#CareerFocus With Natalie Abrahams Coach, Mentor, & GBV Activist -

1. Tell us a bit about yourself?

Natalie Abrahams. A woman who is after God’s own heart. I am determined to live life to the fullest and deplete every gift that is within me. I am a wife, Mom and Grandma. I love mountains and the ocean. In fact, I am in love with nature and the beauty it offers us at no cost. I am a certified NLP Practitioner, Life & Recovery Coach and have attended countless training courses mostly in Personal Development, Mentoring and Coaching.

I am an award winning author of 3 books. My latest book, Made To Last is an initiative for my annual Girl! You KNow I Matter WOmen’s Conferences. The book features the stories of 13 inter-genreational and intercultural women. My more than 2 decades of corporate experience was mostly obtained in the International Logistics Industry. I am the founder of I Matter and the founder and Host of the Annual Girl! You Know I Matter Women’s Conferences.

I just hosted the 5th annual #GYKIM conference in Zanzibar. In 2022 I was awarded an Olympus International Award on International Women’s Day, Gender Mainstreaming Awards Positive Role Finalist Gauteng 2022, Gender Mainstreaming Awards Professional Services South Africa Finalist 2022. Contributor to Anthony featuring the stories of 27 Mothers from 3 Continents, Motherhood Honesty. Publisher of Antholy featuring the life stories of 13 South Africa Women, Made To Last.

2. What work do you do?

Full Time, I am currently employed by Imperial, a DP World Logistics company in Business Development.

Part Time, Coach, Mentor, GBV Activist, Author, Host of Women Empowerment Conferences. Life Skills Workshops with women and kids.

3. How long have you been in the industry?

International Logistics – 23 years ,Empowerment & Coaching – 15 years.

4. Has your work always been your passion? Tell us why?

Yes. I believe that I am born to serve. In my day job I serve clients by adding value to their organizations and assisting them in becoming leaders in their industries. I have the opportunity to work in diverse industries and get to learn so much about what is happening in our economy and how it influences the bigger picture. With my job I get to travel and experience client’s culture and environments. I also get to connect with staff on many different levels so it gives me great insight in the business from different points of view.

Internally, I am a SHERO and get involved with staff initiatives through the women’s forums and Women @ Imperial Round Table. My passion to help people realise their own potential comes to light when I get the opportunity to mentor, coach or just encourage colleagues and staff.

As a coach, author and speaker, I am able to support, encourage and inspire others by sharing my own stories and experiences and expertise and instill hope in others.

5. Being a woman in the industry – what does it take?

In logistics there are many great opportunities for women and this excites me. It is not really a male dominated industry. I believe Logistics is an industry where both male and females can prosper.

As an author and coach, it is competitive. There are more and more men showing up and setting the bar very high for us females. I love the healthy competition it creates because we realise more and more that together and united we can achieve greater strides and make the world a better place for everyone.

6. What has been the most difficult challenge of your career?

I have struggled to climb the ladder in terms of position but this never prevented me from doing more than what is expected of me and learning new things. I continually develop my skills but honestly, my role expands but has not developed with my efforts.

7. What advice do you have for other women in your industry?

Never Give Up. You must be able to continually motivate yourself to beat your own records. Remember that even in your career, you will have seasons. When it’s raining, take cover, learn and grow. When it’ s winter, plant and look after the soil and crops. In summer and spring, enjoy your buds and harvest. Continue to develop your own skills and remain a student. You always have something new to learn. Only compete with yourself. Never compare yourself to anyone else because you may be in the same season but in different stages of your journey. Strive to be a better person than you were yesterday.

8. Plans for the future?

In 2023 August I will be hosting the 6th Annual Girl! You Know I Matter Women’s Conference in Northern Cape, South Africa. By the time this happens I want to publish my 4th book and our Family Devotion Book. I am working hard to propel my coaching and mentoring career and look forward to hosting more exciting experiences all around the world. I definitely will be travelling internationally more, on family experiences and for work.

Short bio

Natalie Abrahams is the Founder of I Matter and the Founder and Host of the Annual Girl! You Know I Matter Women Conferences. Natalie has hosted 5 Annual Conferences in 2 countries, 7 provinces, over 9 retreats and hosted over 500 women. Natalie is an author of 2 Autobiographies, Publisher of an Antholy, Made to Last, featuring the stories of 13 South African women and a contributor to the Antholy, Motherhood Honesty, featuring the stories of 27 women from 3 continents.

She is an esteemed and seasoned Coach | Speaker | Author and Multiple Local & International Award Winner. She is a wife, Mom and Glam Ma. She has over 22 years of corporate experience which mainly stems from the International Logistics Industry.

On International Women’s Day 2022 she has been awarded the Olympus International Award. In August 2022 she was awarded a Positive Role Model Finalist Award, Regional (Gauteng) and Professional Services South Africa Award Finalist, South Africa the Gender Mainstreaming Awards. She hosted her 5th Annual #GYKIM women’s conference in Zanzibar in August 2022.