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Edward de Klerk, graduated with a Master’s degree and wrote his dissertation on “Co-determination through an inclusive transformation process within the South African Typographical Union in collaboration with the printing sector: A case study.”

Edward’s career spans over 47 years, making him a seasoned professional in the field of work. He spent 4 years as an apprentice Coach Builder, 20 years as a constitutional elected leader within Transnet, and 23 years as a full-time employee of the Trade union movement. Today, he serves as the General Secretary of the South African Typographical Union, and has served on the South African Qualification Authority board and FEDUSA (Federation of Unions of South Africa).

The purpose of Edward’s Master’s dissertation was to establish an integral framework, through cooperative engagement, that would assist in redesigning the economic framework in which inequality and poverty can be eradicated, and where all stakeholders have a voice within a co-determination model.

Through his research, he realised that this inclusive transformation journey is a lifelong process and that cooperative engagement with stakeholders needs to be adjusted towards collectively achieving a preliminary framework for co-determination to become embedded within the culture of the organisation.

Edward de Klerk

In his journey to completing his qualification, Edward came to the realization that all academic and knowledge socialisation is important to build professional mentorship and coaching where all information can be shared to create a learning organisation. He also realised that co-determination can promote collaborative consultation through a participatory process where decision-making can frequently occur.

Edward attributes his success to his resilience and capability to conscientise the evolving and adaptable co-determination framework. He also believes in the importance of servant leadership, joint policy making and creating equal job opportunities for all South Africans.

At DaVinci Business School, we are proud of our alumni like Edward, who are using their education to make a positive impact in their industries and communities. We are committed to supporting our students in achieving their goals and making a difference in the world. We believe that education is a powerful tool for creating positive change and we are honored to play a small role in our alums journey towards making a difference. We are committed to continuing to provide our students with the best education and resources to help them succeed in their careers and make a meaningful impact in the world.

Meet Dr. Gizelle Williams, a remarkable alumna of The DaVinci Institute and a 2022 Doctoral graduate. Her thesis, entitled: “A conceptual framework for developing leadership capability within organisations in the digital era,” highlights the importance of leadership development in the ever-changing digital world of work.

Dr. Williams understands that change is constant, and businesses are impacted by global and technological shifts that influence how they are structured and managed.

The digital world of work, marked by technological advancements, demands a different type of leader. Her research aims to shed light on the leadership capabilities required in this new world of work and the developmental implications for organisations.

Throughout her career, Dr. Williams has been an advocate for leadership development and talent management. She started her journey with a degree in Industrial Psychology from Wits University, and has been registered as an Organisational Psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa since 2002. After achieving her Master’s degree, she entered the workforce at South African Breweries in Human Resources. From there, she did some people management consulting with Hay Group and YSC and entered the marketing and communications field in 2007. She then headed up HR for three different networks: VWV Group, where she was the HR Director, TBWA, where she was the Group Talent Director, and Publicis Groupe Africa, where she was the Chief Talent Officer. In 2020, Dr. Williams and her business partner founded Kryptonite Digital, a company that partners with organisations to take their people on the journey of digital business transformation.

Dr. Williams’ research is intended to shed light on the leadership capabilities required in the digital world of work, and to explore the developmental implications thereof. The key contribution of the study is a conceptual framework for developing leadership capability within organisations in the digital era. Of which mindsets, perspectives and skills required in the digital world of work are critical contributions. The notion that these capabilities are to be developed in a vertical, organic way.

Her journey to completing her qualification was not without its challenges, but her grit and resilience, coupled with a deep curiosity for the unknown and her need to make a real difference, helped her persevere. The journey has also taught her about the importance of remaining humble and always open to new learning. She has also found her voice amongst the myriad of other expert voices.

As she sets her sights on expanding Kryptonite Digital to the world, Dr. Williams has moved to Spain and has set up Kryptonite Europe. Her advice to a student embarking on this journey is to keep your eye on the prize, never give up, and never doubt yourself. With hard work and determination, you too can make a real difference in the world and be a leader of change.