Dr Wendy Luhabe is one of South Africa’s most influential businesswomen, a pioneering social entrepreneur, economic activist, investor, author and leadership speaker whose career has been defined by advancing the economic participation and financial independence of women.
After beginning her career in corporate marketing, including experience with BMW, Wendy moved into entrepreneurship and founded Bridging the Gap in 1991, an initiative designed to prepare young Black graduates for successful careers in corporate South Africa. She subsequently co-founded Women Investment Portfolio Holdings (WIPHOLD), a groundbreaking investment company that enabled thousands of South African women to participate as investors in the economy. She later launched a R120 million private-equity fund focused on women-owned businesses, further cementing her reputation as a pioneer of women’s economic empowerment.
Her leadership experience spans more than 30 years of corporate governance and board service across major South African and international organisations. Her previous appointments have included leadership and board roles with Vodacom, the Industrial Development Corporation, Telkom, Tiger Brands, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and Brand South Africa, as well as international educational and advisory institutions.
Most recently, Wendy served as Chair of Pepkor Holdings, stepping down on 30 June 2026 as she began scaling down some of her board commitments. She remains a Non-Executive Director of Richemont, where she serves on its Governance & Sustainability and Nominations Committees. In July 2026, she was also appointed Lead Independent Director of Namib Minerals, adding another significant international governance role to her portfolio.
Wendy’s contribution to business and society has earned her extensive recognition. She has been named among the 50 Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World, recognised as a Global Leader of Tomorrow by the World Economic Forum, and received four honorary doctorates in Commerce for her pioneering contribution to women’s economic empowerment. In 2014, she was appointed an Honorary Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) by the British Royal Family.
She is also the author of Defining Moments: Experiences of Black Executives in South Africa’s Workplace and is passionate about leadership development, entrepreneurship, intergenerational dialogue and finding new solutions to Africa’s economic and social challenges.
As a keynote speaker, Wendy brings extraordinary depth of experience from entrepreneurship, investment, transformation and the boardroom. Her presentations are particularly relevant to organisations exploring purposeful leadership, women in leadership, economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, transformation, governance and building Africa’s next generation of leaders.
Speaking Topics: Leadership & Legacy • Women in Leadership • Entrepreneurship • Economic Empowerment • Transformation & Inclusion • Corporate Governance • Purpose-Driven Leadership • Investing in Women • Africa’s Next Generation of Leaders
Current base: Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. Her current professional profile lists Johannesburg, and your existing HDS Entertainment profile also identifies her as Johannesburg-based.
