The world is run by WOMEN. Strong, brave, courageous, witty, kick-ass women. The City of Roses boasts some of the toughest, most compassionate and most inspiring female leaders you’ll ever come across. This month, Get It celebrates these leaders and their superpowers. Because, let’s face it, we’re not just businesswomen. We are mothers, daughters, caretakers, wives, cooks, cleaners, teachers and motivators. We are invested in our communities, and care for those who need a mother’s love. We look at the future while tending to the present with grace and attention to detail. We do it all, with added vava-VOOM for those extra curve balls life throws at us.
In this year’s Get It Women on the Move feature, Vodacom is at the forefront, celebrating this team of strong women with us. Visit www.vodacom.co.za for details on all it has on offer.
Meet Prof. Heidi Hudson
As dean of the Faculty of the humanities at the UFS, Prof. Heidi oversees the academic activities of a whopping 24 departments, centres and units. “My responsibilities include providing strategic direction in three core areas, namely learning and teaching, research, as well as community engagement. In all these areas I have to ensure that the faculty plans align with the general university policies and strategic priorities.”
Due to the uniqueness of her position, students and staff on the one hand and senior management on the other hand, she has to be on her A-game every day. “Being located between these two worlds requires a constant balancing act. Every day is packed full of meetings and requires a great deal of mental gymnastics to keep up with the information and decision making overload.”
Having said that, the flipside of information overload is being able to have a chopper view of not only the bigger picture but also the inner workings of the faculty, which bring her loads of excitement and reward. Prof. Heidi is excellent in building relationships and networking internationally. She uses this strength to connect people in her faculty with those of high influence. “I am also extremely patient and resilient – and I think this is a good quality to have to help boost morale, especially in a very complex and fast paced
higher education environment.”
Outside of her role as Dean, Prof. Heidi is the proud wife of a very supportive and involved
husband, and mother to a fiercely independent daughter.
The biggest lesson her parents taught her: “Do not live by comparison, just do your own thing. And it’s okay to roll your eyes…”
www.ufs.ac.za
