Search Launched for enke’s Next CEO
Letter from the enke Board
Dear Friends, Partners, and Supporters of enke,
We’re excited to announce the search for enke’s next CEO! While this marks an exciting new era for our organisation, it’s also with a touch of bittersweet emotion that we announce Rufaro’s departure at the end of April 2024.
Rufaro joined the team in 2012 and has been our CEO since 2015. You can learn more about the reasons for her transition in her letter below. We are deeply grateful to Rufaro for the work she has done and the legacy she built during her tenure. With Rufaro’s leadership enke expanded its programs, attracted diverse funding and partnerships, strengthened the team and grew our impact across South Africa.
Over the last few months, we have been working with Rufaro, Freddy and our appointed search partner, Annelie from MaraisButton & Associates, to find enke’s next leader. Thank you to those who shared the post with extraordinary, values-driven executive with the passion and experience to take enke’s work to the next level, and nominated them or applied themselves via our search partner Marais Button & Associates. We will be sharing news about enke’s next CEO as soon as the search is complete.
We’re excited about this next chapter for enke and Rufaro and look forward to continuing to build this incredible organisation. Please read below Rufaro’s Message to the enke Community.
All our best,
The enke Board of Directors
Passing the Baton – Message from our CEO, Rufaro
Dear enke Community,
It is with a mix of emotions, that I write this to share that I will be stepping down as CEO of enke: Make Your Mark at the end of April 2024. I wanted to personally inform you of my decision and explain the incredible opportunity it presents for you and for enke.
Reflecting on the journey we’ve undertaken during my tenure, I take immense pride in the transformative strides enke has made as an organization. When I assumed the role of CEO in 2015, our budget was a modest R4.5 million, a team of 13 and 2 programs (Trailblazer and Ignition). Fast forward to 2023, and we have almost tripled in size, our programmatic reach has expanded through Catalyst and CPI initiatives, along with the establishment of MYM Training & Development, showcasing our embrace of a hybrid social enterprise model. Equally significant is the impact on the lives of young individuals in our communities. From training 300-400 youth annually in 2015, we now reach an average of 700-1000 youth each year. This growth is a testament to the dedication of our team, the support from stakeholders, and the resilience of the youth we serve.
So, why am I leaving? After 12 years at enke, 8 of which as CEO, the decision to step down is anchored in a deep commitment to enke’s enduring success, and desire to sustain the organisation’s vitality and growth. Recognising the importance of avoiding “founder’s syndrome,” where an organization’s progress might be hindered by an entrenched leadership style, I believe it is time for me to pass the baton on to a leader who can inject new energy and perspectives. Over the last 5 years, we have done a lot of work to build robust operational and leadership foundations, while scaling our impact and navigating challenging circumstances. We are now at our next inflection point, poised for something truly extraordinary. While it’s humbling to admit that I should probably not be the one to lead that charge, I am immensely grateful and excited for enke’s future. Even more so because of our amazing team who are capable, resilient and committed to our mission.
So, what’s next for enke? We will be continuing our work, informed by our theory of change and strategy. Simultaneously, from December 2023 we will be searching for our next CEO to lead the organization. Here is the position description and hope you’ll help spread the word. We’ll take the time necessary to find the right person to fill this critical role. If you know someone who would be an excellent fit, please encourage them to apply.
From there, the board and the executive team will be dedicating our efforts to transitioning all responsibilities to the new CEO and ensure a smooth handover. The new CEO may be someone you’ve met before, or it might be someone entirely new. Our board of directors, with input from the team, will make this decision, and we hope to introduce you to the new CEO as soon as possible.
What’s next for me? Honestly, I’m not sure yet. As I wrestled with this decision, I reflected on lessons from the leadership of Pip (our co-founder and first CEO), enke’s first CEO transition in 2014-2015, and, since then, the incredible journey and growth of enke that none of us had ever dared to imagine. What keeps coming to mind is a quote from Moana, “There is more beyond the reef…” with rising lyrics of my favourite song from that Disney movie:
Right now, I’m on the shore and have gathered the strength to decide to go beyond the reef. But it is still daunting to leave what is known. So, taking a page out of the Trailblazer curriculum, I’m getting out of my comfort zone and allowing space to explore. I might take what I’ve learned into regional and global impact work, or maybe start a coaching and facilitation practice, or start an impact fund, or do something completely different. What I am sure of is that enke will always be a part of me and that I will continue to support our work in other ways. For now, the next few months are dedicated to finding, installing, and supporting the next CEO.
Thank you for your ongoing support to myself, the team, the board and all of enke. Exciting times lie ahead – for enke, for me, and for us all.
Please feel free to get in touch with any questions. I’m around until the end May 2024. And, better yet, enke will be around for much, much longer.
Honk!
– Rufaro
