Marleen Van Deventer

I am a Service Delivery and Project Management professional with 14+ years of leadership experience in the Telecommunications industry, built on a solid foundation in Psychology. My expertise includes end-to-end project execution, stakeholder engagement, and customer experience (CX), supported by a professional diploma in Project Management and advanced certifications in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Life Coaching.

In recent years, I’ve cultivated a deep and personal passion for human-centered service—particularly in supporting the terminally ill and improving the experience of those navigating complex healthcare journeys. Through additional training in grief and end-of-life support, I’ve expanded my skill set beyond technical delivery into emotional intelligence, empathy-driven leadership, and patient advocacy.

I’m now actively pursuing opportunities where I can merge operational excellence with compassion—whether in Patient Experience Management, healthcare service delivery, or purpose-driven projects that elevate dignity, trust, and care. I believe the future of leadership lies in blending strategy with humanity, and I’m ready to be part of that change.

I am a seasoned Service Delivery and Customer Experience professional with over 20 years of experience, including 14 years in senior roles managing national service operations for major clients like Vodacom and leading ISPs. During my time as a Service Delivery Manager and Team Leader at Dark Fibre Africa, I led high-performing teams, delivered complex projects under pressure, and consistently improved customer satisfaction through structured, people-focused strategies.

What truly sets me apart is my deep understanding of human behaviour. I hold an Honours degree in Psychology, a two-year Lay Counselling certification, and I’m a certified Master Life Coach and NLP Practitioner. This training has shaped how I lead, how I solve problems, and how I show up in moments that require calm, clarity, and compassion. I believe that even under pressure, it’s possible—and necessary—to treat every person with dignity.

I thrive in team environments where collaboration, trust, and shared responsibility are key to delivering exceptional results. Whether working shoulder-to-shoulder with colleagues or leading a team through complex challenges, I naturally step in when situations escalate—bringing focus, structure, and direction when others feel overwhelmed. I am comfortable taking charge in high-pressure environments, making quick yet thoughtful decisions, and guiding others through uncertainty with confidence and empathy.

Whether I’m resolving service disruptions, aligning cross-functional teams, or engaging with stakeholders at all levels, I bring both structure and humanity to everything I do. I’ve seen firsthand how strong leadership, clear communication, and teamwork can transform even the most stressful environments into spaces where people feel safe, seen, and supported.

From delivering over 400 fibre sites in a single year to designing internal training programs that upskilled entire teams, my career has been defined by innovation, execution, and human connection. In challenging moments, I focus on what needs to be done—immediately and practically—while calmly guiding others through short-, medium-, and long-term actions to restore clarity, stability, and results.

NLP Practitioner and Coach | Master Life Coach Global Strengths Coaching | The American Board of NLP (2025)

Women in Leadership | GIBBS Institute (2019)

Lay Counselling Certificate (2-year duration)| North-West University (2009)

Psychology Honours | University of South Africa (2008)

Advanced Project Management Course, Cum Laude | University of Pretoria (1997) 

BA Psychology | University of Pretoria (1996) 

Basic Counselling Course | University of South Africa (1995)