Full Name: Telly Chauke

Position and Company Name: CEO of Petco

Main Activity of the Company: Petco is a producer responsibility organisation incorporated in 2004 that administers extended producer responsibility schemes on behalf of its members for various identified products in the packing sector. It facilitates and supports the collection and recycling value chain, guiding packaging design, stimulating end-use markets for recycled material, and conducting communication and awareness initiatives

Place of Birth: Tzaneen, Limpopo

Schools and Tertiary Education: St Thomas Aquinas Convent, Mpumalanga; Duiwelskloof Primary School, Limpopo; Hans Merensky High School, Limpopo; Rhodes University, Eastern Cape; University of Pretoria, Gauteng; Stellenbosch University Business School, Western Cape; Wits Business School, Gauteng

First Job: Environmental impact assessment intern at Coastal & Environmental Services, 2005

Career Path to Date: Environmental impact assessment intern at Coastal & Environmental Services, 2005; researcher at the Association for Water and Rural Development, 2006; assistant director for water-sector monitoring and evaluation at the Department of Water Affairs and Sanitation (DWAS), 2006 to 2009; deputy director for corporate planning, monitoring and evaluation at the DWAS, 2009 to 2010; manager: strategic support and community development at the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), 2010 to 2012; specialist: environment, climate change and sustainability at SALGA, 2012 to 2022; executive manager: Sustainability Business Unit (designated as chief sustainability officer) at the Coega Development Corporation, 2022 to 2024; CEO of Petco, since 2024

Management Style: Integrative and inspirational leadership

Personal Best Achievement: Entering the C-suite of the corporate environment before the age of 40

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My mother

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, two-time former Nigerian Finance Minister and current director-general of the World Trade Organisation, and Terry Pratchet, the late British author

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: South African entrepreneur and philanthropist Wendy Luhabe, who is best known for her work in empowering women and contributing to the country’s economic development

Philosophy of Life: Human First – every employee, partner, competitor et cetera, every one you meet and interact with for whatever period of time in the world of work, is human first, has flaws, insecurities, aspirations, fears, hopes, dreams, et cetera, and sometimes they wear those skins overtly, shaping every interaction, and sometimes they do so discreetly and quietly, influencing the way they think, process and react. We should never lose sight of the human being behind the title. And, of course, the most cliched: Rome wasn’t built in a day!

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Many – travelling the world, being exposed to different cultures and worldviews as South Africa’s focal point for local government in the UN Framework Convention for Climate Change processes, and supporting South African mayors and municipal leaders in engaging in global climate change platforms and forums. So many lessons and humbling moments!

Hope For the Future: To lead a successful and impactful team; to add fuel to the engines of women leaders amongst my peers and those still on their climb; and to see real, meaningful transformation in the waste management and sustainable packaging industries

Favourite Reading: Anything by Terry Pratchet and Sam Savage – a little bit of escapism goes a long way!

Favourite TV Programme: None – I don’t watch much TV

Favourite Food/Drink: Salmon sashimi

Favourite Music: Motown, country rock, traditional African soul/jazz fusion

Favourite Sport: Netball

Hobbies: Reading and fishing

Car: A 1969 Ford Mustang Boss

Pets: None

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Milk

Children: I’m a mother of two

Clubs: None