Koo Govender’s career started from spending 22 years in the Multichoice Group where her last position at the group was Corporate Marketing and Communications Director. She then moved to VWV group where she was the first female CEO at the global experiential agency.

Currently CEO of Publicis Groupe Africa, Koo is an accomplished executive and exceptionally well-rounded leader with strong experience across people leadership, client management and business operations in both start up and growth organizations. She is a results-oriented leader with authenticity and proven success in marketing and strategic planning. In addition, she is commercially and strategically astute, passionate about DEI and building high-performance, diverse teams that nurture and cultivate next generation leaders.

Koo has a passion for inspirational leadership, marketing, and women empowerment. Her passion for women empowerment, mentorship and community upliftment was fulfilled by developing and launching the Mnet Cares brand focusing on breast cancer and literacy as well as the Phakama Women’s Academy which is targeted at Marketing university students to equip and empower them for the corporate world. Currently 150 students have graduated through the Phakama Women’s academy thus far.

In 2019 and 2021, Koo successfully launched Female Foundry in South Africa (a global, dentsu initiative). Female Foundry was established to bridge the gap in gender parity - especially in emerging markets - by offering experienced training and mentorship to empower and develop the skills of female entrepreneurs.

Koo sits on selected Industry, NGO and Business boards as well as sat on the judging panel for the Cannes Lions Festival 2017, Loeries 2017 and 2019 awards, the AdFocus 2017,2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 Awards as well the 2020, 2021 and 2022 Promax India, Asia, Australia and Africa Awards. Most recently, Koo also sits has a counsellor for the MAC Charter in South Africa and was a judge for Miss SA 2022 top 30.

In addition to her personal achievements and being a prominent and accomplished public speaker, judge and board member, Koo has won a number of business and empowerment awards and lives by the philosophy “success is one aspect and significance is of utmost importance”.