Driving Transformation Through Leadership: Celebrating Elsie Masemola’s YES Top 35 Under 35 Recognition

At Transcend Corporate Advisors, we believe that leadership is not just about professional achievement—it’s about creating impact that resonates across communities, industries, and lives. Recently, we celebrated a moment that perfectly exemplifies this ethos: our Senior Consultant and YES Programme lead, Elsie Masemola, has been selected among the YES Top 35 Under 35 Alumni. This national recognition honours individuals who have not only excelled in their careers but have also created meaningful impact in their communities following their involvement in the Youth Employment Service (YES) ecosystem.

For those unfamiliar, the YES Top 35 Under 35 initiative highlights standout alumni who have taken the lessons, experience, and networks gained from YES and translated them into exceptional leadership, innovation, and social contribution. Elsie’s inclusion in this distinguished group is not just an accolade—it is a reflection of her dedication, expertise, and relentless drive to foster youth empowerment across South Africa.

From YES Participant to National Leader: Elsie’s Journey

Elsie’s journey with YES began with a commitment to youth development and economic inclusion. The YES Programme, an initiative backed by the South African government and private sector partners, aims to equip young South Africans with meaningful work experience while helping businesses unlock strategic benefits. While many organisations focus narrowly on compliance, Elsie has consistently championed a more holistic approach—one where YES participation is a strategic lever for long-term transformation, not just a tick-box exercise.

At Transcend, she has been the driving force behind our YES advisory services, helping companies navigate the programme’s requirements while maximising its potential to create real, measurable impact for young people. Under her guidance, organisations don’t just meet B-BBEE criteria—they design programs that foster skills development, enhance employability, and open doors to new opportunities.

Her recognition as a Top 35 Under 35 Alumni speaks to this exceptional ability to balance strategic insight with tangible outcomes, making her a leader not only in advisory services but also in shaping the future of youth employment in South Africa.

Beyond Compliance: YES as a Strategic Tool

One of the key lessons from Elsie’s work is that YES should never be approached as mere compliance. While many companies participate to meet regulatory or B-BBEE requirements, the programme holds far greater potential when integrated as a strategic element of business and social impact planning.

Through Elsie’s leadership, our clients have learned to view YES as a lever for transformation. This includes:

• Creating meaningful work experiences: Young professionals gain exposure to real-world business challenges, learn new skills, and develop confidence in their capabilities.
• Developing critical skills: Beyond on-the-job experience, structured mentorship and training opportunities prepare youth for sustained career growth.
• Strengthening talent pipelines: Companies benefit from a more skilled, motivated, and socially conscious talent pool, creating a win-win dynamic for both business and society.
• Driving social impact: YES programs guided by Elsie don’t just meet quotas—they contribute to broader economic inclusion and social mobility.

By aligning business objectives with youth empowerment, Elsie has shown that YES programmes can drive tangible transformation while creating long-lasting value for organisations and communities alike.

Leadership in Action: What Sets Elsie Apart

So, what differentiates Elsie’s approach from conventional advisory work? It’s her commitment to intentional, people-centred leadership. Several qualities underpin her impact:

1. Strategic Vision: Elsie understands that youth employment programs must align with a company’s long-term objectives and social responsibility agenda.
2. Execution Excellence: From planning to implementation, her meticulous attention ensures that programs are not only operationally sound but also impactful.
3. Mentorship Focus: Elsie prioritises human development, guiding both her clients and young programme participants toward tangible growth outcomes.
4. Advocacy for Inclusion: She actively promotes the role of corporate initiatives in addressing unemployment and inequality, helping organisations see the broader social responsibility of YES participation.

These attributes have not only resulted in successful YES implementations for Transcend clients but have also built a replicable model of youth-focused, strategic leadership that can be scaled across industries.

 The Broader Impact of the YES Programme

The YES Programme is one of South Africa’s most significant initiatives to tackle youth unemployment. While the program provides numerous B-BBEE points for participating companies, the real value extends beyond compliance:

• Empowering youth with skills and experience: Each engagement equips participants with practical knowledge, professional discipline, and exposure to corporate culture.
• Building confidence and resilience: Young participants gain insight into their potential, nurturing self-efficacy and ambition.
• Creating a future-ready workforce: Companies are preparing a generation of employees who are adaptable, skilled, and socially conscious.
• Fostering a culture of purpose-driven business: Organisations learn that social impact initiatives can align with core business strategy, resulting in sustainable, meaningful contributions.

Elsie’s work ensures that Transcend clients harness these benefits effectively, demonstrating how leadership and intentional design can magnify impact.

Reflections on Recognition: Top 35 Under 35

Being selected as one of the YES Top 35 Under 35 Alumni is not simply a personal achievement for Elsie—it’s a testament to the ripple effect of her work. The recognition highlights how individual excellence can catalyse broader transformation, whether through the mentoring of young professionals, the strategic guidance of businesses, or the promotion of inclusive economic growth.

For Transcend, this recognition reinforces our belief in purpose-driven advisory work. It showcases that success is not measured solely by compliance or profit but by the positive change we facilitate in communities, organisations, and the lives of young South Africans.

How Organisations Can Elevate Their YES Programmes

Elsie’s approach provides a blueprint for companies seeking to maximize the value of YES participation. Key strategies include:

1. Integrate YES strategically: Align youth employment initiatives with business objectives and long-term talent development goals.
2. Focus on skills and mentorship: Offer structured learning and professional development opportunities that equip youth with critical, marketable skills.
3. Measure impact: Beyond B-BBEE points, track the tangible outcomes of the program, including participant growth and community benefits.
4. Collaborate with experienced partners: Leverage expertise from advisors who understand the nuances of YES and can help design programs that create both social and business value.

Transcend’s YES advisory services, under Elsie’s leadership, are built around these principles—ensuring clients unlock the full potential of youth-focused initiatives.

The Future of YES and Youth Empowerment

The recognition of Elsie Masemola within the Top 35 Under 35 Alumni signals more than personal achievement; it highlights the growing importance of strategically designed youth employment programs in South Africa’s corporate landscape. As more organisations seek to embed social impact into their business models, leaders like Elsie are pioneering approaches that make YES a transformative tool rather than a regulatory checkbox.

At Transcend, we remain committed to supporting businesses in creating high-impact, sustainable programs that not only meet compliance standards but also deliver meaningful change to the youth, communities, and economy.

Celebrating Leadership That Drives Real Impact

Elsie’s recognition is a proud moment for Transcend, a reminder of what intentional leadership can achieve. It underscores the importance of dedication, insight, and a focus on people in driving transformation. Her work exemplifies how advisory services, when combined with genuine care and strategic vision, can empower organisations and unlock the potential of South Africa’s youth.

We invite you to read more about Elsie’s journey, her approach to youth employment, and the broader impact of the YES programme in this insightful [Daily Maverick article]

Take Action: Elevate Your YES Programme Today

If your organisation is exploring YES participation or seeking to enhance your current programme, Transcend’s YES advisory team is ready to provide strategic guidance, implementation support, and impact optimisation. With our expertise, you can create programs that:

• Deliver meaningful work experience to youth
• Strengthen talent pipelines and workforce readiness
• Align with B-BBEE and social impact objectives
• Make a tangible contribution to community upliftment

Contact our team today and discover how your organisation can turn YES participation into a transformative strategy that drives long-term value for your business and the youth you empower.