Cora Fernandez was appointed Chief Executive (CE) of Sanlam Investments (SI) Institutional Business in 2013.  She is responsible for expanding SI's presence and market share in the Institutional and Corporate market. She and her team of 43 are striving to create great customer experiences for their existing and prospective clients. 

Previously Cora was managing director of Sanlam Investment Management (SIM) for two years. SIM is a multi-specialist investment management business and one of the largest asset management companies in SA.

Before joining SIM, Fernandez was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sanlam Private Equity (SPE). Fernandez entered the private equity industry in 2001 with Ethos Private Equity. She is a qualified chartered accountant and served her articles with KPMG in Johannesburg, after obtaining her BCom degree from the University of Cape Town, and a BCompt Honours degree from the University of South Africa.

She served on the board of the South African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SAVCA) for two years and was elected as chairperson. She is a member of the SA Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). Fernandez served on several Boards and Board-subcommittees when she was involved in the private equity industry.  Currently she serves on the investment committee of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

In 2006, Fernandez was awarded the top private equity deal maker award by ABSIP and in 2008 she was a recipient of the Sanlam CEO’s award.

In her spare time, she loves travelling, yoga, reading economics and business literature.

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