OUR PEOPLE
Meet the team driving change and empowering global businesses
At Smartsource Change Solutions, our people are the driving force behind everything we do. With decades of combined experience in change management, leadership development, and organizational transformation, our team is united by a passion for empowering businesses and the individuals who make them thrive.
PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT AND MANAGING DIRECTOR
Kathy Branquinho
With over 30 years of experience across industries like financial services, IT, telecommunications, and energy, Kathy brings unmatched expertise in change management and transformation.
Her career spans large scale and strategic initiatives in digital transformation, high-performance culture shifts, and various bespoke technology solutions. Kathy’s philosophy centers on balancing business needs with the human side of change, always striving to meet people where they are and guide them toward where they need to be.
Fact: Kathy is an avid hiker and lives by the principles of the Four Agreements.
PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT
Yolanda Jegels
Yolanda specializes in guiding organizations through the complexities of change, whether it’s adopting new technologies, navigating regulatory shifts, or fostering cultural transformation.
With a background in financial services and a passion for mentorship, Yolanda excels at motivating teams and ensuring sustainable success. She’s a lifelong learner currently pursuing a Postgraduate Degree in Future Studies
Fact: Yolanda is a youth mentor and enjoys running, hiking, and spending time with her family.
RESOURCING MANAGER & COACH
Esme Thwaits
Esme’s diverse expertise spans project management, recruitment, and coaching.
A licensed Enneagram practitioner and advocate for lifelong learning, she has worked in industries ranging from banking to pharmaceuticals. Esme is dedicated to building strong relationships with clients and identifying top talent to drive successful change.
Fact: When she’s not working, Esme can be found painting, exploring second-hand bookshops, or planning her next travel adventure.
OUR VALUE
Why Our People Stand Out
At Smartsource, we pride ourselves on fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and personal connection. Our consultants are more than experts—they are trusted partners, mentors, and champions of change.
Every team member is committed to:
- Meeting clients where they are and tailoring solutions to their unique needs.
- Building psychological safety to empower teams and inspire confidence.
- Leading by example to create sustainable change and drive measurable results.
Together, we bring a wealth of knowledge, a genuine passion for people, and a proven track record of success to every client partnership.
WHY US
Why Choose Smartsource?
At Smartsource Change Solutions, we thrive on transforming
the way organizations navigate change. With a focus on
people, culture, and measurable results, our approach
ensures that every transition becomes an opportunity for
growth and success. Here’s what sets us apart:
Purpose-Driven Strategies
We align every change initiative with your organization’s vision and values, creating a roadmap for sustainable success.
Empowered People, Thriving Businesses
We believe your people are your greatest asset. By fostering psychological safety and collaboration, we enable teams to embrace change confidently and effectively.
Proven Expertise
Our carefully selected consultants bring decades of hands-on experience across diverse industries, ensuring tailored solutions that deliver measurable impact.
Human-Centered Approach
We meet people where they are, guiding them to where they need to be. From leadership to team members, we prioritize personal connection and trust.
The Best Fit
Our broad network and thorough, vigilant processes ensure we recruit only the best consultants, making sure the fit is right for your business and your initiative to achieve optimal results.
Sustainable Transformation
We don’t just focus on short-term results. Our goal is to embed change capability within your organization, ensuring resilience and adaptability for the future.
Purpose-Driven Strategies
We align every change initiative with your organization’s vision and values, creating a roadmap for sustainable success.
Empowered People, Thriving Businesses
We believe your people are your greatest asset. By fostering psychological safety and collaboration, we enable teams to embrace change confidently and effectively.
Proven Expertise
Our carefully selected consultants bring decades of hands-on experience across diverse industries, ensuring tailored solutions that deliver measurable impact
Human-Centered Approach
We meet people where they are, guiding them to where they need to be. From leadership to team members, we prioritize personal connection and trust.
The Best Fit
Our broad network and thorough, vigilant processes ensure we recruit only the best consultants, making sure the fit is right for your business and your initiative to achieve optimal results
Sustainable Transformation
We don’t just focus on short-term results. Our goal is to embed change capability within your organization, ensuring resilience and adaptability for the future
PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT AND MANAGING DIRECTOR
Kathy Branquinho
Kathy has a Post Graduate Diploma in Strategic Marketing Management from Manchester University, UK.
A principal Communications, Change Management, and Transformation consultant with more than 30 years of experience in the following industries: Financial Services, Information Technology, Banking, Telecommunications, Energy & Petrochemical.
Her consulting experience over the years has included Digital Transformation, Agile way of work, Communication, Reengineering and Restructuring, High-Performance Culture transformation, Data Warehousing, Data Analytics and BI, and CRM (including Sales Force Automation and Call Centre Management), mostly through project-based Change Management consulting, coaching, facilitation and Project Management.
Her consulting career has centred on working with a diverse and wide spectrum of leaders, individuals and teams – meeting people where they are at and supporting their transition to meet organisational goals and objectives – balancing people’s needs, with doing the right thing for the business.
Kathy strives to live by the Four Agreements:
- Be impeccable with your word
- Don’t take anything personally
- Don’t make assumptions
- Always do your best
…and believes anything is possible, and everything is a choice.
Her interests include hiking, reading, food, her dogs, friends and most importantly family.
PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT
Yolanda Jegels
With 17 years of experience in the financial services industry, Yolanda has earned a strong reputation for excellence in people management, sales, and change management. As a seasoned Change Management Leader, she has successfully led organizations through the adoption of new initiatives, products, technologies, and processes.
Yolanda’s career includes leadership roles such as Head of Change and Adoption, Head of Programs, Campaigns and Internal Communications, Communications Change Specialist, and Sales Manager, before joining SmartSource Change Solutions.
Yolanda holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Management and Economics from the University of the Western Cape and completed a Middle Management Leadership Programme with DukeCE & Rhodes University. She is currently pursuing a Post Graduate Degree in Future Studies at Stellenbosch Business School.
Throughout her career, Yolanda has demonstrated the ability to manage complex projects while maintaining team morale and energy. Known for her leadership, mentorship, and mediation skills, she excels in fostering collaboration and driving results. Yolanda has over seven years of
experience leading geographically dispersed teams across South Africa.
Her consulting role primarily focuses on:
- Strategic change management programs
- Regulatory changes and digital transformation
- Works closely with leaders, individuals and teams
Outside of her professional work, Yolanda is passionate about mentorship and community development. She is a Great Girls Youth Pod Mentor, helping young girls make informed decisions about their careers and studies. Additionally, as a Partner for Possibility, Yolanda collaborates with school leaders to drive growth and development. A lifelong learner, Yolanda’s personal interests include running, hiking, animals, and spending time with her family.
RESOURCING MANAGER & COACH
Esme Thwaits
Esme holds a B Soc Science (UCT) ,BA Honours Psychology( UNISA) and Masters in Futures Studies (Stellenbosch University Business School ). She obtained her Certificate in Project Management at the Faculty Training Institute and is a licensed Enneagram Practitioner.
She is currently busy with a M Psychology and additional Internationally recognised Coaching Training.
Life long learning is a key value for her.
Esme has worked as a Recruitment and Selection specialist in the Financial, Banking, Retail, Information Technology, Petroleum, Pharmaceutical and Telecommunications industries as a Key Account Manager and was appointed as the Branch Manager of the Professional Services Division specialising in Project and Programme Management resourcing for a listed IT contracting company before joining Smartsource Change Solutions.
She has mentored at the Stellenbosch Business School in the Small Business Academy and is currently an Industry Mentor at the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation and focused on identifying and maximising (via coaching and monitoring) talented graduate Entrepreneurs in the SADC region. She has also been an Academic Facilitator in the Commerce Faculty at UCT providing academic and psychosocial monitoring of emerging Chartered Accountants on the Kusasa Lethu Programme.
Balancing work with relaxation involves interests in painting, music and, with an avaricious appetite for books (she cannot resist the lure of second-hand books) and does not need any persuasion to travel if the opportunity presents itself. A sense of humour is mandatory as is stimulating conversation on a wide range of topics.
