1. Since March 2024, you've joined the Forbes Communications Council, a select club of international communicators, accessible by invitation. How did you feel about joining?

Joining the Forbes Communications Council has been an immense achievement for me, accompanied by a mix of humility and honor, being the first member from Mauritius. The Council is an invitation-only community for executives in communications, marketing, and public relations, and I am delighted that my profile and experience caught their attention.

My selection was based on a thorough review by a committee that evaluated the depth and diversity of my experience. The criteria for acceptance include a proven track record of successfully impacting business growth metrics, along with notable personal and professional achievements and honors. Being part of this esteemed organization motivates me to continue striving for excellence in my field.

 

2. What does membership of this club bring to your role as Chief Marketing Officers, and to your professional career in general?

As a member of the Forbes Communications Council, I have access to a variety of exclusive opportunities designed to help me reach peak professional influence. In addition to connecting and collaborating with other respected leaders in a private forum, I have the opportunity to share my ideas in original articles and contribute to published Expert Panels alongside other experts on Forbes.com. The level of sharing and learning is fundamental to me, as the discussions are rich with depth, thought-provoking and collaborative.

 

Since March 2024, my insights have been retained on three key topics published on Forbes.com: global expansion strategies, common mistakes made by startups and how to fix them, and the essential qualities for hiring communication professionals. This recognition is truly gratifying and reinforces the value of being part of such a prestigious community.

 

Also, given my current responsibilities at Stewards Investment Capital, where I oversee the strategic positioning of the company and its affiliates across the USA and South Africa, this membership is invaluable for establishing key relationships to support our growth objectives.

 

3. In the age of social networking, are professional or corporate networks still relevant for connecting, learning, growing with peers, and gaining visibility?

Absolutely. For all council members, we have a dedicated platform where I can reach out to professionals across the world, by country and industry. This platform facilitates the discovery of new perspectives and insights, which is where significant learning occurs. Through this network, I have made valuable connections that have been instrumental in my work, particularly in the realm of global expansion.

Moreover, we should not underestimate the value of human connections, which remain fundamental despite the rise of digital communication. Professional networks offer a level of depth and engagement that social networking platforms often lack. The relationships built within these networks are grounded in shared professional interests and mutual growth, promoting an environment of trust and collaboration.

Engaging with peers in a structured, professional setting allows for more meaningful interactions and discussions. This environment encourages the exchange of innovative ideas and best practices, which can be directly applied to one's work and also inspired for the local context. Additionally, being part of a respected professional network enhances visibility and credibility within the industry, opening doors to new opportunities and partnerships.

In my current role at Stewards, I engage with people from around the world across various time zones and cultures. Recently, I attended an awards function in London and established meaningful connections that wouldn't have been possible at an online event. Similarly, meeting colleagues from the USA in person, whom I've been engaging with for the last six months, has been incredibly enriching, deepening our mutual understanding.

I would say while social networking platforms are still very relevant in our everyday lives, professional and corporate networks continue to be highly relevant and valuable for connecting, learning, and growing with peers, as well as advancing one's career.

 

 4.The Forbes Communications Council seems rather eclectic, in terms of diversity and inclusion. Why is it that, despite the legal requirement to have 25% female directors on boards in Mauritius, or the 'Diversity, Equity and Inclusion' (DEI) charter launched by the National Committee on Corporate Governance (NCCG), take-up is slow?

Interesting question! Despite the extensive discussions on this topic, there is often a disconnect between the talk and the actual implementation. Many who advocate for diversity and inclusion are sometimes not practicing it themselves. We need to shift from merely discussing the proportion of women on boards to taking tangible actions to improve it.

There are several fundamental issues contributing to the slow progress:

Self-Imposed Barriers: One of the significant barriers is self-imposed by women. Many women are content in their roles as managers or heads of units and do not aspire to board-level positions. This is perfectly acceptable, as success is defined individually. However, it is essential to recognize and address this mindset if we want to see more women in top positions.

Where there is a will, there is a way:  Women who aspire to board positions must have a clear plan and work diligently towards it without compromising their ethics. Women should not rely on others to create opportunities for them. Instead, they need to be proactive in carving out and creating these opportunities themselves. I always say if you focus on the glass ceiling, i twill be there always!

Think Big : We should not limit our ambitions to Mauritius alone. Organizations like Boardroom Africa are making strides in placing women in key board roles across Africa, while being based in Mauritius or any part of the world.

There are also commendable efforts from Board of Good where they have a Register of Women leaders and directors who embody the principles of moral and inclusive leadership​and who have expressed their interest in becoming Board members of profit making and/or of non-profit organizations in Mauritius. ​

Top companies to set the example: The largest companies in Mauritius have the potential to set a positive example, yet many only meet the bare minimum requirements for diversity. For instance, some companies are satisfied with having just one/two women on their board to tick the diversity box. I am a firm advocate of talent versus trying to have a mandatory box of fitting women. Some companies also use blind hiring to reduce unconscious bias and increase diversity.

Unconscious bias is a significant issue. Women in senior positions often face derogatory assumptions, despite societal advancements, women are still frequently perceived as the weaker link. Each of us has the responsibility to defend those around us, especially those facing injustice in any form at work, whether through derogatory comments or any type of unethical behavior. Staying silent equates to accepting these wrongdoings. The sad reality is that most people remain silent, fearing repercussions.

 

Addressing these issues requires a collective effort from both men and women, and a shift in mindset towards genuine inclusion and equality. I am fortunate to work at Stewards, where women are afforded equal opportunities. Our talents speak louder than our gender. Since joining, I have been appreciated as a leader and consistently presented with opportunities. Despite being with the company for only six months, I recently represented our company at an awards function in London. The trust from shareholders and management has been overwhelming, and I've had the privilege of meeting with major pension funds and billionaires from around the world.

 

It is fundamental not to believe everything you see or read unless it comes from credible and verified sources. While AI offers numerous advantages, it has also accelerated the spread of online fraud and the prevalence of deepfakes, leading people to form opinions based on fakes news.

 

Always cross-check information with reputable and known sources before accepting it as true. Cultivate a habit of critical thinking and question the authenticity of content, especially if it seems sensational or unbelievable. Additionally, refrain from sharing unverified information in groups or on social media unless you are certain of its credibility.

 

Something very important is to educate yourself and others about the latest developments in deepfake technology and how to spot them. Staying informed can significantly reduce the impact of misinformation. Rely on trusted news platforms and official channels for information, especially during critical times like elections and conflicts.

 

 6. The national news of the moment is the presentation of the 2024-2025 Budget. On June 7, the speech returned to the common denominators of the last four budgets: consolidation of the welfare state, protection of workers, restoration of purchasing power and economic emancipation of women. What do you retain from this exercise as a whole?

The economy appears to be doing well and is expected to grow by 7%. Whenever there is a budget speech, one question always comes to my mind: what about the measures announced in the previous years, and how is their implementation monitored? It seems that a number of measures are announced, but apart from the social measures, the actual implementation is not clearly communicated. There should be more transparency on this so the stakeholders can assess whether these measures are working or even if they have been implemented at some point.

 

This year, numerous measures have been announced to enhance our attractiveness as an investment destination, such as streamlining license and permit issuance, strategic partnerships with other major economies in Africa and India and reducing the salary threshold for Occupation Permits for professionals. The challenge lies in the implementation of these measures and their ongoing monitoring.

In recent years, we have seen a major boost in minimum wage and pensions. This year continues that trend. While many small businesses may struggle to pay the minimum wage, others may find it easier to terminate contracts for certain jobs, especially those driven by AI, exacerbating unemployment issues.

While these measures may be manageable for now, their long-term sustainability is uncertain. There are significant efforts made in terms of social inclusion and equality, but there is a concern about the burden on future generations.

 

A significant move in terms of climate change is the introduction of a new Corporate Climate Responsibility Levy of 2% on company profits. While it shows a commitment to tackling climate risks, the key is to ensure the transparent and effective use of these funds, which will largely depend on close collaboration between the private and public sectors. We hope that action will follow the rhetoric.

 

One thing I find missing in this budget is long-term thinking and strategies for diversifying our economy. This includes long-term goals, strategies to maximize revenue, stabilize new industries for long term expansion, diversity income streams and build reserves.  

 

A principle handed down by your parents that you are also striving to pass on.

There are actually 3 fundamental ones:

1. There are four fingers between truth and lie: if you do the action now of placing your fingers between your eyes and ears, there are 4 fingers, right? !!This phrase means that the truth lies in what you see with your eyes and not just in what you hear with your ears. It's a reminder to trust our own observations and not rely solely on secondhand information. Only fools believe what they hear!

 

2. Never compromise on your values: Integrity and ethics should speak louder, regardless of external pressures.

3. Reading is the food for your brain: It broadens your horizons, enhances your knowledge, and stimulates critical thinking.

 

Preparing a dish at which you excel?

Haha ha…. I don't normally cook, but there's one dish that my family and friends absolutely love: gratin fruit de mer! My daughter, Sophia, is an excellent cook and she often prepares my lunch for the office. Le monde a lenvers mais bon …..

 

I tend to be very hands-on and sometimes find it challenging to delegate tasks. At times, I prioritize work over personal time, which can lead to missing out on precious moments. However, I'm actively learning to better balance my time and ensure effectiveness without overextending myself. Stewards offers excellent flexibility in terms of working hours and remote work, which is important given our collaboration across different countries and time zones. Discipline and adaptability are essential for efficient work in today's global environment.

 

 

Your greatest achievement to date?

Personally: My beautiful family and watching my children grow into responsible and accomplished humans.

Professionally: I was part of the founding team at AfrAsia Bank, and the branding and communication strategy we developed from inception has been applauded by many local and international stakeholders. However, I would not say it is my biggest achievement as the best is yet to come.

 

I am now with Stewards Investment Capital and the achievements in 6 months have been so motivating and gratifying. I am looking forward to the next big chapter. I take every opportunity to grow and make a difference.

 

 What is it about the injunctions given to women that you find so distasteful?

Injunctions given to women often undermine their autonomy and potential by imposing unfair limitations and stereotypes. For example, the expectation that women should prioritize caregiving roles over their careers restricts their personal and professional growth. Additionally, the notion that women who are assertive are considered bossy due to unconcious bias by other women first and then men - These restrictions perpetuate inequality, which I find deeply unjust.

 

The series or song you watch or listen to over and over again?

I typically only watch series and films once, but when it comes to songs, there are so many I could listen to on repeat—'Unstoppable,' 'Roar,' and 'Belle,' you raise me up, Sky full of stars ….just to name a few."

 

The next destination on your bucket list?

Any of these but I also follow where of my family wants to go: Egypt, cambodia, vietnam, kashmir. I have just come back from Miami and other states of USA are also on my list as from now :) the world is full of opportunities and every travel is an eye opener!

 

To be Mauritian is to be?

Determined, adaptable, hopeful, empowered, Rise 10 times every time she falls

 

What are the things you repeat to yourself and others?

- Surround yourself with goodness, people who uplift you and make time for these precious humans
- Set your goals in life and work hard to achieve them. There is no short cut!
- Like yourself, this is not selfishness – this is about having a great relationship with yourself
- Be a strong character – character comes from deep within – be good and do good and good comes back to you
- Life is short, don't worry about the trivial things where there are so many big things to focus on
- Detach yourself from relationships that can destroy you – trust your first instincts
- Everything happens for a reason, trust the process
- Pivot your brain and thoughts towards positivity always -there is a famous saying on « happiness lies in the quality of your thoughts »