What does your job entail? I lead a team of people who take care of all the aspects of organising events like the Cape Times Discovery Big Walk, from inception to completion.

Inception includes conceptualising the event, budgeting, sponsorship negotiations to achieve the client's objectives and personalised brand opportunities, assisting sponsors to maximise their investments.

I manage putting marketing and media strategies in place, overseeing the entire operational rollout from administration and communication plans to entry systems, logistics and infrastructure, identifying routes, traffic management plans, health and safety processes and security systems.

Last year, we had more than 27 000 people taking part in the Cape Times Big Walk. We also run a similar event in Durban, called the Discovery East Coast Radio Big Walk, which had about 3 000 entrants when we took it over two years ago. This year we had more entrants than the Comrades Marathon.

The Cape Town event has nine routes and takes about nine months to organise, whereas the Durban event takes less time because there are only four routes.

Average work day: In the lead-up to an event, I get to work between 5.30 and 7am and usually leave after 7pm. My tasks include: meetings with sponsors; ensuring the call centres are in place and that the communication plans are going out; and negotiating with the municipal and provincial officials in the various departments such as roadworks, traffic, leisure, parks and amenities. The routes run through different municipal areas and all the authorities have to approve the arrangements for their areas.

Best part of the job: It's very rewarding to work on projects like this that make a tangible difference in the communities where they take place.

Worst part of the job: The job requires complete focus and an enormous investment in time, which takes its toll on family time.

Why did you choose this career? I am a keen sportswoman and I also enjoy the business and marketing aspects of the job. I have been doing this for about 10 years now after starting out as a volunteer registration clerk while I was doing my sales and marketing diploma.

What else would you have liked to do? Nothing.

Are you paid enough? Yes.

Rate your work stress on a scale of 1 to 10: Much of the time stress levels are around 9. Fortunately, we have a good management team with all the members subscribing to a high work ethic, so work becomes fun and stress levels are reduced.

What do you do in your leisure time? I spend time with my family, and I enjoy reading, playing volleyball and snowboarding.

Travel opportunities? I travel mostly in South Africa. But as the events grow, we go to see similar events in other parts of the world to ensure that we are on a par.