JOANNE SMOLLAN Joanne graduated with an Honours degree (cum laude) at Wits University, where she achieved the Dean’s Merit Award for Top Student in a Professional Degree and the Phillips Medal for Most Outstanding Graduand.

She completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration at Wits Business School, where she was awarded the Executive Women’s Club Scholarship. Subsequently, Joanne has completed executive courses at the Gordon Institute of Business Science and at Harvard Business School.

Joanne joined AFGEM (now TanzaniteOne), a listed mining company, in February 2000 and was appointed Corporate Affairs Director in July 2002. She started the Walnut Office in March 2004.

Joanne is passionate about teaching and mentoring and has lectured at the University of Johannesburg, as well as at various conferences and seminars. Joanne is also a certified Executive Coach and partakes in volunteer mentoring for high-potential/low-resource graduates.

She is married and has two beautiful boys.

In her spare time, Joanne loves doing crosswords. She has done 2 crosswords in the last 5 years.

	CLAUDIA BOLON Claudia graduated with a BA (Hons) in Dramatic Art from Wits University, where she was a member of the Golden Key Honours Society for academic achievement. She went on to complete a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration at Wits Business School, where she was selected for the Dean’s list for academic merit.

Claudia worked in Account Management at Cross Colours Consultancy/Advertising Agency, managing the Nando’s account, Coca- Cola (in partnership with Nando’s) and Cunningham Lindsey accounts. Claudia also spent some time training in the strategy department at TBWA, working predominantly on the Tiger Brands account.

Claudia is a creative and passionate person with a strong desire to make a meaningful and inventive contribution in all her endeavours. She enjoys interior decorating, baking, dancing and singing.

Claudia joined the Walnut Office in September 2010.

	CARLI GOLDBLUM Carli has a BCom degree in Marketing Management from The University of Johannesburg and an Honours degree in Strategic Brand Leadership from VEGA, where she graduated in the Top 5 students for her thesis on Emotional Branding.

Carli is passionate about giving back to the community. She has interned at Reach for a Dream and is a founding member of Friends of Parent and Child, a charity started by Carli and her peers. 

A strong-willed, dedicated, inquisitive and creative person, Carli is also a proud dog lover who loves photography, mosaicing and travelling - particularly to the game reserve.

	SAMANTHA MATOS Samantha graduated from Calder School of Interior Design with a Diploma in Interior Design & Decorating. She worked previously at Webber Wentzel Attorneys as a Learning and Development Coordinator, assisting with training of attorneys and business support staff.

Prior to that, Sam worked at Kwelanga Training as a Training Coordinator. She is currently completing her accreditation as a Skills Development Facilitator.

Sam is married and mother of a gorgeous boy, and adoptive mother of six pets. She loves to be active and when she has the time, she is an avid cyclist and golfer.