adumo Payouts’ Palesa Morebodi reflects on ‘Inspire Inclusion’ theme for International Women’s Day

In celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8, this year’s focus on ‘Inspire Inclusion’ resonates especially with Palesa Morebodi, Head of Operations at adumo Payouts, who navigates a complex landscape of finance and payouts as a female member of the senior leadership team.

Palesa sheds light on her pivotal role at the company and the challenges and triumphs she faces as a woman in the world of client services and operations. Leading a team responsible for servicing over 500 corporate clients, Palesa’s role is to devise and implement key account and customer service strategies to meet the diverse expectations of the company’s client base. With a team divided into operational and customer experience (CX) teams, clients range from small businesses to large corporations.

“A core value is our dynamism, acknowledging the varying needs of clients, from small enterprises to major blue-chip companies,” says Palesa. She stresses the importance of adaptability in delivering top-notch service to clients with distinct requirements.

In terms of her educational and career journey, Palesa entered the corporate world in 2006. Cutting her teeth in insurance and finance, she gradually shifted into payments and her present role at adumo Payouts in July 2021.

Palesa is currently pursuing an MBA with the full support of the company, highlighting her commitment to continuous learning and personal growth. She is passionate about her constantly evolving role, highlighting the importance of stakeholder relationships and understanding the competitive landscape in order to be able to thrive.

Acknowledging the challenges faced as a woman in a technical role, Palesa delves into the intricacies of engaging with both clients and technical teams. She emphasises the need to adapt communication styles and bridge the gap between corporate conversations and technical discussions. She views the challenge of breaking down barriers as a positive opportunity for growth and personal development.

Looking at adumo Payouts’ approach to diversity and inclusion, Palesa says the company is committed to creating growth opportunities for employees. A personal highlight has been developing a robust succession plan within her team, highlighting the importance of internal growth.

As International Women’s Day prompts discussions about the significance of such events, Palesa acknowledges that while values of inclusion should be implemented daily, such occasions do shine a spotlight on successful role models, inspiring the next generation of women leaders.

Her advice to young women entering similar roles in operations is to be authentic, believe in their capabilities, and strive for growth. “I am confident, assertive, and speak my mind. You are no different than men in a similar role. You can do what they are doing. You must just kick those doors open and take a chair at the table. Look out for someone keen to invest in you and your growth. You need to first want it and own it, as it intrinsically starts with you,” concludes Palesa.