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Results-driven, enthusiastic Project Manager highly regarded for building and executing training programs and curriculums that reform, enhance, and advance national and international organizational goals and objectives. Can relocate. |
 Contact Bianca Marks-Thelen
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Area of Expertise: |
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Capacity Building, Training, Advocacy
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Fundraising, Business Development, Grants Writer
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Social, Education, Gender, Youth, Child
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Professional Experience: |
I have worked in multiple industries across various continents with one goal in mind; to make a difference in people’s lives.
I got my first job at 13 serving ice cream on the weekends. I remained in the food and beverage industry for the next 15 years working in South Africa, England and Dubai. It was during this time that I developed my love for other cultures and places. I also learned the value of working hard, teamwork and giving your all regardless of the role you play. I had fun doing what I was doing in part, I guess, because I was good at it but also because I enjoyed the pace, the need to think on the fly and the interaction with people from all walks of life. As the Sales and PR Coordinator for Ginseng-The Lounge in Dubai I worked closely with design and ad agencies create marketing collateral while organizing and managing events and handling logistics, as well as standing in for the General Manager in his absence. During this time, I was also doing a correspondence degree through a university in South Africa. I was determined to go to study further, and this was the best way I could see to do it. By the time I was done with my degree I had only a very small loan and had learned how to manage my time more effectively.
This paved the way to a career in the development and Non-Governmental Organization sectors. At Girls and Boys Town, I was the youngest in my role by about 3 decades. I didn’t care! I was so excited to join the industry, I was willing to do anything to make a difference. I would never have thought I’d be good at sales, but I was. I realized it was because I totally believed in what I was ‘selling’. I loved what Girls and Boys’ Town did and so, risked and experienced failure multiple times daily. The successes were wonderful too. At the Heart of Healing I worked on initiating a campaign to combat literacy in South Africa by raising funds to build libraries in under-served communities. I engaged with design agencies, schools, corporations and took the project all the way through to the implementation phase before moving to the international NGO sector. At the World AIDS Campaign I grew at breakneck speed. I had to, because at the time there were only two of us working on the Africa program. This team grew to 8 within the next seven months and I played an instrumental role in facilitating this process including recruitment and office management.
I later decided to work as a Consultant where I delivered expert training, research and communications for five public health organizations on a global scale including Samila Gender Counseling and Support Services, Global Network of People Living with HIV & Stop AIDS Now!, University of Witwatersrand, WHEAT Trust and Sonke Gender Justice Network. I am adept at tailoring new and existing coursework and creating follow-up surveys to evaluate success, all while enhancing learning environments by nurturing collaboration and engagement.
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Education: |
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BA from the University of South Africa majoring in International Relations.
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Available for: |
- Consulting assignments
- Job opportunities
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Years of Experience:
More than 20 years |
Highest Qualification:
Bachelors |
Languages:
English |
Nationality:
South Africa
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LinkedIn Profile:
linkedin.com/in/vashti111
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