Recorded Interview With Itumeleng Annie, Senior Vice President
Itumeleng Annie, Senior Vice President and Executive Board Member of Scientia Holdings Property Fund (Pty) Ltd, is a visionary leader whose career spans over 20 years, including a distinguished two-decade tenure at Deloitte. Her expertise in investments, governance, and portfolio management has been instrumental in driving Scientia’s strategic direction and long-term success. During her career, Itumeleng has overseen transactions and managed portfolios, showcasing her ability to lead and execute financial operations with precision.
At Scientia, Itumeleng has been a key architect of the firm’s investment strategy, playing a vital role in co-founding its Investment Committee. In this capacity, she has worked closely with the executive team to develop governance frameworks that align with global best practices and ensure the firm’s operations adhere to the highest ethical standards. Known for her commitment to sustainable investments, Itumeleng has been instrumental in integrating ESG principles across Scientia’s portfolio, ensuring that every investment contributes positively to environmental, social, and economic outcomes. Her ability to balance financial returns with social impact has solidified Scientia’s reputation as a forward-thinking private equity firm.
Itumeleng’s leadership is defined by her collaborative approach and her dedication to crafting growth, both within Scientia and the companies it invests in. She believes in the power of partnerships and works tirelessly to align the firm’s objectives with the goals of its portfolio companies. “Our mission is not just to invest but to empower businesses to reach their full potential,” she explains. Her focus on alignment and operational efficiency has enabled Scientia to consistently deliver returns while building resilient, scalable companies that thrive in competitive markets.
Reflecting on her two decades at Deloitte, Itumeleng highlights the critical lessons she learned about managing complexity, taking accountability, and maintaining innovation in the financial sector. These experiences have shaped her ability to navigate the intricate dynamics of private equity, from conducting thorough due diligence to implementing post-acquisition strategies that maximize value. At Scientia, she leverages this expertise to guide the firm’s growth initiatives, ensuring that every investment aligns with its long-term vision and delivers measurable outcomes for stakeholders.
In addition to her technical expertise, Itumeleng is deeply committed to mentorship and leadership development. She views her role as a platform to inspire and support the next generation of finance professionals, particularly women and underrepresented groups in the industry. “Diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords, they are essential to building teams that adapt, and succeed,” she says. Her advocacy for inclusivity extends beyond Scientia, as she actively engages with industry networks and initiatives to promote equitable opportunities across the financial sector.
Looking forward, Itumeleng is focused on driving Scientia’s expansion into new markets and sectors, particularly those with high growth potential, such as renewable energy, healthcare, and digital infrastructure. She envisions a future where Scientia not only leads in financial performance but also sets a benchmark for responsible and impactful investing. “Our goal is to build a legacy of value, not just for our investors but for the communities and industries we touch,” she states. With her vast experience, vision, and determined commitment to excellence, Itumeleng continues to shape Scientia’s trajectory, ensuring it remains a trusted partner and leader in firm & community.
Environmental Stewardship
As participants of environmental growth, Scientia Holdings is highly committed to minimizing our environmental impact and leading initiatives that promote environmental sustainability. Recognizing the urgent need for businesses to address climate change and resource depletion, we actively integrate environmental considerations into our investment and operational decisions. This actively extends to the companies we acquire, ensuring they adopt practices that reduce carbon footprints, improve energy efficiency, and utilize environmentally-safe materials.
Our responsibility to the environment also involves working toward measurable goals. For example, we prioritize investments in companies that embrace renewable energy, implement waste reduction strategies, and align with global environmental frameworks such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Internally, Scientia has adopted policies to minimize our operational carbon footprint, including moving towards to paperless processes, sourcing eco-friendly office supplies, and reducing energy consumption across our facilities. By embedding environmental stewardship into our Responsibility Code, we aim to ensure that our growth is both environmentally safe and responsible.
Community Engagement
Scientia Holdings understands that businesses thrive when communities prosper. As part of our Responsibility Code, we continue to prioritize meaningful engagement with the communities in which we operate, ensuring that our activities create shared value and contribute to social development. Whether through job creation, philanthropic initiatives, or partnerships with local organizations, we strive to leave a positive and lasting impact on the regions we serve.
To achieve this, Scientia fully commits to maintaining open and transparent communication with community stakeholders. We conduct regular assessments to understand the social and economic needs of the communities we operate in and modify our efforts to address those challenges. This includes supporting local infrastructure development, funding education and skill-building programs, and partnering with nonprofits to uplift underserved populations. By embedding community engagement into our DNA, we reinforce our objective &passion to being a socially responsible and trusted partner.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core principles that guide Scientia Holdings’ operations and investment strategy. We recognize that diverse teams deliver innovation, grow creativity, and strengthen our decision-making. Our stead-fast commitment to DEI is reflected not only in our internal hiring practices but also in the governance and culture of the companies we invest in. We actively promote policies that create equitable opportunities, eliminate bias, and encourage representation across all levels of leadership.
At Scientia, we have implemented programs to ensure fair hiring practices, equal pay for equal work, and opportunities for advancement regardless of race, gender, or background. We also work closely with the leadership teams of acquired companies to establish inclusive workplace policies that reflect these values. By fostering environments where all employees feel valued and empowered, we aim to create a culture of belonging that benefits both individuals and the organizations they contribute to.
Economic Growth and Sustainability
Scientia Holdings is built on the foundation that is committed to building economic growth that benefits all stakeholders while ensuring long-term financial sustainability. As a private equity firm, our mission is to unlock value in the companies we acquire, ensuring that they achieve operational excellence, financial stability, and market leadership. This involves implementing strategies to optimize revenue streams, reduce inefficiencies, and improve cash flow management.
In addition to strengthening the financial health of our portfolio companies, we aim to contribute to broader economic development by creating jobs, supporting local suppliers, and investing in underserved markets. Our Responsibility Code prioritizes economic growth, meaning we focus on long-term gains over short-term wins. This approach ensures that the companies we invest in remain viable, resilient, and adaptable to changing market conditions. By increasing the financial stability of our companies, we create lasting value for investors, employees, and the communities we serve.