Leila’s business career spans more than 20 years working in consulting, investment banking, retail banking & capital markets. Her diverse experience has been acquired in some of South Africa’s leading companies in these fields, including Accenture, Standard Bank & the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Through the course of her career, Leila has held senior executive positions & directorships of global portfolios, local boards & US boards. Her board roles have included that of non executive director, executive director & managing director. Leila has also served in the capacity as chairman of the board. Over the course of her career, Leila has gained experience in turnarounds; set up of two new Greenfields organisations; established new global and local divisions within a multi-national organisation; launched new products; established and closed down joint ventures; advocated on national policy matters; and maintained existing revenue producing and support functions. Leila holds a Ph.D in Economic & Financial Sciences.
Awards:
Business Woman of The Year 2021 (South Africa: Standard Bank Top Women Awards)
Ranked in Top 100 Women CEOs in Africa by Reset Global People and Advance Media
Recognised by the World Federation of Exchange’s (WFE) Women Leaders 2021 for outstanding leadership
Alumni Dignitas Award 2021 – University of Johannesburg (Award honouring individuals that have excelled in their respective fields signifying merit, worthiness)
Founders’ Medal by the Economic Society of South Africa for best Economics thesis in South Africa. Thesis examined the procyclical effect over the business cycle of bank extended credit in South Africa using a Structural VAR empirical technique
Awarded University of Johannesburg Top Student and Post Graduate Supervisor-linked academic bursary – MCOMM (2009)
Merit bursary for leadership 1987; academic achievement bursary 1988; Finished in the top 10th percentile of the Honours programme in 2000
French 
English