Meet the Team

The Team

Our team consists of economists, researchers and agronomists who benefits from practical experience in business, agriculture, marketing and consulting. This unique combination of characteristics and skills, enable all Sense consultants to provide practical insights and workable solutions to development and business challenges.

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Michiel Arnoldus

Managing Director & Lead Economist

The managing director, Michiel Arnoldus, has over 18 years of experience in business and development, in Africa and Europe. Being both African and European he has a passion for African development and can connect the two worlds.

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Kerry Kyd

Private Sector Specialist

Kerry has over 15 years of Brand, Marketing and Business Strategy experience in South Africa and in Europe. As a brand consultant, she worked for some of the world’s biggest brands. Her understanding of business, marketing and research helps us to help crack many strategic business, sector and investment challenges. She leads market studies and investment promotion efforts and has experience in a number of sectors from fruit to forestry.

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Ursula Ameen

Senior Development Consultant

Ursula is an executive chef and product developer with over 30 years experience in the food and beverage industry locally and internationally. As a research and development lead, she has worked for some of the world's biggest brands on innovation, process improvement, recipe development, food styling and training. Her passion is working on projects that make an impact on the lives of consumers, while focusing on empowerment and sustainability.

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Kundai Chibarabada

Finance Manager

Kundai Chibarabada is an accountant and financial advisor with over 15 years of experience. She holds both a Bachelor of Accounting and a Masters of Business Administration as well as membership in the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.  She is passionate about numbers, system implementation and always seeking continuous improvement.  She loves travelling, adventures, and debtors who pay on time.

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Liam Chambers

Senior Consultant Ireland: Agribusiness & Economic development

Liam is experienced at both the practical aspects of farm management as well as the more strategic business planning. His core area of expertise is in Dairy, where he’s been responsible for the day to day operations of a cheese plant and general dairy company. Liam also has experience in energy, forestry and land management in, which he now puts to good use in consulting.

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Kireshni Naiker

Development Consultant Animal Science

Kireshni studied animal and poultry science in KwaZulu Natal before pursuing her passion for cattle by working on dairy farms in Australia and South Africa. Her practical farm skills which include artificial insemination of cattle and tractor driving, are used to inform business plan development. 

Kireshni's experience in animal health care, along with her special interest in commercial dairy, poultry and animal feed agribusiness, make her an asset to the team. 

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Patrice Mirindi

Business Development Consultant

Patrice Mirindi is an agronomist and agricultural economist development consultant with over seven years of experience in project management, research, food system analysis, socio-economic policy analysis and consulting. He has a Master of Science in Agricultural Applied Economics.

Patrice is always keen to be part of competitive and dynamic projects positively contributing to community development issues.

Tessa Niemack

Tessa Niemack

Development Consultant

Tessa is a marketing specialist who brings analytical skills and global marketing experience to the team. As an accomplished project manager, Tessa has managed complex international projects and has innovation and commercialisation experience in Africa, Asia & the Middle East.

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Daphne Mukeredzi

Project Finance Specialist

Daphne has over 15 years of experience working in a variety of sectors and holds a BBA in Finance. She holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Finance, Banking, and Investment Management. Daphne has a passion for project financing and works as a project finance specialist.

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Janelle Bloem

Property Manager + Project Administrator

Janelle manages the day-to-day functioning at Sense properties.

She also assists the team with travel requirements for various projects and together with the Finance team, she ensures that projects are managed efficiently and within budget.