Lindiwe Gumede, opens up on being a first time CMO, having built and shaped major brands under many multinational businesses. Before being the Chief Marketing Officer for Metropolitan, Lindiwe led brands at PepsiCo, Coca Cola, Tiger Brands and Distell (now known as Heineken beverages).She holds a Master of Philosophy in Marketing (M.Phil.) from IMM, has completed a Senior Management Development Programme at the University of Stellenbosch, and is an alumna of the LEAP Leadership Harvard Programme. Passionate about building impactful brands, Lindiwe is dedicated to finding innovative solutions to complex problems. She is a fervent advocate for people's development, believing deeply in empowering others to excel and bring their best selves to work.As a mentor, Lindiwe finds great fulfilment working with young professionals. Passionately supporting their growth and success. She firmly believes that every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive and is committed to helping them build a brighter future. This dedication aligns closely with her values of life-long learning and curiosity.Outside of work, Lindiwe values quality time with her family and enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking and adventure sports. A music enthusiast, she jokes that if it weren't for her career in marketing, she might have pursued a path as the next Brenda Fassie.