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Cape Town - Cristina Teixeira does not believe in half measures.
She balances being a mother, an executive director of a JSE listed company and a caring philanthropist.
No wonder she is a finalist in the corporate category of the Business Women's Association's (BWA) Businesswoman of the Year awards.
As chief financial officer (CFO) of Group Five she is the group's first ever female CFO and the only woman CFO within the engineering and construction sector among listed companies.
Not only is she also the first ever woman executive director at Group Five, but she is the youngest executive director.
Her philanthropical involvements include being the chair of the Group Five Basadi programme. This initiative develops and supports Group Five Women, female business owners in the construction sector as well as young girls needing work exposure.
Cristina had proven her mettle in the challenging predominant male environment of construction and engineering by always staying true to her values and convictions.
She is described as being independent, courageous and pursues all she does with amazing drive and tenacity, always delivering on her promises.
What keeps her going
"I believe that challenges remain for women and this may be relevant to some sectors more than others," she says.
She points to the fact that there are still so few women in senior positions in South Africa.
Although women make up 52% of the South African population, the BWA's South Africa Women in Leadership Census 2012 indicates that women constitute only 21% of executive managers and as low as 17% of all directors in the country.
"This must indicate that challenges exist and that change is required," she says. "I believe that the forums and organisations such as the BWA provide vehicles for change."
Cristina is married and has a three-year-old son.
"I am able to honour my responsibilities at work and at home due to the wonderful support structure I have surrounding me," she says.
"Like most things in life, success is never achieved solely and it is due to the supportive team of family I have around me and backing I receive at work that allows me to succeed."
Her focus as the head of finance within the organisation, as well as an executive director, is to ensure that the strategic direction the group takes allows for sustainable improvement for its stakeholders, employees, shareholders and the community.
"I have been part of a team which has needed to make some difficult decisions in the last few years and I am proud of my contribution to these, knowing that I made them with due care and focus on the organisation’s sustainability," she says.
"I obtain great satisfaction when I observe the learning and development of young staff members. When team members are energetic and willing to learn I am energised by them. In my world there are no boundaries as to what role you can fulfill – regardless of your age, gender or qualification."
She feels most rewarded when the group is able to demonstrate or deliver an output which is an industry first.
"I enjoy having the ability to set trends in my discipline and my sector, which enhances transparency to our stakeholder base," she says.
"Our positioning statement is 'structured ingenuity' and it is one which resonates with me – keep changing and growing, but do so within some guidelines of non-negotiables."
The fact that she can be part of an organisation that is a vehicle for delivery of basic infrastructure needs such as housing, water provision and power generation in South Africa and the rest of Africa is very rewarding to her.
"I would absolutely encourage young girls to pursue my type of career. The principle of finance is the foundation of any business," she says.
"The qualification of CA(SA) is very versatile and provides many opportunities, from operating as a professional in the audit environment to the private sector corporate world to running your own business."
Cristina has a few tips for women wanting to be successful in the corporate world:
* Invest in your education;
* Hard work pays off;
* Surround yourself with good mentors and leaders;
* Be willing to learn from others – whether the learning is “what to do” or “what not to do”;
* Remember that difficult situations will probably be your best learning grounds;
* Have confidence in yourself - never let your age or gender be the reason why you feel unable to contribute.
* Remember that the most successful business environment is one where diversity is embraced and encouraged, as this creates varied assessment, analysis and contribution.
- Fin24
* Add your voice to our Women's Wealth Issue and help empower others this Women's Month.
Write a guest post
Share your coping tips
Ask the experts
She balances being a mother, an executive director of a JSE listed company and a caring philanthropist.
No wonder she is a finalist in the corporate category of the Business Women's Association's (BWA) Businesswoman of the Year awards.
As chief financial officer (CFO) of Group Five she is the group's first ever female CFO and the only woman CFO within the engineering and construction sector among listed companies.
Not only is she also the first ever woman executive director at Group Five, but she is the youngest executive director.
Her philanthropical involvements include being the chair of the Group Five Basadi programme. This initiative develops and supports Group Five Women, female business owners in the construction sector as well as young girls needing work exposure.
Cristina had proven her mettle in the challenging predominant male environment of construction and engineering by always staying true to her values and convictions.
She is described as being independent, courageous and pursues all she does with amazing drive and tenacity, always delivering on her promises.
What keeps her going
"I believe that challenges remain for women and this may be relevant to some sectors more than others," she says.
She points to the fact that there are still so few women in senior positions in South Africa.
Although women make up 52% of the South African population, the BWA's South Africa Women in Leadership Census 2012 indicates that women constitute only 21% of executive managers and as low as 17% of all directors in the country.
"This must indicate that challenges exist and that change is required," she says. "I believe that the forums and organisations such as the BWA provide vehicles for change."
Cristina is married and has a three-year-old son.
"I am able to honour my responsibilities at work and at home due to the wonderful support structure I have surrounding me," she says.
"Like most things in life, success is never achieved solely and it is due to the supportive team of family I have around me and backing I receive at work that allows me to succeed."
Her focus as the head of finance within the organisation, as well as an executive director, is to ensure that the strategic direction the group takes allows for sustainable improvement for its stakeholders, employees, shareholders and the community.
"I have been part of a team which has needed to make some difficult decisions in the last few years and I am proud of my contribution to these, knowing that I made them with due care and focus on the organisation’s sustainability," she says.
"I obtain great satisfaction when I observe the learning and development of young staff members. When team members are energetic and willing to learn I am energised by them. In my world there are no boundaries as to what role you can fulfill – regardless of your age, gender or qualification."
She feels most rewarded when the group is able to demonstrate or deliver an output which is an industry first.
"I enjoy having the ability to set trends in my discipline and my sector, which enhances transparency to our stakeholder base," she says.
"Our positioning statement is 'structured ingenuity' and it is one which resonates with me – keep changing and growing, but do so within some guidelines of non-negotiables."
The fact that she can be part of an organisation that is a vehicle for delivery of basic infrastructure needs such as housing, water provision and power generation in South Africa and the rest of Africa is very rewarding to her.
"I would absolutely encourage young girls to pursue my type of career. The principle of finance is the foundation of any business," she says.
"The qualification of CA(SA) is very versatile and provides many opportunities, from operating as a professional in the audit environment to the private sector corporate world to running your own business."
Cristina has a few tips for women wanting to be successful in the corporate world:
* Invest in your education;
* Hard work pays off;
* Surround yourself with good mentors and leaders;
* Be willing to learn from others – whether the learning is “what to do” or “what not to do”;
* Remember that difficult situations will probably be your best learning grounds;
* Have confidence in yourself - never let your age or gender be the reason why you feel unable to contribute.
* Remember that the most successful business environment is one where diversity is embraced and encouraged, as this creates varied assessment, analysis and contribution.
- Fin24
* Add your voice to our Women's Wealth Issue and help empower others this Women's Month.
Write a guest post
Share your coping tips
Ask the experts
