Nellie Lester
Businness Leadership Consultant
Johannesburg,Gauteng
Summary
Versatile Managing Director with proven abilities across all levels of organizational management. Talented in developing partnerships, overseeing personnel and developing tactical plans to meet strategic goals. Proven leader with significant background in Strategy Development and Programme planning and implementation, leadership coaching, change Management, negotiation, conflict resolution and personal development of team members for high performance and solutions with impact.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Language
Work History
Managing Director
WS & Co. Advisory Services (PTY) LTD.
Johannesburg
01.2017 - Current
- Developed comprehensive business plans, outlining long-term goals and actionable steps toward success.
- Exercised leadership capabilities by successfully motivating and inspiring others.
- Strengthened client relationships with regular communication, timely project delivery, and high-quality services
- Expanded market presence through successful negotiation of key partnerships and acquisitions
- Established high-performing executive team, recruiting top talent from diverse industries to drive organizational excellence
- Oversaw operations and provided corrective feedback to achieve daily and long-term goals
- Devised and implemented innovative and marketing campaigns to promote products and services
General Manager/Consultant Manager
Development Bank of Southern Africa
Johannesburg
1 2014 - 05.2016
- Formulated policies and procedures to streamline operations.
- Tracked trends and suggested enhancements to both challenge and refine company's product offerings.
- Provided thoughtful guidance to personnel in navigating and resolving snags in productivity.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop innovative solutions.
- Managed diverse team of professionals, fostering positive work environment and high employee satisfaction.
- Developed strong communication and organizational skills through working on group projects.
- Demonstrated leadership skills in managing projects from concept to completion.
- Implemented innovative programs to increase employee loyalty and reduce turnover.
- Analyzed market trends/data to identify potential opportunities for business growth within existing or emerging markets successfully.
- Drove successful execution of numerous large-scale events/promotions while closely managing costs/budgetary constraints associated with event planning/management activities.
- Reported issues to higher management with great detail.
General Manager
Housing Development Agency (HDA)
Johannesburg
01.2012 - 07.2014
- Launched staff engagement, gender diversity and cultural programs in addition to robust reporting tool that increased operational quality.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop innovative solutions.
- Maximized operational excellence mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, and company procedures.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Reduced budgetary expenditures by effectively negotiating contracts for more advantageous terms.
- Drove successful execution of numerous large-scale events/promotions while closely managing costs/budgetary constraints associated with event planning/management activities.
- Managed budget implementations, employee evaluations, and contract details.
- Formulated policies and procedures to streamline operations.
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
- Provided professional services and support in dynamic work environment.
- Participated in team projects, demonstrating ability to work collaboratively and effectively.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
Deputy Director General (DDG)
COGTA
Pretoria
01.2007 - 02.2012
- Ensured regulatory compliance across all departments through diligent monitoring of policies, procedures, documentation requirements.
- Prepared and submitted accurate, timely management and financial reports and project budgets national priority urban and rural development pilot projects.
- Formulated and executed strategic initiatives to improve performance.
- Established and maintained strong relationships with sector departments and strategic partners.
- Turned mandates into actionable operational strategies.
- Collaborated with other department heads to ensure smooth functioning of organizational activities.
Executive Director
Plan act, Johannesburg
Johannesburg
07.2002 - 01.2006
- Presented regularly at conferences or industry events showcasing accomplishments of organization.
- Built relationships with donors, government officials and other organizations to secure funding and support for organization.
- Implemented innovative marketing strategies to raise brand awareness and drive revenue growth.
- Managed financial, operational and human resources to optimize business performance.
- Advocated for policy changes at both local and national levels to further support organization''s goals and objectives.
- Set organizational goals and objectives to guide and direct company focus and achieve mission fulfillment.
Senior Planner
City of Cape Town
Cape Town
01.1997 - 01.1999
- Improved overall project success rates through meticulous attention to detail and thorough analysis of potential obstacles.
- Created and managed project plans, timelines and budgets.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams of engineers, architects, and other professionals in order to develop comprehensive solutions addressing various aspects of urban planning projects.
- Managed large-scale development projects, ensuring timely completion within budget constraints.
- Championed sustainable development practices by incorporating environmentally conscious strategies into project designs, ultimately reducing organization''s ecological footprint.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced environment.
Senior Lecturer
School of Architecture and Planning, UCT
Cape Twon
05.1995 - 12.1996
- Used variety of learning modalities and support materials to facilitate learning process and accentuate presentations.
- Built strong rapport with students through class discussions and academic advisement.
- Evaluated success of teaching methods via regular collection of feedback from both peers and students.
- Reviewed program materials and coordinated updates to keep department materials relevant and accurate.
- Implemented active learning techniques in classroom, increasing student participation and critical thinking skills.
- Assessed students' progress and provided feedback to enhance learning.
Education
MBA - Executive Business Management
02.2022 - 09.2024
Expert Negotiator, GIBS - General Management
02.2016 - 02.2016
General Management Programme, GIBS - Business Management
01.2015 - 10.2015
Master’s Degree in Urban and Rural Planning - Urban Planning
08.1989 - 05.1992
Bachelor’s degree (BA) - Human Ecology
08.1986 - 05.1989
Skills
Excellent Communication
Affiliations
- Council Member South African Council for Planner (SACPLAN)2017
- Member South African Planning Institute (SAPI) 2015-2020
- Non-Executive Board member of the South African Cities Network from 2007-2012 & 2018-2019
- Previous Board member of Habitat International Coalition (HIC)
Personal Information
- ID Number: 6604180067186
- Gender: Female
- Nationality: Canada/ RSA Resident
Personality Traits
- Proven problem solving ability
- Creative and can multi task
- Assertive and goal orientated
- Self-motivated and passionate
- Loves and thrives under challenges
- Highly innovate with lateral thinking ability
Pre1995 Experience
Completed post graduate studies in Canada in 1992. Junior Planner Development and Planning Department at the City of Halifax in Nova Scotia, Canada. Project Officer at Dalhousie University School of Architecture & Planning prior to relocating to South Africa following appointment as Lecturer University of Cape Town faculty of Architecture and Planning as a Lecturer in 1995.
Awards
- Recipient of academic scholarship from the Canadian Institute of Planners in 1991, a bursary from the Canadian Bureau for International Education.
- Recipient of Leadership Scholarship from the Episcopal Church. New York 1986-1990
References
Available on request
Timeline
University of Cape Town - MBA, Executive Business Management
02.2022 - 09.2024
Managing Director - WS & Co. Advisory Services (PTY) LTD.
01.2017 - Current
University of Pretoria (GIBS) - Expert Negotiator, GIBS, General Management
02.2016 - 02.2016
University of Pretoria (GIBS) - General Management Programme, GIBS, Business Management
01.2015 - 10.2015
General Manager - Housing Development Agency (HDA)
01.2012 - 07.2014
Deputy Director General (DDG) - COGTA
01.2007 - 02.2012
Executive Director - Plan act, Johannesburg
07.2002 - 01.2006
Senior Planner - City of Cape Town
01.1997 - 01.1999
Senior Lecturer - School of Architecture and Planning, UCT
05.1995 - 12.1996
Dalhousie University - Master’s Degree in Urban and Rural Planning, Urban Planning
08.1989 - 05.1992
Mount Saint Vincent University - Bachelor’s degree (BA), Human Ecology
08.1986 - 05.1989
General Manager/Consultant Manager - Development Bank of Southern Africa
1 2014 - 05.2016
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