Heidi Brauer is a brand builder, strategist, and thought-starter with a practical explorer’s spirit. Fondly known as the Brand Mama, she blends sharp business acumen with humanity, believing firmly that “it takes a village to raise a brand.” Creator of her trademark ‘sprinkles’ and ‘chocolate cake’ metaphors, Heidi is as passionate about people as she is about brands. Her journey spans a rich mix of experiences: from delivering babies and raising two sons, to leading market research programmes, designing aircraft interiors, reinventing insurance brands, and consulting across industries (yes, even forklift trucks). She also co-created the award-winning SLOW lounges, hailed among the best in the world. Heidi and her teams’ work has earned Gold and Grand Prix Loeries, PRISMs, Effies, Bookmarks, MMAs and D&Ads, while she herself has been a Marketer of the Year finalist and named on SCOPEN SA’s Most Admired Marketing Professionals list. Alongside her corporate achievements, she remains super proud of her 3rd place finish in a figure skating competition (in a field of three).