STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND SOCIAL FACILITATION FOUNDATIONS MASTERCLASS

This masterclass is delivered by a faculty of premier strategists, grassroots facilitators, former presidential communications leads, global lobbyists, and top legal experts.

1. Cassandra C. Gabriel — ISR Co-Founder & CEO

• Role in Course: Lead Presenter for Strategy Development & Government Relations (Modules 1 & 3).
• Synopsis: A veteran corporate strategist and stakeholder relations expert with 25 years of executive management and 18+ years of public/private sector consulting experience. As Managing Director of Gabriel & Associates and Executive Director of ISR, she has architected stakeholder and government relations strategies for major international and domestic organisations, including Microsoft SA, Transnet, SARS, DBSA, and the City of Johannesburg. She holds a Master’s in Business Leadership (MBL), a Postgraduate Diploma in Telecommunications Policy from Wits, and has served as Board Chair for the Universal Service and Access Agency. She brings deep expertise in strategy alignment, operational planning, and parliamentary representation.

2. Sthembiso Madlala — ASEFSA Executive Director

• Role in Course: Facilitator for Module 2 (The Art of Social Engagement Facilitation).
• Synopsis: A local government specialist and social engagement practitioner with over 20 years’ hands-on experience across civil society, community-based planning, and local economic development. As Executive Director of ASEFSA (Association of Social Engagement Facilitators of Southern Africa), he was appointed by the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal as Convener of the KZN Human Resource Council and serves as the KZN Economic Council Convenor. He specializes in field-level conflict mediation, group dynamics, and community intelligence—skills vital for preventing costly site disruptions and building social cohesion around major infrastructure developments.

3. Dr. Josh-Junior Thabang Chiloane — ISR Co-Founder & Chairperson

• Role in Course: Co-Facilitator for Lobbying & Executive Communications (Module 3).
• Synopsis: Former Head of Communications for the Deputy President of South Africa (2006–2008) and current Head of Financial Inclusion and Public Policy at the Banking Association of South Africa (BASA). He possesses extensive C-suite experience, having led government relations and public affairs at Absa Bank, Nedbank Group, and Sanlam. He holds an MBA, a Global Executive Development qualification from GIBS, and an Honorary Doctorate in Business Management from UNISA. He equips delegates with high-level insights on presidential-level communications, executive advocacy, and public policy navigation.

4. Benjamin Gordon — Praxis Government Affairs COO & Founding Partner

• Role in Course: Expert Facilitator for International Lobbying & Advocacy (Module 3).
• Synopsis: An international government affairs specialist based in Sweden and COO of Praxis Government Affairs. Holding dual US and Swedish citizenship, his career encompasses political campaign management across the United States and Europe, non-profit leadership in East Africa and the Middle East, and executive oversight of an investment firm backing over 60 start-ups. He brings tested global perspectives on cross-border advocacy, regulatory influence, and stakeholder alignment across complex international markets.

5. Raksha Singh-Semnarayan — Managing Partner, RSS Law

• Role in Course: Facilitator for Legal, Regulatory & Compliance Risk (Module 3).
• Synopsis: An admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa with more than 25 years’ experience heading Legal, Regulatory/Compliance, and Governance Risk in major corporate and financial entities. She has held board and executive roles at the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), BankservAfrica, and BASA. Holding a Master of Laws (LLM), MBA, LLB, and Certified Director credential (IoDSA), she translates complex legislative and compliance frameworks into practical, risk-mitigating stakeholder management strategies.