Wayne Hempe is the Chief Financial Officer for Advertising Agency TBWA\Chiat\Day\Los Angeles. With over 15 years of experience in the advertising industry, he has held various finance leadership roles in the TBWA Collective across five different countries.
In South Africa, Wayne was responsible for the complete financial function of Room 13 Art Centre. Room 13 Art Centre is a TBWA corporate social initiative that focuses on developing creative, artistic and entrepreneurial talents amongst the children of disadvantaged communities. Having grown up in Mitchell’s Plain in Cape Town, Wayne is no stranger to the difficulties facing many young learners in South Africa. During his tenure as chairman of the Sedibeng Book Club, Wayne spreads the love of African literature and promotes reading and literacy among the youth. Sedibeng has set up reading rooms at two Room 13 schools in Soweto. In addition, Wayne has been on the board of trustees for Behind the Mask for the last two years. Behind the Mask is a communication initiative that focuses on LGBTI rights and affairs in Africa. Through journalism and activism, Behind the Mask is a voice for LGBTI people and communities throughout Africa, striving to promote respect for sexual diversity and equality before the law. He is a Fellow of the seventh class of the Africa Leadership Initiative-South Africa and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.