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PRIA HASSAN

ria Hassan is the executive chair of the Women energy is fundamental,” she says. “My task is legacy. It focuses on education, providing access to
of Africa Group. Pria’s upbringing in Reservoir to steer the company through this renewable urgent healthcare, and promoting mental wellness.”
Hills, Durban was shaped by a family where transition, ensuring we balance profitability with
Pher father, an entrepreneur, and her mother, environmental stewardship.” She sees digitisation The foundation is also a vehicle for other initiatives
a traditional housewife with solid values, kept her as a key area for growth to promote sustainable close to her heart. “We are working on sports
grounded. “I lived with my grandmother who believed practices, reduce emissions, and to make the academies and an entrepreneurship programme for
deeply in the power of education,” she recalls. organisation more environmentally friendly. young people. The foundation is about community,
togetherness, and accelerated empowerment.”
She pursued higher education at Howard College Law Pria’s goal is to drive investment in infrastructure
School before advancing to the University of Pretoria. development within the petroleum industry Pria has been fortunate to have a supportive
“It was there that I was admitted as an advocate in especially as there is a lack of bulk storage facilities husband and loyal brother, her foot soldiers, who
Johannesburg,” she says. Her career, however, didn’t in Africa owned and managed by women. She share her vision. Pria believes her team is one of her
remain confined to law. “I ventured into finance, added, “In the next five years, I want to ensure that greatest assets, not just because they are strong, but
logistics, property, mergers, acquisitions, and so Women of Africa remains relevant and becomes a because they consist of the right people who are
much more,” she explains, describing a journey that leading force across multiple industries.” even more intelligent than she is.
led her to the petroleum industry. The organisation’s social development programmes
SHEER DETERMINATION
“My first job was far removed from the industry I am play a crucial role in motivating the team. “They see
in now,” she reminisces. “I drove my late uncle’s truck “The toughest challenge for me has always been the effect of our initiatives on their own families
for a glass and aluminium company, working in areas breaking the glass ceiling in the oil and petroleum and communities,” she notes. Pria’s vision extends
like Verulam and Umlazi, managing logistics and industry,” Pria admits. “Early in my career, I faced to ongoing community development. “We need to
making deliveries.” She explains that the experience prejudice for being a woman in a high-stakes focus on skills transfer, training, and collaboration,”
was invaluable. “It instilled in me the values of hard commodity market.” However, knowledge from she emphasises.
work, responsibility, and resilience.” the legal fraternity helped her stay formidable. She Pria is committed to empowering women in
says, “I had the foresight and sheer determination to
Pria added, “The best advice I ever received came keep pushing forward, earning my seat at the table.” traditionally male-dominated sectors. “It is important
from my late uncle. I was only 11 when he told me, to show the younger generation the vital part they can
‘Never forget where you came from and where you Even now, Pria sees challenges within the industry. play in our future,” she asserts. “Operating in industries
are going. You are not responsible for the wind “The issues persist, but I refuse to sit back and like petroleum, logistics, and now healthcare, I want to
around you, only for managing your own sail’.” This complain. I am committed to fostering change. I pave the way for other women to succeed.”
wisdom has guided her through life. She says, “I’ve aim to be an influential force not just in energy, Pria holds a belief that powerful women often
navigated rough waters by adjusting my (sails) petrochemicals but in our business of logistics, draw strength and inspiration from role models
expectations and being courageous, even in the pharmaceuticals, and healthcare.” who have paved the way before them. “My
face of adversity.”
These challenges have come with a cost. “As a mother will always be my source of inspiration,
In addition, the exposure to the logistics chain laid leader, prioritising my mental wellness became giving me hope even in the darkest times,” she
a foundation for her understanding of the business crucial in my journey, Pria shares candidly. “I’ve says. “She made me realise education is not just a
world. “I learned that no job is too small or too experienced burnout traveling to different powerful tool for myself but if used effectively can
large when it comes to building a future. Those continents; sleep evaded me as I tried to juggle my shift the lives of so many others who need you.”
early experiences gave me insight into how every various roles which eventually led to me relying on She also credits Indra Nooyi for influencing her
part of the supply chain contributes to the overall sleeping medication. My triumph inspired me to leadership style. “Indra’s empathy, pragmatism,
economy in Africa.” launch Women of Africa Healthcare and Wellness and ability to drive change in the industry have
which aims to provide more facilities for mental given me the confidence to lead with purpose.”
SUSTAINABLE GROWTH health support.”
“I live by the motto, ‘Be the change you want to see
As executive chair of Women of Africa Group, Pria says that one of her proudest accomplishments in the world,’” Pria concludes. “It’s a daily reminder
Pria’s purpose is rooted in a desire for sustainable is the Women of Africa Foundation. “The greatest that change starts with personal action. It’s not easy,
growth. “The petroleum industry is undergoing gift we can give the next generation is our wisdom but it keeps me focused on solutions and positive
significant changes and the supply of cleaner and experience,” she explains. “The foundation is my impacts, whether in business or in my community.”
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