Mariska Oosthuizen
Head Of Brand at Sanlam

Mariska is a creative strategist and marketer who believes in the power of brands and finding creative solutions to business problems. She has honed her strategic marketing skills over the past 20 years. First working at a number of South Africa’s biggest advertising agencies, on some of the country’s most iconic brands, before venturing into brand consulting and most recently as the Head of Brand at Sanlam (one of South Africa’s biggest financial services organizations).

Mariska believes in the ancient art of storytelling and that well-crafted, relevant creative ideas have the power to change behaviour. She leads by example and inspires others to do better than their best. She is not scared to roll up her sleeves and do what is needed to get the job done. If she had to sum herself up in one word it would be ‘why?’ – She is curious by nature and seeks the truth not just when it comes to brands but also in life.

She believes that fun is one of the most underrated values and that if you enjoy what you do, you do it better. When not working she spends time with her two small humans experiencing life through, and with them, while helping them find the answers to all their “why’s”.