Changes at Life Choices'

Author: Salesian Life Choices

I am sure we can all agree that the past two years have been quite unpredictable, and that the events on a global as well as a local level have inspired some new professional and personal perspectives in each of us.

At the end of 2020, I made the decision to return to my country of origin and to be closer to my elderly parents. It was a difficult decision, because I love South Africa and Life Choices dearly, but a decision that felt right, being my parents’ only child.

Having established Life Choices in 2005 and holding the role of Managing Director for 16 years, this departure needed to be handled with great care. And therefore, a collective effort was made, together with the team and the executive board, to develop a 12-month strategy for a smooth transition to take place.

Today, I can proudly introduce the two new MD’s of Life Choices to you. And, to be honest, I cannot fully verbalize how excited I am about the future of the organisation, given the capable hands and hearts of its new leadership team.

The past 16 years have – without a doubt - been the best chapter of my life, so far. What has made it particularly special to me, are the wonderful people whom I have met along the way.

Starting with the young people I worked so closely with, to the Life Choices team that has worked hard and has played even harder, and who stood by me as we pursued our mission. And, of course, the wonderful donors we gathered over time – they have become an integral part of us.

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support over the years. I can confidently say that I leave feeling at peace, having worked closely with the new leadership team and knowing that you are still part of the Life Choices journey.

New Leadership

Mignon Hardie

Not-for-Profit MD

Mignon Hardie is passionate about building businesses and organisations for social good. Previously she was the director of the FunDza Literacy Trust, a nonprofit that uses technology to grow a culture of reading and writing amongst South Africa’s youth. She is also a director of independent publisher Cover2Cover Books and co-founder of Veedo, a reverse-billed video-conferencing service operated by Datafree and The Lateral Alternative. She has a BA from UCT and an MBA from Stellenbosch University.

Ryan Geel

For-Profit MD

Ryan holds a Diploma in Marketing from the IMM graduate school of Marketing. He began his career in the FMCG sector which has allowed him the opportunity to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. He holds over 15 years of experience in sales and marketing strategies. In 2016, Ryan came in contact with Life Choices as a beneficiary of the organisation's entrepreneurship initiative (New Ventures Studio).

Ryan realized that his true passion was people and when presented with the opportunity to join Life Choices in 2018, he happily took it. He believed it was an opportunity to grow and to be part of something that was bigger than him. Ryan was part of the team that established Life Choices Academy. Ryan is passionate about people, innovative thinking and the desire to change the status quo by building solutions towards the challenges our society faces.

2021 Annual Programme Reports

What to say about 2021… a challenging year due to the continued COVID restrictions, especially for an organisation where the bulk of our work requires close contact with beneficiaries. However, with challenges always emerge opportunities, and this year was no different. Join us in celebrating our achievements in 2021!

Click on image to view 2021 reports