Anna Mokogokong is a medical doctor by profession, who set off in 1995 to start what has today become one of South Africa’s biggest business success stories. She is a businesswoman who has received international acclaim for her entrepreneurial ability. She has been a born entrepreneur as she has traded sandwiches for cash from a tender age in primary school. Anna Mokgokong was born in Soweto and raised in Swaziland.  She promotes women to be on boards as well as in the procurement sector. She considers herself self as an activist in this regard. She went on to complete her BSc. from the University of Botswana before going to Medunsa to complete her MBChB. It was during this time that Anna’s real entrepreneurial flair came into being.

She is presently married with two children. In 1981, whilst studying medicine, Anna started a business selling handbags and belts to her fellow students and residents at Medunsa. Through a contact in Swaziland, she was given R40 000 worth of stock. The business became a huge success and diversified to include African clothing and curios. The lecturers at medical school did not like the fact that Anna was running a lucrative business whilst studying and tried to persuade her to drop her business interest and focus on her studies even though she was one of the top performing students at Medunsa. She rose above the discouragements, and the undeterred Anna continued with her business. By the time she completed her medical degree, she was able to sell her business for R150000. Anna used this capital to establish the Hebron Medical Centre in 1992. Overcoming significant obstacles, she built the center from a zero-base into a primary health care and baby welfare clinic with over 40000 patients, serving eight villages.

As an entrepreneur, Anna is passionate about ensuring that previously disadvantaged South Africans have the opportunity to participate in the broader economy. She has made tremendous trademarks as has served on various boards. Dr. Mokgokong serves on the Boards of Novartis SA (Pty) Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals), and Fasic Investment Corporation (Pty) Ltd./Fasic Limited with significant holdings in Lion Match and Kimberly Clark. She believes that while CI Holdings strives to maximize shareholder value, it is companies who promote the wider interests of their stakeholders and of society that have the strongest chance of long-term success.

As a businesswoman she has received international acclaims for her entrepreneurial ability – co-owner of Community Investment Holdings (and South Africa’s Business Woman of the Year in 1999), her list of accolades is as long as her list of executive portfolios and directorships she holds at some of South Africa’s biggest and most esteemed organizations and corporations. Today, she is worth an estimated R107-million; Dr. Mokgokong has been identified as one of the top ten wealthiest black South African entrepreneurs. Her multibillion-rand company (Community Investment Holdings), which she jointly owns with business partner Joe Madungandaba, is one of the most successful companies of its kind in the country.

Anna Mokgokong is the Co-founder and Executive Chairperson of Community Investment Holdings. She is also a Non-Executive Director of Afrocentric, a board member of four listed companies and chair of three, including Shoprite Checkers, the largest retailer in Africa where she is the first woman director. Mokgokong notes that governance plays a critical role in enabling the sustainability of any business and can save you the pain of having to clean up.  She sits on the board of several organizations.

As CIH executive chair, Mokgokong joins a select group of black women leading successful businesses. However, her success should perhaps be rated above that of most black executives because she did not take over her position at a company with successful investment, but rather had to put together deals that have built CIH into the company that it is today, in line with her belief in hard work as a pathway to success.

She has received several awards and recognitions.

Bronte Adams, Director, and founder of Dandolo Partners is a Rhodes Scholar, former McKinsey & Co consultant, senior government executive, and board director. Respected for her bipartisan and independent approach, she has led and managed public sector policy development and implementation and has advised a wide range of clients in the innovation, health, technology, science & research, startup, cultural, and education sectors. She advised the Hon. Alan Stockdale and went on to lead the Victorian Government’s technology arm as CEO, reforming government through the use of technology, managing major procurements, attracting foreign investment and stimulating the uptake of technology across commercial, public and community sectors.

Bronte has chaired and sat on numerous public and private sector entities. Current appointments include membership of the Rhodes Trust in Australia, Deputy Chair of Rhodes Scholarship Selection Committee and the Health Innovation and Reform Council.

She has previously served as director or board member of a number of organisations, including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (Director); Melbourne University Publishing (Deputy Chair); Chair of VICSTART ($60M Technology Commercialisation Program); Deputy Chair of $120 M Science Technology Innovation Infrastructure Grants Program; Victorian Government ICT Advisory Council (Deputy Chair); Business Spectator Advisory Group; Australia Council’s New Media and Visual Arts Boards (2004); National Selection Committee of the General Sir John Monash Foundation; Victorian Government’s Innovation Economy Advisory Boar (appointed by the Hon. John Brumby) and three-person Tertiary Education Expert Advisory Group (appointed by the Hon. Jacinta Allen). 

She was appointed by the Hon. Richard Alston to the Commonwealth Government Broadband Advisory Group and was a judge of the Victorian Export Awards and Premier’s Literary Awards.

Bronte has over 20 years experience and national profile in technology, innovation, science and government policy in management, expert advisory and consulting roles. She has expertise in procurement, regulation, and infrastructure builds.

She is a trusted advisor at the most senior levels of government and universities and successfully assists large corporates in their commercial dealings with government. Prior to her role at McKinsey & Co, Bronte was an academic at Oxford University and has lectured around the world including at Harvard, Cornell, Delhi and Oxford Universities.

Source: wlia.org.au

Antonia Gutiérrez made history when she was named the first female CEO of American Airlines México after having worked with the company for more than 40 years. Her story is truly inspiring and shows where hard work can get you, as she started off working as a secretary before climbing the ladder to budgeting and finance, and continuing upwards to her current position as CEO. Since beginning as CEO, three new routes have been opened between Mexico and Dallas amongst other things.

Antonia Gutiérrez is the first Mexican executive to hold the position of American Airlines in Mexico.

Originally from Mexico City, ‘Tony’ studied Psychology and then specialized in Marketing by ITAM. She joined the company in 1975 as secretary of the reservations area.

Her determination and professionalism led her to occupy various positions in areas such as tickets, reservations, sales, and finances until in 1995 she was appointed Commercial Director, position in which she managed to duplicate the operation of the airline in Mexico. Together with her team, Gutiérrez has contributed significantly to the constant growth of American Airlines during the last years and under her function, the airline managed to double its operation in Mexico.

When taking the position General Director of American Airlines in 2012, one of its main objectives has been Customer Service in segments such as punctuality, security, better handling of luggage, on-board service and personalized attention.

Currently, the airline operates more than 600 weekly flights and operates in 21 destinations in Mexico. In its offices, around 900 people are employed in addition to the call center with more than 250 people.

American Airlines operates in Mexico since 1942.

“American Airlines has served Mexico for almost 70 years and we continue to grow in the country, now under the direction of Tony Gutiérrez,” said Arthur J. Torno, Vice President for Mexico, the Caribbean, and Latin America.   “Her experience, combined with her commitment to providing the best possible travel experience for our clients, makes her a great leader for our airline.”

American Airlines started operations in Mexico in 1942,   today it serves 17 destinations in the country, the largest amount in a single country outside the United States for the airline.