OUR TEAM
“We have planted more than 200,000 trees over the last 12 years, but what makes me more excited than the trees are the thousands of hands that have helped us plant them.”
Interested in joining our team? Visit our vacancies page to see our current job openings.
OUR BOARD
LAUREN TEASDALE
Co-Founder & Managing Director
Lauren is a co-founder and the Managing Director of Greenpop. With a passion for people, Lauren spends her days inspiring individuals from all walks of life to be active citizens and get active (not anxious) about the future of our planet.
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 TEAM
LAUREN TEASDALE
Co-Founder & Managing Director
Lauren is a co-founder and the Managing Director of Greenpop. With a passion for people, Lauren spends her days inspiring individuals from all walks of life to be active citizens and get active (not anxious) about the future of our planet.
MISHA TEASDALE
Co-Founder & Tree-E-O
In 2010, Misha gathered like-minded individuals to plant 1000 trees in a month and hasn’t looked back since. When he is not planting trees, you can find him doing wheelies on his bicycle or sprinting up Table Mountain.
ZOË GAULD-ANGELUCCI
Head of Programmes
After earning a Master’s degree in Development Studies, she joined Greenpop in 2014. When she is not heading up programmes across Sub-Saharan Africa, you can find her tending to her garden, practising Italian, and searching for the best pizza in the Mother City.
DEON LOUW
Urban Greening Manager
After earning his BMus from Stellenbosch University, Deon worked toward his PGCE and spent the next few years teaching in South Africa and the UK. In 2017, he moved back to Cape Town and joined Greenpop’s programmes department.
CLAUDIA WALLER
Events & Fundraising Coordinator
Claudia landed in South Africa seven years ago and fell in love with the land and its people. With a strong belief for experiential living, after many years of living, working and cycling all over the world, Claudia is with Greenpop helping create impactful experiences.
RAEESA CASSIM
Fundraising & Partnerships Manager
Raeesa joined our team in 2023 and is a self-proclaimed dabbler, dreamer, wanderer, tree planter and full time snacker. Raeesa started her career in the conservation and reforestation space, by literally planting trees. She is a sustainable marketing specialist with a deep commitment to the environment and a lifelong purpose to take care of our planet and its people
JESSIE LEVERZENCIE
Communications & Marketing Manager
Jessie has a B.A. in Film & Media Production from the University of Cape Town and is passionate about all things content creation.
When she is not in the office, you’ll find Jessie thrifting, experimenting in the kitchen or snorkeling and exploring Cape Town’s beautiful coastline.
MICHIEL GROBLER
Forest Restoration Manager
Michiel acquired his BSc Hons in Conservation Ecology and Entomology at Stellenbosch University and is currently completing his MSc in Ecological Entomology. His role as Forest Restoration Manager allows him to explore new ways of thinking, novel solutions to our environmental problems and to engage with communities and individuals who are keen to get active in restoring our planet.
CARL VAN DER LINDE
Communications Consultant
Carl was raised in the Overberg area in the Western Cape, South Africa. Growing up with the ocean and Fynbos in his backyard, his love for nature sprouted at a young age. He graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Economics and International Trade and pursued Postgraduate Marketing studies.
MICHAELA BADENHORST
Operations Coordinator
Michaela is joining us in preparation for Reforest Fest 2023. Michaela studied Geography Environmental Studies and isiXhosa at Stellenbosch University, she also has a PGCE and an Honours Degree in Counselling Psychology.
Michaela believes that planting trees, spreading understanding and appreciation for our natural world, and dancing under the stars with beautiful humans has got to be some of the best ways to spend one’s time.
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
MARTA PICARDI
Urban Greening Intern
Marta is our new Urban Greening Intern from Italy. She has been living and studying in Denmark for the past six years. She pursued a BA in Anthropology & International Studies and is currently undertaking a MSc in Environment and Development.
“I do not want to live in a world where nature is something distal, other than us, and inaccessible to the many. I want to live, and I will endeavour for that to happen, in a world where nature is something we feel a part of and responsible for, and that is within everyone’s reach.”
PAIGE PRETORIUS
Urban Greening Intern
Paige is from Botswana and recently completed her Honours Degree in Environmental Studies at Stellenbosch University. She is interested in topics like ESG and carbon neutrality, sustainable fashion and the circular economy.
“I would love to grow with like minded forward thinkers and be the ripple that leads to greater environmental change.”
LIZZY ERWEE
Communications & Marekting Intern
Lizzy attended Vega Cape Town College and graduated with a degree in Creative Brand Communication and a major in Copywriting. She is heading off to Barcelona to do her Master in Sustainable Business later this year.
“I would love to be a part of building a better future and improving the environments around me.”
Greenpop Foundation NPC is a registered non-profit organisation. Registration Number (NPO): 151-411 NPO.