Neritha Ryan, Head: People and Culture, Business and Commercial Banking, Standard Bank

Leading With Purpose: Empowering Women and Driving Inclusive Growth Across Africa

By Nerintha Ryan

Mentorship is a powerful tool. It allows seasoned professionals to share wisdom, build confidence and broaden perspectives

In my role as Head of People and Culture for Business and Commercial Banking (BCB) at Standard Bank, I am entrusted with one of the most meaningful responsibilities, developing our most valuable asset: our people. Leadership development, to me, is not just about professional advancement - it is about cultivating leaders who embrace personal growth and understand the profound impact they have in unlocking the diverse potential of others. When our people feel seen, supported, and valued, we create a multiplier effect, growing careers, improving livelihoods, and inspiring the next generation.

Redefining Success Through Empowerment

As a woman leading People and Culture, success is deeply personal. Women wear many hats - mother, sister, wife, daughter, aunt, leader - and each role shapes how we show up at work. True empowerment means creating a culture where women don’t have to choose between these roles but are supported to thrive in all of them. When women are valued in their wholeness, we move beyond narrow definitions of success and embrace the richness of our contributions, in our homes, communities, workplaces, and society.

Aligning Purpose With Continental Growth

My passion has always been about unlocking human potential. That means helping people discover and realise their strengths, even those they didn’t know they had. Within BCB, this translates into creating conditions where our people can stretch, grow, and lead. Africa is on the cusp of a demographic transformation, poised to have the youngest population in the world. This presents an extraordinary opportunity. By investing in our youth and nurturing their potential, we are securing Africa’s future. That’s why Standard Bank’s purpose, “Africa is our home, we drive her growth”, resonates so deeply with me. When we invest in our people, we unleash growth for an entire continent.

Progress and Possibility For Women In Banking

Having worked across various facets of human capital, I’ve witnessed the power of progress firsthand. More women are stepping into leadership roles. More diverse voices are shaping decisions, and there’s a growing recognition that gender equity is not optional, it’s essential. Yet, our greatest opportunities still lie ahead. Across Africa there is untapped potential among women in emerging sectors, from agriculture and fintech to manufacturing and creative industries. My role is to ensure that we build a robust pipeline of talented women leaders and accelerate their progression.

Tackling Persistent Challenges

Despite the progress, women continue to face persistent challenges in corporate environments. Gender bias, limited access to networks, and the pressure of juggling multiple roles are just a few. One of the most difficult realities is that women often feel they must adapt or dilute their identity to succeed.

That is not acceptable. True progress means creating workplaces that are inclusive, safe, and supportive, where women can be themselves and know their contributions are essential and valued. At Standard Bank, we are intentional about building environments where women are set up to succeed and can embrace the abundant growth opportunities available to them.

Financial Inclusion As A Catalyst For Change

When women entrepreneurs succeed, the impact is exponential. In Africa, women make up around 58% of the continent’s self-employed population, yet they receive significantly less access to finance than men. And yet, when women do access capital, they are more likely to reinvest in their families, communities, and education, creating generational impact. We’ve seen this in action, from female clients driving agricultural innovation in Kenya to tech-enabled SMEs led by women in South Africa and Nigeria.

My role is to bridge these worlds, ensuring that the culture of inclusive growth we foster inside the Bank reflects the impact we want to see across the continent. BCB must be a place where women, whether employees or clients, can grow, lead, and thrive.

The future of leadership in Africa will be younger, more digital, more inclusive, and more human

The Power Of Mentorship And Visibility

I stand where I am today because of leaders who believed in me, trusted me, and encouraged me to own my contribution. That’s why I’m passionate about doing the same for others. Mentorship is a powerful tool. It allows seasoned professionals to share wisdom, build confidence, and broaden perspectives. It also strengthens the practice of self-reflection and intentional leadership.

Leadership visibility is equally critical. In a post-pandemic world, employee engagement has become more complex. Progressive People and Culture practices are key to accelerating career growth and driving business performance. It starts with attracting diverse talent, creating equal development opportunities, and building environments of trust. Through mentorship, skills investment, and career development support, we ensure that women feel confident and equipped to make their best contribution.

Bold Action For Gender Parity

Across Africa, we’ve made significant strides toward gender parity, but we still have a long way to go. Women make up half of the continent’s workforce yet hold only around 14% of executive roles and fewer than 7% of C-suite positions. The imbalance is clear. To change this, we need bold and consistent action, achieving pay equity, driving inclusive succession practices, and modernising our approach to people investments.

We also know that when women lead, the impact is profound. Global studies show that companies with higher representation of female leaders consistently outperform on innovation and profitability. Driving gender equity is not just a moral imperative, it’s a strategic advantage. It’s our responsibility to ensure that leadership in Africa reflects the vibrant, diverse, and dynamic nature of our continent.

Cultural Shifts That Inspire

Looking ahead, I’m excited by the cultural shifts that allow women to lead authentically. This means creating new spaces for women to thrive, hybrid work models that offer flexibility, digital platforms that break down traditional barriers, and cross-border collaboration that gives African women leaders a global stage. The future of leadership in Africa will be younger, more digital, more inclusive, and more human. I’m proud that our people strategy is preparing us for exactly that.

A Message To Emerging Women Leaders

To the emerging women leaders shaping the future of work, leadership, and impact across Africa, my message is simple: Africa needs you in all your fullness. As women, we wear many hats, and each role enriches our strength and resilience. Don’t ever feel that you need to shrink or choose between these roles. Lead with courage and authenticity. Every time you rise as your whole self, you make it easier for another woman to do so too.

This is a pivotal moment for Africa. The choices we make today in how we invest in people, how we shape culture, and how we empower women, will define the future of our continent. At Standard Bank, we are committed to driving inclusive growth, unlocking human potential, and building a future where every woman can lead, thrive, and make her mark. Let’s rise together!