Investec - Women in Industry

Diane Frey

Position: Investec For Business Account Executive  Date of birth: 29 May, Johannesburg
Education: Bachelor of Commerce, University of the Witwatersrand
Management style: I lead by example and assist the team in achieving their goals by facilitating effective communication, collaboration and participation. I also believe it is key to share the organisation’s vision and provide opportunities for personal development.
Personal best achievement: I would have to say motherhood as it fosters nurturing, leads to curiosity and has really helped me become more imaginative. I have also learnt transferable skills such as time management, conflict resolution and organisation. You see life through the lens of a truly selfless love, wholly unconditional and complete.
Philosophy of life: The formula of happiness and success is to be true to yourself. Find your passion, follow your heart with a positive, can-do attitude filled with gratitude. Strive to make a difference in people’s lives and the world around you.
Message for other women leaders: Success doesn’t come from what you do occasionally, it comes from what you do consistently. Spend time with women committed to personal growth, the conversation is different. Passion and energy lead to success. Make a difference.

Elize Pienaar

Position: Investec For Business Account Executive  Date of birth: 8 February, Kimberly
Education: A Senior certificate in advanced Maths and Science at Eskom Private College and then completing my National Higher Diploma Business Economics and Marketing Management at the University of the Vaal Triangle. After the four years I enrolled for a Diploma in Asset Finance through Damelin and completed my Regulatory Examination FSP RE1, RE 5 and Key Individual.
Management style: I feel very strongly that there is a significant difference between being a leader and a manager. I have always strived to empower my team to become leaders of leaders, allow an environment for them to empower and educate themselves to be able to leave my team for a promotion and enrichment of their career.
Personal best achievement: Being part of the leadership team, building a powerful national sales team as the National Head of Sales and later the COO of a very successful financial services provider nationally in South Africa.
Philosophy of life: Always do what is right, not what is easy and never compromise on your ethical standards. When you’re comfortable, you are not growing.
Message for other women leaders: As women, we have a significant strength and passion unique to each one of us, whether it is being a wife, mother, or leader. Believe in yourself and what you dream to accomplish. It is not about how many times you fail, it’s how many times you get up and try again.

Adré Grape

Position: Investec For Business Account Executive  Date of birth: 4 April, Johannesburg
Education: B Com Hons. Marketing Management
Management style: I lead by example and believe in on-the-job training. A transformational style of management is the best approach.
Personal best achievement: In my personal life my best achievement was becoming a mom. Juggling a career and family life has taught me to effectively manage my time, prioritise, set boundaries and to be present in what I am doing.  From a work perspective I have assisted with the launch of General Aviation Finance as an additional finance offering within Investec For Business.
Philosophy of life: Treat others the way you want to be treated. And remember the power of words - words can create and inspire or destroy - choose yours well.
Message for other women leaders: There are many roles that women have to balance on a daily basis between work life and family life. Through the chaos stay true to yourself and don’t forget what is important. Live unapologetically, make a difference in people’s lives and lastly don’t let fear of failure limit you - you are capable of more than you think. This quote from Michelle Obama resonates with me: “Success isn’t about how much money you make; it’s about the difference you make in other people’s lives.”

Lizel Burger

Position: Investec For Business Account Executive  Date of birth: 6 October, Johannesburg
Education: I obtained a B Com Sport management degree at RAU, now known as UJ.
Management style: I don’t think I fit into any one particular style. During the time I have managed staff I have found using a hybrid of both transformative and coaching styles is the optimal mix. My team, who are usually professionals from a legal or financial background, have the skills needed to achieve significant over performance in Investec For Business but experience has shown me this is usually best achieved with adequate coaching into how the specific levers of our business work in order to unlock maximum value for our customers and my team.     
Personal best achievement: Ability to continuously achieve and exceed large annual targets, year-on-year, in a highly competitive environment, which is seen as a male dominated industry.
Philosophy of life: Don’t take yourself too seriously, let your results speak for themselves and make a positive difference in other people’s lives.
Message for other women leaders: Recognition of women and our contribution to society is gathering momentum rapidly. Just look at what’s happening in sport. We need to keep the momentum going by supporting each other.