Philli Smit on a Mission-Driven Career, Finding Balance, and Fitting in by Standing Out

In this inspiring episode, Philli Smit shares her dynamic career journey—from childhood dreams of becoming a doctor to studying fashion design, and eventually pivoting into social work and impact-driven roles.

Philli works with the MTN Group as Manager for CSI Programmes & Partnerships. I first met Philli when she was a guest on a webinar I hosted on financial inclusion. At that time, I was working with Bopinc, and Philli was with Zoona. And I was so inspired by the work that she was doing and her drive for effecting real impact.

In this conversation, we dive deep into what it truly means to build a mission-driven career, the value of pursuing an MBA, and the importance of recognizing and leveraging privilege to maximize social impact. Philli also opens up about the realities of transitioning from full-time employment to contract work and how to lean into your authenticity—embracing the power of standing out to fit in.

This episode is perfect for professional women looking to create more purpose-driven careers and those seeking practical advice on navigating career pivots, fostering social impact, and cultivating a deeper sense of meaning and fulfilment in their work.