Melenie Naidoo
Immediate Availability
About
Senior Executive Assistant and Executive Office Leader with over 15 years' experience supporting EXCO, Board, and senior leadership within telecommunications, financial services, and national organisations. Highly skilled in executive diary optimisation, board governance coordination, financial oversight (Opex & Capex), stakeholder management, and high-level reporting. Known for discretion, operational control, and the ability to anticipate executive needs while managing competing priorities in fast-paced corporate environments.
Experience
Project Lead to the CEO (Volunteer) - Sister K Foundation
(2025 - 2026)
As Project Lead to the CEO, I acted as the CEO's second-in-command (2IC), providing operational and project leadership to ensure the successful delivery of organisational initiatives.
- Coordinated project activities, timelines, and key milestones.
- Monitored daily project progress to ensure deadlines were achieved.
- Identified, tracked, and mitigated operational risks and project issues.
- Prepared progress reports and provided regular updates to the CEO and project stakeholders.
- Allocated tasks according to team members' skills and strengths to maximise productivity.
- Motivated and supported team members to maintain focus and achieve project objectives.
- Facilitated communication and resolved internal conflicts to promote effective teamwork.
- Assisted the CEO with strategic planning, operational coordination, and the implementation of key organisational initiatives.
Executive Office Manager / CSI Lead - National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD)
(2016-01 - 2023-03)
Provided direct operational and governance support to senior leadership and EXCO while managing full executive office functions.
- Prepared board packs, governance documentation, and executive reports
- Managed complex executive diaries, stakeholder meetings, and strategic engagements
- Oversaw annual budgets, financial controls, and expenditure tracking
- Conducted variance analysis and financial reporting to leadership
- Negotiated and managed vendor contracts and SLAs
- Supervised administrative and secretarial teams
- Ensured compliance, data security, and confidentiality standards
- Coordinated IT, facilities, and office infrastructure management
National Project Leader – Corporate Social Investment & Employee Engagement - Vodacom South Africa - Midrand
(2007-04 - 2013)
Led nationally aligned programmes while supporting senior executives through performance reporting, governance alignment, and operational coordination.
- Produced EXCO reports and national performance dashboards
- Managed multi-million-rand budgets contributing to over R500 million in investment impact
- Led cross-functional teams of 16 staff supporting 10,000+ employees
- Increased employee engagement to 82% participation
- Developed governance frameworks aligned to JSE reporting requirements
- Coordinated national executive roadshows and leadership engagement campaigns
- Strengthened corporate-NGO and stakeholder partnerships
Financial Administrator - Vodacom South Africa - Johannesburg
(2003 - 2005)
- Managed Opex and Capex facilities budgets
- Coordinated executive travel and board documentation
- Managed procurement processes and purchase orders
- Supported financial reporting and audit preparation
- Maintained vendor contracts and compliance documentation
Supervisor – Scrip & Gilt Settlements - Nedcor Bank - Johannesburg CBD
(1997 - 2003)
- Supervised corporate settlement operations
- Led reconciliation and compliance processes
- Managed team performance and operational risk
Settlements & Money Market Specialist - Old Mutual - Johannesburg
(1990 - 1997)
- Managed asset reconciliation and share settlements
- Ensured regulatory compliance within financial services
