Full Name: Tebogo Skwambane

Position and Company Name: Country manager of WPP in South Africa

Main Activity of the Company: WPP uses the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, the planet, clients and communities, providing an integrated offer of communications, experience, commerce and technology. We work with leading South African clients from a range of industries to deliver growth in global markets and also support some of the most celebrated international brands to transform their business and reach new consumer bases in South Africa and the rest of the continent

Date and Place of Birth: Francistown, Botswana

Schools and Tertiary Education: Dartmouth College, US; Harvard Business School, US

Career Path to Date: My career started in financial services in a bank in Boston, in the US, and has seen me pass through capital markets development with the International Finance Corporation in Washington DC and strategy and management consulting in the US, the UK and South Africa, as well as many other countries, and I am now in the marketing and communications space with WPP

Value of Assets Under Your Control: Not stated

Number of People under Your Leadership: There are close to 2 500 people who work for WPP in South Africa, in addition to many associate businesses operating in the region

Management Style: I have a democratic management style and strive to be empowering, nonhierarchical and inclusive

Personal Best Achievement: This is still a work in progress, as I am striving to be the best mother I can be. However, I have to say becoming a mother to my wonderful daughter has been my best achievement so far

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My parents – their dedication and focus on educating my siblings and me while instilling certain core values and an impeccable work ethic in us have been a big influence on how I live my life and the choices I have made

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: There is a long list of people who have come into my professional life and influenced me in big and small ways – people I have been close to or have watched from a distance and learned a great deal from. At the moment, my daughter is having an increasingly big influence on the career decisions I make

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Not stated

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: There are many women leaders in business and other spheres who have impressed and inspired me and continue to do so. They include Michelle Obama, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Indra Nooyi, Oprah Winfrey and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Philosophy of Life: Be curious, courageous and kind, laugh a lot and always remember that “the world is changed by your example, not by your opinion” – Paulo Coelho

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Raising children and having a positive impact on the lives of young people

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Every disappointment brings an opportunity for learning, and I am learning to have compassion – for myself and others

Hope for the Future: A thriving and competitive South Africa that is a prosperous home for all South Africans equally and where women and children are safe in their homes and on the streets

Favourite Reading: While I really enjoy biographies and autobiographies for the window they give into the real-life journeys of people who have actually walked this earth, I absolutely love and am rereading two books written by a dear friend, Lauren Francis-Sharma’s Til the Well Runs Dry and Book of the Little Axe

Favourite TV Programme: Not stated

Favourite Food/Drink: Not stated

Favourite Music: Everything, but especially old-school dancehall ragga

Favourite Sport: To watch: soccer and any women’s sport; to do: running and hiking

Hobbies: I enjoy travel, reading, being in the outdoors and spending time with loved ones

Pets: A dog named Nala

Miscellaneous Dislikes: I have a long list of dislikes but if I narrow it down, they would include misogyny, racism and other prejudices, being condescended to and waiting in queues

Children: Tinyiko, 7