Our Team
Designing engaging learning material is a team sport. We act together taking responsibility for our particular areas of responsibility and strength. When you work with Trainiac, you will meet our account managers, instructional designers, illustrators, artists, trainers and of course the various managers. We are a happy bunch.
Working in an open plan studio, we are sometimes prone to combust in fits of laughter before returning to the very serious task of design. Every Friday we have lunch together, we have been doing this for 10 years. It is an important time for us to connect as people. Feel free to join us any time you like. Free food!
Rob Dennison
Title: Managing Director and Founder
Fun facts: I have a problem with change. If there is not enough change I have a problem.
Mini bio:
Trainiac runs deep in my veins. I invented the map and card methodology back in 2001 and it has been an important part of my life since then. My big drive is this provocative idea that training doesn’t work. It is either underwhelming or overwhelming and the poor people that have to sit through it day after day end up being disengaged.I really like to be part of the producing training days that are better than Saturdays; imagine that? I am at my best selling and presenting what Trainiac does as I genuinely love it and I am told it shows. Prior to Trainiac, I worked in General Management in FMCG consumer goods, internet technology and new media.
If I am not at work or with my family, you will find me on my mountain bike; I also spend time writing my blog www.mtbstory.com whenever I get a chance.
Chris Lombard
Title: Illustrator
Fun Facts: I suspect that I am the product of the spliced DNA of Iggy Pop and Keith Richards. My parents remain firm in their denial of this despite the mounting evidence to support my suspicions. I enjoy the odd audio book and have recently discovered the joys of the slow cooker I stole from my mom’s house.
Mini Bio:
After graduating with a degree in Fine Arts I decided that, despite never having touched a computer for anything more evolved than typing out essays; that animation would be a good racket to take a stab at. I started off as a traditional Animator working mostly in commercials and children’s programming also doing storyboards and the occasional smattering of character design.After 7 years of drawing talking earthworms and lion cubs wearing nappies and kicking soccer balls, I developed this niggling feeling that there could be a far more functional application for the skills I had developed. Moving to Trainiac confirmed that I was right, as here I enjoy a creative platform and level of involvement in each project – rarely found anywhere else.
Gill Eshen
Title: Head of Supporting – the middle brain
Fun Facts: dark horse
Mini Bio:
I joined Trainiac in 2006 and currently head up the support area which comprises the disciplines of talent and financial management. This unusual and varied combination skill set probably originates from my mom who was a teacher, accountant and lawyer in her day (granted she didn’t do them all at the same time). My “middle brain” allows me to benefit from logic and analytics on the left and intuition on the right (I don’t possess a creative bone in my body… says I.)I travelled and lived in the UK and Europe before settling into marriage and becoming mother to fraternal triplets Jordan, Ashley & Dylan. Harley the hedgehog also calls me “mom”. My interests include wildlife, scuba-diving, micro-lighting, golf and reading. Chocolate, champagne & coffee are three of my vices.
Julie Broadhead
Title: Account Manager
Fun Facts: Three German Shepherds at home are much harder work than two children!
Mini-Bio:
A true Yorkshire lass, born and bred in the town that spawned the well known “On Ilkley Moor Ba’ Tat” often sung in the local pubs. Romantic French accents saw me flee the moors and run off to Normandie where my job title could loosely be described as an au pair. A brief stint at University saw me studying Post A Level French, among other things. This was followed by a wonderfully exciting career in merchant banking, so exciting that I fled once again, this time to South Africa.The 2 year working holiday plan quickly fell apart and 27 years later, here I am at Trainiac. I can hardly say that learning and development was my speciality, having spent many years moving concrete, not literally. My love affair with Trainiac began when I was the corporate marketing manager for the then Holcim; I chose Trainiac as my vendor of choice. I’m sure I’ll still be here until they put me out to grass.
Lizzie Ndlovu
Title: Office Support
Fun Facts: I love my boys and my favourite place to be is at home relaxing on my couch watching TV!
Mini Bio:
I am the mother figure at Trainiac and look after all the staff in the company, whether it’s providing a mug of their favourite tea or coffee, just a chat, a friendly smile or someone having a headache and in dire need of a tablet!
I pride myself in looking after the office and making sure everything is crisp, neat and clean and in its place. I believe this adds value to the business and ensures that Trainiac is a comfortable place for all the staff to work in.
Meghan Anderson
Title: Instructional Designer
Fun facts: Loves being outside either in the bush or on the beach, enjoys mountain biking, trail running and swimming, loves red wine and chocolate
Mini Bio:
I am an Instructional Designer in team Gumby. Team Gumby consists of me and 2 Illustrators who create the visual elements while I create the learning activities. We form one of the teams in the Producing Team and create the visual learning solutions to meet the client’s needs.My role is one of Instructional Designer and Project Manager in that I often act as the client facing team member as well as designing the flow of the learning programme.
Life-long learning is important to me and I am always looking for new learning opportunities.
Prior to Trainiac I taught in the UK for 2 years at an all-girls private school.
Milissa Vosloo
Title: Head of Producing
Fun facts: Loves dancing and owns two budgies named “Kikki and Coko”
Mini Bio:
I am head of the creative juices in the business, otherwise referred to as the Producing Team.
We have the immense pleasure of creating all the amazing visuals that our clients love because they meet their business objectives so well and make them come back for more!I have the most perfect job in the world; imagine working with brilliant and creative people in a dynamic and diverse learning agency such as Trainiac? Simply the best!
Prior to Trainiac I did a number of years in banking; 14 years of experience of which 10 years were spent in Training and Development across various divisions; including Corporate, Retail, Call Centers, Credit, Risk and Treasury.
Sakumzi Qumana
Title: Illustrator
Fun Facts: Idea is step 1, concept is step 2, and creation is infinite.
Mini Bio:
I started professionally as a freelance Graphic Designer in Port Elizabeth in 2005 before joining the illustration studio Xplane in Cape Town in late 2006. I joined the very vibrant and interactive Trainiac team in 2007. Something about opposites attract, what with me being an introvert and all, has made it work. Over the years I’ve had the opportunity of learning how to speak the complex design concept language in a very detailed but understandable visual dialogue through working on different industries including, IT, Banking Institutions, Petroleum Industries, Health & Safety and others.
Storm Oldreive
Title: Account Manager
Fun Facts: Crusader of all things good and not too shy to stand up for it!
Mini Bio:
I am a born and bred Pietermaritzburg (aka Sleepy Hollow) girl, but not so sleepy and in fact quite loud! I moved up to Jozi with my other half and two beloved mutts in 2008, and started at Trainiac in 2009, fulfilling the role of Account Manager. I love Trainiac for all the crazy, colourful people I work with, the new people I get to meet everyday and the satisfaction of seeing new relationships turn into something I can commit to.Culture inspires me and I love connecting with people from all walks of life. I am driven and believe in growth and am currently completing my financial planning degree. Next I’m thinking of doing a course in make-up artistry! I cannot live without my sleep, good coffee, wine, being active and the mad household I live in.