"The framework we're using assumes the planet, and human societies that live upon it, are complex and constantly evolving, so we need to continually learn about and adapt to these ongoing changes."

"In one way, in Africa, we have an advantage because we're behind everyone else on the development trajectory." Now is the time to think more cleverly about different models for how poorer countries could develop in a completely different way that doesn't have such a high impact on the environment as has happened in most other places."

"As a relatively young woman in a male dominated senior leadership environment, it can sometimes feel difficult to be taken seriously and, consequently, to believe in oneself. So this is a big confidence booster in my intellectual leadership and a green light to venture out and continue forging new pathways."

"Balancing the demands of raising a young family with the demands of research and students can be tough, and a supportive partner and family make a huge difference. The COVID pandemic has highlighted some key gender inequalities, but also opened up some new possibilities for flexibility in the way we work that could facilitate greater engagement of women in senior research and leadership positions."

"This dream is rapidly becoming a reality through the development of the CST, which like other leading sustainability centres globally is pioneering new inter- and transdisciplinary institutional structures. It is also helping to position Stellenbosch University as a national and international leader in the fast-emerging sustainability arena."

"Exploring pathways to reach such futures is, I think, one of the most exciting and important research areas in the sustainability field, and where the broader CST team and I plan to focus much of our future work."

"An MBA is truly a transformational experience. You learn so much about yourself, you gain business knowledge, and you make invaluable and lasting friendships. I would encourage more women to think about doing an MBA."

"An MBA is a movable asset, you take it with you wherever you go."

"I would advise that women remain aware of gender stereotypes and the implicit bias that this produces—in others and in themselves. They should not be afraid to debate and question issues of diversity within and beyond the classroom."

"The bias against women’s progression is more of a systemic problem. What needs to change are the social views and attitudes in society that hold women back from taking leading roles in organizations of all types."

"It will push women to move outside their comfort zone and give them the confidence to be less modest and allow their talent to shine. They will learn to push boundaries in innovation, accept risk, and welcome leadership roles."

"Leadership is about helping reveal the talents that everyone is born with. As women, our talents are frequently ignored or overlooked. As a leader, and as colleagues and friends, you can help reveal these talents and give people the space, encouragement and courage to explore them. This is what I have built ECWO on: giving women the research-backed understanding that it is not their fault if they are in a toxic environment or if their boss does not want to promote them."

"You can lead from wherever you are. Even if you are in a junior position, you can mentor and speak positively about other women. It is wrong to think that you can only lead when you are in a leadership role."

"Your credibility is built when others speak positively about you. Do the same for them whenever, and wherever, you can."

"Go out of your way to find reasons to amplify the good work women in your organisation and network are doing."

"If you cannot find something positive to say about another woman, say nothing at all."

"Throughout my life, I have had great mentors and sponsors who believed in me, probably more than I believed in myself. They gave me the courage to do what I wanted to do."

"The issue is that women have to realise how phenomenal, creative and innovative they are. We don’t believe that we need to “fix” women for success in the corporate world. Rather, we need to get them to appreciate their potential and their power."

"Many women stay in job or remain in a toxic environment because they are scared. My message to them is do not sell out who they are in exchange for safety. It takes courage to move because it takes you outside your comfort zone, especially the first time you do it. However, you will soon realise that your world does not collapse when you find the courage to change and get off the hamster wheel."

"I wanted to show people that although I had cancer, was not ill. I was still able to add value and do things in spite of the chemo and the damned tumours it was desperately fighting. This was important to me because a cancer diagnosis often gets one marginalised."

"The results of the research showed that women skewed towards men in trust situations at work. The question I had asked was, if you had a risky project, who would you ask to be on your team, and many women chose men. At first, I blamed the women. This is ridiculous; I wanted to say to them! Open your eyes! Thankfully, we had some very good reviewers who thought that the results of the research were good but suggested that a more critical appraisal was necessary."

"I’m always slightly embarrassed thinking back to how I just didn’t see things that are often blindingly obvious to me today. For instance, the way business education often perpetuates gender bias, through texts, cases, business speakers, and even faculty. The turning point came when I undertook research into social networks amongst our MBA students. I wanting to see if there was real collaboration amongst the extremely diverse student population in the RSM classroom. Were the Japanese working with the Spanish? Were the Nigerians socialising with the Dutch? Were the Mexicans exploring innovative ideas with the Chinese?"

"In corporate culture there is a language of gender bias that we are unaware of: it’s called “benevolent sexism”.’ An example of this is when a male colleague or supervisor refers to a highly trained, qualified female engineer as “honey” or “meisje”. ‘Everyone acts as if it’s okay. It’s not. Deconstruct it. It’s not being friendly. It’s a power thing."

"Stay true to your dream. Believe in your dream and keep pushing until you see it happen."

"We women in leadership need to be mindful that we are [doing this] not just for ourselves but for the women who come after us. So, let’s get on and do it boldly."

"Places, where patriarchy is the norm, allow men to cause discomfort, embarrass, berate, harass, and sometimes even violently attack women for their existence as the opposite sex."

"In a place where patriarchy is the norm, public space is defined as belonging to men, and women are outsiders made to live in accordance with parameters set by men. How women dress, act, and engage in those spaces is strictly regulated by these social habits/norms."

"When you work with young people, it’s important to be visible on social media because that’s where young people hang out."

"As a leader, my priorities are transformation, excellence and sustainability. These priorities are interrelated because excellence without transformation is not sustainable, and where there is transformation without excellence, there is no integrity."

"Those of us in positions of power should be willing to invest our time in supporting those who are willing to be the ‘right people’. Don’t always look for the finished product, get involved in the process of creating the right people."

"Truth is that you cannot make a comeback if you are never lost."

"Believe that something positive will happen even in the absence of any supporting evidence."

"Sometimes, all you need to do is take the first step with the faith that everything will be fine."

"I have become my own cheerleader and because of that, positive things are happening around me."

"Make sure you choose mentors whose ethical choices you admire"

"Your good name and reputation are bigger than the job, the deal, the promotion and the money."

"It’s never too early or too late to learn or get your ethical act together."

"Your good name and reputation make you who you are. Don’t give them away"

"Your actions have consequences. When you choose an action, you are also choosing its consequences"

"Most of my life is faith. When I have a dream, I pursue it without thinking about what would happen if it doesn’t work and this is what makes me"

"We are always in the process of becoming and so I remain a work in progress."

"There was a time in my life when I thought everything about me was not right and needed fixing. I thought I was not smart enough, I thought my bum was too big and my eyes too small. It has taken me many years to be okay with being different."

"Keep the feeling of endless possibilities alive for as long as possible"

"It is within you to carve out your future and create your own destiny."

"When given an opportunity, use it well."

"The right attitude is to believe that you can cultivate your abilities and develop talents through practice."

"Go out there, be free and achieve your goals."

"If you ever have an opportunity to start at the bottom, don’t look down on it."

"Starting at the bottom makes you hungry and determined."

"Starting at the bottom builds character. It is the best way to learn."