Sareta Thomas

Career Synopsis

Operational Executive and Senior Financial Professional with 21 years International and National NGO experience.  Collaboration across cultural lines and understand the importance of having flexibility to alternative approaches. Able to work on own initiative and as part of a team. Proven leadership skills managing, developing and motivating teams to achieve objectives and first-class analytical, evaluation and problem-solving skills.

I have a degree in financial accounting from the University of Pretoria (SA) and worked with commercial accounting firms in the UK before returning to South Africa to manage the finances of large INGO’s national and regional offices.

I previously worked with legacy Mango and is a Humentum Associate since 2004. I was Humentum’s Regional Director, Africa from 2018 to 2023, with key responsibilities to ensure clients have access to Humentum’s services and products; developing and maintaining relationships;  building a community with Humentum’s key stakeholders in Africa. I was also responsible for Humentum’s trainings and consultancies within Africa. I transition back to being a Consultant as from March 2023.

As a senior consultant I am well qualified and experienced in running various different trainings and consultancies and has over the last 21 years delivered more than 200 training courses. My experience includes consultancies for NGO staff and local partners in more than 48 African, Caribbean, US, UK, Europe,  Asia  and Pacific countries.

I have a real passion for NGO capacity building and strengthening, has mentored many non-profit organizations to be more effective and to become financially sustainable.My experience has taught me that to be successful, 3 key principles need to underline the approach:

• Trust - Invest in & Build the Relationship with the organisation
• Involve the whole Organisation – leadership needs to actively support the initiative and allow change to happen.
• Focus on Development of the Organisation (holistic approach) - ensure the fundamentals are in place which allows donor compliance as well as promoting accountability and transparency.

I supported the establishment of two social enterprises in Ethiopia and Sudan, specializing in NGO Financial Management over the last couple of years. In July 2024 I  will be launching a new training company specialicing in NGO trainings called FR=SH, Financial Resilience equals Sustainable Habits, working with local consultants in Africa who understand the local context.

As a senior professional I have successfully integrated my leadership and management skills with my consultancy and training experience. I am able to apply this in supporting organisations to strengthening their capacity in financial management, financial sustainability, governance and accountability on the road to becoming more resilient. I have practical experience in auditing, finance, fundraising and corporate marketing in the NGO, commercial and public sector.

NGO EXPERIENCE

• Design & Implementing financial / internal  control systems                                                          
• Financial, Grant & Strategic Management                                 
• Financial Sustainability & Resource Mobilization                        
• Supportive & Strategic Management                                          
• Fraud Investigation                                                                                 
• Sub Grantee Management Processes                                       
• Social Enterprises
• Financial, Grant & Strategic Management Training
• Due Diligence  & Internal Auditing
• Capacity Building: Training; Consulting; Mentoring and Coaching
• Financial & Management Accounting
• Management & Donor reporting
• Partner & Organizational Assessment
• Leadership

CORPORATE EXPERIENCE

Corporation of London – Tower Bridge

• Financial Management

Business Owner – Cherry on the Top Events / Lievland Wedding & Events Venue

• Events Coordinator
• Operational & Strategic Management
• Financial Management
• System Design
• Fundraising

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

As a passionate individual and a go-getter I do believe, “The sky is the limit”, you need to work hard for your destiny and what you want out of life, I am a believer that you need to create your own pathway for success.

I believe in clear, measurable and inspiring objectives. But I also understand that due to disparities between the developed and developing countries, objectives can still be achieved using various approaches.  Working across the world has helped me to be flexible in my approach and still achieve strategic objectives. I have successfully implemented various strategic financial objectives with Humentum, Mango, Save the Children UK and South Africa Red Cross, and many more (see CV) by working with the clients, partners, staff and building their capacity we managed to reach the objectives together.

My passion for training and empowering has been fulfilled with all the training I have done for legacy Mango and Humentum. I have done much training over the last 21 years and have received above average for all of them.  You can only run a successful team if you empower your team with knowledge and support.  I believe that it is important to work together, building trust, have respect for each other and have open communication channels. Supporting the leaders and my peers in an organization also added to my success in the organizations which I have been involved in.

Running a business and doing financial consulting work requires time management.  Planning is essential as well as risk management. Innovation and improving is also imperative. I believe I can make a great impact, by having an in depth understanding of non-government organisations in a global environment, by providing guidance, tools and training and sharing best practice. I have a proven track record of empowering, inspiring and leading people, globally.

Main professional skills:

• Leadership and management skills, motivates colleagues to follow their passion.
• Combines training skills with analytical and consultancy skills
• Experienced finance trainer for NGOs with extensive experience in Africa and Asia.
• Management and marketing skills learned in large organisations and through running own businesses.
• As a qualified accountant, experienced in financial management of NGOs operating in the humanitarian aid and development sector.
• Very strong organisational skills and attention to detail
• Capacity building of civil societies, non-government organisations and financial individuals – advances mentoring and coaching skills in the development world.
• Entrepreneurial skills, running of own businesses and supporting others to set-up Social Enterprises.