Julie Ntsekhe

Vice President Health, Safety, Security and Environment DP World (Africa Region) DP WORLD

United Arab Emirates

Sector: Ports & Terminals

Email Julie

True inclusion isn't just about finding a seat at the table; it’s about commanding the space to drive operational excellence. Throughout my journey—from the technical grit of engineering and heading up fast-paced FMCG operations, to embedding Lean, TPM, and world-class manufacturing principles, and now leading regional HSSE strategy across Break Bulk, Project Cargo and Multi-Purpose Terminal operations in Africa—I have learned that credibility is built on performance, velocity, and unwavering standards.

My advice to women climbing the ranks in breakbulk and maritime logistics is threefold:

Master the Core Operations: Don’t shy away from the technical, high-friction areas of the business. Understand the mechanics of the berth, the yard, and the engineering behind the cargo. Operational competence is your strongest currency.

Lead Through Continuous Improvement: Use frameworks like Lean and TPM not just as operational tools, but as leadership philosophies to eliminate waste, solve root causes, and visible disrupt traditional, stagnant ways of working.

Prioritize People and Safety: True operational velocity is impossible without a resilient safety and people well-being culture. Protect your teams, build inclusive environments, and lead with a vision that proves high performance and high HSE standards go hand-in-hand.

We are changing the narrative by showing that women do not just participate in this industry—we optimize it, safeguard it, and lead its future.