BANKSETA Women’s Development Programme - 2007 Candidate Profile Name: Kershni Maharaj Current Title: Head: Solutions for BEE Bank: First National Bank Academic Credentials: Kershni Maharaj completed her CAIB in 2000 after attaining diplomas in Banking, Credit and Advanced Credit. She has attended numerous internal and external courses in specialized areas to enhance her career developments within FNB. She is one of 15 women in the Financial Sector to be selected for the Bankseta Women’s Development Programme which commenced in April 2007. Current Work Description: Kershni is currently the Head of Solutions for Black Economic Empowerment for FNB Commercial Banking. This is a new focus area for the Bank which is aligned to the DTI’s Codes of Good Practice. Her responsibilities include implementing a value proposition nationally, which encompasses a comprehensive solution to assist clients transform in terms of the Codes. In addition, she is responsible for the ongoing performance and management of this niche market and is tasked with providing strategic initiatives, new innovations and developments to ensure that FNB is well positioned to gain market share in this arena. She maintains and monitors the relationship with Strategic Alliances who have been contracted to assist clients with their BEE strategic plans. Ongoing awareness and training, both internally and externally is also key to ensuring the success of this unit. Kershni collaborates with the respective players in the market to ensure that we are kept abreast of the ongoing changes. Business Credentials and Skills: Kershni has been with First National Bank for 20 years, starting her career with the then “Barclays”, and has worked herself up the corporate ladder. During her journey, she has gained vast knowledge and skills in the financial services sector which has contributed to her successes achieved to date. Her determination and commitment has seen her receive numerous accolades for her performance and achievements. She is one of few employees who has worked in almost all divisions within First National Bank, from Branch Banking, Personal, Rural, Retail, Commercial, Corporate and the famous Credit. Her highlight during the past 20 years was when she was appointed as Client Portfolio Executive for Public Sector Banking in KZN. This was a brand new segment for KZN, which involved setting up the business from scratch and implementing strategy to grow and maintain market share in this region. During this time she won two substantial tenders, one of which ended a 154 year relationship with her competitor. In addition she achieved top region and CPE status for that year. Personal and Professional Learning Objectives: Kershni’s Learning objectives from this programme are as follows: - Self Development – traveling a journey to explore one’s own self Enhance my management and leadership abilities / skills Leverage off the opportunities created by the programme i.e. networking, profiling, personal branding To be the Boss that everyone would like to work for and be the leader that every CEO wants on his/her team.