The SIFSA Mentor Me Talks were created to give women in forestry a space to connect, learn and grow, without needing to carve out hours they simply do not have. Each session pairs practical, bite-sized insight with the lived experience of women who have walked the path before, offering guidance that feels personal rather than theoretical. In an industry where women remain a minority and often navigate rooms where they are the only woman present, this kind of visible representation matters enormously. It shows what is possible and, just as importantly, it removes the isolation that so often accompanies being a “first” or an “only” in a male-dominated space. For women juggling demanding careers alongside family and personal commitments, the format respects their time while still delivering real value: practical tools, honest conversation and a genuine sense of community. Ultimately, Mentor Me is powerful because it does not just inspire women; it actively equips and connects them, turning individual success stories into a collective network of support that helps the next woman rise too.
Mentor Me Talks by Sector Leaders
Communicating In You Network – Dr Karin Hofer, Research and Development Manager, Gratkorn, Sappi Europe
Leadership Styles: Exploring Different Approaches and Embracing Your Own – Professor Sanushka Naidoo, Programme Leader FMG-EPPI, FABI
Lessons Learned from the Journey – Erika Donker, Head of BEE, KAP
Resilience and Grit: Stories & Strategies for Overcoming Obstacles & Maintaining Motivation – Nelly Ndlovu, Mondi Zimele CEO
Building a Personal Brand: Creating a Strong Professional Identity and Networking Effectively – Ms Cindy Mji, Business Development Manager, Mondi Zimele
In Progress: Figuring It Out – Lessons from a Career Still Being Built – Dr Tatenda Mapeto, Nelson Mandela University
Mentorship & Sponsorship: The Distinction Between the Two & How to Seek Out Both in the Workplace – Hlengiwe Msibi, Sappi Divisional Environmental Manager
From the Boardroom to the Laboratory: How Motherhood Upgrades STEM Leadership – Ms Tamaryn Whittal-Steynberg, Manufacturing Optimisation and Strategy Manager, PG Bison
Navigating the Gender Bias – Itumeleng Langeni, MTO Group Chief Stakeholder Relations Officer
A Career Protecting South African Forests Senior Forestry Regulatory Officer – Ms Sedzani Nemukula, Senior Forestry Regulatory Officer, DFFE
Mentor Me Talks by Outside Experts
Moving from a Blue-Chip Corporate to Owning a Small Business – Amy Djamaluddin, Owner jamjama Marketing
Communication: Why it Really Matters – Crystal Daniels, Centre for Human Health & Human Performance, Psychology & Wellbeing, Intern Counselling Psychologist
Mentor Me Through Burnout – Jacqui Meyer, Life Coach