Tracy Winde – Founder
Tracy Winde is a social entrepreneur, advocate, and the founder of Heartshine, an NGO translating the insights of neuroscience into practical classroom practices. Driven by the core belief that “we cannot teach reading to a child whose biology tells them they aren’t safe”, Tracy works to embed trauma-informed, body-based somatic practices into early childhood development and school environments.
Her path began with a Performing Arts degree, sparking a lifelong interest in the therapeutic power of creative expression and inner resourcing. Years of personal mindfulness practice, combined with volunteering in a children’s hospice and end-of-life care, deeply shaped her understanding of trauma and human resilience.
After witnessing the stark realities facing under-resourced communities, Tracy founded Heartshine in 2022 to tackle an often-overlooked barrier to learning: nervous system dysregulation. Today, she serves as a strategic convener—bringing together education authorities, practitioners, and partners to transform classrooms from environments of survival into safe spaces where children can truly thrive.
Mary George – Board Member
Qualified chartered accountant, certified director and equity markets professional. Wide ranging experience at board level including roles as chair focusing on the education, pharmaceutical and philanthropy sectors. Passionate about children’s healthcare and education. Married with three children.
Bushra Razack – Board Member
Community development specialist focussing on stakeholder engagement who has worked across Africa on various global initiatives. Currently Bushra is the CEO of Philippi Village near Cape Town, an integrative development hub.
Helga Pheiffer – Board Member
With over 20 years as corporate counsel in commercial property and financial services, Helga combines legal expertise with a focus on risk mitigation and governance. A non-practicing attorney, she helps organisations navigate complex regulations and ensure compliance. She is also the founder of SteelTree LRC, a consultancy specialising in legal, risk and compliance management.
Dorcas Dube – Board Member
An experienced and purpose-driven executive with over a decade of leading impactful social development programmes across Africa and beyond. Deeply committed to community upliftment and education, she brings expertise in Corporate Governance, Community Engagement, and Strategic Communication. Renowned for managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects, she is skilled at building strong partnerships and driving meaningful, measurable results.
Naz Saldulker – Champions and Community Programme Manager
Yolandi Kosmatos – Administration Manager
Advisory Panel
Stijn de Leeuw
Child Developmental Psychologist
Prof Anita Padmanabhanunni
PhD Head of Dept of Psychology, University of the Western Cape
Dr Leandi Erasmus
Social Worker, Therapist, Researcher at NWU
Karin Ritchie
Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and Board Co-Chair of Somatic Experiencing International SEI