People

Colleen Larsen

CEO Women in Finance

Location: Johannesburg Area, South Africa
Industry: International Trade and Development

Colleen Larsen Colleen is planning a conference called "Women in Africa Working Together". April 20th/21st. See the event calendar for more details 21 days ago

Current

Managing Editor at Businesswoman Magazine
Co-head South Africa at 85broads
CEO at Entrepreneurs for Africa

see all...

Past

Direct Marketing Manager at Diners Club
Insurance Direct Marketing Manager at AIG

Education

IMM
Krugersdorp High School
Westridge High School

Recommendations

14 people have recommended Colleen

Connections

500+ connections

Websites

Twitter NEW

ColLarsen

Public Profile

http://za.linkedin.com/in/colleenlarsen

Was Chairperson of the Board of the South African Women Entrepreneurs Network, an initiative of Department of Trade & Industry to support women owned SMMEs.

Founder & CEO of Women in Finance which she has grown to receive support of the following corporates and government agencies : FNB, Microsoft, Imara Asset Management, Business Partners, IFC, ABSA and SEDA.

Founder of United Businesswomen of South Africa - an organisation that promotes interaction between women business organisations. UBSA is a member of Business Unity South Africa.

Citigroup invited Colleen to be on the National Advisory Council for the Global Micro-entrepreneurship Awards held in November 2005 and then in 2006 again, under the auspices of the United Nations.

2007 Nominee for the Passing the Torch Competition – Financial Services Sector - in Gauteng.

Nominated as a judge for the 2006 Enablis R10m Business Plan Competition and fulfilled this role once again in October 2007.

Judge in the Standard Bank/Technoserv Business Plan Competition held this year.

In 2007, initiated a Conference and Exhibition called Showcase Your Business (www.showcaseyourbusiness.co.za) to grow small businesses.

To provide SMMEs with greater support and access to a central point where information and opportunities may be found, concluded a satellite license deal with Calm Digital Systems to provide an affordable, interactive portal to small businesses (www.bizvault-manager.com).

Nominated for 2008 Shoprite/Checkers Businesswomen of the Year.

Appointed as the Africa marketing representative for Ariya Capital - an African based Private Equity Fund.

Recently co-founded Entrepreneurs for Africa to collaboratively develop entrepreneurs in Africa.

Appointed as co-head in South Africa for 85broads. 85 Broads is a multi-cultural, multi-generational network of over 18,000 trailblazing, visionary women who leverage their talent and leadership savvy to earn a higher return on their intellect.

Specialties

short term insurance products, consulting on New National Credit Act and how this impacts on individuals, women empowerment, SMME development, business strategies using collaborative negotiations

Managing Editor

Businesswoman Magazine

Publishing industry

June 2009 – Present ( 10 months)

Recommend Colleen’s work at Businesswoman Magazine

Co-head South Africa

85broads

Non-Profit; Non-Profit Organization Management industry

May 2009 – Present ( 11 months)

Recommend Colleen’s work at 85broads

CEO

Entrepreneurs for Africa

Financial Services industry

April 2009 – Present (1 year)

An organisation established to collaboratively grow entrepreneurs in Africa

Recommend Colleen’s work at Entrepreneurs for Africa

Africa Marketing Representative

Ariya Capital

Financial Services industry

September 2008 – Present (1 year 7 months)

Private Equity Fund in the SADC. An African based equity fund investing in micro-finance institutions, telecoms,renewable energy and technology transfer projects. Fund aiming to place US$300 million into Botswana, Zambia and Mozambique as well as other SADC countries.

Recommend Colleen’s work at Ariya Capital