OUR TEAM

We cannot do the work we do, without the support of dedicated staff members, consultants, interns and volunteers. Learn more about our team, and the skills that they bring to our organisation on a daily basis.

Interested in joining our team? Visit our vacancies page to see our current job openings.

Keen to book one of our team for a talk? Book a speaker here.

OUR BOARD

LAUREN TEASDALE

Co-Founder & Managing Director

BA (LLB) | Stellenbosch University | 2002; PGCE | University of Cape Town | 2004

Area of expertise: Financial Management

“When I’m not working you’ll find me taking long nature walks with my beautiful sons and dogs.”

JEREMY HEWITT

Co-Founder & Board Member

Before he was the award-winning South African folk musician Jeremy Loops, Jeremy Hewitt co-founded and managed the finances for Greenpop. Today, Jeremy lends passion and power to the project from afar and inspires his thousands of adoring fans to tread a little lighter.

EITAN STERN

Board Member

The founder and director of Legalese, Eitan is a practising attorney with a background in commercial and entertainment law and tech entrepreneurship. Eitan has worked with sectors across the board, from creative, advertising and media, to educational, non-profit and technology industries.

OUR CORE TEAM

LAUREN TEASDALE

Co-Founder & Managing Director

BA (LLB) | Stellenbosch University | 2002; PGCE | University of Cape Town | 2004

Area of expertise: Financial Management

“When I’m not working you’ll find me taking long nature walks with my beautiful sons and dogs.”

MISHA TEASDALE

Co-Founder & Executive Director

Industrial Design (BTech) – Cape Town University of Technology | 2006

Areas of expertise: Inspirational Leadership, Strategic thinking, Strong Communications, Problem Solver, Industry Knowledge, Creative Catalyst.

“One thing on my bucket list is to be able to travel our inspiring continent once again, only this time with the whole Teasdale clan!”

ZOË GAULD-ANGELUCCI

Impact Director

MPhil Development Studies | University of Cape Town | 2014

Areas of expertise: Sustainable development, ecosystem restoration, stakeholder engagement, project management, and design.

“One unexpected skill I would love to master is punch needle embroidery.”

CHRIS NASH

Head of Restoration

Areas of expertise: Agroecology, forest restoration, holistic design (permaculture and ecovillage design), eco-education, group facilitation, and project management.

“One thing on my bucket list is to visit the Amazon.”

CLAUDIA WALLER

Events & Individual Giving Manager

In progress: MBA Sustainability, Leadership & Innovation | Tomorrow University of Applied Sciences

Areas of expertise: Impactful events and fundraising.

“If I wasn’t working you’d find me on a bicycle, immersed in nature or at a gig.”

JESSIE LEVERZENCIE

Communications & Marketing Manager

BA Film & Media Studies (Specialising in Multimedia Production) | University of Cape Town | 2018

Areas of expertise: Digital content creation, Writing, Non-Profit Communications.

“My dream office would be on a tropical island, right on the beach, with a coconut in hand, sunshine on my face and salt water in my hair.”

MICHAELA BADENHORST

Partnerships Manager

PGCE | Stellenbosch University | 2018; BA Psychology (Hons) | University of South Africa | 2022

Areas of expertise: Environmental Education, facilitation, non-profit communications and partnerships management.

“If I wasn’t working you’d find me singing, watching live music, or enjoying the restorative effects of being in nature.”

JAMES LISTER

Forest Restoration Project Manager

Areas of expertise: Project development and project management.

“One unexpected skill I would love to master is how to tap dance.”

RAFAEL BLOCH

Urban Greening Manager

BA Environmental and Geographical Sciences & Economic History | UCT | 2018
Master’s in Landscape Architecture (MLA) | UCT | 2021
Qualified Field Guide and Back Up Trails Guide (FGASA)

Areas of expertise: Landscape Architecture and Design, Ecological Thinking, Social Media, Writing, Facilitation, Master Planning, Ecological Field Work

“If I could have any superpower, it would be to breathe underwater – flying is overrated and to breathe underwater… hah… The possibilities are endless (and it’s basically flying… just underwater).”

SOPHIE MARRA

Finance & Admin Coordinator

Sophie Marra is Greenpop’s Finance & Admin Coordinator. Sophie hails from Yorkshire, and has settled on South African soil after originally falling in love with the country in 2010 while doing FGASA training.

NICK FINDLAY

Communications & Marketing Coordinator

BA Media Studies | University of Cape Town | 2022

Areas of expertise: Web design, digital marketing, and writing.

“If I wasn’t working you’d find me reading a book, swimming in the ocean or scrutinizing a Lou Reed album.”

QUANTA GORVEN

Education Manager

BAFA | University of Cape Town | 2012;

MFA | University of Cape Town | 2015;

Teaching and Learning Strategies for Higher Education Online Certificate | Harvard University | 2019

Areas of expertise: Instructional design for online & blended learning, research, lecturing, academic writing, editing, exhibition design/curation, project management

“The best piece of advice I’ve ever received is… Growing old is a privilege that not everyone gets. Do it gracefully.”

OUR CONTRACT TEAM MEMBERS

DEON LOUW

Urban Greening Contractor

BMus, Major: Performance |University of Stellenbosch | 2019
PGCE, Intermediate and Senior Phase, Focus: Natural Sciences | University of South Africa| 2012

Areas of Expertise: Group facilitation, eco-education, fynbos landscaping and garden design.

“When I’m not working, you’ll find me engaged in gardening, hiking in fynbos, or spending time with my dogs. I might also be involved in beekeeping, enjoying a performance at the theatre or opera, or reading a book.”

SHIARA PILLAY

Events Contractor

Shiara holds her honours degree in Development Studies and a deep love for the environment. She hopes to actively contribute towards an empowered, curious and compassionate society through her work in various fields. Shiara also loves to hike, eat, travel and explore new things.

HANNO HERSELMAN

Forests for Life Contractor

Hanno is an arborist and dendrologist with a passion for forest conservation. His company, Tree Whisperer, works towards a sustainable future through holistic forest management, invasive clearing and forest restoration. His unique experience in monitoring restoration projects and long-time involvement with Greenpop, makes him a valuable addition to the monitoring team.

MICHIEL GROBLER

Forests for Life Contractor

Michiel is a passionate Entomologist and Ecologist that has been involved with Greenpop in various capacities since 2017. Michiel (Aardwolf Ecological Specialists) now focuses specifically on the Monitoring and Evaluation of our Forest Restoration projects, working in partnership with Greenpop and Tree Whisperer to ensure the sustainability and efficacy of our restoration work.

NICOLA WILSON

Learning Design Contractor

Areas of expertise: Learning design, adult learning, e-learning, education.

“One unexpected skill I would love to master is to bake the perfect loaf of sourdough bread. I am constantly after that perfect crumb!”

JANKE TOLMAY

Project Manager (TRI)

BA Journalism; BA International Relations; BAHons International Politics; MA in Political Communication | University of Cape Town | (current)

Areas of expertise: Politics and communications, diplomacy, local politics, analysing current affairs and political developments.

“If I could be compared to a plant, I would be a Spekboom: low maintenance and sun-loving.”

CHARLÈNE VELOPPE

Translator/Interpreter (TRI)

BSc (Hons) Politics and International Relations | University of Bath, UK | (2023)

Areas of expertise: Project management, Social media management, NGO communications, research and writing.

“If I wasn’t working you’d find me in a yoga studio trying to hold the tree pose as long as I can.”

MARNUS SMITH

Events Contractor

Permaculture Design and Natural Building Certification, Rak Tamachat Permaculture Institute, Thailand. | Field Guide Qualified, FGASA | TESOL Certified, International Open Academy

Areas of expertise: Permaculture, Design, Natural Building, Event Production, and Project Management.

“It’s on my bucket list to overland travel across 5 continents.”

IRENE OLWOCH

Finance & Accounting Consultant

Irene completed a finance intership with Greenpop in 2015, before starting her career as a Qualified Chartered Accountant. She now runs her own firm, Remote Controller, helping businesses (just like Greenpop) get our finances into tip-top shape!

OUR CURRENT INTERNS