Sean Madliwa

Sean Madliwa is an esteemed Director and Chief Transformation Officer at LeadingAndChange, a renowned organization specializing in Leadership Development and Change Management. With a profound dedication to fostering growth and transformation across Africa, Sean empowers individuals and organizations to reach their utmost potential. For more than a decade, he has been at the forefront of Transformational Intelligence™ (TQ), a pioneering framework that drives optimal performance and results.
Additionally, Sean holds credentials as a licensed Global Executive Leadership Coach at Leadership Management International, Inc., and as a Gallup Certified Global Strengths Coach. Through these roles, he delivers executive coaching, leadership development, and change management solutions to a diverse global clientele.
During his career trajectory, Sean served as Chief of Staff and Brand, Marketing, and Communications Leader at Deloitte Africa Operate. In this capacity, he played a pivotal role in guiding strategy development, facilitating innovation, and orchestrating effective communication strategies on a large scale.
Driven by a deep-seated commitment to African advancement, Sean embodies the principles of "Ubuntu" (humanity) in both his personal and professional endeavors. His mission, aligned with that of his organization, centers on empowering women, advocating for gender equality, eradicating poverty, promoting quality education, and fostering inclusive economic growth across the African continent. Through his unwavering dedication, Sean strives to make a meaningful impact that truly matters.

"Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging are not just buzzwords; they're the keys to unlocking the full potential of individuals and organizations. Embrace them, nurture them, and watch as they unleash a wave of innovation, creativity, and collective strength." – Sean Madliwa

Dumisile Le Roux

Dumisile Le Roux, the Acting General Manager of Empowaworx and Head of EmpowaYouth, is a true hero in the realm of empowering township youth in South Africa. With a career to date filled with notable achievements, Dumisile's expertise and drive have positioned her to make an incredible impact on the lives of young individuals.

Throughout her career, Dumisile has amassed a wealth of experience and accomplishments that have fuelled her passion for youth empowerment. Her strategic thinking and dynamic leadership have led to exceptional outcomes in various projects and initiatives. Notably, Dumisile has successfully organized large-scale events that have captivated audiences and generated significant reach and PR coverage worth millions. Her ability to establish strategic partnerships with prominent organizations has allowed her to develop targeted marketing and communication campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences.

"Empowering change through diversity, championing equality, and weaving the fabric of inclusion - as a young force for progress, I navigate the political, corporate, and societal landscape with a vision where every young person's potential is not just recognized, but revered." - Dumisile Le Roux

Sabelo Myeni

Nene Molefi

Owner and CEO of Mandate Molefi Consultants – a company that spans over 20 years in the field of whole system culture change, transformation, diversity, equity and inclusion. Values alignment and leadership development.
Nene is an international speaker with a creative storytelling approach to sharing complex issues of South Africa’s journey to democracy - helping participants navigate the difficult terrain of race, gender and intersectionality in society and their workplace. She has facilitated numerous dialogue sessions and moderated courageous conversations with Boards, Executive Committees & Senior leadership across different sectors and countries.
Nene is an author of a book, A Journey of Diversity and Inclusion in South Africa: Guidelines for Leading Inclusively. She has also co-authored a Guidebook on Global Diversity and Inclusion Benchmarks- Standards around the world.
She is an international Speaker and has facilitated workshops, spoke at conferences in Bangladesh, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Namibia, Pakistan, the USA, the UAE, UK, the USA, on the topic of Diversity & Inclusion, Racism, Change and Values Driven Leadership.
Nene is a guest lecturer on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Duke University CE in SA and an annual guest lecturer for University of Denver, Colorado.
She is a member of the International Women’s Forum (IWFSA) and an Advisory Board member of the Gender Equality Changemakers.

Marie Sebueng

Marie Sebueng is the founder and CEO of IAMS Powerhouse, a company that offers innovative solutions in people and culture as an organizational effectiveness consultancy, aiming to "Change the Way Leaders Learn and Grow in Africa." She is a dynamic businesswoman, keynote speaker, mentor, and executive coach, leading various programs that advocate for entrepreneurship, diversity and inclusion, and leadership development across Africa. Marie holds various qualifications through business schools both locally and internationally. Passionate about Women in Leadership, she is a member of the global network Women Presidents Organization (WPO) and has actively led and facilitated initiatives to create a stronger network of female founders in Africa, recognizing that "true empowerment will come from increased economic trade and activity in Africa for Africa."
With over 15 years of experience as a seasoned executive, Marie has held positions in various listed
organizations, including Investec, Momentum (MMI), ArcelorMittal, and American Towers, a Fortune 500 and Forbes Global 2000 listed company. She has made significant contributions to various industries, including financial services, manufacturing, and telecommunications, operating in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Marie believes that "leadership is about service." As the lead sponsor, she supports and endorses
LadyCode, a non-profit organization that inspires and empowers females to pursue careers in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Maths) by providing previously disadvantaged students with future career skills through coding and technology literacy education. Marie is a mother, an avid cyclist, a foodie at heart, and a firm believer that "With God, all things are possible.”

Kalnisha Singh

Kalnisha is passionate about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion with a particular interest in discussing concepts of African identity, intrinsic bias and gender mainstreaming. She is also vocal about her position on rethinking economic models that serve Africa, as well as the benefits of transformative thought to drive development outcomes.
She is the Founder and Director of KD Strategies, a boutique advisory firm – and the Director of Women Energy Connect (WE Connect), a platform connecting and advocating for women and under- represented individuals within the Energy Sector.
 
Kalnisha was a recipient of the Nelson Mandela Economic Scholarship 2003; and is one of the Young Independents’ Top 100 Influencers of 2016. She has been recognised as one of the top 12 leaders in CSI for 2022/2023; and was awarded the Inclusive Leader and Positive Role Model Awards at the 2022 Accenture Gender Mainstreaming Awards in Gauteng.

Malusi Msimang

A successful and perceptive transformation executive with a career spanning over 17 years in B-BBEE with JSE listed entities and multinational companies. He has a proven track-record in bespoke B-BBEE strategy formulation and implementation, strong technical understanding of B-BBEE legislative framework and its allied policies, formulation of World class Enterprise and Supplier Development strategies and implementation, localisation, strong knowledge of procurement, skills development and employment equity.
I can anticipate and qualify the need for change, set the appropriate directions and build the drive for implementation. I have strong business acumen, building the bridges between the lines of business and transformation strategic objectives with strong focus on delivery of transformation targets in a timely and cost-effective manner, whilst enabling the achievement of the overall business growth objectives.
I also serve on the B-BBEE ICT Sector Council, appointed by the Minister of Department of Communication and Digital Technologies. My roles in the Council comprise being Deputy Chairperson of Exco, Chairperson of Guidance and Monitoring committee and member of the Finance committee.

Busisiwe Hlatshwayo

I am a Black Women in Leadership Coach and Founder of Black Women in the Workplace

I help Black Women reach the next level of impact, income and create enduring legacies by tapping into the wisdom of their intuition and the power of their intentions; embodying the authentic leader within.

I help companies meet their transformation and employment equity targets by helping them attract, retain and create a pipeline of Black Women in Leadership, through creating psychological safe workplaces where Black Women and diverse talent thrives.

A former Supervisor for the MBA (Entrepreneurship) at the GIBS Business School.
An Advisory Board Member for the Black Professionals Month.

I am an established Governance Risk and Compliance Specialist who has implemented a number of RM strategy and system implementations, IT and Project Risk Management for Government country-wide IT programs.

Frank De Beer

Leadership & Culture Architect:

Driven by a passion for people flourishing in vibrant cultures, Frank is a seasoned
Leadership & Culture specialist with 15+ years of experience across diverse
industries. He is deeply invested in empowering leaders and cultivating engaging
high-performing cultures.

Key Highlights:
• Architected & implemented award-winning leadership development
programs.
• Championed culture change initiatives, boosting employee engagement &
performance.
• Proven track record across ICT, Finance, Mining, and more.

Passionate about:
• Designing effective leadership development journeys through Arbinger
Outward mindset frameworks.
• Building cultures of trust & psychological safety.
• Helping organizations unlock peak potential.

"- “Feeling safe to share thoughts, ideas, and concerns is critical to an inclusive environment.” - Frank De Beer

Brigitte Da Gama

Brigitte Da Gama has nearly three decades of experience in the Human Capital field and has worked in the higher education, IT, investment management, insurance, banking, hospitality, logistics and supply chain services sectors. She is a part-time Lecturer at the University of Witwatersrand’s Business School, a public speaker, board member and independent consultant.
She is also committed to building capacity for small and medium enterprises and for entrepreneurs. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Industrial and Organisational Psychology from the University of Cape Town as well as a MBA from the University of Stellenbosch. She previously served on the Council of the University of Cape Town, and she is the previous Chairperson of the Board of Directors for a non-profit training and development company that serves impoverished farming and rural communities.
She has won several national and international awards, including CHRO 2020 Talent Award; the CHRO 2020 Empowerment Award and was the winner of the Future of HR Director of the Year Award in 2020. Brigitte is a member of South African Skills Development Working Group at the BRICS Business Council.

'If more companies understood the relationship between DEIB and financial success, they would give more focus and attention to DEIB.'

Andisa Liba

Andisa is a remarkable force in the world of human potential development and organizational transformation. With over 15 years of experience in diverse industries, including financial services, consulting, digital media, music and fintech startups across the African continent, she has consistently driven innovation and change.
As the Chief People Officer at Floatpays, she plays a pivotal role in shaping the company’s human capital strategies, aligning them with business objectives, and fostering a high-performance culture.

Her influence extends beyond the corporate realm, she actively contributes towards the advancement of women in technology through her co-founding of Women’s Tech Connection, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing opportunities and learning resources.

"The pursuit of DEIB is a responsible obligation and stands as a strategic necessity for cultivating sustainable business models tailored for long term inclusion." - Andisa Liba

Roy Gluckman

I am a qualified attorney and the Director of Run to the Monster, a Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) consulting and training firm. For 10 years, I have been helping organizations address the narratives of mistrust that exist among diverse identities in society. This mistrust can lead to inefficiency, loss of productivity, employee disengagement, lack of innovation, and loss of key talent - all of which harm an organization's bottom line and prevent it from reaching its full potential.

I am committed to assisting organizations achieve inclusion, understanding that inclusion is an OUTPUT, not an INPUT. I have developed and designed DEI programs, technologies, and strategies that have reached a global audience. My approach is characterized by my deep care for the subject, kindness, ability to make people feel safe, skill in making complex ideas digestible and relatable, love of problem-solving and root cause analysis, and drive to be a part of the solution.

The DEIB training landscape has changed. How are you accounting for that change?

Elreech Marney

Elreech Marney is a seasoned HR Professional with a robust educational background, including a Bachelor's in Business Administration and a Post Graduate Honors degree in Human Resources with a triple major in Employee Relations, Industrial Psychology, and Project Management. His academic achievements also include a Diploma in Credit Management, Procurement Supply, and accreditation as a PCC coach. Additionally, he holds a B-BBEE MDP, showcasing his expertise in Transformation.

Currently serving as an HR Enablement & Transformation specialist at Alexforbes, Elreech plays a pivotal role in driving and implementing initiatives that enhance the overall Human Capital and Transformation agenda.

Elreech's personal mission revolves around creating inclusive spaces for individuals in the workplace to be their authentic selves. At Alexforbes, he collaborates across teams to ensure that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are embedded throughout the entire employee life cycle. His team oversees employee resource groups and the center of excellence for DEI-related learning and development training, covering topics such as unconscious bias, anti-racism, and inclusive leadership.
Beyond his role at Alexforbes extends his passion for DEI to coaching the youth, emphasising the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in personal and professional development.

"Relying on someone else to validate my existence would only mean short-changing myself." - Elreech Marney

Malusi Msimang

A successful and perceptive transformation executive with a career spanning over 17 years in B-BBEE with JSE listed entities and multinational companies. He has a proven track-record in bespoke B-BBEE strategy formulation and implementation, strong technical understanding of B-BBEE legislative framework and its allied policies, formulation of World class Enterprise and Supplier Development strategies and implementation, localisation, strong knowledge of procurement, skills development and employment equity.
I can anticipate and qualify the need for change, set the appropriate directions and build the drive for implementation. I have strong business acumen, building the bridges between the lines of business and transformation strategic objectives with strong focus on delivery of transformation targets in a timely and cost-effective manner, whilst enabling the achievement of the overall business growth objectives.
I also serve on the B-BBEE ICT Sector Council, appointed by the Minister of Department of Communication and Digital Technologies. My roles in the Council comprise being Deputy Chairperson of Exco, Chairperson of Guidance and Monitoring committee and member of the Finance committee.

Sinqobile Khuluse

Sinqobile Khuluse (LLB) Chief People Officer. Admitted Attorney. Chair of Manufacturing for Durban Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Advisory Board member of the Ethekwini Maritime Cluster, member of South African Society of Labour Lawyers Association and Women’s International Shipping &Trade Association. Khuluse has previously served as HR Director of Hesto Harnesses. Khuluse was awarded the Imbokodo Women in Maritime Award Best Newcomer, Accenture Gender Mainstreaming Awards Finalist 2022, African Women in Supply Chain Association 2022 - Top 100 Most Influential African Women in Supply Chain and recently a finalist in the CHRO of the Year Awards 2023.

"Leadership sets the tone in all efforts towards business transformation, our ability to turn the tide in male-dominated industries is hedged on the tone at the top." - Sinqobile Khuluse

Njabulo Mashigo

Njabulo is CHRO of the Year 2022 and an international Award-winning HR Leader with a track record of partnering with CEOs, Management Teams and Board Members to drive business performance and transformation. She is passionate about People and Organizational Development.

She is the HR Director, Vodacom South Africa, she is also a Member of Vodafone Senior Leadership Team; Board Member of Vodacom South Africa; and GIBS Advisory Board Member.

Njabulo has 22 years of experience in the Human Resources Management value chain, thirteen years of which have been in Senior Leadership roles.

She previously worked at Heineken, Amsterdam where she had been on assignment as a Talent Management Lead and Opco spanbreaker in the Africa, Middle East and Eastern Europe (AMEE) region since September 2018. Previously, Njabulo held the role of Heineken’s Human Resources Director for Southern Africa.

“To be seen and truly welcome is the biggest gift to allow all to do their best work”- Njabulo Mashigo

Grant Saptoe

Grant Saptoe from Paradigm Management Consulting is an accredited HR Professional and Organisational Change Management Consultant with 20 years multi-sector management experience, as the MD of Paradigm Management Consulting and a specialist on the subject matter pertaining to Bullying in the Workplace.
Paradigm`s bullying interventions attempt to eradicate and eliminate bullying and instil civility in organizations whilst enabling and empowering school leaders to be aware of the dangers of bullying and implement effective strategies.
He has written articles for various magazines, spoken on radio, has also appeared on SABC and engages organizations on bullying interventions to foster professionalism at work.

“putting the human back in resources.”

Dr Jerry Gule

Dr Jerry Gule is a Director, Executive Coach, Chairperson of Boards, a Harvard University graduate. A business executive with an esteemed academic background, vast experience in human resources, he was the CEO of the Institute of People Management (IPM) from June 2017 until April 2023, a leading human resources professional association, that develops the highest ethical standards in HR practices as well as ensuring a healthy talent pipeline for the future. He has published thought leadership articles in People Dynamics, and curated learning and development platforms for professionals, to stay abreast with the emerging trends and acquire new knowledge and skills.

"They say DEIB does not work, especially when it comes to disability inclusion. Well, I hold a contrary POV." - Dr Jerry Gule

Kyle Chetty

A passionate HR leader with over 13 years of experience across diverse industries. I'm dedicated to shaping HR strategies, fostering employee engagement, and driving organizational performance.

🌍 My journey has taken me across South Africa, Southern Africa, and the United States, providing me with invaluable international experience. I hold a BCom Honours Degree in HR Management and a BCom Degree in HR & Marketing, both accredited by the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP), where I'm also registered as an HR Professional.

📚 My commitment to growth and development led me to complete an International Leadership Program with GIBS. As a Gallup Strengths Coach, I leverage strengths to empower individuals and teams for success.

🎙️ As a frequent speaker at international HR conferences and seminars, I'm dedicated to sharing knowledge and insights to benefit the HR community. Notably, I'm a member of the conference committee of IPM (Institute of People Management).

🏆 I'm honored to have received recognition as the Young CHRO of the Year in 2020 and being a finalist in the Future of HR awards for HR Director of the Year and Best HR Strategy. People Hum also named me one of the top 100 most inspirational leaders in 2021.

Bohlale Paile

Experienced Graduate Recruitment and Development Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the financial services and legal industry. Skilled in Analytical Skills, Graduate Recruitment, Technical Recruiting, Screening, and Management. Strong human resources professional with a B.Com Honours focused in Human Resources and Management from University of the Witwatersrand.

Antoinette Roberts

My life purpose is to uncover my authentic self and guide others to do the same. My primary personality style is driver and visionary, which translates into a natural dominance and readily takes charge of situations, getting things done. I am lively and enthusiastic in my approach. I am highly integrated on a personal mastery level, and I can overcome any obstacles.
My emotional intelligence has developed in self-acceptance, acceptance of reality, curiosity, impact on others. I place a high value on courage and although this gives me the willingness to take chances and weigh up the possibilities that guide quick decision making, even if things are difficult.
My thinking patterns allow me to think big picture and translate it into well-defined action plans. Making a positive change in the lives of others adds meaning to my life. My head dimension is influenced by my years of experience it spans over many different departments, roles that broaden my skill set.
My academic learning as a Ph.D. gave me the ability to conceptualize and find innovative solutions with long term value for organisations and shareholders.

Sean Madliwa

Sean Madliwa is an esteemed Director and Chief Transformation Officer at LeadingAndChange, a renowned organization specializing in Leadership Development and Change Management. With a profound dedication to fostering growth and transformation across Africa, Sean empowers individuals and organizations to reach their utmost potential. For more than a decade, he has been at the forefront of Transformational Intelligence™ (TQ), a pioneering framework that drives optimal performance and results.
Additionally, Sean holds credentials as a licensed Global Executive Leadership Coach at Leadership Management International, Inc., and as a Gallup Certified Global Strengths Coach. Through these roles, he delivers executive coaching, leadership development, and change management solutions to a diverse global clientele.
During his career trajectory, Sean served as Chief of Staff and Brand, Marketing, and Communications Leader at Deloitte Africa Operate. In this capacity, he played a pivotal role in guiding strategy development, facilitating innovation, and orchestrating effective communication strategies on a large scale.
Driven by a deep-seated commitment to African advancement, Sean embodies the principles of "Ubuntu" (humanity) in both his personal and professional endeavors. His mission, aligned with that of his organization, centers on empowering women, advocating for gender equality, eradicating poverty, promoting quality education, and fostering inclusive economic growth across the African continent. Through his unwavering dedication, Sean strives to make a meaningful impact that truly matters.

"Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging are not just buzzwords; they're the keys to unlocking the full potential of individuals and organizations. Embrace them, nurture them, and watch as they unleash a wave of innovation, creativity, and collective strength." – Sean Madliwa

Boniwe Dunster

Boniwe Dunster is an IPM Human Resources Practitioner of the Year Finalist (2022) with over 16 years’ experience from various industries (Manufacturing, Management Consulting and Financial Services). She is passionate about education, people development, fairness in the workplace, community projects and uses her work and general life experience together with the networks she has built over the years to educate people about the world of work, it’s everyday dynamics and how to navigate its complexities. She is the founder of Blue Eagle Human Capital Practice, which she founded in November 2021 with the aim of simplifying HR Concepts and making HR advisory and services available to everyone. She is currently doing her Masters in People Management with the University of Cape Town.

“We are each unique with special talents to offer and that is our superpower”

Thandeka Ndlovu-Mngomezulu

Thandeka Ndlovu-Mngomezulu is the Founding Member and
CEO TotalServe Facilities Management, a facilities management
and professional services company which is a value adding
contributor in the Built Environment and Property Sector.
Thandeka is also a founding partner of Thasola Consulting
(Accounting and Corporate Compliance and Governance
Firm). She is also a founding member of the INK Foundation
NPC, a non-profit organization which focuses on development
and accessing scholarships for the youth of Durban’s northern
townships where she grew up.

Thandeka holds an Honours Degree in Commerce, and
Taxation as well as diplomas in Project Management. She
has also obtained several program certificates from GIBS
(Entrepreneurship in the Green Economy- JP Morgan), UCT
GSB (Property Development Program) and WITS (Facilities
Management Program), Thandeka was in 2018 nominated as
a Leading Woman in Property at the 2018 Woman in Property
Network KZN Chapter Awards.

In 2019 she was nominated as Businesswoman of the Year
Award. Thandeka in 2019 also represented South Africa at the
Vital Voices Programme where 50 women around the world
to deliberate on Women and Entrepreneurship. Thandeka has
in 2019 also been named as finalist of the Top Co Vision 2030
Sustainable SMME’s which recognizes significant contribution
and leadership in various sectors. Thandeka has recently been
awarded the Top Women Entrepreneur by Standard Bank and
TopCo Media.
Thandeka is passionate about the growth of all South
Africans with a particular emphasis on the youth and women.
Thandeka is a beneficiary of GIBS and JP Morgan Green
Economy Program. Investec Global Exposure Program and
Bosch Ulwazi Management Program. Thandeka holds several
board positions for private companies across sectors.
Thandeka is a mother of two and also happens to be a self taught
culinary chef and a sustainability enthusiast.

“Diversity is about all of us, and about us having to figure out how to walk through this world together” - Jacqueline Woodson

Teresa Oakley-Smith

TERESA HAS A MASTER’S DEGREE (CUM LAUDE) IN EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY AND WORKED AS AN ACADEMIC AT WITS UNIVERSITY FOR 12 YEARS BEFORE LEAVING IN 1993 TO SET UP DIVERSITY, A PIONEERING COMPANY, WORKING IN THE FIELD OF DEIB. SUBSEQUENTLY SHE HAS WORKED WITH MOST OF SOUTH AFRICA’S BLUE-CHIP AND OTHER COMPANIES AND ACROSS MANY SECTORS AS DIFFERENT AS MINING AND FINANCE. SHE HAS ALSO ASSISTED SCHOOLS WITH DEIB AS WELL AS MOST OF SOUTH AFRICA’S UNIVERSITIES.
RECENTLY HER REPUTATION HAS SPREAD ABROAD AND SHE HAS RECENTLY COMPLETED DEIB WORK FOR AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL GLOBALLY, AND MÉDECINS SANS FRONTIERS AND HAS ALSO WORKED IN PALESTINE AND MEXICO AS WELL AS AT THE EUROPEAN UNION.
SINCE THE ADVENT OF COVID SHE HAS INTERESTED HERSELF AND HER TEAM IN THE CHALLENGE OF MAKING DEIB ACCESSIBLE VIA SOCIAL MEDIA USING VIDEO AND E-LEARNING. SHE HAS DEVELOPED SOUTH AFRICA’S FIRST SOUTH AFRICAN E-LEARNING PROGRAMME, WHICH HAS PROVED SUCCESSFUL ACROSS A NUMBER OF ORGANISATIONS.
SHE HAS SAT ON 3 GOVERNMENTAL COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY INTO RACISM ONE OF WHICH SHE CHAIRED. SHE HAS A CONSUMING PASSION FOR DEIB AND ANTI-RACISM WORK AND BELIEVES THAT SOUTH AFRICA IS A WORLD LEADER IN THIS FIELD.

Jabu Zwane

Jabu Zwane is a Mindset Development Specialist who helps professionals, executives and organisations to build critical mindsets, vital for success in Leadership, Confidence, High-Performance, Effective Communication, Entrepreneurship, Relationship Management and Diversity Inclusion. As a Global Speaker, Executive Coach, Facilitator and Trainer, Mr. Zwane has done work for over 25 companies, in over 10 countries, 3 continents, including multi-nationals and institutions of higher learning.

Founder of The Mindset Development Institute. He has developed over 30 mindset models for critical thinking in Personal development, Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Diversity Inclusion, Effective Communication, and High Performance, since 2019.

Shobana Maikoo

Shobana Maikoo is the Head of TransUnion's Global Capability Centre in Africa, where she is responsible for aligning the centre’s strategy and priorities to those of TransUnion, while enabling the company’s global operating model. She is also responsible for leading and overseeing its current workforce of 800+ employees to support the enhancement and creation of new capabilities, drive new product and service offerings to the market and enable value optimisation for the enterprise.

Shobana has more than 20 years of experience in operations management across the recruitment and staffing industries, and previously held senior management positions at Altron People Solutions and Quest Staffing Solutions. She holds a postgraduate diploma in business management from the Henley Business School, a senior management development programme from the University of Stellenbosch Business School, and is currently pursuing an MBA.

Her career has been defined by her deep care for people. At the GCC Africa she’s contributing to creating sustainable career opportunities for both abled and differently-abled, South Africans, making a real, lasting difference in the lives of others. Her impact has been widely recognised, notably when she won the 2023 BPESA CEO’s Top Women in GBS Leadership Award.

Leanne Viviers

Leànne is a passionate social entrepreneur on a mission to help people unlock their potential. With a diverse background as Systems Engineer, Management Consultant and Solutions Architect, coupled with an MBA from Oxford, she has dedicated her career spearheading transformative initiatives across various industries globally, as well as the World Bank Group.
In 2015, she took a pivotal step and founded Mintor, an HR Tech business that harnesses the power of chat-based AI to empower the global digitally disconnected workforce and their employers alike. Mintor recently won the Africa & Middle East SHRM award for its innovative use of chatbot tech that unlocks employee wellbeing and empowers HR teams to spend more time with people and less with paper. In her spare time, Leanne is an Aerial Silk artist, mountain biker, contemporary dancer and mentor to young entrepreneurs.

"Diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance." - Verna Myers

Xoe Mfokazi

A seasoned leader in Functional Outsourcing a well as Workforce solutions.
I have 7+ Years’ experience in Strategic Client Relationship Management in both BPO and Functional Outsourcing, accompanied by 14+ Years’ experience in Workforce solutions sector managing large teams deployed to clients.

Cindy Squair

Cindy is a seasoned Human Resource professional with extensive experience in consulting with large organisations across all levels. With her honours in Industrial Psychology and an internationally accredited coaching certification, Cindy brings a wealth of experience from various fields she has applied her trade. Cindy thrives on building meaningful relationships with all those that she engages with and has wide experience facilitating teams across levels in organisations working as a one-to-one development coach and facilitator of small groups to webinars with hundreds of delegates, bringing personal connection and engagement in all forums. She is currently pursuing an MPhil in Leadership Coaching at the Stellenbosch Business School.

DE&I is so much more than just policies and compliance. When we allow employees to show up authentically they will stop fighting for belonging and make magic.

Marlinie Ramsamy

Marlinie is a seasoned business woman, public speaker and though leaders. She is recognised as an energetic, vibrant and empathic keynote speaker with her expertise lying in helping leaders and organisations develop leadership capabilities that drive results and engage people.

With more than a decade of experience and a specialise in leadership development, Marlinie has worked with many large blue chip organisations assisting them to achieve results that require a change in human behaviour in the following areas:

Strategy execution using the 4 Disciplines of Execution approach
Talent Building and Management
Creating enabling culture / Business Culture change
Productivity
Trust
Education

Her passion lies in advancing human performance through a practical and principle centred approach. She believes that great leaders lead their organisation through unleashing the latent talent of their people, clarifying purpose, aligning systems and inspiring trust – key characteristics that create an endearing influence on the organisation’s culture, people engagement and ultimately on business results.

Veli Ndaba

Veli Ndaba is a Mind-Transformer, he transforms Human Minds from Mental Darkness to Mental Light. He believes that life does not give you what you want, but what you are. His purpose is to help leaders understand the mechanics of the brain and how the mind gets into the state of peak performance. To achieve this, he pioneered a unique leadership high performance tool called the "Veli Ndaba NeuroEngineering Leadership Effect" #VNNLE which he delivers with so much passion and energy in his Talks, Workshops, and Coaching sessions. The #VNNLE is based on the fundamental principles of Neuroscience, Engineering and Motivation.

“It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.” – Audre Lorde

Vannie Pillay

Through, Oaktree People Solutions, where she is CEO and MD, Vannie has sharpened her craft to serve leaders and SMEs - through the “Ignite SME HUB”, leadership, and entrepreneur development programs and business solutions and services. Her purpose is to ignite growth, helping leaders and SMEs thrive.
As a trusted advisor with 20+ years in high-impact experience addressing people and business strategy, Vannie has a background in providing leadership and strategic direction to CEOs, and C-suite executives to help build their businesses, through scale-up, turnaround, and development and coaching programs.

“Without courage, you cannot practice Diversity and Inclusion consistently” Maya Angelou.

Frik Boonzaaier

"Performance and productivity in diversity" is what we assist companies with. People matter and we all have our individual stories which need to be told and acknowledged if we are to work together for the good of all in our diverse teams. When we talk about Human Capital Transformation, we can't talk about it without talking about Diversity and Inclusion.

I would appreciate it if you would visit the Transformational B-BBEE section on http://www.beesa.co.za/consulting/ to view the approach to B-BBEE which we follow within my specific division in BEESA. My specific focus is on Human Capital Transformation in big corporates in relation to the Human Capital B-BBEE elements (Management Control and Skills Development).

I also have over 15 years of experience in developing and driving the implementation of strategic Skills Development, Employment Equity and Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) plans.

Nomthandazo Mavuso

I am a seasoned organisational effectiveness senior leader with almost two decades of internal and external consultancy experience. Throughout my career, I have led and delivered large-scale organisation-wide culture transformation, technology implementation, and employee engagement initiatives that impacted over 60,000 employees across diverse industries.

I am passionate about Culture, Diversity, and Inclusion. I serve as the chairperson of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Track for the Institute of People Management (IPM) Convention. My role is to lead a team of DEI experts who are responsible for curating thought-provoking DEI dialogues and identifying exceptional speakers to drive these important discussions during the IPM Convention.

I am privileged to have led the development and execution of the Tiger Brands and Sasol Culture Transformation Journey and DEI strategies and programs to enhance Gender Equity, Disability Inclusion, Race Diversity, and more.

Antoinette Roberts

My life purpose is to uncover my authentic self and guide others to do the same. My primary personality style is driver and visionary, which translates into a natural dominance and readily takes charge of situations, getting things done. I am lively and enthusiastic in my approach. I am highly integrated on a personal mastery level, and I can overcome any obstacles.
My emotional intelligence has developed in self-acceptance, acceptance of reality, curiosity, impact on others. I place a high value on courage and although this gives me the willingness to take chances and weigh up the possibilities that guide quick decision making, even if things are difficult.
My thinking patterns allow me to think big picture and translate it into well-defined action plans. Making a positive change in the lives of others adds meaning to my life. My head dimension is influenced by my years of experience it spans over many different departments, roles that broaden my skill set.
My academic learning as a Ph.D. gave me the ability to conceptualize and find innovative solutions with long term value for organisations and shareholders.

Candice Naidoo

Finalist - Top Women in GBS Leadership (The 2023 BPESA GBS Alchemy Awards) | Finalist- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Excellence (The 2023 Institute of People Management Awards).
Candice is an ardent champion of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion within her organization. She has been with the organization for more than 20 years and has served in various roles of leadership. She is passionate about talent development and invests most of her time in mentoring young leaders within the organization. Candice participates in various industry initiatives and has been a panelist in several industry body conventions.

“Diversity: the art of thinking independently together” - Malcolm Forbes

Goodnews Cadogan

I derive pleasure from working with my colleagues and clients, as we develop resilient strategic foresight, through transformative narrative. Advocating for the chosen values and influencing foresight outcomes through same is the major driver of my efforts as a Value Curator, always supporting our chosen brand promise.
Over the years, my professional and leadership journey took me from electro-technical engineering to manufacturing management, human capital management, public policy, tax administration and lately, management consulting and executive coaching.

I began by developing the capability to diagnose and problem-solve with very narrow margin for creativity. I have learned that answers are no longer obvious and the margin of error can be disastrous if I do not work with the benefit of collective probity.

Dominic Gaobepe

Dominic Gaobepe is a speaker, trainer & entrepreneur. As a co-founder of Cohesion Collective he works with local and multinational companies to contribute towards social cohesion and nation building by enabling them to build the skill set & mindset of equality, diversity & inclusive leadership. He holds a Bachelors degree in Economics from Rhodes University. After graduating he worked within the Human Resources field for Unilever SA & South African Breweries, adding value and building expertise in the areas of leadership development, high performing teams & organisational transformation.

To serve his community he has co-founded The Yearning Soul Life-Coaching Ministry which is a Christian organisation aimed at social development and imparting business & life skills to men, women and the youth.

"Excellence exists within every group of the human family and each individual has inherent value. Embrace this and you solve for DEIB at work and our societies." - Dominic Gaobepe

Teresa Oakley-Smith

TERESA HAS A MASTER’S DEGREE (CUM LAUDE) IN EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY AND WORKED AS AN ACADEMIC AT WITS UNIVERSITY FOR 12 YEARS BEFORE LEAVING IN 1993 TO SET UP DIVERSITY, A PIONEERING COMPANY, WORKING IN THE FIELD OF DEIB. SUBSEQUENTLY SHE HAS WORKED WITH MOST OF SOUTH AFRICA’S BLUE-CHIP AND OTHER COMPANIES AND ACROSS MANY SECTORS AS DIFFERENT AS MINING AND FINANCE. SHE HAS ALSO ASSISTED SCHOOLS WITH DEIB AS WELL AS MOST OF SOUTH AFRICA’S UNIVERSITIES.
RECENTLY HER REPUTATION HAS SPREAD ABROAD AND SHE HAS RECENTLY COMPLETED DEIB WORK FOR AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL GLOBALLY, AND MÉDECINS SANS FRONTIERS AND HAS ALSO WORKED IN PALESTINE AND MEXICO AS WELL AS AT THE EUROPEAN UNION.
SINCE THE ADVENT OF COVID SHE HAS INTERESTED HERSELF AND HER TEAM IN THE CHALLENGE OF MAKING DEIB ACCESSIBLE VIA SOCIAL MEDIA USING VIDEO AND E-LEARNING. SHE HAS DEVELOPED SOUTH AFRICA’S FIRST SOUTH AFRICAN E-LEARNING PROGRAMME, WHICH HAS PROVED SUCCESSFUL ACROSS A NUMBER OF ORGANISATIONS.
SHE HAS SAT ON 3 GOVERNMENTAL COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY INTO RACISM ONE OF WHICH SHE CHAIRED. SHE HAS A CONSUMING PASSION FOR DEIB AND ANTI-RACISM WORK AND BELIEVES THAT SOUTH AFRICA IS A WORLD LEADER IN THIS FIELD.