Tell us about the career journey you have been on to land where you today –

My career path is not straightforward and can be described as navigating a jungle gym. I graduated with two majors, finance and IT, and despite doing better in finance and getting into honours, I chose to enter a grad program at SAB’s IT division – my dad was in the IT field, and who turns down a grad program at SAB?

After 18 months at SAB, I joined Nedbank’s Tech Division and within a few years I was identified as a strong leader and headed up a team. While I thoroughly enjoyed and excelled within the IT process environment, I missed the financial keenness gained by completing a finance major at university. I took on senior business project manager roles first within Nedbank’s Group Finance division and thereafter in Nedbank Capital, knowing that I would be closer to the environment that I wanted to be in. This venture paid off and I was fortunate to meet and impress the director of Nedgroup Securities (Stockbroking) who gave me the opportunity to be an assistant equity analyst in July 2006. As my research capabilities grew and recognition by investors strengthened, I took coverage of the Media sector. Investors and fellow analysts noted that I gave insights into industries where there was a lack of information, and I was able to identify the potential in new and evolving technologies. Furthermore, I have been recognised as a top-performing sell-side analyst between 2009 and 2014 by the Financial Mail magazine.

I joined Standard Bank Group Securities in January 2011, with the opportunity to expand coverage to the Electronics sector in addition to the Media sector. I continued to be top-rated by buy-side institutions in both sectors and believe that my seniority in the industry can be further weighed by the strong relationships that I had built up with the companies that I had under coverage. I believe that my differentiating attribute as a sell-side analyst was my ability to draw from my team, despite sell-side research typically being a solitary role i.e., I have recognised opportunities to work with other sector analysts to provide new insights across sectors. While I thoroughly enjoyed being in an adrenalin-driven role within the sell side, I wanted to broaden my investment skill set beyond equities.

I then joined INN8 Invest (previously the STANLIB Multi-Manager team and process, just rebranded) as a portfolio manager in February 2014 and have added a whole array of investment skills to my base (such as quantitative techniques and setting capital market expectations). I have developed a far greater understanding of the asset management industry and have expanded my knowledge base into other asset classes (such as fixed interest). My value to INN8 Invest went beyond investment analysis and decision-making. I played an integral role in institutionalising our investment philosophy and process and risk management framework and brought structure to the team. Based on these achievements, I was admitted to the INN8 Invest’s ExCo in May 2016. My role further expanded into an oversight and governance function of both investments and our business.

In February 2017, I was promoted to one of the heads of portfolio management and helped oversee our manager research function. I stepped in and dealt with some complex issues such as dealing with liquidity, potential sale of assets, and two tender pitches. In November 2019, I took up the role of Head of Strategic Investments and Manager Research, which includes overall portfolio management of alternatives. This is my current role within the business.

In 2017 I took up a volunteer board position for the CFA Society South Africa (NPO). I worked on many initiatives that developed member value and I contributed a lot to the Women in Investment Management committee. I have been the president of the society for the past year and have helped push the society to new heights.

What has been the most significant turning point in your career – or describe an accomplishment that shaped your career?

I am lucky to have more than a few significant turning points. The first has been the opportunity to move from IT into investments. After working as an assistant sell-side equity analyst for about six months, I was given the opportunity to cover a small-cap company by myself. My initiating coverage report was recognized by a much experienced and well-known portfolio manager in the industry, and he was so impressed that he wrote to the director of Nedgroup Securities to tell him so. I was then given the opportunity to cover a sector by myself and I chose a not-so-big sector called ‘Media’. Naspers was in the Media sector back then.

After covering a few ‘newspaper’ stocks, I moved on to Naspers. My IT background allowed me to be more open to the Tencent opportunity within Naspers, while other analysts were bitten by the dot.com bubble. I built a valuation model for Tencent which was the key driver of my buy investment case. This research and investment call was the key reason for my first Financial Mail rating. This rating really built my credibility and confidence, which is the basis for all the successes I have achieved so far.

Is there a personal project within the business or out of it that you are currently working on?

I am extremely passionate about transformation and in particular achieving gender parity in investment teams. Through INN8 Invest, I conducted a differentiated survey in 2021 that asked deeper questions about transformation i.e., going beyond the numbers. We assessed who the investment decision-makers in asset management companies are and how diverse are they. From this survey, we found that men investment decision-makers outranked women 3 to 1. We at INN8 Invest continue to ask these tough questions of asset managers.

I also assist with driving gender parity from a CFA Society SA perspective. I am a member of the Women in Investment Management committee and contribute to strategy development and participate in initiatives such as being a mentor to a younger CFA Charterholder and having INN8 Invest participate in the society’s Day of the Girl Child initiative.

What advice would you give to someone who is wanting to take your current position?

As you navigate your career, see ‘job titles’ as guidelines especially as you take on more senior roles. Drive up your knowledge and experience by taking on difficult projects i.e., step forward when others step back. Be wholly accountable. This is more than just stepping up to the plate and delivering. It means delivering high-quality work and always adding value. Be willing to be a servant leader by being there to unblock pathways and ensure that those around you have the means to do their job well. It also means driving accountability within your team so that they are a value-adding component of the overall business.

What makes you excited about Monday?

I am a ‘list’ person, so I really look forward to getting things done and ticking them off my list and therefore always excited for the work week ahead. I am fortunate to work with the most amazing and energised team of investment professionals and we have a Monday morning meeting during which we discuss markets, trends and companies. This is very energising for a Monday.

What would you tell your younger self about the road to get to where you are today?

The road ahead of you is complex and there will be mistakes. Don’t focus on your mistakes so much and utilise 100% of your energy constantly moving forward. Anybody’s career is about building partnerships by being trustworthy and a team player. A good balance of confidence and empathy is needed for the journey ahead.