19th Ave New York, NY 95822, USA
ADRIAN BERTRAND
MBA, BA HUMANITIES, POST GRAD CERTIFICATE IN EDUCATION
EXPERTISE:
ESG and investment expert having previously served as Head: Africa & Middle East at UN Principles for Responsible Investment (2009 – 2011 & 2015 – 2017) and as ESG Manager at GEPF (2011-2015)
RESPONSIBILITIES:
As co-founder of Six Capitals Advisory, Adrian is responsible for providing overall strategic direction, business management and leading the Six Capitals team for all client projects and deliverables. Adrian currently serves as Practice Head for both the ESG & Impact Advisory and Financial Education Practices
INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTION:
Adrian serves as part-time Secretariat resource to the CRISA Committee. He also serves as a member of the ASISA Responsible Investment Standing Committee and the ICGN’s Global Stewardship Codes Network. Adrian is also a part-time facilitator for the ASISA Academy’s Retirement Fund Trustee Education (RFTE) programme, responsible for presenting and facilitating the Academy’s Responsible Investment full-day and half-day trustee workshops. In 2020, Adrian was invited to serve as a Judge for the International Corporate Governance Network’s (ICGN) Global Stewardship Disclosure Awards for the Large Asset Owner category (>£60 billion AUM).
Previously Adrian has served on the IRC South Africa’s Working Group, the JSE SRI Index Advisory Committee and as an Investment Committee member to the Pan African Infrastructure Development Fund I.
SANDY NELSON
BCOM GENERAL
EXPERTISE:
ESG Advisor
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Financial analysis on portfolio companies performance and key measurement criteria; Assistance on corporate and ownership Strategies; Research on development capital structures and resources.
MELANIE SMITH
M.PHIL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, BA HONOURS – SOCIOLOGY, BA DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
EXPERTISE:
Melanie has 7 years of experience in corporate sustainability with a focus on ESG, transformation and B-BBEE legislation. At Six Capitals Melanie oversees the ESG advisory practice. In her role Melanie focuses on the execution and delivery of corporate reporting projects contracted by Six Capitals’ clients.
Melanie has hands-on experience in developing and implementing ESG policies, frameworks and strategies as well as supporting clients with technical advisory related to their corporate reporting commitments. Melanie also has in-depth knowledge on corporate reporting frameworks such as the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI), Code for Responsible Investing in South Africa (CRISA), the B-BBEE Act, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Integrated Reporting (<IR>) Framework.
Melanie holds a Masters in Sustainable Development for the University of Stellenbosch.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Melanie serves as Practice Head for the Research & Reporting Practice and champions our ESG research capability supporting Six Capitals client projects and deliverables.
RUDOLPH FOURIE
CA (SA), MASTER’S IN DEVELOPMENT FINANCE (CUM LAUDE)
EXPERTISE:
Development Finance and ESG expert with strong financial management expertise and experience in leading multi-stakeholder developmental projects.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
As co-founder & Director of Six Capitals Advisory, Rudolph provides strategic direction and business management support to the Six Capitals team for all client projects and deliverables. Rudolph serves as Practice Head for the Development Finance Practice.
ORACLE NINGIZA
EXPERTISE:
ESG Advisor
Oracle is an impact investing professional and has over six years’ experience in the ESG and impact investing space. He has worked extensively with both for-profit and nonprofit entities, supporting them in developing and implementing ESG and impact management frameworks. Oracle has experience conducting ESG due diligence, impact measurement, and monitoring, including designing Theories of Change.
Before joining Six Capitals, Oracle worked as an ESG and Impact Monitoring and Measurement Analyst, where he contributed to the development of impact measurement tools, the implementation of ESG strategies and the development of impact toolkits. His expertise includes ESG and impact reporting, along with the integration of sustainability into corporate strategies. Oracle holds a BA degree in Development Studies from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.
Philani Dlamnini
EXPERTISE:
ESG Education Practice Administrator
Philani Dlamini serves as the ESG Education Practice Administrator at Six Capitals and holds a BA degree in Industrial Psychology with a background in education. Philani previously worked as a tutor and dedicated volunteer in educational programs.
As the ESG education practice administrator, Philani has played a pivotal role in refining Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) systems to ensure deliverables align seamlessly with organisational objectives. Her beneficiary engagement focuses on implementing educational initiatives that yield measurable outcomes, aligning with both internal goals and external funder expectations.
Philani’s experience includes implementing processes and systems that address beneficiary engagement needs effectively. This involves fostering active engagement with beneficiary groups and maintaining continuous feedback loops to improve outcomes. Additionally, her role in content distribution involves updating and maintaining an accurate and comprehensive contact database. This enhances data quality for internal reporting and supports database growth analysis, a crucial factor for informed decision-making. Philani is also responsible for drafting comprehensive funder reports, reflecting best practices in transparency and accountability.
Marelize Theron
EXPERTISE:
Senior Manager: ESG Education and Communication
Marelize has over 12 years of experience in social impact, project and program management, stakeholder engagement, and communications. She holds a MCom in Marketing Management, with a focus on Corporate Social Responsibility, and a BCom Hons in Business and Marketing Management.
Her career spans diverse industries, including social enterprise, retail, education and rural development initiatives, investments and foundations. Marelize has successfully collaborated with corporates, NGOs, and government entities to mobilise services to rural areas, create compelling marketing campaigns and develop strategic communication initiatives whilst overseeing operations and ensuring project briefs are met. She has overseen national Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, conceptualised and developed brand activations campaigns and served on task teams focused on economic development and land reform in rural areas, whilst leading complex user and stakeholder engagement journeys. Marelize joined the Six Capitals team in October 2024 as a senior manager focusing on ESG education and communication.
Henning Lüdeke
EXPERTISE:
VR Specialist
Henning has over 16 years of experience in the creative fields Fine Art Production, Digital Art, Graphic Design, Film Production, and Virtual/Augmented Reality (VR/AR) content creation. For the past two years, Henning has worked as a VR Consultant with Alternative Prosperity Holdings and Six Capitals, focusing on the development of Virtual Reality Learning modules and facilitating VR learning sessions for educational initiatives.
Henning’s background also includes producing Fine Art installations incorporating Augmented Reality (AR), Human-Computer interaction through physical means (Physical Computing) including 2D and 3D animated content, and Digital Printing. His creative journey began as a Fine Arts graduate, earning him the Fleur du Cap Theatre Award for Best Prop Designer.
In addition to his work in VR and Fine Arts, Henning has experience working as a Data Manager and IT Support for Sonneblom Films. His wide-ranging expertise in combining technology with artistic expression makes him a valuable asset to any innovative digital project.
Morné Thomas
EXPERTISE:
Animation Specialist
Morné is a 2D/3D Animation Specialist with over 14 years of experience creating compelling storyboards, animations, and illustrations for TV commercials, promotional content, and educational media. He has a deep understanding of visual storytelling, with proven expertise in simplifying complex concepts through impactful animation. His extensive industry experience includes managing animation projects from conception to completion, including voice-over recordings.
Morne’s qualifications include an Advanced Diploma in Animation, Adobe Certified Instructor (ACI) and ACE Adobe Certifications in Expert Design. Morné’s previous roles include Director of Animation at Wolf & Halo, where he oversaw animation projects for clients such as Sanlam and Nelson Mandela University, and Animation Manager at Jincom Publishing, where he led a team of animators on projects for global clients such as Anglo American and the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge. His work has spanned several industries including education, mining, and corporate branding.
Morné also has experience in augmented reality (AR) content creation, having developed AR assets for Media 24 and Checkers. His early career included 3D animation roles at Ambient Animation Studios, where he contributed to major productions such as The Lion of Judah and Jungle Beat.
Daphney Motshwane
EXPERTISE:
Senior Workshop and Events Program Manager
Daphney is a seasoned workshop facilitator and program manager with extensive experience in training design, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement. With a BA Honours degree in Anthropology from the University of the Witwatersrand, Daphney has spent over a decade developing and implementing impactful workshops and training programs tailored to diverse industries and communities across South Africa.
Daphney’s expertise spans multiple domains, including customer service, financial management, emotional intelligence, and early childhood development. Her professional journey includes working with high-impact organisations, where she facilitated skills development programs and supported capacity development through innovative training methodologies. Her robust facilitation skills are complemented by her ability to engage stakeholders effectively and ensure alignment with project objectives. She furthermore developed training materials, coached facilitators, and managed teams to achieve performance excellence.
Daphney’s dedication to holistic human development, and her strategic approach to program management make her a vital asset in leading workshops in line with organisational goals.
Anovuyo Tshemese
EXPERTISE:
Junior Education Practice Workshop and Events Administrator
Anovuyo is a driven workshop and events administrator with a strong foundation in marketing, communications, and event coordination. With a National Diploma in Public Relations and Communications Studies and a Management Development Programme (MDP) certification from Nelson Mandela University, she brings over five years of professional experience to her role.
Anovuyo’s career includes roles in marketing, communications, and corporate social responsibility. At the City of Cape Town, she supported high-pressure communications and crisis management, designed media strategies, and led community engagement activities. While at Isuzu Motors South Africa, she developed and executed impactful corporate social responsibility initiatives aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. Her expertise lies in logistics and events management, stakeholder engagement, and digital marketing, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives. Her strong communication skills, strategic thinking, and commitment to impactful program delivery make Anovuyo a valuable asset in supporting and coordinating workshops and events that drive meaningful outcomes.
Lisa Kusters
MSc Climate Change Finance and Investments (Cum Laude), BCom Hons Investment Management HONS; BCom Investment Management; CFA Institute Certificate in ESG Investing
EXPERTISE:
Lisa has over 17 years of experience and started her career working in asset management in various roles including fund manager research, business development and equity research. During this time, she transitioned her role to focus on ESG integration in investments and subsequently served as Head of Responsible Investing at Alexander Forbes Investments. Since 2018, Lisa has specialised in consulting, working with both investors and corporates on their sustainability journey. Lisa spent a year in Edinburgh attending Edinburgh University Business School completing a MSc in Climate Change Finance and Investment to build on her expertise and experience.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Lisa is an associate of Six Capitals working within the ESG Advisory Practice.
Sunel Nortjé
Senior Sustainability and Climate Specialist
Bachelor of Engineering (B. Eng – Chemical)
Expertise:
Sunel holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Chemical Engineering, and has over seven years’ experience in sustainability and climate change advisory.
She has in depth knowledge and experience in developing greenhouse gas emission reduction projects under the Clean Development Mechanism, developing carbon offset projects, calculating carbon footprints, performing life cycle assessments, quantifying supply chain emissions, developing carbon calculators and carbon neutral roadmaps. Sunel has experience in sustainability reporting and climate change strategies, understanding the risks and opportunities that climate change holds. She has also assisted clients with their carbon tax responsibilities.
Furthermore, her expertise lies in modelling energy consumption of client operations, identifying energy efficiency projects, quantifying energy savings and assisting clients to access tax incentives related to these energy efficiency projects.
Sunel spent eight years as an academic at Stellenbosch University, lecturing a range of undergraduate modules in the Faculty of Engineering and doing research in separations technology and engineering education.
Responsibilities:
Sunel serves as a specialist in sustainability and climate change, utilising her knowledge, experience in the field and technical skillset as an engineer to advise and support clients with services related to sustainability and climate change.
Corli le roux
(Certified Director Institute of Directors South Africa)Rudolph Pieterse
Degree in Information Science; CIW Masters Certification in Ecommerce; ACI Adobe
EXPERTISE:
Rudolph has over 20 years’ experience in the creative fields of graphic, web and video design as well as being an educator in the respective fields. Rudolph is also the founder and director of MultiDimensions, a creative agency established 14 years ago. Rudolph has been the author of 12 graphic, web and design courses which has been launched into the market by MultiDimensions’ training division. Rudolph also worked at a creative agency for five years dealing with a cross spectrum of designs, creative training and content development.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Rudolph is responsible for the project management of all educational practice material of Six Capitals, as well as the creative direction thereof, which involves working with content creators, graphic designers and video producers.
