Liesel Kassier is an economist and business strategist with over 18 years of experience in sustainability and renewable energy. She is the Metair Academic Head of Sustainable Manufacturing at the Toyota Wessels Institute for Manufacturing Studies, responsible for developing the institute’s sustainable manufacturing and finance curriculum and research.

She previously worked at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), developing energy master plans for eThekwini Municipality, Dube Trade Port, and the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone.

While working for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, she helped establish renewable energy zones, energy trading agencies, and align provincial and national policy for the sugar industry.

Her expertise spans renewable energy, sustainability reporting, financial structuring, and policy advocacy. Notable achievements include structuring a 220MW Solar PV project, designing financial guarantees with international financial institutes, and managing trading licence applications for the National Energy Regulator of South Africa.