People On Purpose: Lani Du Toit

Lani is a trainee Occupational Psychologist interested in leadership development, career management, and the selection and identification of high potential employees. Following her MSc in Occupational Psychology she worked in Talent Management for an international financial services company, focusing on junior and senior leadership development. She joined On Purpose as Assistant Programme Manager in 2013.

Why do you do the job you do?

In order to make a positive difference in the world we need clever people to work hard at it. I like working with people who thrive on challenge and have the intelligence and drive to engage with complex problems and affect real change.

What are you most proud of?

Self-funding three years of full time post-graduate study while working to support myself at the same time.

What keeps you awake at night?

DVD box sets.

What were you doing 5 years ago?

I was completing a post graduate conversion diploma in Psychology in preparation for an MSc in Occupational Psychology. At the same time I worked as a play therapist for children with autism and did my fair share of waitressing.

What do you expect to be doing in 5 years’ time?

By then I will have qualified as a Chartered Occupational Psychologist and I hope to be working in leadership development, both on the design and delivery side.

If you were Prime Minister for the day, what would you do?

I would take all members of parliament to a natural place of beauty, probably a mountain top, to sit for a while.

Why are you involved with On Purpose?

This is an exciting time for social enterprise, with an increasing number of people realising that business can succeed while at the same time considering and managing their impact on society/the environment. There are also a lot of very clever people out there who want to use their skills to work in these businesses. It’s hard work, fun, and exciting.