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By Fiona Wakelin and Koketso Mamabolo 

“For me, transformation is not just a business goal – it is a responsibility,” says Denise Sonny, Founder and Chief Integrator of DENISE SONNY, an executive search and recruitment firm empowering women in leadership. A Standard Bank EmpowHER finalist in 2023, Denise has contributed to what she calls the “broader transformation agenda” by empowering her team to build their own businesses, which now supply DENISE SONNY. With an impressive list of transformational milestones, Denise is perfectly placed to provide a perspective on the challenges their sector is facing.

In your opinion, what are the key challenges regarding transformation in your sector? 

The executive search and headhunting industry plays a pivotal role in driving transformation, yet it  faces several key challenges: 

1. Access to a diverse talent pool – Many industries still struggle with a pipeline problem, where there are fewer diverse candidates in leadership-ready positions 
2. Slow corporate commitment to transformation – While many companies have transformation  policies, their actual implementation often lags behind due to resistance to change or a lack of accountability
3. Global competition for talent – As South African businesses seek to transform, they are also competing with global firms for the same diverse talent, making retention a challenge 

To address these issues, I launched the Talent, Diversity & Culture Roundtable, where I invited heads of business and HR to share best practices around this agenda. This platform facilitates knowledge-sharing, highlights innovative transformation strategies, and fosters collaboration across industries. 

Please share your company’s key transformation milestones

Over the years, our company has achieved several key transformation milestones, including:

• Achieving and maintaining a strong B-BBEE rating, which reflects our commitment to equity and inclusion 
• Placing a record number of diverse candidates in executive roles, particularly women and previously disadvantaged professionals
• Launching a mentorship and leadership development initiative, aimed at preparing high potential talent for C-suite positions
• Expanding our global footprint while maintaining a strong commitment to local talent development
• Driving thought leadership on diversity and transformation through industry forums, panel discussions, and media engagements
• Launching the Talent, Diversity & Culture Roundtable, providing a strategic platform for organisations to exchange ideas and implement best practices in workplace diversity and inclusion
• Empowering my team to become business owners, creating a sustainable model where they now supply DENISE SONNY, among other clients

How do the company’s CSI projects contribute to the business as a whole? 

Our corporate social investment (CSI) projects are an extension of our commitment to social impact and sustainable transformation. Through these initiatives, we: 

• Develop future leaders by investing in education and skills development programmes for underprivileged youth 
• Support women’s empowerment, ensuring more women have access to leadership opportunities and career growth 
• Encourage entrepreneurship, and I am especially proud of our partnership model, where I have trained and equipped my team members to start their own businesses, some of whom now supply DENISE SONNY and other organisations
• We provide essential community support, as we also play an active role in feeding those in need and collaborating with other organisations on outreach and community-focused initiatives
• Empower small businesses, and one of the ways I do this is through the Business Connect Forum, which I co-lead. This platform provides small business owners with the opportunity to  leverage new connections, share insights, and grow their enterprises on a monthly basis 

These initiatives not only allow us to create meaningful social change but also help strengthen our brand, deepen relationships with stakeholders, and expand our network in a way that benefits both the business and the broader community. For me, transformation is not just a business goal—it is a  responsibility.

Denise Sonny, Founder and Chief Integrator of DENISE SONNY, an executive search and recruitment firm empowering women in leadership.

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