In this month’s edition of She’s in Charge: We Rise by Lifting Each Other, Ami Underwriting Managers proudly honours Vanie Govender, a woman whose life and leadership reflect grit, purpose, and unwavering belief in what’s possible—even in the face of extraordinary challenges. Today, Vanie is a director and shareholder at Assurant Underwriting Managers. But her story begins far from the boardroom.
A Life Reimagined
At eighteen, Vanie had a place at university and a clear plan: a degree in chemical engineering. But when financial hardship made that dream unattainable, she set it aside to help support her family. She walked into her first job—as a filing clerk at IGI—with no thought of a lifelong career in insurance. It was, in her words, a reluctant beginning.
But life has a way of reshaping dreams, and over time, the industry that chose her became her calling. She rose steadily, building deep technical expertise and moving into roles at Alexander Forbes, Mutual & Federal, Wesbank, Constantia, and Hollard. Along the way, she carved out space for herself in a world where women—especially women of colour—were often expected to stay on the sidelines. “I didn’t want to just do the job,” she says. “I wanted to lead. I wanted to be taken seriously.”
Tested by Illness, Powered by Purpose
Vanie’s journey hasn’t been without extraordinary difficulty. Between 2011 and 2017, she battled—and overcame—two separate cancer diagnoses: first brain cancer, then breast cancer. Through it all, she continued to lead, to earn accolades, and to hold fast to her sense of purpose.
In 2024, just as her business was entering a new growth phase, she faced a new medical setback. It forced her to pause, once again. But only briefly. “I’ve come to understand that your body whispers before it shouts,” she says. “And when it shouts, you’d better listen.” True to form, Vanie returned with clarity and resolve—to grow, to serve, and to build something lasting.
Building a Legacy
Today, Vanie is the force behind a dynamic all-women team at Assurant Underwriting Managers, focused on commercial insurance and committed to excellence. She speaks ofher professional milestones with measured pride—earning her B.Com while pregnant, completing her FCII, and most recently, preparing to celebrate her daughter’s graduation as a fellow degree holder.
But perhaps the milestone that matters most is the one that felt like the greatest leap: becoming a business owner. “I wish I’d taken the risk sooner,” she reflects. “There’s something profound about knowing you’ve built a company not just with your skills, but with your values.”
A Changing Industry—and the Road Ahead
Over three decades, Vanie has watched the insurance industry shift. Women are leading, innovating, owning businesses, and stepping into technical fields that once felt out of reach.
She’s quick to acknowledge those who inspired her along the way, including Ami’s own CEO, Christelle Colman. But she’s also clear-eyed about what still needs to change.
“There’s more room at the table,” she says. “And we need more women pulling out chairs for others. Especially in ownership. That’s where the real transformation lies.”
Wisdom Worth Sharing
Asked what advice she’d give to young women, Vanie doesn’t hesitate:
“Have a sense of purpose. Know what you’re building. And keep learning—formally and informally. Especially in the world of data. That’s where leadership is going, and women need to be fluent in it.”
She also encourages a wider view of success—one that allows space for self-awareness and personal grounding. Her own journey took her to India and Nepal on a Sacred Principles retreat with motivational coach Brett Shuttleworth. “It helped me reset,” she says. “We get so busy surviving that we forget who we are. One quote from Brett still anchors me: ‘The mind will never satisfy you. Only the truth of who you are will set you free.’”
Looking Ahead
Vanie’s vision for the future is bold, but clear. She wants Assurant to be a recognisable, trusted brand among brokers. She wants to continue mentoring and uplifting others—especially women starting out or rebuilding after setbacks. And she is determined to use her voice and platform to advocate for issues that matter, including ending period poverty in South African schools. “There’s so much we can do with the right partners and the right mindset,” she says. “And I want to make sure I’m part of that change.”
Final Word
Vanie Govender’s story isn’t just about rising through the ranks. It’s about showing up—over and over—with grace, courage, and conviction. It’s a story of choosing growth over fear, service over ego, and truth over comfort. And in doing so, it’s a story that lights the path for others. We salute you!
BIO: Ami Underwriting Managers (Pty) Ltd. Ami is an underwriting agency for Lombard Insurance Co, dedicated to providing bespoke insurance products in the personal lines space to our chosen market segments, namely affluent and the high net-worth, wealth market. www.ami.co.za