A LITTLE ABOUT ME
I believe in what human beings can become.
I’m Elaine Jacob, Human Innovation Architect, Leadership & Innovation Strategist, author and founder of Leadership Academy South Africa.
My work explores how we think, lead, create and transform. I bring together leadership science, psychology and human-centred innovation to help people and organisations develop the capacity to imagine new possibilities and turn them into reality.
THE WORK I DO
Build the human. Change the system.
For more than two decades, I have worked across leadership development, coaching, innovation and organisational transformation, with experience spanning Africa, the United States and Europe.
My work has included facilitating and coaching within MIT Sloan School of Management’s Inquiry-Driven Leadership Program, contributing to programmes at Yale School of Management, and coaching leaders internationally through TaskHuman.
Through Leadership Academy South Africa, I design learning experiences and frameworks that help leaders navigate uncertainty, strengthen human capability and create healthier, more adaptive organisations.
WHAT I BELIEVE
The future isn’t simply something we inherit. It’s something we help create.
That requires more than new technology, strategies or systems. It requires people who can question assumptions, think creatively, adapt courageously and work together to make different futures possible.
This conviction shapes everything I do — from leadership development and organisational transformation to my writing, teaching and book, FutureMind.
ACADEMIC & PROFESSIONAL FOUNDATION
Curiosity, evidence and practice.
- Industrial Psychology Master’s degree, Stellenbosch University
- Leadership & Innovation Certification, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Positive Psychology Studies, University of Pennsylvania
- Employee Experience Disney Institute
EXPLORE MY WORK
My professional portfolio.
Discover my experience, professional background, leadership and innovation work, and the programmes and frameworks I bring to organisations and leaders.
Download Elaine Jacob’s Portfolio ↓Professional profile · PDF
Let’s imagine what’s possible.
If you’re exploring a new direction in leadership, building human capability or rethinking how your organisation works, I’d love to hear from you.
Explore working together →