INTERVIEW
“Take time to celebrate you!”
Q: In what ways do you think your organisation/business is enhancing the South African economy? A: Kellogg is a food company that not only invests in its people
By Charndré Emma Kippie
but in our food products and we continuously innovate. We not
3 top tips for Women in HR from Dana Smith, Head of HR Corporate for Kellogg SA
Q
: What got you into the field
you’re currently in?
A: I have spent most of my
career in the FMCG industry in the commercial space mostly in male dominated environments. I transitioned into HR a year ago and have no regrets. I am hugely passionate about people as I believe people are the foundation of success. I have always been able to absorb all I can on leadership, motivation and people at work so when I got the opportunity I leapt into HR. HR can have a profound impact on a company, not only shaping culture but also working with leadership to attract, develop, retain and manage talent which ultimately distinguishes one from your competitors. Q: What excites you the most about your role?
86 | TOP HR LEADERS
only manufacture, market and sell our products but we also provide employment and create further opportunities through our learnership and intern programmes. Through our South African manufacturing facilities we export our food products to Africa. We source 70% of our raw materials for our cereal business locally and 98% of our products are produced locally. We are committed to environmental and social economic objectives. We are a responsible corporate citizen and through various initiatives we support our communities. We are a company with heart and soul and through our better days programme we feed people in need. Q: Do you think your field is diverse in terms of gender equality? A: There is a vast majority of females in HR and some of this
A: I love what I do, in HR
stems from stereotypes about
you are constantly growing
gender roles. This is one of the
and changing. There is a
fields where female representation
bit of everything from law,
(even in executive positions) is
technology, employee
more favourable than in other
expectations, engagement.
professions. There are various
It is never boring and there
theories as to why this is, yet there
is always something to
are few barriers preventing men
challenge you.
from finding HR jobs. However,
