Welcoming Our New Managing Director
We are thrilled to welcome Dr Judy-Marié van Noordwyk to the Knysna Education Trust team as our new Managing Director. With deep roots in the social sector and a strong academic foundation, Judy-Marié brings a wealth of experience and passion to the role. We asked her a few questions to help our community get to know her better.
Judy-Marié, what excites you about your new role at KET?
In Knysna, KET and KILT are working together to strengthen education from the ground up. Their place-based partnership aligns early learning and schooling, showing how coordinated local efforts can drive real change. Capturing and sharing this approach could help shape a national model for stronger, community-rooted education systems—especially in rural areas.
Where did you work before taking up your new position?
I worked with the DG Murray Trust, which positions itself as a strategic investor and public innovator in South Africa. DGMT fund and incubate social programmes aimed at advancing equality and improving the quality of life for South Africans. My role focused specifically on leading their advocacy work.
What drew you to the early childhood development space specifically?
I want my work to be meaningful—to help drive change that genuinely improves people’s lives. Early childhood development has consistently proven to be one of the most effective strategies for advancing equality, improving health and education outcomes, strengthening the economy, and fostering a safer, more cohesive society.
What is your leadership philosophy?
I do my best to lead with empathy and authenticity—bringing who I am, and all that life has shaped in me to my role as honestly as I can. I hope to offer clarity and simplicity in strategic spaces that often feel complex and overwhelming. Most importantly, my time in civil society has shown me that the most powerful change happens when people are truly acknowledged—when they feel seen, valued, and worthy of someone else’s time and effort. You could call that love, and I believe it belongs at the heart of leadership.
What’s something people might not know about you?
I’m an adventurous foodie—I’ve done the vegan thing, dabbled in vegetarianism for long period, and even flirted with a raw food diet (which is basically just me chewing on a carrot and pretending it’s a warm croissant).
Judy-Marié brings a rare blend of strategic insight, heartfelt leadership, and a deep commitment to justice in education. Her move to KET is more than a career shift—it’s a continuation of a life’s work rooted in impact, empathy, and equity. With her at the helm, and with strong partnerships in place, our vision of transforming education from the earliest years—especially in rural communities—feels not only possible, but powerfully within reach.