BANKSETA Women’s Development Programme - 2007 Candidate Profile Name: Heather Lowe Current Title: Head of Enterprise Development Bank: Fist National Bank (FNB) Academic Credentials: Heather Lowe received five distinctions upon matriculating from Parktown Girls High School but did not have the immediate opportunity to further her studies so commenced working in the banking industry immediately. She subsequently completed an NQF Level 6 learnership and would like to continue studying after this programme due to her high academic abilities. Current Work Description: Heather recently moved from a hunting and relationship management position to looking at the enterprise development requirements for FNB in terms of the Financial Sector Charter (FSC). Her responsibilities include the compliance, measurement and reporting in this arena for FNB as a whole on black SME funding, enterprise development initiatives and emerging agriculture funding and development. She is also required to implement strategy in these areas in order for FNB to increase their footprint in the aforementioned space and manage this unit profitably focusing on economic sustainability in the market. She currently sits on the workgroups associated with Enterprise Development and SME funding for the BASA committees. Business Credentials and Skills: Heather’s skills include the abilities to think laterally and creatively and to formalize a vision. She regards these skills, combined with her ability to maintain a focused approach to detail and the ability to accurately assess a situation, as completing her potential leadership traits, bringing the best of both worlds to the fore. She also possesses the ability to research and gain vast insight into specific subjects whilst regarding continual learning an essential part of her skills development. Furthermore, Heather’s strong work ethic and drive for excellence has allowed her to be a leader in her field of work within her organization to date. Personal and Professional Learning Objectives: Heather’s key learning objectives for this programme are: To be able to harness and appropriately channel her skills in the appropriate situations to be able to achieve the best results, To develop herself as a leader who leads by example and who can lead transformation in her organization, Gain exposure to key icons, individuals and women in order to enhance her network of business colleagues To gain exposure to people that she can engage with beyond the scope of this programme so as to continually develop herself. Personal Information: Heather is a single mother to her five year old son and he remains the focus of everything that she does. Since becoming recently engaged to be married, the support has afforded her the opportunity to recommence her studies and focus on career advancement. She has always been a high achiever and embraces the opportunity to now become more instrumental in her organization and increase her scope of learning. She enjoys physical training such as running and spinning, reading and travelling where she is exposed to what the world has to offer, but much of her free time is devoted to her family and quality interactions with them.