Romela Pillay started working at Sparrow in 2008 in the finance department where she worked incredibly hard and was then offered the position of HR manager in 2010.
Working at Sparrow has been the most fulfilling journey in her working career as she found she could help make a difference in the lives of young South Africans. She enjoys the challenges that accompany her role in developing employee policies and procedures, managing employee relations, and so much more.
Managing the HR department has given Romela so much experience with people and their different behavioural styles and personalities, which has taught her to be patient and conscientious of her approach to others.
Romela was born and raised in Lenasia Johannesburg, in a stable Indian Christian home with her two older brothers and younger sister where they were taught to always put God first in all they do, to respect all people no matter what colour, race or creed and most importantly to respect themselves.
She went on to study book-keeping and advanced accounting through The Academy of learning and completed a diploma in finance through The Accounting Academy. She has had extensive training in management, leadership and HR.
The woman who has been most influential in her life is her grandmother, who was a strong lady with a firm conviction that all women should have independence because it gives them confidence and a sense of self-worth. She positively impacted the attitude of those around her.
Jackie Gallagher also had an impact on Romela as she has mentored and supported her throughout her career at Sparrow and has changed the lives of many children and young adults. Romela’s advice to any young women hoping to follow in her footsteps is “Know your worth, Keep Your Head High and Your Standards Higher and find what you are good at and do it.”