Lesley designs and facilitates dialogue and change processes. The focus of her work for the past 7 years has been to build vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities using participatory methods. Lesley believes that when individuals aspire to achieve their full potential and have the opportunity to do so they positively contribute to larger systems change.

She has convened learning networks, hosted local and international learning journeys as well as chaired conferences to build relationships across diversity while developing the personal leadership capabilities of individuals to respond to societal and organizational challenges. Lesley has facilitated experiential learning days for corporate clients to understand the dynamics of operating in the informal South African economy. She is passionate about sustainable development, incubating social entrepreneurship and developing learning organisations.

Lesley has worked and lived in South Africa and the United Kingdom. She has also convened and delivered or participated in workshops in England, Wales, Ireland, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Brazil, Argentina and Zimbabwe.

Lesley previously worked at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) from 2002 to 2006 as part of a unit called Policy, Leadership and Gender Studies (PL&G) where she created Young Professionals Forum. Lesley served on the national steering committee of Young South African Women in Dialogue in 2005 – founded by the former South African First Lady, Mrs. Zanele Mbeki.

Her enquiry into the practicalities of sustainable development in a developing nation context has lead to her selection to participate in a BP Alternative Energy sponsored expedition to Antarctica in March/April this year (2009).

Lesley is co-founder and South African CEO of Africa++ and is affiliated to The Hub, Pioneers of Change, The Gordon Institute of Business Science, Reos Partners, Unfolding Cards, The Art of Hosting and Lead & Inspire, an African-centered leadership academy.

She obtained her BCom (Industrial Psychology) degree from the University of Johannesburg and is an accredited trainer with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). She is an AIESEC Alumni and member of Toastmasters International.