Modise Makhene

Modise Makhene is a partner in Heidrick & Struggles’ Johannesburg office and a member of the Industrial Practice in the Europe and Africa region. A seasoned C-suite executive with more than 30 years of experience, he focuses on sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues, and has worked with private capital–backed businesses across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Prior to joining Heidrick & Struggles, Modise spent 11 years in executive search, most recently as a client partner and head of Sub-Saharan Africa at a global search firm and previously as a partner at another firm, which he helped build into a leading executive search and board consulting firm in South Africa.

He works across sectors, markets, and ownership models, with a focus on industrial clients in South Africa. He has expertise in ESG and sustainability, helping organizations integrate sustainability considerations into executive search and leadership mandates. He also regularly shares insights on ESG.

Earlier in his career, Modise led digital transformation and business growth as CEO of J. Walter Thompson Worldwide in South Africa, where he helped grow digital to 40 percent of the business’s revenue and secured the company’s first Cannes Lion in more than a decade. He also had senior roles at Primedia and Tiger Brands.

Howard University, MBA, Management

University of Iowa, BBA, Marketing

Modise serves as chair of The President’s Award for Youth Empowerment, the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award in South Africa, where he leads board strategy and fundraising efforts to expand youth access nationally.