Lilly Moabi, Deputy President of the Black Management Forum (BMF) and founder of Moabi Business Solutions, is a leader driven by purpose, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to socio-economic transformation. The 42-year-old mother of two, born in Welkom, Free State, is a qualified Medical Technologist with an MBA in Healthcare Management, complemented by a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management and extensive experience serving on prominent boards.
“Leadership starts with you. Focus on personal growth, embrace challenges, and never lose sight of your vision,” says Lilly.
Her leadership journey began in the public health sector, where she spent more than a decade as a Clinical Laboratory Manager. Witnessing systemic challenges and resource constraints, she recognised the need for bold, innovative approaches to healthcare delivery. This inspired her to establish Moabi Business Solutions, a consultancy dedicated to healthcare entrepreneurship and health and safety management, with a focus on building an ecosystem that is both innovative and people-centred.
Moabi’s rise has not been without challenges. She has confronted gender stereotypes that questioned her leadership style, imposter syndrome that tested her self-belief, and the delicate balance of managing leadership duties alongside single motherhood. She attributes her ability to overcome these barriers to her strong support network, personal faith, and the mentorship she received from experienced leaders who encouraged her to remain resilient, committed, and vision-driven.
Her achievements speak volumes. She was named Top Student in the Young Management Development Programme in 2016, an accolade that boosted her confidence and sharpened her leadership capabilities. Recently, she was honoured with the HERA Award for her dedication to empowering women in leadership. Serving a second term as BMF Deputy President, she continues to champion the development of black leaders as a means of tackling inequality and poverty in South Africa.
For Moabi, leadership is not simply about occupying a position, it is about purpose. She encourages young professionals to invest in their skills, seek out networks that foster development, and persevere even when faced with significant obstacles.
With her wealth of experience, Moabi embodies the values of transformative leadership, innovation, empowerment, and community upliftment. Through her work, she is not only shaping the healthcare sector but also inspiring a new generation of leaders to rise and create meaningful change. “Leadership is a lonely journey; you will feel isolated most times as leader, but it is important to focus on your vision. Understand that people will be attracted to you as a leader when you make decisions that favour them. If not, they will criticise you,” she expresses.
