Lisa Seftel
South Africa
Lisa is an executive coach, public sector strategist, and leader with more than three decades of experience shaping policy, leading complex institutions, and driving large-scale change across South Africa’s public sector. Her career spans senior leadership roles in government, local government, labour relations, transport, and socio-economic development, including serving as Executive Director of the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) and Executive Director of Transport for the City of Johannesburg.
Throughout her career, Lisa has worked at the intersection of leadership, policy, governance, and social change. She has led complex stakeholder negotiations, facilitated national policy processes, managed large-scale transformation programmes, and brought together diverse groups to address some of South Africa’s most pressing economic and social challenges. Her experience includes strategic planning, legislative reform, conflict resolution, change management, capacity building, and public sector innovation.
Lisa holds a Master’s degree in Management from the Wits School of Governance and is a certified coach. Alongside her executive leadership experience, she has spent many years supporting individuals through counselling, facilitation, and leadership development. Her coaching approach is grounded in deep listening, thoughtful reflection, and the creation of a trusted space where clients can step back from complexity, gain clarity, and strengthen their leadership practice.
In her coaching work, Lisa partners with leaders navigating complexity, change, and high-stakes decision-making. She works with clients across government, non-governmental organisations, and the broader public-interest sectors to deepen self-awareness, strengthen strategic thinking, navigate conflict, and lead with greater confidence and purpose. Drawing on a lifetime of leadership experience, she brings both challenge and support, helping clients translate insight into meaningful action.
Beyond her coaching practice, Lisa continues to contribute to public life through advisory, research, and policy roles. She is widely respected for her ethical leadership, ability to navigate complexity, and commitment to building a more capable, inclusive, and resilient society.
