League of Successful Business Women 2020 March2020

EDITOR’S DESK

Avalue-drivenbusinessasweknowisworthmillions. Butlittledoweunderstandtheessenceofit,thewayit isoperatedandthemethodsthroughwhichtheprocess iscarriedoutcanbemorecomplexthanjustrudimentary routinework.Fromtheoutside,itmaygivetheimpressionthat thebusinessisgoingsmoothly.Itsgrowthratemaybefast,but actually,toknowthecomprehensiveactivitiesthatinvolvethe biggerpictureisquiteatroublesometask.Businessinitselfis verydynamic.Itscontinuousevolutionandchangingtrends redefineitstendencyofoperabilityandcompelthebusiness ownertogrowwiththechangesorgooutofthebusiness.The term, ‘go big or go home’ suitablysuggeststheemotionof doingbusiness.

Itsadversitiesmakeeverypersonwhoisinvolvedincarrying outthebusiness’sdailyactivities,aseasonedprofessional.One mustbereadytoputalloftheireffortsinordertoyield optimumresultsinthebusiness,especiallywhenitcomesto profitmaximization.That’showabusinessgrows,withaclear visiontosucceedinallitsaspectsandtheeffortsoneperson putsintotheoperations.Theeffortsthatwearetalkingabout mayvaryfromvariousperspectives.Buttheessenceofit remainsthesame.

In this dynamicsofbusinessandsuccess,onefactorthathas beenadifferentiatorwithallitscomprehensiveinputsare women.Women,wherevertheymaybe,whatevertimeline, havebeendisruptingthebusinessenvironmentfromtheword. Theyhaveprovedthemselvesineveryzone,everyarray,every verticalofeveryindustry,thattheycanbringsolutionsuniquely suitedtothebusinessrequirements. Celebratingandencouragingtheeffortsshownbythewomenin business,InsightsSuccesswithitslatestedition-‘Leagueof SuccessfulBusinessWomen2020’,wishestoshowcasethe storiesofsomeextraordinarywomenwhoareinaleagueof theirown.

FirstinlinewiththisleagueisAnnChapman-Managing DirectorandCo-founderofMinesoft,whoisproviding leading-edgepatentingsolutionsthatcanconnecttothe targetaudienceefficiently.Sheisabibliophilewhoisfond ofwrittenwordsandlanguages.CaraScharfthroughher firmFearlessMediaisenablingvariousdigitalmarketing services,specializinginentertainment,retail,education, andtechnologyverticals.Itisafull-service,NYC-based companyandCarawhileleadingitcontributestocreating beautifullyintegratedsolutionsandcommunicationacross allmediaplatforms.

Contributingtofindingbettersolutionsfortheissuesrelated toinflammation,Dr.CarolineBarelle,CEOofElasmogen hasbeenconductingvariousresearches.Hervisionforthe futureistobuildandgrowthecompanyintheclinicaldrug developmentprocess.Also,DianaWilliams-Founderand ManagingDirectorofFernwoodWomen’sHealthClubs believesinanotionofleadingthebusinessthatprovides class-aparthealthandwellnessexperiencetoitsesteemed members.Sheproudlyleadsateamofsuperstarswhoare relentlesslyworkingtowardsbringinghervisiontolife.The clusterincludesanamethathassignificantlycontributedto thegrowthofMcAfeeLLC,adevice-to-cloudsecurity companyprovidingmanystate-of-the-artsolutionsinboth, enterpriseandconsumerspace.Dr.CelesteFralick,Chief DataScientistandSeniorPrincipalEngineerofthe company,ishelpinginfacilitatingpositiveexperienceto customerswhileenablingleading-edgescientificsolutions. Wehavealsoincludedthestoryofaresult-focusedand dedicatedleader,ErnaGrasz.BeingtheCo-founderand CEOofAsanteAfricaFoundation,shebelievesthat educationisthewayupandoutofpovertyamongother adversities.Withthisidea,shehasbeeninvestinginlocal talentsandpartnershipstoensurelong-termsustainability inbusinessaswellasinsociety

Preachingahealthylifestylewhileworkingwithnature, JeanneGroenewaldisfollowingafree-rangemethodof raisingpoultrydemanded.Inthismethod,chickens,for somepartofthedayareallowedtoroamoutdoorsfreely ratherthanbeingconfinedfor24hoursaday Thispractice

isreallyworthareadandInsightsSuccesshasbroughtits readersthesame.Anotherbignamethatismotivatinga well-roundedlifestylewithminimizingthewastageoffood throughsustainableinnovationisJennyCosta.Sheis workingastheCEOofRubiesintheRubble,andheridea ofputtingthecountry’ssurplusproducetogooduseis reallymakingadifference.TheSeniorVicePresidentof VirginGalactic,JuliaHunterhasalsomadeittothe leagueasherrelentlesseffortstocounterthechallengeof humanspace-flightaretrulycommendable.Itisaconstant motivationandaplaceoflearningforher.Readmoreabout itinthecolumn.

Livingbytheprinciplesofsurvivalwithapositiveattitude, MargaretHirschisaninspirationtomany.Shehasbeen settinganexamplethroughsheerdeterminationwhile leadingHirsch’sHomestoresforforty-oneyearsasthe ChiefOperationsExecutive.Doreadherfulfillingjourney towardsupliftingotherstoachievetheirdreams.Nextin lineforthementionintheleagueisMarinaTognetti As theFounderandCEOofmYngle,sheisenablinga marketplacethatprovidesone-to-oneteachingofall languagesovertheinternet.Howisshedoingit?Well,you havetogiveitareadtofindthatout.Finally,endingthis clusterofexemplarystories,InsightsSuccessispresenting thetaleofShielaButchRoxasDimaculangan.Sheisan activeMunicipalAccountantinthecityofSanTeodoro, OrientalMindoro.Shehasbeenservingthereformorethan twenty-twoyearsinthesamepositionwithpassionand zeal.

So,appreciatingandcelebratingeachandeverywomanon thispanel,InsightsSuccessurgesitsreaderstohelp motivateandrecognizetheeffortsandstrugglestheyhave putintobuildingtheirrespectivebusinessesbyreadingtheir incrediblestories.

Ofce

ANN CHAPMAN

Ann Chapman MD & Co-founder

Patentingisanimportant activitytosecureintellectual propertyandsellgoods abroad.Agoodpatentingsolution everyorganizationneedstoexploit thecommercialvalueofIPand scientificinformationthroughoutthe innovationprocess.AnnChapman isprovidingsuchleading-edge patentingsolutionsthatcanconnect tothetargetaudienceinarightful manner.

Annisabibliophilewholoves writtenwordsandlanguages.Sheis theManagingDirectorand Co-founderofMinesoftwhoalways findsnewwaysofcraftinginnovative softwaresolutionsconcerning patentingrequirements. Disseminationofinformationand knowledgeiswhatalwaysinspires her.

Annbeganhercareerworkingwith renownedpublishingcompany, ThomsonReuters(thenknownas InternationalThompson)andwas sentallovertheworldtovisitclients andsecurebusiness.Later,she movedtoanotherUSpublishing company(ZiffDaviesGroup)inthe fieldofbusinessinformation (companiesandmarkets).Aftersome time,shereturnedtopatentsandScitechpublishingwithFranceTelecom Group.

Aftergainingvitalexperienceofthe professionalworld,sheultimately tooktheplungeintothe entrepreneurialworld.Asa businessperson,Anngivesspecial attentiontoMarketing,PRand Financeoperationstoagreat level.Besidesthese,sheisvery muchactiveindevelopingthe skillsetsandmanagement teamtoboostorganizational efficiencyandproductivity

A Bibliophile, Creating waves in the Patenting Vertical'

Shegivesspecialcredittoherhusband OphirDaniel,aseasonedprofessional forherremarkablesuccessastheMD ofMinesoft.

Ophirdrivesinnovationthrough productdesign,developmentandIT infrastructure.Heisageniusinnovator whohasanewideaeveryday.Hegrew upasanengineeronakibbutzin Israel,abigcollectivefarmwith advancedmanufacturingfacilities.

RahmanHyatt,BoardDirector,is anotherkeypersonatMinesoft,who hasassistedsignificantlytowardsthe growthofMinesoft.

“We also have a highly motivated and hardworking team that is comprises of adept professionals. In my opinion, a company needs a variety of assets for prolonged success and it is the role of the leader to enable others to fulfil their potential too,” assertsAnn.

Minesoft’sIllustriousOfferingsand RemarkableFeats

Withleadingcorporations,patent officesandlawfirmsamongits customers,Minesofthascomealong wayfromitshumblebeginnings.Ithas achievedthiswithouttakingonoutside investmentbutinsteadinalwaysbeing forwardthinkingingrowingthe company’snetworkandlocatingnew partners.

Minesoft’shistoryspansover20years ofinnovationanddevelopment–an achievementinitself.In2003, Minesoft&RWSlaunchedPatBase,a newsearchabledatabaseofpatent documentsdesignedbyexpertsinthe complexartofthepatentinformation research.Sincethefirstcritically acclaimedpublicdemonstrationsin 2003,PatBasehasgoneontoattract over70,000usersworldwide.

“Whilst we are probably best known

for PatBase, a professional patent search and analytics system, we have clients so far spread that many never search at all,” statedAnn. “ For example, legal operations professions who may be paralegals or the like require access to clean data but for entirely different purposes.”

In2009,Minesoftwontheprestigious Queen’sAwardforEnterpriseforan outstandingachievementinrapidly growingexportmarketsinthefieldof IntellectualProperty(patent) information–atributetothe internationalsuccessofPatBaseandto thededicationofthedevelopment, salesandsupportstaffbehindit.

Minesofthasexpandeditsportfolioof innovativepatentinformationproducts toincludePatBaseExpress, PatentOrder,PatentFamilyPortal, PatentTracker,LegalStatusTracker, CiteTracker,ChemicalExplorer,PatKMandPatBaseAnalytics.This continuousinnovationwas instrumentalinMinesoftbeing awardedtheQueen’sAwardfor Enterpriseforasecondtimein2015. TheAwardwasgivenforan impressive,sustainedgrowthin InternationalTrade,thecompany havingdemonstratedanoutstanding achievementinrapidlygrowingexport marketsinthefieldofIntellectual Property(patent)information.

Thecompanyhasintroducedanew productcalledPatDocsinlate2018 whichprovidesfullyautomatedpatent familytrees,theabilitytoinstantly createafullyfilledinSB-08 informationdisclosuredocument (readyforPTOsubmission),theability todownloadanynumberofpatent PDFs(inbulkorindividually)within secondsandtheabilitytocreatea sharableworkproductbetween colleaguesorbetweeninsideand

outsidecounsel.

UniquenessoftheCompany

Minesoftisarenownedpatentsolution providerthathaspartneredwiththe WorldIntellectualProperty Organization(WIPO)intheASPI programme.Itprovidesresearchersin developingcountriesfreeorlow-cost accesstosophisticatedtoolsand services,likePatBase,forretrieving andanalyzingpatentdatatohelpdrive innovationworldwide.Minesofthas beenprovidingindustrywithreliable andpowerfulsolutionstoaccessthe technologicalandscientific informationthatisoftenonlyavailable inpatentsforthepast20years.

“We invest a lot of time and effort in the design and development of exactly the type of search tools our User Base requires to handle the multiplicity of data and sources – based on the feedback we receive,” addedAnn.

“Giving unfettered access to this data helps to drive innovation worldwide and make big advances in the scientific and technological landscapes whether it's a new pharmaceutical drug or technology for electric vehicles… building on these ideas can change the world for the better,” statedAnn.

FutureEndeavour

Minesoftisworkingondevelopinga newsearchenginethatshouldbe releasedlaterthisyear.Moreover,the companyisreadytodevelopsomeneat newfunctionalityinareaslikenatural languagesearchingandsemantics.

“We will also develop the area of automated translations and landscaping analysis. In the coming 10 years, Ophir and I will continue to travel widely to learn about our globe and help develop new technologies for the future,” concludedAnn.

“Nothing is static and embracing change is an advantage in business life but keeping focus on the bigger picture helps me personally”

CARASCHARF

BuildingSpectacularMarketingCampaigns

ALeapofFaith

Comfort-zoneisabeautifulthing.Itkeepsyouhappyin yourownlittlespace,whereyoucanbaskinthe achievementsofyourworld.However,itmakesyoutoo comfortabletoexploreyourownstrengths.Youneverknow whatyouarecapableofdoingifyoudon’tgiveitatry

Cara,untiltheyear2009,workedasExecutiveVice Presidentatanagencywhereshesuccessfullyledthe agency’sgrowthandbusinessdevelopment,byboostingthe company’srevenuefrom10millionto50millionUSD.

Forsomeonelikeher,whothrivesinchallenges,thesense ofcomfortsoonbecameoverbearing.Shesays, “I’d risen to the highest level I could with that firm, but I found myself feeling unsatisfied and unhappy. When my former employer asked me to climb to get a paperclip, that was when I knew It was time. Leaving was a huge decision, but a quick one. I knew I had to be my own boss so I would never feel taken advantage of again.”

DigitalMediahasopenedupavenuesformarketing

today,likeneverbefore.Foranycompany,the prospectiveclientsarejustaclickaway To compeldigitalmediauserstochooseorclickforone’s services,acompanyneedsmediacampaignswhichare attention-grabbingandunmissable.

CaraScharfledFearlessMediaisdoingjustthatand more.FearlessMediaisafull-service,NYC-baseddigital marketingagency,specializingintheentertainment,retail, education,andtechnologyverticals.Itcreatesbeautifully integratedsolutionsandcommunicationacrossallmedia andhelpscompaniesdevelopmarketingstrategies,execute campaigns,anddriverevenue.Thecompanybelievesthat everyelementofacampaignisvitalandinformseachnext element,whichiswhyitsapproachisalwaysintegrated.

Cara’syearsofexperienceandmotivatedpersonaresulted intheestablishmentofFearlessMedia.Aftertakingthe hugedecisionofstartingonherown,shewasnowfaced witheverydaydecision-makingtokeephernewcompanyat thetopofthecharts.

Theinitialtwoyearsgotherworkingonallaspectswhich weretiringandgratifyingatthesametime.Carasoon becameasuccessfulandrenownedbusinesswoman.

Herearethecurrentawards-rathertheybecurrent

•InfluentialBusinesswomanOfTheYear2019–Leading AdAgencyInMarketChannelIntegration

•Global100–MostInnovativeMarketingBusiness Leader2019

Cara Scharf Fearless Media

•InsightsSuccess2019–The2019Elite BusinesswomanToWatch

•ClutchAwards2018–TopNewYorkMarketing &AdvertisingAgencies|US

•Oprah/Entrepreneur MagazineSeptember2018–TopNYWomenIn BusinessSectionFeature

FearlessSolutions

UnderCara’stutelage,teamFearlessMediahasdeveloped aprovencombinationofstrategy,planning,andoverall innovationwhichenablesitsclientstobeFearless.The companycreatespowerfulintegratedsolutionsand communicationacrossallmediafortheclientcompany.It canbuildanddevelopmarketingstrategies,execute campaigns,anddriverevenuetobringthecompanytothe frontlinesofitsrespectiveindustry.EverythingatFearless Mediabeginswith‘digital’atitscore.Itsproprietary, customizedanalyticdashboardgivestheclient'sbrand managementteamtheexactdatatheyneedtomake informeddecisions.

ItscorecompetenciesincludeStrategicPlanningand Buying,ProgrammaticBuying,Co-MarketingStrategic Alliances,In-DepthAnalytics,andTraditionalMedia.We alsoworkinthecoredemographicofthe18-34yr.audience andweknowhowtoreachthem.Wehaveavast understandingoftheesports,videogameandconsumer electronicscategories.

PeopleMatter

Asavaluedleader,Carabelievesthatsuccessinbusiness dependsheavilyonthekindofpeopleyouhire.Shestates, “You need to hire skills for today and aptitude for tomorrow. It’s crucial to hire smarter people than yourself.” Everyyearthebarisraisedforanadagency,whichmeans yourhiringneedsareevenmoreimportant.Itisimperative thatyouhavetherightskillsetsandadjustyourstaffingas neededbasedonwhereyouseethemarketheading.Atthe sametime,asawoman,shefeelsthatwoman empowermentshouldn’tbetalked-aboutbutworked-on. Theneedfordiversity,notonlyinthemarketingand advertisingindustrybutacrossallindustriesisirrefutable.

Citingherownexample,Carastates, “I think people take for granted how driven you need to be to run your own company. They typically reserve that ‘drive’for a man and resent when women are tigers. You don’t need confidence to start, you need guts. The confidence comes with knowing you have been able to beat all the odds. Only 0.1% of the founders in advertising are female. That is what I think about, if I ever start to doubt my abilities. I am still here 10 years later, and I keep learning every day.”

DrivingDigitalExperiences

Foradecade,Caraandherteamhavebeenbuildingand deliveringcompellingdigitalmarketingexperiences.They havebeencreatingpersonalizedexperienceswhichengage andconvertclient'scustomersinmemorableandenticing waysacrossallplatforms.Theyhavebeencombining storytellingwithdata-proveninsightstocreatesocialmedia messagingthat’snotjustcompelling,butalsoprofitable.

Goingforward,FearlessMediawillcontinuetounify media,creative,andbuyingstrategiestocreate omnichannelcampaignsthatwillincreasereach,awareness, engagementandretention.

ToknowhowFearlessMediacancarveyourspacein today’sfast-pacedworld,clickhere.

We are your link to better reach, deeper message, and a relevant place in today’s fast-paced world

Caroline Barelle

An Ingenious Leader with a Vision of Delivering Novel Drugs to Patients

Manytimespeoplesufferfromsomeself-

generateddiseasewhichmightleadtosome serioushealthissues.Inflammationisonesuch self-generateddefensemechanismthatstillremainsoneof theuntouchedmedicalconditions.Inflammationgenerally occursasaself-defensemechanisminresponsetosome foreignbodyoraninjury.But,quiteoftenthiscanresultin unnecessaryrapidreactionsbybodilyorgans.This sometimesleadstoserioushealthproblemsandinextreme cases,canbefatal.

Withvariousresearchesbeingconductedtofindabetter solutionfortheissuesfacedduetoinflammation,veryfew havemanagedtocontributetoit.Onesuchpersonalityis Dr.CarolineBarelle,CEOofElasmogen.Elasmogenisin theprocessofnext-generationsoloMERproducts.These productswillbehelpfulforthesight-savingtreatmentof inflammatorydiseasesoftheeyesandinflammatory conditionsofthegut.

CarolineisagraduateinbiochemistryfromtheUniversity ofAberdeen.ShehascompletedherPh.D.inbiochemistry andlaterchosetodevelopherbusinessskillsbycompleting anMBA.Currently,asaCEO,Carolineplaysasignificant roleatElasmogen.Shehandlesalltheaspectsofthe companyfromsecuringinvestmentsandmakingstrategic decisionsaboutthedirectionofthebusinesstooverseeing thescienceprograms.

OvercomingtheChallenges

Likeanyotherentrepreneur,Caroline’sinitialjourneywith Elasmogenwasquitedifficult.Thebiggestchallengeshe facedwastostartabiotechcompanyandtosecuremoney forit.Asabiotechstartup,themainfocuswasonsettingup alabandnegotiatingtheshareholdingstructurealongwith employingthecorrectteam.

Carolinesays, “Every activity was one that I had never done before so it was all new and much of it such as the legal and accountancy activities were conducted in a totally different language from scientific speak!”

Themajorissueemergedwhenthecompanywas established.Carolineandherteamhadtocontinuously maintainandsecuretheinvestments.Apartfromthe investments,shehadtomaximizeproductivityandachieve thedesiredgoalintheworldoftherapeuticdrug development.

Havingdoneherstudiesinbiochemistry,Carolinealways wantedtocontributehercareerindrugdiscoveryand development.Fromthis,shegetsthemotivationtoruna biotechfirmsothatitwillbenefitnumeroushumanlivesin thecomingyears.Thiswillalsocreateopportunitiesfor scientiststodeveloptheirskillsandproveandsharethe successforbetterdrugdelivery

AccordingtoCaroline,thegreatestachievementtodateis thatshewascourageousenoughtosetupanewbiotech company.Shenotonlystartedacompanybut, alsohelped itreachalevelthroughthesesevenyears.Sheadds, “I also take great pride in being able to provide jobs for fantastic people who are the most important asset - we work hard but also make time to enjoy what we do.”

NovelDrugDiscovery

AsElasmogenhasjuststarteditsjourney,itaimstoprovide noveldrugstotheworld.Thejourneyoftheseproposed medicineshastoreachouttopatientswhoareinabsolute need.Caroline,withherscientists,designsanddevelops suchnoveldrugs.

Currently,thecompanyisfocusedondevelopingtypesof drugswhichareantibody-like.Thesedrugsarenamedas soloMERs.Themarkettodayisdominatedbysuch antibody-baseddrugsandthesedrugsbyElasmogenwill provehelpfulinchangingpatient’slives.

My personal motivation comes from a place where it has always been –contributing a small part to a drug that makes it to the clinic and benefits patients and along that journey supporting fantastic scientists who share that vision

“

Caroline Barelle CEO

Women BUSINESS

LEAGUE OF SUCCESSFUL 2020

Dr.

Elasmogen’scoreproductsareforthetreatmentof inflammatory,auto-immunediseaseandcancer The developmentofdrugschangeswithtime.Withthe advancementintechnology,learning,refiningand improvementofresearchanddevelopmentoccur.Thisis helpingElasmogentodevelopthenextgenerationof biologicdrugstoimproveclinicaloutcomes.

GrowingwithOthers

Anentrepreneurhasplentyofresponsibilitieswhenit comestomanagingacompanyanditsteam.Carolinegets herinspirationfromthepeoplesheissurroundedby.She believesthatoneshouldsurroundthemselvesbythepeople whocreatepositivityandhelponegrow.Itisofutmost importancetointeractwithpeoplewhohavegonethrougha similarjourneythatonewantstofollow

Carolinementions, “And finally in the words of Grace Hopper ‘it’s better to seek forgiveness than permission’ – essentially just go for it!”

Apartfromthesupportingsystem,oneneedstobe innovative.Carolineadds, “Innovation is at the core of what we do and so provided it is adding value to the company and indeed the potential to be a life-changing drug then letting the team be curious and creative is easy as those are inherent characteristics of a good research scientist.”

Further,Carolinewantsafuturewithavisiontobuildand growthecompanyintheclinicaldrugdevelopment process.Shewantstobringherfirstproducttothemarket andenterclinicaltrialsfollowedbyarobustpipelineof nextstageproducts.

With any technology, there is a learning, refining and improvement process which is where Elasmogen sits – we are developing the next generation of biologic drugs to improve clinical outcomes

“ “

Diana Williams

An Authentic & Creative Thinker Driving a Holistic Wellness Experience

Anentrepreneurialspiritisinnatelynurturedand developedthroughcontinuousself-development alongwithsimultaneousgrowthinthebusiness. Withcalculatedrisksandasprinkleoffaith,most challengescanbeaddressedactively. Puttingyourselfout thereandbelievinginyourselfisthekeytounderstanding howthebusinesscanbemovedforwardwithazealto achievesuccess.Atfirst,someoftheideasmaybeflawed butsurroundingyourselfwithpeoplewhoarepracticaland resourcefulcanhelpinmeasuringrisksandawell-thought planalongwithitscontingenciescanhelpscalebusinessto newheights.

DianaWilliams,FounderandManagingDirectorof FernwoodWomen’sHealthClubsbelievesinasimilar notionandisleadingabusiness,thatprovidesaclass-apart healthandwellnessexperiencetoitsesteemedmembers. ThejourneyofFernwoodFitnessbeganthirty-oneyears agoinBendigo,CentralVictoria.Onehumblegym blossomedintoanAustralia-widefranchisebusiness, exclusivelyforwomen.

Shefeelsfortunatetoleadateamofsuperstarswho continuouslyworktowardsbringinghervisiontolife. “Together we pioneer new offerings to ensure our members always experience a holistic health, fitness and wellness experience,” saysDiana.

FernwoodFitnessanditsnetworkofholisticwomen’s healthclubsofferawiderangeoffitness,well-being services,andprograms.Itincludesstrengthtraining,HIIT training,personaltraining,yoga,reformerPilates,group fitness,foodcoaching,meditationandwellnessprograms, andchildcareservices.

Whilefacilitatingnewtrendsinfitnessandhealth,Diana hasbeenawardedmanyaccoladesandrecognitionoverthe years.AfewincludebeinginductedintotheFitness IndustryHallofFame,theAustralianBusinesswomen’s

HallofFame,TheFranchisingHallofFameandthe BendigoBusinessHallofFame.Shehasalsobeenawarded theAustralianNationalTelstraBusinessWomanofthe Year,theNationalFranchisingWomanoftheYear,and BRWTop10fastestgrowingcompaniesthreeyearsina row.

Beingrecognizedthroughawardsisafantasticwayto catalogsuccessandprogression.ForDiana,themain accomplishmentsarenottheawardsandaccoladessomuch ashearingaboutwomenchangingtheirlivesforthebetter, inwhichevertheyseefit,importantlythroughFernwood.

Diana’sDynamics

Dianaworkswithhighlytalentedandself-drivenpeople. “They don’t need me to motivate them; they take ownership

“ “

Diana Williams Founder & Managing Director

of their roles and are proud of their achievements,” sharesDiana.Herroleinthe businessistoensurethatthenewenthusiastic andambitiousmembersoftheteamare welcomedgraciouslyandthattheirgrowth andpotentialisfosteredbyaconducive workspace.Apositiveandthrivingcultureis paramounttogettingthejobdonewell.

Accordingtoher,oneofthechallengesof beinganentrepreneuristakingthetimeto analyzeandproblem-solvenewconcepts.The entrepreneurialtendencyistowardspositivity andbeingrisk-awarewithoutseriously consideringtheideaoffailure.

Thefitnessandwellnessindustry,muchlike mostotherindustries,isconstantlyevolving andshiftingtomeettheever-changingneeds anddemandsoftheconsumer “I have never been content with resting on my laurels,” statesDiana.Innovationiskeytobeing successfulinbusiness.Dianafeelstobeatthe peakofgrowthinherbusinesswhenshelets hercreativityandideasflowfreely.

“The thing that motivates me is seeing how far the business has come from its humble beginning and how much further it has to grow to reach its full potential,” statesDiana. Shederiveshappinessandcan’thelpbutfeel proudwhenshehearssomeonesay,theyown orattendaFernwoodfacility.It’sarefreshing reminderthatthebusinesshasgrown, nurtured,andismakingapositiveimpactin otherpeople’slives.It’sextremelyrewarding andhighlymotivatingtokeepbuildingthe business.

Beyond2020...

Movingforwardtothefuture,Fernwoodwillcontinuetorolloutnewwomen’swellnessprograms.Throughthepartnership withDeakinUniversity’sFood&MoodCentre,Dianaandherteamhavecreatedaseriesofprogramstohelpwomentofind balanceandcalminthisconstantlychaoticworld.Theclub’sEmpowerprogram,inparticular,hasbeendesignedtoequip womenwiththetoolstoreducestressandburnout,boostconfidenceandself-carewhileincreasingoverallhealthand happiness.

“Ideas simply remain idle unless you have the ambition and support of a proficient and passionate team to support and nurture that dream until it reaches the finish line,” describesDiana.Beingasuccessfulentrepreneuralsoreliesonknowing whentoplaceanideaontheshelf.Likeagoodbottleofredwine,someideastaketimetoreachtheirfullpotentialand shouldonlybeuncorkedattheopportunetime.

DR. CELESTE FRALICK

PURSUING HER PASSION FOR DATA WITH PERSEVERANCE

LongbeforeDatabecamethegoldthatitistoday,

therewerepeoplewhoweretryingtomineit, processitandtransformitintocomprehensible content.Itistheirintensefocusthattheomnipresentdata todayisbeingutilizedtodevelopsolutionsinalmostevery industry

Dr.CelesteFralick,ChiefDataScientistandSenior PrincipalEngineer,McAfee,issurelyoneofthem.Her40 yearsofprofessionaljourneybeganasaQuality& Reliability(Q&R)EngineeratTexasInstruments.Herfirst assignmentwastodevelopstatisticalprocesscontrol(SPC) whereshebecameenamoredwithstatisticsanddata. AdditionalQ&RpositionsatFairchildSemiconductorand Medtroniccontinuedtofuelherdata-scienceon-the-job training.ShethenjoinedIntel,andstayedwiththespin-out, McAfee,wheresheworkstodayasChiefDataScientistand SeniorPrincipalEngineer.

McAfeeLLCisadevice-to-cloudsecuritycompanythat providesmanystate-of-the-artsolutionsinbothenterprise andconsumersegments.Ourproductscanbemixed-andmatchedtoprovidetherightsolutiontoanycustomer.With overabillionsensorsacrossmultiplethreatvectorsaround theworldthere’saLOTofdatatomoveandanalyzein milliseconds.

ReadonasDr.CelesteFralickspeakshermindandheart outonmattersthatareclosetoher

•Howdoyoukeepyourselfmotivated?Pleasetellus aboutwhatinspiresyouandwhodoyoulookupto.

Iammostimpressedwithourleadershipteam,including ourCTO(SteveGrobman),andVPofEnterprise Engineering(LyndaGrindstaff)whowerelong-timeIntel employees–itisnottritetosayIfollowedthemto McAfee!Iwasabletohireawickedsmartteamthat

inspiresmedaily,andIamsurroundedbytechieswho wanttocatchthebadguyandseamlesslyprotectus.Itisa verymission-orientedmarket–likemedical,wherepeople feeldriventohelpandserve,andtheairiselectricwith theirpassion.Ikeepmyselfmotivatedbylearningdaily fromeachofthem.

•Sharewithusthemostmemorableandremarkable momentofyourlife,inaprofessionalscenario.Also sharewithusthelowestphaseofyourlifeorthe toughestdealtocrack.

Therehavebeenmany!BeingselectedbyForbesin2018 asoneoftheAmerica’sTop50WomeninTech,presenting thekeynotewithMcAfeeCTOSteveGrobmanatthe2019 RSAconference,creatingamedicalproductgroupatIntel, leadinga150-membercompanytechnicalengineering committee,andchangingtheculturefordataandwomen ateachcompany–well,everyinstancewasincredibly memorable.Asalower-middleclasskidfromsmall-town Alaska,Iconsidermyselfquitelucky,butIhaveworked veryhardtoearnmystripes.

MytoughestchallengewasrealizingIwasblindtoa particularleadershippillar(“enablingotherstoact”per thebook“TheLeadershipChallenge”byKouzesand Posner)thatwaslimitingmysuccess.Youcan’tfixwhat youdon’tknowiswrong.Itwasverydifficultbut, followingmyprojectsand“awakening”,Iwasnotonly awardedthe“mostimproved”trophybutmyprojectswere sosuccessful,Iwaspromotedshortlythereafter.

•Stateusyourmajorachievementsandyourcompany’s achievementsunderyourleadership.

Dataisthelifebloodofourcompanyandweare embracingitsleading-edgescienceandpositiveimpactto ourcustomers’experience.Weleadourindustryinthe

studyofAdversarialMachineLearning(“ModelHacking”), DeepFakes,andExplainableArtificialIntelligence,to namejustafew.Ourtranslationalresearchinsecurity analyticsaswellasthecreationofanAnalyticCenterof Excellenceenableourproductstobeinnovativewitha minimumoffalsepositivesandfalsenegatives.I’dliketo thinkwehaveenabledMcAfeetobeadata-driven companywithindustry-bestsecurityanalytics,anditis reflectedinourindustryrecognizedhighratings.

•Howdoyouensurethatthere’sahealthycultureatthe workspace?

AsaStage4breastcancerpatient,Iemphasizetoanyone whowilllistentogetamammogram.Itsavedmylife,as doestheevery-three-weekchemothatIenduretostay alive.WhileIaminremission(nearlyfiveyears),the constantchemodoeswearmeoutandIhaveuniqueside effectsthatareoftendebilitating.So,healthcomesfirst. Nostress,nonegativity–stayhappy,stayhealthy.Enjoy yourwork,liveeverydaylikeit’syourlast.Itrytoensure thateveryoneIconnectwith–eventhoughIworkvirtual –feelsthesameway

•Whatwouldyouadvisetothebuddingandaspiring entrepreneurs?

Never,EVER,believeanyonewhentheytellyouthatyou can’tdosomething.Staytenaciousandfocused,goafter whatyouwant.Ifyou’vefailed,pullupyourbig-girl pantsandgoafteritagain.

•Whatarethemostimportantlessonsyou’velearned throughoutyourcareerandwouldliketoshare?

Buildyourcareeronyourstrengths,notweaknesses. Lead-don’tmanage:inspire,challenge,listen,encourage, andmodelthebehaviouryouexpect.Don’tstopthinking yourcrazyideas–justimplementthem.Beaduck–let therainrolloffyourback,staycalm,butpaddlelikecrazy togettowhereyouneedtogo.Don’tgetyourknickers twisted–therearemoreimportantthingsinlife.Keep yourbodyandmindhealthy.And,forgoodnesssakes, enjoythejourney.

TheJourneyinaNutshell

Dr.Fralickfoundherselfengrossedwithallthings statisticalassoonasshebeganhercareer.Sheconsiders herselffortunatetolearnfromthebest(likethelateDr JosephJuran);however,in1992shebecamerestlessto

formallylearn.ShebegananMSinBiomedical Engineering,focusedonstatistics,DesignofExperiments, andbioelectricitywhilestillworkingfull-timeandraising twoyoungboys.

SherecallsherIntelinterviewasa‘why-not?’,winging-it, unplannedinterview.Shewasabletoinfluenceamuch largercompanywhileshefinishedherBiomedical EngineeringPh.D.focusedonneuroscience,statistics,and neuralnetworks(NN),atechnologywhichhadsuffereda badreputationforyearsbuthasbecomeincredibly fashionable.Dr.Fralickwasfortunatetobeontheleading edgeoftheircomebackandtransferheracademiclearning toherdailywork.AtMacAfee,herroleistoprovide company-widedatastrategyaswellasleadtheMcAfee AdvancedAnalyticsTeamtotranslateresearchofstate-ofthe-artsecurityanalyticsintoproducts.

Dr. Celeste Fralick Chief Data Scientist & Senior Principal Engineer

Dynamics of

Participation in the Ever-changing Modern Workforce

Gonearethedayswhenwomenwerestereotypedto acertainsetofskillsandprofessions,restricting themfromexploringtheworldofendless opportunities.Today,womenhaveannouncedtheirarrival inmanyfieldsofthebusinessworld.Therefore,itseems moreimportantthaneverbeforetorecognizefemale contributionsineveryprofession.

Fightingthroughbiasedworkcultureinfavourofmale dominance,womenhaveconqueredtheunconqueredonthe accountoftheirdistinctcalibreandpredilections.Inthe timeswhentheworldfemaleparticipationrateistothe dispiritinglevelsofaround67%andpay-offrateofabout 63%,achievementsbywomengo-gettersarepraiseworthy.

Listeningcapabilitiesisoneofthe distinguishingaspectsoffemininespeciesascomparedto theirmalecounterparts.Instillingandpursuingones thoughtsisundoubtedlyimportantforeffectiveworking. Butbeingabetterlistenerissomethingthatcanmakea differenceasstudiesshowthatthecustomervaluesand truststhefirmsiftheyperceivethattheyarebeinglistened tobythefirms.Withinherentcaringandaffectionatetraits, womenoutclassmenwhenitcomestounderstanding criticaldemandsofthecustomers.

EmotionalIntelligence(EI)-theabilitytoidentifyand manageone’sownemotionsaswellastheemotionsof others-isanessentialskillwhenitcomestodealingwitha diverseclassofconsumers.Womenarenaturallygifted withhigherEImakingthembettersuitedforpressure situationsandavoidingcounter-productivedecisionswhile keepingemotionsincheck.

EmotionalIntelligenceencompassestwomajordimensions –awarenessofone’sselfandawarenessofothers.Boththe attributesareverymuchsignificantforthesurvivaland successofanyorganisation.Self-awarenessinvolvesbeing familiarwithtriggerpointsandbehaviouraltraitswhenput tothetest.This,inturn,helpstomodulateimpulses avoidingconclusionswhichareharmfulforthewelfareof business.Inadditiontoself-awareness,anawarenessof othersisequallycriticalinbusiness.Analysingand decodingnon-verbalcommunication–thatamountsto93% ofthemessage–eventuallybenefitsinconvincingand convertingaleadintoaclient.

Collaboration,andnotthecutthroatcompetition,isthe modernera’sprinciplevirtuetoachievesuccess.Many endeavourswhichseemtobebeyondtheboundsof

possibilitycanbeattainedbycombiningeffortsfrom differentresources,channelsanddepartments.Further, collaboratingproductswithconsumerexperienceare enormouslyimportant.Itleadstocraftingthebestsolutions forcustomer’spainpointsandcompellingvalue propositionsthatreflecttheiroverallbusinessobjectives.

Multiplestudieshavefoundthatwomenprefertoworkin teams,whilemenprefertoworkalone.Anunfaltering affinitytowardscollaborationprimeswomentogarner successindifferentfieldsofbusinesswhichgivestheman edgeoverothers.

Increasedprofitabilitycanbeamotivatingfactorformany firmstohiremorepooloffemaletalentsasmanystudies supportthefact.StatisticalresearchshowsthatFortune500 companieswiththehighestrepresentationofwomenon boardsfinanciallyoutperformcompanieswiththelowest representationofwomenonboards.Moreover,genderdiverseteamshavehighersalesandprofitscomparedto male-dominatedteams,andarecentGallupstudyfound thatgender-diversebusinessunitshavehigheraverage revenuethanlessdiversebusinessunits.

Trustoverfemaleleadersisanattributewhichneedstobe reciprocatedwhilemakingthechoice.MoreAmerican workersperceivefemaleexecutivesashonestandethical thanmaleexecutives.Pew’s“WomenandLeadership” surveyedAmericansin2015andfoundthat34%say womenarebetteratthis,whileonly3%saymenarebetter atit(64%saythere’snodifference).

Whileit’sunclearwhetherthismeanswomenareactually morehonest,it’sasubtlereminderofhowtangledsome businessdecisionscanbe.Leadersareoftentaskedwith choosingbetweenoptionsthataren’tblackandwhite, ethicallyspeaking,andthecapacitytoleadhonestlyis importanttotheentirecompany’ssuccessandjob satisfaction.

Nottomention,increasedjobsatisfactionand organizationaldedicationtocitepositiveandmeaningful businessculturearetheaddedadvantagesfeminine employeescarrytotheorganisation. However,thejourneyisnotallmerrygoroundeverytime. Hindrances–seen,unseen–aretheretocheckthe unrelentingzealofwomenaspirantstothriveinthe industry.Theseobstructionsneedtobepointedoutand rectifiedtocreateanenvironmentthatfuelswomen empowerment.

Lackofconfidence,accordingtomanyexperts,isone primereasonwomentendtoquestionthemselvesanddoubt theirworthiness.Inordertoadvance,theymustcoachtheir innercritics.

Out-speakanddefinewhatwomenwantprofessionallyif theywanttogetsucceeded.Toooftentheydon’tknowor relyuponotherstodefineitforthem.

“Buildingrelationshipswiththoseinpositionsof leadershipiscritical,”SusanBrady,executivevice presidentofLinkageInc.says.“Putdowntheto-dolistlong enoughtoconnectwithdecisionmakersacrossthe organization,andhelpthemunderstandwhoyouareand whatyoubringtothetable.”

Womenaregenerallyuneasyaboutaskingforwhatthey want.Theymuststopthinkingaboutwhattheyneedasa self-servingrequest.Theymustdevelopthecourageand fortitudetostandupandaskforwhattheywant.

Whileprovingvalue,womentendtoovercompensatein ordertodemonstratethattheyareaddingvalue.Instead ofdoingitallalone,changetheparadigmandtrackto encourageotherstotakeonmoreresponsibility,thus enablingthemtoscaleandmultiplytheirownimpact.

Nottoforget,biasedworkcultureandregional barriersarethecrucialobstaclesintheroadofwomen workparticipation.But,todaywomenarebreakingthese shacklesandcomingoutboldlytobeapartofeconomic processesshoulderingtheirmalecounterparts. Therehasbeenobviousprogressinachievinggender equalityaroundtheworldoverthepasttwodecades: moregirlsareattendingschool,morewomenare workingandarebeingelectedtopublicoffices,more womenholdmanagementpositions,andthesituation involvingwomen’slegalaswellassocialrightshave alsoimproved.

However,agreatdealstillremainstobedonetoachieve equaloutcomesforwomenandmen.Recognizing women’sabilities,thevaluestheybringtothe organisation,thetransformationtheyachieveasfaras workenvironmentisconcerned,andconsidering monetarybenefitsassociatedwiththefemalework participation,corporatesectorneedtowelcometheir emergencewithopenarms.Nofutureisfarwheremaledominatedworkplaceswillbeataleofextinct,we believe.

Co-founder

CREATE ASSETS FROM WHAT OTHERS PERCEIVE AS YOUR LIABILITIES. DO NOT FEAR STANDING OUT. THAT IS WHAT MAKES YOU UNIQUE IN THIS WORLD

“

Erna Grasz

and CEO

Erna Grasz

Cultivating an Educated, Resilient, and Empowered World

Today’serahaswitnessedmajordevelopmentsin genderequality.Womenandmenareworking shouldertoshoulderinalmosteveryindustry. Womenareplayingmajorrolesintransformingbusinesses andindustrieswiththeirdedicatedendeavors.Asuccessful femaleleaderishonest,confident,resilient,andpersistent. Theyarecommittedtoexcellence,andpossesstheabilityto listen,learn,andadapt.Theynevergiveupatthefaceof adversity,whileleadingtheteamtowardssuccess.

Onesuchresult-focusedanddedicatedleaderisErna Grasz,theCo-founderandCEOofAsanteAfrica Foundation.Shebelievesthateducationisthewayupand outofpoverty Asagirlgrowingupundertoughconditions inTexas,Ernalearnedthatitisessentialtomustercourage andresiliencytothrive,notjustsurvive.Also,shelearned thateducationisagreatequalizerandenabler.

Harddrivingandupforanychallenge,Ernadefiedtheodds intheman’sworldofelectricalengineering,graduatingtop ofherclass.Asacorporateexecutive,shelearnedtolead throughambiguity,providestructureinchaos,mobilize globaltalent,anddrivetechnologytomaturation.She believesthatsuccessisdefinedbychallengesbeing perceivedasopportunitiesandempoweringotherstojoin thejourney.

OvercomingDifficultiesConfidently

Ernaemergedasayoung,gregariouselectricalengineerin amaledominatedculture,strugglingtofindanenvironment tothrive.Shecreatedoneforherselfwhere“misfits”could thriveworkingtogetherforabiggerpurpose.

“If I can’t fit the traditional mold, I will have to shape my own mold,”saysErna.Sheisenergizedbytheunknown andtrainedtotranslatenewsituationsintomanageable risks—eachsolvable.Asayoungteamleader,she recognizedthatshedidnothaveallthetoolsinherown toolkitandrealizedthatsheneededassistancefromother talentedpeopleinorderto“tackletoughproblems”asa team.

Ernabelievesthatonedoesnothavetogetitrightevery time.Itisessentialtoconvertfailuresintolearning moments.OneofErna’smentorssharedthat“People allow you to make mistakes if they believe you truly care about them. If one remains humble and authentic, one can lead others to greatness, and accomplish the unimaginable.”

FocusedonAttainingExcellence

Ernabringsherleadershiptothe‘social impact’sector where,asAsanteAfricaFoundation’sCEO,sheinvestsin localtalentandpartnershipstoensuresuccessandlongtermsustainability.Shebelievesthatpeoplearethemost importantassetsforanorganization.Havingworkedin corporatebusinesseswhereactionsandlaminatedvalues werenotaligned,Ernaiscommittedtoensurethatactions andvaluesarealignedforallinvolvedwiththeglobal organization.

UnderErna’sastutestewardship,AsanteAfricaFoundation focusesondevelopingthemostpreciousresource-the humanresource.Thecompanyinvestsintheyouthitserves andtheirparents,itsglobalstaff,volunteers,partners,and investors.AsanteAfricaiscreatinga‘newnormal’inrural Africa: educated children with big dreams, skills, and resources.

AfoundationalprincipalofAsanteAfricaFoundationis ‘paying-it-forward.’Thismodelassiststheeducatedyouth tocreateathriving,self-propagatingfuturewithoutexternal intervention.Thisassuresownership,sustainability,and independenceinanopportunity-richworld.

EmphasisonTechnologicalInnovations

Ernabelievesthattechnologyisagreatenabler,however,it isnotthesolutiontoallproblems.Itisoneofthevarious meanstodevelopment,butnottheonlytool.Sheopines thattechnologybringsthecompany’sglobalworkforce together,acceleratingdecisionmakingandfacilitating world-widepartnershipswhileenablingefficiencyand optimization.Indevelopingcountries,technologylevelsthe

playingfieldfordisadvantagedyouth.Toolslikemobile bankingande-learningopendoorstoendlessopportunities.

AboutAsanteAfricaFoundation

AsanteAfricaFoundationwasco-foundedbythree tenaciouswomen, Erna, Emmy fromTanzania,and Hellen fromKenya,whobelievedthateducationplaysanessential roleinpovertyalleviation.Theorganizationwasfounded ontheprincipalthatbrillianceandtalentareuniversally distributedwhileopportunityisnot.TeamAsanteAfrica believesthatyoungpeoplearethegreatestuntapped resourceintheworldandeveryonehasaroletoplayin openingdoors,connectingdots,andcreatingnew opportunities.

DefyingallOdds

Ernaunderstandsthatdifficultchallengesrequirediversity ofthought.Thisdemandsleaderswhodonotfearchange. Sheisoftheopinionthattosolvedifficultproblems,itis essentialtoembraceeveryone,independentoftheirgender, ethnicity,religion,age,orfieldofexpertise.

Althoughmanypeopledidnotsupportherdecisionto becomeanengineer,Ernamarchedahead,pursuingher dreams.Ernalearnedtobecomfortableinherownskin usingfearlessness,stagepresence,andananalytical mindsetastoolsinhertoolkit.Asanexecutive,shehas mentoredothersandinspiredteamstostrivetogetherto achievewherenoonecouldachievealone.

ScalingtheFuture

Ernastates,“for Asante Africa Foundation, it’s not just about the numbers but about the depth of impact. When the environment changes, we are prepared to adapt to emerging opportunities, resource constraints, and technology advances. We have built a skilled, geographicallydistributed organization while planting 600,000 seeds – our young change makers.”

Sheconcludesbystating,“the next decade is focused on exponential growth through our youth cultivating their own impact, utilizing their skills and knowledge. Our ‘pay-itforward’model is catching fire, creating educated, empowered youth to tackle the challenge of developing the most precious resource on earth, the human resource.”

Groenewald

A2007surveybySmithandWisemanfoundthat59

percentpeople,ofthosesurveyed,insub-Saharan Africa(SSA)weresufferingfromsevereenergy deficiency.Childrenundertheageoffiveshowedsignsof stunting,wastingandslowmentaldevelopmentinrural areasofSSA.Pregnantandlactatingwomenwerefound vulnerabletowardsdiseasesarisingduetoinadequate dietaryenergyandprotein.

Providingthemchickenmeatandeggs—consideredthe bestsourceofqualityprotein—wassuggestedasefficient andhealthy Theyarenotjusthigh-qualityprotein,butalso provideimportantvitaminsandminerals,arehighinlutein whichlowerstheriskofcataractsandmacular degeneration,andalsothecheapestofalllivestockmeats.

Asaresult,poultrydevelopedasamajorindustryin developingcountries.Theindustryset-upandproduceare relativelyinexpensive,widelyavailable,provides employment,hasalessdetrimentalimpactonthe environmentthanotherlivestock,anduseslesswater However,theconditioninwhichthepoultryiskeptinthese farmshasalwaysbeenacauseofconcern.Thebirdsare placedinacloselypackedcagemostofthetime,arefed inadequatelyandsparsely,andinjectedwithantibioticsand hormonestokeepthemdisease-freeandincreasetheirnet weightrespectively

Alltheseconditions,whileincreasingthequantity, adverselyaffectthequalityoftheproduce.Asaresult, insteadofprovidingnourishmenttothehumanbody,gives emptycaloriesandinacutecases,causesharm.

TurningtoNature

In1997,concernedaboutherfamily’swell-beingdueto increasinguseofprocessedandchemicallytreatedfood, JeanneGroenewaldreachedapointwhereshedecided thatshecouldnolongerfeedherfamilyanymass-produced meat.

BornandbroughtuponafarminWellington,Jeanne startedexperimentingwithfree-rangechickens.Thefreerangemethodofraisingpoultrydemandedthatchickens, foratleastsomepartoftheday,areallowedtoroamfreely outdoorsandisnotconfined24hoursaday.

Jeannerecalls, “When I started, there was no one else farming free-range, so I had to teach myself, and learn by trial and error because there were no mentors in the field. I started with about 100 chickens that I reared in my backyard, allowing them to forage freely. I fed them only

W orking With N a tur e f or a He alth y Lif e s t yle

‘‘

high-quality, all-grain foods, without animal by-products like fish or poultry meal.”

TheresultwasmorethanJeannecouldhaveimagined. Smittenbytheamazingtasteofthechicken,herfriends helpspreadthewordandJeannestartedreceivingordersfor herchicken. "Between 1998 and 2000 the business grew from 100 chickens every six weeks to 2000 chickens per week," saysJeanne.

Tomeetthegrowingdemand,Jeanneandherfamily convertedexistingoutbuildingstorearthechickens.They firstbuiltdedicatedhouses,butsoonthechickenoutgrew thespaceavailable.Toaccommodatetherapidgrowth, Jeanneapproachedthreecontractgrowersandhelpedthem buildsimilarhousestoaccommodate15000birdseach.She alsoestablishedthe Elgin Poultry Abattoir inGrabouw,and todaysuppliesfree-rangechickenstoleadingSouthAfrican retailers,selecteddelisandsomeoftheCape'stop restaurants.

ThesecrettoGoodChicken Jeannemakessurethatthebirdsonherfarmandthe contractors’,leadasnaturalalifeaspossible.Chicksare placedindoorsforthefirst10daysinsummerand14days inwinteratastockingdensityof15birds/m2,afterwhich theyrangeonnaturalvegetationduringthedayata stockingdensityofamere5/m2.

Thefarmareaiscoveredinlushvegetationwithtreesand shrubsprovidinganaturalshadeduringthedaytoforage underandbranchestoperchon.Thebirdsarealsoallowed tosleepproperlyatnightfromfourdaysold.Thewhole environmentmakesforastress-freelivingwhichJeanne believesiscrucialtothebirdsaswellasbusiness.

"Withoutstress,abird’sowninternalimmunesystem

becomesstronger,whichallowsittofightmostdisease challengesitisexposedto.Thefactthatbirdmortalityon allourfarmsaverages3%isproofthatthisfarming philosophyispayingoff,”saysJeanne.Thechickensat Elginarerearedaccordingtohumanefarmingpracticesand aregivennoantibioticgrowthpromoters(AGPs)which makesthemdrug-freeaswell.

TheChallenges

RaisingFreeRangeChickensatElginhasitsshareof challenges.Diseasesarealwaysathreatlurkingaroundthe corner.ButbeingFreeRange,Jeannedoesn’twantto dependonantibiotics.Instead,herfocusisonincreasing theimmunityofthebirdstohelpthemfightdiseases. Totacklediseasesandboosttheimmunity,sheuseshigh quality,all-graindietforchickens,andalsogetthem vaccinatedforCoccidiosis,Newcastlediseaseand infectiousbursaldisease(IBD).Whenachickenfallsill, herteamworksverycloselywiththeavianvet.Achangein temperatureisanotherchallengeasthehousesaren't climatecontrolledyet.Hereagain,theymakeuseofnatural waystoprotectthechickensagainstextremeclimate.

Theside-effectofthesepracticesisthattheproductioncost shootsup.Free-rangechickenisexpensivetoproducethus increasingthecosttoconsumers.Sheadds, “Consumers must accept they are paying a premium for better quality, more nutritious food.”

LookingForward 20yearsintotheindustry,Jeanneisyettoregistera slowdowninthedemandoffree-rangechickens.Herplans, asforthenextfewyears,istostartproducingmorevalueaddedproducts. “The growth in the industry has been stable. I think the selling points for free-range chicken are health and animal welfare issues,” concludesJeanne.

Jeanne Grœnewald

Jenny Costa

Minimizing Food Wastage through Sustainable Innovation

Forafewdecades,foodwastagehasbeenagrowingconcern.AccordingtotheFood andAgricultureOrganizationsoftheUnitedNations,1outof3foodsproducedin theentireworldiswasted.Everyyear,alossofaroundUS$680billionisseenin thedevelopedcountrieswhilethedevelopingcountriesrecordedaroundUS$310 towardsthiswastage.

Althoughtherehavebeenmanycampaignsandawarenessprograms, thereareveryfewpeoplewhoarewillinglyworkingtowards minimizingfoodwastage.Withtheaimtoreducethefood wastage,JennyCosta,theFounderandCEOofRubiesin theRubblecameupwithabrilliantidea.Rubiesinthe Rubbleisanaward-winning,sustainablefoodbrandknown formakinggreattastingcondimentsthatarepackedwith purpose.

JennygraduatedwithanMAinMathematicsand Economicsin2008beforeworkinginthecityfor2 years.However,havingalwayshadaheartfor sustainabilityandgoodfood,shequitin2011tolaunch thefoodbrand‘RubiesintheRubble’.Rubiesinthe Rubbleisnowlaunchingintokindsofketchupandmayos, withtheaimofhavinganevenbiggerimpactwithmore mainstream,everydayproducts.

Shestartedmakingherfirstbatchesofrelishesfromotherwise wastedfruitandvegetablesin2011andsincethenhasbeen workingwithfarmersandproducersacrossthecountrytoput surplusproducetogooduseandraiseawarenessaroundfoodwaste andtheneedtovalueourfoodsupplychainbetter.

Havingbeenthefirstmoversinbuildingafoodbrandinthe‘anti-food waste’space,theirrangeofketchups,mayoandrelisheshavewon numerousawardsandarestockedacrossthecountryinstoresincluding Waitrose,Ocado,Sainsburys,EAT,Marriott,ThePig,HippoInns, RevolutionBarsandTheBreakfastClub.

Inthefollowinginterview,JennyelucidatesonwhatittakesforRubies intheRubbleanditscausetomaketheworldabetterplace.

Jenny Costa Founder and CEO

Belowarethehighlightsoftheinterview:

Beinganentrepreneur,whatdifficultiesand challengesdoyouface?Whatkeepsyoumotivated?

Thereareconstantlynewchallengeswhenrunningyour owncompany Thebiggestformewouldbethesenseof constantlylearningkeyskillsonthejoblikecreatinga teamculture,managingpeople,efficienciesinyour supplychain,keepingontrackofsalestargetsand budgetsandthelistgoeson!However,havingabigger purposetojustcreatingaproductandsellingit,keeps youmotivatedeveryday,eventhehardones.

Describeinbriefaboutyourcompanyandits products

RubiesintheRubbleisknownformakinggreattasting condimentsthatarepackedwithpurpose.Wehavea rangeofketchups,mayoandrelishesallmadefromfruit andvegetablesthatwouldhaveotherwisebeen discarded.Weareonamissiontoendfoodwasteand ensurewehaveaplanetthatcansustainablyfeedits people.

Whatadvicewouldyougivetothewomenwhoaspire obecomeentrepreneurs?

Ifyouhaveanideathatyousimplycantnotdo,you knowthetimeisrighttostart!Goforitfull-heartedly, concentrateontheconsumerandhowyoureachthem andbuildagreatnetworkofsupportaroundyou.It’sa greatbuttrialingadventure.

Howdoyoumotivateyourteamatyourorganization tobeinnovativeandproductiveatwork?

Our3valuesaretoBeResourceful,Daretobedifferent andMaketheboringspecial.Questioningifweare holdingtothosekeepseveryoneintheirteamfocused andactinglikeanentrepreneur

Wheredoyouenvisionyourselfandyourcompanyin thenearfuture?

WeareonamissiontobecomeTHEhouseholdbrandfor sustainablecondiments.Wewanttogrowourbrandand ultimatelyourimpactandtodothatweneedtomakethe bestproductsoutthereinthebestpossibleway!

Attributes of aGood Leader

Leadershipisaboutusingthe powerofapositionto empoweragroupofpeoplein ordertoattainacommongoal.A leader’staskistoimplementtheplans thatusuallylookgoodonpaper, throughadelegatedteam,inaspecific timewithanongoingmotion.She/he mayusethetraditionalmethodormay thinkoutofthebox.Itdependsonthe leaderashowtodoit;theultimate motiveistogetthejobdone.

Although,eachandeveryindividual hasadifferentapproachonleadership, somemightsayitisaboutsetting examples,somemightsayitisabout sharingtheauthority;whatmattersis, takingtherightdecisionwhenitis mostneeded.

Leadershipvariesfromone organizationtoanother An organizationisadynamicbodyand createsnewprobabilitieseverynow andthen.Andwithnewprobabilities, comenewchallenges.

Although,itisimpossibletoovercome everychallenge,thebusiness environmenthasadoptedcertain leadership styles fortheefficiencyof business:

TheParticipativeLeader ParticipativeLeadershipistheprocess ofsharingauthoritywiththework forceinordertogetoptimum efficiency.Theteam,aftergetting accesstocertainpowers,works responsiblytoaccomplishthegoalsset byitsleader Thesharedleadership alsohelpsincaseofanyrequirement ofchange,astheemployeesadapt quicklyinsuchenvironment. Incidentally,thisstyleofleadershipfits bestinascenariowhenthereisa limitationoftime.

TheTransformationalLeader

Atransformationalleaderinspiresthe teamthrougheffectivecommunication andanintellectualenvironment. However,theseindividualsrequire

moredetailorientedmanagersto successfullyimplementtheirstrategies.

TransformationalLeadershipis consideredamongthemosteffective employeesoftheorganization.Oneof theexamplesofthistypeofleadership iswhenaleaderisassignedonahigher levelforeffectiveenvironment.

TheTransactionalleader

Thetransactionalleadership,asthe namesuggests,enablestheleaderto incentivizetheteamcorrespondingto theirperformance.Theteamgets rewardedwhenitattainsthegoalsand theLeaderhasthepowertoreviewthe resultsandactaccordinglywhenthe teamfailstodothesame.Thegoals andthestrategytoattainthemare decidedbytheleaderandtheteam itself.

TheSituationalleader

Situationalleadershipisatheorythat thebestleaderwilladapttothe requiredleadershipstyleaccordingto needofthehour ASituationalleader mayadoptdemocraticstylewhile discussionbusinesswithsenior executive,butmayswitchto transactionalatthetimeofteam review.Howevereveryindividualhas anaturalstyleofleadershipanditmay bedifficulttoswitchrolesatacertain pointoftime.

Qualitiesofagoodleader

Thereisanoldproverbthatsays, “Give a Man a Fish, and You Feed Him for a Day. Teach a Man to Fish, and You Feed Him for a Lifetime.” So isthecasewithleadership.Oneofthe basicqualitiesofaLeaderistopasson theleadershipskills.

Followingaresomeofthequalitiesof agoodleader:

Ÿ CommunicationSkills

Communicationisthebasic requirementforefficiencyina business.Asthelevelofhierarchy elevates,therequirementof

communicationgrows.Especially, whenitcomestoleadership,thereisno scopeforlackofcommunication.A Leaderwhofailstodevelopthisskillis lookedupasincompetent,becauseitis hisjobtosendthemessageloudand clear Although,itisalsoimportantto listenasitisanintegralpartof communication.

Ÿ

Integrity

C.S.Lewissaid, “Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.” Beitgivingcredittooneof theteammembersorbeitadmittinga mistake,aleaderwearsintegrityasa badgeofhonor Theydowhatisright, nomatterwhat.

Ÿ

Empowerment

Asmentionedearlier,Leadershipis aboutusingthepowerofone’sposition toempoweragroupofpeopleinorder toattainacommongoal.Agoodleader shareshisauthoritywiththeteamin ordertogetthejobdone.Bydoing this,heshowsconfidenceintheteam andobligedbythegesture,theteam workswithfullenthusiasmto accomplishthegoal.

Ÿ Decisionmaking

Thereisriskindecisiontomaking. Greatleaderstakegreatdecisions whenthestakeishighanditisthe successofthosedecisionsthatmake themgreat.Toaddup,agoodleader takesrightdecisionattherighttime. Inconclusion,agoodleadercanbe definedbythedynamicsofhisstylein leadership,thevaluesthathebringsto theorganization,themethodsheuses tomakethebestoftheresources,and thekindofdecisionhemakesinthe givensituations.Attheenditisabout theattitudeofanindividualtobring thechangeforgood.

Theendlessspacehasalways

enticedushumans,with endlesspossibilitiesand opportunities.Themerethoughtthat theremightbepeoplelikeusor differentfromussharingthisuniverse, isenoughtogetoneexcitedtoexplore. Withthekindofdevelopmentwehave beenmakinginscienceand technology,itdoesn’tsoundadistant dreamthatonewillbeabletoplana vacationtoMoonorMars.

However,beforeadreamcomestrue,it mustbeseen,notindeepslumberbut witheyeswideopen.In2006,Julia Hunter,aPhDinAstrophysicsfrom theUniversityofManchesterandCofounderofDistrictCommons,aUS non-profitorganization,movedto London.Thiswastostartacareerin commercialspace-flightwithVirgin Galacticwhenthecompanywasa relativelysmallstartup.

Shelistenedto Sir Richard Branson explainhowthisstartupwouldputa productonthemarketforthepublicto experiencespace-flightandseethe earthfromthevantageofspace.Julia becameenamouredwiththisideaof space for everyone andhassince pourednearlyeveryounceofher effortsintoitssuccess.Sheexpresses, "There has been no clear-cut roadmap for the path I have paved, but it

continues to be the most extraordinary journey.”

FindingNewHorizons

Julia'scareerhastakenherfrom astrophysicsandacademiatohelping operatetheworld'sfirstpubliclytraded commercialspace-linecompanywhich recentlybegantradingontheNYSE. BeforejoiningVirginGalactic,shecofoundedDistrictCommonswhich servedasanetworkofresources dedicatedtobuildingcommunityand collaborationtocatalyseandadvancing society.

Duringandaftercollege,sheengrained herselfintoaerospace,attending conferences,becomingamemberof theNationalSpaceSociety, InternationalAssociationof AstronomicalArtists,American InstituteofAeronauticsand Astronautics,WomeninAerospace, andworkingvariousprojectswithESA andNASA.

VirginGalacticistheworld'sfirst commercialspace-lineforprivate astronauts.Juliaexplains, “Our business aim has always been to Change the World for Good, and we do that from how we operate and treat our teammates, to how we are opening access to space.”

BeingtheSeniorVicePresidentfora companywhichaimstochange humanity’srelationshipwithitshome planet,isbothaprivilegeandpleasure forJulia.Herresponsibilitiesinclude themanagementofaseniorstaffteam, organizationaloperations,andensuring thatsafetyandregulatorycompliance ismet.

Onabroadscale,herworkhasher strategisingthedirectionofthe companythroughoperationswhile developingandmaintainingkey corporaterelationships.

TheFueltoDrive

Julia’soverarchingroleistoworkand supportateamofincrediblytalented anddrivenpeoplethat,likeher,also carryVirginGalactic'sgoalsintheir DNA.Thechallengeofhumanspaceflightisaconstantmotivationanda constantplaceoflearning.Itiswhat drivesherandmanyothersinthespace industry.Seekingpersonalbalancein thisenvironmentishowJuliafindsand encouragesotherstofind,sustained energyforoptimalhumanperformance demandedfromthesetypesof endeavours.

AtVirginGalactic,Juliapromotesthe conceptthatbalancecanprovideaselfpowering,self-sustainingchargewhich

“Both professionally and personally, I am passionate about exploration”

isoftenneededwiththeintensityof aerospaceventures.Sheexplains, “Seeking balance does not necessarily always mean finding balance, but it does mean making a conscious choice to add value to my life through differing avenues; finding time to quieten the mind, play with my kids, have date nights with my husband, train to run marathons, and climb mountains. Of course, I don't do all of these things every day, but I have found that making an effort each day to do things outside of my professional role, has made me a much happier and more balanced person.”

TheStarryMoments

Relivingthemomenthercrewflewto spaceforthefirsttimeinDecember 2018,Juliacategorizesitasthemost remarkablemoment.Sherecalls, “It was an electric period leading up to that successful flight which landed back in Mojave with the world's newest astronauts. Watching the flight from the vantage of the mission control room, was impressive and restless and it took some time for the success of that flight to sink in. The look on the faces of the crew members reflected how meaningful and inspirational this endeavour was and would always be to the dedicated group of talented people who had made it possible.”

VirginGalacticentered2019asa privateorganizationwithonespaceflightunderitsbeltanditscommercial operatingbasestillunderconstruction. Itfinishedtheyearastheworld’sfirst publiclylistedhumanspace-flight company,operatingfromtheglobe’s

onlypurpose-builtcommercial spaceport,withtwospace-flights completedandfivecommercial astronautsamongitsteammates.Julia applaudstheeffortputinbyevery teammembersaying, “Our team has done that in twelve months, and I am proud to be one of the people at the helm.”

Bolsteringapositivecompanyculture hasbroughtJuliaalotofprofessional gratification.Scienceshowsthatboth positivityanddiversitydodrive success.Theyprovideefficiencyin problem-solving,boostcreativityand allowforamuchmoredynamicand funworkplace.InrecentyearsJulia hasrelishedchampioninginclusion, helpingdevelopVirginGalactic's internandmentorshipprograms.She alsosharesherknowledgeandjourney atforumssuchastheGoogleWomen inTechforums.

Onthesamenote,sheadvisesthe bloomingentrepreneursto “Approach every problem with the unwavering conviction that it has a solution.” She feelsthatobstaclestospace explorationareinnateandalthough manyofthetrialsthatonefacesinthis lineofbusinessareuniquetothefield, somanyaren’tunlikewhatnew entrepreneurialventuresencounter. Challengesgenerallyhavemultiple solutions.Applyingcreativityand tenacitytofindone,andpreferablythe bestonetofitthecircumstancesalways provesuseful.

TheWorkCulture

Juliaisanalyticalinherapproachto

scienceandbusiness,andisan impassionedleaderconnecting, empowering,andsupportingculturein theworkplace.GuidedbytheVirgin Galacticbrandvaluesandthegreater Virginvalues,Juliaandherteam,work hardtopromoteaworkculturewhere theteammatesfeelthattheycanfully engage.Creatingahealthyculturehas meantcreatingaspacewherethe workforceishappy,fulfilled,and engaged.Onewayisthroughproviding accesstoanyteammate.

Juliaelaborates, “In a company where safety is our north star, we promote and very highly regard, accessibility to one another as well as openness in communication. I sit wherever I can find a seat, in one of many office locations, and if someone has a question for me, I will stop what I am doing and make myself available. Although we have a chain of approval, we strive for familiarity.”

OfGrit&Gratitude

AtVirginGalactic'ssistercompany, The Spaceship Company,oneofthe corevaluesisthatof‘puregrit.’ It’s theideathatresiliencytriumphs.Julia sharesthisbelief,alongwithanother–gratitude. “Gratitude for me allows perspective and re-energizes me. With tenacity and gratitude you can create and recreate new norms, and push boundaries daily,” concludesJulia Hunter

Margaret Hirsch Chief Operations Executive

Atruechampioninbusinessisonewhofirmly believesingivingbacktothesociety,especially tothepeoplewhoareinneed.Itisawayof showinggratitudeforwhatsocietyhasdoneforyouand yourbusiness.Notjustlimitedtogivingback,butto potentiallyupliftthevariousstrataofsocietyisasignof exemplarygoodwillthataleadermustpossess.

Withastrongsenseofsurvivalandpositiveattitude,one canleadthewaythroughthedifficultiesfacedinalong tenureofnotjustanybusiness,butlifeaswell.

Livingbytheseprinciplesandgettingthroughthetough timeswhilesettinganexample,MargaretHirschisan inspirationtomany Throughsheerdeterminationand positiveattitude,shehasledHirsch’sHomestoresfor forty-oneyearsnow.BeingtheChiefOperations Executiveatthecompany,

Margarethasbeenintegrallyinvolvedwithallaspectsof thebusiness.Sheregardsherselfasthe ‘jack of all trades,’ asshehasdoneeverythingfromselling, invoicing,anddemonstrating,tobeingadeliveryperson onthetrucks,installing,andperforminglivedemosin customers’homes.

InsightsSuccessbringstheincrediblestoryofawoman whohasbeeninspiringotherstoupliftthemselvesby livingtheirdreams.Givenbelowaretheinsightful details,answeredbyMargaretherself:

Whatisyourdefinitionofsuccess?

Successistobehealthy,wealthyandwise,asyoucan’t helpotherpeopleunlessyouareinpeakphysical condition,financiallyindependentandyouhavelearned asmuchasyoucanonanygivensubject.Tome,success isaboutremainingfinanciallyfreeandbeingabletohelp otherwomentogetthereandtoachievetheirgoals. The roadtothetopislongandwindyandifyoucanhave othersjoinyoualongtheway,itgoesfaster.Itisfar morepleasantandgivesyougreatersatisfaction.Behind everysuccessfulwomanisawholetribeofotherwomen whohaveherback-forsome,Iamthesuccessful womanintheleadandforothers,Iamtheonewhohas theirback!

Howdoyoustrivetoachieveiteveryday?

EverydaywithoutfailIexercise,investandlearn.Iam financiallyindependent,andIhelpwomen,onadaily basistoachievetheirgoalsbyteachingthemtohelp themselvesachievetheirgoals. Iworkwithbabies, children,teenagers,youngwomenstrivingtogetahead, self-mademillionairesandinoldagehomes.Womenare women,nevermindage,colororcreed.Theyallhave theirissuesbutmostlyalltheyneedisabitofempathy,a shouldertocryonandsomeonetogivethemgoodsolid advice-thatsomeonemustnotwanttodoitforany personalgainbutjusttobeofserviceandhelptothem.

Tellusmoreaboutyourcompany.

Iownthelargestindependentappliance,electronicstartup,bedding,andfurniturestoreinSouthAfrica.My husbandandIstartedthebusinessasarepaircompanyin 1979andithasgrownsteadilysincethen.Wehavestood thetestoftime,weatheredmanystormsandcomeouton theotherside. Wehaverecentlyhandedthereignsover toouronlysonwhoisdeterminedtogrowthecompany togreaterheightswhilenotlosingsightofthefounders’ mentalitythathasbeenoursuccess.Westrivetohave happyreturningcustomersandcreateravingfans!

Serviceisourmantraaswestartedasaservicecompany onlyandthenbranchedintosalesfurtherdowntheline. In1994wesoldalltheservicesinourcompany,e.g., transport,repairs,installations,etc.,toourstaffand startedthemintheirownbusinessesanditisourjoyand pleasuretoseethesecompaniesgrow.Insomecases,we handeddownthebusinessesontotheoriginal contractors’children. Westillgivethebestpossible servicetoourcustomersfromarepairandasales perspective.

Whatarethemajorchallengesyoucame/comeacross inyourcareer?

Welookuponeverychallengeasanopportunityandare awarethatweareonlygrowinginthehardtimes. Every challengehastakenustonewheights,forexamplebeing swindledoutofeverythingwehadafter10yearsof

workinghardandhavingtostartalloveragainbutyou know,ifyouhavedoneitonceyoucandoitagain-and wedid.Fromthedepthsofsomeoneelse’sdebttoclaw ourwaybackupagainseemedaninsurmountablefeat, however,wediditandwentontogrowfromstrengthto strength. How did/do you tackle them? Well,thereisno magicformula.Youjusttackleonechallengeandcross onebridgeatatime. Itisnecessarytolearnfromone’s mistakesbutthemostimportantthingtorememberis thatthefirsttimeyoumakethemistake-it'samistake, thesecondtimeyouareanidiot! Nevermakethesame mistaketwice!

Asabusinessleader,whatisyourvisionforyour company?

Havingnowreachedmythreescoreyearsandten,Iam onborrowedtimesomyhusbandandIhavehandedover thereinsofthebusinesstoourchildren-oursonRichard (43)isnowCEOandourdaughterLuci(41)isa Director Wehaveawonderfulteamofeducatedand talentedpeopletotakeover,aswellasDirectorswho havebeenwithusfor30yearsandmore,tobalancethe youngbucksandtheolderteammembers.

Accordingtoyou,howimportantisittobeupdated withtechnologyasperyourindustrysector?

Absolutelyvital-technologyispartofourbusinessand

IamgratefulthatthroughthisIamkeptuptodatedaily withthelatesttechnology. Ineverceasetobeamazedat theingeniousinventionsofourtime-orhowquicklywe takethemforgranted.

Asawomanbusinessleader,whatisyouropinionon thenecessityofwomeninleadershiproles?

Itisabsolutelyvital-especiallyinourindustrywhere 85%ofthedecisionstobuyaremadebywomen! To thisend,Iworkintheschoolsonaweeklybasistraining girlsonlifeandhowtostartandrunabusinessaswell ashowtobeindependentandstandstrongastheywill notonlyhavetotakecareofthemselvesbuttheir childrenaswell.

Howdoyoustrategizeonscalingyourcompanyin thenearfuture?

Astechnologyismovingsofastandshoppingtrendsare alsochangingrapidly,wemustbeabletobecompletely flexible,adaptableandreadytochangecourseina heartbeat. Wearesoprivilegedtobelivinginthese excitingtimeswherelifeisgallopingfasterthanever before-wehavetothinkonourfeetandalwaysbe aheadofthepack.

Marina Tognetti

An Inspired Entrepreneur Driven by Innovation

Ifyoulookclosely,you’llfind

manysimilaritiesbetweenathletes ofextremesportsand entrepreneurs.Theybothare passionateaboutwhattheylovei.e. sportsandabusinessidearespectively Theybothtakerisks(calculated),go beyondwhatothersarewillingtodo, andhavethedrivetobethebestone caneverbe.Theyneedtogetoutof theircomfortzoneandpush themselvesbeyondboundaries.And lastbutnotleastispersistence.They needtotryagain,andyetagainuntil theysucceedandrealizethedreamthat theysetoutfor.

Onasimilarnotion,MarinaTognetti hasalwaysfoundherselfinspiredby suchpeoplewhodaretopushthe limits.Butinspirationwasn’tjust enoughforhertoleavehercomfort zoneandventureintounknownwaters. Shewasnestledinhersuccessful careerthatboastedoflarge multinationalssuchasProcter& Gamble,Philips,SaraLee,TheBoston ConsultingGroup,eBay.Shealsohas anMBAfromINSEADandhaslived andworkedindifferentcountries.

Whileworkingasaconsultantona projectoninternetstrategy,shefirst sawthepotentialoftheinternetto disruptentireindustriesandchange foreverthewaybusinessesbuy,sellor interact.Awestruckbytheideaandits potential,Marinarealizedthatshehad tobepartofit.Thatmomentsparked herentrepreneurialjourneyandacted asadrivertostartaninnovative companyasmYngle.

Atthatexactmoment,sheknewthat

shecouldmakearealdifference.

TheJoltafteraDream MarinalaunchedmYngleasa marketplace,somethingsheknewvery wellfromherpreviousexperienceat eBay.Thestartwasasmoothone.But themainchallengelayahead.As Marinaputsit, “When we started, we were pioneering, amongst the first to provide one-to-one teaching of all languages over the internet. We thought we got it all: funding, lots of Awards and PR, a very motivated team. But something in the business model was not functioning as we expected.”

Thetoughestpartsofthejourneyare alsothemostmemorablein reminiscence,onceyouovercomethe challenge.Thebiggestchallengewas whentheteamhadto‘pivot’fromthe initialbusinessmodeltoacompletely differentonethatmYngleistoday.

Tosetthepathright,Marinaandher teamlistenedtothecustomersandthey gavethemthenewdirection,froman openmarketplacetoaqualityglobal onlineschool,fromB2CtoB2B.She says, “That was the key to success of mYngle. We now have prestigious business clients and learners all over the world, with tens of thousands of lessons given each month and 95% of learners that rate mYngle as excellent.”

mYngle’sJourneysoFar mYngleofferscustomizedlanguage trainingprogramsthroughvideo conferencingin45differentlanguages anytime,anywhere.Itslessonsareone-

on-one,withhighlyqualifiednative coachesandrelatedtothelearner’s job-position.Thevirtualclassrooms enablelearnerstotakeclasses24/7.

Theplatformservesasasolutionfor busyprofessionalswhoneedlanguage trainingtobesuccessfulintheir internationalbusiness.Companies,that wantgreatlearningresultsanda transparentandcontrollablelearning processtomaketheirinvestment successful,findmYngleasthebestbet.

WhenmYnglewasestablished,itwas justatthebeginningofthedisruption ofoneofthemosttraditional industries,thatofeducation.Sothe companyhadtobypassallsortsof resistances—thoseofastillimmature market—especiallythestereotypesthat consumershadintheirmindsabout education.

Forthesereasons,mYnglehasalso wonnumerousawardsasrecognition foritscontributiontoonlineeducation.

Immediatelyatthestart(2008): Accenture Innovation Award, European Ventures Summit Award, Benelux Venture Summit Award,andsoon.

Marina,asatechentrepreneurandthe FounderandCEOofmYngle,also receivednumerousawardssuchas 50 most inspiring women tech leaders in Europe, 50 most inspiring women in the Dutch technology sector, Iconic Women Creating a Better World for All andmanyothers.

ACulturethatInspires Inspirationandhappinessare

contagious.Marinafindsitextremely motivating,beingpartofthetransition intheworldofeducation.Andasa leader,shesays, “I know that me being happy and in balance gives my company the right leader able to drive it in the most difficult situations.” Her positivestateofmindrubsoffonto thosearoundher.

InmYnglethemanagementstimulates acultureofexperimentationand allowingmistakes.Theybelievethat innovationcannotexistinacultureof fearofconsequences.Marinaadds, “We try to develop people who think and not only do ‘jobs’. We look in our staff for entrepreneurs, people who do not keep the status quo but push themselves beyond their comfort zone. If you try ten new things, some will fail, some will be OK, and one will make a difference. We are looking for that ‘special one.’”

Marina’sAdviceforBudding Entrepreneurs

“Probably the most important piece of advice I can give is to stop comparing. The stories you read about the few that ‘got it all’are rare exceptions and often not the full truth. Let go of all of that. Stop trying to imitate types of leadership you see around but which are not you and be true to yourself,” Marinaexpresses.

“I had to take the plunge. That is what makes the difference between visionaries and followers. If you don’t succeed at first, try again. Being innovative meant that there was no set path I could follow. I had to discover the way, keeping the vision clear ahead of me. Don’t always stick to the plan. Things might evolve differently from what you had initially anticipated. Take advantage of it,”sheconcludes.

ToknowhowmYnglecanhelpyou communicatebetterinbusiness, click here.

CONFIDENCE COMES NOT FROM ALWAYS BEING RIGHT, BUT FROM NOT FEARING TO BE WRONG”

“

Marina Tognetti

Founder & CEO

Shiela Butch Roxas Dimaculangan

Successhasadefinitionsodiversethatitcannotbe limitedtoasingularunderstandingoraspell concept.Itcanmeanvariousthingstovarious people.Wedefinesuccessasperourownset benchmarksandwhenwegobeyondthem,itisour standingthatmakesusdifferentfromothers.Thisalso makesusresponsibleforthethingsthatwecanmake betterinourownsurroundings.

Determinationandzealdecidehowonecanachieve greatnessamongstthechallengesweface.Reachingthe peakofsuccessinvolveseffortsgivenbyaperson.One mustbereadytogivetheiralliftheywantthemselvesto bedistinguishedfromothersinawaythatredefinestheir existence.Givenbelowisthestoryofasuccessful

INFINITE SUCCESS ECOSYSTEM GROUP MEMBERS

Ryan Hofer

Kevin Padillo Pjero Mardesic

Dennis Peltier Paul R. Scott II Samantha Lindsey

Yan David Mandy Cha Cha Bailey Hemant Bangura

George Petropoulos Harshad Vaishnav Ozone Works

Gunnar Ryrholm Sampath Vuchuru

Imran Vigo

Ellyza Villacorta Albarillo Shiela Dimaculangan

womanwhohassetquiteabenchmarkindriving excellencethroughouthercareer.Let’sgiveitaread.

Alsoknowntoherpeersas‘Butch,’ShielaButchRoxas DimaculanganisaCertifiedPublicAccountant.She wasbornon21stDecember1969inQuezonCity, Philippines.Sheistheeldestamongherfivesiblings. ShespentherearlyyearsinQuezonCitywithher parents,Mr.NicanorRoxas,Sr.andMrs.HermoginaM. Roxas.Shielahasalwaysbeenago-getter.Shegraduated elementaryasValedictorianatPasongTamoElementary School.Duringherhighschoolyears,shewasanactive memberofitsSpeechToastmasterClub.

AnEpitomeofExcellence

Shielaspentheracademicyearsfromelementarytothe highschoolreceivingmultipleawards.Sheevenserved asaleaderofdifferentstudentorganizations.Not limitingtothis,shewasalsotheAssistantEditor-inChiefoftheschoolpaperinhighschool.Shiela graduatedatProject6HighSchoolassalutatoriananda proudscholar

Incollege,shetookaBachelorofSciencein AccountancyattheUniversityoftheEast,Manila. ShielawasamongtheTop15%oftheAccountancy GraduatingClass,andaStateUniversityScholar.She wasalsoamemberoftheSpeechCraftClubandMath Club.ShehasevenwonanInterCollegeMathQuizheld atUE,Manila.

Aftercompletinghercollegein1991,sheworkedasan AccountingClerkatPurefoodsCorporationforsix months.Duringthattimespan,shewasalsotakingsome reviewclassesfortheCPABoardExamination,which wasinMay1992.Herealso,whilewaitingfortheresults sheworkedasanaccountingclerkattheBankofthe PhilippineIslands,Inc.,inMakatiforayear.She continuedtoworkatthebankforonemoremonthafter gettingthenewsofherbeingqualifiedintheCPABoard Exam.

In1994,ShielamovedtothecityofSanTeodoro, OrientalMindorowheresheworksasanactive MunicipalAccountantoftheMunicipalityofSan Teodoropresently.Shielahasbennservingtherefor morethantwenty-twoyearsnowinthesameposition withpassionandzeal.Sheisasupervisorinoneofthe

divisionsthere.Sheworksasthedivisionheadandinchargeoffinancialoperations(barangays)foreight counties.Sheisalsoamemberofdifferentlocaland internationalgroupsthatarerelatedtocareer developmentandupliftmentofentrepreneurs.Shielahas conductedseveraltrainingsessionsonfinancialand accountingaspectsforthelocalgovernment.

BeyondRecognitions

Shielahasmadecontributionsinthegroupslike MunicipalDisasterRiskandReductionTeam,Leagueof LocalAccountants,andPhilippineInstituteofCertified PublicAccountants.Also,sheisworkingwiththeLSVT Armymember(LasVegas),10XAmbassadorGroup, CardoneCapitalInvestmentGroup,FloridaRealEstate InvestmentGroup,WarriorLeadership&Mastermind group,RealEstateNetworkingGroup,andmanyothers. Herportfolioofexpertiseincludesbeinganavidspeaker andtrainer

Shielagotmarriedon8thOctober1995andisamother offourchildren,Catherine,Kim,Kate,andKervin.With herfamily,ShielaresidesatSitioParang,Barangay Poblacion,SanTeodoro,OrientalMindoro.Forher contributionstothesociety,Shielahasreceivedandhas continuouslybeenreceivingvariousawardsand accoladesforherexcellenceinthedesignatedfieldshe worksin.

Forenhancingherskillsetrelatedtoknowledgein accounting,finance,andbusiness,Shielahasattended varioustrainingsessionsandconferenceslocallyand abroad.ShehasreceivedaPlaqueofAppreciationin recognitionofthepromptsubmissionofFinancial StatementsfortheyearendedDecember31,2017,last December2018.InMay2019,sheattendedabusiness conferenceinKualaLumpur,Malaysia.

Throughherdynamicapproachthere,shewasableto connectandnetworkwithentrepreneursand businessmenofglobalstature.Hercollaborationwiththe groupfromCanadaandAustraliaforSpectralAerospace thatdealsinAgriculturalprecision,CoralReef protectionandpreservationalongwithother environmentalendeavorshavemadeasignificant impressiononthecommunity.Shielahasbeenanavid advocateofEnvironmentalProtectionandPreservation.