14 May Inside Digital Divas 2025: Elizabeth Lee Ming on Connection, Courage, and Becoming

This year’s Digital Divas Summit is all about “becoming” and one of the people helping us connect the dots is Elizabeth Lee Ming, strategic brand leader, leadership coach, and founder of the powerful new mentorship platform Meet the Matriarch.

We caught up with her ahead of the event on 29 August 2025 to hear more about her journey, her passion for connection, and what attendees can expect from her throughout the day.

Q: This year’s Digital Divas theme is “Becoming,” with connection as a core pillar. How do you define meaningful connection in today’s business world, especially for women?

Elizabeth: Connection is critical in the world of work, especially for women. We’re natural communicators, intuitive, empathetic, and great at gathering information. Meaningful connection is where magic happens, it’s what drives innovation, sparks creativity, and fuels progress. It’s more critical now than ever.

Q: Let’s talk about your new project Meet the Matriarch. What inspired it, and what does it aim to build or shift in the current conversation around women and leadership?

Elizabeth: I’ve always believed in the idea that when you rise, you raise. Meet the Matriarch was born out of a desire to connect experienced women with others at various stages of their careers; those who need guidance, mentorship, and real stories. Representation matters, and being able to see someone who’s walked the path before you can make all the difference.

The name is also personal. My mother was the strongest, most resilient woman I’ve ever known. She was my first mentor, and Meet the Matriarch honours her spirit: no-fluff, straight answers, and deep wisdom shared in a safe space.

Q: How does Meet the Matriarch reflect where you are in your own journey of becoming?

Elizabeth: It’s everything I’ve loved about my career: mentorship, insight-sharing, and connecting women, coming together. Meet the Matriarch allows me to give back and build community with like-minded women who want to raise the next generation of resilient leaders.

Q: You’ll be playing a special role at Digital Divas this year, not just as a speaker, but as a guide for the room. What can attendees expect from you throughout the day?

Elizabeth: I’ll be holding space for us to learn, grow, reflect, and really connect. Expect provocations throughout the day to help spark conversation and keep the energy real and intentional. When women come together to learn and share, something powerful happens. I’m here for that spark!

Q: What are some of your personal go-to strategies for turning introductions into relationships?

Elizabeth:

1. Remember names – it shows care and presence.
2. Give more than expected – a thoughtful follow-up or gesture goes far.
3. Create belonging – be aware of body language, include people in conversation, and be intentional in how you acknowledge others.

It’s about going beyond small talk and truly seeing the person in front of you.

Q: You’re kicking off the day with “Becoming Connected – Networking 101.“ What can attendees expect?

Elizabeth: This is where I get to live my purpose. I’ll be guiding attendees through a reflective, hands-on process of identifying the mentors, values, and allies they need in their next chapter. I incorporate Eastern philosophies like ikigai and kintsugi, because sometimes to become who we are meant to be, we first have to unbecome.

Q: Connection isn’t always easy, especially for women navigating change. What advice do you have for someone walking into Digital Divas unsure of how to show up or where they fit in?

Elizabeth: Start by celebrating the fact that you’re here! You’ve already done the hard part. This is a space where you can bring your whole self: vulnerabilities, questions, everything. Just be open to new ideas, new people, and even unexpected emotions. You’ll fit right in.

Q: In your view, what’s the difference between networking and being connected and why does it matter at an event like this?

Elizabeth: Networking is knowing more people. Connection is knowing people more. At Digital Divas, I hope women don’t just collect contacts but create meaningful relationships. Don’t rush. Be present. Let it be real.

Q: You’ve worked across strategy, branding, leadership, and now community-building. What’s one lesson you’ve learned about visibility and value that every woman should know?

Elizabeth: I’ve often been the only woman in the room, and usually the only woman of colour. I had to make myself visible by adding value. Speak to contribute, not just to be heard. Visibility isn’t just being seen; it’s being remembered for impact.

Q: And finally: what does becoming mean to you in this season of life and work?

Elizabeth: Becoming means doing more meaningful work, building with purpose, and aligning with brands and people who want to make a difference, consciously and responsibly. We all go through change and struggle. But if you’re here, reading this, it means your success rate for overcoming hard things is already 100%.

🎟 Early Bird Tickets Now Live

Spend the day with Elizabeth and hundreds of powerful women at Digital Divas 2025: Becoming.

📅 Friday, 29 August 2025 📍 Innovation City Cape Town

Grab your ticket now and start mapping your next chapter. 👉 https://www.quicket.co.za/events/314842-digital-divas-summit-2025/#/