Our Team
Strategic Human Capital Consulting consists of a core team that operates in association with a number of consultants who we call on depending on the nature of an engagement. We share a passion and commitment to facilitating individual and organisational growth in a significant and sustainable manner. We want to unlock and ignite the human energy in organisations and through this build amazing companies that consistently achieve their business strategies.
DANIE EKSTEEN
Role... Owner and Lead Consultant
History... an early successful legal career was followed by an MBA through the Universities of Cape Town and Washington, Seattle, which led him to starting Strategic Human Capital Consulting in 2007 and the opportunity to combine his interest in the "business-of-business", organisational dynamics, a passion for people, a strategic mind and need for independence.
Life defining moments... include leaving the safety of a successful professional career to pursue another (‘the Monk that kept his Blue Landrover’); the pain of a failed marriage; being struck by lightning – literally; reading the words ‘failures are not fatal, life is not futile and death is not final'; doing an MBA with amazing people; the paediatrician informing us that our newborn first son is perfect and healthy...
I read... mostly books that feed into my thinking and vision of how great organisations with extraordinarily effective and contented people can change the world we live in. When I read fiction I prefer the older writers like Tolstoy (Anna Karenina) and Victor Hugo (Les Misérables).
When I’m not working I love... travelling (nature, art, architecture and foreign places have huge appeal); cycling (thanks to the magnificent Cape Town cycle race I stay in shape); spending time with my wife and sons exploring the most beautiful Cape.
Accreditation... part time faculty member at the University of Stellenbosch Business School: Executive Development (USB Ed), part time lecturer at Tsiba (The Tertiary School in Business Administration) Cape Town, member of the Worth Ethic Global Network of Coaches, accredited Time-to-Think (Nancy Kline) facilitator and accredited provider of The Barrett Values Centre (USA) Culture Transformation Tools, EQi 2.0 Emotional Intelligence Assessment as well as the SDI Personal Strength Inventories.
I find my hope... as a humble believer who has experienced the Grace of the Creator God
Contact Danie...
ELAINE COATON EKSTEEN
Role... Co-Owner, Administration, Programme Development and Facilitation
History... after applying her BSc degree to teaching and developing young minds for three years and a similar length of time teaching English as a foreign language, her love for words directed her to the highly competitive magazine publishing industry. Here she excelled and moved quickly through the ranks to hold various management positions for 9 years. Her combination of analytical precision and creativity, and her ability to mentor the growth and development of others made her a loved and highly effective manager and make her a valuable contributor at Strategic Human Capital Consulting.
Life defining moments... changing careers from maths and science teaching to teaching English; making a switch again – this time to the magazine industry; finding photography and art and learning to 'see' differently; a picnic that sparked a romance, deep friendship and marriage; giving birth to two healthy boys.
I read... not nearly as much as I’d like – the rare quiet hour to devour a well written book is this mom-of-busy-boys' pop up holiday.
When I’m not working I love... cooking something new from a Moro cook book while sipping on a Chardonay; camping somewhere in the mountains; trying my hand at painting; visiting karoo dorpies and foreign art galleries; playing ball games with my sons; chatting to my husband about ... everything.
Accreditation... accredited provider of the SDI Personal Strength Inventories.
Contact Elaine...
Our Associates
At Strategic Human Capital Consulting we treasure our Associates who form part of our extended team. We share a passion and committment to our clients and striving to be as good as the best in the world. We want to unlock and ignite the human energy in organisations and through this build amazing companies that consistently achieve their business strategies.
MELANIE HOFFMANN
Role... Senior Consultant
History... an MBA, followed by several years of management consulting developed her commercial acumen and business savvy, and created the platform for a successful career as HR Director & Organisational Effectiveness leader in complex multinational corporate environments. Having operated at an executive and board management level, she has led and managed large teams and complex projects, including managing the people and cultural aspects of mergers and acquisitions.
My passion for... developing leaders has led me to focus my energy in the People and Team Development space. I especially love working with groups, group processes and the emerging possibilities that arise when individuals are committed to doing deep work on themselves and learning from each other.
When I’m not working I love... spending time with my three children (all under the age of five) – creating a family environment filled with adventure and learning experiences. I also enjoy travel, deep sea diving, hiking and yoga.
LUCILLE ROBERTS
Role... Lucille Roberts is an experienced Facilitator and Change consultant with a passion for learning and development. Most of her professional life has been in the education sector teaching, guiding and helping others develop and fulfil their potential. History … She has worked at both Henley Business School SA and UCT’s Graduate School of Business and with executives from organisations like Old Mutual, INSETA, Eskom, South African Breweries, Nashua, Denel, Murray & Roberts and Danone.
Accreditations… Lucille holds a Master of Science in Coaching and Behavioural Change (Henley Business School, University of Reading) and an Executive Masters in Business Administration (Graduate School of Business, University of Cape Town).
As coach… she believes in treating each person as a real individual, introducing various methodologies and frameworks as and how are most appropriate. She often utilises Nancy Kline’s Time to Think framework, systemic coaching and mindfulness methodologies.
When she is not... facilitating or coaching she oversees her entrpreneurial interests.
SANDER MAHIEU
Role... Sander is an internationally recognised Facilitator and Consultant (now Cape Town-based) with vast experience as programme director and facilitator in the field of organisational change, cultural transformation and leadership development.
History... Sander Mahieu founded the Synnova Consultancy Europe in 2002 with the purpose of accelerating learning and change in organisations. He has worked with a diverse range of organisations in Europe including the ING Group, the Dutch public sector, GlaxoSmithKline, Draka, KPMG (UK), Old Mutual (UK, SA) and AVIVA. Sander has lectured in Change Management and Cultural Transformation at IBO Business School in The Netherlands.
Prior to establishing Synnova, Sander gained over 15 years’ experience as an HR Manager (at the Netherlands Ministry of Transport and Water Management 1978-1980 and the Netherlands Union of Local Municipalites 1980-1999). From 1999-2003 he worked with a Dutch training & consultancy company as Account Director, responsible for implementing HR projects and change programmes.
Accreditation... he is a global train-the-trainer for the Barrett Values Centre (USA) and accredited practitioner in the Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).
He brings... Sander is a committed and enthusiastic facilitator, good at sensing group energy and dynamics and able to intervene effectively, both provocatively and compassionately. He is an inspiring and creative coach and sparring partner for both shop floor and leadership.
When he is not working ... he spends time on his new passion: oil painting, trying to keep up with my gym and walking in nature.
ELONA HLATSHWAYO
Role... Elona Hlatshwayo is a Coach, Mentor and Facilitator who is passionate about developing and empowering people to have a balance in all they do, with reduced stress and increased satisfaction and fulfilment. Elona has a wealth of experience both locally and internationally, having coached a diverse clientele in the UK and South Africa.
Accreditation... Psychometrist (HPCSA registered). An Honours degree in Organisational Psychology (University of Cape Town) initially set her off into talent Management in the corporate and consulting world. This was followed by an MSc in International Business Management (University of Liverpool) and qualifying as a Life, Executive and Business Coach with an European accreditation.
She brings... Having been the MD of Mhayise Psychologies, she has first-hand experience of what it takes to make a business successful. Elona enjoys helping people see and explore possibilities in the global business market. She is also passionate about “seeing more people in the emerging markets running successful businesses.”
When she is not working ... Elona spends time with her husband and two children and explores her love of photography and running.
MEG BRUYNS
Role... Meg Bruyns is a Facilitator and Consultant that has been part of and led teams around the world, gaining first-hand experience in the pleasures and difficulties of cross-cultural living.
Meg started her career in the IT industry as an Analyst but but her work and experiences since then have brought her to discover a new passion as an accredited provider of Career Direct - a multi-faceted in-depth self-exploration assessment that helps individuals make more informed personal, life and career decisions, by providing insight into four key dimensions of a person's design namely: Personality, Interests, Skills, and Values. “We often don't realise the importance of considering all four of these dimensions when making decisions about which paths to pursue,” says Meg. “This often leads to dissatisfaction, frustration and confusion as the full picture of our unique individual design is not being honoured, tapped into or fed.”
More about her... She is a keen traveller and has worked across the world in both English and Portuguese. Her genuine love for people has led her to spend a lot of time pursuing volunteer opportunities, both locally and abroad.
When she is not working ... Meg pursues both variety and balance by packing her days with combinations of family, friends, nature, adventure, study, rest and reflective solitude.
LUDMILA KOSTANDOVA-EGOROVA
Role... Ludmila is a Coach and Facilitator who is passionate about partnering with leaders who seek to inspire excellence in high-performing organisational cultures. As a French (and English) speaking associate she offers SHCC the ability to offer mother-tongue coaching to French speaking participants on our African leadership programmes.
History... having started her career in the financial services sector she now runs her own consulting company in partnership with other independent entities including Strategic Human Capital Consulting, focusing on designing and conducting leadership development and coaching programs in multicultural environments.
Other roles... Ludmila is involved in the leadership of the International Coach Federation, serving as elected leader of the ICF EMEA Regional Advisory Council.
Accreditation... She is an Associate of the Centre for Inspired Leadership (UK), certified provider of the Barrett Values Centre (USA) Cultural Transformation Tools and certified consultant in MBTI and Team Management Systems.
She brings...A broad spectrum of experience with a Masters in Business Coaching (International Mozaik and Metasysteme (France)); a Masters in Finance & Economics from the Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po Paris); and is working on an Executive Master in Consulting and Coaching for Change (INSEAD). She also holds a diploma of Systemic Approach to Change (Institute Gregory Batson (Belgium)).
When she is not working ... Ludmila spends time with her husband and travelling aross Europe and beyond.