Page 50 - KZN Top Business Women 2022 Powed by DRG & BusinessFit SA

Jennifer said, “My recent appointment as CEO, which were equivalent to the demands of work
JENNIFER REDDY, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER has been challenging and exhilarating. My – balancing that was quite difficult.
OF MORAR INCORPORATED purpose is making sure that the company moves
to greater heights. We have a great legacy that “My immediate goal is for this firm to regain its
has been left behind by our previous Managing branding strength and our market share. Morar
ENNIFER REDDY is the new Chief Executive Director and founder who has sadly passed Incorporated offers a wide range of services
Officer of Morar Incorporated – a financial away. And it’s with that vision that I would like and we don’t openly publicise our success. We
services consulting firm comprising of us to strengthen our resolve and move forward are a client-centric company that highlights
J Chartered Accountants and Registered with passion, conquering what needs to be innovation and technology and I need to bring
Auditors. The firm has a national presence, with conquered. I am proud to say that three months that to the fore.”
seven offices across the country, servicing private down the line we are on the right track. We are
and public sector clients’ needs in accounting, energised and confident that we will take Morar “Personally, I think that becoming CEO has also
auditing, tax, forensics, and information and Incorporated to greater heights.” ignited a passion in me to conquer more and
communications technology services. I know that that there is a lot more that I have
During different phases of her life, Jennifer says to achieve.”
Morar Incorporated has been in business for
over 27 years. “As a black-owned and managed that various people have supported, mentored Jennifer’s advice to young women following in
and coached her. She commented, “My previous
business, this is a great feat for a small to her path is “be brave”. She added, “Be willing
medium-sized enterprise,” said Jennifer. Managing Director gave me the guts to take to take the risk, weigh all your options, and
on any challenge and the ability to believe in embrace your network. Never sell yourself
The firm is the only South African firm to be myself and what I could achieve. He was a great short and never believe that something is not
accredited with Allinial Global membership, mentor and he never held me back no matter possible because of where you come from,
which allows international clients to be serviced what strategy, tactic or business plan I came up your background, your childhood or any other
as well as creating a link for local clients who with. He was supportive and let me grow and experience in life. These experiences mould us,
wish to expand their businesses abroad. find myself within this business.” and they also guide us to where we should be
going in life.”
A PATH FOR SUCCESS Jennifer added that she has been fortunate
enough to have a tribe of women that back She added that women should never disregard
Jennifer has 15 years of experience under her. “A network is very important if you want
her belt, having completed her articles and to progress in business or even personally. I the value of education, as this is the edge we
have over our male counterparts. In addition,
qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (SA) while have been fortunate to encounter professional Jennifer says, “Don’t be afraid to be a female
at PricewaterhouseCoopers. She joined Morar women that support me. When you feel anxious, leader. By that I mean empowering women,
Incorporated in 2010 at the Pietermaritzburg they are there to support you by understanding
office as an Associate Director servicing the how to evaluate risk and advise on the best way leading with empathy and with confidence.”
private sector in accounting, auditing and tax. If you are stylish, she says, then bring that
to move forward.”
She commented, “My drive and ambition allowed She added, “As a female professional in flair into your leadership style. We often try to
me to set a path for success and grow through an accounting and auditing field, the male put ourselves into this male world and don’t
the ranks, I was then given the opportunity dominance gets to you. When you start this want to showcase our female attributes. We
to become the Director responsible for the career you may not anticipate how you will move are female leaders, and we need to embrace
Durban office and KwaZulu-Natal region with past this barrier. The first challenge is finding that fact.
the responsibility to enhance the firm’s strategy the security and certainty within yourself that Jennifer is very fortunate as her husband and
and grow the private sector business segment you are equivalent to your counterparts.” kids keep her well-grounded. “When I am not at
in Cape Town and Johannesburg.” work, they are my priority. They help me relax,
In 2017, Jennifer was appointed as the Director of A big challenge, says Jennifer, is that you may regroup and refocus. I have great friends that are
Corporate Services, responsible for leading the not be able to work 10 to 12 hours a day, and always willing to take me on little retreats – we
organisation’s finance, operations, and support it may be difficult to travel when you have call it girl time. My best friend is a yoga teacher,
strategies and functions. little kids. Overcoming those challenges was so I have access to meditation and yoga, which
something she needed to address early in her helps me relax. I also love reading, which helps
During her professional journey within Morar career. “Keeping that work-life balance is a myth me to clear my mind.”
Incorporated, Jennifer furthered her education – there is no work-life balance – whatever makes
by completing the strategic examination you and your family happy is the balance you In conclusion, she adds, “We live in a society
with the Chartered Institute of Management are going to create.” where women are often afraid to showcase
Accountants (CIMA) in 2019, as well as obtaining where they have been and where they are going.
her Masters of Business Administration degree The next challenge was balancing the needs of Initiatives like this enable women to share what
from the Gordon Institute of Business Science the business, her clients, her staff and her family they have achieved. I have a story to tell, and I
(University of Pretoria) in 2021. while she completed an MBA. The demands of trust my story could help someone else.”

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