Where passion meets vision.
Meet our leadership team...the architects of the Feel Good Factor.
Founder and Managing Director
Stefanie found her passion for marketing while building her e-commerce store and clothing brand back in 2017. She went on to complete an array of different courses and qualifications in both Social Media and Digital Marketing. After spending some time as the Social Media Marketing Manager of Chas Everitt Real Estate, she partnered with a well know South African, women-founded agency finding her passion for strategy, specifically integrated and brand strategy.
With this passion sparked a business idea, and the rest is history! Stefanie now works closely with our agency partners and core team on an array of different global and local brands while focusing on expanding the business as well as on her clothing brand, XO Period Wear.
Recently, Stefanie has been featured in BizCommunity and other platforms for her thought leadership on storytelling in marketing. She is also known for her stance on women empowerment as a speaker at many women's focused events as well as through The Shift Podcast which she co-created and co-hosts alongside Jacky Merola.
Insights & Strategy Director
Jacky is a passionate marketer and strategist with a flair for turning consumer insights into brand magic, especially in the fast-paced world of FMCG. Armed with a Masters in Research Psychology from the University of the Witwatersrand, she’s no stranger to digging deep into what makes people tick. She believes that the concept of value is at the heart of today’s consumer decisions, and is more important than ever in driving loyalty and brand love.
Jacky is all about creating meaningful connections between brand purpose and consumer truth, making sure that these relationships aren’t just transactional—they're transformational.
Business & Project Management Director
Hester is a highly respected strategic and project management leader with over 20 years of experience across global and local markets. She’s led successful campaigns and multi-channel projects for top-tier brands including Old Mutual, Diageo, Danone, Shell, Emirates, and Telkom, working both client-side and within some of South Africa’s most awarded agencies.
Known for her calm leadership and sharp problem-solving, Hester blends strategic thinking with operational excellence, ensuring big ideas are delivered on time, on budget, and beyond expectation. Her experience spans brand, comms, shopper, activations, digital, and internal comms, making her a true all-rounder with deep industry insight.