Punki Modise

Punki Modise is the Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer (GSSO) and member of the Group Executive Committee at Absa Group. With over 15 years at Absa, she has held multiple senior leadership roles, including Interim Chief Executive of Retail and Business Banking, where she led one of the Group’s largest business units through a critical transition. She also served as Interim Group Financial Director, overseeing financial strategy, governance, and investor confidence. Her leadership experience spans roles such as CFO for Retail and Business Banking, Head of Transactional Banking, and CFO for both Distribution Channels and Card and Consumer Finance.

She has two decades of experience in business strategy, financial leadership, and corporate governance, and now leads the integration of strategy and sustainability—a role she has held since 2022—ensuring Absa remains agile, forward-thinking, and aligned with its long-term growth ambitions and ESG commitments. Punki plays a pivotal role in shaping the Group’s strategic direction, driving alignment across business units, and reinforcing Absa’s purpose as an Active Force for Good. She provides critical guidance as Absa navigates an evolving regulatory and economic landscape.

Before joining Absa, Punki held senior roles at Standard Bank, Fedsure, and PwC, gaining extensive experience in corporate finance, risk management, financial reporting, and regulatory compliance. Recognised for her ability to drive transformation and innovation, she is known for leading high-performing teams and navigating complex business environments.

A chartered Accountant (CA, SA), she holds a B.Com from the University of the Witwatersrand and a Master's in Financial Management from the University of Johannesburg. She further sharpened her leadership and strategic expertise through the Stanford Executive Programme (SEP) at Stanford Graduate School of Business.

With a deep understanding of financial markets and corporate strategy, Punki is widely respected as an influential leader in the industry. Her ability to drive large-scale transformation, build high-performing teams, and foster a culture of innovation and resilience has positioned her as a key force in shaping Absa’s growth and sustainability journey.

Outside of her professional commitments, Punki is passionate about baking—an activity that mirrors her approach to leadership, requiring creativity, and focus.