Alumna Carol’s story is a powerful reminder of how the foundations we build in our youth can shape a lifetime of achievement. Her journey from (St) Bede’s to a celebrated career in the high-stakes world of bids and proposals is a testament to the confidence and curiosity she first cultivated here. It’s inspiring to see how she has not only excelled in her field but has also become a leader who elevates the entire profession, all while proudly representing Africa on a global stage. Let’s hear from Carol about her journey…

It feels special to share my story with the (St) Bede’s community, a place that helped shape the confidence and curiosity that I have carried with me ever since. Looking back, the years since I left have been filled with growth, challenges, and achievements that have defined who I am today.

When I reflect on my journey, what stands out most is a career that has grown and evolved over 25 years in the specialised field of bids and proposals. It is a discipline that demands both precision and creativity — and it has given me immense purpose. Throughout this journey, I have had the privilege of helping organisations across industries secure major contracts by turning complex requirements into submissions that are not only compliant but also compelling and strategically positioned to win.

My return to Zambia gave me the space to grow and prepare for the career that awaited me in South Africa. It was there that my professional path truly began to take shape. I was fortunate to work with some of South Africa’s largest and most respected institutions, as well as global blue-chip companies. Nedbank and Standard Bank are two of South Africa’s big four banks, where competition for major deals is fierce and high-value bids require meticulous management. Accenture is one of the world’s leading consulting firms, and SAP is the global market leader in enterprise IT solutions. In these organisations, I honed my ability to lead large, multi-stakeholder bids across sectors such as finance, consulting, and technology.

One of my success stories came during my time at Standard Bank, where I managed a highly complex submission spanning 14 African countries and more than 60 stakeholders. This effort not only resulted in a significant win but also earned me the Mark of Excellence Award, recognising the leadership, resilience, and discipline I brought to the process.

After this period, I returned to Zambia and co-founded Mapinduzi Management Consultancy, where I partnered with non-profits and SMEs. My focus was on funding acquisition, donor reporting, and proposal development. This work was deeply rewarding as it showed me how powerful well-structured proposals could be in unlocking opportunities for smaller organisations, amplifying their voices, and securing resources that created tangible change in communities.

I returned to South Africa and took on the role of Senior Proposal Manager at nFold — Africa’s first and only APMP® Authorised Training Organisation. This role allows me to combine delivery with influence: on one hand, I lead billion-rand pursuits across industries such as energy, transport, and IT; on the other, I contribute to raising standards of practice in the profession across the continent. nFold is unique because it not only supports clients to win contracts but also trains and mentors professionals, positioning African organisations to compete successfully on the global stage.

In 2025, my career reached another milestone when I was honoured to be chosen as the only African to present at the APMP Bid & Proposal International Conference in Nashville, USA. This is the largest gathering of proposal professionals worldwide, with more than 1,300 delegates. To represent Africa on that stage was both a personal highlight and a proud moment in showcasing the calibre of expertise emerging from our continent.

As I share this with the (St) Bede’s family, I am reminded of how important those early foundations were. They gave me the courage to follow an international path, the strength to thrive in demanding environments, and the confidence to pursue excellence. It is a privilege to reconnect with you all and to reflect on how far that journey has carried me.

Carol’s remarkable journey highlights the profound impact one person can have, whether it’s securing billion-rand contracts or empowering smaller organisations to create change. Her success is a point of pride for our community and a powerful example for current students and alumni alike. We are grateful to Carol for sharing her story with us and look forward to celebrating her future achievements.

House: Dorter, 1996