Tag: Women in leadership

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof Rokhaya Ndiaye Diallo, who is a professor in Human Genetics and holds the chair of Human Genetics at the Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odontology at the Cheikh Anta Diop University in Senegal. She is a founding member and general secretary of the Senegalese Society for Human Genetics (S2GH), a member of the executive committee of the African Society of Human Genetics (AfSHG) and the H3Africa consortium, and she is leading the Senegalese Reference genome project SEN-GENOME. We discuss tertiary education as an enabler and equalizer. Education at public universities in Senegal is free for Senegalese citizens. This policy produces an informed society of educated young people that can problem solve for the economic development of the country and creates equal opportunity where people are not precluded from advancing themselves because of affordability. Prof Ndiaye emphasises the importance of healthcare in Africa and the lack of human and infrastructure resources to make good healthcare sustainable. She notes that human genetics is the future of health for the continent. She runs several genetics related projects, including breast cancer genetics and the SEN-GENOME project, which aims to create a reference genome for Senegal, with the goal of establishing personalized medicine to individuals. To help close gender gaps Prof Ndiaye suggests that women are given appropriate support to balance the practicalities of motherhood and career progression, have access to mentors to help their development, be eligible for funding to finance their research and have a planned career trajectory to advance their professional goals. Tune in for more.

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April 19, 2023

Prof Rokhaya Diallo – Chair of Human Genetics at the Cheikh Anta Diop University – Senegal

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof Rokhaya Ndiaye Diallo, who is a professor in Human Genetics and holds the chair of Human Genetics at the Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odo...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof Jantina de Vries, who is the director of The Ethics Lab at the Neuroscience Institute and an Associate Professor in Bioethics in the Department of Medicine of the University of Cape Town. She is a member of: the Research Ethics Board of Médecins Sans Frontières, the Steering Committee of the Global Forum for Bioethics in Research and the Advisory Board for the Center for ELSI Resources and Analysis (CERA) at Stanford University. She was a member of the WHO Genome Editing Expert Advisory Committee as of the H3Africa Steering Committee. The vision of the Neuroscience Institute is a continental one for an Africa where people achieve their full potential through brain health. The mission of the Ethics Lab is to foster transformative ethics scholarship to disrupt and shape ethics in health research in innovation and to centre Africa as the context and driver of global health ethics. The Ethics Lab’s interdisciplinary scholars ask broad questions about new and emerging health technologies from the view of our African context. They engage with a variety of technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), genomics and robotics and think about the ethics of these technologies, and what it means to be human. For example, taking the perspective that humans are incomplete and are a constant work in progress, then the incompleteness framing could allow us to think about technologies as extensions of self, that we utilise to become more complete, or better people. Prof de Vries discusses the mindsets of abundance and scarcity and how a culture of conviviality can lead to changing ways of work and the as well as the work environment with a positive impact on people. We discuss some of the constraints that women experience, which may be internal limitations that are self-imposed, as well external influences that may tell women that they are not good enough. Give yourself the freedom to pursue your dreams or find what really stimulates you; that is your responsibility, you must pursue that which nurtures and sustains you. Tune in for more….

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April 12, 2023

Prof Jantina de Vries – Director Ethics Lab – University of Cape Town

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof Jantina de Vries, who is the director of The Ethics Lab at the Neuroscience Institute and an Associate Professor in Bioethics in the Departmen...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to a woman of several firsts Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Currently, she serves as Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) (first woman and first African to do so); previously, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala twice served as Nigeria's Finance Minister (2003-2006 and 2011-2015) and briefly acted as Foreign Minister in 2006, the first woman to hold both positions. She is a global finance expert, economist and international development professional with over 30 years of experience working in Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and North America. She sits on numerous boards, has published several books and won multiple awards. We discuss some of the key milestones in her life’s journey. Her early years were grounded in rural village life and during her teens the Nigerian civil war caused her family to lose everything and start afresh. She studied economics with the intent to become a developmental economist to help poor people in developing countries and earned a Ph.D. in Regional Economics and Development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT, 1981). During her tenure as Nigeria’s Finance Minister she succeeded to implement reforms that tripled the growth of the economy, fought corruption and cleared thirty billion dollars of external debt. All her roles have enabled her to fulfil her dream of being able to have a material impact on peoples’ lives in an effort to change them for the better. Women in leadership have the added responsibility of trying to use the position that they are in to introduce other women into their organisation, to mentor women and open opportunities.  Ask the question, how you are setting the example in the organisation you lead? Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, together with Julia Gillard, the former Prime Minister of Australia wrote the book, “Women and Leadership - Real Lives, Real Lessons” and analysed the lived experiences of female leaders, to derive 10 key lessons for women aspiring to a leadership position.

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April 5, 2023

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala the Director-General of the World Trade Organization

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to a woman of several firsts Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Currently, she serves as Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) (first woman and...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof. Suki Goodman, the Dean of the Faculty of Commerce at the University of Cape Town, who also leads the Future of Work research programme under the South African Research Chair: Creation of Decent Work and Sustainable Livelihood. For the past three decades Prof. Goodman has progressively risen through the academic ranks at the University of Cape Town becoming Dean of the Faculty of Commerce in 2022. As a registered organisational psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), holding PhD, master’s and honours degrees in organisational psychology she strives to create a working environment that is life affirming and structured to maximise human potential. It is vital for institutions of higher learning to work with industry and government partners to develop qualifications that produce graduates that are fit for the world of work.    We discuss the role of universities as incubators of disrupters to nurture future innovators that will impact the world. Public institutions carry a massive responsibility to contribute to developing active conscientized analytical skilled citizens for the economy and society. We need to develop thought leaders, problem solvers, truth seekers, knowledge producers, as well as artists, dreamers and philosophers.   As a woman in leadership with a family, Prof. Goodman demonstrates how she consciously navigates between being a present parent and fulfilling her professional mandate, shifting constantly between these roles to ensure they receive the attention they deserve. She imparts some important words of wisdom, namely that building one’s self-belief is a fundamental lever to success; listening to what you want for you as opposed to what other people want for you, and taking the driver seat to control your narrative to the best of your ability; and surrounding yourself with people who are worthy of you.

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March 29, 2023

Prof. Suki Goodman – Dean Faculty of Commerce at the University of Cape Town

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof. Suki Goodman, the Dean of the Faculty of Commerce at the University of Cape Town, who also leads the Future of Work research programme under...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Professor Michèle Ramsay, who is a Professor in Human Genetics, holds the SARCHI Chair for Genomics and Bioinformatics of African Populations at the University of the Witwatersrand and is a director of The Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience. The Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience (SBIMB) is a multi-disciplinary research institute dedicated to investigating genetic variation amongst African populations and the impact of genetic variation on health and disease. Research undertaken by SBIMB has an impact on African Science through its focus on African populations living in Africa addressing human genetics, interactions with the environment and implications for health and disease. Prof. Ramsay discusses some of the research projects that she is involved with, such as H3 Africa, which is one of the bigger symposiums considering the 3Hs of human, hereditary and health; which encompasses 40 different projects covers 35 African countries aimed at understanding genetic variation and the impact it has on health. This is a pioneering field that women are very much a part of and Prof. Ramsay is mindful of female inclusion and for women to strike their own personal balance between family and work. She emphasises that SBIMB operates in teams where members support one another, acknowledging that different types of support will be required during various phases of people’s careers. In terms of leadership, Prof Ramsay encourages women to take up leadership roles and understand the power that comes with positions of leadership from access to resources and determining where they are allocated to being able to influence institutional culture in a top down approach to drive transformation and create opportunities for women. Prof. Ramsay has served as the immediate past-president of the African Society of Human Genetics and the International Federation of Human Genetics Societies, as well as co-chair of the International Hundred Thousand+ Cohorts Consortium (IHCC) and several other structures. In closing Prof. Ramsay encourages women to follow their dreams, be true to themselves, nurture body and mind and as each person fulfils their path they should enrich the lives of others.

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March 15, 2023

Professor Michèle Ramsay – Director of The Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Professor Michèle Ramsay, who is a Professor in Human Genetics, holds the SARCHI Chair for Genomics and Bioinformatics of African Populations at t...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Professor Resia Pretorius, Department Head and Distinguished Research Professor in the Physiological Sciences Department, Faculty of Science, at Stellenbosch University. She is also an Honorary Professor at the University of Liverpool. Additionally, she is Managing Director of BioCODE Technologies. Prof. Pretorius highlights the diverse research areas in her department that focus on a variety of illnesses and methodologies to study various conditions and identify solutions for them. Prof. Pretorius’s research centres on blood and blood related diseases, and more recently on clotting pathology in patients with Covid and long-Covid. We discuss the commercialisation of research and innovations at universities, acknowledging access to resources from a variety of institutional disciplines to support development, whether it be legal advice for patents or business skills to operate companies. For example, BioCODE Technologies, a spin of company of the University of Stellenbosch develops point-of-care smart sensing solutions that detect novel circulating inflammatory molecules in the blood. BioCODE also provides a place for students to have their first experience in industry and prepare them for the external job market. Women are making an impact in STEM, notably in physiological sciences. Although they may be equipped with the skills and capabilities they need access to opportunities to realise their full potential. To help women on their career paths Prof. Pretorius advises seeking out a mentor that is in or near your field of interest for support, direction and networking; she also recommends learning how to market yourself and speak the language of your prospective employer; going for interview training to present and sell yourself and create demand for your skills and services with a potential employer. In closing Prof. Pretorius reflects on the value of keeping an open mind, “to join the dots” in new ways and derive new outcomes. She also embodies that sentiment that if you find your passion and make it your vocation you will never “work” a day in your life, because you enjoy what you are doing. Tune in for more…

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March 8, 2023

Prof. Resia Pretorius – Head Physiological Sciences – Stellenbosch University

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Professor Resia Pretorius, Department Head and Distinguished Research Professor in the Physiological Sciences Department, Faculty of Science, at S...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to the CEO of Microsoft South Africa Lillian Barnard. Microsoft has a market capitalisation in the region of USD 1.78 trn, ranking second in the world. It owns multiple subsidiaries, including LinkedIn, Skype and Xbox, and approximately 1.4bn people across the globe use one or more Microsoft products or service. Ms Barnard shares some of her career milestones. She also notes a few of the challenges she experienced working in a male dominated ICT industry, and shares how women can overcome these issues. Her tips include: being confident and finding your voice to make your point; being aware that you are an intellectual equal to your male peers; and seeking help and mentorship to navigate your career path. For example, the South African chapter of Women@Microsoft is a mentorship instrument that spurs a culture which encourages gender equality in the workplace We note the importance of IT throughout society with an emphasis on digital transformation and the need for women to pursue careers in IT and take advantage of economic opportunities. It starts with demystifying what it means to have an IT career and exposing young women to technology, letting them touch it, see it and play with it. Ms Barnard closes with a few words of wisdom: 1. Believe in yourself and your abilities. Don't let self-doubt hold you back from pursuing your dreams. 2.  Seek out mentors and allies who can support you in your journey. Don't be afraid to ask for help or guidance. 3.  Embrace challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning. Remember that failure is not the end, but a stepping stone on the path to success. 4.  Celebrate your successes and the successes of other women around you. Lift each other up and help create a world where all women can thrive. 5.   Finally, never forget the power of your own voice and the impact you can make in the world. You have the ability to shape your own destiny and to make a difference in the lives of those around you. So go out there and make your mark!

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March 1, 2023

CEO Microsoft South Africa – Lillian Barnard – Women in IT

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to the CEO of Microsoft South Africa Lillian Barnard. Microsoft has a market capitalisation in the region of USD 1.78 trn, ranking second in the worl...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to neurophysiologist Candice Bottcher from the Entabeni Epilepsy Laboratory at Life Entabeni Hospital in Durban, South Africa. According to the World Health Organisation approximately 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, a disorder that is characterised by abnormal brain activity that may cause seizures or bouts of unusual behaviour. South African statistics are a little higher than the global benchmark, which is partly attributed to higher incidences of head trauma; head injuries from violence and vehicle accidents. Other causes of epilepsy include encephalitis and meningitis, malformation of the brain, strokes, scarring from the removal of tumours, as well as genetic and hereditary epilepsies. Neurophysiologists monitor patients’ brainwaves during rest and periods of seizure and these diagnostics are used to inform patients’ treatment plans. The medical field advances constantly and through continuous education one is able to stay at the cutting edge of your specialisation and help pioneer developments. Ms Bottcher shares a personal experience of gender discrimination in her early years, noting how some people may judge a person based on their own limited stereotypes. She advises people to read the room and if you want to reach someone mirror their language and code of conduct. She reminds people to be resilient and focus on their purpose for long-term success. Tune in for more…

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February 16, 2023

Neurophysiologist Candice Bottcher – Entabeni Epilepsy Laboratory at Life Entabeni Hospital

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to neurophysiologist Candice Bottcher from the Entabeni Epilepsy Laboratory at Life Entabeni Hospital in Durban, South Africa. According to the World...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Professor Mmamosheledi (Mamza) Mothibe, who is Head of the Division of Pharmacology, in the Faculty of Pharmacy, at Rhodes University. We discuss some of her responsibilities in this role, from teaching and developing a curriculum that meets the criteria of the Pharmacy Council to managing the pharmacology division. Prof. Mothibe shares a few of her pharmacology research interests, which includes indigenous knowledge systems - focussing on the pharmacology and toxicology of medicinal plants/herbal medicines particularly African Traditional Medicine. She also discusses her work with the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) to better regulate commercial products that arise from traditional medicine that are safe and efficacious. Prof. Mothibe is a member of several professional organisations, namely South African Society for Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (SASBCP); South African Association of Health Educationalists (SAAHE); Toxicology Society of South Africa (TOXSA) and South African Society of Clinical Pharmacy (SASOCP). She shares how being part of various professional bodies accelerated her development, exposed her to peers and leaders, and enabled her to be part of steering the future of disciplines. Education has played a prominent role throughout Prof. Mothibe’s career, and she reminds us that life is not a straight line, there will be challenges in our paths as well as opportunities, but if you keep focussing on your dreams the vision will come to fruition. Tune in for more…

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February 8, 2023

Professor Mmamosheledi (Mamza) Mothibe – Head of the Division of Pharmacology, in the Faculty of Pharmacy, at Rhodes University

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Professor Mmamosheledi (Mamza) Mothibe, who is Head of the Division of Pharmacology, in the Faculty of Pharmacy, at Rhodes University. We discuss s...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Dr. Susan Coetzer, who is a specialist geriatrician and specialist physician in private practice. She is vice-president of the South African Geriatrics Society. Human life expectancy is on the rise, in part thanks to healthier lifestyles and improved medical care. In South Africa male life expectancy is 59 and females 65. As people progress through various life stages they have different needs, with health taking a higher priority. The five main ailments affecting older people include: osteoporosis, dementia and brain disorders, iatrogenesis, incontinence and delirium. Aging women tend to be at higher risk of osteoporosis, frailty and dementia. To help reduce the risks of age-related conditions Dr. Coetzer recommends staying physically active, stimulating your mind, and limiting your intake of alcohol and smoking - your future self will always thank you. Tune in for more…

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February 2, 2023

Dr. Susan Coetzer – specialist geriatrician and specialist physician

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Dr. Susan Coetzer, who is a specialist geriatrician and specialist physician in private practice. She is vice-president of the South African Geriat...

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