The highly anticipated awards ceremony is held each year to encourage private sector buy-in to achieving more meaningful representation of women in the mainstream of business. The awards, which this year included both regional and overall award categories, seek to celebrate companies and individuals who are guiding beacons of inclusive gender representation and serve as inspiration to South Africa’s business community.
Soria Hay, Head of Corporate Finance at Bravura, was this year nominated in the individual category of “Positive Role Model Beacon of Africa”. This category is in recognition of those individuals who are lighting the way for other role models and can be considered “elders” – less in terms of age but for their wisdom and knowledge.
Hay was named as the Winner in the “Regional Positive Role Model Award Beacon of Africa” for the Gauteng region earlier this year. Last night she was announced as the runner-up in the overall category. Carina Wessels of Alexander Forbes was announced as the overall winner.
Hay says that having been nominated for the 8th Gender Mainstreaming Awards was both a humbling and motivational experience. “Taking part in the discussions and interviews which are a part of the shortlisting process made me think a great deal about what I could do to make an even bigger difference. Personally this was an incredibly enriching experience, and I am honoured to have been selected amongst a strong and inspiring group of my fellow women leaders.”