17 Aug 2025 Helen McDougall: Leading Woodlands Dairy with strength and compassion

Recently, I spent some time at Woodlands Dairy, part of a media party celebrating this innovative company’s 30th anniversary. It was a pleasure to meet its newish MD, and how refreshing that here’s a female captain of industry! Read on….

In an industry often defined by production volumes, margins, and market pressures, Helen McDougall is bringing a different lens to leadership at Woodlands Dairy.

Appointed CEO last October, McDougall emphasises that the future of agribusiness depends as much on people and culture as it does on operational efficiency.

Running one of South Africa’s largest dairy companies is no small task, but McDougall believes leadership is about more than strategy and spreadsheets. For her, success comes from balancing resilience with empathy — being strong enough to steer through challenges, but compassionate enough to bring people along on the journey.

McDougall is clear about the values that guide her. Authenticity, she says, builds trust. Consistency gives teams confidence. And listening — really listening — helps unlock ideas and foster a culture where people feel valued. “If people feel respected and supported, they’ll go further than they thought possible,” she has shared in past interviews.

That philosophy is shaping the culture inside Woodlands Dairy. While performance and efficiency remain critical in a highly competitive dairy market, McDougall has made it a priority to ensure the business is also a place where staff can grow, learn, and develop.

Curiosity and continuous learning are traits she actively encourages, while mentoring is seen as an important way to strengthen both the business and the wider industry.

Her position also carries weight as one of the few women leading a major agribusiness in South Africa. McDougall acknowledges the challenges of operating in a traditionally male-dominated sector, but her approach shows that strong leadership doesn’t mean sacrificing compassion. Instead, she argues, the two go hand in hand.

For Woodlands Dairy, that balance may well be a competitive advantage. At a time when the food and beverage sector is under pressure from shifting consumer demands, rising costs and global competition, creating a workplace culture that blends performance with humanity could prove just as important as any investment in technology or capacity.

Read the original article that inspired this post

With more than 22 years in the FMCG industry, Helen McDougall was appointed as the new CEO of Woodlands Dairy in October 2024 and is firmly focused on positioning the dairy manufacturer as Africa’s most admired dairy company….

Over the past 23 years, McDougall worked with several leading multinational FMCG companies in a range of commercial and leadership roles.

With nine years at Mars South Africa as general manager, and five years at Danone South Africa in various senior roles, McDougall brings a wealth of knowledge and a forward-thinking leadership style to Woodlands.

McDougall’s entry into the FMCG industry was quite unexpected. She initially pursued a career in medical research but soon realised it wasn’t the right fit.

“While exploring alternative paths, I came across a medical sales representative role that aligned with my qualifications, and that’s where my sales journey began. I went on to further my education in sales and marketing and held several roles within Kimberly-Clark’s medical division. Eventually, I was offered a position in their consumer division, which intrigued me with its fresh challenges and marked the beginning of my FMCG career.”

Leadership revealed a deeper purpose

While her passion for sales shaped the early part of my career, stepping into leadership revealed a deeper purpose: developing and empowering others in their career journeys.

“My diverse experience across companies, brands, and functions, combined with a strong track record in performance and talent development, has shaped the leader I am today,” she says.

Being one of the few women in a male-dominated sales environment early in her career was challenging, but it taught her the value of authenticity and resilience. It also highlighted how gender diversity leads to stronger outcomes and a healthier workplace culture.

“That experience inspired me to co-found Women In Conversation, a non-profit dedicated to creating space for open, honest dialogue around the personal and professional challenges women face, a role I find deeply rewarding,” adds McDougall.

Great leaders inspire and develop others

Over time, her leadership style has evolved to be collaborative and empowering. It’s grounded in empathy but also characterised by a directness that encourages accountability and supports growth.

Says McDougall, “an effective leader leads with purpose, communicates with clarity, and builds trust through consistency and integrity. Great leaders listen as much as they speak and know how to bring out the best in diverse teams. They are self-aware, adaptable, and able to inspire and develop others.”…..

Source: BizCommunity: Read the full article here

Related reading:

Woodlands Dairy celebrates its 30th anniversary

Woodlands Dairy, one of South Africa’s leading dairy producers and the powerhouse behind the First Choice brand, is celebrating 30 years of Choosing Good.

Left: Lex Gutsche, founder of Woodlands Dairy and CEO, Helen McDougall.