I am a reputation strategist with over 20 years of experience. After spending over 15 years working in an agency environment on corporate strategy and leadership profiling, I now specialise in personality-led brands in the hospitality sector through my own business Pillar9. Since founding Pillar9 in 2015, I have worked with some of South Africa’s top chefs to not only strategise and manage their public profiles but also that of their restaurants and hospitality endeavors. My work shapes perceptions, builds personal brands and grows business – creating job opportunities and increasing growth prospects while making an impact on bottom-lines.I have a passion for strategy and management – pulling from my experience to create insightful and sustainable plans that connect business goals to public profiles, and future success. Prior to establishing Pillar9 in 2015, I was a Director and Shareholder at Meropa Communications – South Africa’s only national Public Relations company. Before joining Meropa in 2007, I held positions at InZalo Communications, Grant Thornton and Revue Liaison. I have also served as the Chairman of the Diageo Responsible Drinking Media Awards judging panel for four years.I hold a three-year Diploma in Public Relations and Media Studies as well as an honours certificate in Introduction to Financial Markets from Coursera’s Yale programme. I recently obtained my WSET Level 1 certificate.