Team
We have an excellent, qualified and experienced team.
Margaret McKenzie
Managing Director
Margaret is the managing director of Urban Earth. Margaret has a BSc Honours in Computer Science and an MSc Degree in Environment and Development. She has over twenty years of experience consulting in the climate change, energy, and sustainability fields, and is an experienced facilitator, strategic advisor, and project manager.
Ian Preston
Operations Manager
Ian is the operations manager at Urban Earth. Ian has a Master’s Degree in Commerce (Management) from Rhodes University and a Bachelor of Commerce Degree (Management Sciences) from Stellenbosch University. Ian’s role at Urban Earth involves working on the organisation’s business compliance and systems as well as assisting with the management of projects and staff at Urban Earth.
Zizo Stimela
Lead Sustainability Advisor
Zizo is the Lead Sustainability Advisor at Urban Earth and has a MEng degree in Civil Engineering. She has 5 years of experience in the sustainability and renewable energy sector. She excels in integrating sustainability into policies and operations and is committed to ensuring that gender equity considerations are systematically embedded in all policies, strategies and projects.
Jonathan Swart
Digital Innovation Lead
Jonathan is the Digital Innovation Lead at Urban Earth. Jonathan has a BSc Honours in Geography from the University of South Africa. His role at Urban Earth involves developing technical solutions for projects such as websites, mobile apps and bespoke tools. Jonathan also has seven years of GIS experience and is responsible for automating and optimising internal systems.
Derek Morgan
Associate
Derek has a Master’s Degree in Environment and Development from the University of Natal after completing his BSc Hons in Marine Biology at the University of Cape Town. Derek has more than fifteen years of experience working in the environmental and sustainability consulting sector. Derek specialises in climate change and sustainable energy strategic research for the private and public sector.
Katharine McKenzie
Associate
Katharine studied literature (BA hons, Wits) before gaining master’s degrees in Transport Studies (UCT) and Public Administration (UWC). For more than 20 years she has been Director of String Communication, a boutique agency providing communication products, publications and strategy for the public and development sectors.
Jo Douwes
Associate
Jo has a Master’s Degree in Development Studies from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and a BSc Hons in Zoology from the University of Cape Town. Jo has more than fifteen years of experience working in the environmental sustainability field as well as five years experience working in non-governmental organisations in the education, health and socio-economic fields.
