Inez Patel

Chief executive of She Can Do and experience design director at Absa, Inez Patel, 32, blends corporate influence with grassroots impact. Raised in Johannesburg, she was shaped by her parents’ commitment to justice and service. Inez leads She Can Do, a nonprofit empowering women through career support, training and mentorship. She also serves as a design director for Absa’s award-winning banking app, where she oversees inclusive digital products and accessibility initiatives in partnership with organisations like BlindSA. The Absa app earned the Golden Standard of Accessibility from BlindSA’s president in 2023. Her civil society contributions extend to Girls Invent Tomorrow, where she mentors high school girls from under-resourced communities into STEM fields, building long-term relationships that stretch beyond matric. A BA and honours graduate from the University of Cape Town in media theory and practice, Patel also completed training in disruptive strategy at Harvard Business School Online and was named a One Young World Ambassador in 2024. Her work has helped shift policy conversations around digital access and gender equity in design.

• Bachelor of Arts degree, University of Cape Town — majored in sociology and media and writing, with a specialisation in film and media production
• Honours degree in Media Theory and Practice, University of Cape Town — graduated with first-class honours and awarded a Freestanding Honours Scholarship by the National Research Foundation for honours studies
• Completed a course in Disruptive Strategy at Harvard Business School Online in 2022

• Recognised on the Dean’s Merit List from 2011 through 2014, including for the honours degree
• Led an inclusive design workshop in 2018 with BlindSA, the National Council of and for People with Disabilities, Standard Bank, and Ladies That UX (now She Can Do) — a pivotal moment that sparked a long-term commitment to inclusive design and using technology for social good
• Launched She Can Do in 2019, resigning from full-time employment and building the organisation independently. The first training graduate’s employment validated the model and reinforced its potential for social impact
• Addressed sexist behaviour in a previous role in a manner that was mature, well-timed and constructive — a moment that revealed the power of using one’s voice to protect and advocate for others while promoting positive change. Provided support in a workplace sexual harassment case, initiated by a young employee aware of She Can Do’s advocacy.
• Appointed head of design at 22Seven in 2021, transitioning from individual contributor to a leadership role. This experience deepened a passion for people management and refined a leadership approach that would later shape She Can Do’s growth
• Contributed to the Absa banking app being recognised as the “Golden Standard of Accessibility” by the President of BlindSA in 2023, demonstrating that accessibility and excellence can coexist
• Participated in a South African Human Rights Commission workshop focused on solutions and monitoring mechanisms to improve digital accessibility in financial institutions
• Appointed as a One Young World Ambassador in 2024, following three unsuccessful applications — a reminder of the value of persistence.
• Delivered a first international keynote at the One Young World Summit in Montreal (2024), during the workshop titled “Inclusivity in Education: Overcoming Inequalities in STEM”. This experience highlighted global similarities in STEM barriers and the importance of region-specific solutions
• She Can Do published South Africa’s first industry research report on women’s experiences in UX design in 2024, exposing critical issues such as microaggressions, workplace sexism and salary inequalities. The report emphasised the importance of evidence-based advocacy in influencing policy and workplace reform.

My parents have been major influences in my life — their passion for social good, dedication to justice and pursuit of excellence in their fields have shaped my own drive to blend skill with service. I have also had the privilege of learning from several mentors. My former manager, Alex Oloo, stands out as a key figure in my career journey. Although we only formally worked together from 2021, he had been part of the She Can Do journey from much earlier — nudging me towards the right opportunities, opening doors and offering wise, consistent support. Another major mentor has been Jacqueline Fouché, a powerhouse in the UX industry. She has helped me think through complex challenges in structured, clear ways and consistently built my confidence. Her influence has helped me grow as both a designer and a leader. Meeting Kimberly Bryant, founder of Black Girls Code, at the One Young World Summit was transformative. I was invited to a small mentorship session with her, and learning from someone who has built a global organisation helping millions of girls around the world truly inspired me. She helped me think about the foundational elements of scaling a successful organisation globally. While I have never met her personally, Julie Zhuo has had a profound impact on my leadership journey. Her book, The Making of a Manager, was pivotal when I transitioned from individual contributor to manager in 2021. It still sits within arm’s reach on my desk, easily accessible — especially in the tougher moments.