There are moments in life where you realize you are no longer simply growing… you are transitioning.
Over the last few months, I’ve felt that deeply.
After hosting the final AGENDA WOMEN Summit after 7 beautiful years, evolving the business into a new chapter, and personally stepping into a new season, I found myself craving a space that felt more personal, reflective, intentional, and aligned with who I am becoming.
Not just as a founder or strategist. But as a thinker, builder, leader, woman of faith, and human being navigating growth in real time.
ASCEND NOTES was born from that place.
A space for conversations around leadership, intentional living, emotional intelligence, ambition, healing, personal branding, faith, business, and the process of becoming. A space for people who desire to build meaningful lives beyond survival.
This feels less like launching a newsletter… and more like opening a new chapter.
Welcome to ASCEND NOTES.
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Yesterday, I sat in conversation with an old friend.
Someone who knew me in a version of my life that feels like a lifetime ago. Sometimes I think I’ve lived ten lives in one and she met me at the very beginning of it all.
Before the breaking. Before the rebuilding. Before the becoming.
There was something special about sitting across from someone
who remembers you before you became who you are today…
and still sees you clearly now.
This conversation reminded me how far I’ve come, not just in what I’ve built,
but in who I’ve had to become along the way.
So if you’re in a season that feels uncertain,
heavy, or even a little hopeless… I hope this conversation will be a reminder that
you are allowed to keep going.
You are allowed to evolve. You are allowed to pursue the life you dream of, even if it looks nothing like where you started.
🤍✨🫶🏽
I have been working quite diligently on my keynote WE ARE ALL BRANDS anchoring insights on self leadership, influence and identity.
A lot of people think this keynote is merely about personal branding but it is really about a mindset shift.
What happens when you decide to participate fully in becoming the best version of yourself and live intentionally. The keynote guides you through reflections as well as tools that can help you assess your posture towards your own becoming.
It was a privilege to deliver this keynote to the women of Harare @inspiresummitzw last week. I am grateful for your attention and time. I once heard a leader I admire say, “No one wins the Olympics through luck, it takes diligence, clarity of vision and discipline to win.
Looking forward to meeting everyone that signed up for the personal brand coaching. I look forward to partnering with you on your journey. 🤍✨
Dress : @rfrique@hertunba
Make Up : @loovi.beauty
What an absolute honour to have hosted and moderated the powerful Durban leg of the (@fallingforward__ ) Falling Forward Documentary Roadshow at Grace Family Church. 🇿🇦
To witness the community, connection, and sheer resilience in that room was truly special. The film is a masterful, honest look at identity, healing, and choosing to fall forward—not fall apart. (And yes, for those who saw it, Cerebos Salt will never be the same. 😉)
A massive congratulations to @rachelkolisi . Thank you for your vulnerability and for creating this essential space for women to see their own quiet strength reflected. You are a gift to all of us my dear friend!
This roadshow would not be possible without the incredible support of the amazing partners: 1st for Women, Clarins, JETOUR, Pan Macmillan, Pentravel, Wellness Warehouse, and Cerebos. Thank you for championing this movement.
For everyone who was moved by the documentary, Rachel's book, Falling Forward, is officially available now and is the deeper journey you've been waiting for. Grab a copy to continue the reflection! P.S. The incredible soundtrack single, "Falling Forward" by @anicakiana , is also available for download.
And now... all roads lead to the final chapter in the Mother City! Who is ready for the Cape Town leg at the Century City Conference Centre on April 8th? You are in for a massive treat.
#FallingForwardRoadshow #RachelKolisi #Durban #Resilience
“The bold woman does not wait for permission. She authors her legacy.”
In 1805, at just 27 years old, Madame Clicquot took over her late husband’s champagne house in a world that did not expect women to lead. She innovated. She expanded internationally during wartime. She created the first known riddling table and transformed the industry - not because she was invited to, but because she chose to.
That is self-leadership. It is the decision to stand behind the brand that is your name, especially when the odds are not in your favour.
In 2026, Veuve Clicquot marks five years of celebrating visionary female entrepreneurs in South Africa through the Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award, honouring women who embody that same pioneering spirit.
If you are a founder or CEO building with courage, resilience and long-term vision, this is your moment.
• Bold Woman Award – for leaders heading a company for over five years
• Bold Future Award – for leaders building for under five years
Entries close on 12 April 2026.
Do not wait for permission to be recognised.
Author your legacy.
Apply via the Veuve Clicquot Bold Open Data Base and step into a global circle of women shaping industries.
Tag a woman in business who should be seen.
#veuveclicquotxwomen @veuveclicquot
On Monday I had the honour of delivering my keynote “WE ARE ALL BRANDS” at Standard Bank
In the talk, I share a simple but powerful idea:
Every one of us carries a brand — not just celebrities, founders, or public figures, but every leader, every professional and every individual navigating the world.
Our brand is the story people tell about us when we leave the room.
It is shaped by our choices, our values, and the way we move through the different seasons of our lives.
One of the reflections I shared in the keynote is this:
We all get to name the chapters of our lives.
Every season — even the difficult ones — becomes a chapter in our story. And we have the power to decide what that chapter will be called. A season can be defined by loss… or it can be defined by growth, courage, and transformation.
That perspective has changed how I look at my own journey, and it’s a reminder that the narrative of our lives is not only shaped by what happens to us, but by the meaning we choose to give it.
Thank you to everyone who created such a thoughtful and inspiring space for these conversations.
The dialogue around leadership, influence and the responsibility that comes with building a brand continues.
Because whether we realise it or not — we are all brands.
#Leadership #PersonalBranding #WeAreAllBrands #WomenWhoLead #PurposeDrivenLeadership
Make Up : @loovi.beauty
Images : @masmediaafrica
Saturday was one of those experiences that leaves a permanent imprint on your spirit.
Standing on that stage as MC and conversation moderator was deeply meaningful, but what made the moment even more special for me was knowing that I had also been part of shaping the strategy behind this platform alongside Dr Patience Mlengana, the visionary founder and CEO of International Leading Women.
To witness an idea move from strategy conversations… to a room filled with extraordinary women, powerful stories, and honest leadership dialogue was incredibly moving.
Throughout the day we spoke about hope, resilience, breaking barriers, building from scratch, and creating wealth and legacy for future generations of women. But beyond the conversations, something deeper was happening in the room, a collective awakening to the responsibility of leadership.
I left that stage feeling profoundly grateful, deeply inspired, and honestly… changed by the experience. Some rooms do more than host conversations. They shift you.
Thank you @patiencemlengana_ for the trust and the vision. I will never find words that will capture how much your presence in my life has transformed. I thank God everyday for you Ma.
To my sisters @kgadii_m and @vikashipalana what a privilege to walk this journey with you. I love you.
A special thank you to @basetsanakumalo@taradurotoye@sibamtongana and Mam Nolitha Fakude for trusting me with your story and journey as well as showing up with courage, openness, and a willingness to lead. ✨
Make up : @loovi.beauty
Dress : @rfrique
#InternationalLeadingWomen #WomenBreakingBarriers #WomenWhoLead #Leadership
We are so excited to have the incredible Nomndeni Sethole, founder of Agenda Woman, co-hosting our Falling Forward Durban evening.
Nomndeni is a powerful voice for women, known for creating intentional spaces that inspire growth, leadership and meaningful conversation. Her heart for community and empowering women to step boldly into their purpose aligns so beautifully with what Falling Forward is all about.
Durban, you are in for a special evening 🤍
