+IMPACT MAGAZINE ISSUE 18

WOMEN
THE X-FACTOR
The Urban Dictionary states that the x-factor is a quality that makes people in
possession of it the epitome of cool. Women are the x-factor in most factors and
in the green building sector they are taking the lead.
Be part of the
most powerful
green building
gathering in
Africa.
Join the RE-Generation Movement at the
15th Green Building Convention and be part
of driving the regeneration we need in the
built environment in this decade of
accelerated climate action.
Registration from just ZAR 2000.
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Exhibition space from just ZAR 12500.
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gbcsaconvention.org.za
2-4 Nov 2022
Century City Conference
Centre, Cape Town & Virtually
850+
visitors
100+
companies engaged
40+
exhibitors
LISA REYNOLDS
CEO, Green Building Council South Africa
“When it comes to driving sustainability in business, women must stand up
and own this space. Women must demonstrate leadership in driving corporate
sustainability and responsibility. Women must work together to develop
strategies that will make businesses adopt a sustainability mindset. We need to
move to a place where companies embrace creative, meaningful sustainability
projects, based on the economic and social advantages of these.”
We asked other leaders in the green space what, in their opinion, is the x-factor that
women bring to the green built sector.
JUTTA BERNS
Founder and CEO, Ecocentric
“We bring a genuinely unique perspective to the built environment: we tend to be
formidable systems thinkers who know how to develop partnerships across disciplines
and outside our professional communities. We understand that getting beyond silos and
into meaningful and rapid collaboration is vital on the journey to preventing climate
collapse and catastrophic biodiversity loss. This is where we, as women, truly come
into play and this gives me immense hope.”
MARLOES REININK
Director, Solid Green Consulting
“In an industry where change and embracing the unknown are givens, interpersonal
skills are essential to leading a dynamic organisation. Women are intuitive thinkers and
are instinctively equipped with social skills that focus on inclusive and communicative
behaviours. This allows us to listen, support and build trust with our colleagues,
and to bring together diverse stakeholders to work towards a common vision. And,
according to a recent Caliper study, female leaders are also more willing to take
risks than male leaders – which is an essential quality when navigating the complex
challenges of our constantly evolving built environment.”
DR RETHABILE MELAMU
CEO, South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA)
“Undoubtedly, women bring a different and fresh perspective to an industry that
has been dominated by men. With diversity of thought that women bring to this
space, organisations in the built environment benefit from increased creativity
and innovation, that creates immense value and growth to these organisations.
By nature, women encourage cooperation and collaboration and that brings the
necessary vibrancy to teams in what can sometimes be a rigid environment.”
POSITIVE IMPACT ISSUE 18
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