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AURELIA ALBERT

urelia Albert is the chief executive officer similar roles. “Mentorship played a huge role GOOD EXAMPLES
of Innovate Durban. After completing in my career. Just leaning on people who were
a bachelor of commerce in economics willing to impart their knowledge helped guide Speaking of who has inspired her along the way
A at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, she me in the process of setting up Innovate Durban. Aurelia looks to her parents. She explains, “I look
completed an honours degree with a double I’m very grateful to those who did mentor me,” at their examples of how far they’ve come and
major in economics through UNISA. Although she commented. how hard they’ve worked, the various things that
this degree is not what Aurelia set out to do, the As a researcher in the eThekwini municipality, they’ve done, not only in business but also in the
subjects have contributed to her career to date. family. I know there’s a saying ‘work smart and not
Aurelia always worked on projects and events hard’. I disagree as I do believe that in order for
Making a difference in people’s lives has always behind the scenes. Recalling the best advice she you to get to where you are, you need to do a bit
been a source of motivation for Aurelia. “I’m doing had received along her path, Aurelia said it was a of both. They’ve set really good examples for the
that within Innovate Durban. I’m able to impact by manager telling her that she needed to step out, way in which I live and work including my ethics
helping people to upskill themselves, supporting stop standing behind a desk and be in the front of and the integrity that comes through in the work
them to identify their own career paths, unlocking the room interacting with various stakeholders. that I do.” Aurelia’s faith also plays a significant
opportunities for themselves within business Her first presentation at the launch of a major role in her life.
and really changing people’s quality of life,” she project was a pivotal point in her career. Aurelia
explains. A further inspiration is in the stories relating to the
reflected, “It was the moment that I got noticed work that she does. Aurelia expands, “I’m able to
In addition, Aurelia says, “I’m really passionate and my confidence grew, and because of my see the results and the work that’s been put in and
about Durban, which has experienced a lot of confidence growing, I was able to achieve so much the success at the end of the day.”
challenges over the last years. We want to serve more. That is definitely something that I impart
a purpose for good and invest in the people and to those who are working with me at Innovate In the future Innovate Durban is transitioning.
their lives here.” Durban, especially the young interns.” “Being a nonprofit company that is agile, we are
able to do that relatively quickly. I’m quite excited,”
INTO THE FOREFRONT GENDER DISPARITY commented Aurelia.

Aurelia worked for the eThekwini Municipality for The biggest challenge Aurelia has had to overcome “Innovate Durban runs several programmes
nine years as a researcher and then managed an is gender disparity. She says, “Oftentimes when and projects, one of which is an accelerator. “I’m
innovation programme within the city. She then you walk into a room as a woman in business, looking at transforming Innovate Durban into a
successfully applied for the job as programme the expectation is the CEO is going to be a man. pure accelerator. We are also looking at setting up
manager for innovation, following which Innovate I remember walking into a room, but the person an academy for the company as well as advisory
Durban was founded as a nonprofit company. that I was meeting was looking behind me for the services. So really transforming the way in which
CEO of Innovate Durban. It has been a bit difficult we are doing business. I see us expanding beyond
Establishing and growing Innovate Durban is the navigating that. But I’ve also found much joy in KZN, if there is a need, as whatever we do is
career accomplishment that Aurelia is most proud rising above and breaking those glass ceilings.” needs based.”
of. She was part of growing the nonprofit company
over six years into a successful and financially One of Aurelia’s main learnings in her journey is In addition, Aurelia plans to continue to keep her
sustainable entity. that communication is key. In addition, Innovate team motivated and to put all their energy and focus
Durban focuses on employee wellness, especially into the projects and programmes that they run.
“I had zero business or executive management post Covid. Consequently, frequent wellness and She commented, “Businesses in KZN are so resilient
experience,” she says. “So Innovate Durban is the team building sessions are hosted that ensure that and we need to support smaller businesses as they
accomplishment within my career that really stands the team comes together, learns about each other are engines for growth. Promoting small business
out and that has pushed me into the forefront and is motivated. development, increases employment, reduces un-
within the innovation space.” employment within our city, and enables people to
Within Innovate Durban, celebrating the wins have a better quality of life.”
Due to the fact that her experience was limited, of each other as well as the teams within the
Aurelia had much on the job learning and took organisation is part of their values and culture, In conclusion, Aurelia says that in life it is really
advice from other executives who had been in which they do frequently. important to be authentic and be yourself.

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