Professional background and experience:

Ingrid obtained her LLB degree in 1985 from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal. She is an admitted attorney and has acted as a judge in the Labour Court. Ingrid was the first Convening Senior Commissioner for the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) in the Gauteng province and as an accredited senior commissioner, she has conducted conciliations and arbitrations for the CCMA and various private and public sector Bargaining Councils. Ingrid conducts mediations, arbitrations, facilitations and relationship-building initiatives with Conflict Dynamics. Ingrid was the first chairperson of the South African Sports Commission Dispute Resolution Centre and is an Honorary Life Member of the South African Society of Labour Lawyers (SASLAW) having been elected to the positions of President and Vice President of SASLAW (Gauteng Province and National Committee respectively), by her peers in recognition of her achievements in the field of labour law and industrial relations.

Ingrid’s awards and judgments have been published in two major labour law journals and her articles have been published in three industrial relations publications. She has edited labour law-related publications and is currently the author of the LexisNexis online Practical Guidance publication covering the labour public practice area (for the public sector) and updating author of the labour practice area (for the private sector) as well as updating author of Butterworths Forms and Precedents: Employment.

Mediation experience and style:

Since 1994, Ingrid has conducted mediations for the Independent Mediation Service of South Africa (IMSSA), and its successor, the Arbitration and Mediation Service of South Africa, for Tokiso Dispute Settlement and Conflict Dynamics.  As a senior Commissioner at the CCMA, Ingrid has conducted conciliations for the CCMA and accredited Bargaining Councils since 1996. Ingrid employs a mediation approach characterized by a relaxed and informal demeanour, prioritizing the establishment of trust and confidence among the parties in her capacity to guide them towards a mutually satisfactory resolution.

Chairing enquiries and investigations experience:

For over two decades, Ingrid has provided training to junior and senior managers as well as shop stewards on the preparation, presentation in disciplinary enquiries, and, for managers, in chairing of disciplinary inquiries. Serving as a panellist for Conflict Dynamics and holding positions such as Assistant Employee Relations Manager for Goldfields Limited, she has chaired numerous disciplinary inquiries across both public and private sectors since the late 1990s. In her approach, Ingrid emphasizes a non-formalistic and technical stance while ensuring adherence to the principles of natural justice. She acknowledges that disciplinary inquiries need not mirror the rigour of a court process, a view affirmed by decisions of the Labour and Labour Appeal Courts.

Facilitation experience and style:

Ingrid has led relationship-building initiatives for senior managers and employee representatives across a broad spectrum of organizations, ranging from the Transnet National Port Authority in Durban to a snack and biscuit manufacturing company on behalf of Ernst and Young. Her primary objective in these endeavours is to strengthen the bond between management and labour, ultimately enhancing overall performance and productivity. During her tenure at Goldfields Limited, she oversaw meetings between National Union of Mineworkers officials, shop stewards, and senior management at both head office and mine levels. Ingrid employs an informal yet structured approach to these engagements.

Coaching experience and style:

Ingrid has coached both members of management and labour for annual wage negotiations helping them prepare for the process and guiding them as the process develops. Ingrid has trained managers, both junior and senior, trade union officials and shop stewards in both the private and public sector in conflict management and dispute resolution skills for nearly 30 years.

Comments from clients:

“Ingrid was very engaging and encouraged critical thinking which kept discussions lively.”

“Ingrid is very knowledgeable. Her experience in the field comes through as she facilitates.”