Chief Governance, Risk and Compliance Officer & Executive: Impact Advisory

A phrase to live by: “To thine own self be true.”

Leadership Lessons

• It’s not always about you – people’s reactions are often more about who they are and what they are going through. A thick skin is essential.
• People may forget your words, but they will never forget how you made them feel – or whether you stood by them when the chips were down.
• The harder you work, the luckier you get.
• A reputation takes years to build and seconds to destroy. Guard it.
• Choose your battles carefully.

A Leader Evolving

Carina’s leadership style has shifted over time from one of guarded strength to one marked by vulnerability and empathy. The change did not come from a single turning point but rather through experience, maturity, and a growing comfort in her own skin. Life’s challenges – including moments of deep stress and burnout – reshaped how she leads, grounding her in compassion and authenticity.

Reinvention Through Adversity

In her career, Carina faced the unenviable task of investigating CEOs – leaders she directly reported to – under Board instruction. These high-stakes situations placed her under extraordinary pressure, and at one point, led to burnout and serious health challenges, including a heart ablation after a condition revealed itself dramatically one Saturday morning in front of her three-year-old daughter.

The recovery took time. More than a new job, it required rediscovering her sense of self and purpose. She promised herself never again to be defined solely by a role or organisation. That promise continues to shape the kind of leader she is today – committed, but never at the cost of her health or humanity. It also deepened her compassion for colleagues navigating stress and burnout, recognising that “strength” looks different for everyone.

Leading With Purpose

For Carina, leading with purpose means making a difference, passionately. She has always created team visions anchored in value creation – being better today than yesterday. That has meant building environments where people feel safe, are encouraged to grow, take accountability, make safe mistakes, and bring their best selves forward.

Roots That Run Deep

Her parents embodied hard work, dedication, and loyalty. Her father spent nearly his entire career with one employer, known for his excellence. Her mother broke barriers as the first woman to earn a PhD in mathematics from the University of Pretoria and went on to lead in IT at a time when women were rarely seen in the field. Their example – together with the brilliance of her older sister, Derize – instilled in Carina a strong work ethic and the drive to excel.

Legacy in Motion

For Carina, legacy means leaving the world better because you were here. From a formative 1994 multicultural youth leadership initiative (EduTrain), to decades of mentoring, coaching, teaching, and charitable involvement, her constant thread has been impact.

She hopes her legacy will include the next generation of governance, legal, compliance, and sustainability leaders – and the shift she is championing for retirement funds to focus on sustainability, ensuring people not only retire comfortably but into a world worth retiring into. Most of all, she hopes her daughter, Nicci – a long-awaited miracle – will live each day acknowledging her unique purpose.

Staying Centered

Faith is Carina’s constant. In uncertainty, she draws strength from her religion, her family, and her circle of supportive friends. Exercise remains her outlet – whether it’s bootcamp, biking, or running.

Inspired by Others

Her parents set the example of dedication. Her husband, Sas, is her greatest supporter and source of constructive honesty. Alongside them, she has been mentored and championed by leaders who challenged her to step out of her comfort zone. And in recent years, her involvement with the Gender Mainstreaming Awards and exposure to phenomenal women across Africa has been an endless source of inspiration.

Message to Future Leaders

“The future is not certain, it is in our hands.”