Chief Operating Officer

Inez Patel

A purpose-driven design leader with more than a decade in UX, product strategy and inclusive innovation across financial services, and co-founder of She Can Do.

She Can DoAbsa XDC speakerGirls Invent Tomorrow
Inez Patel
News24 · 2025Top 30 Young Mandelas
Experimental, safe spaces for women to achieve their career goals.

At a glance

At Growth Notes
Chief Operating Officer: operations, finance, governance and partnerships
Design leadership
Experience Design Director, Absa Personal and Private Banking: the Absa Banking App, Rewards, Savings & Investments and Digital Value-Added ServicesAbsa
Community
Co-founded She Can Do in 2019 with Masetshaba Motshegoa and Kate van Niekerk; Director of Girls Invent TomorrowShe Can DoGirls Invent Tomorrow
Grounded in
UX customer research and strategy; community building, design leadership and high-performing teams

Recognition

  • 2026Wired4Women’s 100 Influential Women in Tech
  • 2025News24 Top 30 Young Mandelas
  • HonoureeMail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans

Talks

  • How to make better product decisions when speed is priorityAbsa Experience Design Collab (XDC)

Podcasts and features

  • Designing with empathy: UX, inclusive design and women in leadershipShe Talks Tech · Episode 58
  • The design strategist boosting gender equity in techNews24 Young Mandelas · Jul 2025

Building a highly skilled, diverse and fair design industry in South Africa.

She Can Do’s mission · shecando.org