Auret van Heerden

Auret Van Heerden is an experienced leader in the fields of business and human rights, currently serving as Co-Founder of Ripple Research since September 2021 and Founder of Equiception Business and Human Rights Sarl since December 2020. As the Founder and CEO of equiception since January 2014, Auret has demonstrated a commitment to promoting sustainable business practices. Previous roles include Senior Advisor at the NYU Stern Center for Business and Human Rights (2016-2020) and CEO of the Academy for Sustainable Business (2014-2016). Additionally, Auret was a member of the Investment Committee at C&A Foundation (2014-2015) and held various leadership positions at the Fair Labor Association from 2001 to 2013, including President and CEO. Auret's early career included work with the ILO on social and labor issues and serving as Labour Attaché at the South African Permanent Mission to the UN. Auret holds an Honours degree in Industrial Sociology from the University of the Witwatersrand.