Our team
At ICLEI Africa, our staff are at the heart of what we do, and each staff member brings a unique set of skills and expertise. Our growing team of passionate, multi-talented professionals serve and support our cities and regions across the continent.



560+
combined years of experience
25+
languages spoken
60+
multi-skilled staff
150+
degrees
40+
postgraduate
degrees
10+
PhDs
Workstreams expand_more
Position expand_more

Kobie Brand
Deputy Secretary General: ICLEI & Regional Director: ICLEI Africa

Ingrid Coetzee
Director: Biodiversity, Nature & Health

Dr Meggan Spires
Director: Climate Change, Energy & Resilience

Michelle Preen
Director: Communications & Knowledge Management

Paul Currie
Director: Urban Systems Unit

Dr Kate Strachan
Senior Manager: Climate Change Resilience, Coastal Management & DRR

Anton Earle
Global Coordinator: Water Systems
Anton holds a Masters’ degree in Environment and Development from the University of London (SOAS). He has led teams in water management and development internationally, facilitating interaction between governments, civil society, the private sector and other stakeholders aimed at risk-reduction for investment in climate-resilient development. Anton’s significant experience extends to Africa, the Middle-East and East Asia. In his position at ICLEI, he is leading the development of a vision for ICLEI’s water programme globally, supporting local and subnational governments to secure sustainable and equitable access to water, while ensuring that healthy ecosystems continue providing their vital water quality, water storage, and flood attenuation services.

Simon Mayson
Manager: Sustainable Energy
Simon brings 13 years of experience in local development, with seven of those in sustainability, and an action research PhD, enabling wellbeing economies. He believes in local government’s potential for tangible implementation, and has worked within municipalities and through partnerships to enable this. Being passionate about conceptualising projects, and mobilising the right resources, partners and leaders for maximum impact, Simon has grown and managed diverse teams, most recently in the energy and climate space for a non-profit company. Project focus areas have included local just transitions, green hydrogen and climate/economic modelling.

Sonya Smith
Manager: Office Operations

Stephanie Babef
Financial Manager

Thea Lamarque
Manager: Communications

Ursula Wellmann
Manager: Biodiversity & Nature

Kobie Brand
Deputy Secretary General: ICLEI & Regional Director: ICLEI Africa
Kobie Brand
Deputy Secretary General: ICLEI & Regional Director: ICLEI Africa

Ingrid Coetzee
Director: Biodiversity, Nature & Health
Ingrid Coetzee
Director: Biodiversity, Nature & Health

Dr Meggan Spires
Director: Climate Change, Energy & Resilience
Dr Meggan Spires
Director: Climate Change, Energy & Resilience

Michelle Preen
Director: Communications & Knowledge Management
Michelle Preen
Director: Communications & Knowledge Management

Paul Currie
Director: Urban Systems Unit
Paul Currie
Director: Urban Systems Unit

Dr Kate Strachan
Senior Manager: Climate Change Resilience, Coastal Management & DRR
Dr Kate Strachan
Senior Manager: Climate Change Resilience, Coastal Management & DRR

Anton Earle
Global Coordinator: Water Systems
Anton Earle
Global Coordinator: Water Systems
Anton holds a Masters’ degree in Environment and Development from the University of London (SOAS). He has led teams in water management and development internationally, facilitating interaction between governments, civil society, the private sector and other stakeholders aimed at risk-reduction for investment in climate-resilient development. Anton’s significant experience extends to Africa, the Middle-East and East Asia. In his position at ICLEI, he is leading the development of a vision for ICLEI’s water programme globally, supporting local and subnational governments to secure sustainable and equitable access to water, while ensuring that healthy ecosystems continue providing their vital water quality, water storage, and flood attenuation services.

Simon Mayson
Manager: Sustainable Energy
Simon Mayson
Manager: Sustainable Energy
Simon brings 13 years of experience in local development, with seven of those in sustainability, and an action research PhD, enabling wellbeing economies. He believes in local government’s potential for tangible implementation, and has worked within municipalities and through partnerships to enable this. Being passionate about conceptualising projects, and mobilising the right resources, partners and leaders for maximum impact, Simon has grown and managed diverse teams, most recently in the energy and climate space for a non-profit company. Project focus areas have included local just transitions, green hydrogen and climate/economic modelling.

Sonya Smith
Manager: Office Operations
Sonya Smith
Manager: Office Operations

Stephanie Babef
Financial Manager
Stephanie Babef
Financial Manager

Thea Lamarque
Manager: Communications
Thea Lamarque
Manager: Communications

Ursula Wellmann
Manager: Biodiversity & Nature
Ursula Wellmann
Manager: Biodiversity & Nature
our workstreams
Explore ICLEI's workstreams

Climate change, energy and resilience

Nature, biodiversity and health

Urban systems

Communications and knowledge management

Climate change, energy and resilience

Nature, biodiversity and health

Urban systems

Communications and knowledge management

Climate change, energy and resilience

Nature, biodiversity and health

Urban systems

Communications and knowledge management

Climate change, energy and resilience

Nature, biodiversity and health

Urban systems

Communications and knowledge management
Sustainable Finance Centre
Finance is urgently needed to ensure Africa’s cities are resilient to global sustainability challenges and to develop them into green economic hubs of the future. Africa received just $30 bn of global $1.3 tn climate finance in 2022 – less than 3% and well short of the $250 bn needed annually to tackle climate change. Given Africa’s high urbanisation rate, it is crucial that finance is unlocked for the building of low carbon and climate resilient infrastructure, and the protection of Africa’s rich biodiversity.