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
Programme 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.”
DEON LOUW
Urban Greening Project Manager (GFG & FFG)
BMus Performance | University of Stellenbosch | 2019 ; PGCE Natural Sciences | University of South Africa | 2012
Areas of expertise: Group facilitation, eco-education, fynbos landscaping and garden design.
“One thing on my bucket list is to go on an opera tour of Europe and visit all the best and most beautiful opera houses.”
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
B.Sc. | University of Cape Town | 2014; B.Sc. (Hons) | University of Cape Town | 2015; M.Sc. Geology | University of Cape Town | 2019
Areas of expertise: Project development and project management.
“One unexpected skill I would love to master is how to tap dance.”
CHRIS NASH
Urban Greening Project Manager (HGZ)
Permaculture Design Certificate | Permaculture South Africa | 2014 ; Social Entrepreneurship | Copenhagen Business School, Denmark | 2016 ; Ecovillage Design Education | Gaia Education | 2019
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.”
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.”
OUR CONTRACT TEAM MEMBERS
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!
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
BA (Eng) | University of Pretoria | 2013; BsocSci Hons (Psychology) | University of Pretoria | 2014; PGCE | UNISA | 2015
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.”
OUR CURRENT INTERNS
SERENA HABECKER
Media & Design Intern
B.A. Interactive & Graphic Design | Millersville University | (current)
“If I wasn’t working you’d find me swimming with the penguins or running up the mountains.”
Greenpop Foundation NPC is a registered non-profit organisation. Registration Number (NPO): 151-411 NPO.