What time do you usually wake up on weekdays?
I get up at 5:00 am every morning and use this time for quiet time/reflection, reading and exercising.

How do you spend the first hour of your day?
 I like to get in some exercise and some reading time. This is also the time I plan my day and strategize a bit. I find a lot of ideas come my way while I am exercising! I don’t like to be rushed and prefer to have enough time to set my day up. 

What sparked your interest in finance?
I just always loved the idea of the story that numbers can tell you. Numbers never lie and you get such a good picture from financials. I love to analyze it, to understand where a business is and how it can improve in certain areas. I also love to teach non-financial people to understand financial statements better. 

Can you share some career highlights and defining moments?
I transformed an underperforming department on the brink of closure into a thriving, profitable unit that now delivers invaluable services. Starting from almost nothing, I built the team to include highly qualified professionals, earning the trust of a substantial customer base along the way. 

How do you handle professional challenges?
I thrive under pressure and maintain my composure in challenging situations. I’m confident that every problem can be resolved, and I’ll think through the issue until I find a solution. I also value collaboration, believing that involving the right people leads to more diverse ideas and faster resolutions. This approach not only helps us solve current challenges but also minimizes the risk of similar issues in the future. 

What future goals are you excited about?
I’m currently completing an 11-month Applied Directorship Programme through Sirdar, which has been incredibly enriching. This experience has deepened my knowledge and skills, inspiring me to pursue a career as a Chief Financial Officer. I’m particularly focused on enhancing governance within my organization, as I believe strong governance is crucial for sustainable growth and strategic decision-making. Looking ahead, I aim to leverage my learnings to drive financial integrity and innovation, while fostering a collaborative culture that aligns with our long-term goals. My commitment to continuous improvement and effective leadership will guide me as I strive to make a meaningful impact in the finance field. 

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

I’ve always had very diverse teams. Team members from different genders, cultures and age groups. I believe we can all learn from each other, and it is more about finding each other’s strengths and learning from that. It is very important to me to have cohesive teams, and we have monthly connection sessions where we spend time with each other for this specific reason. It’s all about getting to know each other and building strong bonds. 

What key skills should a newly qualified accountant develop on their path to becoming a CFO?
I think the key to any career growth is the passion you reflect. If you are passionate it will reflect in your work and it will drive, you to learn and grow more. You can also never stop learning and read as much as possible. There are so many resources available these days to help you grow in your career, you just need to be willing to see the opportunities and make the most of it. 

How do you balance your personal and professional life?
I don’t’ believe there is such a thing as perfect work-life balance. Sometimes you will have to spend more time on work, especially when there are deadlines and projects to complete. Other times, your focus might be more on your family. The important part is to also make time for your personal life. It is crucial to have something out of work life that energizes and fuels you. Your “why”. No matter how difficult, find time for yourself to recharge and do things that you enjoy doing and while at work, always give your best. 

What are your interests outside of work?
I’m learning to play golf. It is slow going but I enjoy it. Also, nothing beats spending time with my family. My boys are out of the house now, but we love to get together and do fun things together as a family. I also love to read. I read so many different books and I get so much out of it. I’ve read some powerful books that changed my life. From business to motivational, books that inspire and energize me, to books that calm my spirit. I cannot go a day without reading. 

How do you contribute to the development of others in your field?
I’ve done some mentorship initiatives in the past to promote employee and franchisee development and want to reinstate this again as I am very passionate about mentorship. I want to inspire people to be the best version of themselves and to pursue their dreams and goals. I also feel strongly about female growth in the workplace. We still have so far to go as businesses in having female leadership in top positions. I would like to empower women in the workplace to be able to achieve this. 

What advice would you give to someone aspiring to be a CFO?
Develop your leadership skills. Find a mentor that can give advice and guide you on your journey and build strong relationships around you. It’s important to have short-term and long-term goals in place so that you know what to work towards. Be willing to learn and go the extra mile all the time. Nothing beats hard work and passion! 

What’s your favorite quote or mantra?
If you want something you never had, do something you’ve never done” I believe in challenging myself all the time. I don’t want to ever stagnate or have regrets and want to live life fully. 

Share your favorite leadership lesson.
As leader, you are the glue that holds everyone together and you set the energy in the Team. If you as leader can inspire your team, they will be willing to do their best and to go the extra mile. But it all starts with you and the example you set every day. 

What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your business bio?
Fun fact – I’m celebrating my 30th wedding anniversary this year! So blessed! 

What’s your favorite non-business app on your phone?
I love these games where you have to search for items and clues, within a certain time limit, to resolve a mystery. 

If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
To have endless energy and endless hours in the day! It would also be great if I could clone myself, then I could be at different place all at once! 

What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
I focus on things that bring me pleasure and reward myself with it. Knowing I have something to look forward to gives me the patience and focus to continue when I am tired. 

If you could relive one day from your professional career, which day would it be and why?
The day I got my degree. I studied part-time, whilst working full-time and having a family with two young boys. I also lost both my parents during this journey, and it was sometimes extremely tough to continue. Getting my degree was proving to myself that I can persevere, that I am self-motivated and can pretty much do anything that I set my mind to. 

As Engela van Loggerenberg continues to inspire and lead, both in her company and in the broader financial community, her journey serves as a testament to the power of resilience, learning, and leadership. You can connect with her on LinkedIn to follow her remarkable career.