Lombard is a social worker by profession and has been the Witfield Park Retirement Centre manager for the past 12 years.
Due to Lombard’s background and training as a social worker, she has a passion for people and enhancing their circumstances.
She realises that women play a huge role in the business world today.
“Due to the nature of women, they tend to be natural ‘carers’ in the community and often have a different approach to business and the environment than their male partners,” she said.
“This special input by women needs to be valued and appreciated and the ERBW is one way of achieving this.
”The ERBW presents a platform of bringing the world of business, women and compassion together.”
Being in the retirement industry, Lombard is aware of numerous myths regarding ageing and the residential home industry.
“Ageing and related dilemmas are becoming a specialised field of science on their own,” she explained.
“Through the ERBW, I have been able to assist in changing society’s mindset and attitude by making the community aware of the rights of the elderly.
“Living in a retirement village is merely a continuation of a previous life style and can add much value to the life of an elderly person, especially after the loss of a life partner or mobility, due to age-related issues.”
Lombard is married to Andries and has one daughter, a married son and one grandchild.
The family lives in Benoni.
Lombard described herself as a ”family person” and loves reading, dabbling in handcrafts and socialising with close friends in her leisure time.
* The ERBW is an organisation that offers a network facility for members through regular monthly meetings and relevant speakers, to equip business women to effectively enhance, develop and promote their business and careers and encourage and motivate members to be successful.
It also assists in setting up a communal support system, climate creation and network environment for mutual communication and positive contact to share opportunities, ideas and solutions.
ERBW membership is valid for women holding senior portfolios (position of authority) in corporate organisations, commerce and industry, as well as those holding business and professional qualifications, owners of businesses and new entrepreneurs.
Monthly meetings are planned to accommodate a variety of topics relevant to business women, ranging from personal motivation and stories of endurance to a touch of female pampering and appreciation for themselves, in a jam-packed morning.
The ERBW has a sponsorship agreement with the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre, which includes the ERBW supporting the Ukajede Foundation.
This is an outreach programme to five informal settlements in Ekurhuleni and is a registered non-profit organisation.
Members are encouraged to support the project by means of monthly donations of consumables, like stationery and clothes and shoes for preschoolers.
The ERBW is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year and its annual gala brunch, during November, is usually its main fund-raising event.
The proceeds go towards worthy community projects or organisations, such as Life Line.
Any business woman interested in joining the organisation should contact Lombard on 011 826 2441, or Glynis Holdsworth at glynis@incash.co.za.
Monthly meetings are held on the second Wednesday of every month, at the Birchwood Hotel, from February to October.
The first meeting for 2015 will take place on Wednesday, February 11. Networking starts at 10.30am and the official meeting at 11am. Booking is essential. – @IschkeBoksburg
