Ugeshree Thakurpersad

Ugeshree Thakurpersad is a transformational leader and a dedicated advocate for socio-economic development. Born and residing in South Africa, she has played a pioneering role in the renewable energy sector, leading the development of the Tsitsikamma Community Wind Farm. As one of the first female trailblazers in the industry to spearhead a commercialized large-scale wind project, she has left a lasting impact on the sector.

Her journey into economic empowerment began while working closely with rural communities across the country. This experience ignited her passion for driving positive change and supporting purpose-driven entrepreneurship. Determined to create a tangible impact, she founded DevRani Consult, an Economic Development Consultancy aimed at bridging the gap between large blue-chip corporations and marginalized rural communities. Through her work, she focuses on job creation, empowering small businesses within the value chain, and implementing sustainable socio-economic projects. Her initiatives are particularly crucial in South Africa, where the unemployment rate remains alarmingly high at 32%.

Beyond the renewable energy sector, Ugeshree has broken barriers in the mining industry. Joining Iscor 24 years ago as one of the first females of colour in the sector, she faced language and cultural challenges, along with resistance from those unaccustomed to working with a diverse workforce. However, she turned these obstacles into opportunities, playing an instrumental role in transforming the organization through its employment equity forum. Her expertise and leadership led her to high-level corporate success, where she advised the CEO and Board on strategic partnerships for a multi-billion rand transformation deal, transitioning Iscor into what is now Exxaro Resources.

Her contributions extend to the tourism sector, where she played a key role in the National Tourism "Welcome Project" and led the development of the National Tourism Visitor Information System (NTVIS). In the realm of climate change, she led the national stakeholder engagement process for the Carbon Offset Administration System platform, further solidifying her impact on sustainability efforts. However, her most profound influence remains in the renewable energy industry, where she has conducted over 75 community needs and opportunity assessments, directing crucial funding toward impactful and sustainable projects.

Ugeshree’s leadership extends to governance, having served as a Director on multiple Boards. She leverages her platform to foster collaboration and drive investment. As a founding member and Director of the Spanish Chamber for four consecutive years, she has engaged with senior government officials and business leaders to promote investment in South Africa and strengthen bilateral agreements.

In addition to her work as a business leader and consultant, Ugeshree is a motivational speaker, frequently presenting at international and local conferences. She utilizes these opportunities to inspire individuals and organizations to embrace transformation, sustainability, and economic empowerment.