Durban

2026 Annual Conference

Organisational Development

Organisation Development at the Edge: Culture, Leadership
& Transformation for a Disrupted World

Two-day Conference: 14–15 October 2026

The Capital Pearls • Umhlanga Rocks, Durban

In Partnership with

Culture, Leadership & Transformation for a Disrupted World

The practice of Organisation Development (OD) is evolving rapidly. The past few years have brought a perfect storm of disruption: digital acceleration, social and economic volatility, hybrid work, and rising expectations for inclusion and well-being.

Across every sector, organisations are being tested on their ability to adapt while keeping people engaged, connected, and purposeful.

Recent global research indicates that most large-scale transformation efforts continue to fail to sustain their impact. Change often addresses structure or systems, but not the human dynamics that determine whether new ways of working take hold. The organisations making real progress are those that treat change as a continuous process of learning, design, and reflection, rather than a one-off project.

In response to this new landscape, OD Conference 2026 brings together leaders, consultants, and practitioners exploring how OD can create more adaptive, humane, and high-performing systems. The programme is structured around the most current and influential themes shaping OD, change management, and organisational psychology today, such as:

  • Strategic Agility and Adaptive Systems
    Research emphasises that agility is now the strongest predictor of organisational resilience. OD’s role is to help organisations sense change early, interpret it wisely, and respond with speed and integrity. The conference will explore how to build adaptive capacity through culture, leadership, and system design, translating agility from a strategic idea into lived practice.

  • Digital Transformation with People at the Centre
    Technology continues to reshape how organisations function, but its success depends on people. The current shift is toward integrating digital capability with empathy, connection, and purpose. Sessions throughout the programmeme examine how OD professionals can bridge the digital–human gap, using analytics, systems thinking, and design principles to lead transformation that enhances trust and collaboration rather than eroding it.
  • Well-being, Inclusion, and the Human Side of Change
    Many change efforts still falter because they fail to engage the emotional and relational aspects of work. Sustainable transformation relies on embedding change in everyday behaviour, supported by psychological safety, belonging, and inclusion. There is also growing recognition that mental health and well-being are not side issues. They are central to performance, resilience, and retention. The conference creates space to explore the psychological foundations of thriving organisations.

  • Continuous Learning and Culture as a System
    OD has always championed learning, but the focus has shifted from individual programmes to whole-system learning. Culture is now understood as an interconnected web of structures, behaviours, and feedback loops that either support or stifle growth. This year’s agenda offers practical approaches to diagnosing and designing culture, building feedback systems, and embedding experimentation and reflection into daily work.

  • Collaborative and Participative Change
    The most effective change now happens through participation. Organisations that involve employees in shaping decisions report higher engagement, faster adoption, and greater ownership of outcomes. Through interactive workshops and peer dialogues, delegates will explore facilitation, dialogue, and sensemaking as essential tools for enabling shared accountability and collective intelligence.

The Next Chapter for OD

The expectations placed on OD, HR, and change professionals are changing. Beyond delivering initiatives, practitioners are now expected to demonstrate measurable impact: linking culture and performance, integrating business and people strategies, and helping organisations remain resilient in a world of continuous transformation.

OD Conference 2026 provides a practical, research-informed forum to examine what truly works in leading change. Over three days, participants will learn from local and international experts, engage with real organisational case studies, and take part in facilitated experiences that connect research with practice.

The intent is clear: to strengthen the professional community that designs the systems, conversations, and cultures shaping how people and organisations succeed together.

Who Should Attend?

The Organisational Development Conference 2026 is designed for forward-thinking professionals and leaders who are passionate about building stronger, more agile, and inclusive organisations:

Organisational Leaders

Including Heads and Managers of Organisational Development, Design, and Effectiveness, Transformation and Change Management, and Organisation Development Advisors and Consultants.

HR Professionals

HR Directors, Heads of HR, HR Managers, and Business Partners, along with Heads and Managers of Learning and Development, Learning and Development Advisors, Consultants, Leadership Development Managers, and Business Partners.

Talent Management Experts

Heads and Managers of Talent Management, Talent Development Specialists, and Consultants.

Conference Speakers

Dr Tatjana Ilic-Balas

Founder & Consulting Principal, IB Talent Strategies

Dr Casey DeBruyn

Senior Industrial-Organisational Psychologist and OD Consultant

Pamela Xaba

Founder & Transformational Coach, NONKOSI Coaching & Leadership

Dr Vusi Vilakati

Organisational Consultant | Leadership Coach

Carla Jacobs

Organisational Effectiveness Lead, Woolworths

TAEGAN DEVAR

Founder of Organisational and People Development Consultancy, Fineline Consulting

Dr Charles du Toit

Management Director, Trust-Based Leadership Academy

Dr Sarah Babb

Managing Partner, Laminar Leadership

Christiaan Grové

Partner & Founder, GrowthLabs

Dr Augusta Dorning

Managing Partner, Extraordinary Hospitals of Africa

Travis Stephenson

Talent & Organisational Effectiveness Director, Mr Price Group

Ronnie Mulaudzi

Head of Organisational Development, Hulamin

Bhavani Jeena

Head of People & Culture, Lenmed

Roxanne Swanepoel

Group Head of Talent, Mr Price Group

Tiaan Van Zyl

Fractional HR Director with a passion for AI & Technology

Karen Hammond

Group Head of People, Meridian Group

Siwe Sibeko

Head of Human Capital, Aspen Holdings

Lucille Apelgren

Change Leadership Partner & Founder, The Shift Studio

Neil Rademan

General Manager Organisational Development, Dunlop Tyres South Africa

Nicole Chembayan

Organisational Development Manager, CCI Global

Participating Organisations

HR Director Annual Conference 2025
HR Director Annual Conference 2025

Summary of topics across the two day agenda

Day 1: 14 October 2026
  • The Emperor’s New Clothes – the Courage to say “The Emperor has no Clothes”
  • Evaluating OD Interventions and Maximising ROI: From Data to Impact

  • Diagnose. Design. Do. A Pragmatic Approach to Culture and Organisational Change

  • Technology-Enhanced OD: Reimagining organisation development in the Digital Era
  • Culture as a Catalyst: Scaling Purpose, People and Growth
  • Building Resilient Talent Systems: Sustaining Organisational Capability Through Disruption – A Manufacturing Sector Perspective
  • Embracing Neurodiversity in OD: Unlocking Unique Strengths for Inclusive Growth
  • Storytelling for Culture Shift: Harnessing the Power of Narrative to Build Meaning, Trust and Belonging
Day 2: 15 October 2026
  • Panel Discussion: Practising Ethical organisation development for Sustainable Impact
  • The Real Work Starts on Monday: Leading Change
  • Case Study: Creating Adaptive, Future-Ready Organisations
  • Leading Teams with Superpowers: How Leaders Build Connection, Competence and Autonomy

  • When the System Speaks: How Leaders Respond to Culture Diagnostics at the Edge

  • International Address: New Models for Organisational Adaptability – Redefining Structures and Mindsets for Future-Readiness
  • Roundtable: Navigating the Human Side of Transformation

VENUE

The Capital Pearls • Durban

Welcome to a new chapter at The Capital Pearls. We’ve expanded our offering to include a newly built wing of modern studios and apartments designed for today’s traveller. These refined, contemporary spaces complement our beloved existing rooms, delivering more ways to stay, your way.

The Capital Pearls introduces two distinct ways to stay, under one coastal icon. Our stunning resort has everything you need to seal the deal— state-of-the-art boardrooms, versatile conference venues, and just the right spot to charm your clients over coffee (or something stronger).

Our apartments serve up the perfect mix of comfort and holiday vibes—curl up in sleek, stylish spaces, then dive into the good stuff: a glistening resort pool, sunny deck, buzzing bar, over sixteen restaurants in the vicinity, and a kids’ play area that’s basically joy on repeat.

Partner with us

Sponsorship & Exhibition Opportunities

For over a decade, KR has curated this premier event, attracting OD leaders who are influential decision-makers. Elevate your brand and establish robust business relationships, lead generation and a thriving pipeline through our sponsorship opportunities.

Benefits:

  • Engage directly with current and potential business partners.
  • Forge significant connections, generate leads, and close sales.
  • Showcase your most recent product and service innovations.
  • Feature your executives through speaking opportunities that solidify your market position.
  • Access an elite networking platform with top HR decision-makers.
  • Demonstrate your products’ and solutions’ practical applications within our inventive conference agenda.
  • Select from a variety of sponsorship packages to fit any budget.

Don’t miss out on presenting your brand at this event, by partnering with us for the Organisational Development Annual Conference 2026.

NOTE: There are limited sponsorship and exhibition opportunities available.

Contact Charmaine Shangase – [email protected] to find out more.

Enquire about more options available