How can we reimagine sustainability to go beyond environmental care and generate true social impact? How can innovation shape a regenerative business future — in wine, in agriculture, and in entrepreneurship?
Join us at Wisdom and Wine: Innovation, Sustainability and Impact - an evening of conversation, connection, and world-class wine at Warwick Wine Estate.
This session will inspire forward-thinking conversations around sustainability, economic inclusion, and impactful leadership, all in the spirit of Ubuntu and innovation.
Don’t miss this chance to connect with fellow alumni and industry leaders making a difference.
SPEAKERS
Christiana von Arnim
CEO, Warwick Wine Estate
Christiana von Arnim is the CEO of Warwick Wine Estate in Stellenbosch. With more than two decades of experience in the world of wine and an MBA from the University of Stellenbosch Business School, she brings clarity, structure, and long-term thinking to the table.
Her work centres on building a resilient business—commercially, culturally, and environmentally—balancing the virtue of each of these aspects. Known for her calm, intelligent leadership, Christiana's approach is all about intentional decision-making, sophistication, and the quiet power of staying on course.
In her private time, Christiana loves being in nature—whether in the mountains or the ocean—and as an avid photographer, she enjoys capturing the world around her through her lens.
Berenice Barker
Global Sales & Marketing Executive, Warwick Wine Estate
Although born in South Africa, Berenice’s career has taken her across continents, shaping a global perspective from the outset. At 17, she moved to Los Angeles to complete the in-residence Graduate Gemmologist programme. Back in South Africa, her first salaried position was in a diamond-cutting factory, where she sorted and marked large fancy-coloured rough diamonds for cutting and polishing.
Her career progressed through retail and merchandise management, culminating in her appointment as a specialised fine jewellery buyer for a major retail chain—a role that had her spending significant time in Italy developing collections (completely unaware, back then, of how wonderful Italian wine is!).
Her path into wine was unexpected—and makes for a great story, involving a certain “boy person” (isn’t there always one!).
Berenice’s formative wine years were spent in South Africa, where she became a Cape Wine Master and was approached by Distell to establish a new wine division. After years of local market work, she was promoted to Distell’s international division, based in London. There, she led commercial and marketing strategies across global markets—from the Americas and Canada to Asia Pacific, Europe, the Baltics, and the Nordics—working across numerous brands and categories.
Her return to South Africa led to her appointment at Warwick, where she now serves as Global Sales & Marketing Executive. In this role, she oversees international and local sales and leads marketing efforts across both traditional and digital platforms—with brilliant support, of course.
She recently completed an MPhil in omnichannel marketing and has her sights set on a follow-up PhD. She lectures at the IMM Graduate School, supervises BCom Honours students in Supply Chain Management, and is currently enrolled in a creative writing course which keeps her creatively inspired. All in all, she likes to keep busy.
Lesego Serolong Holzapfel
Founder and CEO: Moedi Wines, Bokamoso Foods & Impact Investments
Lesego Serolong Holzapfel is a trailblazing South African entrepreneur, philanthropist, and global advocate for African leadership, exports, and sustainable development. As the founder and CEO of Moedi Wines, Bokamoso Foods, and Bokamoso Impact Investments, she leads purpose-driven ventures rooted in agriculture, social impact, and the economic empowerment of African communities.
A passionate champion of African exports, Lesego works at the intersection of trade, innovation, and inclusive growth. Through Moedi Wines—a Black female-owned, globally exported wine brand—she connects South African excellence to the world, while reinvesting profits into rural education and beekeeping initiatives. Moedi Wines not only represents premium Swartland terroir but also a deeper commitment to fair trade, sustainability, and women-led innovation in the food and beverage sector.
She is a 2025 honouree of the Black Women in Food and Beverage Awards, recognised as a Beverage Master for her outstanding contribution to the industry. Her accolades also include being named a Desmond Tutu Fellow by the African Leadership Institute in partnership with Oxford University, receiving three Presidential Awards from Presidents Jacob Zuma and Cyril Ramaphosa, being named Standard Bank Top Woman of the Year, and inclusion in Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans.
Lesego holds a Master of Science (MSc) in Social Policy and Development from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), where she deepened her commitment to using market-based solutions to drive social change.
In 2009, alongside her husband Neil Holzapfel, she co-founded Raise the Children, a nonprofit that identifies talented orphans in rural South Africa and supports their access to education and mentorship. As a South African orphan herself, this cause is deeply personal, anchoring her life’s work in dignity, opportunity, and impact.
Lesego is also a respected thought leader and keynote speaker on African entrepreneurship, women in agriculture, and intra-African trade. At international platforms such as the AGOA Forum, she advocates for policy reform and capacity-building to help African agripreneurs—especially women and youth—become export-ready.
Rooted in the philosophy of Ubuntu, Lesego’s vision is to see African communities thrive—not through charity, but through access, enterprise, and inclusion. She continues to inspire a new generation of African leaders who believe that business can be both profitable and transformational.
Carlo Prins
Estate Manager and Viticulturist, Warwick Wine Estate
Carlo Prins is the Estate Manager and Viticulturist at Warwick Wine Estate. He has a deep-rooted passion for soil, vineyards, and everything that brings a vine to life. For him, it all starts underground. He believes that healthy soil is the foundation for thriving vines, and that by farming sustainably today, we equip the next generation to farm even better tomorrow.
At Warwick, Carlo leads with a future-focused mindset—prioritising soil health, regenerative practices, and long-term vineyard resilience. He is proud to work with a team that shares this vision of sustainability and care.
Outside the vineyards, Carlo is a dedicated family man. He enjoys all things sport-related and treasures time spent with friends and family, whether it’s a braai or a game-day gathering.
Sustainability, community, and connection—these are the values he brings to everything he does, both on and off the farm.