Member Profile: Fatima Mamod

What time do you usually wake up on weekends?

I’m definitely a night owl, so weekends are my time to recharge. On most weekends, I wake up around 09:00. If my teenage sons have early sporting commitments, then it’s usually somewhere between 06:00 and 08:00, but I won’t pretend that’s my favorite part of the weekend.

How do you spend the first hour of your day?

The first hour of my day is usually about easing in rather than rushing. Slow mornings are such a blessing. I spend that time reading, reflecting, and journaling. It’s my way of creating space to process, realign, and set intentions before the day demands my attention.

What sparked your interest in finance?

My interest in finance was sparked by curiosity and necessity. Growing up, I was fascinated by how money shapes opportunities and choices. Over time, I realized finance isn’t just about numbers. It’s about creating freedom, security, and impact. Numbers have a way of revealing patterns and mapping out stories, and for centuries, we’ve learned and connected through storytelling. That understanding transformed my curiosity into a passion for helping businesses and individuals make better decisions that can change their futures.

Can you share some career highlights and defining moments?

My career has been defined by transformative roles that balance corporate leadership, entrepreneurial ambition, and social impact.
Serving as Head of Finance for a major logistics and various multinational companies was a turning point. Leading large teams, optimizing complex financial structures, and driving process improvement initiatives across multiple countries taught me how to navigate scale with precision.
Building my own investment platform, Yawfii Investments, stands as a defining moment. It allows me to merge finance with purpose by supporting women-led businesses and social entrepreneurs, proving that profitability and impact can co-exist.
Other milestones include spearheading finance transformation projects at Alpla and Aggreko, such as rolling out ERP systems, unlocking USD 10 million in cash flow, and integrating multi-country operations to deliver efficiency and cost savings.
Becoming a Non-Executive Director at the National Shelter Movement is deeply meaningful to me as it aligns financial governance with advocacy against gender-based violence, a cause I’m passionate about.
Most recently, I’ve ventured into storytelling, co-authoring a book and launching podcasts like ‘Rewriting Crazy’ to create spaces where authentic narratives inspire societal change. These chapters in my journey reflect one truth: finance is more than numbers; it’s a catalyst for transformation.

How do you handle professional challenges?

I approach professional challenges as opportunities to innovate and grow. My first step is to pause and process because emotions are powerful signals. They often point to what matters most. Once I’ve acknowledged them, I move into fact-finding, using data, context, and honest conversations to get to the root cause. That balance between emotional awareness and analytical thinking allows me to lead with clarity and empathy.
Motherhood has shaped this perspective. Raising two teenage boys while navigating high-pressure finance roles taught me resilience, patience, and the value of adapting without losing my center. Whether it’s restructuring teams, managing crises, or driving transformation, I lead with transparency and empathy. For me, challenges aren’t setbacks. They’re catalysts for building stronger systems, better teams, and meaningful change.

What future goals are you excited about?

I’m excited about building ventures that merge profit with purpose. Through Yawfii Investments, I plan to scale social-impact investing, backing women-led businesses and innovative entrepreneurs who create real change in their communities.
In my professional life as a finance leader, I’m passionate about leveraging my experience in strategic financial management to shape resilient, future-ready organizations. At RTT and beyond, I want to continue driving transformation, building high-performing teams, optimizing financial systems, and using data and people to influence critical business decisions.
I’m equally committed to storytelling as a tool for empowerment. With my upcoming book and podcasts, I aim to spark conversations around resilience, identity, and rewriting societal narratives.
Looking ahead, I see myself taking on more strategic board-level roles and expanding my mentorship footprint, influencing policy, governance, and financial sustainability for organizations that matter. Ultimately, my goal is to create spaces, whether in business or in life, where people can thrive, grow, and feel seen.

Have you had any international or different cultural experiences in your career?

Absolutely. My career has been deeply global, spanning diverse markets and cultural landscapes. From leading finance operations across Southern, Eastern, and West Africa to managing group finance functions with teams in Europe, Asia, and the Americas, I’ve learned that cultural intelligence is as critical as technical expertise. At Access World, I worked with teams in more than 10 countries, from Shanghai and Turkey to the Netherlands and Mexico, navigating time zones, languages, and regulatory frameworks. Prior to that, at Cummins, Aggreko and Alpla, I partnered with colleagues across Africa, rolling out ERP systems and standardizing processes in regions with vastly different business practices. I spent significant amounts of time in Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Angola, Mozambique, Kenya and Mauritius. These experiences have taught me that successful leadership in a global context means being curious, adaptable, and respectful, building trust while driving consistent financial excellence.

What key skills should a newly qualified accountant develop on their path to becoming a CFO?

Start with the basics: know your numbers inside out, but don’t stop there. Learn how the business works beyond finance, because CFOs are business leaders first. Build strong communication skills so you can explain complex issues simply. Get comfortable with technology, as automation and data tools are part of the job now. And don’t underestimate people skills; managing teams and relationships is where real impact happens. Most importantly, stay curious and open to learning. That’s what will keep you growing.

How do you balance your personal and professional life?

For me, it’s not about balance, it’s about integration. Life and work aren’t two separate worlds; they’re part of the same ecosystem. Some days my career takes center stage, other days my boys need me fully present, and that’s okay.
I’ve learned to design my life intentionally: setting boundaries where needed, creating pockets of time for things that ground me, reading, journaling, traveling and cooking, and being present in the moment I’m in without feeling guilty.
Integration is not about perfection. It’s about flow and making sure the things that matter most always have space.

What are your interests outside of work?

Outside of work, I’m all about creativity and connection. I love reading, everything from leadership books to deep, soulful narratives. Journaling and reflecting are my go-to rituals for clarity. Cooking is another passion; I find so much joy in experimenting in the kitchen and sharing meals with people I love.
Travel is my way of feeding curiosity. Exploring new places, cultures, and cuisines inspires me and broadens my perspective. I’m also exploring new creative spaces like learning to draw, because growth for me isn’t just professional, it’s deeply personal. And, of course, most of my time revolves around raising my two teenage boys, which is an adventure of its own.

How do you contribute to the development of others in your field?

I believe growth is a shared responsibility, so I actively create spaces for others to thrive. Through mentorship programs like WomHub and AWCA, I guide women entrepreneurs and finance professionals on strategy, leadership, and financial sustainability.
I also coach entrepreneurship students at Tshwane University of Technology, helping them take ideas from concept to pitch-ready businesses, because empowering the next generation matters.
Beyond structured programs, I share knowledge through speaking engagements, thought leadership, and honest conversations. For me, contributing to others’ development isn’t an obligation, it’s an investment in the future of the profession.

What advice would you give to someone aspiring to be a CFO?

Don’t just chase titles, chase learning. Being a CFO is about more than numbers. It’s about leadership, influence, and understanding the whole business. Get curious about operations, sales, technology, HR and strategy. Build strong communication skills. You need to turn complex insights into clear decisions. And never underestimate people skills; leading teams through change will be one of your biggest responsibilities. Finally, stay adaptable. The role of a CFO is evolving, and so should you.

What’s your favourite quote or mantra?

“It took me 17 years and 114 days to become an overnight success.” – Lionel Messi

Why it resonates: Because it reminds me that what looks like an overnight win is years of unseen discipline and resilience, a truth I’ve lived in my own career.
“When the student is ready, the teacher appears.”
Why it resonates: It speaks to timing and openness to learning. Every mentor, challenge, and opportunity I’ve had came when I was ready to grow, even if I didn’t realize it at first.

Share your favourite leadership lesson.

My biggest leadership lesson is that strength is not control, it’s trust. Early in my career, I equated leadership with having all the answers, but life and motherhood taught me otherwise. Real leadership is about creating environments where people feel safe to think, speak, and grow. I’ve learned that data drives decisions, but people drive outcomes. Leading isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room, it’s about listening, asking the right questions, and making space for others to rise. And sometimes, it’s about admitting you don’t know, and that vulnerability often builds more trust than perfection ever could.

What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your business bio?

Most people don’t know that I’m deeply drawn to the creative and the unconventional. I can spend hours designing mood boards or curating concepts for my interests whether it’s a dinner club, a social meet-up or a spur-of-the-moment travel booking for a solo trip. When I’m not doing that, I’m writing reflective narratives about life, identity, and resilience. At the same time, I’m fiercely committed to social justice and gender equity, lending my voice and expertise to causes that matter. It’s the side of me that balances the structure of finance with the freedom of creativity and the fire of purpose.

What’s your favorite non-business app on your phone?

Instagram. It’s my visual escape. I love photography, capturing everyday moments, and curating spaces that inspire me. It’s where I explore aesthetics, creativity, and sometimes just indulge in beautiful visuals that spark ideas.

If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?

The power to clone myself, because some days, leading teams, managing strategy, mentoring, and being present for my boys feels like four jobs in one. And if my clone could also turn complex spreadsheets into powerful visual stories instantly, that would be the ultimate game-changer.

What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?

I plan my day in blocks and protect my high-energy hours for deep work. I also give myself permission to pause, stepping away for a quick coffee or a few minutes of meditation and deep breathing resets my focus. And honestly, music helps too; the right playlist can change the energy of an entire day.

If you could relive one day from your professional career, which day would it be and why?

I’d relive the day I qualified as a CA(SA). It was against all odds, a culmination of years of sacrifice, resilience, and unwavering belief in a dream that often felt out of reach. That day wasn’t just a milestone; it was proof that persistence changes the narrative. It also opened doors to opportunities and access to rooms that would have been impossible for me to step into otherwise.