Lorato is an early literacy expert who has been working in the field for over twenty years. She has authored several children's books and nonfiction biographies for young adults. Lorato is particularly skilled at creating reading materials for young children that promote reading for enjoyment, especially in African languages.

Lorato’s influence in promoting African languages and early literacy extends far beyond our borders. She has worked across all nine South African provinces, the African continent, and even North America. As a respected thought leader, she has presented papers on early literacy and multilingualism at prestigious venues such as the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., And was instrumental in launching the “Reading Africa'' programme at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, D.C.

Lorato serves on several boards supporting literacy and education initiatives, including the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture Ministerial Book Policy Development Task Team. Her contributions have been acknowledged by Academia.edu, who named and profiled her as one of the 28 Leading Women in African Publishing & the Book Trade in their journal of The African Book Publishing Record Volume 48, Issue 2, in 2022.

Dr Gabrielle Kelly is the Head of Research, Impact and Innovation at Nal’ibali. She has 14 years of experience working in research and programme evaluation in the social development, health, and education sector. She has a PhD in Sociology, an MPhil in Research Methods, a BComm in Politics, Philosophy in Economics and a PGDip in M&E. She has a strong interest in the utilisation of research in advocacy for social change, as well as policy and programme development.  

Bahihah currently serves as the Head of Finance and Operations, overseeing the Finance, Human Resources, and Support Services departments. With three decades of extensive experience in financial accounting, Bahihah boasts a diverse background spanning the higher education, manufacturing, and media sectors. Recognized as a seasoned professional, Bahihah is esteemed for her proficiency in financial analysis, control, reporting, and project management.

During her tenure in the higher education sector, which spanned 15 years (12 at WITS University and 3 at the University of the Western Cape), Bahihah primarily worked in grant-funded research units, where she effectively managed financial and grants administration. Before this, she gained valuable experience in the manufacturing sector, particularly in the automotive industry, refining her skills in project management and financial control.

Bahihah holds an MBA qualification and certifications in project management, management, and supervisory training, underscoring her solid foundation in both academia and practical application. With a proven track record in managing donor funding and multi-grant projects, she brings a comprehensive understanding of financial operations and strategic planning to her current role.

Etienne Bramley is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in the development sector and more than three decades in management. His career is marked by a strong focus on education, particularly in large-scale literacy programmes, as well as  delivering results aligned with funder commitments and excelling in project management. His exceptional communication and presentation abilities have positioned him as a representative for his organisations at both local and international platforms.

A notable highlight of his career includes delivering a vote of support alongside a Provincial Premier and two Ministers during the 2015 national launch of the "16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women and Children. Etienne has extensive experience collaborating with key stakeholders, including government departments of health, social development, and education across national, provincial, and local levels. He also works closely with other NGOs and community stakeholders to drive meaningful change. Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Law and an Executive Certificate in Management at Masters level, Etienne combines academic expertise with practical leadership skills.

Etienne leads the development and implementation of programme management processes, ensuring the successful execution of  initiatives that support organisational growth through fundraising and new programme development. He will also provide strategic leadership to the team, ensuring impactful delivery of projects, strong stakeholder relationships, and alignment with Nal’ibali’s mission and values.

Suri is an award-nominated Media Strategist and an experienced Communication and Marketing professional. She has developed, implemented and managed national and international communication and marketing programs, projects and initiatives for various audiences.

Her vast experience includes Corporate Communication, Health Communication, Media Management, Crisis Communication,  Public Relations, Stakeholder Relations, Sponsorship Management, Digital Transformation, Brand Positioning and Advocacy.

"Communication-without-Borders" is how Suri describes her experience in managing diverse international communication projects in countries such as Ethiopia, Mozambique, Kenya, Botswana, Tanzania, Finland, Spain, Germany, Monaco and here in South Africa. Her industry experience includes ICT, IT, Sports, Media, Medical Research and the Development Sector. She has qualifications in Communication Science, Telecoms MBA, Business Management and Digital Transformation.

Suri is a member of Women in Tech Africa, ONE and Global Citizen.