Welcome to CIAFS

Dr Kershen Pillay is the CEO of the Graduate Institute of Financial Sciences, or GIFS as it’s better known in the financial services’ education industry in South Africa. He became a CEO at the age of 27 and rebranded the organization in 2005 into a South African financial services’ education powerhouse. Dr Pillay is a passionate philanthropist and is respected for his insatiable thirst to ensure employment for young people. He has won multiple industry awards over the years for his contribution as a financial services’ thought leader. Last year, Dr Pillay won the inaugural Future of Work Visionary Award at the Future of Leadership Summit in Sandton, Johannesburg. 

Mr Christopher Mulder is the Chief Strategy Officer at the Graduate Institute of Financial Sciences (GIFS). He has extensive experience in the fields of strategy, analysis, and executive leadership. As a mentor, Mr Mulder has carved a reputation as a ‘whisperer to executives’ where he assists senior leaders to find a niche in their area of expertise. He is a seasoned professional with an affinity for understanding business ecosystems, and identifying market trends and opportunities for growth. Mr Mulder’s decades’ long experience spans the fields of Financial Services, Telecommunications, Banking, Insurance, Collections, Payments and Rewards.

Ms Sue Sunker is the Company Secretary of the Graduate Institute of Financial Sciences (GIFS). She is an accomplished and practicing legal professional with a glittering career that spans 14-years. Ms Sunker has also diversified her skillset and has served as GIFS’ Chief Risk Officer for more than a decade. She has widespread experience at executive-level and has served as counsel to various organizational boards. Her ability to be risk-averse while forward-thinking has led to her strategizing some of GIFS’ most ambitious and successful projects in recent history.

Ms Terrisha Jainarain is a respected financial analyst and has more than a decade of experience as a Chief Financial Officer, a role she currently holds at the Graduate Institute of Financial Sciences (GIFS). Ms Jainarain’s effective handling of financial books has ensured unqualified audits for the organization. She’s also passionate about ensuring that young people understand the importance of sound financial practices, especially in the context of South Africa’s young democracy. Ms Jainarain coaches young people about the principles of budgeting and adherence to ethics in financial services.