Sanam Shree (Chief Strategy and Investment Officer – Shree Property Holdings):
Since it was established in 2007, Shree Property Holdings has become a major player in property and logistics.
Multinationals like Samsung, Volvo, and Unilever rent up to 700 000 m² of industrial warehouse space from the group. It’s a family business and Sanam Shree, 30, daughter of CEO Pran Shree, is the chief strategy and investment officer.
But don’t think she hasn’t earned her stripes. Shree has a BCom degree from UKZN and a Master’s degree from the Wits Business School. She has also taken business courses at both Harvard and Columbia Business Schools.
A top student, she worked for De Beers as a Portfolio manager before joining the family business. Now she is the chief investment and strategy officer of Shree Property Holdings, overseeing the company’s expansion into new markets on the continent.
“I’m passionate about mentorship, especially for young women in the male-dominated property industry,” says Shree, winner of the 2016 Women’s Property Network Young Achiever Award. She co-founded the Durban Chamber of Commerce Youth in Business forum, and helps run the Shree Future Foundation, an education fund.
But it was a string of advice from her older brother, that would ultimately shape her ambition. “Never apologise for who you are or what you have. Don’t shrink down for the company you’re keeping. Always shine, but stay humble.”
“You have something to learn from everyone.Nobody likes a know-it-all!”
