Profile – Dawn Malotane-Lindsey
Dawn Malotane-Lindsey, co-founder and patron of People’s First Foundation, is a people's person and has strong and extensive years of general senior managerial experience and skills. She has managed various grant-making programmes (2 Charitable Trust and Corporate Social Investment with Sun International) and served on the board of two international aid foundations. She was employed as consultant to head (in position of CEO) the South African Local Economic Development Network with a German International Aid Agency based in Pretoria.
Previously as the manager for the HCI Foundation and the Golden Arrow Foundation she was exposed to grant-making and her work saw her engaging with various NGO's, local and national government departments, and various communities. She was constantly networking between the HCI groups of companies and exploring ways to strategically align the group's Corporate Social Investment initiatives. Here she was responsible for all internal and external communications, marketing and PR functions including brand-related community initiatives.
Dawn Lindsey left South Africa in 2010 to pursue the American dream. She arrived here an out-of-work executive with no high school diploma, two suitcases, and $3000. Within a period of 5 years Lindsey has achieved what she sought to pursue – the American dream. She is well on her way towards her PhD, having graduated Summa Cum Laude in undergraduate and graduate studies. She serves on various community advisory boards and she recently started her own petroleum company, Next Generation Fuel, LLC.
But for Lindsey reaching such great heights was not an easy road. Life on Cape Town, South Africa’s Cape Flats was tough. “It’s so easy to fall into the cycle of social ills that still plague many residents of this historically disadvantaged community, not to mention having to live under apartheid” Lindsey pointed out.
She draws on her father’s inspiration for a continuous strive to excellence – “English is no longer the universal language, hard work is…go out and don’t let anyone tell you that you can NOT be or do what you want to”…she recalls his words.
Dawn gives back to her community both in Ohio, USA and Cape Town, South Africa. “I believe in paying it forward…and no matter where I go in this world I will never forget where I come from and who I left behind…I always turn back and reach out a helping hand…I am connected to my people!”
Previously as the manager for the HCI Foundation and the Golden Arrow Foundation she was exposed to grant-making and her work saw her engaging with various NGO's, local and national government departments, and various communities. She was constantly networking between the HCI groups of companies and exploring ways to strategically align the group's Corporate Social Investment initiatives. Here she was responsible for all internal and external communications, marketing and PR functions including brand-related community initiatives.
Dawn Lindsey left South Africa in 2010 to pursue the American dream. She arrived here an out-of-work executive with no high school diploma, two suitcases, and $3000. Within a period of 5 years Lindsey has achieved what she sought to pursue – the American dream. She is well on her way towards her PhD, having graduated Summa Cum Laude in undergraduate and graduate studies. She serves on various community advisory boards and she recently started her own petroleum company, Next Generation Fuel, LLC.
But for Lindsey reaching such great heights was not an easy road. Life on Cape Town, South Africa’s Cape Flats was tough. “It’s so easy to fall into the cycle of social ills that still plague many residents of this historically disadvantaged community, not to mention having to live under apartheid” Lindsey pointed out.
She draws on her father’s inspiration for a continuous strive to excellence – “English is no longer the universal language, hard work is…go out and don’t let anyone tell you that you can NOT be or do what you want to”…she recalls his words.
Dawn gives back to her community both in Ohio, USA and Cape Town, South Africa. “I believe in paying it forward…and no matter where I go in this world I will never forget where I come from and who I left behind…I always turn back and reach out a helping hand…I am connected to my people!”