Hope Matsila
Johannesburg
Summary
Masters graduate with an LLM in International Business Law, specializing in Banking, Finance, and Insurance Law. Eager to return to practicing law as well as contribute to team success through hard work, attention to detail, excellent research, communication and execution skills. Can easily adapt and thrive within a new work environment and culture. Experience and jurisdictional knowledge spanning four continents - Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. Well positioned to understand the global move towards sustainability. Admitted Attorney with a Commercial Litigation background and training in Risk Management.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Strategic Initiatives Manager
Novartis
03.2023 - Current
- AfCFTA: Breakdown and analysis of the African Continental Free Trade Area provisions, to aid in understanding the practicality of maximizing opportunities for Novartis within the parameters of the Agreement.
- EcoVadis: Coordinated inputs compiled from Labour, Procurement, Ethics, and Environmental Sustainability departments to be rated on the platform. Supported the launch of the assessment.
- Non-financial reporting: Gap analysis of international sustainability regulations and standards (such as SEC, ISSB, Swiss Art.964).
- Performance Indicators: Country KPI extraction and compilation (Italy, Romania, Greece, Philippines, Singapore, and Turkey), enabling an analysis of what countries include in their infographics, for a clear view of Social, Economic, and Environmental quantitative metrics trends.
- Advocacy: Coordinated inputs on the updated draft of the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) requirements.
- Additional tasks involving material TCFD, CDP, other ESG topics, disclosure strategy and reporting.
Investment Analyst
ESG Portfolio Management
07.2022 - 02.2023
- Independent monitoring and risk management.
- Implementation of regulatory requirements.
- Presented oral and written reports on general economic trends, individual corporations and entire industries.
- Conduct detailed analysis and selection of securities with a focus on sustainability indicators.
- Develop strategy on environmental and climate change issues concerning sustainable investments.
- Build effective relationships with Portfolio companies and advise them on social and climate change impacts as well as physical and transition risks.
- Contribute to client pitches, reviews, and business development opportunities.
- Produce thought leadership within the area of climate change and sustainable investing.
- Perform engagement activities with fortune 500 companies.
- Provide ideas and contribute to setting the ESG strategy for the firm.
Junior Venture Analyst
Serval Ventures
02.2022 - 05.2022
- Perform proactive market analysis and spreadsheet reviews of tech startups in different sectors ( AI, Machine Learning, Blockchain, CleanTech, FinTech, InsureTech and HealthTech).
- Conduct startup assessments and due diligence to ensure compatibility with the firm's sustainability-focused portfolio.
- Conduct competitive research for startups entering new markets.
- Contextualize and monitor ongoing market trends relating to technology.
- Attend C-Suite events.
Founder
The Mindful Catalyst (Humanitarian Project)
03.2020 - 08.2021
- Partnered with grassroots organizations to advance the UN SDGs i.e goal no.13 Climate Action , goal no.1 No Poverty and goal no.4 Quality Education.
- Built partnerships with related organizations to develop support and gain greater attention for important issues such as climate change.
- Educated young people about strategies for driving discussions and promoting social changes.
- Established a blog to inspire young people to get involved in sustainability issues where ever they are.
English Teacher (Humanitarian Work)
ABEI
09.2018 - 11.2019
- Worked to increase learning opportunities for children in the outskirts of China.
- Implemented EduTech as part of the strategy to maximise learning outcomes.
- Conducted activities and lessons based on ESL teaching methodologies.
- Learned Mandarin and Chinese culture.
English Teacher
Jungchul Language Academy
07.2017 - 07.2018
- Immersed myself in Korean culture while learning the history of Jikji.
- Prepared and implemented lesson plans covering required course topics.
- Explored and implemented innovative use of technologies such as Smart-notebooks in language education.
Compliance Analyst
Barclays Africa Group
01.2016 - 06.2017
- Drafted customer due diligence reports for new retail and business banking clients guided by the KYC methodology.
- Screening of counterparties through sanctions database such as World Check and escalated potential matches.
- Conducted periodic transactional analysis using different technologies.
- Assisted investigation and risk management teams with fraud, AML and Terrorist Financing as well as other financial crimes investigations and risk identification.
- Enforced compliance with complex national laws, financial services industry regulations and best practices.
- Stayed up to date with latest changes to applicable regulatory standards and company procedures.
- Reviewed audit and monitoring reports related to consumer and client activities.
Candidate Attorney
Miltons Matsemela Inc.
11.2014 - 12.2015
- Commercial Litigation
- Advised clients on various real estate transactions.
- Formulated litigation techniques specifically pertaining to each case.
- Minimized risk exposure through careful advice on business operations and strategic plans.
- Interpreted laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
- Explained available courses of action and possible repercussions of cases to clients.
- Analyzed probable outcomes of cases using knowledge of legal precedents.
- Researched and drafted contracts, agreements and proposals.
- Communicated with clients and collected information to research cases and prepare settlement offers.
Legal Advisor
LIPCO Law For All
05.2014 - 10.2014
- Advised clients on insurance related matters
- Mediated on behalf of insurance policy holders in order to settle matters out of court.
- Drafted legal documents on behalf of insurance policy holders.
- Briefed corresponding attorneys handling our cases in other jurisdictions.
Legal Intern (Internship)
Legal Aid South Africa
06.2012 - 08.2012
- Drafted and analyzed court documents.
- Took instructions and provided legal advice for pro bono cases.
- Created plans and communicated deadlines to complete tasks on time
Education
LL.M - International Business Law
University of Zurich
Switzerland09.2022
Executive Program - Social Impact Strategy
University Of Pennsylvania
USA09.2021
Certificate - Compliance Management
University of Cape Town
South Africa03.2017
LLB - Bachelor of Laws
University of Venda
South Africa08.2014
Skills
- Risk Analysis
- Due Diligence
- Competitor intelligence
- Data analysis and presentation
- Exceptional verbal and written communication
- Legal and ESG research
- Corporate law and Financial regulation
- Drafting Contracts
- Negotiation
Accomplishments
- Led the winning submission of Green Clinical Trials, for which Novartis was awarded the 2023 Terra Carta Seal, announced at COP28, for efforts in reducing Scope 3 carbon emissions.
- Publication: Implementation of the Financial Stability Board's Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures in the Swiss Banking and Insurance industries. (Publisher: Schulthess Juristische Medien AG, Switzerland).
- Represented Gen Y/ Millennials as the youngest female speaker at the Swiss Re 14th Annual conference for Large Accounting Firms, held at the Swiss Re Centre for Global Dialogue, 2022.
- Named Top 200 Young South African of 2021 by Mail & Guardian media in the inaugural Rural Development Category (SDG work).
- Chosen to speak on behalf of the youth of South Africa ahead of the Presidential State of the Nation address, 2021.
- Admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa (Western Cape Division), 2016.
Timeline
Strategic Initiatives Manager
Novartis
03.2023 - Current
Investment Analyst
ESG Portfolio Management
07.2022 - 02.2023
Junior Venture Analyst
Serval Ventures
02.2022 - 05.2022
Founder
The Mindful Catalyst (Humanitarian Project)
03.2020 - 08.2021
English Teacher (Humanitarian Work)
ABEI
09.2018 - 11.2019
English Teacher
Jungchul Language Academy
07.2017 - 07.2018
Compliance Analyst
Barclays Africa Group
01.2016 - 06.2017
Candidate Attorney
Miltons Matsemela Inc.
11.2014 - 12.2015
Legal Advisor
LIPCO Law For All
05.2014 - 10.2014
Legal Intern (Internship)
Legal Aid South Africa
06.2012 - 08.2012
LL.M - International Business Law
University of Zurich
Executive Program - Social Impact Strategy
University Of Pennsylvania
Certificate - Compliance Management
University of Cape Town
LLB - Bachelor of Laws
University of Venda
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