Creative Generalist. Strategic Thinker. Innovator. Social Impact Communicator. Visual Storyteller

Odendaal has extensive experience working with philanthropic organisations around the world to strengthen their programmes and communicate their impact more effectively. He brings this expertise to Convive, where he uses storytelling to enhance learning experiences and produce engaging content for learning journeys.

Odendaal started his career as a filmmaker, working with philanthropic organisations to tell stories about their work. He later developed his storytelling practice into the design of learning experiences that upskill un- and underemployed youth and connect them with economic opportunities. Today, he offers a wide range of services to philanthropic organisations as a communications consultant, learning experience designer and creative producer.

For more than a decade, Odendaal has worked in the non-profit sector as a consultant and freelancer. His projects have spanned early childhood development in India and Nigeria, empathy development in the USA, violence prevention in Africa, and youth development in South Africa. He also held a leadership role at a non-profit organisation for four years, giving him valuable insight into how philanthropic organisations operate. Today, his clients include Stockholm University, the DG Murray Trust, Better World Education, SmartStart, the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the University of Cape Town, and many others.

Odendaal currently loves learning about:

• How to communicate effectively for philanthropic goals

• How to boost learning experiences with storytelling elements

• How to use AI effectively and ethically