Margaret Dreyer - Generosity with a Backbone

She didn’t wait for permission, she built a table, pulled up chairs, and told women, “Your voice belongs here.” Anton and Ben sit down with MD (Margaret Dreyer), whose default setting is “How can I help?” and whose north star is growing women’s talent wherever she stands. From becoming South Africa’s first female audit partner to serving on Deloitte Australia’s board, her through-line is the same: spot potential, open a door, make sure it stays open for the next woman. That’s how you get to numbers that matter. From five to around 400 female partners at Deloitte Australia today, and why so many careers trace back to a quiet conversation she started, a nudge she gave, a standard she refused to lower. But impact is not only measured in titles. For years, MD helped thousands of South Africans find their footing in Australia. Recruiting, mentoring, and connecting people until “new country” started to feel like “home.” Ask her for a number and she’ll say it straight: more than 8,000 careers touched across firms and roles. Ask how, and she’ll point you to the people, not the spreadsheets. If you want to see who she is, meet her at a Deloitte SAFFA braai. Lane Cove National Park, families everywhere, kids chasing each other between picnic tables, the smell of boerie on the grill, koeksisters on a paper plate, and MD moving through the crowd making sure everyone’s included. That’s the mindset: generous, practical, no fuss. It’s the same mindset behind her inclusion work, fighting for human rights in the everyday, not just in policy documents. Listen to Episode 18 at https://3spod.com Also on your fav channels: Spotify, YouTube, Apple. #AStrangerASuitcaseAndAStory #3SPod #Episode18 #MD #MigrationStories #Generosity #HumanRights #Inclusion #WomenInLeadership #Legacy #Deloitte #SAFFA #Braai #Belonging #SouthAfricansInAustralia #Podcast