1. Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a mother of four lovely and bright humans and a communication professional. In addition to ensuring seamless internal and external communication, I ensure our Sustainability Objectives are on track and translate these to our internal and external audiences
2. What work do you do?
One of my key projects this year is BCorp certification for Danone Southern Africa. This is a fairly new concept in the country with an intense audit process verified by Blab, a non-profit organisation. BCorp certification is awarded to companies that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. It is important for us as Danone to receive this certification because it shows our commitment to doing the right thing and building trust with consumers, communities, and suppliers by demonstrating commitment to positive impact and the balance of profit and purpose.
3. How long have you been in the industry?
I have been working in FMCG for well over 20 years but from different lenses. I started in corporate, then moved into the agency world, and then back to corporate again when I joined Danone in 2018.
4. Has your work always been your passion? Tell us why.
Yes, it has. I hold an honours degree in Journalism which laid the foundation for my love of the written word. Adding on to this being able to work across functions in the sustainability space has allowed me to align purpose and strategy leading multiple projects and growing with a multinational company.
5. Being a woman in the industry – what does it take?
Ask anyone in FMCG and they will tell you that FMCG is fast-paced. Now, add the fact that we work in fresh dairy – twice the speed (or maybe more) yes, I work in a supportive role, but trust me the pressure spills over into all aspects. For me, balancing is always very challenging and requires constant mindfulness. I have opted for work/life integration over work/life balance.
6. What has been the most difficult challenge of your career?
Deciding to opt for stability rather than career growth was difficult, I had to sacrifice my start-up for my family, and hopeful that one day that will be a door I can open again
7. What advice do you have for other women in your industry?
ASK! I find that for some reason men aren’t apprehensive when it comes to asking. Whether it be for an increase, a promotion, or more resources men do not fear the NO. But often I find that women will settle or just tell themselves to be grateful. So take the chance, and just ASK
8. Who inspires you in your industry?
My fellow Danoners. Many have become close confidants and friends and I find inspiration in them every day.
9. What’s the best advice / key learnings have you received from your industry peers?
Creativity is a skill that not many people have. I only recently learned this and realising that creativity is a talent that can be developed into a very strong and differentiating skill is eye-opening
10. What is your leadership style?
I would say transformational leadership. I act a lot as a consulting partner to teams, helping to find solutions, bringing clarity, and of course creativity. Upskilling teams in hard or soft skills also brings so much empowerment to individuals
11. Have you experienced failure in your career, if so, what lessons did you learn from that?
Failure is always part of the journey. Being able to get up and complete the task with more insight is something that not only you can learn from but others as well
12. What are your plans for the future?
Increasing the focus on sustainability within the industry is important to me. And the success of the journey relies on partnering especially with our competitors.
Short Bio:
With a background in PR, leading BCorp, serving as the lead in Communication, and spearheading sustainability strategies that drive business impact, Gisela contributes my diverse skill set and passion to achieving the collective business goals.
Throughout her career, she has honed expertise in crafting impactful communication strategies, fostering stakeholder relationships, and driving sustainability initiatives that align with business objectives. As Danone Southern Africa’s primary BCorp Lead, she has championed ethical business practices, translating purpose-driven missions into cohesive narratives that resonate with diverse audiences. This experience has ingrained the value of transparent, purpose-led communication that fosters trust and engagement.
In her role as Head of Communications, she has developed a keen understanding of organisational dynamics and the importance of effective communication in aligning strategic goals across multifaceted teams. Collaborating closely with executives, developed her skill to synthesise complex information into compelling stories, ensuring consistency across diverse stakeholders including media.
Added the role of Business Impact Integrator to her repertoire has empowered her to share the company’s sustainability agenda both internally and externally; successfully integrated sustainability initiatives into core business strategies, aligning environmental and social objectives with commercial imperatives
