Evolutionary Awards 2025 – Discovery: most promising women led initiative

Category: Most promising women led initiative

Describe your evolution:

Discovery Women Move (DWM) is a leadership and inclusion platform, initiated by our very own Corporate and Employee Benefits CEO, Nonku Pitje and endorsed by Discovery’s senior leadership and sponsored by the SA Exco. It was created to bridge gender gaps in leadership, foster growth and inclusion, and cultivate a sense of belonging among women at Discovery.

DWM is structured around key pillars:

• Mentorship, Coaching, and Sponsorship: Supporting high-potential women through structured development programs
• Networking and Role Modelling: Creating spaces for women to connect, share experiences, and learn from each other
• Voice of the Customer (Women): Ensuring feedback loops from women employees to leadership
• Performance and Accountability: Tracking progress against gender representation targets and aligning with global standards like the UNGC Target Gender Equality programme

How It Started

DWM was formally launched in August 2022, initially targeting our Leadership Level with a set of commitments and ambitions:

• 30% of General Managers to be female by 2023 (a 25% increase from baseline).
• 40% of General Managers to be female by 2026.
• 5% of senior management to be African & Coloured women by 2023 The launch was supported by internal presentations and roundtable discussions, including events hosted at Discovery’s executive venue, with key stakeholders. Why DWM is critical in driving Business Success.
• Business Imperative: Gender-diverse companies are 21% more likely to outperform competitors (McKinsey).
• Talent Attraction & Retention: Companies with strong DEI initiatives see higher employee engagement and lower turnover.
• Innovation & Performance: Diverse teams drive creativity, better decision-making, and improved financial performance.
• Workplace Equity: DWM provides mentorship, networking, and advocacy, ensuring women have equal access to leadership opportunities & safe space to activate their voice.
• Corporate Reputation: A strong commitment to gender equity enhances corporate reputation and attracts top talent. To date DWM has launched to all females within the Discovery SA Brand.

We have had numerous roundtable sessions with influential women at the top of their game, celebrated almost three anniversaries and actively report into SA Exco and the Social and Ethics Committee. We have also been bold and brave to include our fellow male leaders to host topics of conversations in support of our exceptional Discovery Women.

Describe the impact your evolution has had in response to its identified challenges and targeted outcomes.

Key Milestones and Activities 2025

• Mentorship Trilogy Event (May 2025): A panel featuring leaders like Nicky Barrett, Neville Lindsay, Thembi Serame, and Tyran Naidoo explored mentorship, coaching, and sponsorship.
• Women’s Month Series (August 2025): A five-week series covering early career development, financial literacy, maternity leave, leadership, and menopause. Events included webinars, panel discussions, and a main event featuring the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy.
• Collaboration with OWLAG (Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy) University students will join have an afternoon with Discovery Leadership to gain valuable insights.
• Gender Retirement Gap Webinar (August 2025): Addressed disparities in retirement savings and income between men and women, with insights from Thapedi Monama, Yasheen Modi, and others.
• Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October 2025) in collaboration with the I luv Boobies campaign.

Supporting structures to meet its ambitions, DWM has implemented:

• Pay parity reviews at the intersection of gender and race.
• Transparent HR processes to ensure equality.
• Zero tolerance for discrimination.
• Leadership development through coaching and sponsorship

Supporting Documentation >