Supporting organisations and leaders working for environmental and social change
About Elements
Helping NGOs, environmental organisations and partnerships strengthen governance, resilience, relationships and community-facing systems in complex conservation and social-impact contexts.
Elements Africa aims to help organisations strengthen resilience, navigate social and organisational challenges, and build healthier relationships, systems and ways of working.
We focus on translating organisational commitments into practical approaches that strengthen participation, accountability and the capacity of organisations and communities to achieve lasting change.
Our work sits at the intersection of:
• environmental and social safeguards,
• governance and organisational resilience,
• stakeholder and community engagement,
• facilitation, training and coaching,
• community-led conservation,
• conflict sensitivity,
• and systems and capacity building.
We work collaboratively and relationally, combining technical expertise with reflective practice, adaptive learning and a deep understanding of the human dynamics that shape organisational and conservation outcomes.
Founder: Simone Dale
Safeguarding, Governance & Organisational Resilience | Stakeholder Engagement | Community-Led & Conflict-Sensitive Conservation | Coach & Facilitator
Supporting change-makers to change the world
For more than 20 years, I have worked in the environmental and NGO sectors across organisational leadership, environmental and social safeguards, governance, stakeholder and community engagement, operations, project management, learning and development, communications, fundraising, and donor and partner relations. Much of my work has focused on the interface between organisational systems, community realities and the relationships needed to deliver lasting environmental and social outcomes.
I am at my best when helping organisations and change-makers navigate complex organisational and relational challenges. I use relational and systems-informed approaches to strengthen governance, organisational systems, partnerships and community engagement. I am particularly interested in community-led conservation, safeguarding, conflict sensitivity and the structures that strengthen community voice, participation, accountability and access to opportunities and resources.
A central focus of my work is supporting more socially inclusive and equitable approaches within conservation and environmental initiatives - particularly through strengthening participation, safeguarding, gender equity, and community engagement in ways that support both environmental integrity and human wellbeing.
I am also passionate about developing emerging leaders within the sector, environmental peacebuilding, partnership-based approaches to change, and the deeper inner work needed to sustain meaningful social and environmental transformation.
I have a Masters in Philosophy (Management Coaching), cum laude, from the University of Stellenbosch Business School and a Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
In my spare time, I enjoy walking in nature with my dogs, wild water swimming, baking, writing, reading, hiking, meditation, travelling to wonderous places, and slouching on the couch with Netflix.
Elements Associates
"Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much" ~ Helen Keller
Elements Africa works collaboratively with a diverse network of associates and partners who bring complementary experience, perspectives, and specialist expertise across the environmental and social-impact sector.
We believe strongly in collaboration, relationship-based practice, and drawing together the right combination of skills and people to support each project well. Where needed, we partner with additional consultants, facilitators, or specialist teams to ensure organisations receive thoughtful, context-appropriate support tailored to their unique needs.
Our Associates page is currently in development - watch this space.
