Shameela Soobramoney

Chief Executive Officer, National Business Initiative

Shameela Soobramoney is Chief Executive Officer of National Business Initiative, in the role since April 2023.

The National Business Initiative (NBI) is a coalition of nearly 100 South African and multinational companies, launched in 1995 by then President Nelson Mandela. Soobramoney joined from the JSE, where she was chief sustainability officer, and the NBI marked its 30th anniversary in April 2026.

In the job

  1. Soobramoney started as NBI chief executive, succeeding Joanne Yawitch, who had led the organisation for 11 years. Source

  2. The NBI held a celebration of its 30th anniversary at Nedbank's head office in Sandton. Source

  3. The Gauteng City-Region Observatory appointed Soobramoney to its board. Source

Career before

  1. Chief sustainability officer, Johannesburg Stock Exchange
  2. Senior positions in banking and insurance

Education

Postgraduate diploma in business administration (2005) and MBA (2007), University of Pretoria

Sources

  1. nbi.org.za
  2. cdn.gcro.ac.za
  3. engineeringnews.co.za
  4. up.ac.za
  5. nbi.org.za

Facts last checked 3 November 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

More profiles

All profiles
Industry bodies Rico Basson Chief Executive Officer, South Africa Wine Since June 2023
Industry bodies Dumisani Bomela Chief Executive Officer, Hospital Association of South Africa Since December 2011
Industry bodies Theo Boshoff Chief Executive Officer, Agbiz Since January 2022
Industry bodies Izaak Breitenbach Chief Executive Officer, SAPA Broiler Organisation, South African Poultry Association Since January 2019