Talent Management | Change Management |City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
A Passion for People and Potential
On any given day, you might find Virginy Matsi facilitating a leadership workshop in Doha, engaging with future leaders at a career fair, or celebrating a colleague’s new book on leadership. Wherever she is, one thing is constant — her mission to shape leaders and transform organizations. “It’s incredibly fulfilling to help individuals cultivate essential leadership skills and drive positive change within their organizations,” she reflected after a recent Franklin Covey Leadership Development program session.
Her story is not one of happenstance but of deliberate growth, continuous learning, and a steadfast belief that great organizations are built on empowered people.
Building Expertise from the Ground Up
Born and raised in South Africa, Virginy’s early life and education instilled in her a deep respect for diversity, adaptability, and resilience. She earned her Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from the University of South Africa, a choice that foreshadowed her lifelong commitment to understanding and enhancing human potential in the workplace.
Her professional journey began in the world of customer experience and quality assurance, where she quickly learned that organizational success is inseparable from the people who drive it. These formative years gave her a sharp eye for process improvement and a natural inclination toward mentoring and developing others.
A Global Career in Learning and Leadership Development
Virginy’s career took a decisive turn at Investec, where she spent more than seven years honing her craft in learning and development. She excelled at conducting needs analyses, designing learning programs, and facilitating sessions that bridged skills gaps while driving measurable results. Her influence extended beyond training — she became a driver of company culture, a steward of client experience, and a trusted partner for leadership.
Her trajectory continued upward through roles at Absa Wealth and Investment Management, Nedbank Private Wealth South Africa, and eventually Old Mutual Limited, where she served first as a Learning and Development Manager and later as Talent Development Manager. In these positions, Virginy championed organizational agility and cultural excellence, shaping initiatives that elevated both employee engagement and performance.
In 2024, she embarked on her first Middle Eastern chapter, joining Nakilat in Qatar as a Learning and Development Specialist. Here, she leverages her expertise in leadership development, performance management, and talent management within the high-stakes maritime and energy sector a role that demands both strategic vision and cultural adaptability.
Beyond the Job Description
Virginy’s influence reaches far beyond the organizations she serves. She is an active mentor and advocate for young talent, as seen when she engaged with students at the Carnegie Mellon University Qatar Career Café, an event she described as “an energising experience” in the ongoing war for top young talent.
Her professional development is as dynamic as her career. In the past year alone, she achieved the Certified Jungian Coach credential after 120 hours of intensive ICF training, complementing her Prosci Change Management certification and a postgraduate diploma in Organizational Development. She is currently pursuing her Master of Management in Innovation and Technology, underscoring her belief that learning is never complete.
Virginy also values the power of thought leadership and connection. She recently celebrated the work of Dr. Rose Pillay, whose book on leadership effectiveness she described as “a refreshing symbolic perspective on leadership effectiveness.” This curiosity and openness to diverse ideas keep her at the forefront of leadership discourse.
Vision for the Future
For Virginy, the future is about impact. She envisions a professional landscape where leaders are equipped not just with technical skills, but with empathy, cultural intelligence, and the courage to adapt in an unpredictable world. Her guiding philosophy is rooted in the idea that leadership is less about titles and more about influence, integrity, and the ability to inspire others to reach their highest potential.
Editorial Note
Virginy Matsi’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of learning, adaptability, and purposeful leadership. From Johannesburg to Doha, she has proven that when leaders are nurtured, organizations thrive and when organizations thrive, they leave a legacy that outlasts any individual career.
