Directors and co-founders

Michele Sohn

Michele’s contribution is to be the creative and business lead of #10MillionMasks. Her entrepreneurial experience extends from starting the first web development company in South Africa in the mid-1990s to building a respected research company in the past few years. Michele has advised many of Africa’s largest companies and regulatory bodies on a variety of policy issues, including financial inclusion and pension management. Michele has a Fine Arts degree from Wits University and an MBA from Wits Business School.

Philippa Hurley

Philippa is the legal advisor and also sits on the Board of Directors of #10MillionMasks. She is a non-practising attorney. Her career spans two decades of consulting to a broad range of clients – from NGOs and social enterprise hybrids to companies and artists in the media and entertainment industry. Philippa’s consultancy is called Akashinga, which is Shona for “brave ones”. The name is a nod to the intrepid all-women anti-poaching group in Zimbabwe of the same name.

Liane McGowan

Liane is building sustainable processes and also managing the finances of #10MillionMasks. This includes sourcing bulk orders for funding. Liane has worked on events and incentive campaigns with large global corporations for over 20 years, and has also helped to grow a highly respected events company in South Africa. Liane has unique expertise in how to develop effective mental wellbeing strategies in a corporate context. She has a Psychology degree from UNISA.

Co-founders

Saskia Kunneke

As well as running many of the social media channels, Saskia plays a central role in building and maintaining the #10MillionMasks community and supplier relationships. She is a self-employed Interior Designer and Decorator with 12 years’ experience in the industry. She is very proficient at both the creative and technical aspects of design, and also brings an ability to make things happen through liaising effectively with suppliers.

Kim van Eeghem

Kim is the driving force behind Spruce Corporate – a leader in corporate clothing. To supply the best quality clothes to her corporate clients, she has built up sewing factories that work, using a non-exploitative approach where all the factories she sets up are directly owned by the people who work there. She carefully chooses the people she invests her considerable experience in nurturing by looking for people with the right blend of raw talent, passion and persistence.  Kim has National Diploma in Fashion Design.

Matlou Tsotetsi

Matlou brings to #10MillionMasks a wealth of connections and experience across the entire African continent. Her public relations and media skills are strengthened by unmatched afro-optimism. As CEO of a consulting company in Nigeria, she has led projects throughout the region. Current roles include Board member and Sponsorship director at AWIEF (Africa Women in innovation and Entrepreneur Forum) and Communications and sponsorship Director at AFRIMA (All Africa Music Awards).

Kathy Berman

Kathy has a broad role in the project, conceptualising new ideas and implementing them in highly creative ways. From struggle journalist in the 1980s to high-level innovation consultant, Kathy’s career path has brought unique projects and energetic collaborations to many sectors in South Africa. Current roles include Board member at Business Arts South Africa (BASA); British Council Creative Social Entrepreneur Accelerator; and Curator and owner of MuseumStores at JAvett Art Centre. Kathy graduated from Wits University with a BA Honours as well as an MBA with distinction.

Supporters

Debbi Schultz

Debbi is a specialist communications consultant who creates clear meaningful content through effective channels. This ranges from strategy to training. Her focus areas are technology, skills, health, and science. Debbi was one of the first online content editors in South Africa. More recently, she was part of developing a digital skills government programme, working with universities and virtual teams. One of her clients is the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF). Debbi has an Honours in African Languages and Linguistics (Zulu) from Wits, as well as a Zulu teaching qualification.

Frances Gordon

Frances contributes world-class accessibility and content strategy skills. She ensures that messages land even in times where people are anxious, and communications are cluttered. Frances co-founded a simplification consultancy and training firm, which has been highly successful for over 15 years. She has also held senior positions in marketing, content strategy and brand for a tech company, a brand agency, a large bank and a financial inclusion fintech. Frances has a Linguistics degree from Rhodes University.

Steven Mckimmie & Telri Stoop

Telri and Steve are the founders of Paper Snap, a graphic design and illustration studio that focuses on producing clean, elegant design. They manage a team of hard-working individuals who are focused on a diverse client base, from small design agencies to large multinational corporations. Telri and Steve also run a design shop called Brunch as an extension of their studio and features illustrated books, prints and stationery. Steven and Telri both have degrees in graphic design.

Roelf Landman

Roelf combines creativity and logic to develop elegant code, quickly. He is also the founder of Hooman Agency, a full-service creative and digital marketing agency that serve a wide spectrum of local and international clients. With a strong belief that amazing design can change the world, Hooman Agency collaborates with various designers and agencies. Roelf also has an extensive background in international marketing and business development of which he holds an accreditation.