Shireen Motara, founder of The Next Chapter, is CEO of Tara Transform and a Certified Coach and Consultant. As an African feminist, she is deeply passionate about the potential of Women and Africa, addressing inequality, and committed to social change that values and recognises women’s rights and contributions. Her conviction is that women should be able to claim their space anywhere, and everywhere. She uses her skills, knowledge, experience, and networks to increase the visibility, voice, and influence of women in the workplace and society.

As a Certified Coach she supports women and women-led teams to enhance self-awareness and self-compassion, and focus on goals of personal growth, leadership, collaboration, and professional success by building on their strengths; addressing their limiting beliefs about their own abilities; and taking clear action. In a world that undermines their value and contribution, she has a deep understanding of how to support women's goals, by supplementing coaching with access to resources and networks needed to accelerate progress.

As an experienced strategist and consultant, Shireen supports clients to design, implement, and review strategies that advance social justice and address inequality - nationally, regionally, and globally. Her clients include UN agencies, funders and philanthropic agencies; corporates and non-profits. For over two decades, she has been working and volunteering for social justice. Shireen has held roles in management, coaching, executive leadership, and consulting in South Africa, SADC, and the United Kingdom.

As a Board Leader, Shireen has supported organisations in building effective governance practices; with effective leadership that prioritises sustainability and gender equality. Shireen also gives back by serving as a Mentor to the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation. She is also the co-founder of Young Women Thrive, a project that supports women to build economic independence; create jobs, and be leaders in their own communities.

Her qualifications include a Master's degree in Law and post-graduate certifications in Coaching, HR and Business Administration.

Credentials and Achievements

• Introduction to Deep Coaching Using an Embodied Coaching Approach with the Enneagram for Transformational Change - Deep Coaching Institute
• Certificate in Coaching (2011) University of Stellenbosch Executive Development
• Post-graduate Diploma in Business Administration (2006) GIBS, University of Pretoria
• Higher Certificate in Human Resource Management (2001), Damelin Management School
• Master of Law (LLM) Degree (1999), UNISA
• BProc. LLB (1995), University of the Western Cape
• Role of the Board, Directors and Corporate Governance - Institute of Directors
• 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Franklin Covey
• Introduction to Gestalt Organisation and Systems
• Development - Baobab Consulting and Training
• B-Tech in Project Management - Xpert (Accredited by EdExcel, UK)
• People Management and Empowerment - Regenesys School of Management

Boards

• Old Mutual BBBEE Trust (2021 -Current) Trustee
• Vice Chair - White Ribbon Alliance (2022-2023)
• REPSSI - Chair, SA Country Advisory Board (2022)
• Save the Children SA ( 2017 – 2021) Co-Chair HR & Programmes Committee, Board Member
• Iranti (2017– Current ) Chairperson of the Board Southern African Trust (2014 – Current) Trustee & Chair
• of HR & Remuneration Committee
• Safer South Africa ( 2014 – 2015) Board Member
• St. Anthony’s Education Centre (2013 – 2014) Vice Chairperson & Board Member
• Charities Distributing Agency, National Lotteries Board (2011 – 2016)
• Echoes of Love (2011) Board Member
• AIDS Foundation of South Africa (2006 – 2008)
• Chairperson of the Board; (2005-2008) Human Resources Expert
• Technikon SA (2000 – 2002) Member of Council & Chairperson of Human Resources Committee of Council
• Member of the Reference Group (1998) Drafting of the Promotion of Equality and Promotion of Unfair Discrimination Act
• Member of the Reference Committee (1997) Establishment of the Family Court in Johannesburg

Shireen's Way

Shireen leverages a combination of coaching, mentoring and advisory skills to give clients sustainable and impactful outcomes. She has grown to appreciate how structural and historical forces can shape individual agency. As a coach,
she empowers clients with both the tools for agency and an intimate understanding of the terrain that they need to operate in. She connects women to the resources and networks they need to thrive. In addition, she brings her consulting clients an understanding of how structure, policy, and process translate for the marginalised, and helps organisations find new and different ways of responding to complex social challenges. Ultimately, she supports her clients to lead their own future success by prioritising leadership effectiveness and focusing on systemic change.

Coaching and Leadership Development

As a Certified Coach, Shireen supports organisational leadership and individuals to leverage coaching and leadership development to advance personal, professional and team impact. She also supports leaders in organisations to effectively implement strategy, leadership transitions and build team cohesion.

Coaching Focus Areas

• COACHING: Facilitating leadership reflection, development and growth
• LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: Assessment, training, team coaching.
• STRATEGY COACHING: Supporting executives on strategy implementation
• WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP: Supporting women's ambitions for executive leadership and impact.

What Clients Say

“Shireen has an uncanny ability to blend professionalism with humaneness. From our first session, I felt understood, heard and affirmed” -Coaching Client

Gender, Strategy, Capacity Strengthening

Shireen brings a deep understanding of and experience in the systemic changes that need to be made at both a societal and at an organizational level to build inclusive and equitable societies. She optimises her coaching and consulting experience in service of the Development Sector.

Systems Change Focus Areas

• GENDER: Research, Analysis, Design, Training, Strategy
• STRATEGY: Review, Design and Implementation Coaching
• FACILITATION: Process and content facilitation
• CAPACITY STRENGTHENING: Resource Mobilisation, Training, toolkits, mentoring, coaching

What Clients Say About Working With Shireen Motara

"Shireen’s hard-working and collaborative approach as well as excellent programme management skills made it both easy and effective to deliver this pilot project. Shireen has an in-depth understanding of women's economic empowerment issues and wider women’s rights and due to her experience in coaching and leadership, she has also a lot to contribute to any projects and activities relating to leadership development. She managed the project very smoothly and with high integrity and throughout the project cycle, it was always very easy to communicate and work with her." -Sian Hawkins - Cherie Blair Foundation for Women

Webinars and Events

Shireen offers learning and engagement opportunities for women leaders that advances new knowledge and understanding on issues that may be challenging, but if addressed, could lead to transformational impact. These programmes are offered in partnership with respected experts and provide short but effective learning opportunities.

Webinar and Event Focus Areas

• Women's Leadership
• Wellbeing and Financial Independence
• Personal and Professional Development

Speaking Engagements

Shireen brings a deep understanding of and experience in women's leadership and the systemic change needed to be made at both a societal and an organisational level to change women’s lives, and to build a better world.

Speaking Topics

• Women's Leadership, Voice and Agency
• Building Inclusive Workplaces and Leadership
• Personal Mastery and Self Love
• Addressing Gender Equality in the Workplace

Gratitude Summit and Communities

Gratitude is a foundational value and practice for Shireen. Through her communities and coaching methodologies, she supports women to build their own gratitude practices. Shireen hosts a number of communities and events that provide informal support, resources, and collaborative opportunities for women.

Community Building

• Annual Gratitude Summit
• Online Consultants Community and Database
• Online Business Women's Community
• Online "I am Grateful" Daily Practice Community

Author

LinkedIn is an invaluable professional and business resource. Shireen Motara shares her insights on how to build a profile that creates connections and builds networks.

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), women account for about 70 percent of the global consumption demand and control about $28 trillion in annual consumer spending. For companies to thrive and grow, corporate boardrooms need to reflect the diversity of their consumer base. Despite the progress made by women in education and in the workforce, they continue to be under-represented in decision-making. This ebook offers insights and practical advice on the ins and outs of boards, and how women can be board leaders.

In this article in the SA Journal on Human Rights, Shireen uses a constitutional court case to assess how to make the Bill of Rights a reality for the LGBTIQ+ community.