Alecia Pienaar

Counsel – Corporate & Commercial

Management style: There is responsibility that comes with managing others, in that you have to recognise that what you do and say can and will impact them. I therefore always try to be seen as collaborative and considerate.

Personal best achievement: I would like to think that my personal best achievement is still to come, but for now, I take great pride in having stayed true to myself across my career and selecting a path that brings me immense fulfilment. My greatest success lies in having found peace and contentment with who and where I am today.

Person you would most like to meet: Cliché perhaps - Oprah. But I truly am a big fan and it needs to be in a setting where she interviews me for having done something absolutely spectacular, like writing a New York Times bestseller, leading a precedent setting case on climate change etc. I want the real deal Q&A, where she ends off with her thought provoking questions, asking me to define the soul.

Philosophy of life: Where you invest your time and energy, is what will thrive. There can be no expectation that if you dedicate yourself solely to one thing or cause, that all other things will somehow also work out for the best. So as best you can, commit yourself not only to your work, but also to your relationships, your health, your happiness, your hobbies, your faith and to whatever brings you peace.

Message for other women leaders: I am so proud of us! But also a reminder that as women, we often forget that our strength lies not in transforming ourselves to fit in with the existing environment, but rather embracing all that is unique in what we already have to offer.

Zodwa Malinga

Associate, Construction & Engineering

Personal best achievement: Becoming an attorney. I recently realised that I am one of those people who set goals and when I achieve them, I move on to the next thing. It may well be that there is always something to look forward to or something else that I must do, but I have chosen to acknowledge my admission into the profession as the best thing that I have done for me (and which has happened to me) for the next few years.

Person you would like to meet: Kimberle Williams Crenshaw

Philosophy of life: Life is short insofar as living on an individual level is concerned and life is long in respect of our interactions with and treatment of others. Do nothing without intention.

Message for other women leaders in the South African business community: I want to thank the women who have not just taken a seat at the table but have made the concerted effort to request that the table be made longer so we can also occupy these spaces. There are seats at the table because of women like you. And there are seats at the table for women who aspire to be like you.

Tessa Brewis

Director, Corporate & Commercial

Management style: I believe in a management style that is inclusive and that recognises a diversity of perspectives and contributions. I focus on leading by example, but also on training, mentoring and nurturing the strengths of my fellow team members.

Personal best achievement: Having a successful career at a top South African law firm like CDH, whilst keeping a healthy work life balance.

Person you would most like to meet: The person or organisation that finds a meaningful solution to address climate change.

Philosophy of life: To live life to the full, to be tenacious and to keep doing my best to achieve all my aims and objectives.

Message for other women leaders in the South African business community: There are seats at the table for, and input required from, all of us, not just one or some of us. Strong women empower each other, and others.

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