Professional Speakers

Michael Avery is a South African financial journalist, broadcaster, and corporate speaker with nearly two decades of experience covering business, markets, and the economy. He currently hosts the Classic Business radio show on Fine Music Radio and presents the online interview series Business Talk on BusinessTech, which has reached over one million views. Avery is also a columnist and commentator for Business Day and Business Day TV and edits the private equity publication Catalyst. He is in demand as an MC and keynote speaker at corporate events, bringing insight, clarity, and engaging storytelling to business audiences.

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An entrepreneur and financial markets commentator with close to a decade of experience analysing investment trends, capital flows and market behaviour, Jimmy's work focuses on alternative assets and private equity, examining how emerging opportunities intersect with global economic shifts. He regularly interprets financial developments for professional and public audiences through broadcast media, including hosting The SAFM Market Update. Known for translating complex financial activity into clear insights that business leaders and investors can act on, Jimmy's experience spans strategy, market expansion and financial education initiatives aimed at strengthening financial literacy and market participation among emerging professionals and entrepreneurs navigating increasingly complex global investment environments.

Based in Cape Town, Karis is a specialist in canine behaviour whose work reveals striking parallels between how dogs learn and how people communicate, trust and cooperate. With more than twenty five years of consulting experience, this perspective translates animal behaviour science into practical insights about leadership, boundaries, emotional signals and decision making. Media appearances on Expresso and the long running Pet Hour call in programme have made these ideas accessible to wide audiences. Presentations draw on real behavioural case studies to explore communication breakdowns, conflict, loyalty and trust. Organisations gain unexpected lessons about clarity, consistency and the signals leaders send through everyday behaviour.

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Cape-based Leon is an internationally acclaimed garden designer whose work has earned multiple international gold medals, including at the Chelsea Flower Show, together with the prestigious Diamond Award for Best Garden on Show and the Best Planting Award at the 2026 Singapore Garden Festival. Creating award-winning gardens demands rigorous planning, disciplined logistics and the ability to deliver complex projects under intense public scrutiny and immovable deadlines. Years of designing large-scale landscapes across continents have sharpened skills in collaboration, problem solving and practical creativity. His presentations translate these experiences into valuable insights for organisations navigating uncertainty and change, offering practical perspectives on long-term vision, meticulous preparation, adaptive thinking and the collective effort required for teams to achieve exceptional outcomes.

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The CEO of Lew Geffen Sotheby's International Realty, Yael is responsible for strategy, growth and brand positioning. Early exposure to a multigenerational property business, combined with international marketing experience, helped shape a commercially focused approach to leadership and expansion. She advises boards on succession, positioning and performance in competitive markets. Known for disciplined execution across multiple concurrent initiatives, she balances growth with operational control. Her work explores leadership clarity, accountability and resilience in uncertain conditions. Drawing on personal experience of loss, she addresses mental health with honesty and relevance for leadership teams, offering practical insight into sustainable performance, profitability and long-term organisational success.

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An international model and cultural strategist whose work interrogates representation, power and access across fashion and media. Trained in law, she previously served as a sexual offences prosecutor before expanding her influence into global advocacy and storytelling. She has contributed to United Nations consultations on albinism in the SADC region and holds leadership roles within the African Albinism Network. Recognised by the BBC 100 Women list and selected as a cultural leader within the World Economic Forum Narratives Lab, her portfolio spans major international campaigns, editorial covers and policy engagement. She is currently completing an Executive MBA at Henley Business School.

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A technology entrepreneur focused on building ecosystems that connect young people to opportunities in the digital economy. Mixo's work spans innovation, skills development and community-driven platforms that expand access to technology and entrepreneurship pathways. Recognised across multiple platforms for contributions to youth development and the technology sector, including listings among leading young innovators and entrepreneurs. His experience includes global mentorship, brand partnerships and programme development designed to equip emerging talent with practical digital capabilities. Mixo's talks address future skills, innovation ecosystems and how organisations can unlock potential through access, collaboration and sustained investment in youth development.

Priscilla Menoe-Mtsi is a global product and customer experience strategist who helps organisations make technology relevant, accessible and effective across diverse markets. As Canva’s Product Localisation Lead for Africa, she shapes products for African users through cultural insight, inclusive design and a strong understanding of local needs. With nearly a decade of experience in international technology environments, including six years at Uber, she brings practical insight into product adoption, localisation and digital inclusion. Her presentations equip leaders to bridge the gap between global strategy and local experience, helping them create products that resonate with customers and succeed across complex regional markets.

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