Mpho Pamela Leseka Email & Phone Number

Phoenix, Az, Us

Johannesburg, South Africa

● Direct research and analysis into telecoms industry trends and digital ecosystem evolutions● Provide advice on telecoms policy development/regulatory reform to C-level management● Assist in designing implementation tools and best practice synthesis tailored for regulators and private sector clients on replacing legacy systems and redundant network infrastructure● Assess impact of digital transformation and frontier technology on disrupted business models while highlighting new opportunities arising from digitization● Support efforts to secure new business by drafting proposals/bids for professional advisory work and assisting with business development engagements

London, United Kingdom

● Planned, managed and executed research into the market dynamics and regulatory implications of the rise of Over-The-Top services (OTTs) and social media applications● Synthesized best practices and lessons learnt, derived from 25 Commonwealth countries, into 8 theme-based reports, including on net neutrality, privacy, taxation, cyber security, quality of service, digital human rights and online child safety, etc.● Prepared presentations in accessible/non-technical language for various audiences● Analysed research findings, including crunching data generated from survey responses of key stakeholders (e.g. end-users), to develop new knowledge on OTTs ecosystems● Developed tools and new approaches to institutionalize and implement public policy advice and regulatory recommendations for the CTO member countries

Pretoria Area, South Africa

● Led the negotiation, drafting and implementation of international agreements that relate to ICT Standards and Trade in Telecommunications Services● Forged relationships with government entities and industry stakeholders by cascading the said agreements● Coordinated the International Division’s inputs into the department’s ICT Policy Review process on Multilateralism and Commercial Diplomacy, as well as, on ICT Global Governance● Developed National Position Papers and Concept Notes, as well as, crafted four (4) sectoral strategies, over a period of 10 months, to influence the international agenda on ICT Standards and Standardization ● Established 8 Task Teams working on ICT Standards themes including on Future Networks, in preparation for the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-16)● Chaired the Conformance and Interoperability (C&I) Testing Center Task Team, over 16 months, intended to develop a strategy for a Testing Center to increase local C&I testing ● Increased donor funds spend by 93% in 8 months and leveraged more EU financial aid for the Digital Terrestrial Television migration and Local Content Development programmes● Secured EU grants for eWaste projects, in partnership with three national eWaste associations, impacting over 35 000 members, for training and best-practice benchmarking● Accelerated the finalization of the Broadband Policy through the organization of the Broadband Summit involving 16 leading international experts● Cultivated relationships with 12 metros and city districts to define funding priorities for Broadband and internet connectivity infrastructure roll-out and Broadband Policy implementation programmes

Johannesburg Area, South Africa

● Directed priority local economic development (LED) policy initiatives in partnership with key stakeholders, i.e. provincial government, city businesses and civil society organizations● In-sourced strategic public policy research programmes, including Informal Economy and the Services Economy policies, saving the metro in excess of R15 million in consultancy fees● Advised the city’s executive management, including the city mayor and Members of the Mayoral Committee, through an average of 6 reports per year, on the implementation of LED policies and related enabling legislation, i.e. By-laws● Developed the Informal Economy Policy incorporating formalization interventions in collaboration with various organizations representing over 38 000 informal enterprises● Recruited and trained 10 interns, over a period of two years, on LED public policy research; 8 of the 10 interns transitioned into full employment ● Established the Special Projects Unit tasked with conceptualising business plans and financial models for new high-impact projects to accelerate economic development in metro● Delivered, with technical and professional advice, business plans for special projects including for the Decking of the Railway Gulch, Benefits Scheme for Taxi Industry Operators, and Soweto Empowerment Zone projects which moved the initiatives from conception to implementation stage

Johannesburg Area, South Africa

● Provided leadership and direction on the vision, mission, and values of At Your Service (a provider of concierge and lifestyle management services to corporate clients and professionals) to colleagues, clients, and potential shareholders ● Managed company’s operational activities and implementation of strategic plans/goals● Innovated and cultivated new ideas and product offerings to sustain At Your Service’s value proposition to clients and investors ● Ensured a healthy return on investment into the company by overseeing financial performance and monitoring the key performance indicators● Coordinated our human resources by recruiting, training and motivating staff through our incentives program as well as supervising compliance with relevant labour laws or regulations ● Defined At Your Service’s strategic milieu in the industry in relation to other competitors and enhanced our operational efficiency by strategically deploying people, leveraging technology and best practice to ensure service excellence

Geneva Area, Switzerland

● Advanced South Africa‘s defensive and offensive interests in trade negotiations through active participation in an average of 4 daily meetings and negotiations forums in the World Trade Organization (WTO)● Built alliances with trading partners through championing joint policy positions on issues of interest including representing South Africa at key groupings (i.e. BRICS, Africa Group, G22) ● Proposed new policy recommendations and negotiation strategy refinements on 6 key sectors, i.e. telecoms, education, transportation, tourism, health and financial services● Delivered, both oral and written presentations incorporating policy inputs from line function government departments, at plenary meetings and, at strategic partners engagements● Chaired the Africa Group planning meetings on Trade in Services in the lead up to the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference and guided preparations of the negotiations text● Produced weekly meeting reports for the Ambassador and monthly updates for the Pretoria Head Office highlighting negotiations trajectories and trade partner's policy stances● Assisted with coordination of 2 Ministerial visits including preparing policy briefs and speaking notes

Pretoria Area, South Africa

● Resolved about 12 enquiries a week on trade tariffs, licensing procedures, export incentives from industry associations about SA-EU Trade, Development and Cooperation Agreement ● Drafted research reports and/or negotiation mandates on 4 trade negotiation tracks, i.e. on Wines and Spirits; Autos; Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group negotiations; and the Southern African Customs Union Agreement Concurrence process to the trade agreement● Prepared Ministerial briefs and speaking notes, as well as, an average of 2 responses per month to parliamentary questions on the legislation enabling implementation● Organized the first ACP Trade Ministerial Committee meeting, involving 16 trade ministers-plus-two, which was crucial in the preparation of the Economic Partnership Agreements negotiations with the EU● Monitored the implementation of the Science and Technology Agreement

Pretoria Area, South Africa

● Project managed research on government transformation goals and objectives● Conducted evaluation and impact assessments on various government programmes and development interventions ● Provided professional advisory and training engagements to government clientele ● Assisted in implementing change management strategies and organizational restructuring processes in the public sector● Co-managed extensive skills audits and capacity profiling initiatives, as well as, identification of competency gaps● Sourced related government work and coordinated the writing of proposals to bid for future consulting work

Johannesburg Area, South Africa

● Researched on the government’s legal obligation to the victims of political violence● Investigated international comparative experiences of reparations for societies in transition● Monitored and evaluated the implementation of the Urgent Interim Reparations (UIR) programme in consultation with survivor support groups and advocacy organizations● Contributed to the public dialogue on the perspectives about reparations and reconciliation ● Mobilized human rights organizations to engage in efforts to implement the TRuth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations on reparations and victim support● Built capacity in survivor support groups through training, advocacy and relevant information feeds

Pretoria Area, South Africa

● Led the overall administration and coordination of the National Small Business Review (NSBR) which was initiated to investigate and recommend changes to legislation that impacted on the development and commercial success of small businesses● Ensured effective communication between the Secretariat, the Advisory Board, the Task Teams conducting research, and the key stakeholders, viz. small businesses and the dti● Managed the logistics of workshops for the Advisory Board and the Task Teams, as well as, public hearings and focus groups● Processed related expenses claims by Task Teams and Advisory Board members● Collated information and statistics for the NSBR team

Pretoria Area, South Africa

● Assisted with the design of research approaches and tools including the compilation of questionnaires and databases● Captured research findings and analysed key project indicators for Research Manager● Coordinated the preparation of reports of the research findings for clients and Manager● Organized workshops to consult on research outcomes and participated in formal presentations to clients of the findings● Outlined project tasks, schedules, budgets for the research projects with the Manager● Compiled book-keeping files (e.g. invoices, expenses claims, and credit with suppliers) ● Edited, proof-read, formatted, and collated research documents (e.g. proposals and reports)

Master Of Global Management, Digital Transformation And Public Policy Double Concentration

Certificate, Telecommunications Policy, Regulation And Management (Tprm)

Master Of Arts - Ma, Political Science And Government

European Union Institutions/European Affairs Concentration

Bachelor Of Arts (Honors), Political Science And Government

Liberal Arts education

Education record

International Baccalaureate Education - Asian History, Spanish, Maths, Physics, Chemistry, English