Shawn Coetzee

Strategic executive and turnaround specialist operating at the intersection of organizational culture, business repositioning and tangible performance. Brings two decades of depth in strategy development and implementation, with a proven track record in organizational leadership, brand enhancement and international stakeholder management across the agricultural and regulatory sectors. Trusted for integrity, emotional intelligence, partnership building and the ability to steer complex multi-functional teams toward a common vision while ensuring robust fiduciary accountability and corporate governance.

Life Philosophy: “Believing in the innate ability of people to grow, serve and inspire. Living in faith and gratitude” Leadership Philosophy: “Servant leadership with an intentionality to serve people, irrespective of their status or position. Values-based leadership routed in the virtues of integrity, collaboration and co-creation.”

Managing Director at SC MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORY SOLUTIONS (PTY) LTD (2023 – Present)

Founder and executive leader of a management consultancy providing strategic services in business strategy and implementation, leadership development, and performance improvement. Acting as a strategic advisor for complex stakeholder environments, social impact, business transformation and human capital (people) leadership.

Chief Executive Officer at SOUTH AFRICAN PLANT IMPROVEMENT ORGANIZATION (2018 – 2023)

Accounting Officer responsible for steering the organization’s strategy development and brand strategies. Spearheaded organizational cultural transformation toward high performance and authenticity while overseeing financial governance, business development, and international stakeholder relations.

General Manager: Food Safety & Technical Services Division at PERISHABLE PRODUCTS EXPORT CONTROL BOARD (2016 – 2018)

Directed five business units, translating organizational strategy into operational plans. Strengthened value propositions, service offerings, governance and brand loyalty while representing the organization at Government Performance Evaluation Forums.

Senior Manager: Harmonization at PERISHABLE PRODUCTS EXPORT CONTROL BOARD (2009 – 2016)

Led international benchmarking and harmonization of technical policy standards. Endorsed by the Minister and Director General of Agriculture to represent South Africa at international forums.

Head: Inspection Services at PERISHABLE PRODUCTS EXPORT CONTROL BOARD (2004 – 2006)

Led a team of 350 employees and 11 Regional Managers nationally across South Africa. Responsible for 70% of the organizations’ turnover and employees.

Programme Manager: Stakeholder Management – 10 industry sectors | Project Manager: Ancillary Services | Regional Service Manager | Food Inspector at PERISHABLE PRODUCTS EXPORT CONTROL BOARD (1995 – 2003)

Non-Executive Board Member at LEGAL AID SOUTH AFRICA (2024 – Present)

Accounting Authority, governance and strategic leadership.

Deputy Chairperson: Remuneration, Social and Ethics & Human Resources Committee at LEGAL AID SOUTH AFRICA (2024 – Present)

Independent oversight of strategic human capital, ethical leadership, and remuneration governance within a national public entity. Contributing to the alignment of people strategies with organizational mandate and fiduciary requirements.

Risk and ICT Committee Member at LEGAL AID SOUTH AFRICA (2024 – Present)

Oversight for Risk and ICT related governance and strategic imperatives.

Risk Committee Member at PERISHABLE PRODUCTS EXPORT CONTROL BOARD (2009 – 2018)

Serving as member of the internal Risk Committee.

Audit Committee Member at SOUTH AFRICAN PLANT IMPROVEMENT ORGANIZATION (2018 – 2023)

Member as Chief Executive and Accounting Officer.

Human Resource Committee Member at SOUTH AFRICAN PLANT IMPROVEMENT ORGANIZATION (2018 – 2023)

Member as Chief Executive and Accounting Officer.

Chairperson at STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY BUSINESS SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION (WC) (2024 – 2025)

Leading the Western Cape Chapter, driving stakeholder engagement and networking initiatives for one of South Africa’s premier business school alumni networks.

Bureau Member & Chairperson at OECD FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLE SCHEME (2011 – 2016)

Elected to executive role in the OECD Bureau. Chaired Plenary meetings attended by 30 countries and Steering Committee and Technical Working Committees to harmonize international trade and market access standards.

Executive Associate at FIRST BUSINESS WELLNESS NPC

Provide leadership and advisory support focused on people and culture within a non-profit environment aimed at business wellness.

Facilitator & Advisor at SINETHEMBA NPO

Provide leadership and advisory support on business strategy and social impact.

Advisor at PIKETBERG SPORTS DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION NPO

Provide advisory services on social impact, empowerment and upliftment, funding proposals.

Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Strategy, People & Organizational Leadership – University of Stellenbosch

Master of Theology (M.Th.) (In Progress) – University of Stellenbosch

Postgraduate Diploma: Theology (Cum Laude) in Practical Theology & Missiology – University of Stellenbosch

Executive Development Programme (EDP) (Directors Award) in Business Strategy, Executive Management – Stellenbosch University Business School

Senior Management Development Programme (SMDP) in Business Fundamentals, General Management – Stellenbosch University Business School

National Diploma: Food Technology (Cum Laude) in Food Science, Biochemistry, Microbiology – Cape Peninsula University of Technology

Post-graduate Certificate Programme, NQF Level 8 in Project Management (Honours Level)