Balgees Barendilla

Balgees is the Senior Operations Manager at Mutual Ventures. With over 15 years of experience in the non profit sector, she is passionate about creating sustainable change for individuals and communities. She has a proven track record as an experienced operations leader, adept at building and optimising robust business systems, driving efficiency, and ensuring compliance. Balgees is also a strong advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace, demonstrated through her leadership and active participation in culture-related initiatives.

Previously, Balgees worked at the Open Society Foundations’ impact investment arm, the Soros Economic Development Fund, as their Senior Administration and Operations Manager. Before joining OSF, she was the Operations Director for a London-based charity, where she managed all operational activities related to their core business of deradicalisation. This included managing a national award-winning youth leadership program from 2012 to 2016.

Balgees holds a BSocSci and BCom (Hons) in Organisational Psychology from the University of Cape Town, and an MA in Charity Management from St Mary’s University in London.