Testimonies

Testimonies Of Anna’s Legacy

‘Meeting such an extraordinary creature was the greatest privilege of my life. I am so conscious of how fortunate I have been that I almost feel embarrassed for such a blessing. Anna shined each single day of our journey with her kindness, beauty, empathy and passion for life. She taught me to be grateful no matter what, and be strong and patient. She made me a happier and better person. She is not gone, she is with me, as part of my soul’

Lorenzo

‘Anna is an inspiration. Her energy was contagious and her humility grounded all who knew her. It is rare to find someone with such love, passion and sincerity. She played a special role in my journey at Accenture. Thank you Anna’

John Watling, Accenture Managing Director

‘We met at work- we both joined the company at the same time and we were in orientation for the same department. After meeting and experiencing her, we gravitated towards each other because we were young, black women trying to make it in the industry.
I reached out to Anna to be my career counsellor and it was the best decision I have ever made. She advocated for me, we ended up working on the same projects where we grew and even shared tears together. We pushed late nights and early mornings and she always made sure she was helping me achieve my personal and professional work goals.
Anna believed so much in me as a young woman, she encouraged me to aim higher 🚀 to always make sure my work is presentable and my confidence definitely improved. I know she gave me the best referrals and I will forever be grateful for that. I looked up to her and shared all the opportunities I was offered with her and she would guide me to make the right decision.
I hope her legacy continues and we can experience more of her through the Anna Milani Foundation’

Tatenda Sibanda, FNB Senior Business Manager

‘Anna was my dearest friend and colleague for many years. I was fortunate to attend her wedding to Lorenzo being such a beautiful event with so much love. She was taken from us too soon and it is a loss to humanity that her angelic nature is no longer here to spread magic dust in everything she touched. She has a huge heart and wanted to help girls get an education as she worked so hard to improve herself with sheer determination not only in her studies, her work, and she was a fitness enthusiast. Anna will always be remembered through the love of her dearest husband Lorenzo, her family and friends, and now through this amazing initiative that Lorenzo is launching in her name. Anna was beautiful from the outside and especially from the inside. She was an angelic soul that touched with love everyone she met. I miss her very much and I am deeply touched to hear about this project that Lorenzo will embark on’.

Prof. Monica Singer (CA)SA, University of Johannesburg; former CEO of South Africa’s Central Securities Depository (CSD), member of the World Forum of CSDs (WFC)

‘Anna was and still is a phenomenal woman. Her super powers were empathy and connection. She understood that her purpose was to not just serve herself but to serve others and help them to reach their fullest potential, especially women. She lived a life of inspiration by seeking to better not just her life but those of others, she wanted to see every woman grow, live and prosper. I worked with Anna at Accenture and was in awe of her professionalism and intelligence and how she grew from humble beginnings, led an impactful life, and has driven a successful career both locally and internationally. I am excited to see her legacy continue through this foundation’.

Kele Boagkomo, mentor and managing director, Accenture

‘An exceptional person with a passion for life, Anna was a very determined and driven person and had an incredible professional outlook on projects and tasks she engaged on. Anna was always keen to constantly develop herself and always studied and went the extra mile to ensure that her skills were up to date. Her work ethic was amazing and she was driven to succeed in all areas she undertook. Perhaps her greatest accolade was that she was never afraid to ask a question to help her understand better. She had a zest for life and always encouraged and inspired those around her. An amazing human being and friend, and one we all learned from’.

Nitesch Marcel Singh, Media and Technology Lead for Accenture Africa

‘I worked with Anna when she was at Adidas, in Germany. She was always friendly and passionate about life. Among her dreams, there was to establish a digital company for young graduates in South Africa. She respected every culture, and I remember Anna in our conversations talking about how food unites all cultures and brings people together. She was really a warrior fighting her breast cancer, and, still, she kept her passion for fitness. She was an amazing lady, a real influencer who always found joy and love in everything’.

Tanuja Aduru, IT consultant, India

‘Anna and I worked together at Adidas, Germany, for almost two years. Anna’s tenure at Adidas was marked by her exceptional positive attitude, which infused our collaborative efforts with enthusiasm and energy. Her innate qualities of kindness and empathy made her not only a valuable colleague but also a cherished friend to many.
Anna’s approach to work-life balance served as a shining example, demonstrating her ability to manage professional responsibilities while nurturing her personal life. With her unwavering dedication and professionalism, Anna effortlessly balanced the demands of the client and vendor sides, fostering seamless cooperation and mutual understanding. She balanced her professional responsibilities with her personal life, demonstrating admirable resilience and prioritization skills.
Beyond her exemplary work ethic, Anna’s genuine concern for others’ well-being created a supportive and inclusive work environment, and her leadership, coupled with her willingness to lend a helping hand, earned her the respect and admiration of her peers.
Her transition to South Africa showcased her adventurous spirit and willingness to embrace new challenges, inspiring others to pursue their aspirations fearlessly. Despite the geographical distance, Anna’s positive influence continued to resonate within our team, serving as a reminder of her enduring impact.
Anna’s legacy at Adidas will stay as the indelible mark she left on the hearts and minds of those fortunate enough to have worked alongside her’.

Varun Gupta, Salesforce Architect, Accenture Germany; former Sales Specialist at Adidas Germany

‘Anna was the first person I met on my Adidas journey, and the memories of those initial days continue to hold a special place in my heart. She was always kind, friendly, and a great mentor. Her encouragement helped me grow in my career in numerous ways. Even after our paths diverged following our time at Adidas, she remained as a good friend. When I reflect on the moments we worked and travelled together, I am filled with gratitude for her friendship and inspiration. Anna’s presence made those times truly unforgettable’.

Deniz Firat, Lead Project Manager, SAP Germany

‘I met Anna in 2011. She welcomed me into her home with warmth, assuring me that I would be part of the family. From her, I learned a lot, from being humble to living with passion. Anna loved life and people, being able to empower them. I remember one day telling her about my fears in life, and she told me to focus and not let my fears cloud me, because I can do anything. She would often say ‘Nothing can make our life more beautiful than practicing perpetual kindness’. In my heart, Anna, you are the Queen that lives on. I dearly miss your hugs. We all love you’.

Thembi Ncube, Anna’s helper and friend

‘Mentors get much kudos for being mentors – what’s generally not acknowledged is how much the mentor learns and gains from the pupil!! I learned a lot.
In 2012, the ‘CEO Magazine’ searched for and found 12 outstanding young women in whom they believed were the seeds for success. Anna was one of those chosen! And the road Anna travelled proved that their choice was a good one.
Anna proved, and taught me, that the road to success is a toll road. It’s also not a 100m dash but a marathon. Anna’s dedication and application ensured her continued growth and development not only in business but in her personal life and so will be missed by both business and personal friends’.