That’s the ethos of Refilwe Nkabinde, newly-appointed Strategy and Commercial Finance Director at beverage company, Brandhouse.

The award-winning chartered accountant has worked as Brandhouse’s financial controller since March 2013. She previously earned plaudits from the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) for sustainability reporting, as well as from Business Connexion and Standard Bank, where she previously held senior positions.

Nkabinde says she takes pride in remaining well-versed in the technicalities of the chartered accountancy profession. But she adds that a major part of her work is mentoring, inspiring and growing others while growing herself: “I’m not a finished product, I’m still work in progress. There are always growth opportunities; if you’re not growing you’re dead. I don’t want to just make this journey on my own though. I’m passionate about growing others especially women, who still have a muted voice in senior positions in South Africa.”

“Every Women’s Month we hear about the things that hold women back, but I think it’s largely women that hold themselves back. When I engage with women across universities and organisations, I encourage them to dream big and to associate with other women who do the same and help manifest their dreams. We all have something uniquely special to contribute, you must remain authentically you. In that way, there is no way you can lose,” adds Nkabinde.

“Where I grew up in Pimville (Soweto), many young ladies thought the only careers open to them were nursing or teaching. I encourage them that other options aren’t so distant. They must be prepared to reach for them, even if that feels scary and uncomfortable. That is the best way we all grow,” says Nkabinde.

“Once you decide where you want to go there are a lot more ways to get there than you think initially. We all need to find our purpose and live it, mine is simply to be the best that I can be by growing myself and others.”

Nkabinde’s own journey has included moving from Johannesburg to Cape Town (“A very different town and in many ways a lot more closed than Jo’burg.”) as well as having four children now aged 9, 7, 3 and 1. “They keep me pretty busy and I try to balance work and family life,” she laughs. “My hubby is very supportive which is a great help.”

She mentors two graduates at Brandhouse and sets time aside to speak to students about their career options and journeys. She believes a measure of success is how much one supports others and helps them achieve success. “Be prepared to give and receive feedback and ‘feed forward’ as this facilitates growth. Always be willing to contribute so as to move our society forward. You can be a board member of an SMME or NGO and provide expertise and insights, even if it’s for free.”

So where does she see herself in 10 years? “I’d like to be a powerful and impactful CFO and an executive of a Top-40 listed company. I also see myself continuing to serving on multiple boards of start-ups and NGOs. I foresee that the CFO role will be my bread-and-butter role, and I see myself influencing decisions and hearing insights at top level. You can only do that if you’re part of the conversations and have a seat on the executive table.”

She adds that women also need to be comfortable asking for help and not equating inexperience with weakness: “As an executive you reckon you’re expected to know everything. You also have to be comfortable asking questions as you go and remembering that everything you learn strengthens you,” she adds.

Nkabinde is described by her colleagues as an energetic problem-solver with excellent interpersonal skills and an aptitude for negotiation.