Yolande Kruger

Born and raised in Nelspruit the gateway to the Lowveld I was blessed to have Kruger National Park and a range of other nature reserves right on my doorstep. I grew up with a love and appreciation for the bush and spent huge amounts of time hiking, camping and exploring under African skies. I started my working career at the Faculty of Veterinary Science at Onderstepoort in the early 1990's and was incredibly blessed to work with some of the most brilliant minds in the scientific community. The diverse nature of the research projects we worked on provided more exposure to a broad base of animals and many memorable field trips. Fast forward twenty years, and I am no longer immersed in science but managing my own marketing consulting business focussed on providing businesses with strategic marketing support services. Still extremely passionate about Africa, I support worthy social responsibility projects and apply my skills set to branding, marketing and fund-raising for selected projects. I was involved in this capacity for the first World Youth Rhino Summit in 2014, Thula Thula Rhino Orphanage, Blue Sky Society Trust and now the Elephant Ignite Expedition. Since 2016, I also serve as an Executive Board Member for the Lawrence Anthony Earth Organisation. Elephants are a truly iconic species and their intelligence, capacity for emotion and sheer, majestic beauty make them a firm favorite of mine. The increased attacks on elephants and other wildlife is very distressing and every day individuals can do more to support and create awareness. Elephant Ignite is a brand that I am proud to be associated with and help build. The projects involved provide tangible benefits to communities and the environment and if I can use my skills set to help drive it, then that is my mission moving forward.