly endorses.
Former ANC MP Khoza is a courageous, outspoken politician and an instinctive democrat. Rebuilding the trust of citizens requires people of honour in government who will not be silent in the face of abuse, and Khoza has shown herself to be such a woman.
Carolus, with her distinguished record in the struggle and in business, would bring to the cabinet a unique perspective that spans the corporate world and that of the poor and working class. She is a bold, dynamic leader who would quickly deliver results.
Mlambo-Ngcuka is another woman whose mettle has been proven in the furnace of South African politics and her skills honed in government. As the Under-Secretary General of the United Nations and Director of UN Women, she would bring a broad international view to the country’s development challenges.
The IWFSA commends these exceptional citizens to President Ramaphosa. We urge him to consider them for appointment to cabinet as capable, courageous, determined women who would strengthen his hand in turning around the fortunes of a nation in need of healing.
- Mpho Letlape, Interim President, IWFSA.
Note to editors:
The International Women’s Forum (IWF) is a global organisation of preeminent women of significant and diverse achievement who come together across national and international boundaries to share knowledge and ideas, enrich lives, provide a network of support and exert influence.
Furthermore, through its Leadership Foundation, the IWF helps prepare future generations of women leaders. With forums throughout North America, South America, Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, the IWF facilitates networking among women of achievement and promotes opportunities for women in leadership. Founded in 1982 in the United States, the IWF has grown across five continents into 26 nations.
Global Network: Nation Builder
For the November edition of In the Lead, the IWF sat down with four members of the Leadership Foundation’s 2000-2001 Fellows Program:
Marsha Sampson Johnson, Retired Senior Executive, Southern Company; IWF Board Director; and Member of IWF Georgia
Helen Rule, Founder & CEO, Imatech Bulk Materials Handling; IWF Board Director; and Founding Member of IWF Australia
Totsie Memela, Chief Strategy Officer, Academic Partnerships; Leadership Foundation Board Director; and Member of IWF South Africa
Tracey Wills, CEO, OptionOne Infusion & Specialty Pharmacy, and Member of IWF Oklahoma
These women embody the mission of IWF and the Leadership Foundation. Their friendship has spanned careers, continents, and cultures and the Leadership Foundation’s Fellows Program was responsible for connecting them.
