Who Are We
meet the Common Good team
At Common Good, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We’re deeply committed to seeing lasting change in South Africa, and we bring both passion and purpose to our work each day. But while we take our mission seriously, we don’t take ourselves too seriously – you’ll often find us sharing a laugh, brewing a strong cup of tea, and occasionally indulging in a harmless prank. We value open conversations, collaborative thinking, and a culture where joy and impact go hand in hand. Our values aren’t just words on a wall – they’re lived out daily in how we show up for our work, and for each other.
leadership team

Polly Murphy
CEO
Polly
CEO
Kristin Myburgh
Operations Manager & Employment Lead
Kristin
Operations Manager & Employment Lead
Charnay Kleinsmith
People & Culture Lead
Charnay
People & Culture Lead
David De Korte
Education Programme Director
David
Education Programme Director
Richard Lundie
Early Life Programme Director
Richard
Early Life Programme Directorcentral team
Cherilyn Singh
Relationship Resource DeveloperCherilyn
Relationship Resource DeveloperLinda Mentoor
ReceptionistLinda
ReceptionistPakamu Mofu
Operations Co-OrdinatorPakamu
Operations Co-OrdinatorMarisa Batt
Finance ConsultantMarisa
Finance ConsultantZameka
Office AssistantZameka
Office AssistantJustine Sterling
Marketing & CommunicationsJustine
Marketing & CommunicationsChandre Elliott
Graphic DesignerChandre
Graphic Designerearly life team
Busiswa Mbabala
TrainerBusiswa
TrainerRuth Lundie
Head of Programmes and PartnershipsRuth
Head of Programmes and PartnershipsDaisy Pearce
Operational Support AdministratorDaisy
Operational Support AdministratorMawande Gcilitshana
TrainerMawande
TrainerJessica Muller
Project ManagerJessica
Project Managereducation team
Lakin Arendse
Operations SpecialistLakin
Operations SpecialistLiezl Brooks
Foundation Phase Instructional CoachLiezl
Foundation Phase Instructional CoachCarmen Coraizin
Intermediate Phase Instructional CoachCarmen
Intermediate Phase Instructional CoachLynn Davids
Head of OperationsLynn
Head of OperationsMatthew Draper
Head of InstructionMatthew
Head of InstructionBronwyn Hiles
Coaching and Training SpecialistBronwyn
Coaching and Training SpecialistZaria Koopman
Human Resource & Operational Support AdministratorZaria
Human Resource & Operational Support AdministratorVuyo Manzi
AdministratorVuyo
AdministratorSindiswa Mpaliso
Finance SpecialistSindiswa
Finance SpecialistZenobia Williams
Curriculum and Assessment SpecialistZenobia
Curriculum and Assessment SpecialistNolu Yawa
High School Instructional CoachNolu
High School Instructional CoachJessica Van Nelson
Human Resource OfficerJessica
Human Resource OfficerMurray Gibbon
Deputy Programme DirectorMurray
Deputy Programme DirectorBabalwa Malibeni
Education Finance AdministratorBabalwa
Education Finance AdministratorLizaan Williams
Collaboration Schools Assessment ImplementerLizaan
Collaboration Schools Assessment Implementeremployment team
justice & the church
employment team
Blu Bomela
Replication & Community Relations OfficerBlu
Replication & Community Relations OfficerRene O’Ryan
Employment ImplementerRene
Operations Manager & Employment Leadjustice & the church
Grant Porthen
TitleGrant
Titlemeet the Common Good board
Common Good is led by a skilled, experienced, engaged, and diverse Board who have experience in both the corporate and NGO sectors. With our track record of impact, robust governance practices and solid financial management structures, Common Good is a trusted NGO and development partner working across South Africa.
Jurie has had an extensive career as a CEO in financial services, most recently as CEO of Sanlam Life and Savings where he led this organization of more than 12 000 to market leadership in South Africa. Over his 25 year career Jurie has had deep governance experience, having served on the boards of a number of regulated insurance companies as well as being a director of Imperial Holdings as a JSE Top 40 listed company. Jurie is a qualified actuary and CFA Charterholder with an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Jurie is now a Fintech investor and entrepreneur.
Expertise: Leadership, Financial Governance, Social Impact
Greg is currently the CEO of Neumind, a business coaching company. He brings experience as an executive in the corporate environment, specifically as an Organisational Development Consultant in change management and as a qualified executive coach. He holds a BCom (Hons) in Information Systems.
Expertise: Leadership, people and organisational development.
Mokgaetsi is a highly experienced business leader, with a legal career spanning more than 20 years. She sits on the Executive Management Team at PetroSA, where she is Head of Legal Counsel.
Expertise: Corporate law and sustainability
Bruce has a deep love for God and is dedicated to honoring Him in all aspects of his life. He is a devoted husband to Leonora, father to four daughters, grandfather, brother, friend, and pastor in his community. With 44 years in FMCG as a Packaging Development & Design Manager, Bruce brings extensive expertise in leadership, people management, and project management. His passion for investing in people and the next generation aligns with Common Good’s vision to support grassroots transformation.
Expertise: Leadership, People Management, Project Management, Pastoring
Donovan is the congregational leader of Common Ground Church, Constantiaberg. He has been part of the Common Ground story for 17 years, of which 13 have been in a full-time staff capacity. He has an honours degree in Practical Theology. He previously managed two start-up businesses.
Expertise: Theology, Community Engagement and Business Managment.
Llewellyn has degrees in engineering and computer science, and 40 years of experience in business management. He has served on many boards, from listed companies to small start-ups. Since his retirement he has become involved as a board member or chairman of several NGOs.
Expertise: Strategic planning, business operations, assessing and developing human potential.