Sonja started her career as a research statistician, first in the South African Department of Statistical Services and then at a large international chemical company (AECI Ltd). She then joined FMCG group company National Brands Limited, as a change consultant, focusing on mergers, restructuring and culture change projects. She was promoted to Human Resource Development Executive where she led a number of strategic change project. Sonja has been an independent change consultant in the areas of change management and leadership since 2001 where she has consulted extensively with executive, senior, middle, and first-line managers. As change consultant, she has successfully managed change and organisational development projects in the private and public sectors ranging from business turnaround projects to business re-engineering, culture change and quality improvement projects. She has served a wide variety of businesses and industries across Africa.
She is a visiting faculty member at the University of Stellenbosch Business School (Executive Development), Gordon Institute of Business (GIBS), Eaton Business School (Leicester) and Exceed College (Westford Education Group). She has conducted extensive research in women leadership and completed her PhD focusing on African women leadership. In 2020, Sonja co-authored the book, Change Leadership in Emerging Markets.