ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
This programme is designed to develop young future leaders of Africa to become confident in whichever leadership path they are following, whether as a career based or entrepreneurial based individual. Being mentored by leaders in society will allow these future leaders the unique opportunity to gain all the benefits that a formally structured programme offers. Their Mentors will become their teacher, guide, counsellor, motivator, sponsor, advisor, role model, referral agent and door opener.
Their broad based growth will come from getting to know their Mentor and potentially understanding a different sector to their own. These women will experience knowledge sharing and skills transfer that will create an environment that allows them to climb to the top of their profession, industry or entrepreneurial environment.
The programme’s specific mentorship outcomes are as follows:
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The development of expertise, talent and diversity for our nation
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The expansion of young potential leaders’ knowledge bases by providing cutting edge information and self-improvement skills
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The promotion of interaction and participation through innovative personal development and networking activities, that speak to the objectives of this programme
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The creation of an environment where young leaders are mentored so that they can become the job creators of the future (in line with current government focus towards job creation)
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Facilitate knowledge building for participants of the mentorship programme in order for them to become more knowledgeable on technological solutions in the business world.
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The provision of professional one on one support needed by emerging entrepreneurs, for those in the challenging entrepreneurial world
Born and bred in England, Yvonne came to South Africa in 1978 to assume control of the South African subsidiary of an American Corporation with a seat on their American Board as a Senior Vice President – a position she held for 16 years.
She owns her own business, Yvonne Finch Consulting, a company focusing on offering strategic support to small and medium size companies, life skills and executive coaching. They also design and facilitate organisational and developmental workshops tailored to client’s requirements and run internal and external Mentoring Programmes. Her Mentoring Programme prototype has been accepted as a world benchmark for effective mentoring when she spoke at the International Bar Associations Annual Conference in Brussels in 2011.
She is a Director of UnitedSucces, the global women’s entrepreneurial network, headquartered in Amsterdam.
She sat on the National Small Business Advisory Council to the Minister for Trade and Industry from 2006 to 2009, was National Vice President for the Businesswomen’s Association from 2003 to 2007, and is currently a Continent Expert for Africa for Vital Voices, Washington. She chairs the Board of 5 South African companies and sits on the Board of the South African Women’s Entrepreneurial Network. She is passionate about good governance underpinning effective business.
In her spare time she loves the theatre and is a member of the Cape Amateur Theatre Awards Panel. She is married to Nigel and their son and daughter-in-law have two daughters.
Yvonne Finch
Programme Facilitator
A dynamic organisational and individual development specialist.
