This Women’s Day we decided to celebrate our very own women in Ctrl; a fun, hard-working bunch of highly qualified women bringing their unique talents to the tech show daily. 

A true mainstay

First up is Jacky Grobler. She’s been with Ctrl almost since the beginning and she’s such a mainstay. Jacky heads up training as part of the Customer Success team who supports and assists our B2B partners. “I train and onboard new brokers onto our tech platform en get everyone excited about the capabilities.” Jacky is a qualified insurance advisor with more than 20 years of experience in the industry. 

Why a tech company? “I love the people and the vibe at Ctrl. It’s an exciting challenge to help digitalise the insurance industry.” 

Heart of gold

The woman in the hot chair is Tinette van Staden. Working remotely from Langebaan, she takes care of any post-sale issues or queries clients of Ctrl Financial Intermediaries might have. She’s a qualified insurance advisor, but interestingly enough, she’s a trained goldsmith and jeweller! 

Why a tech company? “I never thought I’d work in a tech company, but I’m so glad it worked out this way. I used to work at one of the big insurers, but this is much more exciting and the fact that we can work remotely is a big plus. I love the fact that everyone is willing to help, even if they’re not in my department and the fact that family is important to the company.” 

Safe hands

Next up is number cruncher, Nadia Jones. Anything and everything financial needs to go through her and she doesn’t miss a thing. She has a BAccHons degree and keeps a tight hold on the purse strings of the company, making sure we are diligent and keeping records of everything in a professional manner. 

Why a tech company? “After a stint in corporate, I was keen for the challenge of a start-up where I could put systems and procedures in place and have the freedom to be actively involved with financial management and forecasting. I wanted to work with entrepreneurs and see how we can grow and expand. It’s great to see how developers can automate mundane tasks in the insurance space.”

Tech for breakfast

Aylin Botha joined the team as a Product Owner. That entails working within the Product and Development team. “I help define the future product roadmap and bring that to life. I also help by being the techy bridge between Ctrl and clients. I have to know the ins and outs of the Ctrl platform to ensure it functions properly and is always updated. Lastly, I help run and manage projects such as new insurer integrations.”

Why a tech company? “The tech space allows for so much growth. I love technology and seeing the convenience and ease it brings to our end users. I’m very grateful to WFH (work from home). Home being wherever it may be; another country, at a café or home – as long as there’s good internet. I love my job and love the people I get to interact with within the company as well as external clients. Ctrl is made up of a team that handles each other with respect. It’s great being able to work in cross-functional teams where people’s strengths and expertise are used to their full extent. As a woman, I’m so proud to be part of this tech start-up space at Ctrl.” 

As a woman, I’m so proud to be part of this tech start-up space at Ctrl.

Aylin Botha

Hidden superpower

Brianna Pelham joined the team at the end of last year as Business Analyst in the Product team as the link between the Development and Support teams. “As an Industrial Engineer, my job is to optimise systems, solve problems and make sure that all projects are managed well operationally. ‘Define, measure, analyse, improve and control’, that’s how I go about. I love the fact that I have to be both analytical and creative to do this job!”

Why a tech company? I never saw myself working for a tech company seeing that I’m a bit old-fashioned (even though I’m the youngest on the team), but I found the intimacy of a start-up intriguing and to be part of something new and fresh, without all the red tape, restrictions of existing structures and politics that are part and parcel of big corporates. Each day is different and we all learn from each other. I feel very comfortable in my all-male team and we respect each other.”

“My advice to women is to remember that our biggest blessing and asset is our femininity. It’s an often under-rated superpower.”

– Brianna Pelham

Relationships are key

Minanne Snyman is our Key Accounts Manager who takes care of the relationship between the dealerships and their F&I’s and assists with implementing the adoption of the Ctrl technologies. “I rely on my background in Drama, Psychology and Industrial Psychology in the work I do.” 

Why a tech company? Minanne worked at big insurance firms for 16 years before deciding to look for something more adventurous. “I wanted a new challenge where digital and tech can be used to change the way things have always been done. You don’t have to work harder, you just have to work smarter. And Ctrl 100% allows for that. The potential of what Ctrl has done will change the industry.”

More than words

Retha Venter heads up Communication and Marketing at Ctrl. She’s been with the company from the start and is passionate about making the most of every opportunity to get the word out about this game-changing software solution for the insurance industry; whether it be through presentations, press releases, social media posts or articles.

Why a tech company? “I studied literature and languages and the last place I thought I’d end up is in a tech company in the insurance space! But it’s been perfect because I am ideally suited to ‘translate’ tech and insurance jargon into everyday language for consumers. People often feel overwhelmed by all the terminology and fine print stuff, so a big part of my job is to clarify and simplify the language. I enjoy working with different departments behind the scenes and seeing our story being told. It is a great product with so much potential to make not just insurance, but life easier for everyone involved.”