Lesley is an international process facilitator specialising in innovation leadership, strategy, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and cultural diplomacy. With over two decades of experience, she works with senior leaders, governments, academia, and multi-stakeholder coalitions to strengthen leadership capacity in complex, dynamic environments. Her work builds leaders' ability to navigate uncertainty, rapid change, and systemic challenges. Lesley creates the conditions for innovation and courageous collaboration - training leaders, moderating high-stakes conversations, and unlocking trust, strategic alignment, and collective problem-solving across institutions and networks. Having worked and travelled in over forty countries, she brings a rich global perspective and is a sought-after international speaker. She is the founder of Africa’s first Impact Hub and the founding CEO of Wits University’s Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct. There, she led the development of Mollo Animation Studio and Academy, the Gaming Hub, and advanced digital skills and entrepreneurship programmes. These platforms have contributed significantly to South Africa’s entrepreneurial, digital, and creative economies. Her contributions have been recognised globally. Lesley is a TEDx speaker and a Chevalier de l’Ordre national du mérite (Knight of the National Order of Merit) of France for fostering partnerships in the creative and cultural industries. She is an InspiringFifty awardee for women in STEM in South Africa, a Mail & Guardian Top 200 Young South African, and a recipient of the Unashamedly Ethical Award (Business Category). She is also a BP Antarctica Expedition Young Global Leader on climate change, an Aspen Ideas Fellow, and an alumna of the Obama Leaders Program, where she moderated a seminal dialogue on Nelson Mandela’s legacy with President Barack Obama and Graça Machel. Beyond her professional work, she contributed to the poetry anthology A Better World, Hope from Africa and is currently an MPhil (Inclusive Innovation) candidate at the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business, with a dissertation titled “The Influence of Cultural Diplomacy on South Africa’s Animation Industry”.

Zaffy Loot is a seasoned technology leader with over 18 years of professional experience, known for his ability to drive large-scale transformation initiatives, including projects with investments exceeding One Billion ZAR. As Chief Architect at the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), Zaffy leads the formulation and execution of the technology strategy, while spearheading critical programs within digital transformation and enterprise architecture. Zaffy’s expertise spans executive technology programs, change management, architecture, and program management. Over the last decade, he has successfully led diverse teams ranging from 30 to 150 members across both local and international settings, while managing budgets of up to 350 Million ZAR. His hands-on leadership, combined with strategic oversight, equips him to navigate complex systems and organizational ecosystems with precision. He holds an MBA from the University of Cape Town, a BSc in Computer Science, and certifications including AWS Cloud Practitioner and Solution Architect. Zaffy is also a certified COBIT professional, with practical expertise in governance, service management, and technical project execution. He has guest lectured at UCT and WITS and received training from Toastmasters, SBSA Graduate programme and various leadership opportunities, further enhancing his communication and leadership capabilities.