Mozambique: Tania Tome, African pioneer, strengthens the voice of youth and Lusophony at the “American Business Awards”

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Mozambique: Tania Tome, African pioneer, strengthens the voice of youth and Lusophony at the “American Business Awards”

2:45 CAT | 17 Jul 2023

Image: VOA Portugues

The renowned Mozambican economist, successful entrepreneur and member of the Board of Forbes Coaches Council, Tania Tome, was honoured to be appointed to the jury of the 21st edition of the American Business Awards, held in New York on 13 June.

The American Business Awards are the premier business awards program in the U.S.A., and are open to all organisations operating in the country, whether large or small, public or private, for-profit or not-for-profit.

This is the second consecutive year that Tania Tome has participated as a member of the Entrepreneurship and Robust Leadership committee tasked with evaluating the best companies in this category.

“It is a great recognition of my work in so many countries and, above all, as a mentor and as a member of the jury in several initiatives and different awards around the world,” Tomé said.

Among the companies awarded were Nasdaq, an American multinational financial corporation that owns and operates three stock exchanges in the United States; IBM, a American multinational technology corporation; and Ernst & Young, a British multinational professional services partnership.

The criteria evaluated in the Entrepreneurship and Robust Leadership category include differentiating factors, innovation and societal impact.

“We always try to recognize companies that are able to combine competitive advantage, innovation and impact on society in an efficient, dynamic and, above all, sustainable way,” Tome explained. She highlighted that winning companies not only bring millions or billions of dollars to market, but also continue to invest in research, innovation and differentiation.

Reflecting on the inspiration that comes to a successful entrepreneur after participating as a member of the jury in an event of such importance as the American Business Awards, Tania Tome commented that, in Africa, there is still much to be achieved.

“One of the main areas I work on is contributing to the entrepreneurship and leadership ecosystem in Mozambique and in the PALOP (Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries), as we still face huge gaps. These gaps are not only related to capital and knowledge, but also to interpersonal skills,” she said.

Tania Tome explained that the winning companies already have a platform that enables the results they produce.

In Africa and Portuguese-speaking countries, the president of the Womenice Foundation argued that there is a gap of 100 years, and said that companies were looking for new identities.

“The niches are getting smaller and smaller, but the results are getting bigger and bigger. What really inspires me is the resilience and consistency of that continuity, as well as the impact. Today, companies are not just chasing financial results, but they also seek to impact society. The issue of inclusion, diversity, differentiation and making a difference is completely inspiring, and I certainly want to continue on this learning journey,” she said.

Other members of the Entrepreneurship and Robust Leadership committee included Marie Marks, senior vice president of Paramount Global, who served as committee chair; Vishal Patel, director of software engineering at Yahoo; Akhila Pant, director of Tavant Ghaziabad in India; and Abeer Ramadna, assistant director of the Control and Inspection Unit at the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply in Jordan.

Tania Tome was the first juror on the Entrepreneurship and Robust Leadership committee at the American Business Awards in the United States to come from a country where Portuguese is the official language, and is the only African serving on the body.

Tania Tome: Career and awards

Tania Teresa Tome, a Mozambican national, is an economist, entrepreneur and a motivational speaker who advocates for positive social change, entrepreneurship and the leadership ecosystem. She is also a writer, president of the Womenice Foundation, and a television presenter.

She has won several international awards, most notably the 100 Most Influential Women in the World Award by Mipad and the 100 Most Inspiring Women Award in the US.

She has also received the Academic Award of Portugal by former Portuguese President Mário Soares, but sees her family and children as her greatest wealth.

Her active work also extends as a global ambassador, mentor, and jury member of several global initiatives, notably as member of the jury of the American Business Award in the United States, Entrepreneurship and Robust Leadership category.

Source: VOA Portugues / Profile Mozambique