To celebrate Women’s Day, the Small Business Academy at Stellenbosch Business School is hosting a Hats & Heels Leader’s Angle for Women Small Business owners.

 

This stylish business breakfast will be an opportunity to be inspired and empowered by Jo-Anne Strauss who will speak on Building a Brand and Amplifying Your Social Media Presence while Prof Renata Schoeman will focus on Women & Mental Health. We will also have a breathing and grounding session with mindfulness teacher Nadia Padayachi.

 

If you are a business owner and you need mentorship either in building your online brand, or you are a woman who needs support with mental health tools to thrive in your work environment, this will be an opportunity for you to ask questions from our panel of experts.

 

We look forward to having you join our conversation.

 

 

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

 

Jo-Ann Strauss

Both in South Africa and worldwide, she is renowned for her ability to seamlessly integrate her witty charm and take audiences on an insightful and entertaining journey throughout the proceedings she hosts.

She has been the brand ambassador of multinational companies and sits on the boards of various organisations as well as the advisory board of one of Africa’s top business schools, Stellenbosch Business School. She has served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and has four children aged 9 and under with her husband, a Professor of Orthopedic Surgery.  She produced a media property that enables young influencers to carve profitable and sustainable businesses in the new sphere of media and has over 700 000 followers across the most popular platforms.

She has MC’ed conferences for bespoke brands on 5 continents and traveled extensively as a television host and producer. Her innate sense of style has earned her a number of awards and magazine covers. She is passionate about entrepreneurship and creating an environment in her home country which helps people grow their own businesses.

 

Prof Renata Schoeman

Renata Schoeman has been in full-time private practice as a general psychiatrist since 2008. As a psychiatrist, she has special interests in cognition and has been particularly active in raising awareness for ADHD in adults and children. She also holds appointments as Associate Professor in Leadership at Stellenbosch Business School, as head of the Business School's Health Care Leadership MBA, and as a virtual faculty member of Stellenbosch Business School Executive Development’s Neuroleadership programme. 

She serves on the advisory boards of various pharmaceutical companies, as a director of the Psychiatric Management Group (PsychMG) and is the convenor of the South African Society of Psychiatrist (SASOP) special interest group for adult ADHD, and co-founder of the Goldilocks and The Bear Foundation. 

 

 

 

 

Nadia Mohamed

Nadia Mohamed is currently the Avon Justine Executive Marketing Director responsible for strategy, brand communications, digital eco-system enablement, media and research.

A seasoned executive, entrepreneur, and visionary leader with an exceptional track record in marketing, brand communications, commercial and strategy. With a passion for manifesting purpose-led brands, that play a role in society to support positive growth in communities. In this spirit she has successfully built and nurtured brands across diverse industries, leaving an indelible mark on the global multinational landscape.

Her previous roles include Marketing Director at Mondelez International: Africa region, and prior to that the role of Commercial and Marketing Director for McCain Foods Retail and Foodservice Africa. Furthermore, she has worked for global Telecommunications brand Vodafone and Retail and FMCG organisations such as Woolworths, AVI and more recently returned from Australia after being Chief Marketing Officer of Tyme Digital at Commonwealth Bank of Australia – the world’s 10th largest bank.

Nadia is also a successful entrepreneur combined with her full commitment to advocate for social impact and positive change. In her youth, she served as a Global Shaper representing Africa at the World Economic Forum, which included crucial discussions on global challenges and solutions with respect to developing markets. Therefore, she takes great pride in her role as a Non-Executive Director for two non-profit organisations which shows her dedication to aiding society.

She also serves as a jury and council member for the Gerety Awards, Marketing Achievement Awards, the Effies and many more. She currently serves on the board of the Women’s Business Network for the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, which is a pivotal organization that aids global society.

Her innovative and forward-thinking approach to business has earned her accolades as one of South Africa's most respected brand custodians.

With her role at Avon Justine Nadia is ready to take her purpose-driven leadership and drive visionary change in one of the leading beauty brands globally. Her passion for empowering communities, her achievements in marketing and strategy, and her commitment to social impact make her a trailblazer and a driving force for positive change.

 

Nadia Padayachi

For founder Nadia Padayachi, yoga started in high school as an alternative to netball or hockey. Becoming a yoga teacher happened entirely by chance in 2016, following a sixteen-year career in various corporate institutions. A few life events have shaped her teaching style and practice, namely growing up in the Cape Flats in the 90s, a turbulent family life, maintaining a lengthy corporate career, a hip operation and finding herself in unsafe spaces. Ultimately, finding solace in her mind and body became a bigger priority as time passed.

In learning about herself through unravelling and reflecting, she found a need for a shared space for people and their lived experience - and where words did not suffice, there was ample room for movement, for re-rooting and connecting with the body as a means of healing.

By moving mindfulness into organisations such as schools and corporate spaces, Nadia skillfully allows participants to ground themselves. Mindfulness circles become an insightful experience for each individual and allow teams to connect at a deeper level. The foundation of every course is mindfulness skills which can become tools for managing the ups and downs of life. Layed on top are leadership perspectives which emphasise responsibility, accountability and deep empathy when leading teams at every level of the organisation. 

Grounded was inspired by a deep need for a nurturing environment unrestrictive to taking oneself apart and piecing back together, slowly and intentionally. I look forward to sharing and connecting with you.