Profiles

Women in Tech of the Week: Liesl Rossouw

Dec 5, 2021 in Business development, Profiles, Woman of the Week, Women in Tech

Name: Liesl Rossouw
Designation: Business Analyst
Company: SPAR

What do you do every day?
A bit of everything. Business process mapping, data analytics, a lot of small project management etc.

How did you get into the tech space?
Studied Industrial Engineering

What was the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Proof you worth to yourself, not to others!

What advice would you give to someone wanting to get into tech?
If you have a passion for it, go for it! Dont back down because it looks like a male-dominated environment.

What motivates you to get out of bed every day?
The opportunity to learn (the working of) something new. To understand a new process.

Who do you want to be when you grow up?
Still pondering on this one…

Woman in Tech of the Week: Adel Adams

Dec 5, 2021 in Owner, Profiles, Woman of the Week, Women in Tech

Name: Adv.Adel Adams
Designation: Legal practitioner
Company: Legal Chain

What do you do every day?
I currently work on my startup in legal tech with the assistance of the I’m IN pre-accelerator program.

Adel Adams is a practising advocate of the high court, born and raised in Boksburg, with a special interest in labour law, amongst others and founding director of a start-up namely Legal-Chain. Exposure gained to the broad world and ease of use in technology while working for a JSE listed corporate.


What was the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Never give up. Be the game changer.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to get into tech?
Be the change you want to see. Life is a blessing the opportunities are endless. Stay positive.

Who do you want to be when you grow up?
I would like to be the owner of more than one female only tech empire.

Women in Tech of the Week: Nadine Murray

Dec 5, 2021 in Developer, Profiles, Woman of the Week, Women in Tech

Name: Nadine Murray
Designation: Software Developer
Company: Momentum

What do you do every day?
I work as a software developer in the IT department of Momentum TYB. My responsibilities include the analysis, creation, development and testing of software applications to improve business processes.

How did you get into the tech space?
I’ve always had a passion for problem solving and finding new ways of doing things more effectively. As a teenager I was told to stay away from IT because it’s a man’s world. I decided to prove them wrong.

What was the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Today’s hell is a gift later. Every challenge in life is an opportunity to grow and improve yourself.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to get into tech?
Go for it! Believe that you can and persist no matter what. There is still so much to be done in the industry.

What motivates you to get out of bed every day?
My personal goals, my family and a desire to make a difference.

Who do you want to be when you grow up?
I’m a wife and mom of two beautiful kids. I have 15 years experience in IT and I hope to be a mentor to young girls starting out in the field.

Women in Tech of the Month: Nikita Dehal

Nov 29, 2021 in Profiles, Woman of the Month, Women in Tech

Name: Nikita Dehal
Designation: Legal Manager
Company: Ozow

What do you do every day?
Professionally, in my role at Ozow, which is a South African FinTech company, my day to day varies. Most days I am reviewing and advising on contracts from both a legal and business perspective, I am driving risk mitigation and regulatory compliance, and I am engaging with various internal and external stakeholders in an effort to improve processes and efficiencies. I am also engaged in building the business’s policy framework and in high-level strategic initiatives.

How did you get into the tech space?
I am passionate about innovation, learning through innovating and contributing to financial inclusion in Africa. I left the traditional law firm environment seeking a place to explore my passions and utilise my skill set and acumen. Having experienced the tech world in the US, I gained exposure to the opportunities for lawyers in tech. I actively sought such a role when returning to South Africa.

What was the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Define your purpose, explore your passions, recognise your worth and reach for stars.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to get into tech?
I would advise that he/she consider their abilities, strengths and weaknesses, conduct their research into the tech environment and look to people with similar backgrounds for mentorship and guidance. I think it is important to ensure that your professional and personal strengths and abilities align with a role in the industry that you are seeking, and an individual in the industry that you look up to. In this way, you can adequately plan a path to achieving your desired professional goals.

What motivates you to get out of bed every day?
I love what I do and feel that I am living out my purpose. This motivates me.

Women in tech of the Week: Katlego Mabunda

Nov 29, 2021 in Business development, Profiles, Woman of the Week, Women in Tech

Name: Katlego Mabunda
Designation: Business Process Engineer
Company: FNB

What do you do every day?
I work on process mapping, analysis, and digitisation and/or automation of processes. I am also a tutor at a university and also a business owner for an online store. I pack orders and dispatch them.

How did you get into the tech space?
I studied Masters in Information Technology Management

What was the best advice anyone ever gave you?
There’s always a price for everything you do whether good or bad, so choose your path well.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to get into tech?
It’s better to fail than to never try

What motivates you to get out of bed every day?
Life – the minute I open my eyes and realise that I am alive. I get up with gratitude knowing that I am given another chance to make my life right.

Who do you want to be when you grow up?
A leader who follows servant-leadership principles. I want to change the definition of leadership in corporate. Leadership should be given to those who understand and live by this principle.

Women in Tech of the week: Vinoliah Martin

Nov 29, 2021 in CIO, COO, Profiles, Woman of the Week, Women in Tech

Name: Vinoliah Martin

Designation: Chief Technology Officer/Client Technology Lead

What do you do every day?
I am currently a Client Technology Lead viewed as a virtual Chief Technology Officer and part-time Non-Executive Director, Conference speaker, visionary and goal-oriented professional with over 12 years experience in strategy development and execution, project leadership and technology. I am at the forefront of digital transformation efforts for enterprise businesses and help enterprises innovate and digitally transform their operations, products and business models.

How did you get into the tech space?
I studied software development and then moved into a management role within the software quality assurance space and have been in the technology area for more than 12 years and love every bit of it. So much so that I am now embarking on a PhD journey focusing on digital transformation of organisations

What was the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Keep pushing to reach your goals and don’t be afraid to take risks

What advice would you give to someone wanting to get into tech?
Technology is all around us and constantly evolving, get into tech and become part of an exciting community and sector that is transforming everything around us from education to the way we do business, compete in the market and grow the economy. Get into tech and help build technologies that champions inclusion, privacy, safety, and transparency and builds a better more innovative future for all mankind.

What motivates you to get out of bed every day?
Knowing that I will continue to strive and make a positive change and difference in someone’s life, be that an employee, a client, a friend, family member or stranger. Also, knowing that it is a new day to get up, show up and work towards that next development phase and career aspiration

Who do you want to be when you grow up?
A person who ’empowers all nations to leverage technology capabilities for the greater good of society and effective economic growth.’

Women in Tech of the Week: Janine Harley

Nov 29, 2021 in Brand Manager, Profiles, Woman of the Week, Women in Tech

Name: Janine Harley

Designation: Account Manager

What do you do every day?
Each day I am inspired to go out and help my clients, friends and colleagues achieve their goals. I truly believe that we rise by lifting others.

How did you get into the tech space?
I got into the tech space by pure chance. In 2009, Internet Solutions gave me an opportunity and it changed my life forever. I believe I was put on this path for a reason and would not change a thing. I feel blessed.

What was the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Never give up and always do your best. The rest will follow.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to get into tech?
DO IT!!!! It is not easy by any measure but the feeling of being able to form part of the worlds future is so rewarding.

What motivates you to get out of bed every day?
The idea that I can help create something that can impact the future is what drives me. I also get to meet loads of really cool people.

Who do you want to be when you grow up?
I think I am pretty grown up already 🙂 My goal is to never stop learning and growing.

Women in Tech of the Month: Kelly Hoffman

Nov 29, 2021 in CEO, Entrepreneur, Profiles, Woman of the Month, Women in Tech

Name: Kelly Hoffman
Designation: CEO and Digital Navigator
Company: Vocalysd.ai

What do you do every day?
I spend countless hours understating with a hands-on approach of every aspect of my new start-up and taking strategic steps to build something great. Something that genuinely makes a difference and aligns AI with human performance – I am not here to replace the people element, I am here to enhance it. I get my hands dirty, I intrench myself in all aspects and (at times to my own detriment) go at full speed to achieve results. So, in short: I never sit still. I also drink a lot of tea 🙂

How did you get into the tech space?
By accident, out of necessity to be frank. Yes, I feared this monstrous word “tech” (due to zero experience) BUT with a genuine and passionate love for business development – I took on a role to open the African leg of an established global software player – Initially focused (and still do) on the growth factor, but one has to know what they are selling and believe in the product. My love affair began – I am resourceful, and okay with asking for help. I don’t have to be the “know-it-all” in the room. I have learnt from my peers and continue to do so. This very experience led me to build my own baby. A work in progress (soon to be launched) – “Designed and developed by South Africans, for South Africans” FYI – not a competitor product to what I do now, I have integrity and loyalty 🙂

What was the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Mandela (true story – he keeps me going) ” Nothing is impossible until it is done” – every week I learn more, accomplish more and love what I do. I feel less “stupid” than the week before, and proud of the little steps I take. I am empowered by the knowledge and industry I envelope myself in. Yes, tech is exciting, and I am obsessed BUT my greatest teachers are the people I engage with daily!

I literally take baby steps (realistic to me and my understanding), and his words and example remind me to keep pushing and to never give up!

What advice would you give to someone wanting to get into tech?
Remain human. Be authentic. Tech is fun and share that passion with others. Allow your mind to be stretched and listen to your audience. Technology is constantly evolving, enjoy the ride but above all, always be ethical and stand by good practice. lastly, it is okay to be the student, in fact that’s the best position to hold. Have fun and be kind to yourself.

What motivates you to get out of bed every day?
Mmmm… interesting as this involves multiple factors that may not be tech related (directly that is), however – family! Building a legacy, I am proud of and my children will benefit from gets me excited every day! I also am completely addicted to innovation, data and all kinds of self-growth.

Vocalysd, a start-up is my own version of “Kelly’s MBA” – I want to envelop myself in every aspect, understand from the bottom up. So, when I stand before others, and the head of a boardroom table of a global monster – I earned that seat, I deserved it and I have the knowledge and experience to back it up.

My true aspirations are more around business growth and becoming a CEO of a power-house tech company, that absolutely drove innovation and changed lives. Its way more than just a title.