Nathalie Vereen’s Journey of Hard Work, Leadership and Impact
In an interview with Nathalie Vereen, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of JET Education Services, we gained some insights into her journey, leadership philosophy and vision for the organisation. Since joining JET in 2020, Nathalie, with her unique blend of experience and hard work, has played a crucial role in ensuring the organisation works towards successfully achieving its strategic goals.
"As the executive manager, I’m responsible for the rollout of the strategy. I support the CEO and the board, and I ensure that we are implementing effective policies and procedures while also refining them over time," said Nathalie, reflecting on her responsibilities as the COO. Nathalie's role also involves overseeing operations, staffing and knowledge management, and the multi-year flagship programmes, ensuring that JET remains a credible and visible organisation.
Nathalie’s career path started in an unexpected environment, with an undergraduate degree in communication sciences and aspirations of becoming a political journalist and hoping to cover modern wars. Her journey took a turn when financial challenges interrupted her studies. She shared how she worked various jobs, from waitressing to retail, before finally starting her professional career in development work.
"My career took a while to kick off. I wanted to be a journalist, to cover complex global issues like wars, but after completing my studies, I struggled to find a job in the field," she recalled. She started working at a local stationery shop, which helped shape her work ethic and interpersonal skills. "That experience taught me how to work with people from all walks of life, a skill that has been invaluable in my later career,” she adds.
Nathalie’s big break came when she started working on EU-South Africa projects in 2000. This role marked the beginning of her journey in development work. “I refer to myself as a development worker first. I’ve built my career around bilateral cooperation and development initiatives, and that’s been a central part of my professional growth.” One of the most defining aspects of Nathalie’s career is her dedication to continuous learning. She pursued two master's degrees in different fields, all while managing a family and a full-time job. "It was never easy, but I knew that in order to earn my place, I had to work hard and equip myself with knowledge and experience."
Her philosophy of hard work is rooted in her upbringing. Nathalie shared how her family values shaped her approach to work, "I come from a family that values hard work, honesty and integrity. If you say you're going to do something, you do it. Those principles have stayed with me throughout my career.”
When asked about her proudest achievements at JET, Nathalie highlighted the growth and development of her colleagues as a key measure of her success. "For me, it’s not about personal accolades. I get a sense of accomplishment when I see others thrive and when I see people grow in their careers and professional development." She has a particular passion for nurturing talent and helping others recognise their own potential. This focus on team growth and empowerment is central to Nathalie’s approach to leadership. “My job is to enable everyone else to do their best. It’s not about me; it’s about the organisation and its people,” adds Nathalie.
As for the future of JET, Nathalie envisions an organisation that continues to innovate while remaining true to its mission. “In 10 years, I hope JET will have modernised itself with each iteration, continuing to stay relevant. As long as there are inequalities in education, JET will have a role to play, and I hope we will be able to focus on bringing quality education to all schools.”