Prof. Francois Sieberhagen

Position: Chief People Officer
Organization: VKB Group
Francois Sieberhagen is an accomplished human capital executive and thought leader in the people profession. He currently serves as Chief People Officer, VKB Group, bringing extensive experience in strategic people leading and -coaching. Francois was elected as a Board Member of the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP) for the 2021–2024 term, during which he received the SABPP CEO Award of the Year for extraordinary service and outstanding contribution to the HR profession in South Africa. He is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD UK), the highest professional designation in the UK HR field. In November 2022, Francois was appointed Associate Professor and lectures part-time at the University of the Free State Business School, where he supports bridging the skills gap between academia and the private sector. His leadership philosophy is grounded in authenticity and a deep passion for the people profession, with a firm belief that the future of work is rooted in returning to human-centred fundamentals.

Session Overview

PI vs AI: Why People Intelligence Is the Real Competitive Advantage
As organizations race to adopt artificial intelligence, many risk overlooking the one capability that ultimately determines success: people intelligence (PI). In a world defined by rapid technological change, constant disruption, and increasing complexity, companies are investing heavily in systems and automation yet often neglect the human foundation that enables these tools to deliver real value.
This talk explores the critical role of human-cantered culture in navigating the future of work. It challenges the assumption that AI alone drives performance and instead positions PI, the ability to understand, align, and empower people as the true differentiator. When employees’ values align with their organizational values and purpose, and when emotions, behaviours, and human dynamics are actively understood and cultivated, organizations unlock trust, a true sense of belonging, resilience, innovation, and sustainable performance.
Drawing on real-world insights and practical frameworks, this session will demonstrate how leaders can intentionally build cultures that prioritize connection, meaning, and trust, without slowing down progress. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to better integrate human insight into decision-making, strengthen engagement, and future-proof their organizations.
In the age of AI, the organizations that thrive won’t be the most automated, they will be the most human.
Three Tangible Learnings
Learning 1: People Intelligence (PI) is the Real Competitive Advantage
AI can optimize processes, but it cannot replace the human capacity to build trust, align values, and foster meaningful relationships. Attendees will understand that organizations succeed not by technology alone, but by how effectively they leverage people intelligence to unlock performance.
Learning 2: Culture Drives Sustainable Performance in the Age of AI
A human-centered culture is not a “soft” priority, it is a strategic necessity. Attendees will learn how alignment between individual purpose and organizational values fuels engagement, resilience, innovation, and long-term success, even in times of rapid change.
Learning 3: Practical Strategies to Integrate Human Insight into Leadership
Leaders will leave with actionable frameworks to better understand emotions, behaviors, and team dynamics, and to intentionally build environments rooted in trust, belonging, and connection, without slowing down innovation or technological progress.

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R11,995

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R13,995

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Francois Sieberhagen is an accomplished human capital executive and thought leader in the people profession. He currently serves as Chief People Officer, VKB Group, bringing extensive experience in strategic people leading and -coaching. Francois was elected as a Board Member of the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP) for the 2021–2024 term, during which he received the SABPP CEO Award of the Year for extraordinary service and outstanding contribution to the HR profession in South Africa. He is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD UK), the highest professional designation in the UK HR field. In November 2022, Francois was appointed Associate Professor and lectures part-time at the University of the Free State Business School, where he supports bridging the skills gap between academia and the private sector. His leadership philosophy is grounded in authenticity and a deep passion for the people profession, with a firm belief that the future of work is rooted in returning to human-centred fundamentals.