Lisa possesses a captivating combination of analytical precision and creative insight. While her creativity shines through in her keen sense of fashion and love for art and all things beautiful, her analytical prowess is evident in the career she has meticulously built. From an early age, she had a clear sense in school that she would pursue a career in science, a subject where she consistently excelled. She went on to complete her tertiary education at the University of KwaZulu-Natal with a BSc degree in Chemistry & Microbiology. Immersed into chemistry, a lot of lab work which she really enjoyed, she was convinced she would be doing this for the rest of her life… until she started working.
Lisa’s first job was as a Laboratory Analyst in the fast-paced, high-pressure environment of Quality Assurance and Control. She later transitioned into the pharmaceutical industry - an even more demanding field -where she found her footing and gained clarity about her career path. She was certain that quality within the pharma and biotech domain was where she would truly thrive.
Early in her career, a key mentor noticed Lisa arriving early to learn about different areas of the lab where she worked as a Microbiologist and later the Senior Laboratory Analyst. Seeing her dedication, they took the initiative to teach Lisa about validation - how to validate processes, systems, and equipment, and to understand the journey from raw material to a finished tablet on the shelf. This paved the way for the role of Validation Manager and as life would have it, this experience profoundly changed the trajectory of Lisa’s career, enabling her to step into a more senior role at multinational Reckitt Benckiser. There, she received world-class management and leadership training and benefited from mentorship that she credits as a pivotal period of profound professional growth.
“A career in quality assurance demands a unique blend of character and commitment. It requires individuals who are bold in decision-making, unwavering in integrity, and steadfast in upholding ethical standards. Professionals in this field serve as the final checkpoint before products or services reach the public, ensuring that offerings meet established standards and maintain the organisation's credibility. Their role is pivotal in safeguarding both consumer trust and the company's reputation.”
In the intensely pressurised role that is quality, from the beginning, Lisa has remained steadfast, unflappable and focused. She attributes her resilience to the example set by her mother, who instilled in her the qualities needed to navigate life’s challenges with strength and determination.
Following Lisa's next role at a respected African vaccine manufacturer, her career took an unexpected turn after she saw a LinkedIn post from Next Biosciences. Intrigued and deeply impressed by the women leading this successful South African biotech company, she shared a comment on their post, never anticipating that it would lead to an opportunity.
Today, Lisa heads up their Quality & Regulations division, still inspired by the business's complexity across its three areas of specialisation - a challenge she continues to embrace and excel at. She emphasises that working in quality means balancing empathy with toughness, as you often have to make unpopular but necessary decisions. A thick skin and self-motivation are essential during these challenging moments, but she explains that when you love what you do, resilience comes naturally.
‘In this role, you need to master how to make risk-based decisions because pragmatism is essential in the context of business. You need to be open to feedback despite your fixed views of how things should be. The environment is inherently unpredictable; your to-do list is never fully followed due to the many unexpected situations that arise on the daily, and that's a challenge I really enjoy."
Lisa hasn't slowed down in her pursuit of learning and reaching her full potential. She's deeply inspired by two key leaders at Next Biosciences: Kim, for her visionary approach in driving the business forward, and Yvonne, for her intellect and unique ability to bring emotional intelligence into addressing daily challenges. With Lisa’s strength being able to do the right thing even when it’s tough, she possesses a key trait that has served her exceptionally well in her career and one that will undoubtedly continue to drive her success.
“I like that I am making a difference in people’s lives. I know my role is of high importance to the business to ensure the safety of the public. I know beyond these four walls, I am a patient, a client, and I rely on others who are in the same quality role that I perform. This sense of responsibility is what turns quality control into a mission, not just a role.”
Back to Blogs
