Speaker Profile

Dr Tryphosa Ramano is a distinguished business leader with deep expertise in governance, finance, and strategy, and a proven track record of delivering impact across both public and private sectors. With a career spanning financial services, mining, manufacturing, aviation, and government, she brings a rare combination of technical excellence, strategic foresight, and purpose-driven leadership.

She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting from the University ofCapeTown, and is also an honorary doctorate recipient from the University ofJohannesburg, in recognition of her contribution to business leadership and societal impact.

Tryphosa has held several high-impact executive roles, including Chief Financial Officer of PPC Ltd from 2011 to 2019. During her tenure, she played a pivotal role in PPC’s expansion into key African markets, including Zimbabwe, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, and Rwanda. She provided strategic oversight of the Group’s financial performance and balance sheet, ensuring that the company’s growth ambitions were executed sustainably and without compromising financial stability. Her leadership was instrumental in strengthening the Group’s market position and long-term value creation.

Prior to PPC, she served as CFO of WIPHOLD , and South African Airways and held senior roles within National Treasury South Africa, contributing to key fiscal and economic initiatives.

She has an extensive board portfolio, having served and continuing to serve on several leading institutions, including the South African Reserve Bank, Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa, and the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Fund, as well as the AU Peace Fund, among others. Her governance expertise is widely recognised, with prior directorships spanning organisations such as Public Investment Corporation, Eskom, NTCSA, ACSA, Sasria, Land Bank, DBSA, Adcorp, the Solidarity Fund, the Board of Auditors at the African Union, PPC subsidiaries, and SA Express.

Beyond her corporate achievements, Tryphosa is a passionate gender activist and advocate for youth empowerment. She is the Co-Founder and Chairperson of A Seat at the Table, a platform dedicated to creating access, opportunity, and leadership pathways for young people and women across the globe.

She has also held prominent leadership positions within influential industry bodies, including serving as Chairperson of the Black Business Council, and as President of the Association of Black Securities and Investment Professionals (ABSIP), African Women Chartered Accountants, and Young Leaders Connect.

Dr Tryphosa Ramano continues to be a formidable force in shaping inclusive economic growth, strengthening governance standards, and advancing meaningful transformation across industries and communities.