Crystal Ball taps into her experience as a social anthropologist to connect big ideas to everyday lived experiences. Her writing process is collaborative and analytical; she tackles projects with a view to learn from experts, extracting nuggets of meaning that can be refined into impactful prose. Her ethnographic research on indie game development and her work in the EdTech space sparked a special interest in emerging technologies – with a focus on inclusivity in digital production and consumption.
Melanie Blythe, over the last 17 years, has carved out a career as a strategic communicator, helping organisations connect with stakeholders through communications that shift hearts and minds. She spent 10 years in London at a communications agency and then a multinational healthcare company, where she led global campaigns in multiple languages. A writer and editor with a passion for translating complex ideas into plain English, she shapes content across diverse topics including sustainability, financial services, healthcare, and organisational culture.
Darren Browne is an animator and designer. He leads his team in creating engaging and unique designs that unite and embody our clients' visions. With years of experience working in the visual effects and advertising industries, Darren has gained an innovative perspective for taking ideas and magnifying them into captivating campaigns, ranging from 3D animation to digital design. He is always on the lookout for bold ways to amplify our clients' ideas in motion.
Courtney Cox is a creative strategist and thinker. As Head of Amplification, she leads, manages, and recruits for multiple complex projects both internally and externally. As a digital artist, she has worked with leading design thinkers and multimedia experts, harnessing her design capabilities to create end-to-end publications. Her training as a molecular engineer gives her the unique advantage of combining her analytical brain with her creative side.
Colin Douglas is the founder of Douglas Knowledge Partners and has spent over two decades as the knowledge partner of choice to some of the world's leading organisations, working with them to conceive and create books, reports, and articles on topics that shape the world's future for the better. Previously, Colin served as a contributing editor to the McKinsey Quarterly and worked with the firm in senior leadership to develop and publish articles, reports, and books on key knowledge topics.
Mvuselelo Dyabaza is the Chief People Officer. He is responsible for our people's wellness, development, and training. He oversees the company's human resource function, ensuring that the organisation attracts, retains, and develops top talent. Mvuselelo has worked in start-ups to medium enterprises in many organisations. He has worked in the creative industry across Africa, with experience in live broadcasting, directing, producing, and scriptwriting. Mvuselelo is also experienced in processes and project management systems, with years in managerial roles.
Jackie Fermo is an experienced writer and editor of articles, reports, and books covering topics including healthcare, supply chain and logistics, diversity, productivity, and public-sector reform. She works closely with clients to develop their ideas, refine the content, and produce and publish a final product that brings their research and expertise to life. Jackie brings a mix of creativity, business acumen, and academic skill to her work. She holds an MBA, a fine art degree, and has an entrepreneurial background.
Nella Freund helps clients develop their ideas and communicate them in the clearest, most effective way. Her responsibilities include client liaison, project management, writing, and editing. Nella has over 30 years' experience of working with the written word in the corporate, creative, and educational fields. Her specialisation areas cover, among others, sustainability, energy, and Asia. She holds an undergraduate degree in journalism and a master's degree in creative writing.
Rik Kirkland is chair of Douglas Knowledge Partners. As a McKinsey partner running the firm’s publishing from 2008 to 2020, he grew audience fivefold. From 2000 to 2005, Rik was editor of FORTUNE magazine, which under his leadership was three times nominated as a finalist for general excellence by the American Society of Magazine Editors. A member of the Council on Foreign Relations, he has appeared on CNN and CNBC and moderated panels at global business forums, including the WEF and Microsoft’s CEO Summit.
Luandri Emslie leads her team in creating captivating designs that reflect clients' visions. She engages with clients, manages projects, mentors the team, and crafts layouts for materials like books and reports, online and in print. With a bachelor's in art, she specialises in layout, brand creation, digital/print design, photography, illustrations, data visualisation, and editing. She believes in the power of creativity and innovation to make a meaningful impact.
Pierre Liebenberg, trained in industrial engineering and specialised in data science and machine learning, is a seasoned analyst adept in consulting on research design, analysis, and modelling. He crafts bespoke solutions and insights for clients in areas like AI, health technology, leadership, and sustainability. With a background in data engineering, software development, and communications, Pierre integrates his editorial and analytical expertise to effectively articulate ideas. He also enjoys a non-professional career in choral singing.
Edmund Rodseth helps clients to develop, refine, and communicate their ideas for maximum impact. In this role, his responsibilities include project management, writing, and editing. Edmund holds a PhD in molecular and cell biology from the University of Cape Town and has extensive experience in data collection and analysis, as well as effective communication of complex topics. He is passionate about effecting change in the world through the formulation and communication of important ideas.
Angelique Rossouw brings her financial acumen to bear as she leads our finance department. With extensive experience working with small and medium-size businesses, she has a proven track record in financial management, including her involvement with a large non-profit organisation. Angelique focuses on strategic financial initiatives to ensure the company's continued success. She holds a bachelor's degree in accounting science and previously worked as a medical technologist.
Nicola Weaver has worked across academia, not-for-profit, and for-profit organisations. An economist by training, she previously convened a master's degree in inclusive innovation at the University of Cape Town, ran a foundation focused on entrepreneurship and social innovation, and worked in corporate strategy and other global roles at SABMiller plc. Previously, she worked for INSEAD and the European Union on a joint academic-corporate project on sustainable development developing a sustainability toolkit for industry, and as a strategy consultant for Kearney.
Kathryn Wooldridge leads our operations and manages our key projects. She is also a wiz at project management. She has helped manage many client projects from beginning to end and loves building strong, positive relationships with those she works with. She has a master's degree in industrial sociology and also has a background in research, policy writing, and analysis.
