Please describe your journey to our readers. Share more about on your career inception story.  

I embody the narrative of a determined young woman who demonstrated excellence in various pursuits, except for the initial challenge of launching her career immediately after university. The period of unemployment following the completion of my Bachelor of Business Science (Economics) degree, with honors, was disheartening and humbling. After a prolonged nine-month journey, I secured a position at a prominent South African bank, although not in my envisioned role. In this support function encompassing elements of business analysis, IT development, and call center support, I committed to making significant strides and advancing myself. True to my conviction, within two years, I ascended to a managerial position, signaling a positive trajectory.

Fueled by an unwavering desire to immerse myself in the realm of finance and investments, I made a strategic decision to step back, assuming a trainee role at a stockbroker to pursue a career as an equity analyst. This endeavor proved successful as I not only became a rated analyst but also progressed to overseeing the talent management program for new analyst hires and graduates. My journey reflects a story of resilience, persistence, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

 What is the key role you are playing in the organization you are leading / associated with? 

After stockbroking I realised I needed a challenge and to grow more. I was naturally adept at building rapport and relationships,  and knew I would enjoy that. Thus I transitioned out of stockbroking into private wealth management, where client relationships was a key focus area, along with research capability too. I had also completed coaching training and was beginning to realise this was a passion of mine, as I had migrated from mentor to also coach when doing talent management at the previous firm. I was headhunted for a business development role at the largest asset manager in South Africa and spent 6 years building key client relationship and sharpening my business development, capital raising and coaching skills. When the timing was right, I opted to take the plunge and start my own firm, Prerna Advisory, where I serve as Founder and MD, undertaking initiatives in 3 pillars: coaching, capital introductions and consulting. As a solopreneur, everything rests on my shoulders, though as the business has grown so too have I developed partnerships, affiliations and found key resources that I contract in when needed. I balance my time between working on the business and in the business, along with creating personal space for my family life and self-care.

What is your source of motivation? What encourage you to work effortlessly?  

I am inspired by the tenacity and will of others. When I see someone putting the effort to achieve their goal, I want to assist them. When I see others struggling against the odds, I work hard to become a beacon of light that they can they hold on (figuratively) to allow them to bounce forward. I want women, particularly, to feel more empowered and no longer know-tow to the whims of others. I am motivated to make deep impact, from youth to women to business.

What is the one thing you wish you had known about leaders in your field of work before you started working? 

I wish I had known how powerful we really are! It would have altered the rate of growth in my upward trajectory. Less doubt, far more action and much more self-awareness earlier on. But it is all part of the learning journey and I am thankful that all events and circumstances have led up to where I am today, which is being centred on purpose for impact.

In your opinion- As a woman, is it compulsory to manage a household alongside the work?  

Nothing is compulsory for a woman or man for that matter. We are cognitive beings and we make choices. Those choices are initially shaped by cultural upbringing and societal expectations. However through actively learning and embracing new perspectives, we can fundamentally alter the narrative and our path. I, for example, am in a partnership with my husband. Together we manage our family and household, while running a business and pursuing a career. It is part of the facets of our wheel of life and we choose to do it in the manner we currently do, and are flexible when needed.

As a woman leader, what has been the highlight of you career? What are the changes you wish to make for the better in your professional life post-pandemic? 

I have had many highlights in my career to date, from winning awards, to reaching goals, building important relationships and changing lives. The most pivotal moments for me have arisen from knowing I have inspired someone to do something for themselves, or to show up stronger for themselves and others. I often receive messages about how others have found their inspiration through my work or words. That truly gives me an inner glow.

What are the changes that pandemic brought to your industry and your market. Has the work-culture affected?

In the area of coaching, we have had to transitions from a very high touch role into a virtual and now hybrid one. It was initially a challenge to adapt as there were seemingly so many missing elements that one doesn’t get in a face to face engagement. Yet now, many coaches have adapted their business model and extended it in many different ways to reach their target market. Perhaps we were stuck in a rut and the pandemic actually helped innovation thrive. On the capital raising side, initially investors withheld investments to assess the situation and when they did, first movers went into trending sectors and tech and tech-enabled businesses became a large area of focus. With the great resignation, and more individuals opting to start their own businesses, it is shifting emerging entrepreneur business models to be hybrid and even global as opposed to a single state of being and localised. People have begun to realise that they can manage their time better in an online working world or even hybrid, and in fact, pointedly ask for it as the norm of flexible work policies.

What words of wisdom would you offer to the emerging female leaders? 

Outcomes are not always favorable. Looking back, we tend to convince ourselves that there’s a purpose behind it all. Rather than dwelling on failures, setbacks, and obstacles, consider them as valuable lessons to apply in the present for improved foresight. While the future may remain uncertain, trust in your capability to influence what you can.