Vision
Living soils,
thriving farms,
honest products.
Mission
To support farmers in their transition towards regenerative agriculture, and help buyers access high-quality, ethical products.
Values
Adaptability
We’re flexible. Every landscape and every farmer is different, so every approach is tailor-made. We’re constantly tweaking and adjusting as we go.
Honesty
We build trusting partnerships. All our relationships are grounded in transparency and mutual-respect.
Courage
We’re adventurous. We’re not afraid to try things that have not been tried before, or go where others fear to tread.
Humility
We know we don’t have all the answers. We depend on the insight and cooperation of our partners to create the best solutions possible.
Openness
We’re in this together. We are receptive to new ideas, and we share what we learn so others can profit from our experience.
Fairness
We seek balance and equity. All our partners must feel justly served.
Origins
While cycling through China and Southeast Asia, Thekla Teunis was struck by the erratic state of agricultural lands in one of Earth’s most fertile regions. Some were vibrant and thriving and existing in harmony with nature, while others were taxed and over-utilized, leaching from the ecosystem at large. After weeks of witnessing this contrast, it was clear that deterioration was a choice – not an inevitability. In 2014 Thekla teamed up with Commonland, an organization dedicated to the large-scale restoration of degraded landscapes. The following year, Thekla met Gijs Boers in Zambia. A passionate advocate of regenerative farming, Gijs had spent the previous three years traveling the world to work with farmers and study best practices. With a shared vision for sustainable agriculture and a kindred spirit of adventure, the two teamed up to help farmers restore their soils, hoping this would also promote fairer economies and more robust food systems. Grounded was born.
Impact
The way traditional agricultural value chains are organised too often leads to impoverished farmers and degraded landscapes. Grounded was established to build a different system, one to regenerate the land and reward producers fairly. Where do we start? In the middle. Grounded partners with agri-processing companies. These companies are a pivotal leverage point in the food system, perfectly positioned in the value chain, and with the economic heft to generate tangible impact on the ground. Read more about our impact in our latest impact report.
Team
Thekla
Teunis
Managing Partner
Passionate about building sustainable farming interventions that are reinforced with for-profit principles, Thekla’s background in strategy consulting equipped her to guide Grounded’s practical method and vision.
Gijs
Boers
Managing Partner
With a strong financial background and a pragmatic, pioneering temperament, Gijs drives the team with business development, modeling and structuring investments.
Inge
Lok
Chief Operating Officer
With a diverse commercial background across emerging and developed markets, Inge is well-placed to support Grounded operationally and drive sustainable growth across the group.
Danielle
Petersen
Financial Management
A background in auditing and a passion for numbers, Dani adeptly supports all our subsidiaries as well as the Grounded group with financial projections and management.
Renée
Engelsman
New Business Development
With a background in management and strategy consulting, and international experience in agricultural value chain optimisation, Renee supports the Grounded team with organisational direction and spearheads new initiatives in East Africa.
Stephie
Mendelsohn
Head of Impact & Business Developer
Drawing from experience working across Southern and Eastern Africa and her passion for understanding and improving ecological and socio-economic systems, Stephie drives Grounded’s impact outcomes, coordinates Grounded’s regenerative agriculture support function and supports new business development.
Eric
Fishel
Company Manager – Trianon
Given his experience in financial investments, Eric brings a unique perspective to Grounded. His passion for international business, entrepreneurship and regenerative agriculture positions him well to to support the Trianon Group.
Gail
Malcomess
Head of Legal & Business Developer
With a strong legal and strategic background in impact investments and development, Gail supports the Grounded group with legal structures, challenges and negotiations.
Daniel
Fourie
Regenerative Agriculture Specialist & Company Manager – The Langkloof Honeybush Company
With a background in biochemistry and microbiology, Daniel is Grounded’s soil quality expert. He works closely with the teams and farmers in the landscapes to develop ways to implement regenerative agriculture. Daniel also manages the Langkloof Honeybush Company.
Michelle
Awuor
Regenerative Agriculture Specialist – East Africa
Michelle is passionate about soil, has a background in integrated soil fertility management and many years of experience providing technical agronomy support. Michelle works closely with the teams and farmers from our Operating Companies to develop ways to implement regenerative agriculture.
Ahmed
Aziz
Financial Accountant
Ahmed is a passionate finance professional with a background in building and overseeing finance departments. He works with the finance team to support the Grounded Group’s financial operations.
John
Huckle
Bookkeeper & Financial Administrator
A background in bookkeeping, financial administration and fundraising assistance, serious attention to detail and a love of numbers, John is well-placed to support our finance team across the Grounded group.
Susan
Dreyer
Logistics
Specializing in exports and imports, Susan is a logistics magician. She is responsible for arranging shipments from the landscapes to destinations, according to buyers’ requirements.
Glenda
Kayster
People Management
With a strong background in labor relations and capacity development, Glenda brings her expertise to Grounded as our HR specialist. Her primary focus is to ensure that every individual within our company thrives in their respective roles and spaces.
Operating Companies Management
Grounded Ingredients
Elzanne
Singels
Sourcing Director
Elzanne’s heart lies with local, natural ingredients. With a PhD in the prehistoric use of indigenous plants, she offers insight into the environmentally sustainable cultivation and production of indigenous plant extracts. Elzanne manages all things related to Grounded Ingredients on the African continent.
Jenny
Willis
Sourcing Manager
Jenny is an avid marketer, communicator and a food systems specialist, with a particular passion for agrobiodiversity, underutilised species and the use of traditional ecological knowledge. Jenny is responsible for the supplier-relationships at Grounded Ingredients.
Jochum
Beetsma
Commercial Director
Passionate about contributing to a sustainable and fair food sector, Jochum draws on his management and strategy consulting experience (and multiple business and public policy qualifications) to drive the commercial side of Grounded Ingredients.
Siphe
Dlikilili
Quality Control Coordinator
As an experienced food scientist with expertise in food quality, systems implementation and maintaining food safety standards in the tea Industry, Siphe coordinates all things related to quality.
Operating Companies Management
The Honeybush Company
Donovan
Brunette
Managing Director
With 15 years in the Langkloof and 12 in honeybush, Donovan is absolutely passionate about developing the honeybush industry and preserving the precious landscape in which it grows naturally. A devoted family man, he leads a team he considers extended family.
Martinette
Brunette
Office Manager
Leveraging her 22 years of experience as a business owner, Maritnette oversees supplier relations, staff, and administrative tasks. Her passion for indigenous wellness and preserving African heritage shines through her dedication to promoting honeybush tea’s unique qualities.
Jo-Anne
Fourie
Sales and Marketing Manager
Drawing on her background in food sector sales, marketing & administration, Jo-Anne is instrumental in driving local and international sales. Her ability to connect with customers and understand their needs is key to building lasting partnerships worldwide.
Liesl
Joubert
Food Safety & Quality Manager
With a deep commitment to food safety, Liesl meticulously establishes and implements food safety and quality systems that adhere to international standards.
Cleston
van der Rost
Nursery management
Backed by a decade of experience working in the honeybush industry, Cleston is co-manager of the seedling nursery in the Langkloof. He continues to innovate techniques to produce the best quality seedlings.
Denovan
Matick
Nursery management
Novan got excited about honeybush early on in life, and now has ten years experience in the industry. As co-manager of the seedling nursery, he continues to refine the growing processes, while taking a keen interest in the crop’s business potential.
Simalaha I.F.C. (Incubator Farm Company)
Derrick
Mwiinga
CEO
With almost a decade of leadership experience in the Agriculture industry, Derrick is CEO for the Simalaha I.F.C. Derrick is responsible for directing and managing the I.F.C’s business activities, developing and implementing effective strategies and programs.
Muunga
Habenzu
Farm Manager
Trained in agriculture and social work, Muunga is the Farm Manager for the Simalaha I.F.C. He coordinates, liaises with and supports all the farmers that are part of the company, manages inputs and production, and supports with the sale of fresh produce.
Nakamwi
Manze
Business Manager
Trained in agribusiness management & cooperative development, Nakamwi is the Business Manager for the Simalaha I.F.C. She is responsible for company administration, HR, and a range of processes to ensure smooth internal operations and farmer support.
