Our conference theme – Ethical Leadership Beyond Profit | Organisations as Catalysts for Ethical Societies – suggests that organisational leaders may have an increasing responsibility (and opportunity) to play a positive formative role in society. Throughout history, our greatest leaders have been those who made an indelible positive impact on the world, often contributing to the creation of more just societies.
In an era marked by increasing insecurity and global uncertainty, the future direction of our societies is increasingly unclear. Global political tensions, climate change, artificial intelligence, and corruption add to this uncertainty, with governments unable to solve these issues alone.
At this ethics conference, we will invite leaders to reflect on their personal journeys and consider the contributions they, and others, can make at leadership level. We will explore how organisational leaders can take on this growing responsibility, driven not only by benevolence but by the necessity of ensuring the sustainability of both our organisations and our society.
The conference consists of two parts: an Ethical Leadership Symposium followed by a Practical Ethics Workshop. The event is presented in a hybrid format, offering the option to attend either in person or virtually.
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Dr Liezl Groenewald
Dr Liezl Groenewald is the CEO of The Ethics Institute (TEI), and she recently concluded her term as the President of the Business Ethics Network of Africa (BEN-Africa). In 2022, she successfully completed her PhD in Applied Ethics.
With a wealth of experience, Dr Groenewald takes on the role of a seasoned facilitator for The Ethics Institute, as well as for the Institute of Directors South Africa (IoDSA). Additionally, she serves as a guest lecturer at a business school in Innsbruck, Austria (MCI), and at various business schools in South Africa.
Dr Groenewald is a sought-after speaker at both local and international conferences. She contributes her insights as a media commentator on matters related to ethics and whistleblowing, and she adeptly moderates discussions. Her expertise extends to being an author of articles on business and military ethics. Notably, she has authored The Whistleblowing Non-retaliation Toolkit, Whistleblowing First Responder Guide, along with the Whistleblowing Management Handbook. She has also co-authored the Ethics and Compliance Handbook, as well as the Institutionalising Ethics Handbook.
In terms of her affiliations, Liezl actively participates on the Council of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) and is chairperson of its Governance and Ethics Committee. She holds a membership on the Inaugural Committee of the International Society of Military Ethics for Africa (Afro-ISME), the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) Ethics Committee and is a valued member of the Advisory Boards for BEN-Africa and Visslan, a whistleblowing service provider based in Sweden. Her dedication to research is evident as she serves as a research associate at the Stellenbosch University’s Philosophy Department. On a global scale, Dr. Groenewald represented South Africa in the global technical working groups responsible for ISO 37000, the ISO Standard for the Governance of Organisations, as well as ISO 37002, the ISO Whistleblowing Management Standard. Her multifaceted involvement showcases her deep commitment to advancing ethical practices within organisations and across industries.
Prof. Deon Rossouw
Prof Deon Rossouw previously served as the CEO of The Ethics Institute (based in Pretoria) and currently holds the position of governance associate. He is an Extraordinary Professor in Philosophy at the University of Stellenbosch, and Chairperson of the International Banknote Ethics Initiative.
Deon studied at Stellenbosch University where he also was chairman of the student representative council. His academic career started at Rand Afrikaans University in Johannesburg where he became Professor and Head of the Philosophy Department and served on the Executive Committee of the University. In 2004, he moved to the University of Pretoria where he was Head of the Philosophy Department and Director of the Centre for Business and Professional Ethics. During 2008 to 2009, he spent a year as Program Executive for Business Ethics at the Globethics.net Foundation in Geneva, Switzerland.
Deon is an internationally recognized expert in Business Ethics and the Ethics of Corporate Governance, and published several books as well as academic articles in leading international journals.
He was the Founding President of the Business Ethics Network of Africa (BEN-Africa) and served as President of the International Society of Business, Economics and Ethics (ISBEE).
Deon is a member of the King Committee for Corporate Governance in South Africa. He also chairs the Social and Ethics Committee Forum of the IoDSA.
He has been recognized as a Chartered Director by the Institute of Directors of South Africa, and serve in executive and non-executive positions on a number of governing bodies.
Dr Paul Vorster
Dr Paul Vorster is an accomplished Industrial Organisational Psychologist who has dedicated his career to training and development programmes and research that promote ethical decision-making and conduct in the workplace.
He earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial-Organisational Psychology from the University of Johannesburg with his primary topic involving the psychometric measurement of personality. Additionally, he obtained an Ethics Officer Certification from the University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB) and The Ethics Institute. He has also consulted with the United Nations funded International Anti-Corruption Academy and is also a member of the International Test Commission which evaluates psychometric validity of survey measurement techniques (psychometrics).
With over 11 years of experience in training and development, and psychometric measurement, Dr Vorster has expertise in a range of content areas. He has facilitated programmes in leadership profiling, ethics and business ethics, ethical culture and climate, ethical decision-making, behavioural ethics (combating social forces that may undermine ethical decision-making), ethics ambassador training, resolving ethical dilemmas and challenges, and professional ethics. He has also made a substantial impact in the measurement of ethical culture and climate and is one of the custodians of the Ethics Ambassador Programme. Dr Vorster has written the Ethical Culture Handbook as well as the Ethics Ambassadors’ Handbook both of which try to help organisations to improve and understand their ethical culture. In addition, he has also been the custodian of the South African Business Ethics Survey as well as the Social and Ethics Committee Trends Survey both of which illuminate the state of the governance of ethics, ethics management, and ethical culture in organisations across South Africa. Dr Vorster’s efforts have had a significant impact, and he is credited with the development of the Ethics@theMovies concept, which has been implemented in South Africa since 2013. He is also credited with assisting organisations to engage in behavioural ethics programmes helping them to improve their ethical culture maturity.
Dr Vorster is a respected thought leader and has been invited to speak at various events. He has shared his insights at conferences, workshops, and webinars. He has also been a guest on several TV and radio shows, where he has discussed the importance of promoting ethical decision-making in the workplace.
Mrs Fatima Rawat
Fatima Rawat holds the position of Senior Ethics Subject Matter Expert at The Ethics Institute, where she is an integral part of the Public Sector Team.
With over two decades of experience, Fatima is an admitted attorney who has dedicated her career to supporting and advising the public sector. Her expertise spans Corporate Governance, Ethics Management, Legal Affairs, and Human Resources.
In addition to her consulting role, Fatima is actively involved in training and facilitating discussions on organisational ethics. She plays a crucial role in various educational programmes, including The Ethics Institute’s Ethics Officer Certification Programme, the University of Johannesburg’s Corporate Governance Programme, and the IODSA’s Governance of Ethics and Social & Ethics Committee Programmes.
Fatima is a member of professional committees such as the IODSA’s Social and Ethics Committee Forum and SAICA’s Ethics Committee. Her contributions extend beyond consultancy and training as she has co-authored significant publications like the Ethics Ambassador Handbook and the Local Government Ethics Committee Handbook.
Ms Busisiwe Mavuso
Busisiwe Mavuso is a Certified Chartered Accountant, qualified with the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA – UK) and holds two Master’s Degrees, a Master’s Degree of Philosophy in Applied Business Leadership and Management (UCAM – Spanish University), and another Master’s Degree in Business Leadership (UNISA), a Postgraduate Qualification in Management (GIBS) and a B. Compt in Accounting (UNISA). Busi is currently completing her PhD.
Busi is the Chief Executive Officer at Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) and Non-Executive Director of Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), Business Against Crime South Africa (BACSA) and Resultant Finance (a PIC investee company). She serves on the Human Resources Development Council (HRDC) and Council of Social Justice Champions (COSOC).
Busi is a member of the IoDSA, ACCA and YPO.
She was awarded the ‘2020 Influencer of Influencers Award’ by the Africa Brand Summit in October 2020 and was named second runner up for ‘Businessperson of the Year’ by Daily Maverick in 2021. In 2022, the Women in Economic Development Leadership Forum awarded Busi a Certificate of Acknowledgement to recognise the years of dedication to the field of business leadership and economic development in South Africa. In 2024, Busi received the runner up ‘Business Leader of the Year’ Award, from the Future Leader Forum.
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