TO THE MOON AND BACK
A transformative Leadership and Culture Masterclass, uniting 600+ AECI Leaders across four continents behind a bold vision of growth, sustainability and the next 100 years of excellence.
How do you unite 600 leaders across four continents behind a shared vision of growth, sustainability, and a bold commitment to create the next 100 years of excellence?
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You dream big. You aim high. You launch a moonshot mission that reimagines leadership – and challenges us to become the leaders the future demands.
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TO THE MOON AND BACK WAS
NO ORDINARY MASTERCLASS.
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It was a call to action, designed to make every AECI leader feel the weight of the vision, the urgency of the mission, and the privilege of the call.
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At its core was a bold commercial ambition: to double EBITDA by 2026, secure a top-three global position in mining by 2030, and build a stronger, more resilient AECI for the next century.
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TPA delivered. In just 11 working days, we created an experience that turned strategy into a powerful rallying cry.
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Framed around the Apollo 11 moon landing, the masterclass drew leaders into one of history’s greatest acts of collaboration – showing what becomes possible when people unite behind a mission that matters.
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By day’s end, every leader had signed their name to a symbolic AECI star, pledging themselves to the One AECI mission, and hung it from a suspended constellation that lit up the room in a powerful moment of commitment and shared intent.
THE IMPACT WAS TANGIBLE, AND
TRANSFORMATIVE
IT WAS A JOURNEY THAT WOULD TAKE TPA AND AECI TO THE MOON, AND BACK.
WHY A MASTERCLASS?
Masterclasses are more than signals of transformative change. They ignite the emotional connection and social currency needed to sustain it. This is not an ordinary leadership conference; it is the purposeful cultivation of what organisational psychologists call collective effervescence – the powerful sense of unity and shared purpose that arises when people experience profound moments together.
TPA’s masterclasses are never standalone events. They grow out of deep, active listening, holistic sensemaking and a thorough understanding of the organisational landscape. This foundation enables us to co-create the cultural and strategic ecosystem required to deliver real business impact.
The result is never just an event, it is a movement – one fuelled by the collective emotional resonance that makes transformative change endure.
REFLECTION FROM AECI LEADERS​
The Performance Agency helped us to ignite a transformation. They brought the spark that helped us break through old ways of thinking. Challenged us with courage, guided us with wisdom, and helped us shape a new culture. One built on trust, accountability and servant leadership.
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Just as in blasting, where timing and alignment are everything, you taught us that leadership is about aligning purpose and people at exactly the right moment. That the real power comes not from force, but from clarity of vision and from courage to change.
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Your impact on AECI is lasting.
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Natalie has helped set the charge for a future where we are one AECI for a better world. And personally, I want to thank her for her guidance, partnership and unwavering commitment to helping us become better leaders, better colleagues and better people.
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Like a precisely set blast at the tip of Africa, change you have ignited has sent ripples across continents, shifting mindsets, unlocking potential and inspiring new possibilities wherever it reaches. From our operations here at home to teams working in the most remote corners of the globe, your influence has travelled far beyond what any of us could have imagined, creating a better world, one leader, one team at a time.
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On behalf of the AECI Group, more than 5 000 people on six continents at over 30 operations: Thank you, Natalie, for everything you have done and everything you stand for. We are proud to be part of your journey.
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Holger Riemensperger
Group CEO: AECI
I was very inspired. It was just so incredible, especially seeing and understanding what the vision is, thinking about what we're trying to do - that it's absolutely insane, but it is possible.
When we started talking about leadership, I was intentional in asking the question, 'Are you able to do this? Will you be able to be a servant leader?' What stood out for me, going into the workplace the next week, I could see the shift in terms of how people showed up, and how they engaged.
Leo Mncube
Group Head: Talent Management & Succession Planning
REFLECTIONS FROM THE DELEGATES
Proud to have been part of AECI’s first ever global leadership and culture masterclass.
CLARISA NAIR
True leadership is about serving others. Our leaders are dedicated to supporting their teams, fostering a culture of trust and collaboration, and nurturing future leaders within the organization.
GAVIN DRY
What a powerful session. I’m humbled to have been part of this history-making occasion.
PHATHUTSHEDZO CLAUDIA MUSALAFU
Thank you for all your support on our journey. You guys are amazing.
HOLGER RIEMENSPERGER
The cherry on top: An incredible leadership and culture masterclass that motivated and elevated every part of our organisation, facilitated by the incredible Natalie Maroun and the team at The Performance Agency.
KAVITA PEMA
Today was a unique experience in my career. Thank you for this privilege in learning and becoming more. In becoming a better person. It was eye opening for sure.
INGRID HAUGER
A truly phenomenal event. It’s great being part of the crazy ones. I am currently operating on Cloud Inspiration and it’s absolutely freakin awesome. Onward and upwards to us.
ADELLE WILLIAMS
These are partnerships that I love - when we work together and co-curate special deeply impactful moments. The difference between good and great is in the special touches - from the storyline, to the theme, to the curated moments …
ABDULLAH VERACHIA
The passion, collaboration and bold themes discussed at the Masterclass have set the stage for us to reach new heights. Together, we’re more ready than ever to embrace the challenges ahead and continue our mission of shaping a bold future.