Experience

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  Africa Finance Corporation

  • Senior Vice President & Head, Corporate Communications

    • Aug 2021 - Jul 2022

    Brought in to lead the Communications function, to professionalize Communications as a functional area within AFC by ramping up internal communications, the external recognition of AFC by supporting key business areas on major announcements, presence at conferences, and senior leadership advisory on how best to represent AFC from a brand and communications perspective. Responsible for the communications strategy that reinforces the reputation, brand, and image of AFC in support of its strategic direction as well as for raising public awareness of AFC as an organisation through initiatives and stakeholder engagement campaigns that create interest in and provide a platform from which to communicate, elevate, and reinforce AFC’s brand. Reported to the President & CEO as well as managing a team of 3, including 2 Marketing & Communications Analysts and 1 Senior Associate.

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  CrossBoundary

  • South Africa

  • Global Head of Communications

    • Sep 2020 - Jul 2021
    • South Africa

    Main responsibility was to establish the Communications function and raise the profile of CrossBoundary as a leading influencer in their mission to harness the power of capital to make an impact in underserved markets across the globe. Responsible for the strategic direction and implementation of CrossBoundary’s global communications and reputation risk strategy. As a thought partner to the leadership team, this involved driving all matters pertaining to public profiles and external engagement. Reported to 3 Founders and Managing Partners.

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  Bain & Company

  • Johannesburg Area, South Africa

  • Head of External Relations

    • Mar 2017 - Dec 2018
    • Johannesburg Area, South Africa

    Specialist advisor responsible for driving the company’s external presence in Africa. Advise the Africa Managing Partner and global communications leadership on Africa-related matters. Required to build and maintain key institutional relationships with WEF Africa, Business Leadership South Africa, and the American Chamber of Commerce. Also required to develop and contribute to best practice playbooks on matters related to reputation risk, high-profile convening, stakeholder engagement, and brand positioning. Reported to Managing Partner of Bain in Africa.

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  EY

  • Johannesburg Area, South Africa

  • Brand, Marketing & Communications Leader

    • Oct 2016 - Feb 2017
    • Johannesburg Area, South Africa

    Responsible for the development and implementation of the region’s brand, marketing, and communications strategy in alignment with the overall global BMC strategy. This included connecting external trends to the regional strategy to bring bold new thinking to the leadership table as well as providing leadership and support to enable the market segment revenue goals. Ernst & Young has 44 offices across 11 countries in Africa and this role encompassed responsibilities for all. Reported to the Managing Partner and worked with a team of 54 direct reports, from the following key areas: Public Relations, Marketing, Internal Communications, Graphic Design, & Client Communications.

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  McKinsey & Company

  • Johannesburg Area, South Africa

  • Director of External Relations

    • Jan 2010 - Feb 2016
    • Johannesburg Area, South Africa

    Originally responsible for sub–Saharan Africa, and later expanded to Africa, with locations in seven countries. The company had a virtual Francophone Africa office and presence in over 10-15 countries at any given time. Worked closely with the Africa Managing Partner as advisor and coach on several communications and risk-related matters, including navigating and mediating highly confidential and challenging conversations. Reported to Managing Partner and managed a team of 4, including a Communications Specialist, Communications Coordinator, Events Specialist, and a Personal Assistant.Had overall responsibility for the communications strategy, reputation risk, and crisis management, the equivalent of sitting at an EXCO level at comparable organisations. As part of the Africa leadership team, played a key advisory role to the partners in Africa as well as those coming in to work in Africa on an ad hoc basis. In this role, developed an extensive network of trust-based relationships at the intersection of business, government, academia, and other significant institutions, such as the media and NGOs, as well as across the Firm.

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  Momentum Investment Group

  • Head of Public Affairs

    • Jan 2009 - Dec 2009

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  Momentum

  • South Africa
  • Financial Services
  • 700 & Above Employee

  • Communications Manager

    • Jul 2005 - Dec 2008

  • Performance Improvement Consultant

    • Apr 2001 - Jul 2005

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  Sugar Coast Tourism

  • Public Relations Officer

    • Jan 2000 - Mar 2001