EMBA Panel Discussion: Behind the Boardroom Doors: NEDs Reveal the Road to the Top

Join us for an engaging 90-minute session where Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) (Dr Simo Lushaba, Doris Dondur, Tania Slabbert and Joy-Marie Lawrence) pull back the curtain on the realities of boardroom life. Gain firsthand insights as NEDs share their unique journeys to the boardroom, detailing the skills, strategies, and perspectives that prepared them for leadership. Dive into discussions on boardroom dynamics, from navigating challenges to constructive decision-making and dissenting views. Learn how NEDs work to drive effective governance. This session promises to be an invaluable experience for the GSB Executive MBA students and those curious about the intricate workings of board leadership.

When: Wednesday, 14 May 2025 18:00 - 19:30 (GMT+2)
Where:Online
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Event information

Speakers

Joy-Marie  Lawrence

Joy-Marie Lawrence is a Chartered Director, and the Founder of Boardvisory, with extensive experience as a lawyer and business woman, her purpose as a Board Coach is to cultivate courageous conversations that enable effective boardroom decision-making. 

Joy-Marie also designs and delivers boardroom courses relevant to Board Director Development.

Her qualifications include an Executive MBA (cum laude) (UCT Graduate School of Business), a Masters of Law (LLM) in Outer Space, Broadcasting, Telecommunications (WITS), a Professional Certified Coach accredited by International Coaching Federation, an Advanced Programme for Private Equity (GIBS), Diploma in Integral Practitioner Coaching,
a Bachelors of Law (LLB) (UCT) and BA (UCT). Joy-Marie is also an accredited integrative Enneagram practitioner and Five Lens Practitioner Joy-Marie has been a fellow of the Institute of Directors of South Africa since 2009 and is an accredited Chartered Director since 2017.

With more than 24 years’ experience, she completed her legal articles at Webber Wentzel in Johannesburg. Her corporate work experience includes the Telecommunications sector, Media & Broadcasting and the IT sector. Joy-Marie also currently serves as a mentor, facilitator and keynote speaker.
Joy-Marie’s experience as a Non-Executive Director and Chairperson of boards spans the investment, science and technology, legal, education and health sectors. Her current directorships include:
• non-executive director of WDB Investment Holdings;
• non-executive director of Old Mutual (South Africa) Nominees (RF) (Pty) Ltd;
• non-executive director of TEKANO;
• Non-Executive Director of Assore South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Joy-Marie has also previously served on the UCT GSB Advisory Board and as a nonexecutive director of Diageo South Africa (Pty) Ltd. She was previously a founding Board
member and subsequently the Chair of the South African National Space Agency (SANSA)
a (section 3A) statutory entity reporting to the South African Department of Science and
Technology.

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Dr Simo Lushaba

Simo is the Managing Consultant of DrLushaba.com. He partners with different companies to develop excellence in their leadership through individual and team coaching. He also helps organisations develop organisational strategies. Simo worked as a General Manager Operations at Spoornet, Chief Executive at Rand Water and Vice President at Lonmin Plc. His passion is in developing leaders who make a difference, working towards Africa’s prosperity. Boards served on include: South African Post Office, Specom (Ltd), Signium Africa,Trans-Caledon Tunnel Agency, Cricket SA, and Harmony Gold, among others.

Doris Dondur

Doris Dondur - A Chartered Director, Professional Independent Non-Executive Director and/or Chair on various Boards. Consultant to public sector institutions on improved audit outcomes. Board Member and Board Audit, Risk, IT and Compliance Committee Chairperson of the SA Medical Research Company and Audit Committee Chairperson at the Office of the Tax Ombud and the Independent Electoral Commission.

Tania Slabbert

Tania Slabbert - Investment professional with over 25 years' experience, Non-Executive Director on various listed and unlisted companies. Boards served on include Bidvest, Discovery, Businesswomen’s Association, National Small Business Development Council, BP Southern Africa, Women in Oil and Energy South Africa (WOESA), WDB Growth Fund (Chair) and Paracon. Tania is co-founder and former CEO of WDB Investment Holdings. She holds a BA, an MBA and is an ILS Master Coach.