Wandile Mthiyane

“Architecture is just a frame and people are the big picture” - Obi Okolo Wandile grew up in post-apartheid South Africa which embodied the architecture of that era, marred and purposed for oppression. He believes that despite this oppression experienced in his country; architecture is a beacon of commonality and love shared among communities, therefore taking a leading role in designing a space which speaks to the people that fill it up. This talk explores how architecture is a beacon of commonality. Listening empowers people to become a part of the process by speaking up about what they want, choosing how they wish to live. It also trains leaders on how to be better listeners.

"Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance." - Verna Myers Diversity and inclusion are a core theme for Wandile in serving his purpose as an architect as a result of his upbringing and life experiences. He was born during apartheid South Africa, attended a high school in Zimbabwe, and then went on to complete his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in architecture at the most ethnically diverse university in the United States; Andrews University in the state of Michigan. These diverse experiences around the world have shaped his understanding of the different environments around him and the importance of inclusion, which embraces the cultural roots that different communities are drawn to. This talk teaches leaders how to acknowledge, respect, and appreciate different value systems so diversity can thrive, allowing everyone to be heard. This creates a space that represents a community of inclusion and mutual understanding.

“We Are The One We’ve Been Waiting for.” Wandile’s philosophy of leadership, largely informed by his time working with the Obama Foundation as an Obama leader, centers around the embodiment of three words: intentional, individual and influence-- all of which are rooted in the idea that true leadership is achieved when you are able to create an environment that gives others the opportunity to lead. This approach to leadership relies on the continual discovery and leadership of self; the fundamental understanding of one’s individuality and unique perspective as the path to accessing influence. This talk is about the intentional application of fully understood individual influence that allows a leader to make a lasting impact on their community, institution, and world in a way that has never been seen before. According to 2018 research from McKinsey shows, greater diversity in the workforce results in greater profitability and value creation.