Lauren Airdien-Davids is a consultant in Egon Zehnder’s Sub-Saharan Africa office, where she leads the Firm’s Industrial Practice and Leadership Advisory Services, and co-leads the Consumer Practice across Africa. She also serves as the regional champion for several of the Firm’s functional practices, including CFO and Audit Chair, Sustainability, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), and Supply Chain. Known for her trusted counsel to senior executives, Lauren brings deep expertise in succession planning, leadership development, board and executive assessments, top team effectiveness, and executive search. Her approach is grounded in the belief that future-focused leadership is cultivated from within—through self-awareness, adaptability, and a commitment to both personal and organisational growth.
True leadership begins with self-awareness and grows through the courage to elevate others. My role is to help leaders see themselves clearly, lead with intention, and build legacies that outlast them.
Prior to joining Egon Zehnder, Lauren spent over a decade in the oil and gas industry, holding operational and strategic roles across global and state-owned enterprises. At Shell, she led initiatives in supply chain optimisation, strategic planning, capital budgeting, and project development—delivering high-impact results that enhanced performance across the value chain.
Lauren holds a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering from North-West University and an MBA from Stellenbosch University Business School. Passionate about youth development, she actively contributes to upskilling initiatives through motivational speaking and career guidance. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, traveling, spending quality time with her family, and is an avid golfer.
