1.What is your role within the GPI and what excites you the most about it?

I am the Future Leader Representative on the GPI Executive Team and delegate from Clowns Without Borders South Africa, focusing on content development and capacity building for both in-person and digital parenting interventions.

I love being part of GPI’s diverse parenting research and tying it into impactful capacity-building and scale-up work.

2.Where are you based?

Cape Town, South Africa, working from the beautiful suburb of Noordhoek. Do come and visit if you are ever nearby!

3.What has been the most rewarding part of your work?

Seeing how our parenting interventions transform lives. Whether it is testing digital tools in Tanzania, promoting gender equality in Zimbabwe, reintegrating children into family care in Uganda, or supporting parents who use drugs in South Africa, every initiative uses new and creative ways to strengthen families and address a wide range of challenges through parenting support. 

4.What first sparked your interest in international development and humanitarian work?

As a child, I remember watching the streams of refugees from the Yugoslavia war on the news. It broke my heart and that feeling stayed with me. Every child deserves a safe home and a chance at a good future.

5.What skill have you developed that you never thought you’d need in this line of work?

Mastering InDesign! Late nights spent formatting manuals and adapting comics for parenting programmes turned me into a self-taught pro.

6.If you could have any superpower to help in your work, what would it be?

Teleportation. Spending time with the families we aim to support would give such valuable understanding of their realities to inform content development and intervention design. Until then, reading GPI’s qualitative research is the next best thing.

7.Which country you’ve worked in left the biggest impression on you, and why?

South Sudan. During my initial work there with Doctors Without Borders, the relentless cycles of violence made peace and progress feel impossible. Returning with Clowns Without Borders/GPI, I saw how parenting support can bring hope and change, even in the most difficult situations.

8.What’s one skill you think every humanitarian worker should have?

Kindness and compassion. It is essential to genuinely care for the communities and people you work with – and for yourself. Bonus: Being able to fix anything with duct tape.

9.Do you have a favourite tool or app that helps you stay organised?

Anything that works like a post-in, whether digital or on paper. I need to jot down ideas as they come and get back to them later.

10.What’s your go-to coffee order, or are you more of a tea person?

Fresh mint tea from our garden – it’s my new obsession! 

11.If you could learn a new language instantly, which one would you choose and why?

Spanish. I’d love to expand our work in South America and live by a warm blue ocean someday. 

12.What’s your favourite way to spend the weekend when you’re not working?

Exploring nature with our three-year-old, or building blanket forts and reading together when it’s rainy. 

13.What’s something quirky or unique about you that not many people know?

Church is my second family. Wherever I go, I find my family and feel right at home.

14.What type of music do you listen to when you want a pick-me-up?

Worship music – it reminds me that I am part of a bigger plan and have an unlimited source of joy and peace to draw from.

15.Do you prefer reading a good book, watching a movie, or trying a new recipe?

Reading. I have been rediscovering my favourite childhood books by reading them to our little boy—such a joy. 

16.If you had to describe your personality in one colour, what would it be and why?

Yellow. I hope to bring a bit of bright, warm, and happy wherever I go. 

17.If you were famous, what would you want to be famous for?

Building safe spaces where people can connect, grow, build mutual understanding, and feel inspired to support each other and their communities. 

18.If you were invisible for a day, what’s the first thing you’d do?

I would quietly observe our son at preschool to see how he plays and interacts with his friends and teachers when I am not around. And then I would go explore the inner workings of South African politics. 

19.What’s one big goal you hope to achieve in your career in the next five years?

To contribute to a national-level parenting package in South Africa that effectively supports families across the country, including the most marginalised.

20.What personal qualities do you hope to strengthen in yourself as you advance in your career?

I want to grow as a mentor, helping others thrive in their work and personal lives.