Steven Levy, International Program Development

Steven, an energetic, slightly over-caffeinated American who moved to Cape Town and then to Buenos Aires with his South African wife and Russian cat, launched Connect-123 in South Africa after ten years of starting and running various businesses in Moscow, London, and San Francisco. While working in finance and venture capital in Cape Town, Steven realized that thousands of local organizations could use the help of skilled, international students and that thousands of international students and professionals could benefit from an emerging market work experience. He developed Connect-123′s experiential learning programs to help students build their international work experience while simultaneously earning university credit. Steven holds a BA in Political Science from Cornell University and an MBA from London Business School.

Lea Levy, International Program Development

Lea, who studied Fine Arts at the University of Stellenbosch, started her career as a game lodge manager in the Sabi Sands. After being offered an internship in Moscow with a top PR and communications consulting firm, she packed her winter coat and ended up working in Russia for three years with top international FMCG brands. During this time of newfound capitalism and opportunity, she also discovered her skills as a networker! However, her love for South Africa led her home, where she worked in marketing, advertising, and trend forecasting. Lea has a natural ability to understand and match organizations’ needs with applicants’ skills.

Eimear Costigan, South Africa Program Director

Understanding why people seek new and meaningful experiences overseas is easy for Eimear. While completing her languages degree at university in Dublin, she spent summers working in France, Spain and the UK, and studied at the University of Bordeaux for a year. Her previous role as an international Marketing Manager for a US multi-national took her to North America and all over Europe, while her itchy feet took her to Central America and Japan in her spare time. Eimear gets a real kick out of matching the right person to the right opportunity – and loves seeing interns fall under Cape Town’s spell, just as she has done.

Carolina Jacob, Account Manager, Argentina

Carolina, who studied psychology at the University of Buenos Aires, completed several health care-related internships at local public hospitals as part of her degree.  She has a diverse set of interests, having worked not only in mental health, but also as a teacher and tour guide, organizing artistic and historic tours of Buenos Aires.  Through her varied work experiences, she’s realized that she enjoys most helping others to experience all that Argentina has to offer, from organizing hands-on internship and volunteer projects to providing advice about where to go on the weekends!

Mariana Lods, Account Manager, Argentina

Mariana studied Political Science yet her professional life has taken her on many different paths. From networking in a multinational broadcasting company, to working in an Argentine presidential election (and actually being nominated as one of the youngest deputy candidates!), to setting up and running a travel agency based on sustainable development, Mariana has been busy! When she’s not working, her love of traveling has taken her to volunteer, explore and discover different cultures around the world including extensive traveling around Latin America, the Middle East and her all time favorite African tour. In Buenos Aires, Mariana will be with you at every step of your experience to make it one you will surely remember!

Danielle Surprenant, Child Life Program Director, South Africa

Danielle’s work and education has always involved children and families. From being the oldest of five to coaching, teaching, summer camps, and after school programs, Danielle has always enjoyed being in the company of children. After graduating from Wheelock College (Boston, MA USA) with a degree in Human Development, Danielle began work as a child life specialist at a pediatric hospital in Boston. Danielle’s work as a child life specialist enables her to bring out the child in each patient. For her, there is no more rewarding profession. This work, paired with her love for travel, made the decision to come to Cape Town to lead Connect-123’s Child Life Program an easy one. And with so much to see and do in Cape Town, Danielle is able to play just as hard as she works.

Gabby Kelly, Account Manager, South Africa

Gabby studied a BCom in Politics, Philosophy and Economics before doing a post-graduate in Marketing Management, both at the University of Cape Town. Originally from the Eastern Cape, she has adopted Cape Town as her home because it’s the home of great wine, fantastic people and a mindblowingly beautiful mountain. Gabby started her career at a glossy magazine, but her work at a local prison tutoring inmates changed her perspective and she is happy now facilitating similarly eye-opening experiences for other people.

Kelly Hendricks, Operations Coordinator, South Africa

Kelly, a die- hard ambassador for her mother city of Cape Town studied PR Management at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. After completing her studies she started her career at a local NGO facilitating volunteer experiences for international students in disadvantaged areas around the Western Cape. A role which later saw her manage both British and German government funded volunteer initiatives, providing a platform for cultural exchange, global learning and assisting with various developmental issues in South Africa. In an increasing globalised learning and working environment, Kelly has experienced firsthand the impact and significance of international work and volunteer experiences and how they add valuable skills and life long memories to those who are up for the challenge!

Mary Fife, Account Manager, South Africa

Mary is a born and bred Capetonian. She studied Business Science Marketing at the University of Cape Town during which time she travelled to New York City for an internship opportunity at the South African Chamber of Commerce. It was through this experience that she realized the value that the support offered by an organization like Connect-123 can bring to an international internship experience. Having taught English in South Korea, volunteered at a South African school, and worked at a multi-national corporation, she has developed a strong interest in people and how their individual experiences affect who they are. Her travel experience has given her renewed appreciation for the beautiful city she calls home along with a strong desire for others to share her passion and respect for Cape Town!

Melanie Martin, Account Manager, South Africa

Melanie, who left the grey of England to study in the even greyer and wetter Ireland, moved to Cape Town to find the sunshine and try her hand at marketing, having dabbled in magazine production and advertising. She worked in conjunction with a design agency, promoting and marketing a brand management system, and used her powers of persuasion to secure a buyout of the company. Melanie has traveled widely and spent time volunteering in Mozambique, Sri Lanka and Guatemala. She has now, like so many, fallen in love with Cape Town. Being a tourist herself she enjoys the simple pleasures of discovering new hidden gems, be it a delicious eatery, funky bar, or breathtaking view, and Cape Town continues to blow her away. Her love of people and the City make her ‘match-making’ job at Connect-123 ideal.