Gretchen holds Masters degrees in Industrial Psychology (UWC) and in Information Technology, Management and Change (Lancaster University). Gretchen is currently completing her Honours degree at UWC in Development Studies and has a particular interest in research, policy and technological advancement in an African context. She has further occupied roles in the private and public sectors and has also worked on research projects focused on entrepreneurship, digital inclusion and technology innovation. Her areas of interest include youth development, education, economic development and sociotechnical aspect of technology for African development.
Gretchen is a member of the South African Monitoring and Evaluation Association, the Health Professions Council of South Africa and the Golden Key Honours Society,
Recent experience highlights:
APPLIED RESEARCH AND EVALUATION
- Research Assistant for Lancaster Business Society on Change Management Models and Technology project. (2017-2018)
- Research Assistant on entrepreneurship and psychological contracts research paper review. (2022)
- Research Assistant on youth and digital inclusion, a comparative study between an Indian and South African university. (2022-2023)
PROGRAMME & MEL SYSTEM
- Assist in coordinating governance compliance assessments and calendar for the national Management Performance Assessment Tool (MPAT) for 11 provincial departments – WC Department of the Premier (2015-2016)
- Design curriculum learning programme (learners manual, facilitators guide and activities) on ‘Taking Initiative: Military’ for military officers- The Military Psychological Institute- Assessment Centre (SANDF) (2014)
CAPACITY BUILDING:
- Facilitate training to junior military officers and trainees for conducting, assessing and rating behaviour observation exercises – MPI (SANDF) (2014)
- Assist in facilitating job analysis sessions with army medic emergency – MPI (SANDF) (2014)
- Design and facilitate exercises for OD team building, group forming or training sessions – MPI (SANDF) (2014)
ORGANISATIONAL STRATEGY
• Assist with organisational development assessments and diagnostic interventions, report writing and recommendations – SANDF (MPI) (2014)
• Assist in the development of the Strategic People Analytics Methodology & Framework for the coordination of provincial data management, standardisation & Integrity – WC: Department of the Premier (2016-2017)
• Assist with the development of the People Maturity Model (PM3) – a practice maturity assessment tool for the province- WC: Department of the Premier (2016-2017)
• Analyse and report on findings of HR client satisfaction survey to enable improved operational performance and to streamline people management processes- WC: Department of the Premier (2017)
• Compile stakeholder analysis report for provincial Engagement Strategy to identify workflow gaps, collaboration challenges and recommendations to optimise relationships & optimise operational efficiency – WC: Department of the Premier (2017)