Pria Hassan

Pria Hassan is the executive chair of the Women  of Africa Group.  Pria’s upbringing in Reservoir  Hills, Durban was shaped by a family where  her father, an entrepreneur, and her mother,  a traditional housewife with solid values, kept her  grounded. “I lived with my grandmother who believed  deeply in the power of education,” she recalls. 

She pursued higher education at Howard College Law  School before advancing to the University of Pretoria.  “It was there that I was admitted as an advocate in  Johannesburg,” she says. Her career, however, didn’t  remain confined to law. “I ventured into finance,  logistics, property, mergers, acquisitions, and so  much more,” she explains, describing a journey that  led her to the petroleum industry. 

“My first job was far removed from the industry I am  in now,” she reminisces. “I drove my late uncle’s truck  for a glass and aluminium company, working in areas  like Verulam and Umlazi, managing logistics and  making deliveries.” She explains that the experience  was invaluable. “It instilled in me the values of hard  work, responsibility, and resilience.” 

Pria added, “The best advice I ever received came  from my late uncle. I was only 11 when he told me,  ‘Never forget where you came from and where you  are going. You are not responsible for the wind  around you, only for managing your own sail’.” This  wisdom has guided her through life. She says, “I’ve  navigated rough waters by adjusting my (sails)  expectations and being courageous, even in the  face of adversity.” 

In addition, the exposure to the logistics chain laid  a foundation for her understanding of the business  world. “I learned that no job is too small or too  large when it comes to building a future. Those  early experiences gave me insight into how every  part of the supply chain contributes to the overall  economy in Africa.”

 SUSTAINABLE GROWTH 

As executive chair of Women of Africa Group,  Pria’s purpose is rooted in a desire for sustainable  growth. “The petroleum industry is undergoing  significant changes and the supply of cleaner  energy is fundamental,” she says. “My task is  to steer the company through this renewable  transition, ensuring we balance profitability with  environmental stewardship.” She sees digitisation  as a key area for growth to promote sustainable  practices, reduce emissions, and to make the  organisation more environmentally friendly. Pria’s goal is to drive investment in infrastructure  development within the petroleum industry  especially as there is a lack of bulk storage facilities  in Africa owned and managed by women. She  added, “In the next five years, I want to ensure that  Women of Africa remains relevant and becomes a  leading force across multiple industries.” 

SHEER DETERMINATION

“The toughest challenge for me has always been  breaking the glass ceiling in the oil and petroleum  industry,” Pria admits. “Early in my career, I faced  prejudice for being a woman in a high-stakes  commodity market.” However, knowledge from  the legal fraternity helped her stay formidable. She  says, “I had the foresight and sheer determination to  keep pushing forward, earning my seat at the table.” 

Even now, Pria sees challenges within the industry.  “The issues persist, but I refuse to sit back and  complain. I am committed to fostering change. I  aim to be an influential force not just in energy,  petrochemicals but in our business of logistics,  pharmaceuticals, and healthcare.” 

These challenges have come with a cost. “As a  leader, prioritising my mental wellness became  crucial in my journey, Pria shares candidly. “I’ve  experienced burnout traveling to different  continents; sleep evaded me as I tried to juggle my  various roles which eventually led to me relying on  sleeping medication. My triumph inspired me to  launch Women of Africa Healthcare and Wellness  which aims to provide more facilities for mental  health support.”  

Pria says that one of her proudest accomplishments  is the Women of Africa Foundation. “The greatest  gift we can give the next generation is our wisdom  and experience,” she explains. “The foundation is my  legacy. It focuses on education, providing access to  urgent healthcare, and promoting mental wellness.” The foundation is also a vehicle for other initiatives  close to her heart. “We are working on sports  academies and an entrepreneurship programme for  young people. The foundation is about community,  togetherness, and accelerated empowerment.” 

Pria has been fortunate to have a supportive  husband and loyal brother, her foot soldiers, who  share her vision. Pria believes her team is one of her  greatest assets, not just because they are strong, but  because they consist of the right people who are  even more intelligent than she is. 

The organisation’s social development programmes  play a crucial role in motivating the team. “They see  the effect of our initiatives on their own families  and communities,” she notes. Pria’s vision extends  to ongoing community development. “We need to  focus on skills transfer, training, and collaboration,”  she emphasises.  

Pria is committed to empowering women in  traditionally male-dominated sectors. “It is important  to show the younger generation the vital part they can  play in our future,” she asserts. “Operating in industries  like petroleum, logistics, and now healthcare, I want to  pave the way for other women to succeed.” 

Pria holds a belief that powerful women often  draw strength and inspiration from role models  who have paved the way before them. “My  mother will always be my source of inspiration,  giving me hope even in the darkest times,” she  says. “She made me realise education is not just a  powerful tool for myself but if used effectively can  shift the lives of so many others who need you.”  She also credits Indra Nooyi for influencing her  leadership style. “Indra’s empathy, pragmatism,  and ability to drive change in the industry have  given me the confidence to lead with purpose.”

 “I live by the motto, ‘Be the change you want to see  in the world,’” Pria concludes. “It’s a daily reminder  that change starts with personal action. It’s not easy,  but it keeps me focused on solutions and positive  impacts, whether in business or in my community.