St Mary’s DSG Pretoria leader recognised with prestigious national award nominations – Cast your vote
The Executive Head of St Mary’s DSG Pretoria, Mrs Odelle Howard, has been nominated in two categories at the prestigious Edu-Women in Leadership Awards 2026 – and your vote will count towards her winning an award.
The Edu-Women in Leadership Awards celebrate outstanding women in education who have demonstrated excellence, leadership, and innovation in their fields.
Howard has been nominated for two categories: the Educational Leadership Excellence Award and the Trailblazer Award.
- Click here to vote for Mrs Odelle Howard in the 2026 Edu-Women in Leadership Awards.
- Click here to learn more about St Mary’s DSG Pretoria.
Voting closes on 31 July 2026.
BusinessTech spoke with Howard to find out more about her impact, and why she was nominated for these awards.
Leadership built on service and purpose
Howard said she was deeply humbled and honoured to be nominated for both awards.
“I hope it reminds every girl at our school that leadership is not reserved for a select few; it lives within each of us,” said Howard.
“If my journey helps even one young woman see herself reflected in me and believe that she, too, can lead with courage, purpose and compassion, then this recognition carries an even greater meaning.”
As Executive Head, Howard provides strategic direction for the school while creating an environment in which learners and staff can flourish.
To Howard, leadership is about enabling others to grow, empowering them to realise their potential and creating opportunities for them to succeed.
She went on to explain that she aims to empower others, create opportunities for people to grow, and celebrate collective success.
“Leadership is never about advancing oneself; it is about helping others discover their own strength and purpose so that, together, we can achieve far more than any individual ever could.”
Shaping the future through leadership
As Executive Head of St Mary’s DSG Pretoria, Howard provides strategic direction for the school while creating an environment where learners, teachers and staff can flourish.
“Leadership, to me, is about enabling others to grow, empowering them to realise their potential and creating opportunities for them to succeed,” she said.
Howard believes educators carry a unique responsibility to shape the next generation of women who will one day lead in boardrooms, classrooms, laboratories, theatres, communities and homes.
She emphasised that a school’s influence extends far beyond academic achievement through the character, values and sense of purpose it helps develop in young people.
“Education is ultimately about creating futures,” said Howard.
Howard said watching others grow and transform, whether learners, teachers or staff members, continually reinforces the importance of education.
“Whether it is a learner finding her confidence, a teacher developing into an exceptional leader or a member of staff discovering a renewed sense of purpose, these moments remind me why this work matters,” she explained.
Howard went on to explain that her leadership philosophy has been shaped by personal experiences dating back to her own school years.
Today, those experiences continue to influence her approach to leadership.
“I believe in empowering others, building strong teams, creating opportunities for people to grow and celebrating collective success,” said Howard.
“Leadership is never about advancing oneself; it is about helping others discover their own strength and purpose.”
Why families choose St Mary’s DSG Pretoria
For St Mary’s DSG Pretoria, Howard’s nominations are not only a celebration of individual achievement, but they also reflect the values and vision that have shaped the school for 147 years.
The school has built an extraordinary legacy of excellence, producing generations of women who have gone on to become leaders in science and technology, business and finance, medicine, the arts, sport, education and philanthropy.
What sets St Mary’s DSG Pretoria apart is its commitment to the holistic development of every learner.
“We believe in the holistic development of every girl, recognising that each has unique gifts, talents and aspirations,” said Howard.
The school intentionally creates opportunities for learners to discover their strengths, build confidence, and develop the courage to pursue their purpose.
For families seeking an education that balances academic excellence with personal growth and character development, St Mary’s DSG Pretoria offers a unique environment where young women can thrive and prepare for future leadership roles.
Click here to vote for Mrs Odelle Howard in the 2026 Edu-Women in Leadership Awards.
Click here to learn more about St Mary’s DSG Pretoria.
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