Our team

Meet the dynamic team at Behaviour Change Agency.

Our team is made up of full-time experts, part-time specialists, and a trusted network of associates, giving us the agility and depth to deliver for clients across sectors.

Leadership Team

Pat Govender

CEO

MSc (Behavioural Science)
MBA

The founder of BCA, Pat is an expert in behavioural interventions that shape how we think, feel, act and make decisions. He has over 30 years of experience crafting communications and behaviour-change programmes.

Esme Smith

Chief Operating Officer

BSocSci Hons (Psychology)
BAdmin Hons
MBA

With a strong background in organisational development, Esme heads up operations and the management of BCA’s behaviour-change projects. Her keen eye for detail and strategic planning skills help to elevate our campaigns.

Jorique Fourie

Head: Neuroscience and Research

BSc (Psychology and Physiology)
BSc (Med) Hons (Neurophysiology)
MSc (Med) Neuroscience in Psychiatry

With a background in neuroscience and psychiatry, investigating the effect of stress and fear on decision-making, Jorique understands the complex advantages of neuroplasticity and it’s implications for driving behavioural change.

Lori Gie

Head: Creative

NDip (Film & Television)

With over 30 years of experience in her industry, Lori has a nuanced understanding of how good design and strategic visual communications can be powerful tools for changing behaviour.

Kelly Starzak

Head: Content Development

BSocSci (Psychology)
BA Hons (English Studies)

With over ten years of experience as a writer, editor and content creator for both print and digital media, Kelly is interested in how the language and tone of the stories we tell can shape our thoughts and behaviours.

Aidan Classe

Head: Web Development

Multimedia Diploma

With more than twenty years in the digital arena, Aidan has worked with top agencies in Cape Town and abroad. He has extensive experience in digital campaigns, forming part of the core digital team for BCA’s creative, communications and development.

Specialist Team

Marion Sparg

Behavioural Strategist

B Journ (Journalism)

Marion has served as a senior executive and strategist in both the public and private sector. She has an exceptional understanding of the public sector, current affairs, the economy and its underlying foundation.

Dan Gregory

‍Behavioural Economist

‍BSocSci (Psychology and Economics)
MSc (Behavioural Economics)

With a background in behavioural research, Dan is interested in applying psychological insights to further understand the scientific dynamics of human decision-making and behaviour.

Julian Richardson

Digital Designer

As BCA’s digital designer, Julian loves to see creativity, digital tools and behavioural insights working together for maximum visual impact.

Elmien Riley

PR and Communications Specialist

BA (Honours) Industrial Psychology and Communication
MBA

Elmien is a seasoned integrated marketing communication specialist with over 25 years of experience working in both corporate and agency settings. She is a skilled systems thinker and has a talent for managing teams and delivering value to clients.

Reshni Singh

Creative Quality Assurance

BA (English & Psychology)
BA Hons (Psychology)

With a background in corporate training and language skills development for professionals, Reshni is a language specialist with a bent for its technical usage (grammar officer) and how it can be applied to create more impactful copy for behavioural change initiatives.

Farren Classe

Senior Designer

Graphic Design Diploma

With her roots in design-for-change, after more than twenty years in the industry Farren chose to re-align with an agency that makes a tangible, positive difference. Her clear, concise design and prudent content creation complements the BCA team.

Merylle Bailey

Senior Graphic Designer

NDip (Graphic Design)
Entrepreneur Development Programme Certificate

As an entrepreneur and graphic designer, Merylle instinctively recognises the aspiration behind a creative brief and is able to connect a marketing purpose with a corporate objective to deliver creative excellence. With more than 17 years of experience she guides the creative direction, concept development, layout, visual brand development and production of projects at agencies, NGOs, government and with leading national retail brands.

Leverne Gething

Senior Copywriter and Editor

MPhil (Science & Technology Journalism)

A versatile writer and editor extraordinaire, Leverne headed corporate communications at the South African Medical Research Council for ten years and is a consulting editor for the feminist journal Agenda.

Michelle Mckenzie

‍Behavioural Researcher

BA (Humanities)
BA Hons (Psychology)
MA Psychology (in progress)

With a background in research psychology, focusing on stress sensitivity in schizophrenia and the intersection of mental health research and virtual reality, Michelle is committed to understanding the psychological factors that drive actions and decisions and translating these insights into practical applications to promote positive behavioural change.

Associates

Brian Palmer

Digital Strategy

BA Hons (Graphic Design)

A specialist in online audience behaviour and innovative digital thinking, Brian focuses on using digital tools to nudge users towards better, smarter choices.

Qingqile “Wingwing” Mdlulwa

Content Creative

In a career spanning over 28 years, Qingqile (Wing) has forged a reputation for producing quintessential South African campaigns for brands as diverse as ABSA, BMW, Coca-Cola, Chicken Licken, Europcar, Isuzu, Mercedes Benz, Multichoice, Nestle, Nedbank, Pepsi, SABC, SC Johnson, Standard Bank, Samsung, Tracker, Telkom, Toyota and Vodacom.

Anton Wrisberg

Behavioural Science

BSc (Bus Admin and Project Management)
MA (Cognitive Science)

With an understanding of both the practical and theoretical implications of decision making processes, Anton is interested in how interventions can shape decisions with a special interest in testing and measuring the effects of interventions.

Dr Anam Nyembezi

Behavioural Medicine

PhD (Work and Social Psychology)

Dr Anam Nyembezi works closely with our managing director and our strategist to craft cutting edge behavioural interventions. His work as a senior lecturer at University Western Cape, School of Public Health brings practical approaches into our sphere of behavioural science.

Vanashree Chetty