World's Rising High Women Leaders to Follow in 2023.pdf

www.worldsleaders.com Vol. 09 | Issue 06 | September 2023
LILIAM
M. LOPEZ
Miami's Most Inﬂuential Executive Helping Business Leaders
and Organizations to Achieve Constant Growth
World's Rising High
WOMEN LEADERS
to Follow in 2023

Take note, cause
clogs are everywhere
visit us for more information: www.miashoes.com
305-455-2600 Mon to Fri 8 am to 5 pm EST.

She is the MOMENT
Shop GAVI
visit us for more information: www.miashoes.com
305-455-2600 Mon to Fri 8 am to 5 pm EST.

World’s Rising High Women
Leaders to Follow in 2023
Whenever it comes to leadership, women's voices are
more powerful than men's. They are notably making
strides in the business realm, where they are reshaping
workplaces, simplifying processes, and challenging
conventional wisdom. We salute these business
entrepreneurs and strive to spread their stories
throughout the globe in order for everyone to learn, be
inspired, and believe in their own vision. These role
models carry the visionary torch for next generations.
The world has seen a lot of well-known and inspirational
corporate executives on the list, but what makes a leader
inspiring? An individual must commit themselves to
attaining a shared objective that motivates others and
inspires them to flourish in order to be an inspirational
business leader. There is no longer any gender-specific
leadership in the business world. As we can see, both
sexes are working equally hard to excel in their
specialized fields.
World's Leaders latest edition “World's Rising High
Women Leaders to Follow in 2023” has curated a list of
the women business leaders that have been successful in
leading some of the top organizations working in
industries as diverse as healthcare to consumer goods.
The cover has Liliam M. López, “Lily” President/CEO
and founder of the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce (SFLHCC), a highly accomplished individual
who has dedicated her career to empowering and
advocating for Hispanic communities. She has served in
various leadership roles in organizations such as the
South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the
Spanish American League Against Discrimination, and
the Alliance for Aging. Additionally, López is a sought-
after motivational speaker and has been invited to speak
at various events and commencement ceremonies.
Through her work with the South Florida Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce Foundation, she has helped
provide scholarships to financially disadvantaged
Hispanic students.
Also, while you flip through the pages, don't forget to
read the articles created by our in-house editorial staff
and industry experts.
Leading Towards a
Better Future
Have a lovely read!

Copyright 2023 WORLD’S LEADERS Media Tech LLC, All rights reserved. The content and images used in this magazine
should not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission from WORLD’S LEADERS Reprint rights
remain solely with WORLD’S LEADERS.
3296 Westerville Rd #250, Columbus, OH 43224, USA
Follow us on :
Editor-in-Chief Steve Sanchez
Managing Editor Jagdish Chincholikar
Executive Editor Nicole Williams
Assistant Editor Gayatri Bhujbal
Art & Design Director Jack Anderson
Business Development Manager Mia Oliver
Business Development Executive Natalie, Jerrey
Associate Designer Kevin Rust
Digital Marketing Manager Victor Clarke
Sales Manager Casey Simpson, Irfan Shekh
Marketing Manager Tom Swann
Technical Specialist Barry Jones
Circulation Manager Danny Parker
CREDIT PAGE
SEPTEMBER 2023

Liliam M. Lopez
Cov
Sry
10
Miami's Most Inﬂuential Executive Helping Business Leaders and
Organizations to Achieve Constant Growth

Dupe Olusola
Durana Elmi
Hannah Holland
Tania Amar
Kavita Channe
Patti France
Emily Hartstone
Kange Kaneene
Biba Pédron
54
50
46
40
36
32
28
22
18

LILIAM
M. LOPEZ
Miami's Most Inﬂuential Executive
Helping Business Leaders and
Organizations to Achieve
Constant Growth
worldsleaders.com | 11

The chamber serves as a platform to
promote business leadership, create
economic prospects, and provide
legislative advocacy for the Hispanic
business community in South Florida.
Under Liliam's leadership, the SFLHCC
has flourished into one of the most
resilient Hispanic chambers in the
United States, boasting a membership of
over 1,650 individuals. Additionally, the
SFLHCC Foundation has awarded more
than $975,000 in scholarships to
underprivileged students of Miami
Beach Senior High School and Miami
different Mayors of Miami Dade
County, and the City Keys to the City
of Miami Beach presented by the
Honorable Mayor David Dermer on
June 20, 2002.
For 10 years Lopez was the producer
and host of a weekly television show,
“Panorama con Liliam Lopez” that
aired on WLRN Cable-Tap. The
program highlighted the career of
executives, elected officials, and
entrepreneurs at the local, State and
national levels. The pandemic
required Lopez to pivot. She launched
a digital show, "A Business Minute
with Lily Lopez", which is featured
on all social media platforms reaching
over 23,000 businesses.
South Florida Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce
The South Florida Hispanic Chamber
of Commerce (SFLHCC) is a non-
profit organization that was founded
in 1994 with the goal of promoting
business leadership, creating
economic opportunities, and
providing legislative advocacy for the
Hispanic business community in
South Florida. With a diverse
population of approximately 70%
Hispanics, Miami-Dade County
serves as a gateway to the Americas
and offers immense potential for
companies to do business with people
from different backgrounds and
experiences. The SFLHCC provides
opportunities for its members through
local programs aimed at improving
the economic condition of the
Hispanic population. The organization
has over 1,650 members and
advocates for thousands of Hispanic
businesses in Florida. It is recognized
as one of the top five most influential
Hispanic chambers in the country and
one of the leading Hispanic business
organizations in Florida. The
SFLHCC is a 501(c)(6) non-profit
organization.
Liliam M. López, “Lily”
President/CEO and founder of the
South Florida Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce (SFLHCC), is a highly
accomplished individual who has
dedicated her career to empowering
and advocating for Hispanic
communities. She has served in
various leadership roles in
organizations such as the South
Florida Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce, the Spanish American
League Against Discrimination, and
the Alliance for Aging. Additionally,
López is a sought-after motivational
speaker and has been invited to speak
at various events and commencement
ceremonies. Through her work with
the South Florida Hispanic Chamber
of Commerce Foundation, she has
helped provide scholarships to
financially disadvantaged Hispanic
students. López has also been
recognized for her leadership and
invited to participate in a private
roundtable discussion with President
Barack Obama in Miami. She has
served on numerous boards, including
the Entrepreneurial Advisory Council
of the Federal Reserve Bank of
Atlanta's Regional Economic
Information Network and the Board
of Directors of WLRN Public Radio
and Television. She currently serves
on three prestigious boards: Adrienne
Arsht Center of the Performing Arts
Trust Board, the Miami Dade Beacon
Council and the Greater Miami
Convention and Visitors Bureau.
López's dedication to her community
and her impressive accomplishments
make her a true leader and role
model.She currently serves on five
prestigious boards:
Liliam graduated from St. Thomas
University with a Bachelor of Arts
with a major in Political Science in
1988. Liliam M. Lopez has received
numerous awards, she was recently
awarded a Honorary Doctor degree in
Humane Letters from St. Thomas
University, 15 Proclamations from
12 | SEPTEMBER 2023

Springs High School who are pursuing careers in the fields
of Business and Hospitality. The Foundation's Education
Enrichment Fellowship Program, which is a component of
its efforts, has taken students to significant destinations such
as Microsoft headquarters, Facebook, Comcast, Southwest
Airlines, the nation's Capital, and other significant venues,
in order to empower these young people. These initiatives
contributed to the SFLHCC Foundation's recognition as a
Champion of the Miami-Dade County Public School's
Academy of Hospitality and Tourism.
On Path of Successful Leader
Liliam is responsible for managing the day-to-day
operations of her organization. Her duties include
coordinating chamber luncheons, meetings, awards
ceremonies, television appearances, and overseeing the
organization's social media platforms. She also hosts a
digital show called "Business Minute with Lily Lopez."
Liliam finds the greatest joy in seeing the success of her
organization. One of the most satisfying moments is
observing the high attendance ranging from 200 to 400+ at
the chamber luncheons held every month. Additionally, she
feels a sense of accomplishment seeing her LinkedIn
following reach over 16,000 followers. Liliam's happiness
stems from the growth and success of the organization she
founded with only four members.
Liliam shares the significance of several critical attributes
for a successful leader. Firstly, humility is a vital
characteristic that a leader should possess. Leaders must

Message for All Women Visionaries
Liliam is a continuous learner and draws inspiration from the
accomplishments of great women throughout history. She believes that
discipline is a key factor in achieving success. While younger leaders may
have different work patterns, it is important for them to dedicate sufficient
time and effort to their work. Liliam acknowledges that social media can be
a distraction, even for herself, but she uses it solely as a promotional tool
for the organization. She cautions that younger generations may be too
absorbed in social media, potentially causing them to lose valuable time
that could be spent on more important tasks.
She advises the younger generation of women in leadership roles to always
remain true to themselves. She emphasizes that pretending to be someone
you're not will not help, as people can easily tell if you are an authentic
leader or not. Real leaders acknowledge their weaknesses and mistakes,
just like everyone else. Moreover, it is crucial not to overestimate oneself
and to listen to others' viewpoints. While being open to discussion, one must
also trust their instincts as a leader.

never let success make them arrogant
and overconfident. Secondly, leaders
must be compassionate and
understanding towards their team
members and society in general. In
today's world, everyone faces various
issues, and a leader should understand
their staff's problems and be available
to listen to their worries and concerns.
By doing so, leaders can build a
supportive environment where
everyone feels valued, ultimately
leading to the success of the
organization.
Adopting the Post Pandemic
Changes
The pandemic forced Liliam's
organization to adapt quickly, and the
changes that were made have been
overwhelmingly positive. When the
organization had to close for five
months due to COVID-19, they
switched to virtual conferences and
events via Zoom. During this time,
Liliam launched her digital show, the
"Business Minute with Lily Lopez,"
which she was able to do easily due to
her experience hosting a Spanish-
language television show for the
chamber for 10 years.
After five months of virtual events, the
organization decided to start hosting
live events again with all necessary
precautions, such as open windows,
plexiglass barriers, and mask-wearing.
They held an outdoor reception in late
September 2020 and followed up with
live luncheons in October, November,
and December of 2020, which were
smaller in size to maintain safety. The
decision to offer live events proved to
be a major success, as they provided a
much-needed opportunity for members
to network and connect in person. In
fact, the organization grew
tremendously during this time, with a
significant increase in membership and
a tremendous following.
While other Chambers of Commerce
closed for two years, Liliam's
organization's willingness to adapt
and innovate helped them stand out
and thrive. Overall, the pandemic
has been a catalyst for positive
change within the organization, with
the introduction of new digital
initiatives and a renewed focus on
the importance of in-person
networking and events.
Advocating Diverse Cultures
As a woman leader in Miami, Liliam
recognizes the importance of
understanding and embracing the
diverse cultures that make up the
community. With 70% of the
population of Hispanic descent, she
believes it's crucial to recognize that
Hispanic people come from different
countries and have unique identities,
including distinct foods, traditions,
and beliefs. Miami is a shining
example of multiculturalism, with
residents from Haiti, Jamaica, the
Bahamas, and other places, all living
together in harmony.
Liliam believes that one quality that
many leaders lack today is a deep
passion for the issues they care
about. She has observed that some
leaders may become overly focused
on special interest groups, which can
have negative consequences for
everyone. In addition, some leaders
may lose sight of their humble
beginnings and become arrogant,
forgetting that they are there to serve
their constituents rather than special
interests.
Despite these challenges, Liliam
believes that most leaders are great
individuals who genuinely care
about their communities. She
emphasizes the importance of
remembering one's roots and staying
connected to the people one serves,
regardless of how much recognition
or success one achieves. For Liliam,
leadership is ultimately about
compassion, care, and humility,
qualities that she strives to embody
in her own work.
More Women in Board
Liliam is a strong advocate for
increasing the representation of women
in leadership roles within businesses
and corporate boards. She is
particularly concerned about the lack
of progress for Hispanic women,
despite the fact that they are the largest
minority group in the US. Liliam
believes that there are many qualified
women of all races who could excel in
top positions, and that it is
unacceptable for the percentage of
women CEOs to remain so low.
“As women we should
support each other.
Unfortunately, we all know
that sometimes there are
women that don't support
other women and that
needs to change. They
pretend they do but some
just don't. Perhaps some
women feel threatened by a
woman leader and they
compete too much against
each other and that affects
the overall possibilities of
women being hired to top
positions. Obviously, the
main problem is society in
general, but I do see light
at the end of the tunnel.”

Empowering Women
Entrepreneurs and
Nurturing Mindsets for
the Next Generation

Biba Pédron International
Biba Pédron International is a coaching company that
primarily caters to women entering the business world.
From Biba's perspective, the company was born out of a
realization she had many years ago, shortly after starting
her second business in New York. It became apparent to
her that women entrepreneurs often require more
information and support than their male counterparts due
to the overwhelming abundance of information and
critical feedback. Women face unique challenges, as they
are frequently hesitant to take up space and express
themselves.
Having worked in both the French and US markets, Biba
also observed that French women entrepreneurs struggle
even more with visibility compared to their American
counterparts. This stark contrast inspired Biba to
dedicate herself to a mission: empowering French
women entrepreneurs to overcome their fears, embrace
success, and become role models.
Biba spearheading efforts such as Club Impacter Au
Féminin in April 2021, following the first year of the
COVID-19 pandemic.
This group arose in response to the loneliness that
women felt during the lockdown, when they were
confined to their houses, operating their companies or
jobs during the day, caring for their children in the
evenings, and keeping domestic obligations. The absence
of external networking opportunities, such as lunches or
conferences, further contributed to their isolation.
Biba established the practical Club Impacter Au
Féminin, with the goal of providing a virtual platform for
women to meet, discuss their businesses, handle
difficulties, and share their growth methods.
Arenowned business and mindset expert, Biba Pédron is a best-selling author, and interna onal
speaker who has empowered countless entrepreneurs and professionals to unlock their full
poten al in the realms of marke ng, social media, branding, and mindset. With her
transforma ve strategies, Biba's clients have experienced remarkable results, o en doubling or even
tripling their revenues within a mere 90 days.
Originally from France, Biba has been living in the United States since 2003, bringing her unique
perspec ve and cross-cultural exper se to her work. She is the visionary behind the groundbreaking
"Success of Women" summit, the first-ever Francophone summit exclusively designed for and
presented by women. This influen al event serves as a pla orm for women to connect, inspire, and
share their stories of triumph.
Biba's latest summit, tled "MDR: The Winning Formula for a Successful Life," draws its inspira on
from her book of the same name. Breaking away from the conven onal understanding of "MDR" as an
abbrevia on for "Mort De Rire" (meaning "Dying of Laughter" in French), Pédron redefines it as
"Mo va on + Determina on = Realiza on" of one's dreams, projects, or objec ves. Through this
powerful concept, she guides individuals to embrace unwavering mo va on and unwavering
determina on, leading them towards the actualiza on of their deepest aspira ons.
Fuelled by her unwavering passion to empower others, Biba's driving force lies in helping individuals
thrive with enthusiasm and unwavering determina on. Her empowering message is specifically
tailored for women, as she aims to infuse them with posi ve energy and dispel any doubts about their
own poten al. Biba believes that every woman possesses the capability to achieve their goals, create
fulfilling ventures, and forge paths that resonate with their true selves.

Dupe
Olusola
Journey to Achieving Proficiency
Dupe always had a strong desire to make a positive impact
on African economies by creating employment opportunities
and addressing poverty. From a young age, she was drawn to
watching CNN and keeping up with global events. This led
her to study economics at the University of Leicester and
then specialize in development Economics, focusing her
thesis on the impact of aid and trade on growth in developing
economies.
After obtaining her degrees, Dupe worked with Bloomberg
and Northern Trust in the United Kingdom before returning
to Nigeria. In Nigeria, she worked with SecTrust (now
Afrinvest) and Africa's leading Private Equity Firm SME
Manager/African Capital Alliance. She then joined the
Investor Relations department of the UBA group in 2008
before eventually becoming the Director of Resources at
Transcorp in January 2010.
Transcorp Hotels Plc.
Transcorp Hotels Plc is a subsidiary of Transnational
Corporation Plc, a diversified conglomerate with interests in
the Power, Hospitality, and Oil & Gas sectors. Transcorp
Hotels Plc was established in Nigeria on July 12, 1994, and
is responsible for managing prestigious properties such as
the Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Transcorp Hotels Calabar, and
Aura by Transcorp Hotels, an online booking platform for
homes, hotels, and experiences.
With over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry,
Transcorp Hotels' brands are uniquely identifiable and
collectively powerful. The company's expanding portfolio of
award-winning and innovative brands ensures superior guest
experiences across its key locations and all touchpoints. The
hotels have hosted numerous notable personalities, making
them destination venues for business leaders and celebrities
visiting Nigeria. Transcorp Hotels has undergone notable
changes since its inception in 1994 and has achieved
significant milestones.
Leading Nigerian Hospitality Service Provider
Transcorp Hotels Plc is a leading hospitality company in
Africa and is listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX).
The company owns the Transcorp Hilton Abuja, which is
Africa's premier business hotel. However, in response to the
pandemic, Transcorp Hilton Abuja introduced innovative
strategies that enabled it to cater to a wider range of guests,
including those in the leisure segment, leading the way in
serving the rapidly growing Bleisure market. The company
also owns Aura by Transcorp Hotels, a rapidly expanding
digital platform for booking hotels, apartments, and
experiences. Launched in 2021 as part of the company's
asset-light strategy, Aura by Transcorp Hotels is helping to
accelerate growth and expand into new markets. The
platform currently offers over 5,000 rooms across different
hotels and apartments nationwide, and the company is
leveraging technology to drive further expansion.
A Distinguished Business Leader with Experience
Spans Various Sectors Locally and Internationally
22 | SEPTEMBER 2023

Dupe Olusola is the Managing Director/CEO of Transcorp Hotels Plc, which is considered to
be the leading hospitality brand in Africa and is the proud owner of the award-winning
Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja and Transcorp Hotels in Calabar. Before assuming her current
role, she served as the Group Marketing Director at United Bank for Africa where she
cherished working with an excellent team. Additionally, she held the position of Chief
Executive Ofﬁcer at Teragro Commodities Limited, a Nigeria-based agricultural company and
the agribusiness subsidiary of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc (now Transnational
Corporation Plc) which she was appointed to in 2014.

Transcorp Hotels Plc works closely with various
stakeholders and introduces innovative offers to improve
demand while expanding its business. In 2024, the
company is set to deliver a world-class event center at
Transcorp Hilton Abuja, while also developing a new five-
star hotel in the heart of Lagos, the economic hub of
Nigeria. With its commitment to innovation, technology,
and customer satisfaction, Transcorp Hotels Plc is well-
positioned to maintain its leadership position in the
hospitality industry in Africa.
Leading with Passion and Confidence
Dupe is a dynamic, fearless, and joyful individual who
savors life both in and outside of work. She believes in
seizing every opportunity to learn and gain fresh
experiences to become the best version of herself each day,
reflecting her personal values of excellence, integrity, and
kindness, as well as her family's values. Dupe is convinced
that nothing is impossible and that there is always a way to
accomplish any goal, no matter how difficult it may seem.
She has a confident and determined attitude towards
challenges and is always eager to build and maintain strong
relationships. While she can come across as tough and
straightforward at times, it is always for the greater good,
as she refuses to settle for anything less than the best in all
that she does.
At Transcorp Hotels Plc, Dupe's role involves providing
strategic direction for Transcorp Hotels, including
developing strategies and advising leaders on how to
achieve the company's goals. The company has cultivated a
culture of excellence and enterprise, with motivated and
self-driven employees who are supported with great
working conditions, career progression opportunities, and
new challenges to keep them motivated. Dupe finds joy in
interacting with colleagues and family and seeing daily
growth.
Values to Maintain a Culture of Integrity
Transcorp Hotels Plc's organizational culture is founded on
three core values: excellence, execution, and enterprise,
which are commonly referred to as the three Es. These
values form the foundation of the company's beliefs and
actions. At Transcorp Hotels Plc, the team strives for
excellence by delivering real results through effective
performance. It believes that enterprise is essential to
innovation, and that integrity is key to executing with
excellence, which involves ensuring that all stakeholders
are committed to achieving the company's shared goal.
Transcorp Hotels Plc's core values are integral to its daily
operations, and the company is committed to upholding
them in all aspects of its business, including its standards of
practice, team onboarding, and induction processes. These
guiding principles are not limited to Transcorp Hotels Plc
alone, as they are shared throughout the entire Transcorp
Group. This has resulted in a strong culture of integrity and
innovation, which has played a significant role in the
company's ongoing growth and success.
Success for Dupe
Dupe recognizes that success is a subjective concept that
varies from person to person. To her, success is all about
striving to be the best version of oneself and constantly
pursuing growth in all areas to achieve exceptional results.
For her, achieving success has been about living a well-
rounded life that encompasses social, emotional, mental,
physical, and financial aspects. She has always been willing
to break boundaries and challenge the norm, both
individually and as part of a team, to meet and surpass set
goals. Dupe also values being teachable and open-minded
to new learning experiences, as she believes that anyone
can impart valuable knowledge. Being authentic is equally
essential to her, and she strives to remain true to herself and
her values. With the support of her family and team, Dupe
has accomplished a great deal, and she continues to set new
goals for herself, aiming to attain even greater success.
Always Try to Learn New
The advice from Dupe to aspiring leaders is that their team
is there to provide support, and that their success is
intertwined with the success of the team. To achieve
success, they must continue to push boundaries and shatter
any perceived limitations. They should be willing to
embrace opportunities, even if they fear failure, as taking a
chance is better than not trying at all. It's important to
recognize that no one can accomplish everything alone, and
networking and collaborating with others who share similar
goals is key to achieving optimal growth. Developing
strategic partnerships is also important for success.
24 | SEPTEMBER 2023

Durana Elmi
COO
Cymbio ka LLC
28 | SEPTEMBER 2023

Durana Elmi
Changing the World by Empowering People to Reclaim Their Health
Through Educa on, Transparency, and Nutri on
The ability to balance responsibili es at home and
at work is not limited by gender. Many women
have demonstrated strong organiza onal and
leadership skills in both areas, o en handling mul ple
tasks and priori es with great efficiency. Being a
successful household manager can require skills such as
budge ng, planning, delega on, communica on, and
problem-solving, which are also valuable in the business
world. Likewise, being a successful business leader can
require skills such as adaptability, strategic thinking,
collabora on, and empathy, which can also be applied to
household management.
Durana Elmi, a mother and wife, is not only an
entrepreneur but also a founder and a leader. Although
born in Afghanistan, she moved to the U.S. with the goal
of building a successful life for herself and her future
family. A er comple ng her studies at UCLA, she began
her career at T-Mobile and, subsequently, AT&T, where
she advanced up the corporate ladder with the help of
great mentors.
However, with years of experience in Corporate America,
Durana shi ed her focus and together with her husband,
co-founded five startups, three of which were
successfully sold. Among these ventures, she is
especially proud of building two nine-figure companies
from scratch, including Dash Radio, a digital radio
broadcas ng pla orm.

Founding Cymbiotika
Durana was involved in the establishment of Cymbiotika, a
remarkable movement that was founded in 2018 by herself,
her husband, Shahab Elmi, and Chervin Jafarieh. The
company's main goal is to become a leading force in the
health and wellness industry by offering customers clean,
scientifically-backed supplements and products that they
can incorporate into their daily routines.
Cymbiotika provides a range of high-quality natural
supplements that combine modern scientific innovation
with traditional eastern medicine to develop formulas that
work in synergy with the body. Their supplement line
includes plant protein, vitamin C, and magnesium L-
threonate, which is a potent form of magnesium that can
cross the blood-brain barrier to enhance cognitive function
and concentration.
Focusing on Team Success
According to Durana, Cymbiotika's success is largely
attributed to her people-first leadership style. She states, "If
you step inside our headquarters in San Diego, you will see
that our team exudes positivity, community, excellence, and
support." Durana believes in fostering a workplace that
motivates and uplifts team members, which she considers to
be a top priority.
Cymbiotika has implemented various initiatives to promote
team bonding, such as weekly family lunches, quarterly
team-building events, and an open-door policy. By adhering
to these traditions, the company has cultivated an
environment where every aspect of the business, from
customer experience to technology and marketing, is
influenced by the team's diverse perspectives and
experiences. This approach has enabled Cymbiotika to stay
ahead of its competition and continuously generate
innovative ideas that fill gaps in the industry.
As a leader, Durana believes that team processes are more
crucial to achieving organizational success than individual
heroics. While individual efforts can be useful in specific
situations, a culture that prioritizes teamwork and
collaboration can lead to consistently high-quality results
that surpass the achievements of individual efforts.
Cymbiotika has experienced the benefits of a team-oriented
approach firsthand. By prioritizing open communication,
cross-functional collaboration, and a shared dedication to
excellence, the company has consistently met and exceeded
its targets. Cymbiotika's unique culture allows the team to
leverage the diverse strengths and perspectives of its
employees to develop innovative solutions and drive
growth.
Moreover, depending solely on individual heroism may
result in exhaustion, high staff turnover, and a deficiency of
responsibility. Conversely, team procedures establish
responsibility, inspire ongoing enhancement, and cultivate a
communal sense of achievement. In essence, although
individual heroism may be required on occasion, Durana
firmly upholds that teamwork and cooperation are the
fundamental components for long-term prosperity in an
organization.
30 | SEPTEMBER 2023

Durana, as the COO, is responsible
for ensuring the smooth functioning
of the organization. She
collaborates closely with
department heads and the
operations team to provide daily
support. The most gratifying aspect
of her job is observing the diligent
efforts of everyone and seeing their
happy expressions.
Durana believes that developing
leadership skills requires time and
consistency, and it's essential to
acknowledge that not everything
will go as planned, and mistakes will
be made. However, by learning from
these errors and continually
striving to improve, anyone can
become an exceptional leader. She
opines, "As long as you learn from
your mistakes and always work on
improving, you are already a
fantastic leader. When you are in a
leadership position, it is your full-
time job; you are setting an example
every waking minute.”
Durana always says that she is not
threatened by anyone taking her
position—in fact, she wants
someone to sit in her chair one day.
Durana's encouragement for her
employees to seek her guidance
and advice stems from her desire to
share her experiences, both the
successes and failures, for their
learning and growth. By learning
from her accomplishments and
mistakes, she hopes to cultivate a
workplace culture that fosters
continuous improvement and
development for everyone.
Leadership Insights

Kange
Kaneene
Vice President
SAP.iO
40 | SEPTEMBER 2023

A Tech Expert Believing
in Equal Opportunities
Kange Kaneene is the Vice President at SAP.iO.
She is both a computer scientist and has an
MBA, and she knows a lot about enterprise
software. Right now, her main goal is to make SAP's
ecosystem grow by helping new and creative startups.
She really cares about making sure everyone has the
same chances in life, and she works hard for it through
education, supporting new businesses, and helping
people who have been in trouble before get back on
their feet.
Below are highlights of the interview conducted
between World's Leaders and Kange Kaneene:
Describe who you are as a person, inside and outside
of the workplace.
My friends and family call me a connector because it
gives me great joy to bring people together. For
example, I have planned large scale events in Portugal,
Morocco, Martha's Vineyard, and many dinner parties
at my apartment.
I have a passion for diversity and creating equally
distributed access to opportunity. I am so proud of what
we are doing at SAP.iO to support representation in
SAP.iO's portfolio. In addition, I am an angel investor
with Pipeline Angels, a group of female investors who
invest in female founders. I am a mentor for
entrepreneurs as a volunteer for Defy Ventures, a non-
profit organization that invests in founders who are
currently or formerly incarcerated. Finally, I am chair of
the public charter school board for KIPP NYC, a
network of public charter schools that focuses on
education parity.
I also have an entrepreneurial spirit. At SAP, I founded
the Black Employee Network (BEN), which has since
scaled to 3 continents and 15 chapters with 6K+
members, including allies. Finally, at the University of
Michigan, I co-founded Girls in Electrical Engineering
and Computer Science (gEECS) in response to the
decreasing number of women in technical disciplines.
The organization has since spread to other universities
and is funded by iconic organizations such as Microsoft
and Goldman Sachs.
As an adult, I have lived in Atlanta, Chicago,
Philadelphia, and Singapore, and I currently live in
Brooklyn, New York.
Describe your background and what did you do
before you started/joined the company?
During high school, I spent a lot of time with my
friends on AOL Messenger. My father mistook my
obsession for an actual interest in computers and
suggested that I study computer science. I followed his
advice and majored in it at the University of Michigan.
It was a grueling curriculum, but I still found time to
have fun and I made great lifelong friends while I was
there.
Instead of working as a software engineer, I accepted a
job with Manhattan Associates, a tech consulting
company. I was based in Atlanta and worked with
clients such as Vera Bradley. After two years, I decided
that consulting was not my lifelong career, and I began
to explore what I needed to do to get accepted to the
business school of my choice. I reviewed applications,
found my gaps, and made sure to correct them over the
next year. After three years at Manhattan Associates, I
left to pursue my MBA at NYU Stern School of
Business.
I picked NYU because of its collaborative, team-
oriented culture. While there, I decided I wanted to join
a tech company that had a rotational program as well as
an international footprint. SAP reached out to me, and
they matched my criteria. After the rotational program,
I wanted to work in their corporate strategy department,
and I basically wore the Chief Strategy Officer down
until he hired me. When my program was over, he
offered me a full-time job. After 18 months, the Chief
Revenue Officer was looking for an apprentice, and the
Chief Strategy Officer recommended me. That was a
life changing job that included global travel and a front-
row seat to how decisions are made. After two and a
half years, I did some assignments in Asia (Singapore
and Tokyo) and then moved to New York to work in
business development roles.
While working in business development, my boss

wanted to do an acquisition and asked me to do a market
scan. I loved getting to speak to the heads of different
companies and set the goal of working with startups and
scaleups full time. I started going to demo days and pitch
competitions and asking a lot of questions. In short, I got
the venture bug. I started angel investing and VC scouting
with a specific focus on underrepresented founders. In
parallel, my former boss, SAP's Chief Strategy Officer,
started SAP.iO (SAP's global startup ecosystem) and asked
me to mentor some of the startups in the portfolio. I quickly
gained a rapport with the entire SAP.iO team and was later
recruited to lead SAP.iO North America, which later
launched in Latin America and the Caribbean as well. I am
extremely grateful for the career I have had so far. From my
parents' blueprint of following curiosity, I've fashioned a
career and life out of my passions, which include solving
big problems, building strong relationships, and traveling
the world. I never thought AOL Messenger could have led
to such wonderful adventures. I look forward to continuing
to identify winning start-ups and helping them grow and
succeed.
Tell us about the inception of the company. How did it
all start?
SAP is the largest enterprise software company in the
world, and is SAP's external startup accelerator.
SAP.iO
SAP.iO started in 2017 and was designed to be SAP's
inclusive startup ecosystem. The team has been through
several stages of evolution and has transitioned away from
an umbrella including a corporate venture fund, venture
studio, and intrapreneurship program and is exclusively
focused on an external startup accelerator. However, today
we are proud to say there is no other corporate startup
accelerator in the world like SAP.iO.
As a startup in the enterprise software space with a direct
sales model, acquiring large brands as customers is
uniquely challenging. Understanding the buying
organization for startups to sell into and then getting in
contact with the specific decision-maker within the
organization is a significant barrier. Furthermore, if startups
are lucky enough to secure meetings with the correct
decision-maker, the sales cycles are painfully
long—sometimes 6–18 months.
On the other hand, SAP has massive scale and is trusted by
450K+ customers globally, including 92% of the Forbes
Global 2,000 companies. Still, SAP has opportunities to
42 | SEPTEMBER 2023

innovate further beyond its portfolio to add the most value
for its customers. Therefore, at SAP.iO, we believe SAP
technology paired with the power of startup innovation
amplifies the value we can bring to the world. Here is how
it works: First, the SAP.iO team goes out into the market
and curates the most innovative and relevant startups that
complement SAP's solution portfolio and meet the needs of
its customers. Then SAP and the startups go to market
together with a revenue share. This process generates a
triple win. 1) Startups can leverage SAP's existing
relationships with some of the largest enterprises in the
world and secure revenue contracts. Again, this is extremely
difficult for startups to do on their own. Furthermore,
SAP.iO is non-dilutive, so it does not take equity in
startups, invest, or charge a fee. 2) Customers are
introduced to cutting edge technology that is easily
consumable and integrated into the SAP solution(s) they are
already implementing. 3) SAP delivers optimal value to its
customers as a true innovation partner.
Since its inception in 2017, SAP.iO has already realized
fantastic success. SAP.iO is spread across 11 innovation
hubs around the world with 525+ portfolio companies. To
date, 7K+ interactions have been made between SAP.iO
portfolio companies and SAP customers. 44% of the
portfolio is managed or led by underrepresented individuals
(defined as individuals whose share of venture capital in the
technology sector is disproportionate to the region where
they live). That 44% surpasses or ties the rest of the
portfolio on key metrics: number of exits and unicorns,
amount of venture capital raised, and likelihood to progress
a partnership with SAP.
What has made you successful? What do you value?
The only unit of measure for my success is my ability to
create and maintain meaningful relationships. People have
opened doors for me when they feel confident about my
professional capabilities and ability to lead with empathy,
do the right thing, and be a collaborative team member.
Which are the major services of the company and how
do they the company to get ahead in the competition?
What value-added services does the company provide?
SAP.iO is differentiated because it is non-dilutive and
focused on revenue generating business development.
What are the most important aspects of a company's
culture? What principles do you believe in and how do
you build this culture?
People are the most important contribution to a company's
culture. Establishing an environment where people feel
valued and have opportunities to grow yields the most
success.
What is the significance of innovative ideas in the
company?
We know when we have found the most innovative startups
when SAP's large customers are dying to work with them.
Give us your opinion on; do organizations rely heavily
on individual heroics or team processes?
I think it depends on the group.
What are your responsibilities as the VP of the
company? What is the happiest part of your daily
routine?
As the VP of SAP.iO North and Latin America, I am
responsible for three foundries: New York, San Francisco,
and Latin America and the Caribbean. I have seven people
on my team that run the day-to-day operations of each. I
spend most of my time managing the team, generating
partnerships with venture capital firms, attending
entrepreneur ecosystem events, public speaking, and
uplifting startups.
What advice would you give someone going into a
leadership position for the first time?
Be transparent about activities happening within the team
and be vulnerable (when appropriate) about things
happening in your personal life. This helps to build trust
and also inspires your team to be open with you.

“What we want, more than
anything, is their professional
expertise and experience,
because it is that "real world"
information that will allow
graduates to enter
workplaces and meet
employers' expectations.”
52 | SEPTEMBER 2023

As we begin the third
decade of the twenty-first
century, education is
more important than ever
for comprehending the
modern world. Whether it
is teaching students or
instructors, analyzing the
role of education in
leading and driving
change via policy,
practice, and ongoing
innovation for a more
inclusive education is
essential in the creation
of new and improved
educational systems
across the world.
Patti France has worked in the field of post-secondary
education for more than 35 years. She has had direct
responsibility for several important College departments
over the past ten years, including the Registrar's Office,
Human Resources, Student Services, Information
Technology, Health and Safety and Facilities Management.
She has also handled formal College interactions with both
unions as well as the majority of College interactions with
the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills
Development. Patti France, the College's President, serves
as head of many committees, including the Senior
Operations Group, which is made up of members of the
senior management team.
Patti France participates on numerous committees and sub-
committees. She is the Board Chair of the Ontario College
Application Services (OCAS), the Board Vice-Chair for
Windsor Regional Hospital and is also the Chair of their
Quality of Care Sub-Committee. Patti is a Board member
of the Windsor Family Credit Union and also sits on their
Audit Committee. Patti also currently serves as a member
of the Ontario Colleges Committee of Presidents.
Journey to Becoming an Educational Chief
President France was raised in Essex County's northern
region, close to Windsor, Ontario. When she graduated
from high school in the 1990s, she decided to enroll in the
diploma program in Computer Programming because she
was interested in the still-relatively-new but fascinating
field.
In fact, Patti was a bit of an anomaly when she was chosen
to lead St. Clair in 2015. President France was one of a
select group of Canadian college presidents whose first
tertiary education had actually occurred inside the college
system as opposed to having gone to a university.
Additionally, over the course of more than twenty years,
she had spent her entire professional life at the same
organization: from being a student at St. Clair to a
Computer Lab Technician and lecturer, to managerial
positions in the school's I.T. Department, to Vice-
Presidential appointments overseeing nearly every division
of the College, and finally to St. Clair's Presidency. The fact
that students and potential students could see how their own
President used her College credentials to advance inside the
school was a fantastic marketing and recruitment picture.
President France had earned degrees in adult education
while still pursuing her work (a B.A. from Brock University
in Ontario and an M.A. from St. Francis Xavier University
in Nova Scotia). That was another important message to
students, demonstrating that "I practiced what I preached"
when she spoke about the importance of life-long learning.
Stepping into the Education Sector
President France wasn't overly ambitious when she first
began at the College and certainly would have never
thought she would one day be President.

World's Rising High Women Leaders to Follow in 2023.pdf

World's Rising High Women Leaders to Follow in 2023.pdf

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

Similar to World's Rising High Women Leaders to Follow in 2023.pdf

Similar to World's Rising High Women Leaders to Follow in 2023.pdf (20)

More from Worlds Leaders Magazine

More from Worlds Leaders Magazine (20)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

World's Rising High Women Leaders to Follow in 2023.pdf