Cara-Jean Petersen
Appointed CEO of The Feenix Trust in 2022 at just 32 years old, Cara-Jean Petersen is the first woman of colour to lead the organisation. With a B.Psych from the University of the Western Cape and as a trained Psychological Counsellor registered with the HPCSA, she is deeply committed to making tertiary education accessible to South African students.
Her journey with Feenix began as Student Advancement Manager, where she spent four years before being groomed for the CEO role. During her leadership, Feenix has maintained stability despite a 45% staff turnover in 2023-2024 and doubled donation income in 2024, showcasing her resilience and strategic vision.
In addition to her work at Feenix, Cara has collaborated with the World Health Organization on the Global Early Childhood Development Study (2015-2026), expanding her global development expertise. She was also honoured by the University of Cape Town’s Graduate Business School Women in Business for her significant contributions to community impact and invited to speak on the topic of “Organisational Purpose” at the 2024 International Fundraising Congress hosted by Resource Alliance in the Netherlands.
With over 15 years of experience in youth development, Cara continues to connect students with the resources they need to thrive. Her leadership, characterized by empathy, precision, and a strong sense to “pay it forward”, serves as an inspiration for others striving to create meaningful change in their communities.
Favourite Leadership Quote
“Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation."
~ Nelson Mandela speaking during the launch of the 'Make Poverty History' Campaign, Trafalgar Square, London, England, 3 February 2005
As I sink my teeth into the impact sector and deepen my longing to leave behind a legacy that sees the world better than I found it, I naturally found myself searching for a community that “gets it”. The Elischer Foundation Mentorship Programme has provided me the opportunity to not only challenge myself as the leader of a purpose-driven organisation, but to sharpen my thinking and skills set with a global perspective. I look forward to the road ahead with my mentor and hope to come out of the 12 month programme deeply inspired, better equipped to change the lives of the youth we serve here in South Africa and ready to pay it forward to the next cohort of mentees.