Driving financial empowerment at Alexforbes

Fostering a culture of growth, inclusion and accountability
A leadership style defined by empathy, active listening and a commitment to balanced decision-making that supports both people and performance.
Tony Brims
  • 2 Days Ago
Joleen Mans is the managing director of Alexforbes Financial Services.

Her extensive career, spanning more than 27 years in the financial sector, reveals a consistent theme: leadership rooted in the principle of serving others.

From benefit consulting to risk management and strategic oversight, each phase of her career has shaped a leadership style defined by empathy, active listening and a commitment to balanced decision-making that supports both people and performance.

Mans explained Alexforbes's fundamental mission: to empower clients with "financial security throughout their lives".

This goes beyond transactional services; it's about actively "shaping their future", she said.

This core purpose is carefully assembled into every product and client interaction, sustained by ongoing strategic evaluations and robust governance, ensuring unwavering alignment with their vision.

Reflecting on the challenges, she cited economic fluctuations, evolving regulations and the seismic shift brought by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Overcoming these issues required swift adaptation, digital migration of services, remote client support and sustained team motivation.

She credits "clear communication and flexible leadership" as pivotal in navigating these turbulent waters, underscoring the company’s inherent adaptability.

Culture of growth

Alexforbes remains at the forefront of a dynamic industry through significant investment in research and collaborative engagement with regulatory bodies and industry groups.

This proactive stance ensures agility and responsiveness to changes. Digital transformation, far from being a mere trend, is a strategic imperative.

The integration of AI tools and the development of intuitive mobile platforms are reshaping how clients manage their finances and improving internal efficiencies.

Within Alexforbes, Mans is a fervent advocate for a culture of "growth, inclusion and accountability".

Leadership, in her view, is about "lifting others up", cultivating an environment where every voice is valued. Through mentorship, a focus on diversity, and a shared sense of accountability, the organisation nurtures talent and achieves collective success.

Push your limits

Alexforbes's contribution to Namibia's economic vitality is significant, particularly in fostering retirement planning and financial literacy. This is achieved through consistent communication with members, partnerships with educational institutions, and providing accessible financial tools.

Offering advice to emerging professionals, Mans emphasised the importance of "staying curious, acting with integrity, and continuous learning."

The financial sector, she noted, requires leaders who possess both visionary ambition and practical groundedness. Her advice to others: "Be true to yourself, but always aim higher, push your limits, and grow. No matter your role, lead with purpose and confidence."

Looking forward, Mans priorities for the next three to five years are clear: enhancing digital capabilities, fortifying client trust, and promoting inclusive growth within the industry and Alexforbes.