Amanda Maree

Strategic People Change and Communication Leader with 30+ years' experience in change management, coaching, communication, and leadership development across public and private sectors. Known for simplifying complex change, driving culture transformation, and delivering measurable results.

Lead: Strategic People Change & Communication at Absa Group Limited (2023-01 – Present)

Directed change and communication strategies across Absa Technology; embedded new values, created digital engagement platforms, and led culture transformation programmes.

Lead: People Change & Communication Specialist at Absa Group Limited (2021-01 – 2023-12)

Managed people change for the Ultimate Banking programme, mitigating change fatigue, building resilience, and enabling nationwide branch rollout.

Enterprise People Change Specialist at Absa Group Limited (2019-01 – 2021-12)

Institutionalised change management as a core competency, built a practitioner network, and developed enterprise-wide change governance standards.

People Change Management Lead at Absa Group Limited (2017-01 – 2019-12)

Participated in change initiatives during Absa's separation from Barclays, including brand launch and change resilience programmes.

Change Management Lead – Online Business Banking Platform Development at Standard Bank Group Limited

• Led comprehensive change impact assessments with technical teams to evaluate client and frontline implications of new platform features and enhancements.
• Designed and launched a centralised, interactive Programme Knowledge Hub to serve as the primary educational and engagement resource for programme teams and frontline colleagues.
• Established the Friends of the Programme initiative, fostering co-creation of an intuitive, modern platform positioned as a one-stop-shop for clients.
• Implemented the Digital Warrior Network to champion digital transformation, drive client and frontline education, and capture real-time feedback on client pain points.
• Identified frontline knowledge gaps and partnered with Learning & Development to deliver targeted support strategies, including how-to guides, learning modules, and quick-reference cheat sheets.

Portfolio & Change Management Lead at Absa (2014-01 – 2017-12)

Change Management Lead at Eskom (2012-01 – 2013-12)

Management Consulting roles in Africa and internationally at Management Consulting (2006-01 – 2012-12)

• Facilitated leadership & change programmes in Ethiopia, DRC, Mozambique, Swaziland, Botswana & Malawi.
• Designed and delivered change management training for a Cobalt and Copper mining operation in the DRC, strengthening workforce readiness and adoption of new processes.
• Facilitated diversity management and team-building programmes for DFID staff in Mozambique and Malawi, embedding inclusive practices and supporting the rollout of a new Performance Management System.
• Conducted parliamentary capacity-building workshops in Ethiopia, training committee staff on governance, professional conduct, and legislative communication in a multi-party democracy.
• Delivered strategic training for women parliamentarians, focusing on issue identification, strategic thinking, and advocacy to enhance representation and legislative effectiveness.
• Strengthened organisational governance and communication frameworks across multiple African contexts, combining needs assessments, tailored interventions, and measurable outcomes.

Support for SA's democratic transition at National Parliament

Supported SA's democratic transition at National Parliament

BA in Languages – University of the Free State (UFS) (1983-12)

Higher Diploma in Education – University of the Free State (UFS) (1984-12)

Certificate in PR Practice – Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) (1992-12)