Jessica Chaplin

SAVANNA FOUNDATION

Co-Founder & Development Manager

Jess, is our co-founder and Development Manager. She has always been interested in meeting people from different backgrounds and cultures and from a young age remembers feeling a strong concern for the well-being of others. After obtaining her BA Degree and PGDEM from Rhodes University, she worked in Johannesburg for a few years and then travelled in South America with her now husband Greg. Since 2012 they have lived in Durban. This is where Jess was formally introduced to the non-profit sector.

Jess developed a keen interest in entrepreneurship, an aspiration to work closely with people and to have a positive influence in their lives.  Her desire for her actions and career to create constructive change, led her to study a sought-after course in Social Innovation Management in Nairobi during 2013 (with the Amani Institute). It was through this exposure and learning experience that her passion for the social sector grew. It broadened her perspective, opened up new possibilities, improved her skill set and gave Jess the courage to pursue a career that was aligned with her values and talents.

Jess is primarily motivated by forming strong lasting relationships, problem solving, learning from, collaborating with and supporting others to achieve a common goal. She is a passionate South African, wife, friend and mother with two young daughters, who hopes to secure their future in a more equitable and sustainable world.  This is the passion that drives her work and approach to living.