Frances Weiner
Designer
Frances (Franci) Weiner is a dynamic designer and passionate change-maker dedicated to driving positive change through impactful design. With a diverse background spanning psychology, philosophy, environmental science, and sustainable development, Franci brings a unique perspective to every project.
With over five years of experience in design and digital marketing, Franci merges creativity with purpose, crafting designs that resonate deeply with audiences. As an Allan Gray Orbis Foundation candidate fellow and holder of a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from Stellenbosch University, Frances is dedicated to shaping a brighter future through innovative and sustainable design solutions.
As a sustainable development student at the Centre of Sustainability Transitions, Franci is committed to effective change-making, and integrating interdisciplinary knowledge and diverse perspectives into her work.
Dr. Chris Roets
Campaign Director
Dr. Chris Roets is a seasoned marketing professional with a rich academic background and extensive experience in the industry. He earned his PhD in Marketing Management from North-West University, where he developed a deep understanding of demarketing, branding, and market research.
With a passion for education and leadership, Dr. Roets served as the Dean at a prominent private higher education institution, focusing on the specialised field of advertising. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in shaping the curriculum and guiding aspiring professionals towards successful careers in the advertising industry.
Dave Duarte
Founder & CEO
Named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, Dave’s work at Treeshake has reached over 1 billion people. Passionate about learning and teaching, he has given talks and hosted workshops in 25 countries around the world and has given talks on campaigning at top leadership forums such as Davos and the United Nations. He also chairs the Reach Trust, aiding millions in South Africa with literacy and numeracy through mobile apps. With a diverse background, including leadership roles at the University of Cape Town and Creative Commons, he's committed to driving positive change.
Prof. Elaine Rumboll
Managing Partner
Award-winning poet and businesswoman, Prof of Play, Elaine Rumboll is deeply committed to fostering creative leadership in individuals and organisations. Through her work at The Creative Leadership Consultancy, she champions new ways of leading in organisations through playfulness, agility, resilience, and connection, and encourages individuals to harness their creative potential to drive positive change. Her work in LEGO Serious Play forms a cornerstone of her leadership development work. With a profound passion for bridging the gap between art and business, Elaine emphasises the importance of understanding the language of business for artists from diverse disciplines. Her annual programme, Business Acumen for Artists, serves as a platform for empowering artists to navigate the business world effectively while maintaining their artistic integrity.
Elaine is dedicated to advocating for meaningful change in the business, environmental, and artistic realms. She utilises her platform to campaign for social and cultural transformation, encouraging individuals to use their talents and influence to address pressing issues and drive impactful change within their communities and beyond.
She serves in an advisory capacity at Treeshake.
Cordène Midgley
Marketing Director
Cordène is passionate about 3 things in business - strategy, education, and getting the right message across – effectively – every time. A passionate educator, she has been teaching Sales and Marketing skills for over a decade. She holds an MBA from NMU and received the Council Award for Best Master's by Coursework Social Sciences and Humanities and Best MBA Graduate.
She has a background in sales, had her own Strategic Marketing firm and was VP of Education for an EdTech company. Skilled in new business development and consulting; developing market penetration strategies (both local and international); campaign management; rebrand implementation; influencer management; project management; designing and conducting market research; stakeholder and supplier management and digital marketing strategy development. She has experience in markets across Africa, Australia, America, UAE and Europe.
Megan Damon
Digital Strategist
Megan Damon is a versatile professional specialising in content management, community building, and social media strategy. With a passion for leveraging social media and storytelling to engage audiences and amplify brand voices, Megan stays attuned to trends, ensuring her approach aligns with clients' goals and delivers measurable results. Committed to excellence and adept at navigating the digital landscape, Megan is dedicated to helping brands establish meaningful connections with their communities.
Kirsten de Klerk
Community Engagement Specialist
Kirsten de Klerk is the Co-Founder of SA Diabetes Advocacy, Young Leader in Diabetes for the International Diabetes Federation and a Community Engagement Specialist for Diabetes Related clients at Treeshake. Kirsten is dedicated to creating a better life for people living with diabetes in South Africa and has a passion for working towards equal access to healthcare.
Emma Ferns
Content Manager
Emma Ferns is a Content Manager skilled at crafting engaging narratives and steering online brand presence. With a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, focusing on Political Science and History, complemented by an Honours in Marketing, Emma possesses a unique blend of analytical prowess and creative finesse.
Her expertise lies in crafting topical, reader-friendly features while meticulously maintaining brand consistency. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for design, she collaborates seamlessly with cross-functional teams to develop and execute marketing strategies that captivate audiences and drive customer satisfaction. Emma is committed to staying up-to-date with industry trends, continuously innovating to deliver fresh and compelling content that resonates with the target demographic.
Sigrid Kenmuir
Content Strategist & Senior Writer
Sigrid has been a writer for as long as she can remember. As a kid, she wrote stories and restaurant menus. As a teen, angst-filled diary entries. Today, she has over 15 years of experience planning, writing, editing, and proofreading content. Experienced in digital strategy and content creation, Sigrid has led teams, and worked alongside and within brands, companies, and departments.
Sigrid prides herself on her flexible attitude, working hard to ensure all content she creates works the way it is intended without her ego getting in the way.
Aisha Isaacs
Performance Specialist
With over 9 years experience, a skilled professional responsible for optimising the performance of online campaigns. Possesses a deep understanding of digital analytics and digital marketing strategies. Primary objective is to enhance the overall digital experience for users while achieving specific business goals. Utilises a variety of tools and techniques to analyse digital performance metrics, identify areas for improvement, and implement solutions to enhance performance. Possesses problem-solving abilities, and a keen eye for detail. Stay updated on emerging trends and best practices in digital marketing. Crucial role player in driving digital success and maximising the impact of online initiatives for businesses and organisations.
Phumelele Mbatha
Community Officer
Phumelele (Lele) Mbatha, a passionate Communications Officer, proudly represents her alma mater, the University of Cape Town, where she attained a Bachelor of Arts degree specialising in Multimedia Production and followed it up with an Honours degree in Media Theory and Practice. With a fervent dedication to precision advocacy, Lele leverages her comprehensive communication skills acquired over the years to serve clients and her community diligently, ensuring inclusivity and excellence in every endeavour.