Meet the Team
Jeremy Maarman
Executive Director
With over 18 years of experience in community development. As the founding Director of the Initiative for Community Advancement in Piketberg, Western Cape, South Africa, he's grown the organization from a national youth network into a vibrant community foundation. Jeremy has been instrumental in securing licenses for innovative international development models, such as YouthBank and the MyMachine program.
He's also a contributing author to the book "What Is Your Dream Machine? How Children Change Education Worldwide." Beyond his impactful career, Jeremy is an avid golfer, finding solace and joy on the golf course. He's also a loving husband and father, cherishing his family alongside his commitment to community empowerment and innovative development approaches.
Margaret Maans
Resource Mobilisation Officer
Margaret Maans is a goal-driven and people-centered professional who strives to do her absolute best in life. With qualifications in NPO Management, Asset-Based Community Development, and Life Coaching, she brings a diverse and comprehensive skill set to her work. Over the past 14 years, Margaret has dedicated her career to the NPO sector, driven by a deep passion for human development.
Margaret is known for being trustworthy, reliable, and responsible, with a strong ability to function well under pressure. Her commitment to learning from others and her openness to new experiences have shaped her into a well-rounded individual. Punctuality and diligence are hallmarks of her work ethic, and she consistently aims to exceed expectations in every task she undertakes.
Working effectively in a team is one of Margaret's strengths, and she is focused on accomplishing key objectives collaboratively. Her dedication to personal and professional growth ensures that she continuously strives to make a positive impact in all her endeavors.
Laurenzo Fortuin
Community Impact Coordinator
Laurenzo Fortuin is a seasoned Community and Economic Development Practitioner with over 20 years of experience across civil society, local government, and rural development in the Western Cape. His career includes more than a decade at the Cederberg Municipality, where he advanced rural and local economic development initiatives and coordinated community projects.
Academically, Laurenzo holds multiple qualifications in public law, public administration, and economic development, and is currently pursuing a Master’s in African Philanthropy. Since joining ICA in 2025, he has strengthened the organisation’s impact through program management, stakeholder engagement, and community capacity building — always grounded in a deep understanding of the communities ICA serves.
Neheusha Daniëls
Administration Officer
Neheusha Daniëls is an accomplished administration professional with practical experience in the retail industry, where she gained skills in office support and customer service. In 2018, she gained a Youth Leadership Development Certificate through West Coast College, with a strong focus on community development.
Her passion for youth and community initiatives led her to serve on the Bergrivier Youth Forum in 2019. Over the years, she has been actively involved with ICA on a voluntary basis, contributing her skills to local causes and strengthening the organisation’s mission.
Now, as ICA’s Administration Officer, Neheusha combines her administrative expertise with a long-standing commitment to community advancement, ensuring efficient support for programs and helping drive sustainable impact.
Theodora Robinson
Youth Philanthropy Officer
Theodora Elzaan Robinson is a dedicated community development practitioner with over 12 years of hands-on experience championing youth empowerment and social upliftment in underserved communities. In her current role as Youth Philanthropy Officer she works to connect young people with the resources, opportunities, and support they need to thrive.
Before joining the Initiative, Theodora served as Centre Manager where she ran and coordinated a thriving community centre, designed and implemented youth programmes, and built lasting relationships with stakeholders, donors, and government partners. Her earlier background in financial administration gives her a strong grounding in organisational management and accountability.
A passionate advocate for sustainable social change, Theodora brings both strategic thinking and a deep human connection to her work — rooted in the communities she has spent her career serving.