Sappi, leading global provider of everyday materials made from woodfibre-based renewable resources, celebrates some of the women who contribute to building a more circular economy.

Niksha Govender

Position: Process Engineer (Technical) at Sappi Saiccor Mill

Education: BSc. Eng (Chemical Engineering) (University of KwaZulu-Natal)

Management style: I invite my team to share their ideas and opinions, fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued. This approach sparks creativity and encourages a sense of ownership among team members.

Personal best achievement: I cannot choose one single achievement. I am proud to have graduated as a Chemical Engineer, completed my EIT programme, joined Sappi; become a wife to a caring and supportive husband and a mother to a beautiful little girl. All these achieve- ments inspire and motivate me to be the best I possibly can be.

Person you would most like to meet: Michelle Obama - she is a true inspiration for women leaders.

Philosophy of life: If you dream it, you can achieve it! You may not get it right on your first attempt, but keep trying, nothing is impossible.

Message for other women leaders: Stay true to yourself and know your worth. “There is power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice.” – Michelle Obama

Cynthia Rajcomar

Position: Senior Process Engineer at Saiccor Mill

Education: BSc Chemical Engineering (University of Witwatersrand), MBA (Mancosa), Pr Eng (ECSA)

Management style: Open and inclusive, providing my team the space and freedom to be creative and innovative.

Personal best achievement: Completing my MBA and application for Professional Engineer in the same year. I am
grateful for the opportunity to pursue my goals, supported by my husband, two young sons, and my parents. Their encouragement has been instrumental in my personal achievements.

Person you would most like to meet: Oprah Winfrey – she is one of the world's most influential and successful women, and she has always believed that education is the gateway to freedom. What inspires me most about her is that she discovered her true purpose.

Philosophy of life: Stay curious, keep learning and be kind to yourself and others.

Message for other women leaders: Always be the first person to back yourself for suc- cess and create a trajectory for yourself that you can be proud of.

Sarah Hawksworth

Position: Process Engineer at Saiccor Mill

Education: Bachelor of Chemical Engineering

Management style: Collaborative

Personal best achievement: My best achievement to date is making progress in a career that was previously dominated by men. Although women still face an uphill battle in this field, it is heartwarming to note that change is happening.

Personal best achievement: I would like to meet Emma Watson, founder of the HeforShe campaign, which encourages everyone to take action against negative labelling to achieve gender equality.

Philosophy of life: To always do your best and show up no matter what. Don’t do something for reward – do something because it’s the right thing to do.

Message for other women leaders: The success of your team is your success. To lead peo- ple, walk behind them.

Thamandri Naidoo

Position: Senior Process Engineer at Saiccor Mill

Education: BSc Chemical Engineering, MBA

Management style: A combination of charismatic, situational and adaptive styles.

Personal best achievement: A personal achievement is becoming a mother to my daughter. My professional achievements include a variety of accomplishments, with the highlight being the opportunity to manage and lead a team of highly skilled engineers and guide their development.

Person you would most like to meet: Kamala Harris, as I am sure she would have lots of interesting anecdotes and learnings from her journey to becoming one of the most influential women in current times.

Philosophy of life: Remain positive even in the darkest of hours, every challenge has a solution!

Message for other women leaders: Stay humble, use logic and knowledge to make decisions, but lead with your heart, it is what will define you and set you apart.

Lethiwe Sithole

Position: Engineer: Projects at Stanger Mill

Education: BSc (Hon) Mechanical Engineering, Post Grad Diploma in Project Management (Cum Laude)

Management style: Servant leadership. A team achieves when growth is a daily achievement.

Personal best achievement: I would say running and completing a marathon, which requires significant mental endurance and helps me navigate life's challenges.

Person you would most like to meet: Everyone has a story and there will always be some- thing to take out from what makes that person who they are, regardless of success or failure. I would love to sit with Oprah Winfrey to talk about her journey to success, what it took to move from deep poverty and disadvantage, to where she is now.

Philosophy of life: If we don’t give up, success is inevitable and life gets better.

Message for other women leaders: For everything that life demands of women - from being mothers to corporate high performers - we have it, and we can give it.

Mashaka Nedohe

Position: Production Manager – Chemical at Ngodwana Mill

Education: BSc Chemical Engineering (Wits), Post Grad Diploma in Business Administration (GIBS)

Management style: Adaptive leadership. Ultimately, influence is more powerful than authority.

Personal best achievement: I’m awe-filled and proud of all the small and big wins, both in my personal and professional life. These all add up and motivate me to go forward each day.

Person you would most like to meet: It’s difficult to pick just one person. There are so many individuals I’d like to meet for various reasons. Michelle Obama, Nompumelelo Zikalala, Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche, Rihanna and Shonda Rhimes to name a few.

Philosophy of life: Always aim to improve yourself, in a thousand tiny ways, at every opportunity you get. The aim is to be a better version of yourself each day.

Message for other women leaders: Dare to dream big. The mind is unlimited in its capacity, use it to show up in spaces that look and feel like uncharted territory.

Dieketseng Napo

Position: Senior Technical Support Engineer at Saiccor Mill

Education: BEng Electrical. GCC Factories.

Management style: I approach management as a teachable moment for myself and my team members. I dedicate my time to developing skills in individuals within the technical field to boost their motivation and confidence.

Personal best achievement: Finding a love and passion for hiking and the outdoors. There is a sense of accomplishment and
pride that comes with pushing myself physically.

Person you would most like to meet: George Lucas, for his remarkable storytelling ability and the courage to revolutionise the film industry. His legacy encourages innovation within his field of expertise.

Philosophy of life: Showing up every day as authentic and being as fair as possible. Checking in and ensuring that my personal values are in line with my actions.

Message for other women leaders: It’s our privilege to be in positions to cultivate and motivate the upcoming generation of young women in the engineering field.

Kelly Glen

Position: Technical Manager at Sappi Tugela Mill

Education: BSc Chemical Engineering (UKZN)

Management style: Authentic leadership. I want my actions and behaviours to always reflect my values; to foster meaningful relationships; and to help teams realise goals that are aligned with their purpose.

Personal best achievement: Putting myself through university and graduating with my degree.

Person you would most like to meet: Hozier – not only for his incredible musical talent but also for his activism and world views.

Philosophy of life: The Zen Buddhist concept of shoshin meaning “beginner’s mind”, which refers to having an attitude of openness and a lack of preconceptions. Rather than approaching life with the mindset that you are an expert, approach life in awe, wonder and with the desire to listen and learn.

Message for other women leaders: We bring out the worst in people when we continuously expose them to stress, fear and insecurity. We bring out the best in people when we expose them to pur- pose, passion and potential. Always strive to achieve the second scenario.

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South Africa

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