Debbie Rowles: Placing people at the heart of business

In a world that often values speed and scale over meaning, strategist Debbie Rowles has carved a different path, one that puts humanity at the heart of business. As the founder of Think Human Being, she’s on a mission to help individuals, teams and organisations find their “best space” by aligning purpose, culture and strategy to create authentic impact.Rowles' journey wasn’t a straight line. Initially drawn to medicine, then architecture, her curiosity about how humans live and thrive ultimately led her to brand and business strategy. Starting her career at Unilever South Africa, she fell in love with the power of brands to shape perception and behaviour. Over the years, she’s worked across sectors, from global consumer brands to local media, and now sits confidently at the intersection of business, brands and being.Her calling became clear: to help people and businesses remember what it means to be human and to build from there.Think Human Being didn’t start with a single “lightbulb moment”. Instead, it was born from countless experiences helping organisations uncover what they stand for and why it matters. Rowles saw how transformative it is when people work from a shared belief system and how businesses flourish when they lead with heart.Core values drive mission The company’s mission is clear: to help people and organisations position themselves with clarity and intention, especially during times of change, growth or uncertainty. Rowles offers more than strategy; she creates space for reflection, realignment and reconnection with what truly matters.At the core of Think Human Being are Rowles’ personal values: authenticity, creativity, passion and love. Whether she’s leading a workshop, giving a keynote, or facilitating strategic alignment, her approach is always people-first and purpose-led.Powerful results Her clients range from passionate founders and value-driven teams to curious individuals looking to align their careers and lives with their core beliefs. If they believe business can be a force for good, Rowles is the partner who helps them make it real.One of her biggest challenges? Operating in the “in-between space” that doesn’t fit neatly into a category. Yet, that’s also her magic. A breakthrough moment came while repositioning a Namibian radio station alongside Christine Hugo, proof that when organisations reconnect with their purpose and people, the results are powerful.She’s also learned that staying anchored in values is what makes someone, as she puts it, “unmessable with.” Amid rapid change, her internal compass has remained steady.Rowles is currently excited about The Human Business Collaborative, which she co-founded to support purpose-aligned organisations. She’s also bringing education innovator Heidi Sulcas to Windhoek for a series of workshops, an initiative inspired by her role as a mother navigating the future with two teenage daughters.Human-centred work Looking ahead, Rowles sees Think Human Being staying small, nimble and deeply intentional, supporting leaders and teams who want to rethink not just what they do, but how and why they do it.Her advice to anyone on a similar path is simple yet profound: “Start by listening to yourself and the world around you. Don’t copy. Build something that reflects what you care about. Be kind. Be real. Keep going. The world needs more businesses and people with heart.”

Debbie Rowles: Placing people at the heart of business

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Republikein 2026-02-02

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Debbie Rowles: Placing people at the heart of business

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Republikein 2026-02-02

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