Page 49 - KZN Top Business Woman 2025 - eBook

Heather McDade

Managing Director of Modena Design Heather values the culture of care and accountability Foundation to expand training opportunities and
Centres Durban within the organisation. “They call me Mama Modena support the next generation of industry professionals.
at the office. I’m the nurturer. I make sure everyone is
eather McDade is the managing director happy and feels acknowledged, but people are still SUPPORTIVE NETWORK
H of Modena Design Centres Durban. The accountable. I’m not a pushover, everyone is expected When asked what advice she would give to others,

company operates in the design solutions to work hard and take accountability, and we hold them Heather highlights the importance of a supportive
space, offering advanced software and technology to that. It is about balance. I have a wonderful business network. “You cannot do it alone. I have an external
services to industries across Africa. Heather explained, “We partner, Clive, who is the sales director and he makes network of beautiful friends who I share with often.
are the only Autodesk Platinum Partner in Africa. Autodesk sure everyone conforms.” It is not always easy but lean on those who can help
is the largest computer-aided design (CAD) software and support you, and in doing so, you support them
Heather added that they have an human resources
development company in the world. We sell software as well.”
consultant who works closely with them, and she
solutions to architects and engineers, we train, we often uses Clive and her as an example of balance in Her growth as a leader has also been shaped by personal
implement the software, and we do a lot of reality capture, leadership, because they really complement each other. resilience. “I am a single mum, and I have been for 36
including 3D scanning and underground scanning.”
years. That has inspired me to make sure I am always
BUILDING FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS giving back, because in hard times people came into
A CAREER SHAPED BY INNOVATION
Heather started the business in her own lounge with my life to support me. It is about giving that back.”
Heather’s career began in the 1970s as an electrical just one salesperson. She reflected, “Slowly we took an
draughtsman with the electricity department. She office, then a bigger office, and the staff grew. Now we She added, “I am also a Christian, and God is very
recalled, “In those days we were all very much on the important in our business. He has blessed us enormously
drawing board, using pens and traditional drafting have just bought a beautiful property. Looking back, and sits at the forefront of our business.”
the journey has been my greatest achievement. I have
tools. As technology started to gain momentum, we been very blessed to have people to walk that journey Although retirement is on the horizon, Heather is not
began working with AutoCAD, which was the first piece
with me.” slowing down. “I have just opened a branch in Zambia,
of design software that Autodesk developed.”
which is a big and exciting challenge. My focus is on
Like many in the software industry, Modena has faced
Over time, Heather moved into companies that were making sure the business is stable so that when I step
digitising paper drawings, and she witnessed the shift challenges, particularly with currency fluctuations. “We out one day, I leave behind a legacy for the future.”
buy our software in dollars, so there have always been
from two-dimensional design to a world rich with
challenges in balancing financial realities with people’s Beyond business, Heather has been very intentional
data-driven modelling. Heather expanded, “Now a
needs. But the hard work pays off. It is about tenacity, about finding balance in her life and has cultivated a
line no longer just represents a wall. You can actually passion for painting. She explained, “I go on beautiful
draw a wall that has content and data attached to it. holding down and taking one day at a time.” oil painting workshops in the mountains, and I love the
Building Information Modelling, or BIM, is incredible. It She added, “While I’ve got a wonderful staff, we’ve had oil medium. I also enjoy live shows and being out and
is an aggregator that allows all disciplines in the design challenges with staff, and I think that’s the reality in about. I am intentional about not sitting at home. I am
process to work in a coordinated way. Everything is business. It’s nothing new.” a busy lady.”
coordinated in a 3D model, so all the clash detection
and technical information is resolved before you break A PASSION FOR EDUCATION LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP
ground. The amounts of efficiency and cost saving
Education is one of Heather’s strongest commitments. Heather’s journey is a story of persistence, innovation
just by using the proper software and working in a
She explained, “I am very passionate about education. and care. She has built a thriving business that
coordinated environment are huge.”
We work with engineering graphics and design colleges supports industries with cutting-edge solutions while
For Heather, people remain at the heart of her business. and universities, training students on the technology. remaining firmly rooted in her belief in people. As she
“My biggest dream is people. People are my passion, Many graduates come out of tertiary education with put it, “The way I have made an impact in business is
and I want them to succeed,” she said. Modena employs technical knowledge but not the technological skills through nurturing. I want people to feel acknowledged
a team of thirty-four staff members, including architects to back it up. We help bridge that gap.” Modena and empowered, and I have been blessed to have an
and engineers with real industry experience. has collaborated with institutions such as the Sasol incredible team walk this journey with me.”

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