WORKING TOGETHER
THE TEAM
MANAGING DIRECTOR
LIESL SIMPSON
Liesl Simpson worked for almost a decade in the ICT sector in South Africa, before moving into public relations over twenty years ago. She has worked with clients in this capacity including industry players such as Drive Control Corporation, ALCO-Safe, T-Systems South Africa, Jasco Electronics, Western Digital, Johnson Controls, Hewlett Packard (HP), SterKinekor Entertainment, In2IT Technologies and TransUnion to mention a few. Liesl delivers the critical public relations knowledge and experience to Evolution PR and drives the key areas where customers sense the greatest value.
ACCOUNT DIRECTOR
LARA KARAM
Lara Karam graduated from Rhodes University with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in English Language and Linguistics. She then went on to attain a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing Management (PGDM) from the University of Cape Town. Lara has gained PR experience within multiple industries, including technology, retail banking, education, finance and tax, among others. She prides herself on exemplary media relations skills, PR strategy compilation and client relationship management. She oversees a team of Account Managers at Evolution PR, providing strategic direction on the accounts, and ensuring that media activities remain on target. Lara’s ability to interpret clients’ requirements enables her to meet expectations, and with her passion for PR and communications, she strives to ensure that Evolution PR’s clients remain topical and newsworthy.
ACCOUNT MANAGER
KHANYA NOBANGULE
Khanya Nobangule graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media Studies and Political Studies. She went on to complete her Honours in Media Studies at the same institution. Khanya has over five years of experience in the media and communications sector, having worked across a wide range of industries, including energy, mining, health, entertainment, legal, and IT. She prides herself on strong media relations, strategic content development, and effective client service. As an Account Manager at Evolution PR, Khanya brings a collaborative and solutions-driven approach to her work. Her ability to understand client needs and navigate diverse media landscapes enables her to contribute meaningfully to impactful campaigns and maintain strong, trusted client relationships.
ACCOUNT MANAGER
VALENTINE RAKOBELA
Valentine Rakobela is a Public Relations consultant with over six years of experience specialising in media relations, reputation management, PR campaigns, and strategic stakeholder relations. Throughout her career, Valentine has worked with a variety of clients in various sectors namely, Education, Energy, Technology, Mining, and Health. She is open to constant learning and is passionate about developing sustainable brands. Valentine is currently an Account Manager at Evolution PR, looking after a portfolio of leading clients in the IT, Technology, and Mining sectors both locally and internationally.
ACCOUNT MANAGER
MBALI MAKHUBO
Mbali Makhubo is a dedicated communications professional with a strong academic foundation and a proven track record in strategic public relations. She completed her BA in Corporate Communications at Varsity College and went on to achieve her Honours in Communications, graduating as the highest overall achiever in her class. Mbali originally joined Evolution PR as an Administrative Assistant, quickly standing out for her curiosity, creativity, and organisational strength. Her work ethic and ability to connect with clients led to her promotion to Account Executive, and she now serves as an Account Manager. Mbali currently supports her clients, driving PR strategy, shaping compelling narratives, and ensuring consistent, high-quality delivery across multiple accounts. She has experience in thought leadership content development, media engagement, and events – consistently securing top-tier visibility and strengthening client relationships. Known for her attention to detail, reliability, and calm under pressure, Mbali brings both strategic thinking and creative flair to her work. Passionate about technology, business and storytelling, she continues to grow her expertise and deliver meaningful, results-driven communication.
JUNIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER
PORTIA MBULI
Portia Mbuli is a public relations professional with five years of industry experience across both B2B and B2C sectors. She brings creativity, strong media relationships, and thoughtful storytelling to every campaign.
Portia holds a qualification in Public Relations, and her experience ranges from building communications programmes in fast-paced creative agencies to developing content for a wide variety of clients. At the heart of her work is a commitment to integrity, value-driven engagement, and measurable impact. Her ability to translate business goals into compelling narratives has made her a trusted PR partner.
Outside of work, she is known for her positive energy, collaborative spirit, and big-picture thinking – always ready to roll up her sleeves and get things done.
MEDIA MANAGER
MAUREEN BREMBILLA
Maureen Brembilla boasts a diverse background with extensive experience in operations, procurement, and administration. Educated in Johannesburg, she gained international insights from residing in the Far East, particularly Hong Kong and Japan. With a 30-year corporate journey showcasing excellence, Maureen’s 15-year specialisation in procurement highlights her precision and dedication. She also demonstrated adaptability by successfully launching a Coffee Shop within an office park. Currently contributing her expertise to Evolution PR, Maureen manages media coverage, showcasing her industry awareness and adaptability. Her passion for precision and embracing challenges reflects her commitment to continuous growth and excellence, making her a valuable asset in any endeavour.
LAUREN TUCK
Lauren is a seasoned content creator and copywriter with more than 20 years of experience in tech and financial services sectors. She has also written for clients in gaming, medical, consumer goods, education, travel and lifestyle sectors and has worked with several charitable and not-for-profit organisations. She has a proven track record of delivering high-quality content that engages audiences and elevates brand messaging. Skilled across multiple platforms, she specialises in digital content, long-form and short-form copywriting, and brand storytelling tailored for web, social media, and print. Her experience spans marketing campaigns, editorial content, and corporate communications.
WRITER
MARTIN CZERNOWALOW
Martin Czernowalow is a seasoned content creator and media professional with over 20 years of experience spanning print, digital and multimedia journalism. He holds a BA degree from the University of Pretoria (1997) and has held senior editorial roles across several of South Africa’s leading ICT, B2B and mainstream news platforms.
Martin spent more than a decade at ITWeb, where he served as news editor, editor, and ultimately group investigative editor, spearheading in-depth reporting and shaping editorial direction. He later led the newsroom at The Citizen as news editor, overseeing daily coverage and managing a dynamic team of journalists.
Drawing on his extensive media experience and deep industry knowledge, Martin delivers high-quality content across diverse subject matter. His ability to adapt to complex briefs and tight deadlines makes him a trusted contributor across multiple sectors.
WRITER
TAMARYN SHEPHERD
Tamaryn Shepherd is a B2B marketing writer and social media specialist who turns complex ideas into clear, actionable content. She helps ICT and tech companies engage audiences, simplify technical concepts, and communicate with impact across customers, employees, and stakeholders. Her work bridges strategy and storytelling, ensuring every piece resonates and drives results.