Callan Abrahams

Youth in Business and Entrepreneurship

Nominee's Province:
Gauteng

Age:
27

Project Name/Description:
Data-Led Insights

More info:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/callan-abrahams-ba440094/

Callan Abrahams, 28, is a heroic youth who readily uses data science to solve many problems facing the country. For her, no problem is insurmountable. “As an entrepreneur, data scientist, futurist, and technologist, my value could be summarised by one word: solutionist (problem-solver),” she says. Abrahams heads three entities: Data-Led Insights, Wake Up - Shake Up, and Viiibes. While operationally separate, these entities allow Abrahams to combine her love for mathematics, statistics, technology, digital, creativity, user experiences, innovation, and business to bring about lasting solutions to a range of social development issues South Africa faces. “I solve problems. Sometimes that takes the form of working with data to help businesses make data-led decisions. Other times I am creating awareness about mental health or speaking to young people at schools,” she says. In the end, through her work, Abrahams has a positive impact on society. Her job is quite demanding but she has a secret for getting things done: “I never work alone,” she says. “I share my dreams, ideas and thoughts with nearly everyone I come across. I allow others to attach their goals and dreams to my ideas. I allow others to run with the ‘idea seeds’ I may conjure up. I am someone who is able to start and maintain ‘soul fires’ in people.” Abrahams, who holds an economic science and mathematics degree from Wits University, firmly believes in inspiring others to thrive in the workplace, particularly women. “I create spaces where people are encouraged to bring their talents and contributions to the forefront. I encourage everyone to have an opinion and that opinion on multiple platforms.” At the moment Data-Led Insights employs six people and services customers from around the world. What keeps Abrahams going as an entrepreneur? “Keeping my brain occupied with difficult problems is actually really great for my mental health. I need to be challenged. I need always be to building and working on exciting projects.”