1. Tell us a bit about yourself?
Well, I’m a dreamer and a believer that anything is possible! I’m a daughter, wife to my best friend, mom to my pride and joy and friend and colleague to beautiful people. I live my life through the lens of gratitude and aim to remain a student of this thing called life.
2. What work do you do?
The best kind. I have the privilege of leading our all-digital insurance business, MiWay Blink. Blink has been on a journey over the last year or so to simplify insurance – future-forward, plain-spoken and all hearts in. We are simplifying insurance with a powerful team behind the scenes working hard to make things digitally-effortless, easily accessible to the South African consumer, all the while adding Rands back into the their pocket without lifting a finger.
3. How long have you been in the industry?
The insurance industry came knocking on my door about 12 years ago, first on through the Life insurance side then later on the Short-term.
4. Has your work always been your passion? Tell us why?
Finding solutions to human problems, particularly South African problems – that’s my passion. Doing it through tech, process redefinition and thinking differently about every day things wakes me up in the morning. As a short-term insurance offering we have a significant role to play in ensuring that South African consumers enjoy clarity around the necessity of being covered for unforeseen eventualities. Playing a role in shifting mindsets keeps me going and I get to do that in my work.
5. Being a woman in the industry – what does it take?
It has taken (and continues to take) having a circle of other women around me. I’ve been intentional to hold on to the relationships that keep me afloat. Women that are friends and sisters that help me reflect, encourage me, pull me up when I cant do it for myself and keep me honest to my own dreams have been important to keep standing.
6. What has been the most difficult challenge of your career?
I’d have to say pushing through the biases that come with being a girl…and being a young one at that. I’ve had to remain aware that I won’t always be heard the first time or that I will often be the only black girl in the software development decision-making conversations. The awareness has helped me to have grace in my interactions and value what I bring to the table.
7. What advice do you have for other women in your industry?
You’re needed – another woman in the room is a relief. Raise one, bring one up with you. The diversity offers us the gift of true creativity and thus inclusive solutions.
8. Plans for the future?
After navigating lockdown and life through Covid, my plans are to follow my bliss. Follow only the things that honour my joy and keep me present in the moments that really matter. Wherever those lead, those are the plans!
Bio: Keletso Mpisane
Balancing business intelligence with digital is the key to unlocking the modern business world – and having a good understanding of how to use them effectively, backed by stats and effective management skills, is a big plus.
This is what is embodied by collaborative leader and strategic thinker, Keletso Mpisane – whose career trajectory has led to her being appointed Head of digitally-based motor insurer, MiWay Blink. Mpisane, who holds a BCom: Honours – Information Systems from the University of Witwatersrand, is carving her own path and trail blazing in a territory usually dominated by men. However, her leadership skills were evident from a young age when she became the deputy head girl in both primary and high school.
These are skills she nurtured early on and later displayed in the professional world. When she was recently announced as the new Head of MiWay Blink, the message was clear – continuity is still important at the year-old fully-digital motor insurer. She is one of the senior managers who put the pieces together to make the MiWay Blink puzzle complete in its foundational phase and she is now at the helm, with insider knowledge and understanding of the company and the products.
Before she was announced as Head of MiWay Blink, she was the company’s Senior Manager: Digital Products since its inception, where she directed and organised the implementation and launch of MiWay Blink, which is MiWay’s digital-only offering. “One of my career highlights is launching MiWay Blink and being appointed as the second employee before we even had a name,” she recalls. Mpisane has been involved with the MiWay LTD brand since 2016, when she joined as a Product Owner: COO & CIO Initiatives.
She says, “As a strategic thinker and collaborative individual, I think solutions are easy to find when we’re open to seeing the opportunities that problems present. As a leader, I seek the magic that people carry and give it room to flourish; after all, it’s in our authenticity that we are able to build the society we long to see.“ Besides her work life, Mpisane is family oriented.
She lists her late father as her huge supporter, both academically and professionally. She is “a happy wife and a loved mother of 2 (7 and 4 in age).” Furthermore, she says, “I have close and strong relationships with women who keep me standing and accountable.
For more visit: www.miwayblink.co.za
