THE BOARD
Ashling McCarthy
I Learn to Live was founded in response to three years of volunteer work in the community in which we operate. The complete lack of information, knowledge and financial ability of young school leavers to access institutions of learning, deeply affected me, and I knew I had to do something. Although our focus and activities have become focused on children, the mandate remains the same: to give children in rural areas an opportunity to become meaningful and contributing members of their community, and society.
I have an MSc in Anthropology and have worked in the social development sector for over 15 years, in both a research capacity as well as the craft development sector. I also write, and published my first book, Down at Jika Jika Tavern in 2020; a novel exploring wildlife crime, belief and culture.
Cecilia Maronko
I am a wife to my best friend and a mother to two amazing children. I have served on the board for five years and its an honour to partner with like minded people who have a passion for education and a desire to see South Africa succeed through youth and community development.
I founded and run Limbani HR Solutions, an outsourced HR departments that provides clients with the support and advise on human capital. We have the desire to see people grow and develop in their roles and ultimately deliver business objectives. We partner with business owners in order to establish sustainable businesses.
Nothile Mpisi
Nothile Mpisi is currently the executive of The Innovation Hub. Prior to her appointment as a General Manager eKasiLabs from 2019 to date, she held a Programme Manager position. In addition, she has 20 years of experience working in private and public sector doing enterprise development, exclusively 11 years of business incubation experience and 9 years of enterprise development for private sector. She has been a Trainee Business Analyst for Absa Bank, Project Coordinator for New Venture Africa, Managing Director for NJM Training Consultant and Strategy Coach for Raizcorp Incubator.
Nothile Mpisi is an MBA candidate, holds Postgrad Diploma in Management and Diploma in Marketing. She currently serves on two boards University of Johannesburg PEETS, and I learn to live. Nothile is a frequent speaker at various media platforms and involved in various community development activities.
Kirsten van Heerden
Dr Kirsten van Heerden is one of only a handful of people in South Africa to have both represented her country as an athlete and also hold a PhD in the area of sport psychology. She has worked and travelled extensively within high performance sport for more than 10 years and her services have been used by many Olympians, World Champions and South African sports teams. Kirsten has a special interest in mental health in elite athletes and transition out of sport into normal life.
She has published a book on the challenges athletes face when they retire from elite sport called ‘Waking from the Dream’ and hosts her own podcast called ‘Behind the Dream’ where she talks with some of the world’s best athletes about the ups and downs of being a professional athlete. She is also the founder and chairwoman of Girls Only Project – a non-profit company focusing on women in sport issues. Kirsten is currently in private practice in Durban at Newton Sports Agency.
Augustin Maronko
I am a Rwandese and I have been in awe of what people can do when they come together and agree. I have served on the board of ILTL because I stand in agreement with the belief that ‘any rural child and youth has the opportunity to create a meaningful life’.
I am the founder of Paintage, a Painting and Waterproofing contractor that operates in Durban and surrounding municipalities. Our business restores old buildings and makes them new with a touch of paint and restoring the waterproofing.