adminof Marketplace Interventions, a marketing communications and public relations consultancy firm that is organising Zimbabwe’s first Infrastructure and Construction Conference and Exhibition, Zimbuild (September 22 to 25).
The initiative is essentially reflective of Ms Kanyepi who is not afraid to try out new things.
“The Zimbuild project largely emerged out of our market researches, which indicated a gap in respect of this sector. In this country there are limited private sector interventions for the construction industry.
“So we saw this is a wonderful opportunity to establish a brand new platform for networking and dialogue, which will function as a stimulus for the sector,” she said.
The choice of venue for the event – the Harare Civic Centre Grounds – also reflects her ability to think outside the box.
“This is the first time we are hosting an outdoor event. It is a brand new format based on steel structures and one which effectively reflects construction,” she said.
According to Ms Kanyepi, Zimbuild is set to become the “leading exchange platform for the infrastructure, construction and allied trades in the country.”
A trained urban planner, Ms Kanyepi approaches the Zimbuild initiative from not just a business perspective, but as something she is passionate about.
“Of late there has been a lot of debate around boosting industrial capacities. However, what most people miss out on is that industrial growth is fundamentally supported by corresponding growth in construction and infrast ructure development in general,” she said.
Between 1990 and 1992 Ms Kanyepi worked as a general sales and marketing service manager at Coca-Cola bottling and distribution plant.
In 1993 she assumed the position of marketing executive at the same company.
In 1996 she moved to the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority where she was engaged as a marketing and communications director, a position she left in 1999 to become a founding partner in Marketplace Interventions.
During the course of her career, she says, she acquired valuable experience in event and exhibition management, which became critical in the formation of her company.
Some of the major events she has been involved with include the World Travel Market, America Travel Market, International Travel Exchange Berlin and the Travel Expo Harare.
Others include Getaway Johannesburg, Africa Travel Market Dubai, Holiday and Travel Shows Australia, the 1996 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Harare), and the 1995 All-Africa Games (Harare).
Ms Kanyepi is a holder of Master of Business Administration from the University of Surrey (2004).
She also holds a Master in Science Regional and Urban Planning and a Bachelor of Arts Honours (Geography and Economics) from the University of Zimbabwe.
Some of her major career achievements include founding Networks-4-Recruitment in the United Kingdom, a project funded by the European Union Social Fund.
She was awarded the Social Enterprise Berkshire accolade for Best Innovation in 2006.
In addition, she founded a successful marketing and public relations consultancy firm, with clients both in Zimbabwe and in the United Kingdom and created, developed and launched award-winning global marketing campaigns for the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority.
She designed and launched Coca-Cola urban kiosks for Zimbabwe, several packaging for Coca-Cola products, various marketing campaigns and television programs and organised and co-ordinated the successful All-Africa Games in 1995.
Ms Kanyepi became the first woman in Africa to head bus operations for United Transport Group in Harare, Zimbabwe.
She also became the first female marketing executive at United Bottlers under Delta Corporation
She was also the first female marketing director of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority.
Ms Kanyepi won the first accolades for Zimbabwe in Exhibition, presentation and management at several international trade fairs including Berlin ITB, Indaba Durban and World Travel Market London.
She was awarded the Berkshire Best Social Enterprise Project 2006, Reading UK
Ms Kanyepi is the first born in a family of six and is a single mother of two.
She enjoys reading, travelling and is an ardent football fan and her two favourite teams are Liverpool and the Zimbabwe national team.
She is not very picky when it comes to food.
Online Reporter