I am Yehuda Lazarus, an entrepreneur, community advocate, single father and the Co-Founder, Managing Partner and CEO of Heya Solutions South Africa. Heya builds fully managed, office-based teams in Johannesburg for more than 25 international clients, creating sustainable careers for South African talent.

I lead our South African strategy, operations, growth, client relationships and culture. What makes me a rising star is the impact achieved from an unconventional starting point: helping grow Heya beyond 160 employees, supporting close to 200 jobs across business and charity, and developing overlooked talent into internationally recognised performers. My leadership proves that commercial growth and meaningful social impact can strengthen one another.

I believe I was nominated for transforming an unconventional journey into purposeful leadership, supporting close to 200 employees across business and charity, and creating opportunities that strengthen South African communities.

My vision is to develop leaders who will eventually lead beyond me and build organisations whose impact outlives me. For South Africa, I envision a country where talent, not background, location or formal qualifications, determines opportunity. I want us to export skills rather than people, create dignified employment and enable South Africans to build successful futures at home.

Over the past few years, I adopted two children as a single father and later welcomed two foster children, while growing Heya into an international company employing over 100 South Africans. I hope this shows that family, purpose and entrepreneurship can grow together.

Recreational activities

Spending time with my family and four dogs, cooking and entertaining loved ones, travelling internationally, and visiting rural South Africa to reground myself. I also enjoy exploring the Xhosa and Zulu cultures within our family while remaining connected to my South African and Jewish heritage.