Difference Makers

In this section we look at Chartered Accountants who have transformed communities, businesses, and the wider world, making a real difference in the lives of others. We call them “Difference Makers”.

Chartered Accountants – Difference Makers

Finance touches every part of every organisation. The skills, perspectives and training that Chartered Accountants have makes them a force for real change when it is needed most. Chartered Accountants’ contribution at work, in communities, society and the wider economy makes them true “Difference Makers”.

Now, as the world struggles to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, and grapples with the disruption caused by the war in Ukraine, we face huge financial and business challenges. The right advice will be critical. That is why there has never been a better time for governments, businesses, and individuals to work together and to understand the value that Chartered Accountants bring.

Online Events & Webinars

Difference Makers Discuss

Difference Makers Discuss is a web series that aims to explore, and find solutions to, some of the most pressing issues affecting Chartered Accountants and the business & finance sector more broadly. From diversity and inclusion to mental health, and from trust in business to digital disruption and the climate emergency, we’ll take an unflinching look.

Every episode will feature difference makers from the Chartered Accountants Worldwide family in a conversation that will touch on some of the biggest issues facing businesses today.  Each guest will give their valuable perspective on an issue they’ve directly experienced in their working lives.

Watch the latest Difference Makers Discuss webinar below:

Past Highlights

Difference Makers Discuss… The Value of Diversity

In this episode, our guests discuss the value of diversity. Exclusion and discrimination can take many forms. Whether the discrimination is based on age, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion, gender or other perceived differences, being treated unfairly at work for these reasons is a significant and insidious problem in many workplaces.

Watch the full event on demand

Watch the highlights

Insights on Difference Makers

Insights on Difference Makers

Mental Health Matters

The Silent Pandemic – Insights from Difference Makers Discuss… Mental Health Matters

As Chartered Accountants, we can bring about change in the organisations we work for, shine a light on the issue both locally – and globally.

Difference Makers Discuss is a series of webinars that offers a platform to have those discussions, and, in this episode, we focus on mental health matters.

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Difference Makers Podcast Amir Dossal

“Did he say a million or a billion?!” Amir Dossal reflects on his life as a Difference Maker

I remember Kofi Annan saying ‘did he say a million or a billion’? So we said ‘no sir he said a billion with a B!' Recently, the Difference Makers Podcast spoke with Amir Dossal a Chartered Accountant and 25-year veteran of the United Nations. Amir is founder and president of […]

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Difference Makers Discuss the Value of Diversity

Highlights from Difference Makers Discuss… The Value of Diversity

This first episode ‘Difference Makers Discuss… The Value of Diversity’ included a dynamic group of speakers with expertise in chartered accountancy, strategic leadership, entrepreneurship, and academic research.

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The Difference Makers Podcast

Difference Makers Podcast

We created this podcast in order to celebrate the lives and work of people who have transformed communities, businesses, and the wider world, making a real difference in the lives of others. We call them “Difference Makers”.

In each episode, our host, Indy Hothi, meets a new Difference Maker. Listen to our first episode today – David Nussbaum, a prisoner of hope.

Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts,  Stitcher, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and other podcast networks.

Watch the series on YouTube

In this episode we meet David Nussbaum, a true Difference Maker. Throughout his career he's fought corruption, battled climate change, and worked at the highest levels of industry and politics to make meaningful change in the world. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Price Waterhouse, moved into venture capital with 3i, and then into manufacturing, becoming the Financial Director of Field Group plc In 1997 David left the world of business and finance and joined Oxfam as FD and Deputy CEO and was later seconded to head up Oxfam’s operations in India. David went on to become Chair of Transparency International, the leading global anti-corruption organisation, CEO of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) UK, and now Chief Executive at The Elders. The Elders are an independent group of global leaders working together for peace, justice and human rights. They were founded by the late Nelson Mandela, and are currently chaired by Mary Robinson. In each of these roles he used the knowledge, perspective, skills and capabilities that he gained from his background as a Chartered Accountant to make a difference. Whether that was through using his skills with numbers to improve logistics for aid operations, using numbers to help tell the story of corruption in countries around the world, using communication and interpersonal skills to help further the goal of persuading leaders to work with a greater sense of justice, ethics, and consideration for the good of all. He ends by quoting Arch-bishop Desmond Tutu, who when asked why he was such an eternal optimist, replied: "I'm not an optimist, I am a prisoner of hope".
David Nussbaum - A prisoner of hope
YouTube Video UExjcnZneEVLczFLNmdvVjFHNDRVVklLMGt4MnloS3JHcC41NkI0NEY2RDEwNTU3Q0M2

David Nussbaum - A prisoner of hope

In this episode Indy meets Zahid Fakey, the CEO of weFEEDsa, an organisation conceived during the lockdown of COVID-19 with the principle purpose of feeding the less fortunate in a dignified manner. In 2018, he'd left his role Price Waterhouse Coopers as regional head of risk assurance for cases in South Africa and Swaziland to fulfil "his greater purpose". He has since devoted his time to improving society through such endeavours as his consulting company "Unplugged", his many board positions. During lockdown, his organisation We Feed SA, provided 12,000 meals a day to those in need in KwaZulu Natal as well as the project "The House of Opportunity", which helps the homeless obtain skills and jobs. Zahid holds multiple board positions. He is a non-executive director of National Bioproducts Institute and the Chairman of their Audit and Risk Committee. He also serves as a trustee on the board of the organisation’s Provident Fund. He holds a non-executive director position with Albaraka Bank Limited where he serves as a member of the main board, the Chairman of capital, risk management and compliance committee and as a member of the social and ethics committee. He has been appointed as the independent Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee of Dube Tradeport Corporation as of September 2018.
Zahid Fakey - Fulfilling his greater purpose
YouTube Video UExjcnZneEVLczFLNmdvVjFHNDRVVklLMGt4MnloS3JHcC4yODlGNEE0NkRGMEEzMEQy

Zahid Fakey - Fulfilling his greater purpose

In this episode Indy meets Mufseen Miah. He talks about how growing up he was scared to come out as gay, fearing that if he was open about his sexuality his education, career, and social life might suffer. Mufseen studied economics and later accountancy. Once he started his career he became aware of the importance of supporting ED&I initiatives at work. Mufseen talks about how he became involved in Pride London, becoming director of finance. Pride is important because it creates a safe space where people can express their sexuality without being judged. It is a celebration of love and diversity, he says. Mufseen is a co-host on Queer Talk, an exciting new LGBTQ+ podcast which he founded. It is a passion project and explores the many real intersectional issues faced by LGBTQ+ people. In addition to this Mufseen is creative in many areas including design, photography and writing and regularly brings these together in consulting or collaborating with charities on awareness campaigns. Mufseen is a member of ICAS (Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland) and has several years experience in auditing and assurance services, financial forecasting, budgeting and strategic planning. Mufseen is an experienced financial accountant working in digital media specialising in FP&A and financial reporting for Little Dot Studios.
Mufseen Miah - Pride is a Beacon of Hope
YouTube Video UExjcnZneEVLczFLNmdvVjFHNDRVVklLMGt4MnloS3JHcC4wMTcyMDhGQUE4NTIzM0Y5

Mufseen Miah - Pride is a Beacon of Hope

In this episode Indy meets Jonny Jacobs CA, is the Finance Director EMEA at Starbucks, he is also a passionate advocate for positive mental health. Jonny speaks openly about his own struggles with mental health in his teens and talks about the importance of acknowledging challenges people may be experiencing in their lives. Helping and supporting others is not just a moral and social responsibility in leadership but also has a business case. A healthy economy is about our environment, our communities, our employees – and the health of employees. In the UK alone, mental health-related issues carry a £40 billion cost to business and a further £80 billion in social cost, he explains. Jonny is a trustee of the Mental Health Foundation, the UK is leading mental health charity, a non Executive Director of Mental Health at Work, a One Young World ambassador and a goalkeeper of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He also plays a key role in supporting ICAS. In 2017, he was recognised as a young chartered accountant of the year and is co-leading the mental fitness in business strategy to drive change on the subject amongst the finance and accounting profession. We hope you find Johnny's story inspiring.
Jonny Jacobs - Ending the stigma around mental health
YouTube Video UExjcnZneEVLczFLNmdvVjFHNDRVVklLMGt4MnloS3JHcC41MjE1MkI0OTQ2QzJGNzNG

Jonny Jacobs - Ending the stigma around mental health

In this episode Indy meets Amir Dossal CA, Founder and President of the Global Partnerships Forum – a not-for-profit knowledge platform to provide changemakers with tools to build innovative partnerships for the SDG. Amir describes his varied career with emphasis on his journey to, and work within the United Nations. Reflecting on his humanitarian work in various developing countries, Amir describes it as a privilege to be involved in the problem solving required to meet the different challenges. “It was a system based approach…you capture data on epidemiology…and the moment you do health, you’re doing education.” Amir is a 25-year veteran of the United Nations, and was the UN’s Chief Liaison for Partnerships. As Executive Director of the UN Office for Partnerships, he managed the $1 billion gift by media mogul Ted Turner. Amir is currently President, Global Partnerships Forum; Champion, UN Safe Ground Campaign; Vice Chair, Blockchain Commission; Distinguished Fellow of Healthcare, World Economic Forum. We hope you find Amir’s story inspiring.
Amir Dossal - Hope for Humanity
YouTube Video UExjcnZneEVLczFLNmdvVjFHNDRVVklLMGt4MnloS3JHcC4wOTA3OTZBNzVEMTUzOTMy

Amir Dossal - Hope for Humanity

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Beyond Accounting Difference Makers Podcast

Beyond Accounting – Difference Makers Podcast

CAW Network USA recently launched a podcast series, “Beyond Accounting – Difference Makers.”  Each episode highlights a professional Chartered Accountant who is making a difference in their company, industry, or society. Our listeners get to learn a little bit about our featured speaker but also gain their advice on success and pushing boundaries to change the landscape for the better.

Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and other podcast networks.

Find out more

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READ: Maintaining & achieving good health is imperative for physical and mental well-being. However, some barriers can get in the way. Therefore, it is essential to recognise what prevents or deters men from seeking help and support regarding their health.

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