A Conversation with Christine Manickum, Head of Operations at SurTech
Every leader has a story—one shaped by challenges, opportunities and the people who believed in them along the way.
As part of our Women’s Month celebration, we sat down with Christine Manickum, Head of Operations at SurTech, to reflect on the experiences that have shaped her leadership journey. From learning to believe in herself and embracing opportunities outside her comfort zone to creating an environment where others can thrive, Christine shares the lessons that continue to influence both her career and how she leads her team.
Q: Looking back at the start of your career, what advice would you give your younger self?
Christine:
“Be your own biggest advocate. Don’t wait for someone else to recognise your worth. Speak up for your needs and give yourself permission to chase your dreams.”
Q: Finish this sentence: “The woman I am today is…”
Christine:
“The woman I am today is a result of every challenge I refused to let define me, and every time I chose to believe in myself.”
Q: When everything feels urgent, how do you stay calm and help your team stay focused?
Christine:
“Not everything is equally important. I focus on understanding the bigger picture, prioritising what will have the greatest impact and tackling one challenge at a time. Staying calm is a choice, and that mindset helps me help my team do the same.”
Q: What’s one leadership lesson that completely changed how you lead people?
Christine:
“Leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about listening, trusting your team and empowering people to take ownership. When people feel valued and trusted, they don’t just perform better—they grow, and so does the team.”
Q: What’s one moment in your career that completely changed the direction of your life?
Christine:
“Almost exactly ten years ago, I received a phone call from a recruiter. At the time, I chose to stay where I was because I was a new mom, and stability felt like the safest choice. I wasn’t looking for a new opportunity or planning to take any risks.
But that conversation challenged me to consider possibilities I hadn’t allowed myself to imagine.
Saying yes to that opportunity opened doors I never knew existed. It gave me the flexibility to grow both personally and professionally, broaden my skills across multiple disciplines, and continually challenge myself in ways I never expected.
What made that journey even more meaningful was having a Managing Director who saw potential in me that I hadn’t recognised in myself. He didn’t just hire me—he invested in my growth, trusted me with opportunities beyond my comfort zone and helped create a pathway that has led me to where I am today.
Looking back, that decision shaped not only my career but also my confidence. It taught me that growth often begins just outside your comfort zone.”
A Surprise Tribute from Her Team
As part of our Women’s Month celebration, Christine’s team was asked a simple question:
“What makes Christine an inspiring leader?”
She had no idea these messages had been collected until this moment.
Here’s what they had to say.
Veena Srinivasan
“Chris is an extremely dedicated, hard-working boss who gives more than is expected or required, both to her team and to SurTech. She is an inspiration to all women, especially single mothers. She successfully juggles her career and motherhood and somehow still finds time to continuously improve her knowledge and expertise.
Chris is the go-to person for everything and every department at SurTech, which shows her willingness to help, advise and share her vast knowledge. She is always kind, thoughtful and giving to her team, both individually and collectively.
She took a chance on me by hiring me, and I am incredibly grateful to work with and for Chris.”
Lucy Naidoo
“Christine is the kind of leader people choose to follow—not because they have to, but because they are inspired to.
She leads with integrity, empathy and purpose, consistently empowering others to grow, succeed and believe in themselves. Her ability to balance strength with humility while always putting people first is truly remarkable.
I’m grateful for her leadership, mentorship and the positive impact she has on everyone around her. Thank you, Christine, for inspiring us to be our best every day.”
Mishaan Narotam
“Chris has been a huge inspiration to me. She has motivated me to become a better employee and has always encouraged my personal and professional growth.
She has provided me with valuable opportunities to develop my skills and grow within SurTech, and I am truly grateful for the trust and support she has shown me.
Chris leads by example with professionalism, dedication and integrity, making her an exceptional leader and someone I genuinely look up to.”
Angela Malaza
“During my time at SurTech, Chris has been nothing short of impressive. Her commitment to her job and tolerance of my nagging whenever I require assistance is something I truly appreciate.
She continuously shows up as the Certified Chaos Coordinator (CCC) for Revival and SurTech, and she does so with so much grace.
Her feedback, both positive and constructive, has been essential to my development.“
Celebrating Women Who Lift Others
Women’s Month is an opportunity to celebrate the women who make a lasting difference—not only through what they achieve, but through the people they inspire along the way.
Christine’s journey reminds us that confidence begins with believing in yourself, while great leadership is measured by how you help others believe in themselves.
From everyone at SurTech, thank you, Christine, for your dedication, your leadership and the example you continue to set every day.
Happy Women’s Month!
