Financial Services Director and Board Member - Soula Proxenos

Womanity - Women in Unity

This week on Womanity – Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Financial Services Director – Soula Proxenos (Africa Finance Corporation, First Housing Finance, Women’s Development Investment Holdings etc…). Women’s Development Investment Holdings is a women-led group with a focus on funding and supporting female entrepreneurs to transform South Africa’s business and social landscape by empowering women. It was established in 1991 by Zanele Mbeki, former first lady of South Africa (her husband, Thabo Mbeki served as the second president of South Africa from 1999 to 2008). Our conversation addresses women’s financial empowerment and their long-term view towards financial products that contribute to education and life cover. We note the value of home ownership as a source of equity for wealth creation. We remark on some of the positive effects of legislation to improve the representation of women on boards in South Africa in contrast to other BRICS nations. We consider the roles of women on boards to influence aspects like gender diversity, pay parity and leadership within the organisation itself and associated stakeholders. Tune in for more….