Speakers

Keynote speaker

Prof René Pellissier
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
René Pellissier is a strategist, researcher and systems engineer. She is the recipient of several merit awards as researcher and the writer of and contributor to various books and countless scientific publications on technology and innovation-research convergence, and on complexity in the management sciences. René has held several executive positions in Europe and Africa and understands the complexities of management. Nonetheless, she has a predilection for teaching and research. She is an international scholar and has worked in the United States, Europe, the United Kingdom and Africa. Her fundamental flaw is her inquisitive mind and questioning of the status quo when doing research. She is currently the Director of RTI Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships.

Adjunct Faculty, University of Connecticut
Visiting Professor, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Massachusetts
Extraordinary Professor, University of the Western Cape
Professor Emeritus, University of South Africa
Professor Extraordinaire, Graduate School of Business Leadership, University of South Africa
Faculty Associate, Albert Luthuli Centre of Corporate Governance, University of Pretoria

Speakers

Prof Dirk Geldenhuys
Department of Industrial and Organisation Psychology
Unisa
Currently, Prof Geldenhuys is a full Professor in Industrial and Organisational Psychology at Unisa and teaches organisation development and coaching at Master’s level. He co-authored numerous scholarly and text books, published scientific articles, presented workshops and delivered papers at conferences locally and abroad.

He is a psychologist (cat. Industrial) with the HPCSA, Master Practitioner with the SABPP, and honorary lifelong member of the Society for Industrial and Organisational Psychology. In addition, he is a listed coach with the society and currently chairing the organisational neuroscience interest group. As practitioner, he is a director and co-founder of BrainFit Partners (Pty) Ltd. Prof Geldenhuys is also a Certified Practitioner of the Predictive 6 Factor Resilience Scale and the Driven Resilience Programme and thereby a Certified Resilience Coach (CReC). He is also a certified BWRT ® (Brainworks Recursive Therapy) practitioner – level 1.

He was trained in and has more than 20 years of experience in the following: Systems-Psychodynamics (Tavistock Institute – UK; Bayswater Institute – UK & AK, Rice Institute – USA), Appreciative Inquiry (NTL – USA; David Cooperrider – USA), Socio Constructionism (TAOS Institute – USA) and, for the past five years, in Neuro-coaching (Neuropsychotherapy Institute – Australia). He acts as coach for coaches, individuals and groups on all organisational levels from a neuro-scientific framework. His work across industries has a strong focus on resilience and wellness.

Mrs Jenny Venter

Department of Industrial and Organisation Psychology
Unisa
Jenny is a lecturer in the department of Industrial and Organisational Psychology at Unisa. Jenny is a registered industrial psychologist with the HPCSA and a registered HR practitioner with the SABPP.

She has 10 years consulting experience in various areas including HR Information Technology, Organisational Development and Coaching. Since 2014 she has devoted her attention to Organisational Neuroscience and is currently completing her PhD in applied neurosciences.

Mr Khanyisani Zungu
An Experienced Sales Professional who has been in the HR and Psychometrics Industries for over 12 years. An avid learner with a keen Interest in everything technology. Khanyisani Zungu started his Career in HR with SOS Children’s Villages and later moved into Talent acquisition where he was introduced into the use of recruitment Psychometrics. He was then recruited by Thomas International in Cape Town where he was instrumental in New Business Development for the Africa Pacific Region. Career Junction then approached him to service their Agency clients in South Africa’s Coastal regions where from he joined SHL as a Business Development Manager for South Africa and Africa.

Mr Brandon Pleaner
Brandon is a highly experienced psychologist in the management of professional teams, human capital analytics, human capital strategy development, competency design, psychometrics across the employee lifecycle, assessment and development centers for both selection and development, employee wellness, organisational development, recruitment and selection, leadership development, talent management, and career guidance. Brandon began his career as an academic at the University of KwaZulu-Natal before moving into a management role in a private academic institution. He joined a consultancy where he gained experience in new business development, psychometrics, training and development, client management, and job profiling. He also has experience in talent management and leadership development. In his 17 years of work experience he has also worked as a pre-sales consultant, team manager, and project manager.

Dr Dieter Veldsman
Dr Dieter Veldsman is a registered work psychologist with the HPCSA who specialises in organisational development, people analytics, people effectiveness and organisational design. He is currently the Group Executive: People and Organisational Effectiveness at MMI Holdings, a multinational financial services provider with a footprint in Africa, the United Kingdom and India.

He has worked across various industries and has completed numerous global consulting assignments across Africa, Europe and Asia. He is a regular speaker at international conferences on people effectiveness, employee engagement, workplace trends and organisational development.

He is involved in academia as researcher and lectures part-time at various institutions on the topics of employee engagement, human capital and organisational behaviour.