Lenore Edwards Email & Phone Number

Durban, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

Founder and CEO of Cultivate Co. consultancy in response to donor policy changes. Cultivate Co. provides technical expertise and builds strategic partnerships on behalf of numerous organisations within the non-profit and corporate sectors. With over two decades of hands-on experience in health education, child abuse prevention, GBV and HIV/AIDS, I've cultivated a diverse skill set that spans various sectors. From my early days working with local government to my dedicated work in the non-profit realm, I've consistently led efforts to enact positive change.My practical expertise is evident in the development and execution of comprehensive training programs for community-based initiatives, resulting in tangible impacts across the continent. Whether addressing HIV/AIDS, TB or advocating for social justice, my commitment to effecting change remains steadfast.Thriving in complex environments, I employ strategic problem-solving and effective stakeholder engagement to deliver innovative solutions. My proven track record includes addressing post-apartheid inequalities and fortifying clinical systems for enhanced outcomes.Collaborating with influential organizations like CDC and USAID, I've contributed to shaping impactful programs that tackle critical issues such as GBV, child abuse, and social inequalities. Each project I undertake is driven by my unwavering passion for driving positive change and making a tangible difference in the lives of those in need.

Durban, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

Lead a program aimed at improving service delivery and community awareness for sexual assault survivors in South Africa which has the highest rates of gender-based violence in the world.▪️Led multiple studies focused on developing innovative child-focused tools for detecting sexual abuse risk in Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) adolescents, while concurrently heading two research projects in KwaZulu-Natal, including the creation of ethics protocols.▪️Empowered district systems throughout the projects to identify children at risk and recommend appropriate service provision and care, enhancing child protection mechanisms and support networks.▪️Piloted impactful research efforts utilizing the WHO international data collection tool to assess the prevalence and trends of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in OVC teenagers, contributing to a better understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable youth.▪️Directed effective research projects aimed at determining the prevalence of abuse in OVC populations, increasing awareness about sexual assault survivors in South Africa, and advocating against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) globally, fostering a culture of empowerment and activism.

Durban, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

Strategically managing relationships with stakeholders, coordination and budget management of projects, as well as representing Zoë-Life at a National level. Developing training programs to build the capacity of HCW to implement the KidzAlive team. Was part of the team that developed the National Department of Health Disclosure Guidelines for pediatric HIV management in South Africa.▪️Created, recorded and shared KidzAlive stories via community radio stations, reinforcing children's adherence to treatment regimens and contributing to improved health outcomes.▪️Provided child-oriented psychological support on health issues through radio platforms, reaching thousands of youngsters and producing six radio-ready stories to broaden the project's reach nationally.▪️Developed and delivered child-friendly health information and messages during the pandemic, boosting morale and introducing the "Rona Corona" story within the KidzAlive model to address Covid-19 concerns directly with children.▪️Managed social media campaigns for the KidzAlive intervention project, collaborating with Aidsfonds to enhance visibility and support for child health initiatives in Africa.▪️Organized weekly broadcasts of six stories on three community radio stations over the weekend, fostering stronger parent-child relationships and facilitating open dialogues around health topics within families.

Durban, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

Trusted to lead a team of 8 employees, developing data collection systems for M&E, drafting reports and working closely with the research team.▪️Led the design and implementation of a tailored intervention targeting women and child mortality, informed by evidence-based research identifying four critical periods of elevated risk. ▪️Collaborated with the University of KZN on an independent study, validating the intervention's effectiveness. ▪️Developed a comprehensive training package focusing on critical vulnerability periods, enhancing staff capacity and service delivery. ▪️Created job aids with international key messaging to empower mothers in ANC programs, incorporating illustrations for enhanced comprehension.

Durban, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

Supervised multiple partner organizations (NGOs, CBOs) for program roll-out, ensuring accountability and project success. Developed and implemented a comprehensive training package in Organizational Development, fostering sustained growth and operational excellence for NGOs and CBOs.

Durban, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

Actively supporting a range of projects to ensure internal stability including sourcing of potential donors and funding; and responding to Request for Funding Applications. Ensuring adherence to protocol, SOPs and process/operational development for smooth implementation of multiple projects.

Durban, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

Durban, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

Durban, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

Postgraduate Diploma, Hiv/Aids Management: Health Services

Activities and Societies: Completed 4 of the 6 modules required Modules completed: HIV/AIDS policy Management in the area of HIV/AIDS.

Bachelor'S Degree, Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations, General

Completed a study and obtained a distinction (as part of the Research Methodology module); An exploratory study using qualitative methods.

National Diploma, Horticulture

Nursing: Health Sciences

Matric