Events & Summits

is a distinguished leader with over 20 years of experience in climate, sustainability, ESG, and development finance. Celebrated for her combination of technical expertise and strategic vision, she has designed innovative, context-specific methodologies for climate risk assessment, resilience building, and transition planning. She has crafted Just Transition Strategies, developed Integrated Sustainable Finance Frameworks, and established ESG safeguard systems for diverse organisations. Her leadership empowers organisations to convert sustainability ambitions into actionable, investable projects and embed climate risk and resilience. As Chair of the Sustainable Finance Coalition, she continues to influence the evolving landscape of climate risk, green finance, and sustainable development.

is a sustainable finance lawyer who advises investors, portfolio companies, and consulting firms. She is currently a Director at Biodiversity Finance Network, a media and research company that focuses on the synergies between sustainable finance, biodiversity conservation, and digital innovation. Sayuri was previously the ESG Director at Open Access Data Centres and an Associate Director: ESG in the strategy consulting practice of PwC.

is the first-ever Group Sustainability Officer at Raubex, appointed in October 2022 to lead the Group's sustainability strategy and reporting. She was instrumental in overseeing the launch of Raubex's inaugural Sustainability Report in 2024, a milestone reflecting the company's commitment to transparency, ethical practices, and long-term value creation. Sandra began her career at Raubex in 2008 as Financial Manager at National Asphalt, before moving into health, safety, and environmental management. She served as HSE Manager at National Asphalt (2014–2019) and Shisalanga Construction (2019–2022), with more than 15 years of industry experience integrating safety and sustainability into operational practices.

is a leading voice in social impact measurement and management, with over a decade of experience guiding organisations to embed social value into their strategies. As a Partner at Embedding Impact, he helps clients navigate the intersection of impact, strategy, and sustainability. Known for his pragmatic and training-focused approach, Reinoud translates technical frameworks into practical tools that enable organisations to track, evaluate, and optimise their social and environmental performance. He specialises in aligning decision-making processes with global best practices, using data-driven insights to inform and enhance value creation. Reinoud represents Social Value International in South Africa and is a long-time advocate of the SDG Impact Standards and other global impact principles. His career also includes co-founding The Experience Factory, where he used creative methodologies to catalyse social change. Respected across the impact community for his leadership and collaboration, Reinoud brings a unique blend of global insight and local relevance to every engagement.

is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in project and engineering management, specializing in marketing strategies, business growth, and customer retention. He has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Mauritius Renewable Energy Agency (MARENA) under the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities. Previously, he chaired the Energy Efficiency Committee and the MARENA, ensuring compliance with governance and regulatory frameworks. He holds a Masters in ESG, a Master in Business Administration, a Master in Industrial Systems Engineering, holds advanced degrees in Aeronautics, Maintenance and Industrial Automation, Project Leadership Certification. Danen is also a certified Renewable Energy Consultant Expert from the Renewable Energy Institute. With a proven track record of leading dynamic, national, and international teams, Danen is dedicated to driving innovation and efficiency in the energy sector.

is the Senior Business Development Associate – Lead, Programs at B Lab Africa, where she helps drive the growth of sustainability-focused initiatives across key African markets, including South Africa, Kenya, Mauritius, Egypt, Nigeria, and Ghana. As part of a dynamic business development team, Melaney plays a key role in identifying strategic opportunities, managing stakeholder relationships, and co-leading program design and execution to accelerate impact among businesses committed to environmental and social governance. She supports ecosystem building with a strong focus on scaling B Lab's reach and relevance in the African context. With over a decade of international experience in creative direction, ethical product development, and brand strategy, Melaney brings a unique lens to systems change. An entrepreneur at heart, she brings experience bridging creative industries and sustainability. Before joining B Lab Africa, she worked as a consultant and founded WhatWeCherish, a sustainable African luxury agency that championed artisan-led and women-owned brands. Melaney is a regular speaker on the circular economy, inclusive business, and sustainable procurement.

is a distinguished expert in ESG, Climate Finance, and Sustainable Investment Strategy, with multiple years of experience integrating ESG principles into investment risk management and financial decision-making across multiple sectors. Currently serves as Head of ESG & Climate Finance at the National Infrastructure Fund (NIF). Before her current role, she held senior leadership positions at Nedbank Corporate Investment Banking (NCIB) and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), where she was responsible for Social & Environmental Risk Management and ESG investment advisory for large-scale infrastructure projects. She also contributed as an Employer Trustee on the DBSA Pension Fund Board, integrating sustainable investment principles into pension fund asset allocation and risk management.

is a food justice activist and has been involved in the development sector for nearly 30 years. He is currently the managing director of FoodForward SA, which he joined in 2013. FoodForward SA's core focus is FoodBanking — the timeous recovery of quality edible, within-date surplus food from the supply chain to address food insecurity at scale. Andy spearheaded significant innovative change at FoodForward SA by introducing good governance, operational efficiency, financial sustainability, and digital technology, allowing the organisation to scale into all 9 provinces. Andy holds an Honours Degree in Public Administration and an MPhil in Theology and is passionate about making a difference in the social development sector.

is a Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)) and entrepreneur, renowned for founding Unconventional CA (UCA), an entrepreneur development hub dedicated to supporting Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in South Africa. His journey is marked by resilience, having faced the liquidation of his first business in 2015, an experience that profoundly shaped his approach to entrepreneurship. Additionally, Hiten overcame epilepsy, being nine years free of any episodes and off medication for three years, which instilled in him the power of the mind and the impact of controlling one's thoughts.

practices as a Chief Economist and Capital Markets Strategist, and is CEO and Founding Director of Antswisa Management Group — a South Africa's diversified business and alternative investment firm with leading investing businesses across asset classes including private equity. Mr Mkhabela is a South African businessman dedicated to building Africa's future through economic development, infrastructure and industrial investment, shared growth, and institutional reform. He is an active philanthropist supporting education, health, environmental protection and women and youth development, having signed The United Nations Women Development Accord in 2015. He is also a Venture Capital entrepreneur focusing on SMEs in Mining, Agroprocessing, light manufacturing and technology.

CEO of FETSI Data Technologies, creator of FETSI Access, SA's first AI platform designed to remove digital, financial, and economic barriers for people living with disabilities. Top 100 CIO; Africa's Influential Woman in Tech winner; and Women in Tech Award Winner 2025.

is a Consultant in ESG and Sustainable Finance at Aspect Advisory, specialising in climate finance systems design, ESG integration and sustainable-finance methodology development for African financial institutions and development organisations. Her work centres on building practical, context-appropriate frameworks for climate-risk assessment, ESG scoring, transition planning and sustainable-finance implementation across emerging markets. She has contributed to a wide range of advisory, modelling and methodology projects, including risk-based pricing, climate-risk scenario development, sustainability reporting alignment and RFP-led climate-finance solution design. Passionate about financial inclusion and equitable development, she is committed to strengthening financial literacy and empowering women through accessible, practical finance education.

is a seasoned Chartered Accountant and executive leader with extensive experience in corporate finance, organisational transformation, strategic governance, and enterprise development. Recognised for his ability to drive financial sustainability, operational excellence, and impactful change, he has contributed to strengthening institutions across multiple sectors, including engineering, manufacturing, retail, conservation, logistics, and public administration. He currently serves as Executive: Transformation and Economic Development at the KwaZulu-Natal Economic Regulatory Authority (KZNERA). His expertise spans financial strategy, risk management, digital transformation, business turnaround, and stakeholder engagement at executive and board levels. As a business founder and advisor, he has supported more than 30 organisations in improving financial stability, restructuring operations, and unlocking growth opportunities. Bonga is also an active lecturer and tutor at Honours level, as well as a mentor and public speaker, having presented at national and continental platforms including the Africa CFO Forum and the Gambling Regulators Africa Forum.

is a thought leader and trusted expert in environmental sustainability with expertise in Sustainable Finance, Carbon Accounting, Corporate Sustainability/ESG, Climate Change and Environmental Risk Management, and Environmental Law and Compliance. He has been part of the Group Sustainability team that started the sustainability/ESG initiative in Standard Bank and helped establish the sustainability team in Liberty Group. He played a role in the industry through BASA, BUSA, and the NBI in developing legislation such as the Climate Change Act and the Carbon Tax Act, and helped establish the ESG compliance framework for Standard Bank. He was featured in the 2017 JSE magazine: Down to Earth, and in Standard Bank's 2016 Report to Society.

is a Sustainability, Water, and Innovation Strategist with more than 20 years of experience in market development, cross-sector collaboration, and implementation sciences. Currently focused on growth and development in African markets, including supporting commercial development for emerging solutions, strategy design, and circular models. Her passion lies in translating innovation to impact, developing new implementation pathways and investment partnerships that support sustainable and just transitions. She is the recipient of the African Green Futures Leadership Award, a DANIDA Circular Leadership Fellow, and previous Assessor of the South African National Science and Innovation Awards. Chantal has led mega-programmes with international philanthropic and investment partners and continues to collaborate on academic publications as a research associate and supervisor with the Gordon Institute of Business Science.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Siyakha Consulting, Dionne has actively advised both public and private sector clients in Transformation, Development and Strategy since leaving the banking industry in 1998. Working in Sustainability, BEE and Transformation, she guides inward investment and successful operating models to optimise South African growth. Her work in Africa includes more than 16 African countries to support business excellence and local relevance. She is a regular contributor, thought leader and public speaker on key elements of social impact, people, sustainability, shared value, and maximising impact. Dionne has served on several Executive committees and is an activist on issues of change and development. She has served as a judge for the Black Business Quarterly Awards, the Top Women Awards, the Nedbank Top Empowerment Awards, and the African Business Awards, among others.

is an accomplished Corporate Advisor and admitted Advocate with extensive experience across the manufacturing, commercial, construction, mining, and legal sectors, with a strong focus on ESG integration. She demonstrates deep expertise in regulatory compliance, corporate governance, ESG risk management, corporate troubleshooting, insurance, and the negotiation, drafting, and review of complex commercial and manufacturing contracts. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with a specialisation in Commercial and Corporate Law, and is recognised for a positive, solutions-driven approach and a commitment to fostering collaborative, cross-functional environments that support responsible manufacturing and long-term value creation.

is an independent ESG, policy, and strategic communications consultant working at the intersection of sustainable development, extractives governance, and community-centred economic transformation in Africa. He holds a BSc in Political Science from the University of Pretoria and has recently completed a Certificate in ESG Reporting through The ESG Institute. His consulting practice spans ESG strategy, impact documentation, policy alignment, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communication, with a strong emphasis on mining-affected regions across South Africa, particularly the Platinum Belt and the North West Province. He currently serves as Communications and Stakeholder Relations Liaison for the Mining Impact Summit 2026.

is a Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)), entrepreneur, and International Business Coach, renowned for being a Founder at The Unconventional CA, a venture-building firm dedicated to supporting SMMEs in South Africa and beyond. Driven by a passion for impact-driven entrepreneurship, innovation, and financial sustainability, Jameel has helped thousands of entrepreneurs, start-ups, and small businesses navigate financial compliance, investment readiness, and scaling strategies. His work has earned him recognition as a Top 35 Under 35 CA(SA) Finalist in 2023, and he has been featured in Accountancy SA's Cover Story.

works at the intersection of cities, finance and institutional partnerships, focusing on the upstream conditions that make climate and development projects investable, credible and scalable. She currently works with ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability World Secretariat, supporting cities across Africa, Asia and Latin America in shaping early-stage project pipelines, designing partnership models and aligning donor, investor and private sector engagement for subnational and municipal projects. Her experience spans innovative finance, ESG and corporate sustainability and resource mobilisation, including prior roles with World Benchmarking Alliance and the International Committee of the Red Cross. She holds a dual Master's degree from Sciences Po Paris and Peking University.

is a South African green economy and circular systems specialist with eight years of experience across the African waste and resource economy. Her expertise lies in applied research, regulatory analysis, and market-based systems design that inform ESG-aligned programme development and institutional strengthening. She has led national and sub-national policy reviews, feasibility studies, and market assessments supporting Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems, waste value chain development, and circular economy infrastructure. Through her consulting practice, Eco Nova, Joanna supports public and private sector clients in developing context-specific ESG frameworks and conducting ESG impact assessments grounded in regulatory requirements and measurable performance indicators.

is the Managing Director of The Policy Group, a Nairobi-based advisory firm specialising in public policy, government relations, and stakeholder engagement across Africa. With over 14 years of experience in high-level public administration, she previously served in the Kenyan Presidency, where she led policy and legislative initiatives under the President's Delivery Unit. Before founding The Policy Group, Joanne was Director of Policy, Advocacy & Partnerships at Sanergy, where she worked to institutionalise Kenya's National Sanitation Management Policy and the Sustainable Waste Management Act. Her advisory work spans collaborations with the African Development Bank, ITU, SADC, and UNDP, supporting regulatory reform across Sub-Saharan Africa. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Actuarial Science and a qualification in Applied Accounting.

is a financial inclusion and development finance expert with 28 years of experience expanding access to finance for SMEs and MSMEs across Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Asia. He specialises in training local banks on sustainable lending practices, designing credit guarantee mechanisms, and structuring innovative financing instruments. As Team Leader for EBRD Egypt Green Economy Finance Facility, AFD Namibia SUNREF, and KfW Green Efficiency Financing Facility, he mobilised over EUR 200 million in credit to previously underserved market segments. He has advised on more than 200 transactions for USAID, EBRD, AUDA-NEPAD, EU, AFD, World Bank, EIB, and other leading development finance institutions. He is Managing Partner of the Senatla Sustainable Infrastructure Fund and holds a PhD in Development Finance (University of Stellenbosch) and an MBA (University of Chicago Booth).

is the youngest-ever Independent Chairman of the board at Rebosis, a previously JSE-listed REIT in South Africa. He currently serves as an Independent Non-Executive Director for Brussels Africa Hub in Belgium, and is Chairman and Partner at Africa International Advisors, a Pan-African consulting and advisory firm with over 22 years of trading experience. He is a Non-Executive Director and direct shareholder of MetroFibre Networx, SA's 3rd largest fibre operator. As Co-Founder and CEO of the Inkunzi Student Accommodation Fund, Kameel spearheaded the JSE listing process and secured JSE approval. He has also served as Group CFO at Rebosis, CEO of Ascension Properties (both JSE-listed), and CFO for the South African Housing & Infrastructure Fund.

is a strategic and impact-driven professional currently serving as the Special Projects Executive Head at the Office of Kgosana Dr. Koketso Rakhudu. With a passion for innovation, sustainable development, and community empowerment, he leads high-level initiatives that align with the office's mission to advance inclusive socio-economic growth. He holds a Diploma in Public Relations (2022) and has experience in HR at the Department of Public Works and as Administration and Public Relations Manager at Rustenburg Accommodation Tourism and Adventure (RATA NPO). In his current role, he oversees transformative programs such as the T20 Task Force, the 10th Year Vision and Impact Lekgotla, and the African Women Financial Inclusion Initiatives.

is a versatile leader and the CEO of B Lab Africa, with over 17 years of experience spanning both the corporate and not-for-profit sectors. She has worked and added value across Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and the United States, where she has built and scaled diverse teams from the ground up. Lucy is recognised for delivering sustainable, high-impact solutions that address complex business challenges with innovation and purpose. Her expertise spans strategy formulation and implementation, program and grant management, finance and business operations, fundraising, talent development, and board advisory.

has more than 30 years of experience in environmental and climate risk management and the implementation of environmental and social risk management systems. Her role as Head of Environmental, Nature & Climate Risk Management in the FirstRand financial services group provides her with extensive knowledge of climate-related risk, climate/green finance, nature-related risk management, sustainable development, and positive impact banking. She is positioned as one of the global leaders in climate change, natural capital management, positive impact finance, and responsible investment. She has served in many working groups including the UNEPFI TCFD group, the IFRS ISSB S2 working group, the Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosure, the UN Task Force on Nature Restoration Finance, and others. She is also a senior associate of the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL).

specialises in designing tailor-made training and coaching solutions for call centres and sales consultants. By focusing on the unique needs of each team, she delivers impactful programmes that enhance performance, build confidence, and drive measurable results. Her services include customised training programmes for call centres, coaching sales consultants to achieve higher conversion rates and improve customer interactions, and providing actionable strategies to foster productivity, resilience, and growth within sales teams.

is the Lead Consultant at Sunkings Consultants Company, leveraging competencies from a 15-year career in commercial banking. In her current role, she supports smallholder farmers, cooperatives, agribusinesses, and companies to integrate ESG-aligned agricultural practices, enhance market linkages, and build climate-resilient value chains. She is in the Pan-African Adaptation Project Incubator for Africa (APIA) roster of climate finance experts and is an ACTS Pathway Academy Sustainability Fellow (2024 cohort). She is GRI-certified in sustainability reporting, holds an MSc in Development Finance, a BA in Economics, CPA II, and a Diploma in Project Management.

is a wildlife expert and Southern Kenya-northern Tanzania (SOKNOT) transboundary Lead for WWF Tanzania. Over the years he has developed expertise in sustainability finance and conservation policy with extensive experience across biodiversity markets and nature-based investment mechanisms in East Africa. He has supported the design and implementation of innovative financing models including performance-based wildlife and biodiversity credit mechanisms, community-led conservation financing models, and landscape-scale sustainable development initiatives. His work integrates ESG frameworks, nature-related financial disclosures, and outcome-based finance approaches to strengthen capital mobilisation for conservation, climate resilience, and inclusive livelihoods. He is an advocate for high-integrity nature markets, equitable benefit-sharing, and policy frameworks that enable Africa to lead in sustainable finance innovation.

is an award-winning sustainability leader and the Founder of Sustainabiz Consulting, Botswana's first accredited ESG training and advisory firm. With over 20 years of professional experience, she is a GRI-trained Sustainability Expert, an Associate Certified Sustainability Assurance Practitioner (AA1000AS v3), and a Certified Trainer in Circular Economy and Climate Finance. She brings impact investment and development finance experience from her tenure as Fund Manager at a regional Development Financial Institution (DFI). She has worked with UNDP, SADC, UNIDO, GIZ, and the British Council, and convenes flagship national platforms including the Botswana Green and Circular Economy Forum and the Board and Corporate ESG Roundtable. She currently serves as Chairperson of the ISO/UNDP PAS 53002 Technical Committee leading Botswana's national adoption of the SDG implementation standard.

was named a Global Goal for SDG7 by the UN and is a member of The Council for Inclusive Capitalism, Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust, Rewiring America, World Society of Sustainable Energy Technologies, Energy Networks Association, AREP, SAIEE, B20, and the Energy Council of South Africa. He has raised over $2M in finance for firms and has been a small business mentor for the United Nations SDSN and National Mentorship Movement of RSA. He is an En-Roads ambassador for policy climate tools, advises on Integrated National Financing Frameworks, and has structured sustainability eurobond pricing supplements for stock exchanges since 2022. He is Harvard educated and obtained his MSc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Cape Town.

is a leading expert in Africa-focused ESG and impact private sector work. With extensive experience collaborating with funds, families, DFIs, and corporations, she ensures that their strategies achieve meaningful impact while fostering financial growth. Dr Burns holds a PhD from the University of Oxford, where she was a 2016 Rhodes Scholar. Her research centred on ethically and sustainably contributing to private sector development in frontier and fragile markets. She specialises in ESG strategies, corporate social responsibility programming, impact investing, carbon markets, and monitoring and evaluation. Over her career, Dr Burns has worked across 19 African countries, and currently focuses on working with energy, mining, and agriculture companies to support their ESG, CSR, and community management strategies.

has been with The Teddy Bear Clinic for Abused Children since 2000, developing the professional standard of services offered by the clinic. She is well known and respected in the field of child abuse, and a regular Examiner of Post Graduate Thesis. She has driven the Diversion Programme for young sex offenders since its inception and completed her PhD in June 2011. She is the author of a Diversion Handbook, "Children who sexually abuse other children." As the Clinical Director of TBF, Shaheda sits on the executive committee and is a leader respected throughout the organisation and in the field of abuse-reactive children, both in the government and NGO sector.

is the Co-Founder of Devlin Mambo, an advisory firm specialising in ESG analytics, sustainable finance, financial modelling, and transaction support. His work focuses on integrating ESG, climate-related risks, and impact considerations into investment decisions, project evaluation, and risk management, particularly within mining, infrastructure, and resource-based sectors in Africa. He works at the intersection of finance, sustainability, and data analytics, supporting investors, companies, and project developers in applying ESG within financial decision-making, due diligence, and performance measurement. His professional background includes finance, risk management, fraud risk, and data analytics.

is a dynamic and impact-driven leader who has been a successful and internationally awarded social entrepreneur for over 15 years. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant from UCT and spent 9 years at Woolworths, serving as Head of Finance for 4 years. In 2010, she co-founded Taking Care of Business (TCB), a social enterprise aimed at empowering unemployed mothers to start their own informal retail businesses using retail waste and circular economy principles. In 2014, she launched Grow ECD, a social enterprise that supports women running early learning centres. Through TCB's key programmes — Resell, Repair, Remake, and Grow ECD — Tracey and her team equip aspiring entrepreneurs with the skills and resources they need to access the economy and break the cycle of poverty.

is a passionate entrepreneur and financial inclusivity advocate dedicated to combating old-age poverty in Kenya through accessible pension solutions and sustainable business practices. As Founder of COCOMAC Raw Organics since 2015, Miriam has built a thriving organic products brand from the ground up. With over seven years in Kenya's financial services sector, including leadership roles at Zimele Asset Management Ltd and currently as a Financial Advisor at ICEA LION, she has developed deep expertise in pensions and retirement planning. She advocates for greater financial literacy and inclusive pension frameworks that reach beyond corporate employees to informal sector workers and small business owners. She holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Social Entrepreneurship & Marketing from Colorado State University and a BSc in International Business Administration from USIU-Africa.