Zipho Sikhakhane is a global speaker and business strategist. She has held positions in industry leading corporations worldwide and is the first black South African to complete an MBA at the top-ranked Stanford University in the USA. In 2016, she received the Outstanding Young Achiever Award from the UNESCO Center for Global Education.
In the last 15 years, Zipho Sikhakhane has presented in four continents, including a TEDx Talk in the USA on Africa’s potential. She delivers inspiring keynotes and facilitated interventions on leadership, change management and Africa’s potential. She has been featured in numerous publications worldwide and is published as a contributing author in Singapore in a book on inspirational women.
From being raised by a single parent in a poor township in northern KwaZulu Natal to overcoming the challenges faced by individuals from disadvantaged communities, Zipho’s journey has been one of consistently breaking barriers. She uses her inspiring life story to help individuals and businesses unleash their true potential.
Current Positions:
- CEO & Founder of EMZ Advisory Group
- Angel Investor in East, West & Southern Africa
- Board Chairperson for Maneli Commodities Trading
Professional Background:
- International Project Director, Inditex Zara (Spain)
- Customer Strategy Manager, Edcon Retail Group
- Management Consultant, McKinsey & Company
- Worked in 6 continents in the last 10 years
Academic Credentials:
- Masters in Business Administration, Stanford Graduate School of Business, USA – graduated on full scholarship
- Bachelor of Business Science Honours, University of Cape Town, SA – graduated on full scholarship with first class honours and distinctions
- Matriculated among the top in the province, with six distinctions
- Completed leadership courses in Austria, China, Czech Republic, Russia, South Africa
Areas of Expertise:
Leadership, strategy execution, change management, customer centricity, communications
