Mr. Charl Davids is the Director at the Centre for Student Counselling and Development at Stellenbosch University. He holds an MPsych from UWC and is a registered psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa. He is currently a PhD candidate looking at developing a community-based substance abuse intervention.

Mr. Davids is also a former Youth Programme Manager at Selfhelp Manenberg; Training Department Manager (Trauma Centre for the Survivors of Violence and Torture, CPT) and Principal Psychologist (South African Police Services, CPT). He started his private practice in 2003. He joined UWC's Psychology Department in 2006, where he lectured at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. In, 2016/17 he held the position of HOD of the Department of Psychology (UWC) and 2013 - 2015 the Deputy Head. Since 2018 he also serves as the SADC regional Coordinator of the International Consortium of Universities for Drug Demand Reduction (ICUDDR).

He is involved in a number of NGO’s where he served on various boards with different portfolios. He is the founder of the NGO, Youth Development Specialist Services (YDSS). Mr Davids is also the executive director of Social Development Practitioners (Pty/Ltd) and the former Chairperson of the board at Western Cape Small Business Network (NPC).

Karen Lowe is a multifaceted leader with a dynamic career marked by innovation, strategic vision, and a profound commitment to reshaping work structures for the better. As the Founder and CEO of 4 Day Week South Africa NPC, Karen has been at the forefront of advocating for progressive work practices that prioritise employee well-being. Under her leadership, 4 Day Week South Africa has become a beacon for organisations seeking to enhance productivity through a reduced workweek.

In addition to her role in South Africa, Karen was appointed in the 1st February 2025 as the CEO of 4 Day Week Global, showcasing her dedication to expanding the impact of the 4-day workweek on a global scale. In this capacity, she leverages her strategic acumen to forge partnerships that drive innovation and positive change in workplaces worldwide.

Karen is also the Founder of Human Energy, a consultancy that reflects her deep-seated belief in the importance of human-centric approaches to business and leadership. Through Human Energy, she explores and promotes initiatives that harness the potential of human well-being and flourishing as a cornerstone for organisational success.

Further demonstrating her versatility, Karen wears another hat as the Founder and CEO of go4word, a strategic communications agency. In this role she has held for over 18 years, she brings her extensive experience in communication and leadership to help organisations articulate their employer branding strategies and execute stakeholder engagement programs.

With a background in business management and a relentless pursuit of creating workplaces that prioritise both productivity and humanity, Karen Lowe stands as a visionary leader, influencing positive change in work structures and global partnerships. Her journey encompasses not only the transformation of work practices but also the integration of human-centric values into the heart of modern organisational strategies.

Dr Saloschini Pillay practices in the field of Clinical Social Work. She has an Honours degree in Social Work, Masters in Medical Science (Social Work), Doctorate in Public Administration and Business Management, Certificate in Senior Leadership Development and Student Affairs and Student Success. She joined Higher Education in 1995 and is currently the Manager of Student Support Services in the College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal. Her areas of interest include programme design and strategy development to enhance student wellness, student experience and student engagement for student success.

She serves on national, Southern African and international platforms. She is the inaugural President of the Southern African Federation for Student Affairs and Services [SAFSAS], an umbrella body that brings together the various associations within Student Affairs in higher education as well as the President of the Southern African Association for Counselling and Development in Higher Education. Dr Pillay is a member of the Universities South Africa - National Transformation Strategy Group. She represents Student Affairs South Africa, at the International Association of Student Affairs and Services and in this role contributed towards a chapter in the Handbook on Student Affairs and Services in Higher Education: Global Foundations, Issues and Best Practices. In 2019 she was nominated to the Global Divisional Board of NASPA, where she represents Student Affairs South Africa and Africa.