Full Name: Marinda Rasmussen (née Van der Merwe)
Position: Business unit managing partner for Africa and the Middle East at Environmental Resources Management (ERM)
Main Activity of the Company: ERM is a provider of environmental, health, safety, risk, social consulting and sustainability services
Date and Place of Birth: January 27, 1967, Cape Town
Education: MSc – my thesis was part of the Kruger National Park River Research Programme initiative to establish water discharge qualities for mining companies in South Africa
First Job: Environmental consultant – to be honest, I mostly did admin work and was the sidekick who took meeting minutes at stakeholder engagement sessions
Career History Prior to Current Position: VP for sustainability at a South African mining house
Size of First Pay Packet: R10 000
First Job with Present Group: Partner leading the mining sector in South Africa
Number of People under Your Leadership: 172
Management Style: Collaborative and affiliative
Personal Best Achievement: Running the Two Oceans Half Marathon in pouring rain and a howling wind
Professional Best Achievement: Being the first female chair of the Executive Working Group of the International Council for Mining and Metals in 2007/8
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My two sons
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Former Lonmin CEO Brad Mills
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Albert Einstein
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Elon Musk
Philosophy of Life: Respect yourself, respect others and respect our planet
Biggest Ever Opportunity: My current position – I am excited about the possibilities that Africa holds and partnering with our clients to support them with the ever-changing sustainability challenges they are facing and ultimately contributing to the change that we need to secure a future for generations to come
Biggest Ever Disappointment: I am a positive person and manage my disappointments by never getting my hopes up too high
Hope for the Future: Leaders with the will to effect a positive change in the world we live in
Favourite Reading: A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini
Favourite TV Programme: I do not spend much time watching TV; when I do, I will be watching Chef's Table or Frasier
Favourite Food/Drink: Fresh, sustainably sourced seafood, with a glass of Chenin Blanc
Favourite Music: I love so many different genres and it really depends on my mood
Favourite Sport: Yoga, jogging and stand-up paddle boarding
Favourite Website: ted.com
Hobbies: Cooking up a storm, but only for relaxation
Car: Mercedes-Benz 220 cdi 2007 – while it is still working, why change it?
Pets: Finn, the larger-than-life miniature dachshund, and Samuel, the cat with serious attitude
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Entitlement, and abuse of children and animals
Favourite Other South African Company: Yuppiechef
Favourite Foreign Company: Ikea
Married: To Jan Rasmussen, since November 19, 2016
Children: Cobus, 24; Christiaan, 21