The Core Team
The Compass team has a hugely diverse array of talent - and is highly motivated and energised to deliver great results and great communication value for our clients. We're proud of the fact that we do it with flair. Meet our core team...
Durban Head Office
Debbie Simms - Managing Director
A career spent largely in the arena of consumer marketing, it was a passion for writing and theatre that landed Debbie in brand activation. A qualified teacher and a professionally accredited Public Relations practitioner (APR), Unilever schooled in post-graduate Marketing, Debbie worked in Promotions and PR for Elida and then Lever Pond's for seven years - up until the time when she was managing the Public Relations, Promotions and Consumer Services for the Personal Care business. She left to begin Compass Communications, which began trading in January 1997. Acquired by the Smollan group in 2005, Debbie continues to head up the business. Her responsibilities include strategic and creative direction and marketing.
Debbie is on the global “Trendspotters” team for Trendfire, a division of the In-deed Strategy Into Action consultancy – that captures and interprets burning consumer and shopper mega trends for commercial strategy and activation. Visit http://www.in-deedtrendfire.com
Karen Sage - National Operations Manager
After qualifying as a teacher and spending many years in the classroom, rising through the ranks in school management roles Karen changed direction completely. Project design and logistics management came naturally and fuelled her interest in Marketing and Design. Freelance work in various industries and a diploma in Marketing Management introduced her to Compass. Her role as National Operations Manager not only incorporates ongoing project work but leadership of the Compass Project Teams in both Durban and Johannesburg. Karen is process-oriented and brings a fanatical attention to detail that supports Compass’ obsession with a delivering quality service.
Wendi Tiedt - Project Manager
Wendi has a diploma in both Book-keeping and Somatology, qualifying her to give advice on any beauty issues, which she has put to good use in working on many of our clients beauty brands. A member of the Compass team for eight years, Wendi manages projects across a range of categories. She is certainly qualified by experience and has a wide range of skills for managing projects, solving problems and is well-organised and passionate about her work. Wendi is compassionate and enjoys a dynamic spiritual life: she is currently studying to become a local preacher. In her spare time, she indulges in sewing, arts and crafts and loves to create beautiful things.
Belinda Gordon - Project Manager
In 1999 Belinda had twins, wrote a book and completed her Bachelor of Arts Degree majoring in English and Communications. Before joining the Compass team in April 2002 she worked in a variety of sectors, including the legal field, tourism, manufacturing, bringing a lot of insight into her work. With her logical thinking (she achieved 100% for her Logic exam at University!), attention to detail and enthusiasm she is a valuable member of the team and is a very proficient Project Manager across all accounts. Belinda enjoys philosophy, is a keen amateur astronomer and loves music. She’s currently learning how to play the piano.
Tenille Moodley - Project Manager
Dynamite comes in small packages, which pretty much sums Tenille up! She obtained her Marketing Degree before spreading her wings and travelling extensively throughout the US and Europe, while living in Hawaii and London. She returned to sunny South Africa to run the marketing and PR of a prominent NGO before packing up her proven project management skills to join Compass in 2007, where her professionalism, passion and proficiency are evidenced daily! Tenille enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, working out at the gym and a good book.
Mehroon Haniff - Financial Controller
Mehroon is a qualified bookkeeper with a passion for numbers. She holds various accounting qualifications from Damelin and has worked in many different fields before joining Compass Communications in 2003 as a full-function bookkeeper. She has a sharp analytical mind and is conscientious with a keen eye for detail, taking pride in a job well done. Her role has always involved confidentially and integrity. When Mehroon she is not tossing around numbers, she might be tossing a salad – indulging her passion for cooking, baking and of course eating!
Tracy Gounden - Regional Area Manager : Kwa Zulu Natal
Tracy has 8 years experience in the marketing and media field where she has gained extensive knowledge in organizing and managing events and exhibitions. She manages all the staffing for KZN and its outlying areas. Tracy has acquired her Diploma in Marketing Management and is currently furthering this by studying towards her Degree with the institute of IMM. With a crazy sense of humour and a good dose of ambition, Tracy thrives on the adrenalin of a challenge and has a passion to please.
Debra Burton - Project Assistant
Debra joined the Compass team in early 2007, after obtaining her Institute of Marketing Diploma, travelling extensively abroad and living in Cape Town for a short while. Debra has an infectiously positive outlook and can-do attitude that she applies to everything she is tasked to achieve. She is hard working, ambitious and is energized by the brisk pace of daily life at Compass! Debra inevitably has lots of energy over, for her strict exercise regime of cycling, walking and hockey. A social butterfly, she loves to party and holds her family, friends ( and dogs ) dear.
Tarryn Livsey - Business Development Officer
Tarryn is the newest member of the Compass team. In 2006 she acquired her qualification in Event Coordination (which she adores doing!) and is currently furthering her education pursuing a Diploma in Marketing. One of Tarryn’s passions is travelling, which she has done extensively. Tarryn is an enthusiastic and vibrant spirit who loves to get on and get things done! She enjoys a challenge in every aspect of her life, which adds to the spirit of the energetic Compass Team.
Janet Madlala - Stores & Housekeeping
Janet manages our store room at Head Office and provides invaluable support with endless packing, counting and sorting of tools and with transport administration. She also keeps our work environment looking great and the kettle on the boil for sustenance!
Johannesburg Office
Dorcas Malekela - Regional Area Manager : Gauteng & surrounds
Dorcas has a passion in making a difference in other people’s lives, her colleagues, promoters, friends and family. She is a colourful character who is output driven and has dabbled in dance, choreography and even community events organization. She moved into IT from beginning her working life as a secretary and ended up on the support desk. Compass was just a step away. Dorcas is a multi-tasker, Counselor, Trainer and a Mother. She sets high standards for herself and tackles each new store list with gusto!
Danielle Strehler - Regional Area Manager : Gauteng & surrounds
Danielle is diligent, tenacious and thrives on dealing with the chaos of the marketing promotions industry, that she has been addicted to since school days when she was a promoter and team leader herself. She remained involved while she completed her B A degree in Corporate and Marketing Communications and Psychology, beginning her career working for a number of promotions agencies before coming to Compass. Danielle’s other passions are dancing and food – and relaxing on the beach when she can get to the coast.
Bellina Yende - Administration and Staffing Assistant
Bellina begun her career as a promoter, after achieving a good academic matric, and she promoted for three years before deciding Marketing was for definitely for her and registered for a Bachelor of Commerce degree, majoring in Marketing Management. She promoted for Compass for a full year before she joined the business. Passionate about communicating, determined and wise beyond her years, Bellina assists in the Johannesburg office with staffing administration.
Cape Town Office
Jacki Lund - Regional Area Manager : Cape Town
Jacki has worked extensively in the film industry in Cape Town, and set up a fully equipped office and training facility for Compass in Cape Town – which she oversees, ensuring quality staffing and the highest executional standards in the region.
Shelley Lund - Regional Area Assistant : Cape Town
A diploma in Office and Business Administration saw Shelley off to a good start in running her own Pizza Delivery business and managing a local restaurant. She uses her developed organisational, administrative and personnel skills in assisting with staffing management and administration.
