The family- and detail-orientated Madelaine Opperman thrives in her career

Desiree Gases





Madelaine Opperman is a personal assistant to a chief financial officer. She started within the Capricorn Group as a wealth manager, after which she decided to make the strategic career move to become an executive’s PA to align with some of her future goals. It was a difficult decision for her as it was quite a change in many aspects from what she was doing at that time.

In the institution, she has had three diverse managers within different time frames.

She said: “I am thankful for the support in my development each manager has played thus far; I have the world’s respect for each of them”. When it comes to personal growth, Opperman would rank it as her top accomplishment thus far. It may sound insignificant, but it’s how she looks at the world with so much insight. Another achievement would be - from starting at Bank Windhoek - recently being nominated to be part the 12-month programme Harvard manage mentor leadership programme.

Opperman faced many challenges in various roles, “but without challenges, a person will not grow”, she said.

One of her biggest challenges is persevering through difficulties and maintaining a positive mindset.

On a day-to-day basis, Opperman’s duties include liaising with their sub-departments and the administrative side of her role, and often her responsibilities include conducting research, preparing reports and assisting with internal departmental strategy and departmental growth, interacting with different stakeholders and executives regarding various matters.

There are a lot of elements she has to review. The CFO’s favourite question is: “Madelaine, what would you do?”, so before she brings anything to him such as contracts, policies, ect, she also prepares herself to have a certain extent of insight.

10 facts about Opperman

Detailed-oriented and very to the point

Meticulous about “getting the job done right and on time”

She believes that if something has been a way for 20 years does not mean that this method is the best for the current, innovation is key to not becoming stagnant.

She prefers people to speak to the point rather than unnecessary long conversations in professional setting. If a person elaborates too much, they lose the impact to what they are trying to communicate.

The best time to start is now

Respect is something she upholds very highly; she tries to always - even in heated situations - stay respectful.

She works really well under pressure

She not easily offended, as she is accustomed to working in high stress environments with different people.

From a less serious point of view, one of her favourite hobbies is cooking. “I love the farm life and have a great appreciation for all agriculture,” she said.

Opperman and her siblings were born and grew up in Oranjemund. They moved to Windhoek on the verge of Opperman going to high school. For holidays, they usually visited their grandparents on the farm in Gobabis.

Opperman is the eldest of three children - she has a brother and sister, her brother being the youngest. Her sister is finalising her degree in pharmaceuticals and her brother in international trade and economics this year. Opperman said she is “super proud of them”.

A message she would give to the youth is “possess that indomitable spirit to drive for achievement, regardless of the circumstances. Any hardship in life deals great lessons”.