In order to maintain independent and unbiased judging of the Eco-Logic Awards, The Enviropaedia appoints a panel of 12 independent, highly respected, environmentally conscious executives from a diverse range of occupations and professions to judge the Eco-Logic Award entries using 7 criteria that are the ‘V.I.R.T.U.E.S’ of Eco-Logic.
In 2021, the Judging panel consisted of:
Anton Crone
Anton is the editor of Getaway magazine. After relaunching the publication in 2020, and in line with the growing interest in eco-travel, the Getaway team are focusing more on conservation and the environment and embracing a younger generation of readers. Anton’s background is in travel and community focused journalism, having written and photographed for a variety of publications including Wall Street Journal and Sunday Times, and non profit organisations such as Operation Smile.
Yolan Friedmann
Yolan is the CEO of the Endangered Wildlife Trust, one of the largest conservation NGOs in southern Africa. Yolan’s academic qualifications include an MSc in Environmental Studies, a BA in Communications and English, a Management Development Diploma from GIBS (UP) and a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing. Yolan was the first female recipient of the SAB Nick Steele Environmentalist of the Year Award, the winner of the CEO Most Influential Woman in Business and Environment Award in the Environmental Category, recipient of the 2012 Green Globe Award, is a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society, a Board member of the Tourism Conservation Fund, and was a Regional Councillor on the IUCN Council for 4 years.
Kevin James
Kevin is an eco-entrepreneur focused 100% on unlocking green economy opportunities. He is also a sustainability professional with deep experience in strategic corporate sustainability as well as in the development of green, low carbon projects. In 2006 he founded his most current entrepreneurial venture - Global Carbon Exchange (GCX) with two goals in mind: to create commercial value and to make a positive impact at the same time. Kevin is currently the CEO of GCX, a strategic environmental sustainability and project development company that supports the transformation of large, complex organisation across SA into more responsible and valuable entities through the design and implementation of sustainable business programs. Besides his role at GCX and The Green Building Council South Africa, Kevin is also a Director of OptimusBio a leading, homegrown biotech company developing biological solutions across various fields.
Albi Modise
Albi Modise serves as Chief Director/Head of Communications at the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA). Modise graduated with an Honours degree Journalism and Media Studies from Rhodes University School Journalism. He has worked as a Lecturer at Tshwane University of Technology, also at Government Communications and Information System, State IT Agency and Spokesperson for the national Ministry of Communications.
His responsibilities include overall management of the communications portfolio in the department while also entrusted with spokesperson roles for the department. He has served as the Country Spokesperson during international conferences like international climate change talks, CoP 17 and other similar international conferences. In addition he also Certificate in Telecommunications Policy from Wits University and General Management Programme from Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS).
Lumka Poswayo
Lumka Poswayo has a background in Geography and Environmental Studies. She is the Senior Project Manager for Pick n Pay Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability division. Her expertise lies in the business of sustainability. She is the manager for Pick n Pay School Club; an educational programme supporting over 3000 schools with educational content aligned with CAPS, environmental literacy, healthy living and education. Lumka is also involved in Environmental Social Governance (ESG) reporting with different stakeholders. Her other focus areas include CSR projects, corporate governance, marketing, social media management and digital marketing & communication, environmental projects in climate change, ethical sourcing with SEDEX, Better Cotton Initiatives and SIZA.
Nancy Richards
Nancy Richards is an independent journalist, born London, based Cape Town, with experience on radio and in print. As a radio presenter, areas of specialisation included shows on literature, the environment and ‘women’s issues’. In print she’s covered environmental matters, books and literature, lifestyle, travel, art and décor amongst other things. She has a podcast called Books Stories People and is founder of an NPO: Woman Zone in Cape Town. She’s author/co-author of Beautiful Homes: as featured in Fairlady magazine; Woman Today - 50 years of South African women on radio; Being a Woman in Cape Town: Telling your story and The Skipper’s Daughter. She’s also a speaker and media trainer.
Vincent Shacks
Vince is a member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission and the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas. He has worked throughout Southern Africa with national governments, private sector and community based organisations in the management and planning of nature based tourism. Vince worked as a researcher and independent consultant in the Okavango Delta for over a decade and has also carried out biodiversity survey work in Mozambique, Madagascar and Angola to assist governments with the setup and planning of new protected areas. He is currently the General Manager of the Ecotourism unit at the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) which oversees the Blue Flag, Green Coast and Green Key eco-labels, as well as the management of national youth development projects.
Georgina Smit
Georgina Smit is Head of Technical at the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA), overseeing certification and research related products that drive the property sector to design, build and operate buildings in a more sustainable way. She manages the Technical Team at the GBCSA who are responsible for independently certifying green buildings and identifying market leaders. Her daily responsibilities include driving market transformation through certification which can verify tangible, quantifiable impacts and providing customer-focused technical support to all stakeholders engaging with the GBCSA, both in the private and public sector.
Kate Stubbs
Kate Stubbs is the current Group Business Development and Marketing Director for the Interwaste Group which forms part Séché Environnement, a leading international environmental solutions business. She has held various executive positions in marketing, sales, strategy and communications over the last 20 years, predominantly working for Supply Chain, Logistics and Waste Management companies serving a broad range of industries. Her experience has enabled her to work with diverse local and international teams and she thrives in complex, intellectually stimulating environments. Some of her successes have been in creating and building new brands, achieving growth strategies and assisting with the integration of many acquisitions. She is passionate about developing sustainable solutions for businesses that are not only economically viable but which are socially conscious and protect our environment for future generations. Kate holds a BCom Business Management degree and has completed Leadership and Executive Development programmes through the GIBS business school.
Joanne Yawitch
Joanne Yawitch has been the Chief Executive Officer of the National Business Initiative (NBI) since March 2011, having previously been Deputy Director General for Climate Change in the Department of Environmental Affairs with responsibility for Environmental Quality and Protection, as well as for the Department’s Climate Change work. Joanne worked for the Gauteng Department of Environment from 1997 to 2004 and prior to that was Special Adviser to the then Minister of Land Affairs. Joanne is currently the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of South African National Parks and is a Board Member of SAFCOL as well as the Chair of their Social and Ethics Committee. In 2020, Joanne was appointed as a Member of The Inaugural Presidential Climate Change Coordinating Commission (PCCCC). The Commission advises on South Africa’s just transition to a low-carbon, inclusive, climate change resilient economy and society, as well as provides guidance on matters of adaptation and mitigation. Joanne´s expertise lies within business and sustainability, business and government collaboration, climate change and climate change negotiations.