After working in the music industry for 12 years, Michelle then re-trained and qualified with the UK Football Association as a coach.
She went on to coach football in London and New York for three years before returning to Roehampton University in 2004, to become a full-time student.
At University, she studied Education with additional subjects in Human Rights and Philosophy. In 2007, she graduated from Roehampton University with a BA (Hons) in Education.
In 2008, Michelle received the Froebel Guild Award for her dissertation on children in care in South Africa and the UK. It was the same year that she moved to Cape Town, where she has lived and worked ever since.
Gillian is a is a multi-golden globe and Emmy award winning actress, stage-performer, and writer.
She is perhaps best known for her role as Dr Dana Scully in The X-Files, for which she won a golden globe award. This role is thought to have inspired a generation of women to enter STEM fields (The Scully Effect).
More recently Gillian has starred in the popular sex- positive TV series, Sex Education, as well reprised an award-winning role in The Crown.
Gillian supports numerous charities, including Artists for a New South Africa; Treatment Action Campaign; Buskaid; Neurofibromatosis; and War Child.
Andrew is an interdisciplinary research scientist with a PhD in Developmental Psychology and a background in cognitive science, including philosophy and cognitive neuroscience.
Andrew’s work is focused on cognitive control and adolescent risk-taking, especially under conditions of social and economic inequality. He has extensive experience in intervention science and has worked with under-served youth populations in Africa and the UK for many years. Andrew joined SAYes in 2014.
Peter is a Chartered Accountant with over 17 years’ experience in financial leadership, focused on supporting purpose-driven organisations. As founder of The Virtual FD, he provides outsourced Finance Director services, with a strong emphasis on the non-profit sector.
He brings deep expertise in managing restricted funds, grant reporting, and aligning finance with mission goals. Peter is passionate about helping non-profits thrive through clear strategy and transparent reporting, and is proud to support SAYes in its mission to empower young people.
Lauren brings over 20+ years of diverse experience in fundraising, project management, sponsorship procurement, client service, event management and project operations within the sports, entertainment and NGO sectors.
Her experience has enabled her to deliver results across multiple industries and countries, with a focus on building strong relationships, operational execution and driving business growth. She is Degreed in Industrial Psychology & isiXhosa and, as a Neuro-linguistic programming practitioner, corporate & life coach and she has joined the SAYes team to support donor relations, client service and business development. Lauren understands the power of mentorship and is passionate about making a difference in this sector.
Colleen has a BFA in Mass Communications and spent several years as a news producer and entertainment journalist before changing directions and deciding to pursue a career as a school counsellor.
Colleen now holds both Masters of Science in Education and Education Specialist degrees in School Counsellor Education. She is taking the steps to pursue licensure as a private counsellor.
A competitive gymnast in her youth, Colleen has been coaching gymnastics for over 20 years. She is certified through USA Gymnastics, AAU USA, and National Gymnastics Association.
Colleen is passionate about using her counselling background to help young people develop a foundation for personal growth, discipline, self-awareness, and respect.
Shameelah is currently completing a Diploma in Hospitality and Catering. This role gives her a great deal of pleasure, as she is passionate about helping people and providing them with a great hospitality experience.
Growing up in a Children’s Home, Shameelah connected with SAYes in 2016. She feels that having this ‘amazing group of people’ as a support network helped her get to where she is today.
In her role at SAYes, she hopes to give back to her community. She believes that being part of SAYes can help her to accomplish her goal of supporting young people with their education; commitment; and many more important aspects of life.
Fiona joined SAYes Mentoring in 2023 after volunteering as a mentor since 2020.
She has a PhD in Film and Television Studies from the University of Warwick, and is a musician and performer. After working as a maths tutor, Fiona found she loved working one-on-one with young people, watching their confidence and abilities grow with sustained joint effort.
She has a history of voluntary work and campaigning that aligns with her interests in sustainability and climate activism as well as tackling racial, gender, LGBTQIA+ and income inequality. She lived in California for a few years and is now based in the UK.
Bridget is an Accredited Coach, Trainer and Facilitator.
She works with individuals and groups to help them overcome limiting beliefs, gain self-awareness and achieve their goals. She is passionate about mental health and is currently working towards a Diploma in Counselling and Communications through SACAP.
Having volunteered previously as a SAYes mentor, Bridget joined SAYes as Transition Specialist in 2020. She loves working with people from all walks of life, her passions being mediation, relationship management and problem solving.
Lois holds a Bachelor’s Degree (Hons) in Education and Psychology and with nearly a decade of experience in working with non-profit organisations.
Lois passionately champions accessible education for a brighter and more equitable future.
She has formed programmes for universities and organisations on a global level to ensure seamless transition to university life and successful career paths. Beyond her professional role, Lois volunteers to empower single mothers in business skills. She extends her impact through international consultancy in project management; youth leadership; and wellbeing initiatives.
Originally from the UK, she now resides in South Africa, driven by an enthusiasm for making a difference and social impact worldwide.
Rose is a care experienced public speaker, trainer, and experienced Young Trustee.
She is also a former SAYes Mentee. As a woman who wears many hats, she dedicates her time and skills to push for positive changes within Children’s Social Care, and for young people more widely, by steadily removing the stigmas faced by many of the children and young people within it.
She believes that being a foster child should not be a sentence, but a stepping stone towards a fulfilling life and hopes that her own story can inspire others.
I’m a purpose-driven, care-experienced individual passionate about championing youth voices and creating more compassionate and inclusive systems. My experience navigating social care fuels my commitment to youth-led initiatives and policy advocacy. I’ve worked with youth charities, Lambeth Council, and MPs to lead forums and advisory panels that empower young people from diverse backgrounds.
With a background in neuroscience and psychology, I bring a research-informed, reflective approach, balanced by creativity and a deep love of learning. I’m committed to fairness, inclusion, and personal growth, and outside of work, I explore plant research, wellbeing, kintsugi, and spoken word.
Claire has has been studying in the field of psychology for the past 20 years.
She has a history of public sector, private sector and voluntary sector work in the areas of substance use disorders and offending behaviour.
Claire is also employed within the University of Lincoln as a Graduate Teaching Fellow and is working towards her PhD in Psychology.
When not working, her interests include running, ultra walking, travelling and the cinema.
Mel joined SAYes in 2023 after volunteering as a mentor since 2020.
Originally from the UK, Mel now lives in Berlin where she also works for Babbel, a diverse and multi-national language learning company. Mel originally studied social work and has a history of voluntary work with mental health charities.
Alongside her role at Babbel, she is also a member of the wellbeing champion team. As an advocate for mental health and her genuine passion for people, Mel has also recently embarked on a part-time counselling course.
Roxane grew up in the west of London and joined the Metropolitan Police directly after leaving school.
After being posted to a role in inner-city London, she soon realised that she would like to devote her career to working with young people in the community, specifically involving them with Sports and Life Skill Programmes.
During her police career, Roxane was a Schools Liaison Officer, helped to run the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Youth Scheme, and was a staff member at the Police College for Cadet Recruits.
A chance meeting on a holiday in Cape Town led to a marriage and a daughter. She remained in Cape Town and now calls South Africa home. Roxane’s interests include camping, outdoors, anything fun, trying new challenges and finding the good in life.
Eytan joined SAYes in 2023 after volunteering as a mentor since 2020.
He is a life coach, working predominantly with men, navigating relationship challenges and midlife adventures.
He is also a part-time portrait photographer and perpetual student. The last 14 years have been spent studying Archetypal Psychology and mentoring groups on self-awareness and initiation workshops.
He has been a volunteer mentor for SAYes for the past three years.
In 2021, driven by her passion for guidance and leadership, she joined SAYes, where she supports mentees in creating alignment and connections, fuelled by her commitment to personal growth.
As a Relationship Coach, Maria draws from Emotionally Focused Therapy, the Polyvagal Theory and the Gottman Method to inform her practice.
Born in Southern Italy and raised in Northern Germany, Maria brings a rich cultural understanding to her endeavours. Her unique background allows her to blend compassion with expertise, always creating opportunities for social impact.
Through her various roles, most notably as Head of Upper School, she saw a real and ever-increasing demand for more mental health support and services.
Natika is now embarking on retraining and pursuing a doctorate in child and adolescent psychotherapy.
She believes that if the right support can be given to young people, they can overcome challenges and reach their fullest potential, finding passion and purpose in life.
Ana emigrated to the United States from Bucharest, Romania with her parents in 1988, where she grew up in California. With a BA in Literature from the University of California, Irvine, Ana never lost her passion for reading. She began working in Human Resources in luxury boutique hotels in Los Angeles. After moving across the United States to Connecticut and taking time to raise kids, she recently re-entered the workforce, working with preschoolers in the public school system. Realizing she wanted to further help young people, she joined SAYes in both a mentoring role and as a Transition Specialist.
She finds comfort in long walks, yoga, reading many books, recording and listening to podcasts, and caring for foster cats. In her spare time she and her husband and children produce independent movies together.
Zizipho started her SAYes journey in 2013, where she is proud to have been part of the first cohort of SAYes mentees.
In 2019, she was nominated as the first Chairperson for the South African Alumni. She continues in this role, connecting and supporting current and former mentees.
As a result of work with one of her mentors, she was able to study full-time at Magnet Theatre. She graduated in 2016 and started performing professionally, both locally and internationally. She blended her passions for performing and joined UNIMA SA and ASSITEJ SA organisations. Here, she facilitates theatre classes and presents lectures.
She studied Educare at Northlink College, Cape Town. Here she trained to educate young children, as well as learning how to run a successful Educare Centre.
After working in the music industry for 12 years, Michelle then re-trained and qualified with the UK Football Association as a coach.
She went on to coach football in London and New York for three years before returning to Roehampton University in 2004, to become a full-time student.
At University, she studied Education with additional subjects in Human Rights and Philosophy. In 2007, she graduated from Roehampton University with a BA (Hons) in Education.
In 2008, Michelle received the Froebel Guild Award for her dissertation on children in care in South Africa and the UK. It was the same year that she moved to Cape Town, where she has lived and worked ever since, leading SAYes.
Gillian is a is a multi-golden globe and Emmy award winning actress, stage-performer, and writer.
She is perhaps best known for her role as Dr Dana Scully in The X-Files, for which she won a golden globe award. This role is thought to have inspired a generation of women to enter STEM fields (The Scully Effect).
More recently Gillian has starred in the popular sex- positive TV series, Sex Education, as well reprised an award-winning role in The Crown.
Gillian supports numerous charities, including Artists for a New South Africa; Treatment Action Campaign; Buskaid; Neurofibromatosis; and War Child.
Andrew in an interdisciplinary research scientist with a PhD in Developmental Psychology and a background in cognitive science, including philosophy and cognitive neuroscience.
Andrew’s work is focused on cognitive control and adolescent risk-taking, especially under conditions of social and economic inequality. He has extensive experience in intervention science and has worked with under-served youth populations in Africa and the UK for many years. Andrew joined SAYes in 2014.
new text incoming
Peter is a Chartered Accountant with over 17 years’ experience in financial leadership, focused on supporting purpose-driven organisations. As founder of The Virtual FD, he provides outsourced Finance Director services, with a strong emphasis on the non-profit sector.
He brings deep expertise in managing restricted funds, grant reporting, and aligning finance with mission goals. Peter is passionate about helping non-profits thrive through clear strategy and transparent reporting, and is proud to support SAYes in its mission to empower young people.
Lauren brings over 20+ years of diverse experience in fundraising, project management, sponsorship procurement, client service, event management and project operations within the sports, entertainment and NGO sectors.
Her experience has enabled her to deliver results across multiple industries and countries, with a focus on building strong relationships, operational execution and driving business growth. She is Degreed in Industrial Psychology & isiXhosa and, as a Neuro-linguistic programming practitioner, corporate & life coach and she has joined the SAYes team to support donor relations, client service and business development. Lauren understands the power of mentorship and is passionate about making a difference in this sector.
Colleen has a BFA in Mass Communications and spent several years as a news producer and entertainment journalist before changing directions and deciding to pursue a career as a school counsellor.
Colleen now holds both Masters of Science in Education and Education Specialist degrees in School Counsellor Education. She is taking the steps to pursue licensure as a private counsellor.
A competitive gymnast in her youth, Colleen has been coaching gymnastics for over 20 years. She is certified through USA Gymnastics, AAU USA, and National Gymnastics Association.
Colleen is passionate about using her counselling background to help young people develop a foundation for personal growth, discipline, self-awareness, and respect.
Shameelah is currently completing a Diploma in Hospitality and Catering. This role gives her a great deal of pleasure, as she is passionate about helping people and providing them with a great hospitality experience.
Growing up in a Children’s Home, Shameelah connected with SAYes in 2016. She feels that having this ‘amazing group of people’ as a support network helped her get to where she is today.
In her role at SAYes, she hopes to give back to her community. She believes that being part of SAYes can help her to accomplish her goal of supporting young people with their education; commitment; and many more important aspects of life.
Lois holds a Bachelor’s Degree (Hons) in Education and Psychology and with nearly a decade of experience in working with non-profit organisations.
Lois passionately champions accessible education for a brighter and more equitable future.
She has formed programmes for universities and organisations on a global level to ensure seamless transition to university life and successful career paths. Beyond her professional role, Lois volunteers to empower single mothers in business skills. She extends her impact through international consultancy in project management; youth leadership; and wellbeing initiatives.
Originally from the UK, she now resides in South Africa, driven by an enthusiasm for making a difference and social impact worldwide.
Zizipho started her SAYes journey in 2013, where she is proud to have been part of the first cohort of SAYes mentees.
In 2019, she was nominated as the first Chairperson for the South African Alumni. She continues in this role, connecting and supporting current and former mentees.
As a result of work with one of her mentors, she was able to study full-time at Magnet Theatre. She graduated in 2016 and started performing professionally, both locally and internationally. She blended her passions for performing and joined UNIMA SA and ASSITEJ SA organisations. Here, she facilitates theatre classes and presents lectures.
She studied Educare at North-link College, Cape Town. Here she trained to educate young children, as well as learning how to run a successful Educare Centre.
Zizipho started her SAYes journey in 2013, where she is proud to have been part of the first cohort of SAYes mentees.
In 2019, she was nominated as the first Chairperson for the South African Alumni. She continues in this role, connecting and supporting current and former mentees.
As a result of work with one of her mentors, she was able to study full-time at Magnet Theatre. She graduated in 2016 and started performing professionally, both locally and internationally. She blended her passions for performing and joined UNIMA SA and ASSITEJ SA organisations. Here, she facilitates theatre classes and presents lectures.
She studied Educare at North-link College, Cape Town. Here she trained to educate young children, as well as learning how to run a successful Educare Centre.
Roxane grew up in the west of London and joined the Metropolitan Police directly after leaving school.
After being posted to a role in inner-city London, she soon realised that she would like to devote her career to working with young people in the community, specifically involving them with Sports and Life Skill Programmes.
During her police career, Roxane was a Schools Liaison Officer, helped to run the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Youth Scheme, and was a staff member at the Police College for Cadet Recruits.
A chance meeting on a holiday in Cape Town led to a marriage and a daughter. She remained in Cape Town and now calls South Africa home. Roxane’s interests include camping, outdoors, anything fun, trying new challenges and finding the good in life.
Bridget is an Accredited Coach, Trainer and Facilitator.
She works with individuals and groups to help them overcome limiting beliefs, gain self-awareness and achieve their goals. She is passionate about mental health and is currently working towards a Diploma in Counselling and Communications through SACAP.
Having volunteered previously as a SAYes mentor, Bridget joined SAYes as Transition Specialist in 2020. She loves working with people from all walks of life, her passions being mediation, relationship management and problem solving.
After working in the music industry for 12 years, Michelle then re-trained and qualified with the UK Football Association as a coach.
She went on to coach football in London and New York for three years before returning to Roehampton University in 2004, to become a full-time student.
At University, she studied Education with additional subjects in Human Rights and Philosophy. In 2007, she graduated from Roehampton University with a BA (Hons) in Education.
In 2008, Michelle received the Froebel Guild Award for her dissertation on children in care in South Africa and the UK. It was the same year that she moved to Cape Town, where she has lived and worked ever since, leading SAYes.
Gillian is a is a multi-golden globe and Emmy award winning actress, stage-performer, and writer.
She is perhaps best known for her role as Dr Dana Scully in The X-Files, for which she won a golden globe award. This role is thought to have inspired a generation of women to enter STEM fields (The Scully Effect).
More recently Gillian has starred in the popular sex- positive TV series, Sex Education, as well reprised an award-winning role in The Crown.
Gillian supports numerous charities, including Artists for a New South Africa; Treatment Action Campaign; Buskaid; Neurofibromatosis; and War Child.
Andrew is an interdisciplinary research scientist with a PhD in Developmental Psychology and a background in cognitive science, including philosophy and cognitive neuroscience.
Andrew’s work is focused on cognitive control and adolescent risk-taking, especially under conditions of social and economic inequality. He has extensive experience in intervention science and has worked with under-served youth populations in Africa and the UK for many years. Andrew joined SAYes in 2014.
Peter is a Chartered Accountant with over 17 years’ experience in financial leadership, focused on supporting purpose-driven organisations. As founder of The Virtual FD, he provides outsourced Finance Director services, with a strong emphasis on the non-profit sector.
He brings deep expertise in managing restricted funds, grant reporting, and aligning finance with mission goals. Peter is passionate about helping non-profits thrive through clear strategy and transparent reporting, and is proud to support SAYes in its mission to empower young people.
Lauren brings over 20+ years of diverse experience in fundraising, project management, sponsorship procurement, client service, event management and project operations within the sports, entertainment and NGO sectors.
Her experience has enabled her to deliver results across multiple industries and countries, with a focus on building strong relationships, operational execution and driving business growth. She is Degreed in Industrial Psychology & isiXhosa and, as a Neuro-linguistic programming practitioner, corporate & life coach and she has joined the SAYes team to support donor relations, client service and business development. Lauren understands the power of mentorship and is passionate about making a difference in this sector.
Colleen has a BFA in Mass Communications and spent several years as a news producer and entertainment journalist before changing directions and deciding to pursue a career as a school counsellor.
Colleen now holds both Masters of Science in Education and Education Specialist degrees in School Counsellor Education. She is taking the steps to pursue licensure as a private counsellor.
A competitive gymnast in her youth, Colleen has been coaching gymnastics for over 20 years. She is certified through USA Gymnastics, AAU USA, and National Gymnastics Association.
Colleen is passionate about using her counselling background to help young people develop a foundation for personal growth, discipline, self-awareness, and respect.
Shameelah is currently completing a Diploma in Hospitality and Catering. This role gives her a great deal of pleasure, as she is passionate about helping people and providing them with a great hospitality experience.
Growing up in a Children’s Home, Shameelah connected with SAYes in 2016. She feels that having this ‘amazing group of people’ as a support network helped her get to where she is today.
In her role at SAYes, she hopes to give back to her community. She believes that being part of SAYes can help her to accomplish her goal of supporting young people with their education; commitment; and many more important aspects of life.
Fiona joined SAYes Mentoring in 2023 after volunteering as a mentor since 2020.
She has a PhD in Film and Television Studies from the University of Warwick, and is a musician and performer. After working as a maths tutor, Fiona found she loved working one-on-one with young people, watching their confidence and abilities grow with sustained joint effort.
She has a history of voluntary work and campaigning that aligns with her interests in sustainability and climate activism as well as tackling racial, gender, LGBTQIA+ and income inequality. She lived in California for a few years and is now based in the UK.
Claire has has been studying in the field of psychology for the past 20 years.
She has a history of public sector, private sector and voluntary sector work in the areas of substance use disorders and offending behaviour.
Claire is also employed within the University of Lincoln as a Graduate Teaching Fellow and is working towards her PhD in Psychology.
When not working, her interests include running, ultra walking, travelling and the cinema.
Mel joined SAYes in 2023 after volunteering as a mentor since 2020.
Originally from the UK, Mel now lives in Berlin where she also works for Babbel, a diverse and multi-national language learning company. Mel originally studied social work and has a history of voluntary work with mental health charities.
Alongside her role at Babbel, she is also a member of the wellbeing champion team. As an advocate for mental health and her genuine passion for people, Mel has also recently embarked on a part-time counselling course.
Eytan joined SAYes in 2023 after volunteering as a mentor since 2020.
He is a life coach, working predominantly with men, navigating relationship challenges and midlife adventures.
He is also a part-time portrait photographer and perpetual student. The last 14 years have been spent studying Archetypal Psychology and mentoring groups on self-awareness and initiation workshops.
He has been a volunteer mentor for SAYes for the past three years.
In 2021, driven by her passion for guidance and leadership, she joined SAYes, where she supports mentees in creating alignment and connections, fuelled by her commitment to personal growth.
As a Relationship Coach, Maria draws from Emotionally Focused Therapy, the Polyvagal Theory and the Gottman Method to inform her practice.
Born in Southern Italy and raised in Northern Germany, Maria brings a rich cultural understanding to her endeavours. Her unique background allows her to blend compassion with expertise, always creating opportunities for social impact.
Through her various roles, most notably as Head of Upper School, she saw a real and ever-increasing demand for more mental health support and services.
Natika is now embarking on retraining and pursuing a doctorate in child and adolescent psychotherapy.
She believes that if the right support can be given to young people, they can overcome challenges and reach their fullest potential, finding passion and purpose in life.
Ana emigrated to the United States from Bucharest, Romania with her parents in 1988, where she grew up in California. With a BA in Literature from the University of California, Irvine, Ana never lost her passion for reading. She began working in Human Resources in luxury boutique hotels in Los Angeles. After moving across the United States to Connecticut and taking time to raise kids, she recently re-entered the workforce, working with preschoolers in the public school system. Realizing she wanted to further help young people, she joined SAYes in both a mentoring role and as a Transition Specialist.
She finds comfort in long walks, yoga, reading many books, recording and listening to podcasts, and caring for foster cats. In her spare time she and her husband and children produce independent movies together.
Rose is a care experienced public speaker, trainer, and experienced Young Trustee.
She is also a former SAYes Mentee. As a woman who wears many hats, she dedicates her time and skills to push for positive changes within Children’s Social Care, and for young people more widely, by steadily removing the stigmas faced by many of the children and young people within it.
She believes that being a foster child should not be a sentence, but a stepping stone towards a fulfilling life and hopes that her own story can inspire others.
I’m a purpose-driven, care-experienced individual passionate about championing youth voices and creating more compassionate and inclusive systems. My experience navigating social care fuels my commitment to youth-led initiatives and policy advocacy. I’ve worked with youth charities, Lambeth Council, and MPs to lead forums and advisory panels that empower young people from diverse backgrounds.
With a background in neuroscience and psychology, I bring a research-informed, reflective approach, balanced by creativity and a deep love of learning. I’m committed to fairness, inclusion, and personal growth, and outside of work, I explore plant research, wellbeing, kintsugi, and spoken word.
SAYes Mentoring Trust, registration no. IT 2774/2010.NPO no. 088-299-NPO, PBO no. 930 035 691, Section 18A, registered in South Africa.
Level One (135% B-BBEE procurement recognition)
SAYes Mentoring Ltd. charity no. 1127701 and company no. 06693065, registered in England and Wales.
Copyright ©2025 SAYes. All rights reserved.
Design by Arc Design Studio & SAYes Mentoring
