"Recognition is the catalyst that propels us from good, to better. From invested, to committed. From in, to all in." - Natalie Maroun, TPA Managing Director
The 2024 TPA MD Awards was a glittering and festive celebration of excellence.
Nine tribe members were recognised as the standout performers of 2024, in recognition of the spectacular way they lived into our core beliefs of Showing Up, doing it Together, and exemplifying our purpose of #Better.
In addition, an exceptional member of our team, Marlene Gill, was inducted into the senior leadership team, and welcomed to the TPA Multiplier Table. We also welcomed another tribe member, Sushen Moodley, to the Multiplier Table as a Multiplier-in-Training.
LEADERSHIP
Welcome to our new Multiplier and Multiplier-in-Training
TOGETHER This category recognises tribe members who have best embodied our internal core beliefs of Together, Courageously, Respectfully, Joyfully, and Better.
SERETHA SLABBERT GENTLES | Winner
I am old school in the sense that I still work for a "Well Done". Working with such amazing humans, and then being nominated, alongside Rhulani and Tumi - it blew me away. TPA doesn't believe in half measures, so the nomination is a prize in itself - as our MD holds up the most meaningful mirror, playing back a version of how our colleagues and our clients see us.
And you think to yourself, "Wow, that is so beautiful - can that really be me?" And in that moment, you decide to continue working at becoming the best version of you, to make it and keep it true. And you get to take your nomination write-up home, a Report Card, to show your family: "We did good.”
RHULANI RISIBA | Runner Up
I am deeply honoured, excited, and appreciative to be nominated for the TPA MD Awards under the Together category. This recognition is not just about me; it extends to all my colleagues and mentors who have supported and guided me throughout this journey. Your encouragement and wisdom have been invaluable to my growth and development.
I am truly grateful to be part of TPA, where our Managing Director and Senior Partners genuinely see and appreciate our efforts. This recognition fuels my passion and commitment even more.
A special thank you to Natalie for your intentionality and dedication to my growth. To Graham (Mr. G), thank you for believing in me; your continuous encouragement has made a tremendous difference. Ms KK, thank you for always creating opportunities for me. Marlene, thank you for making me a part of your team. And Andrew, thank you for your friendship and unwavering support.
Thank you all for being such an incredible Tribe.
TUMI SHONGWE | Runner Up
Being nominated was honestly a shock for me, not because I don’t work hard but because at TPA, we all do! We all show up and pour our heart and soul into our work. So this nomination meant more than I can express in words.
I immediately shared the news with my husband and my mum, and they were both elated that I had been recognised in such a special way, in a company that is filled with exceptional people and does outstanding work.
My scroll is my badge of honour that I will forever treasure. Every couple of days I unroll it for my children and I to admire, then roll it back and display it proudly in my living room.
SHOW UP
This category recognises tribe members who have best embodied our external core beliefs of We Believe, We Commit, We Show Up, We Get Shit Done, and Repeat.
YANAI KLAWANSKY | Winner
Receiving the MD Award for Show Up is deeply humbling.
Behind this recognition stands an incredible team and clients who trust us to deliver on our biggest promises. We put in the hours, tackle the tough problems, and turn complex challenges into real and lasting results. I'm grateful for my teammates who bring fresh ideas, push through barriers, and never settle for good enough.
While the award itself is humbling, the real reward comes from seeing our work create meaningful impact. It reinforces what I've always believed - when we genuinely invest in our clients' challenges and support each other, we create work that truly makes a difference, especially when things get tough.
In this industry, excellence isn't just about meeting deadlines or ticking boxes - it's about showing up fully for each project, bringing our collective passion and expertise, and constantly pushing boundaries to deliver something extraordinary.
KESHNI NAIDOO | Runner Up
I am honoured to have been nominated for our MD Awards in the 'Show Up' category. Thank you Natalie and to our Senior Partners!!
This nomination reinforces that living into our core beliefs, even in the hardest of times, doesn't go unnoticed. It is motivation to keep pushing forward, to keep showing up, and leaning into the power of our collective tribe to deliver only the very best, together!
Congratulations to all nominees and winners. Here's to another year of Showing up, getting shit done, and believing in #Better.
SUSHEN MOODLEY | Runner Up
Being nominated for the ‘Show Up’ award was a deeply meaningful moment for me. In 2024, I challenged myself to believe, commit, show up, get shit done, and repeat with more intensity than ever before.
Drawing silent inspiration from my TPA tribe and project teams, I focused on personal growth to create moments of #better in every client engagement across Southern Africa. Even in the most challenging and unseen moments – away from the tribe, I knew that showing up was essential to delivering exceptional experiences and #better solutions for our clients.
This nomination is a powerful affirmation that I am on the right path – contributing meaningfully to our business and clients’ success. I’m grateful to Natalie, Brandon, and El-Karien for ‘seeing me’ and to my fellow tribe members for their ongoing collaboration and camaraderie.
Lastly, being recognised alongside Keshni and Yanai, who are superstars and whose achievements inspire us all, made this nomination even more special.
BETTER
Better is our pinnacle award, which recognises and celebrates those tribe members who have, in every aspect of their work and tribe life, lived into our purpose of leaving our world better than we found it.
MARLENE GILL | Winner
When I found out I was nominated, I was completely at a loss for words. I’ve always said that I work with the most phenomenal people, and to be nominated felt like one of the greatest compliments I could receive.
I was also deeply grateful and privileged to experience the genuine happiness and excitement from my tribe upon hearing of my nomination.
And then, the recognition itself – people work for money, but we truly thrive on recognition. The nomination made me feel seen, incredibly valued, and truly special.
ANDREW MORGAN | Runner Up
This nomination is more than just a recognition of my individual efforts; it’s a reflection of the environment and team that I am fortunate to be part of.
It reminds me of the importance of collaboration, support and shared goals.
This nomination is because of collective effort, and it is as much a recognition of my team as it is of me.
DR EL-KARIEN VAN DER LINDE | Runner Up
Being nominated for the Better Award is a deeply meaningful recognition of my hard work and dedication. It serves as a reminder of the efforts I’ve put into my work, and it motivates me to continue striving for excellence.
This nomination not only validates my passion and commitment but also highlights the support and collaboration I've received from colleagues and mentors along the way. It’s a humbling experience that reinforces my desire to keep growing and making a positive impact and being BETTER.
Congratulations to all our winners, runners up and the teams who supported and enabled their incredible performance over the year.
We are better because of you!