Liso Soldati, 34, is building a generation of young changemakers through entrepreneurship education and digital storytelling. Liso leads national innovation challenges and coordinates student entrepreneurship initiatives at universities across the country. With a background in Accounting and Entrepreneurial Development, Liso’s pivot to creative strategy was sparked by a crisis: the Covid-19 pandemic. While digitising NGO programmes, he recognised a gap in support for young professionals. That led to the founding of Soldati, a creative collective helping youth-and women-led businesses design effective digital solutions, while also creating real work experience for young creatives entering the job market. His most impactful initiative to date is the MTN Digital Innovation Challenge, which reached over 130 teams at 22 universities in 2025. Through Enactus, Liso mentors students in business planning, systems thinking, and execution. He also trains youth in branding, digital tools, and client-facing work, often launching their very first project or product. Liso champions a philosophy of raising your hand for every opportunity: “Put your hand up to lead, serve, and learn.”
Mlungisi Sanyaka from USC Business was the first person to take me under his wing — offering me a chance to consult professionally while I was still a student. Under his mentorship, I learnt to negotiate contracts, manage projects and even co-organise the Business Funding Expo — then the Free State’s largest of its kind. Today, I admire Nkosenhle Hlophe, founder of Kenako Marketing. His journey from studying a completely different course to building a respected marketing agency resonates deeply with my own. Globally, Seth Godin’s writing continues to influence how I think about value, marketing and creative leadership.