How is the Marcus Evans culture unique when it comes to providing opportunities to women?
I joined the company at 19 years old straight out of college, and was trusted to grow based on results, not background. The culture empowers women to lead, take ownership, and develop real commercial skills early in their career. That level of trust builds confidence and independence. When women are given equal opportunity to perform and be heard, leadership naturally follows, and that is what makes the Marcus Evans culture stand out.
What advice would you offer to the next generation of female leaders?
My advice to the next generation of female leaders is to believe in your voice and not wait for permission to Lead. Growth comes from stepping into challenges, taking ownership, and learning from every experience. Surround yourself with people who support your development and stay focused on your goals. Leadership is not about perfection, it is about resilience, consistency, and having the courage to create opportunities for yourself and for others.
Which women have inspired you the most professionally and personally? How?
I am most inspired by the everyday women, the ones who show up consistently, push through challenges, and keep striving to grow. The women who inspired me most were those around me early in my career who led by example, trained me, and showed resilience in high-performance environments. Watching women balance ambition, leadership, and personal growth taught me that success is built through persistence, courage, and the willingness to keep learning every single day.
How does Marcus Evans empower female leadership?
At Marcus Evans, female leadership is empowered through visibility and opportunity. From my very first interview, I was surrounded by strong women who interviewed me, trained me, and led the team. Seeing women succeed at every level showed me what was possible. The culture encourages women to step into leadership, develop commercially, and lead teams with confidence, creating a powerful cycle where today’s leaders inspire the next generation
What kind of a role model do you aspire to be?
I aspire to be a role model who combines kindness with audacity, showing that femininity and strength can coexist. I refuse to believe that you cannot be both compassionate and strong. I aim to lead with empathy while speaking up, asking for what I need, and breaking barriers unapologetically. More importantly, I aim to inspire young women to believe in themselves, have ambition, embrace their power, and step confidently into opportunities, proving that courage, authenticity, and support for others create lasting impact.
I aspire to be
a role model who combines kindness with audacity, showing that femininity and strength can coexist.
Marcus Evans Women Leaders Talk
Copyright © 2026 Marcus Evans. All rights reserved.
Shaakierah Philander
Position: Director, Conferences Africa
Location: Cape Town
Years at Marcus Evans: 13 years
For more information, please contact: Sarin Kouyoumdjian-Gurunlian press@marcusevanscy.com
Click here to access the Women Leaders Talk interview series