Fezile Wagner, 35, uses data to drive transformation in higher education. As head of the analytics and institutional research unit at the University of the Witwatersrand, she translates complex data into strategic insights. Since 2021, she has repositioned the unit as a centre of collaboration and rigour, developing tools and dashboards that reveal trends in enrolment, progression and achievement. Her leadership has expanded data access and fostered a culture of evidence-informed decision-making. Fezile’s efforts have been recognised nationally, earning her nominations for the HERS-SA Emerging Leader Award and the NSTF TW Kambule Emerging Researcher Award. She also contributes to national data communities, sharing knowledge and building partnerships across institutions. Outside academia, she co- founded the NARE Foundation, which combats food insecurity in rural KwaZulu-Natal through education, training and community innovation. Her approach is grounded in empathy and shaped by mentors who saw her potential before she saw it herself — a belief she passes on through mentorship. Fezile proves that data is not just about numbers but about transformation.
I have been fortunate to encounter strong mentors at different stages of my life. Professors Unathi Kolanisi and Xavier Gómez-Olivé are not only exceptional leaders but also generous and compassionate individuals. They have consistently recognised potential in me — often more than I have seen in myself — and their belief has encouraged me to embrace opportunities and challenges with greater confidence.