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Stéphan Pieterse

Chief People Officer


What did you do after Matric?

I completed my B.Eng. (Mechanical) degree at Stellenbosch University in 1995.

What is your day job?

After a 12-year engineering career I made a career change and for the last 10 years I’ve worked towards becoming an Organisational Development (OD) Specialist. In a nutshell, OD is about ensuring humanity in the workplace and helping employees to unlock their full potential. I work for an amazing company, Pragma, a leader in the field of Professional Enterprise Asset Management Services.

When did you join D4D?

I started D4D in 2005 (then called “Running for their lives”).

Why are you involved with D4D?

D4D was established in reaction to the devastating scenes of the Asian Tsunami of 26 December 2004. That event moved me to ask the question: “What can I do to make a difference in this world?” Through running I could raise funds and make a small difference. Being a director of D4D makes me responsible for handling the funds being channelled through us to children in need, with wisdom, integrity and accountability. For me D4D is a vehicle through which I can serve others.

Tell us more about your family.

I married the most amazing woman, Yolanda, in 1998. We have three beautiful daughters, Caro, Karla and Simoné. We are privileged to home-educate our daughters.

What sport do you do? Any tough events done?

I was privilege to complete three consecutive and life changing Comrades Marathons in 2008-2010. In November 2015 I started a daily minimum 5 km running challenge and at the time of this report I completed my 850th consecutive day of running at an average of 5.8 km/day. I’ve completed 15,000 km since I started running in 2002. I’ve completed 10 Cape Town (Argus) Cycle Tours, but perhaps it’s time to swop the road bike for a MTB… I feel a bit left out these days. 🙂

What are your future dreams for D4D?

D4D’s first decade was one in which I realised how little I can do alone and how much can be achieved as a team. My dream is for us to make it possible for more people and organisations to use D4D as a platform for making a difference; for them to use us as a responsible distributor of donated funds, ensuring that their money, gets to where it is really needed and it is utilised with integrity and accountability. One last thing and one of my life lessons: “Live a life of significance, but make sure it starts at home.”

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