Teresa Rodrigues, Absa’s Head of Technology for Corporate Functions

There has been much talk lately about how the role of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) has changed, how important soft skills have become and the relevance of strong, people-centric leadership. Teresa Rodrigues, Absa’s Head of Technology for Corporate Functions, has taken her passion for people, underlined by her graduate qualifications in human resources, and married these to technology, changing her own playing field and that of the people around her.

“I have managed to combine a mixture of an aptitude and passion for technology, my deep interest in people of all walks of life and the ability to put up my hand and embrace pertinent opportunities that keep me interested and engaged,” says Rodrigues. “I hope to serve as an example to other women that with enough determination and self-confidence, anything is possible.

“It’s about taking calculated risks and running toward a challenge. In this technology-pervasive age, those CIOs and their teams leaving their comfort zones and tackling innovation will grow, flourish and accumulate leadership skills. I encourage this mindset throughout my team.”

Absa has tenacity and dedication in supporting women’s contributions. Over the past few years, enormous strides have been made to even out the gender imbalance in its Information and Technology (IT) workforce, underlining the value Absa sees in diversity.

“Women bring unique perspectives to the table, and in senior tech roles, have demonstrated that they enable organisations to solve complex problems,” continues Rodrigues. “Having women in technology is essential for fostering innovation and creativity. By embracing different ways of thinking, women can contribute to technology breakthroughs and drive positive change. Women often excel in building collaborative environments, promoting teamwork and creating inclusive workspaces. Absa supports this view, running multiple mentorship programmes, women in tech forums and roundtables and creating opportunities for women to grow and succeed.

“The challenges women in tech face must be discussed as a collective that includes men. Only with men in the room will any discussion be truthful.” Rodrigues’ mentors and sponsors over the last few years include the guidance and support from senior Absa technology leaders who have helped her navigate challenges and have been invaluable resources for her personal and professional development.

Authenticity

“Sponsors are as vital as mentors as they help push and steer personal growth.” Rodrigues is herself a mentor and sponsor, paying it forward to contribute to the growth and success of others, which she describes as incredibly fulfilling. She draws from her experiences with Absa, as well as her six years with the United Nations, travelling the world, including to Sudan to set up a radio network.

“I’ve been part of some incredible platinum projects, including the merger and consequent separation of Absa from Barclays – a programme of unprecedented scale and a definite career highlight for me. I was involved in implementing Workday at Absa –one of the largest implementations in Africa and a key milestone resulting in operations across all countries being integrated onto a single HR management system for the first time. Another was a finance project to migrate onto one general ledger on SAP S/4Hana – also one of the biggest implementations in Africa. The knowledge and experience I gained from these implementations was invaluable.

“With Absa, I’ve been nominated for a number of programmes, including the Oxford Women’s Leadership Development Programme; Strategic Leadership at GIBS; Amara Women in Tech Programme through Wired4Women and, most recently, starting my journey on Transform Foundations for Business Leadership with IMD Switzerland. As I accumulate more knowledge, experience and confidence, this has better equipped me to handle challenges, make informed decisions, and pursue new endeavours, such as taking up the opportunity late last year to be Head of Corporate Functions, a substantial portfolio involving looking after different technologies across multiple departmental disciplines with responsibilities extending into Africa.

I’m proof that we as women, do have the ability to map out our own journeys. “We must remember that we are all part of a global community that we can tap into and leaders should never resist taking the opportunity to ask others for advice. We should also be very quick to help those we see are stuck and get them unstuck.

“What keeps me awake at night is how to use technology to speed up skills development and reskilling of the workforce for employment. According to McKinsey, 14% of the workforce worldwide will likely be forced to change jobs in the coming years as improved AI, automation, and other technologies will make traditional jobs obsolete. Addressing the skills and unemployment challenges we have, as a society and an organisation, all contribute to the greater good.

“My advice to young women with STEM career aspirations is to adopt continuous learning as an attribute. Technology is constantly evolving and being adaptable and open to learning new concepts, tools and technologies is crucial. Embracing a growth mindset and updating your skills will help you stay relevant and succeed in STEM careers. Developing leadership qualities such as effective communication and empathy as tools to inspire and motivate others will enable you to lead. An entrepreneurial mindset can be beneficial in any STEM-based career,” she concludes.