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 Webinars

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.

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Insights on Difference Makers

Insights on Difference Makers

neurodiversity

Paul Kingham CA shares why he views neurodiversity as a superpower

Aged 30, Paul Kingham CA was diagnosed with dyslexia and, at 48, with ADHD. Here he explores their impact on his accountancy career – and explains how neurodivergence can be a ‘superpower’

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Fostering Female Ambition

What’s Stopping YOU? Fostering Female Ambition

In this webinar – that was held on 8th March 2023 to coincide with International Women’s Day – Chartered Accountants Worldwide revealed the results of a global research study mapping the paths of mid-career women in the Chartered Accountancy profession.

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Windmills at dawn

Insights from the Change for Sustainability Event

Sustainability should be at the forefront of everyone’s agenda, and yet, for many businesses, both large and small, it’s not!

Too many industries are not making changes to improve sustainability at a rapid enough pace. Recent climate events – from heatwaves, floods and wildfires that are occurring regularly and globally are an indicator that man-made climate change is very much happening now.

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The Difference Makers Podcast

Indy Singh Hothi

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 Singh 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.

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Did you know we've a suite of podcasts ranging from sustainability through building resilience and what it means to be a difference maker? check them out here:

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Greenwashing is the practice by companies of making misleading or unsubstantiated claims about products or activities in order to appear more...

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Ready to dive into the future of finance? Join our FinBiz 2030 webinar at APA Fest: AI Unleashed. Discover how AI is revolutionising finance & accounting. Register now for an enlightening journey: https://ow.ly/5r1P50PR3SH #FinBiz2030 Lightbox link for post with description Ready to dive into the future of finance? Join...

Ready to dive into the future of finance? Join our FinBiz 2030 webinar at APA Fest: AI Unleashed. Discover how AI is revolutionising finance & accounting. Register now for an enlightening journey: https://ow.ly/5r1P50PR3SH #FinBiz2030

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3 more Sleeps: One Young World Belfast 2023 Follow our delegates at this year's One Young World summit in Belfast and see the brightest young talent from every country and sector working to accelerate social impact.https://ow.ly/cqhV50PR3n6 #OneYoungWorld #CharteredStar Lightbox link for post with description 3 more Sleeps: One Young World Belfast 2023 ...

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3 more Sleeps: One Young World Belfast 2023 Follow our delegates at this year's One Young World summit in Belfast and see the brightest young talent from every country and sector working to accelerate social impact.https://ow.ly/cqhV50PR3n6 #OneYoungWorld #CharteredStar Lightbox link for post with description 3 more Sleeps: One Young World Belfast 2023 ...

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Follow our delegates at this year's One Young World summit in Belfast and see the brightest young talent from every country and sector working to accelerate social impact.https://ow.ly/cqhV50PR3n6 #OneYoungWorld #CharteredStar

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3 more Sleeps: One Young World Belfast 2023 Follow our delegates at this year's One Young World summit in Belfast and see the brightest young talent from every country and sector working to accelerate social impact.https://ow.ly/2Zpe50PR3n9 #OneYoungWorld #CharteredStar Lightbox link for post with description 3 more Sleeps: One Young World Belfast 2023 ...

3 more Sleeps: One Young World Belfast 2023
Follow our delegates at this year's One Young World summit in Belfast and see the brightest young talent from every country and sector working to accelerate social impact.https://ow.ly/2Zpe50PR3n9 #OneYoungWorld #CharteredStar

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3 more Sleeps: One Young World Belfast 2023 Follow our delegates at this year's One Young World summit in Belfast and see the brightest young talent from every country and sector working to accelerate social impact.https://ow.ly/2Zpe50PR3n9 #OneYoungWorld #CharteredStar Lightbox link for post with description 3 more Sleeps: One Young World Belfast 2023 ...

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Follow our delegates at this year's One Young World summit in Belfast and see the brightest young talent from every country and sector working to accelerate social impact.https://ow.ly/2Zpe50PR3n9 #OneYoungWorld #CharteredStar

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🚶 The October edition of CA magazine is out now! 🚶 Attracting and retaining the next generation of talent is one the biggest challenges facing the accountancy profession today. We hear from experts on how you can combat this challenge. Read more here: https://t.co/4z47HM6a18 Lightbox link for post with description 🚶 The October edition of CA magazine is out...

🚶 The October edition of CA magazine is out now! 🚶

Attracting and retaining the next generation of talent is one the biggest challenges facing the accountancy profession today. We hear from experts on how you can combat this challenge.

Read more here: https://t.co/4z47HM6a18

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Belfast, here we come: The @OneYoungWorld 2023 Summit takes place beginning of October, and we are taking a global delegation again this year. Take a look: #CharteredStar

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.@ISCA_Offical is organising the Global Talent Programme (GTP) in March 2024 and would like to invite students from around the world to Singapore to participate. It's the opportunity of a lifetime!

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Apply now for ISCA's Global Talent Programme

ISCA is organising the Global Talent Programme (GTP) in March 2024 and would like to invite students from around the world to Singapore to ...

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