Dharshni Padayachee is a seasoned Finance and Human Capital leader, with a passion for inclusion, equality and human development. Her 20+ year career in corporate spans a multitude of experience across Finance, Operations and Human Capital.

Dharshni is a Chartered Accountant and began her career at PWC before joining RMB. During her tenure at RMB she fulfilled numerous roles including Head of Finance for Group Treasury and Head Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for RMB. She was responsible for development of strategy as well as numerous leading DEI initiatives. She has lead RMB’s gender equality initiative, developed the RMB parental program as well as founded the first LGBT+ affinity group.

Dharshni has been a keynote speaker at numerous events including UN Women and the JSE. She presents DEI masterclasses and recently founded Table of Twelve, a networking group for professional women. She is an executive coach and has recently completed her MPhil in Leadership coaching. She serves as Board member of Play Africa. an NPO focused on encouraging education through play. She volunteers her time to mentor and assist young women navigate their careers.

She is a wife and mother to two energetic sons. Equality, creativity and community reside at her core. She believes that change is an active process and that we all have a responsibility to be the change we want to see.

Favourite quote: “Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds.” Bob Marley, inspired by Marcus Garvey