Facilitating the Business Engage Association NPC International Women’s Day event, “The Legacy of Giving,” struck a deep personal chord with me.  
 
It’s a powerful mindset with vital caveats. To lead is to serve, and to serve is to give.  
 
– But mastering giving necessitates a frame of abundance, that there is enough for all. 
– It also means learning to receive to ensure a flow of abundance.  
– It requires the cultivation of discernment to give “from the overflow, not from the cup”. 
– Finally it calls for the sovereignty to know the difference. 
 
That said, generosity is a game-changing business practice – what you give, you receive, especially when given with pure intent.  

There are moments in leadership that don’t come from strategy meetings or boardrooms, but from something far more personal — the simple act of giving. It was this spirit that shaped a recent International Women’s Day event, where stories of generosity, purpose, and impact took centre stage. 

On 17 March, SA Home Loans sponsored a Business Engage live-streamed panel under the theme “The Legacy of Giving: Wisdom from Women who Lead with Purpose.” Bringing the conversation to life was Wendy Mahoney, who served as MC — guiding the discussion with warmth, insight, and an instinctive understanding of the deeper narrative behind the theme. 

Wendy, who leads Business Engage in KwaZulu-Natal and plays an active role within the SA Chamber of Commerce UK as the KwaZulu-Natal Chapter Lead, has long been an advocate for meaningful connection and purposeful leadership. In many ways, her role on the day reflected her broader approach: creating space for others to be heard, while gently drawing out the lessons that matter. 

As the panellists shared their journeys, a common thread emerged. The defining moments in their careers were not always the obvious milestones, but the quieter decisions to give time, support, opportunity, or belief — often without knowing what would come in return. Yet, it was precisely these moments that unlocked growth, both personally and professionally. 

The conversation resonated deeply with those in attendance, including the SA Home Loans Voices of Women network — a dynamic mix of executives, leaders, and rising talent. What unfolded was more than a panel discussion; it became a shared reflection on the kind of leadership the future demands. 

Under Wendy’s thoughtful facilitation, the discussion moved beyond inspiration into something more tangible. It challenged those present to consider how generosity is not just a personal value, but a strategic force — one that can shape organisations, influence culture, and create lasting impact. 

By the close of the session, there was a palpable sense that something meaningful had shifted. The idea that giving is not reserved for grand gestures, but is woven into everyday leadership, has taken hold. 

Because, as the conversation so powerfully affirmed, the true legacy of leadership is not measured only in success, but in the impact we choose to have on others. 

And sometimes, it begins with simply creating the space — as Wendy Mahoney so naturally does — for those stories to be told. 

Wendy leads the KwaZulu-Natal Chapter.  To find out more, contact Wendy Mahoney at wendy@newmella.co.za 

If you would like to find out more about the Chapters in South Africa, please contact Annette Christie achristie@sachamber.co.uk