Times and content subject to change. All times are South Africa Standard Time (SAST).

08:00-08:55
Arrival, Registration and Musical Experience
08:55-09:00
Sponsor & Partner Videos
09:00-09:20
Duke CE Welcome
A warm welcome and musical performance
Charmaine Houvet
Charmaine Houvet
Senior Director, Africa, Cisco Systems
Basetsana Kumalo 1-1
Basetsana Kumalo
Executive Chairman & CEO, Basetsana Woman Investment Holdings (Pty) Ltd.
09:20-09:30
Leadership at an Inflection Point: Navigating a World of Distributed Intelligence
Opening Address
Dr Sharmla Chetty
Dr. Sharmla Chetty
CEO, Duke Corporate Education
09:35-10:05
Trust as a Strategic Asset: Leadership, Society and Responsibility​
In Conversation​
A cross-sector dialogue on how leaders earn, sustain, and deploy trust at scale across institutions, markets, and communities - particularly in contexts shaped by rising expectations and complexity.
Pumla Molope, CA(SA)
Pumla Molope, CA(SA)
President, African Women Chartered Accountants (AWCA)
Adv Thandi Orleyn
Adv Thandi Orleyn
President, International Women's Forum South Africa (IWFSA)
Margaret Nienaber
Margaret Nienaber
Vice President, International Women's Forum South Africa (IWFSA)
10:05-10:55
The Board AI Mandate: Leading Oversight, Accountability and Impact
Panel Conversation​

As AI reshapes decision-making, Boards face a step-change in their governance role. This session explores how leaders provide effective oversight, ensure accountability, and guide organisational impact when intelligence is increasingly distributed across systems and stakeholders.

Vishal Patel
Vishal Patel
President of Global Markets, Duke Corporate Education (Moderator)
Tsakani Maluleke, CA(SA)
Tsakani Maluleke, CA(SA)
Auditor-General of South Africa
Jeanett Modise
Jeanett Modise
Group CHRO, Absa
Gabriel Swanepoel
Gabriel Swanepoel
Division President, Africa, Mastercard
Mabedi Mufahothe
Mabedi Mufahothe
Senior Manager: Technology Value & Innovation, MTN
Lucretia Khumalo
Lucretia Khumalo
Divisional Executive: Client Support and Growth, Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)
10:55-11:20
Building a Future-Ready Workforce​
Fireside Dialogue​
Shirley Machaba
Shirley Machaba
Board Member, IWFSA
Susan Muigai
Susan Muigai
Chief People Officer, Mastercard
11:20-11:55
A Moment of Humanity
Art, Music and Meaning over Coffee​
11:55-12:30
Beyond the First: Leadership at the Intersection of Organisation and Society​
Panel Conversation​
Leadership today extends beyond organisations into systems and society, where expectations, identity and impact intersect. These perspectives reflect what it takes to lead in complex, high-stakes environments and the responsibility leaders carry beyond the business itself.
Charmaine Houvet
Charmaine Houvet
Senior Director, Africa, Cisco Systems (Moderator)
Saray Khumalo
Saray Khumalo
Founder & CEO, Summits with a Purpose
Bawinile Lamola
Bawinile Lamola
Patron of the International Diplomatic Spouses Association (IDSA)
Nomzamo Simelane
Nomzamo Simelane
Product Engineering Manager, Hesto Harnesses
12:30-13:00
The Collective: Policy, Reform, and Women’s Economic Justice (IWFSA)
Panel Conversation​

A cross-sector dialogue on how leadership, policy, and collective action can advance women’s economic justice and shape inclusive institutional outcomes.

Buhle Hanise, CA(SA)
Buhle Hanise, CA(SA)
Co-Chair of Catalytic Strategy, IWFSA
Nicqui Galaktiou
Nicqui Galaktiou
Secretary & Chair: Catalytic Strategy, IWFSA
Prof Thuli Nomkhosi Madonsela
Prof Thuli Nomkhosi Madonsela
Former Public Protector, Director, Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) in the Faculty of Law, Stellenbosch University
13:00-13:20
Leadership Impact Awards
Awards
Recognizing leaders who are driving meaningful impact across organizations, communities and society.
13:20-13:30
Closing Reflections – From Insights to Action​: A Leadership Imperative
Closing Address
Vishal Patel
Vishal Patel
President of Global Markets, Duke Corporate Education
Emily Piggott
Emily Piggott
Regional Managing Director, Africa, Duke Corporate Education
13:30-15:30
Lunch Reception
Connection, Conversation and Music

Times and content subject to change. All times are South Africa Standard Time (SAST).

Strategic Partners

IWFSA
AWCA

Platinum Sponsors

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mastercard-logo-mastercard-logo-png-vector-download-19
MTN
Dell_Technologies-Logo.wine

Gold Sponsor

mtn-logo-footer

Silver Sponsor

Bidvest

Venue Partner

Four Seasons logo

In-person registration is full.
The conversation is still open.

Women Leading Change 2026 has reached capacity for in-person attendance in Johannesburg. We invite you to join the experience virtually or add your name to the waitlist should a space become available.

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Be part of the conversation from wherever you are. Watch senior executives, business leaders and changemakers explore the leadership choices and capabilities shaping more resilient, inclusive and future-ready organizations.

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Interested in attending in Johannesburg? Submit your contact details to join the waitlist, and we will contact you if a space becomes available. Joining the waitlist does not guarantee in-person attendance.