Royzanne Marcelle Kampher
Senior People Partner | Culture Builder | Strategic HR Leader
Summary
Dynamic and people-first HR professional with 15+ years of experience leading end-to-end human capital strategy, process development, talent management and culture transformation. I specialize in building and owning scalable HR systems from onboarding, compliance and performance cycles to engagement, restructuring, and change management while partnering with cross-functional leadership in Finance, Sales, Marketing and Operations. Collaboration is key! I bring a rare combination of strategic thinking, operational excellence and values-led leadership grounded in the belief that culture isn't just a vibe; it's a system, a feeling and a long-term advantage. At Kandua, I scaled the team from 15 to 70+ and played a key role in navigating the company's acquisition by Santam. I led foundational people work including Section 189 processes, reorganization and embedding an inclusive, high-performance culture through both data and heart. In four consecutive roles, I've been the first to occupy the position, building HR functions from scratch and aligning people strategy with evolving business goals. I thrive in high-growth environments where human-centered thinking and commercial impact go hand in hand.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Operations & People Culture Strategy Consultant | Org Design, Change & Leadership
Independent Consultant
04.2020 - Current
- I consult with scaling organisations to deliver strategic people and culture initiatives that align HR systems with business outcomes and fuel sustainable performance.
- Manage full-cycle people-focused processes: from scoping to execution, evaluation and iterative improvement.
- Lead key culture and change projects, including defining values, conducting culture diagnostics and embedding inclusive behaviors across teams.
- Guide organisational restructuring and workforce integration during times of change, ensuring minimal disruption and clear change communication.
- Coach leadership and project teams through complex people issues, labour relations and communication strategies during transitional periods.
- Facilitate workshops on leadership, resilience, psychological safety and soft-skill development.
- Embed culture-driven retention initiatives that promote recognition, belonging and low attrition.
Head: Human Capital Solutions
Kandua
01.2021 - 05.2025
- Led remote/hybrid teams and implemented scalable, remote-friendly people ops systems, improving engagement and boosting psychological safety.
- Facilitated HR integration during Kandua's acquisition by Santam, ensuring compliance and preserving employee experience.
- Designed and rolled out people-first policies and talent processes.
- Managed payroll for 70+ employees across multiple regions.
- Coached senior leaders, improving team effectiveness and communication across functions.
- Resolved all labour relations issues with 100% compliance and zero CCMA cases.
Head: Human Capital Solutions & Operations
Kandua
06.2019 - 12.2020
- Built HR and performance frameworks from scratch, enabling scalable growth, compliance and high retention.
- Successfully transitioned and scaled operations to remote work during COVID-19, maintaining business continuity and achieving zero layoffs.
- Created and embedded “Kitty Kandua” as a customer service persona, strengthening brand identity and scaling the support team 5x.
- Provided strategic coaching to senior leadership and embedded best-practice people ops across departments.
- Led cross-functional operations including payroll, facilities, finance advisory, customer success, marketing and partnerships.
- Acted as a key connector across teams, driving alignment, accountability and a cohesive employee experience.
- Handled all labour matters end-to-end, ensuring compliance and employee dignity, resulting in no CCMA escalations.
Talent Director | Senior Product Owner
Umuzi.org
01.2018 - 04.2019
- Led talent acquisition and product development initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and long-term growth strategy.
- Developed a Work Experience Readiness Programme and personally mentored over 300 young people into high-impact careers. Alumni include award-winning creatives, actors and the first Black woman to design coins for the SA Mint.
- Collaborated with industry partners to source high value opportunities and connect students with high-value career pathways.
- Foster a culture of innovation, inclusion and excellence across teams and processes.
- Drive people and product strategies that elevate organisational performance and talent outcomes.
- Co-developed and facilitated an industry-aligned curriculum in collaboration with cross-functional teams, actively supporting the SETA accreditation process to ensure compliance, relevance and measurable impact.
Media Operations Director
Intra-African Trade Fair
11.2018 - 12.2018
- Successfully directed media operations for the 2023 Intra-African Trade Fair in Cairo, ensuring seamless coordination across stakeholders and contributing to the flawless execution of a major continental event without any operational issues.
Head Of Traffic and Operations
Umuzi.org
10.2015 - 12.2017
- Oversaw traffic management and operations by optimizing workflows, coordinating cross-functional teams, and ensuring timely, high-quality project delivery.
Traffic Manager
Troika Imagineering Works
08.2013 - 09.2015
- Implemented systems and managed job receipt, scheduling, workflow coordination and budgets to ensure the smooth and efficient running of the creative studio.
Traffic Coordinator
Achievement Awards Group
11.2012 - 08.2013
- Recruited from a leading Cape Town agency to lead a creative studio of 25+ designers, copywriters and content creators: coordinated studio workflow, managed job briefs, schedules and deadlines, ensured accurate timesheets effective status meetings and delivery of projects.
Traffic Manager
Arctic Circle Strategic Brand Institute
05.2011 - 12.2012
- Led job initiation while fostering a collaborative, culture-aligned environment. Coordinated designers and production teams, managed project budgets and ensured timely delivery with a focus on people and outcomes.
Traffic Manager (Freelance)
Draftfcb Cape Town
02.2011 - 04.2011
- Liaised with client service teams, assigned jobs to creative resources, managed schedules and ensured strict adherence to project timelines.
Production and Traffic Manager
SkyMED!A
01.2009 - 11.2010
- Coordinated jobs, managed creative studio workflow, liaised with clients and suppliers. Responsible for administrative duties during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, supporting The League: the official publication for the tournament.
Exec. Event and Exhibitions Coordinator | Project Manager
SkyMED!A
08.2008 - 12.2008
- Coordinated sponsorships, conferences, exhibitions and events, while liaising with businesses, SMME's and government entities.
Executive Personal Assistant
Graphic Laminates
10.2007 - 07.2008
- Provided high-level executive support to a top-performing sales executive, managing complex schedules and overseeing critical administrative functions to optimize efficiency and performance.
Marketing and Promotions Manager
LaZone Entertainment
02.2006 - 11.2007
- Managed marketing and promotional activities while developing strategies to enhance brand visibility and drive engagement.
Education
Certificate - Exercising Leadership: Foundational Principles
Harvard University
08.2025
MBA - Strategic Leadership & Org. Transformation
Business School Netherlands
04.2001 -
Diploma - Early Childhood Development
College of Cape Town
01.2001
Matric Certificate - undefined
Kensington High School
01.1999
Skills
Talent development and retention
TOOLS AND PLATFORMS
- Communication & Collaboration: Slack, G-Suite / Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive), Notion, Miro, Canva
- Project Management: Chase, Trello, Miro
- HR & People Operations: Charlie HR (pulse surveys, HRIS), Recruitee (ATS - end-to-end hiring ownership), MyWorkSpace (Human Capital CRM)
- Content & Reporting: Canva, Meta Business Suite, Social Media Analytics (Instagram, Facebook)
- View all here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/13-vvv3HpetHdX-Y3n2-AISgGna1UPJDV
References
View references here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/13-vvv3HpetHdX-Y3n2-AISgGna1UPJDV
Timeline
Head: Human Capital Solutions
Kandua
01.2021 - 05.2025
Operations & People Culture Strategy Consultant | Org Design, Change & Leadership
Independent Consultant
04.2020 - Current
Head: Human Capital Solutions & Operations
Kandua
06.2019 - 12.2020
Media Operations Director
Intra-African Trade Fair
11.2018 - 12.2018
Talent Director | Senior Product Owner
Umuzi.org
01.2018 - 04.2019
Head Of Traffic and Operations
Umuzi.org
10.2015 - 12.2017
Traffic Manager
Troika Imagineering Works
08.2013 - 09.2015
Traffic Coordinator
Achievement Awards Group
11.2012 - 08.2013
Traffic Manager
Arctic Circle Strategic Brand Institute
05.2011 - 12.2012
Traffic Manager (Freelance)
Draftfcb Cape Town
02.2011 - 04.2011
Production and Traffic Manager
SkyMED!A
01.2009 - 11.2010
Exec. Event and Exhibitions Coordinator | Project Manager
SkyMED!A
08.2008 - 12.2008
Executive Personal Assistant
Graphic Laminates
10.2007 - 07.2008
Marketing and Promotions Manager
LaZone Entertainment
02.2006 - 11.2007
MBA - Strategic Leadership & Org. Transformation
Business School Netherlands
04.2001 -
Diploma - Early Childhood Development
College of Cape Town
Matric Certificate - undefined
Kensington High School
Certificate - Exercising Leadership: Foundational Principles
Harvard University
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<ul><li>Oversaw all operational functions during the successful amalgamation of two legacy mutual insurers into a single, unified organization. Reported directly to the CEO and played a key leadership role in aligning people, processes, and performance with long-term strategic goals.</li><li>Led the full operational transformation of Salus Mutual, uniting teams and systems from two legacy organizations under a cohesive structure with shared goals and culture.</li><li>Redesigned leadership accountabilities and implemented new KPI and SLA frameworks, enabling stronger performance management and outcome tracking.</li><li>Built internal capacity in key operational areas, reducing reliance on external consultants and establishing a culture of ownership, capability, and continuous improvement.</li><li>Established an Operations function to support Claims, Underwriting, and Sales, delivering enterprise-wide value through data insights, process improvements, project delivery, and enhanced customer service.</li><li>Collaborated closely with the Senior Leadership Team and Board of Directors to co-develop and launch the organization’s first corporate strategy post-amalgamation.</li><li>Held P&L responsibility for $45M in Gross Written Premium, with a strong focus on operational efficiency and strategic growth.</li><li>Delivered key strategic outcomes, including: First-ever member rebate in company history, First employee engagement survey, achieving a 75% engagement score, 3% reduction in expense ratio through operational efficiencies and cost control.</li></ul> at Salus Mutual Insurance Company<ul><li>Oversaw all operational functions during the successful amalgamation of two legacy mutual insurers into a single, unified organization. Reported directly to the CEO and played a key leadership role in aligning people, processes, and performance with long-term strategic goals.</li><li>Led the full operational transformation of Salus Mutual, uniting teams and systems from two legacy organizations under a cohesive structure with shared goals and culture.</li><li>Redesigned leadership accountabilities and implemented new KPI and SLA frameworks, enabling stronger performance management and outcome tracking.</li><li>Built internal capacity in key operational areas, reducing reliance on external consultants and establishing a culture of ownership, capability, and continuous improvement.</li><li>Established an Operations function to support Claims, Underwriting, and Sales, delivering enterprise-wide value through data insights, process improvements, project delivery, and enhanced customer service.</li><li>Collaborated closely with the Senior Leadership Team and Board of Directors to co-develop and launch the organization’s first corporate strategy post-amalgamation.</li><li>Held P&L responsibility for $45M in Gross Written Premium, with a strong focus on operational efficiency and strategic growth.</li><li>Delivered key strategic outcomes, including: First-ever member rebate in company history, First employee engagement survey, achieving a 75% engagement score, 3% reduction in expense ratio through operational efficiencies and cost control.</li></ul> at Salus Mutual Insurance Company