Philip Morris International (PMI) is transforming its business, moving beyond cigarettes to invest in smoke‑free alternatives that science shows are less harmful than smoking. This evolution is not simply about changing products; it is a reinvention of how the company operates, with the ultimate goal of replacing cigarettes entirely. At the heart of this transformation lies innovation and technology, but equally important are the people, culture, capabilities, skills, leadership, and ways of working that will make a smoke‑free future possible.
It is within this context that Palesa Moloi steps into the role of Director of People & Culture at Philip Morris South Africa, charged with advancing the same vision locally. Guided by curiosity, courage and a deep commitment to people, she embraces a mandate defined by transformation, helping teams move beyond legacy thinking, building future‑fit capabilities and creating a workplace that attracts and retains the talent needed to accelerate South Africa’s smoke‑free future.
READ – Philip Morris South Africa Appoints First Female General Manager
In her role, Moloi is focused on what transformation demands daily. With PMI having invested more than USD 16 billion in smoke‑free products since 2008 and with smoke‑free products accounting for 41.5% of total net revenues in 2025 1, she is encouraged by this progress which for her reflects just how deeply the company is shifting resources and redefining how it operates.
“To accelerate a smoke‑free future, people have to feel equipped to challenge legacy ways of working, to learn continuously, and to build solutions that are agile, inclusive and fit for purpose,” she says. “My job is to create the environment where that becomes possible, where people want to work here, grow here, and help build what’s next.”
A vision rooted in people
As she steps into her new role, Moloi joins a business where people and culture are central to its future. She brings clarity of purpose and intent, making it clear this is more than a career move, it is a role aligned with her values and vision for meaningful organisational impact. As PMI’s smoke‑free products expand across markets, success will hinge on teams that can innovate, adapt quickly and collaborate in new ways.
READ – BAT Pauses Vape Plans
Moloi is well equipped for this challenge. Her story begins in Soweto, a foundation that shaped her deep respect for people, structure and discipline, before moving through Johannesburg and now Cape Town.
Raised in a traditional home, she describes a childhood defined by precision and high standards. That meticulousness, paired with a strong moral grounding, continues to shape her leadership style, one rooted in consistency, principle and doing what is right, even when it is difficult.
An unexpected calling
A career in People and Culture was never part of the plan.
Originally on a science track, Moloi’s path shifted after a formative high school experience, where she observed a human resources leader advocating for fairness in hiring decisions.
“What stayed with me was hearing someone say, this person also deserves a chance,” she recalls.
It was a moment that revealed the power of influence in shaping people’s lives and set her on a path she would pursue with determination.
Moloi’s experience across African markets, including roles linked to multinational environments like Macmillan Southern Africa, proved to be a turning point.
What began as regional exposure became a lesson in diverse thinking and cultural intelligence.
“I knew what I knew in South Africa, but that didn’t work everywhere,” she says.
Early missteps forced her to confront a critical truth: applying a single lens to complex environments leads to failure.
Instead, she learned to engage people at a deeper level, understand context before acting, and adapt her thinking to different cultural and organisational realities.
“That period was one of my biggest failures, but also my greatest growth,” she reflects.
It was here that Moloi developed what colleagues now describe as her superpower: the ability to think beyond processes and consider the full interplay between people, business, and context.
Much of that growth has been shaped by reflection.
READ – Zimbabwe’s Tobacco Season Starts With Promise
Years of travelling alone early in her career created space for deep thinking. She developed a habit of interrogating her decisions, behaviours and assumptions.
“That thinking time became my superpower,” she says.
Today, while life is fuller, as a mother, wife, and MBA candidate, that instinct remains a constant. Moloi’s move to PMSA was not driven by title or job description. After engaging with leadership and experiencing their passion for people and culture, her perspective shifted.
Moloi has hit the ground running and is already helping to shape PMSA’s goal of a smoke-free future through thoughtful leadership, principled action and a strong belief in the power of people to drive transformation.