Finding your why is key to unlocking a life and career that serves you – and others

Growing up, I wanted to become a medical doctor. After school, I completed my national service, training and serving as a paramedic in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). That experience deepened my desire to help others and led me to begin studying medicine a year later. However, after two years in medical school, I realised my true passion was rooted more in understanding people holistically, how they think, grow, and lead. That realisation inspired me to shift my focus to psychology and education, which ultimately shaped my career trajectory. It’s been a path driven by purpose and a desire to make a meaningful impact.

I’ve spent most of my career in business education and strategic management roles in a wide range of sectors including defence, government, financial services, construction, education, HR, and business. Each environment taught me something different about people, systems, and the importance of adaptability. That breadth of exposure gave me a unique perspective on leadership and impact and equipped me to navigate complexity while staying grounded in purpose.

I permanently joined Henley Business School Africa in 2019 , and the moment I walked through the doors it felt different, alive with opportunity and purpose. The energy, commitment to excellence and belief in human potential struck me immediately. Before becoming Chief Operations Officer (overseeing the business operations that make Henley Africa run smoothly), I served as General Manager at Henley, where I worked across multiple operational and academic initiatives.

I’m driven by purpose and the chance to contribute to something bigger than myself. When individuals and teams unlock potential, they didn’t know they had, that’s incredibly rewarding.

I am also an alumnus of the Henley MBA, graduating in 2022. Lifelong learning is something I deeply value, and Henley has been a key partner in that journey. Henley is an amazing employer because it gives us the opportunity to study while we work so I’ve been fortunate to participate in several executive management development programmes through the business school, which have continued to sharpen my leadership thinking and strategic perspective.

All of these experiences have contributed to adding to my purpose to understand and empower individuals and teams. This helps create a collaborative and high-trust environment. At the same time, I have a strong ability to assess complex situations quickly and make sound decisions, especially under pressure.

My parents are my biggest source of inspiration. They led by example in everything they did, showing me the value of hard work, humility, resilience, and integrity. They instilled in me a deep sense of purpose and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. Their values have been a guiding force throughout my personal life and career.

While I work hard, I am also a big believer in balance. I always try to prioritise spending time with my family and taking time out to rest and recharge the batteries. Whether it’s riding my horse, reading a good book, spending time in nature or a quiet evening with a good movie, that’s where I recharge. Although I must admit that having dinner with a Formula 1 driver like Max Verstappen would be fascinating. I’m a big fan of Formula 1 and admire his focus, discipline, and ability to perform under extreme pressure.

One book that recently stood out for me is Beyond Entrepreneurship 2.0 by Jim Collins and Bill Lazier. The blend of practical insight and strategic thinking resonated with me, especially in our mission at Henley, which is to develop leaders who create lasting impact.

What some people may now know about me is that at one stage I was on track to have a career as an opera singer. I started singing at a very young age and was quickly drawn into the arts. I was a soloist, spending lots of time during my schooling years on stage singing and performing in many well known theatres in South Africa. My opera singing journey was however short-lived as I joined the SANDF to do national service.

I think that whatever path life takes you on if you want an impactful career, always start with purpose. Know what matters to you and align your career with that. Be willing to do the hard work and never underestimate the power of relationships and resilience. I would tell my 20-year-old self to trust the process. Don’t be afraid to take risks or fail. Focus more on learning than proving yourself, and always surround yourself with people who challenge and inspire you.