Talent Lab Announces the 9th Edition of HR Café

Professor Mari Jansen Van Rensburg is an accomplished academic and leader with a strong commitment to advancing education and improving the educational experience for students.

Currently serving as the Mauritius Campus Director of Middlesex University, Mari is responsible for guiding and overseeing the campus operations. In this role, she works closely with colleagues to maintain high standards in student experience, academic achievement, learning excellence, and community well-being. Within Middlesex University, Mari holds memberships in key decision-making bodies such as the Academic Board, University Leadership Board, Senior Management Group, and International Campus Review Group. In addition, she actively contributes to promoting internationalisation and driving the growth and advancement of the Mauritian education sector by participating in ministerial, regulatory, and economic committees, task groups, and panels.

Mari also serves as an executive member of the Association of Private Higher Education Institutions.
Prior to her current position, Mari had a successful career at the University of South Africa (Unisa), shere she worked as a Professor in Strategic Management and held various senior leadership roles. She concluded her tenure at Unisa as the Academic Director of the Graduate School of Business Leadership.

With nearly 30 years of experience in multicultural and multidisciplinary settings, she possesses comprehensive knowledge of higher education in Africa. Her research on strategic management, change management, leadership, and customer relationship management has been published internationally.

With some 16 years of experience in the textile and apparel industry, Sandesh is a seasoned HR, currently serving as the Head of Human Resource Projects at CIEL Textile since July 2022. His career reflects a deep understanding of the competitive business environment and a proven track record in driving Operational Excellence, HR, Strategic Sourcing, Quality Management, Logistics Management, and Store Management.

Sandesh’s role as the Head of Human Resource Projects at CIEL Textile, with production operations in four countries, underscore his leadership capabilities and strategic vision in understanding crucial functions with organisations.

Sandeshis known for his positivity, flexibility, open-mindedness, and consideration of the humane aspect in relevant situations. His willingness to learn, innovate, and adapt to changing circumstances reflects his proactive approach to professional challenges. As a skilled HR professional, Sandesh brings a strong understanding of human resource dynamics to his role.

With his extensive industry experience, strategic mindset, and commitment to ongoing learning, Sandesh is well-positioned to contribute significantly to the topic of the day.

Shyama obtained her Diploma in Mass Communication at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, where she specialized in News Agency Journalism. She then pursued a career in Journalism at La Sentinelle, where she worked for 16 years as a Senior Current Affairs Journalist.

In April 2007, Shyama joined ENL Group as the Communications Manager for Villas Valriche, where she led communications strategies for luxury residential estate developments in the group. She has led ENL’s corporate communications since April 2009 and was Group Head of Communications prior to assuming her new role.

In July 2024, Shyama was appointed Chief Culture & Inclusion Executive for both ENL & Rogers Groups. In this role, she is instrumental in leading brand image and reputation management strategies, contributing to the consistent growth of the ENL corporate brand over the years.

With such lengthy and unparalleled experience in the field of communications, Shyama has witnessed the nuanced process businesses undergo in an attempt to maintain a stable organisational culture and performance while also adapting to a constantly evolving workforce. Her insights on how to navigate the ever-evolving workforce landscape will bring another valuable dimension to the discussion.

Kapish is a Millenial Entrepreneur with 5+ years of experience in Talent Management within Rogers Group. During his tenure, he served in 3 distinct industries namely Corporate Office, Logistics and Financial Services. 

Earlier this month, he launched his own talent consulting startup called Talent Enabler. With the Philosophy of Making the world a better place to work ; he believes that engagement is important for any organization to thrive and grow.

Kapish is also a Neuro Linguistic Practitioner and a certified coachee from the Jay Shetty Certification School.

Kapish brings a unique blend of practical knowledge and innovative thinking to our panel. His belief in the power of engagement and his expertise in talent management will provide valuable insights into how organizations can adapt and thrive in an evolving workforce.

Having grown up in Mauritius, Anouchka moved to France where she pursued a PhD at La Sorbonne university.

Anouchka then began her professional career through an immersion in the world of journalism, after which she migrated to Dubai to teach philosophy. While in Dubai, she set up her own business as a philosophy speaker and corporate trainer.

In July 2023, she returned to her native island. Since then, she has devoted herself to developing the concept of philosophy in the workplace and to writing.

Through her philosophical talks and trainings, Anouchka aims to break down preconceived ideas, enable a change of perspective, stimulate active thinking, promote more rational approaches in cases of tension and anxiety, aid the finding of solutions to issues, and encourage the regaining of control of thinking and decision-making processes.

Having closely studied and worked with the many paradoxes of human nature in various contexts, Anouchka will address the ever-present dilemma of achieving stability in a society where innovation and change are constant. Particularly, her experience with philosophy in the corporate realm will unlock a discussion into the preserving of identity and social values while getting to grips with inevitable change and innovation in the world of work.