Intelligent Tech Channels Issue 18 | Page 61

CHANNEL CHIEF For StarLink’s YAADHNA SINGH-GOUNDEN , striving towards being the leading, trusted security advisor within Africa is what drives her on. D Describe your current job role and the parts that are somewhat challenging? figuring out the different applications connecting our home printer to the machine. Within StarLink, I currently have the privilege of taking on the role of a Country Manager for the Sub-Saharan Africa region, covering Eastern, Western and Southern Africa countries respectively. My role affords me the opportunity to lead cross-functional, international expansion projects and work with different business teams. As a country manager, I am required to define and drive expansion into new marketplaces and develop a strong footprint of our brand across my respective regions by growing and leading a winning team. This role is incredibly rewarding; however, it also comes with its challenges which continues to keep me passionate, alert and continuously improving myself. When you look back at your career what has been the most memorable achievement? Being part of the StarLink team, it is difficult trying to list one specific memorable achievement; with each quarter, it brings about a new challenge, but so too a phenomenal achievement. However, if I had to single out the reason behind my drive and success, I would say it is my team across Africa that currently stands out as my most memorable achievement. Being part of the process of personally selecting future leaders, the reason behind StarLink’s success regionally, gives me a feeling of immense pride. What made you think of a career in technology? As a child, I have fond memories of my father’s computer in our study. I remember INTELLIGENT TECH CHANNELS Issue 18 It was then that I started to develop a passion for computers, which led to technology. Shortly after school and tertiary Yaadhna Singh-Gounden, Country Manager: Sub-Sahara, West and South Africa at StarLink Being part of the process of personally selecting future leaders, the reason behind StarLink’s success regionally, gives me a feeling of immense pride. education, I started to appreciate the security risks involved in an ever-changing landscape of technology and decided to pursue a career in cybersecurity. What style of management philosophy do you employ at your current position? In my capacity as a country manager, working with several regions, cultures and departments, as well as various levels of staff, I have adopted a ‘situational leadership’ philosophy. I believe in harnessing the power of people; despite the growing attention being placed on technology and cybersecurity, it is still crucial. 61