Ezlyn Barends is currently reading towards a Masters of Business Administration at Henley Business School.

Previously, she completed a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and a Higher Diploma in Marketing Communications.

She launched her marketing and communications career in 2005 where she worked on several blue chip clients, including Soft Sheen Carson, L’Oreal Paris and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

After spending five years working in the advertising, events and publicity arenas, in July 2010, she decided to follow her true passion and purpose in life – youth education, development and entrepreneurship.

Her personal business goal is to build high impact, financially sustainable social businesses that will serve as a vehicle to educate and empower the youth to become positive contributing members of an economically thriving country and continent.

Fuelled by a burning desire to expose underprivileged youth to a wealth of opportunities, she established the Dad Fund alongside her father in 2009. Ezlyn currently serves as the Managing Director of the Dad Fund and a Partner & Marketing Director for Mathemaniacs, a Maths, Science and Accounting tutoring company.

Through the Dad Fund, she launched the South Africa chapter of an influential girl education and empowerment program, called the DreamGirls International Outreach and Mentoring Program, of which she is the President.

She also serves on the organizing committee of Enablis Entrepreneurship Women’s Network & Forum (EWNF).

She is an avid traveler and enjoys reading, nature, and outdoors.

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