Janet du Preez‘s journey is not just a story of academic achievement; it is a celebration of resilience, vision, and heart. A woman who began her professional life as a nurse, Janet transitioned into the dynamic world of leadership development, empowering business owners across Africa. Yet, her path to completing her Master’s degree was anything but conventional.
“Nursing was my first career,” Janet shares. “I was part of a team dedicated to bringing healing to complex, dynamic systems. Now, I do the same in organisations and through developing leaders.”
Her love for systems thinking, people development, and leadership transformation carried her through an academic marathon that took decades to complete. In her twenties, Janet embarked on a Master’s in Psychiatric Nursing, only to leave it incomplete. Her forties saw her pursue an MBL at UNISA – again, unfinished. It was only in her late fifties, through The DaVinci Institute, that she finally realised her dream.
Finding Her Tribe at DaVinci
Janet’s journey to The DaVinci Institute was serendipitous. “A former DaVinci staff member heard my story and said, ‘You need to talk to Prof Ben,’” she recalls. After a heartfelt conversation with our CEO, Prof Ben Anderson, she knew she had found her academic home.
“From the very first meeting, DaVinci saw me. Other institutions overlooked my unique circumstances, but DaVinci recognised my value. The personal touch, from a personalised notebook to meaningful relationships, made all the difference,” Janet says.
The Institute’s emphasis on Mode 2 learning and transdisciplinarity resonated deeply with her background and aspirations. “DaVinci embraced my interdisciplinary nature. By the time I left my first Curiosita event, I knew this was my kind of place.”
Mastering Challenges Amidst a Pandemic
Starting her Master of Science in the Management of Technology and Innovation in 2016, Janet’s journey stretched over six years, a test of endurance, patience, and faith.
“By the time COVID-19 hit, I had finished all my classes,” she explains. “Only my dissertation remained. But the pandemic still brought chaos, selling a business, managing 14-hour workdays, and writing a complex dissertation, all while battling the isolation of lockdowns.”
The support of her family was crucial. “My family suffered,” she admits candidly. “My husband has since forbidden me from doing a PhD!” she laughs.
Despite the hardships, she persevered and completed her studies, just before turning 60.
Research with Real-World Impact
Janet’s award-winning dissertation, “Improving Stakeholder Engagement in the Context of Wicked Problems,” exemplifies her passion for systemic transformation.
“Every single day, my dissertation informs my work. It wasn’t just an academic exercise, it was real, practical, and immediately applicable,” Janet says.
Her deep integration of systems thinking and transdisciplinarity earned her the prestigious Mandala Award, a rare honour. “If I had to choose an award, that would have been it,” she beams. “It was significant and meaningful recognition.”
Building Networks, Forging Leaders
Janet’s work today is a powerful extension of her personal journey. Her Astute Leader Programme and Leader Forge Game were born out of a desire to empower 21st-century leaders.
“Networks are powerful,” Janet emphasizes. “At DaVinci, we think alike, we value similar things. We should be partnering, collaborating.”
The TIPS™ Framework (Technology, Innovation, People, Systems Thinking) remains foundational in her leadership consulting. “It gave me the language and the lens to develop solutions that are beautiful, useful, and transformative.”
A Forever Bond with DaVinci
“DaVinci wasn’t just a place of study, it became family,” Janet reflects. Her involvement on the Institute’s Council cemented her connection.
“I miss it,” she says, her voice warm with nostalgia. “That community of wonderful, non-traditional thinkers, the meaningful relationships, it’s irreplaceable.”
Today, Janet is passionate about strengthening the alumni community. “We need to bring us back together. DaVinci’s alumni are an incredible force for good.”
Words of Wisdom
To emerging leaders, Janet offers heartfelt advice: “Stay committed to your growth. Embrace complexity, collaborate widely, and never lose sight of the systems at play. Your work should matter, every day.”
Her journey is a shining testament that it is never too late to finish what you started, and that sometimes, the winding path leads to the most beautiful destinations.
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