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As an eldest daughter, she’s used that drive to fuel her rise in the largely male-dominated sector.
She started in paper and pulp, and her tenacious spirit and hunger for knowledge took her from a Carte Blanche exposé on water quality to a continuous improvement manager at Engen Lubricants.
Now, she aims to lead with compassion and create more space for women in the sector.
“It’s not just about giving women a seat at the table — it’s about making sure their voices are heard and valued once they’re there,” she says on her commitment to inclusion.
Moorthi-Moodley recently spoke to Bizcommunity about her career trajectory, her definition of empowerment, and what she sees for the women of Engen.
How has your career led you to Engen Lubricants?
I started my career many years ago in the pulp and paper industry as a contractor, working shifts, hustling day and night.
Then I moved to the water industry, monitoring water quality and supervising quality aspects at Blue Flag beaches, conducting effluent analysis, and doing an exposé on the television show Carte Blanche showcasing the water quality of Blue Flag beaches.
I then moved into the energy sector, where I learnt the business model and focused on business improvement through cost savings and lean manufacturing.
While completing my MBA, navigating motherhood and full-time work, I graduated with an in-depth business understanding.
I then took on another challenge: completing my Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, an intense but rewarding journey that steered my focus toward Lean manufacturing.
My outlook, perception, and drive in many decisions come from a desire to improve myself continuously, and working at Vivo Energy has allowed me to leverage my existing knowledge and apply it in new and meaningful ways in my role as a continuous improvement manager.
How have you overcome gender stereotypes to be taken seriously in your career?
Early on in my career, I felt I needed to shrink and dim my light, but later I’ve learned not to change who I am to be taken seriously.
I can be ambitious, compassionate, collaborative, and confident at the same time.
I’ve realised that being taken seriously isn’t about fitting into someone else’s idea of what a leader should look like.
There is no “one-size-fits-all” box. It’s about knowing my worth, trusting my expertise, and having the courage to take up space.
What does women’s empowerment look like to you? How do you work to empower women in your industry?
As women leaders, we have a unique opportunity to lead with compassion while creating an environment where people feel valued, supported, and empowered.
Last year my mum got paralysed from the waist down, and this ultimately changed my whole outlook; everyone is fighting a battle no one knows.
Empowerment means creating an environment where women have the confidence, opportunities, resources, and support to lead, make decisions, and grow without being limited by gender.
It’s not just about giving women a seat at the table — it’s about making sure their voices are heard and valued once they’re there.
Being the firstborn only daughter in an Indian household, I learnt of empowerment from a young age, from our mothers, our grandmothers; I believe each woman is a force; let’s lift each other.
In the lubes industry, I believe women’s empowerment is by encouraging collaboration rather than competition, sharing knowledge and opportunities, and making space for women to take on leadership and decision-making roles.
I also believe in celebrating other women’s achievements, mentoring where I can, and challenging biases when I see them.
Ultimately, empowerment is about helping create a culture where women can succeed on their own terms and, in turn, feel empowered to lift others.
We don’t lose by empowering.
What advice would you give to other women aspiring to replicate your success?
Set your goals and work towards them.
On this journey, there are many bumps, potholes and distractions, but keep your eyes on the goal.
We can all do great things; if we dream it and believe it, we can achieve it.
Don’t underestimate the value of learning. Don’t be afraid to take up space, share your ideas, ask for opportunities, and step into leadership roles.
You don’t have to adopt someone else’s leadership style to be successful. Success is even more meaningful when you use it to create opportunities for others and allow others to grow.
What is your vision for all the women working at Engen Lubricants?
My vision for all the women at Engen Lubes is to see them thrive.
I want every woman to feel that her voice is valued, her ideas are respected, and she has equal access to opportunities for growth and advancement.
A culture where women support one another while creating a culture where being ambitious is encouraged.
We all have the capacity to do great things; don’t be afraid to shine. Others will try to dim your vision, but always rise every day with a fresh perspective.
SA is considered the most economically unequal country in the world. How can we “build resilient economies for all?
Economic resilience can only occur through inclusion and opportunity.
Instead of simply addressing inequality through short-term interventions, people should be empowered to be more economically independent.
Engen Vivo plays a major role in investing in education and skills development, which in turn opens up opportunities for people to progress in the formal economy.
A resilient economy should be more about “not where we come from but how far we can go” and teaching our kids to believe in the future.
Finally, if you could meet yourself as a little girl, what would you tell her?
Dear little girl, step into your light, keep shining, keep showing up, take up space and don’t stop believing in your superpower.
One day you will be living the dreams of all the generations before you.
