A spirit of exploration, a passion for problem-solving, and an unwavering commitment to excellence - these qualities define Monique Dakers, a University of Pretoria (UP) alumna whose career path has taken her from South Africa’s mining industry to the high-stakes world of global management consulting in New York. Her story is one of resilience, ambition, and the power of a world-class education from UP.

A Foundation for Success at UP

Dakers, who graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering in Industrial Engineering in 2012, attributes much of her success to the solid academic foundation she built at UP. “The Industrial Engineering department at UP is well-respected, and earning my degree there set me apart in a highly competitive field,” she says. This reputation opened doors for her first major opportunity - BHP Billiton’s prestigious Graduate Leadership Programme. “BHP Billiton specifically targeted UP graduates, which speaks volumes about the university’s academic excellence”.

Dakers began her career in the mining sector, working for BHP Billiton and later South32, playing a vital role in one of South Africa’s key industries. However, after five years, she was drawn to a profession that aligned more closely with her passions - teamwork, global exposure, and tackling complex challenges. This led her to management consulting, where she quickly made her mark at Bain & Company in Johannesburg.

Her talent and determination earned her an early promotion, making her the only associate consultant in her cohort across Africa to achieve this milestone. Recognising her potential, Bain supported her transition to their Boston office, where she further refined her skills. Her relentless pursuit of growth paid off when she was accepted into Harvard Business School, where she earned her MBA in 2023. Today, she is a Manager at Bain’s New York office, helping some of the world’s leading companies solve their toughest problems.

Dakers’ journey has been filled with valuable lessons - ones that she hopes will inspire the next generation of UP graduates. “You are stronger than you think” she says. “Lean into challenges rather than retreating from them”. She also believes that perseverance is key: “A ‘no’ often just means ‘not now’. Keep pushing forward”.

A testament to #UPExcellence, this story showcases how knowledge can be transformed into meaningful impact, with every opportunity embraced to Make today matter. Whether tackling complex global business challenges or inspiring future leaders, Monique Dakers embodies UP’s ethos with passion and perseverance. Her journey proves that with the right foundation, there are no limits to where ambition and determination can take you.