I have been a part of the CDRA since shortly after its inception in 1987 - initially as a Board member then becoming a member of staff in 1992. My background and training is in community development work. My years in the CDRA have both challenged and supported me to explore the meaning of community as organisation, and development as an essential process of life. My own journey of development as a part of the CDRA community led to my becoming a co-director with Allan Kaplan (the founder) and eventually to being the executive director after Allan left in 2000. I have always been, first and foremost, a community development practitioner and facilitator which has shaped my approach to leadership, my passion for followership, and my continued field practice.  In 2011 I stepped out of the executive director position and reverted back to being a practitioner.

I have worked as father, fieldworker, facilitator/trainer, consultant, leader/manager and occasional writer in the field of social development since 1976. I have had the rare privilege of working in many countries on various continents but remain most deeply connected to the challenges in my own country – South Africa. Other pastimes include furniture making, fishing, motorcycles and very occasional long distance bicycle races.

My work continues to be driven by ordinary people’s striving to care and take responsibility for their own lives and those of their families in community with others.  I remain committed to the notion that civil society has a critical creative role to play in finding new organisational forms and practices that will address the immense challenges of our time.