Inaugural Veblen Directors Awards Winners Announced

Announcing the Winners of the Inaugural Veblen Directors Awards: Celebrating 21 Exceptional Leaders in Leadership and Innovation across categories such as Private Equity, SMEs, Non-Executive roles, and more. This prestigious event, hosted by the Veblen Directors Programme, highlights individuals setting new standards and driving positive change globally.

LONDON, 16th August 2024 – 21 impressive leaders made the podium at the inaugural Veblen Directors Awards, which recognise exceptional leadership and innovation.

Awards for Director of the Year in categories spanning Private Equity, SMEs, Non-Executive, Female, ESG and Diversity & Inclusion, along with Best Mentor, in an event conceived by the Veblen Directors Programme (VDP), have shone a spotlight on individuals driving positive change and setting new standards in their fields.

Winners include sustainable technology pioneer Dr Reji Kurien Thomas (ESG Director of the Year & Best Mentor), whose work in biochar production has contributed significantly to carbon capture, with an estimated sequestration of 500,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. Ayanda Mafuleka (Diversity & Inclusion Director of the Year) oversees a female empowerment and leadership representation programme in South Africa, mentoring 2000 executives and managers. 

Commenting on the Awards programme, Veblen Directors Programme founder Callum Laing said: “We have been blown away by the contenders in this, the first year of the Veblen Directors Awards. 

“I know that our seven amazing winners and the 14 accomplished runner-ups will now be celebrating this achievement with their now expanding networks. These accolades will add weight to their already sparkling professional reputations. 

“I’d also like to thank our generous sponsors, who helped make these Awards possible.”

Full list of Awards

Female Director of the Year goes to Miriam Cuellar, Associate Director, New South Wales Government
Runner-ups: Shahrin Oli Mohamed & Yvonne Venter
Sponsored by Ellect, an event series dedicated to promoting gender equality and diversity in leadership

ESG Director of the Year goes to Dr Reji Kurien Thomas, CEO, TOL Biotech USA
Runner-ups: Billy Gorter & Annlin Matabane
Sponsored by apprenticeship and training provider, Acacia Training

Best Mentor Award goes to Dr Reji Kurien Thomas, CEO, TOL Biotech USA
Runner-ups: Asanda Penny & Jane Masite 
Sponsored by Young Leaders Connect (YLC) of South Africa 

Diversity & Inclusion Director of the Year goes to Ayanda Mafuleka, a Chartered Accountant and CEO
Runner-ups: Fernanda Wüthrich & Joseph Martinez
Sponsored by DiversityEconomics.Ai – leveraging Gen AI to transform enterprise culture

Private Equity Director of the Year goes to Maseabi Marageni, Head of Business Development at Futuregrowth Asset Management
Runner-ups: Ravi Manchanda & Nick Bradley
Sponsored by GILD, offering recruiting and human resources services and solutions

SME Director of the Year goes to Ross Tomkins, Founder and MD, TDH Capital
Runner-ups: Fhumulani Phadziri & Christian Secci
Sponsored by Veblen Directors Programme

Non-Executive Director of the Year goes to Thando Lamula, Chairperson, Mpumalanga Economic Regulator Board
Runner-ups: Archita Sivakumar Fritz & Maseabi Marageni
Sponsored by campaigns agency Test Tube Marketing

About Veblen Directors Programme:
Veblen works with Executives, Thought Leaders and Entrepreneurs to train and connect them with public and private companies needing Board support. Veblen is a global network focused on board priorities such as Investor Relations, Good governance, ESG and Fundraising.

For further information, please contact VDPs media relations team at [email protected]

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Inaugural Veblen Directors Awards Winners Announced