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ImmƐrsion is a social performance and ESG advisory firm supporting mining, energy and infrastructure projects. We advise on social risk, stakeholder engagement, local economic participation and organisational capability; designing and implementing governance frameworks and systems that embed social performance into operational and strategic decision making.

Integration
Innovation
Impact

Our Approach

We move beyond standalone strategy or compliance exercises. Our work connects social performance with governance and system design, translating complex social realities into structured insight that inform operational and project decision making.

What we do

By immersing ourselves into capital projects and integrating our approach with our clients existing systems, we develop outcomes that align with both business goals and the needs of stakeholders. We strive for early intervention to avoid or minimise risks and maximise social impact. Our work is guided by data usage and aims to deliver outcomes that can be recorded, measured and analysed.

Where we work

We provide support to our clients with both new developments and operating assets. We focus on early and targeted involvement of Social Performance expertise in an effort to prevent social risk before it escalates and strengthen social performance across operations and project lifecycles.

How we work

We’re a small firm that believes each project requires a unique and specifically tailored approach. We prefer to work closely with our clients, as a trusted advisory partner, to ensure that we can build on existing systems, integrate solutions, and develop capacity to implement the solutions. We work closely with associates and partners to ensure that the right skills and experience are always in place.

Our Services

Socio-economic Context Analysis:

We analyse socio-economic conditions to understand dynamics shaping local communities, institutions and economic participation. Our work translates complex social environments into structured insight to inform project planning, operational decisions and risk management.

Social Risk & Impact Analysis:

We assess social risks and potential impacts associated with project development and operations. Our approach identifies issues early to support strategic and operational decision-making.

Strategic Integration & Planning

We support clients in integrating social performance into operational and strategic decision-making. This involves translating social insights into governance structures, management processes and practical implementation plans aligned with business objectives.

Stakeholder Engagement Strategy

We design structured stakeholder engagement approaches that align with organisational systems and decision-making processes. Our focus is to ensure engagement generates reliable insight to inform governance, risk management and operational planning.

Local Content Planning

We support the design of locally grounded approaches to community development and economic participation. Our work aligns project initiatives with local economic systems, skills availability, institutional dynamics and community priorities.

Data Management Systems

We design systems for collecting, managing and analysing social performance data. These systems enable organisations to track commitments, monitor risks and integrate social information into governance and operational processes.

Monitoring & Evaluation Frameworks

We develop monitoring and evaluation frameworks that enable organisations to track social commitments, programme performance and emerging risks. Our approach emphasises measurable indicators, structured data collection and clear reporting mechanisms. This allows organisations to assess effectiveness, adapt interventions and demonstrate outcomes to both internal and external stakeholders.

Mentoring & Training

We work alongside client teams to strengthen organisational capability in managing social performance. Through mentoring, training and implementation support, we help embed the systems and skills required to sustain social performance.

About Us

ImmƐrsion was founded on the belief that social performance should be treated as a core discipline, not as a compliance exercise.

After six years of collaboration on critical assignments, our founding team formalised ImmƐrsion to deliver focused expertise in social performance management.

We believe social risk is most effectively managed when it is understood early, structured clearly and embedded within project governance, rather than addressed reactively.

Our approach is immersive and collaborative — we work within cross-functional teams to embed social performance into existing systems, strengthen internal capacity, and support implementation from strategy through to delivery.

We operate as a focused advisory firm, intentionally small and senior-led enabling depth, discretion and the development of long-term client relationships.

Meet the team

Deon Wessels

Director | Social Performance and Strategic Integration

Deon is a Social Performance specialist with over 25 years of experience, including extensive work on capital projects and corporate advisory. He brings a sharp ability to analyse, map, and creatively communicate social risks, impacts, and shared value opportunities. Deon’s background includes senior roles at ERM and Anglo American, where he served as Social Performance Lead for the US$10 billion Future of Mogalakwena Project Portfolio. He is also experienced in social assurance audits, stakeholder engagement, mine closure, and social due diligence. Deon holds an MBA from Stellenbosch Business School and is a WBCSD Leadership Program alumni.

Kerryn McKune Desai

Director | Social Performance, Risk and Impact Management

Kerryn is a social performance and risk management advisor with over 25 years’ experience supporting mining, infrastructure, oil and gas, and renewable energy projects. Her work focuses on the management and governance of social risk within complex project environments, advising on impact assessment, social risk management and social performance strategy. She works with project teams to analyse social risks, impacts and stakeholder dynamics, translating social insight into practical management approaches that inform project planning and operations. Kerryn has led numerous Social Impact Assessments, resettlement studies and social risk management processes for projects across Africa and internationally. Her work spans the full project lifecycle and includes assurance reviews and alignment with international lender standards. Kerryn holds a Master’s degree in Geography and Development from the University of London.

Mischa Minné

Director | Social Performance and ESG Strategy

Mischa is a social performance and ESG advisor with over 12 years’ experience supporting mining, renewable energy and infrastructure projects. His work focuses on the governance of social risk within capital-intensive developments, advising on strategy development, social risk management and organisational capability strengthening. He helps organisations analyse social risks, impacts and opportunities within complex project environments, translating social insight and data into strategies and management systems that guide decision-making. Mischa has led the development of social performance strategies for large-scale mining projects and oversees the design of ESG data platforms that integrate risk, KPIs and compliance oversight. Mischa holds an MPhil in Climate Change and Development from the University of Cape Town, graduating with distinction.

Adel Malebana

Associate | Sehuno_za Social Consulting Services

Adel is a social engagement and resettlement specialist with over 20 years’ experience supporting mining and infrastructure projects across Southern Africa. Her work focuses on stakeholder engagement, social impact assessment and resettlement planning. She works with project teams to analyse community dynamics and social risks, supporting the design of stakeholder engagement processes, socio-economic baseline studies and Social Impact Assessments. Adel has also supported the development of Resettlement Action Plans and livelihood restoration programmes aligned with international good practice. Her experience spans projects across South Africa and the wider region, including Sierra Leone, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Adel holds a Master’s degree in Development Planning from the University of the Witwatersrand.

Lisl Pullinger

Associate | Vivid Advisory

Lisl is the Managing Director of Vivid Advisory and a sustainability and ESG advisor specialising in social performance in the extractive and infrastructure sectors. Her work focuses on helping organisations manage complex social risks, stakeholder dynamics and international sustainability standards. She advises companies, investors and development institutions on stakeholder engagement, social risk management, responsible sourcing and the implementation of international good practice frameworks, including human rights due diligence and the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management. Her work spans projects across Africa and international policy initiatives, including collaboration with mining companies, development institutions and global forums on responsible mineral sourcing and sustainable mining. Lisl provides strategic advisory support on sustainability strategy, social risk and responsible investment.