Marie Sebueng

What does your company do?

In Africa IAMS Powerhouse is the official training and coaching provider to Strategic Women in Leadership (SAWIL), we are a member of the global network Women Presidents Organization (WPO). A proudly certified women-owned company by WEConnect International and registered with the Institution for People Management (IPM). Our team has been awarded by Standard Bank and Topco Media as a TopGender Empowered Company in professional services winning the prestigious title in 2021 and 2022. Services Leadership development across Africa Executive and Team Coaching Business strategy Change navigation Leadership Recuitment across Africa People and Culture Consulting

What is your biggest success?

Notable achievements: ● 2023 winner in South Africa’s Forty Under 40 Awards ● 2023 African Business Awards finalist (shortlisted for Entrepreneur of the Year) ● Through WEConnect International: Marie led the largest women-owned business conference in Africa, which connected three key countries: South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria ● Marie was selected to represent South Africa in Paris for the UN International Women’s Day Leadership Summit ● Judge and sponsor of the Rising Star Awards (South Africa’s leading awards programme for emerging leaders). ● She also represented South Africa with the Institute for People Management at the Africa HR Forum, a pan-African event for HR professionals across 5 African regions ● Marie is also a trusted thought leader and expert in human resources, organisation and culture, frequently featured on TBN Africa, Newzroom Afrika, 702, CapeTalk and the SABC Accolades for IAMS Powerhouse: ● IAMS Powerhouse was named a Top Gender Empowered Company in Professional Services in 2021 and 2022 by Standard Bank and Topco Media ● IAMS Powerhouse is the official coaching and training provider for Strategic African Women in Leadership (SAWIL Marie Sebueng is the chief executive officer of IAMS Powerhouse. A dynamic businesswoman, keynote speaker, and executive coach. She leads various programs that advocate for entrepreneurship, diversity, and inclusion, with a focus on leadership across Africa. She believes "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, and become more, you are a leader" (John Quincy Adams). She holds an honours degree and qualified at Harvard Business School in Leadership and Business Development . She has led and facilitated engagements to create a greater network of female founders in Africa. An indication that “true empowerment will come from increased economic trade and activity in Africa for Africa” Under her leadership, IAMS has built a solid track record of helping executives galvanise their teams to deliver results. IAMS works with some of the biggest organisations on the African continent, including MTN, Standard Bank and the Development Bank of Southern Africa. Marie is a sought-after keynote speaker, mentor and executive coach, and leads programmes that advocate for entrepreneurship, diversity and inclusion, and leadership development across Africa. Passionate about women in leadership, she is a member of the Women Presidents Organization, a global network of women business leaders. She has also led and facilitated initiatives to strengthen the network of female business founders in Africa, recognising that true empowerment will come from increased economic activity in Africa, for Africa. Marie has held positions at listed organisations including Investec, Momentum, ArcelorMittal and American Tower (a Fortune 500 and Forbes Global 2000 company). She is the lead sponsor of LadycOde, a non-profit organisation that encourages young women from semi-rural communities to pursue careers in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) by providing coding and technology literacy education. Marie is a mother, an avid cyclist, a foodie and a firm believer that through God, all things are possible.

What has been your biggest hurdle?

I founded the business after surviving a critical illness in 2018 that nearly took my life. After a brush with death 6 weeks of being in the intensive care unit I survived determined to live a purposeful live. Determine to make an impact across Africa and have a great sense of pride for leadership in the country and continent. One of the major obstacles is no-one prepares you from coming as executive in corporate and transitioning as an entrepreneur to establishing your own business. It is tough I am an advocate for SMMEs I believe that is the cornerstone of our countries economy but 2020 during Covid 19 was a tough. I was hard to keep people employed we had to change our business model to survive we were at the risk of shutting down, operating with minimal resources. I am glad we were resilient and persevered it was tough but we learnt a lot about business in short span of time I am grateful look at what we have build and achieved today from though early tough days