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About Hilda Deavall

Hilda’s professional journey began in 1983 as a draftsperson in the CSIR’s National Oceanographic Research Institute, marking her first experience of functioning in an office environment – a setting with interesting people from all over the world, that she immediately fell in love with. During the same period, she lent her artistic talents to Stellenbosch University’s Geology Department, assisting professors and lecturers with drawings for their PhDs and Master’s theses. Although she explored formal art studies, Hilda decided not to pursue art as a career and instead continued honing her skills in various drawing offices for civil and electrical engineering firms over the ensuing years.

 

In 1995, Hilda transitioned into secretarial work, a change that, in hindsight, enriched her understanding of office dynamics and dealing with diverse management styles. This foundational experience laid the groundwork for a definitive career change in 2002, when she joined her husband, Mark, in Merit Business Institute. (Then known as Training & Resource Development Africa). Working closely with someone she loved brought unique challenges and rewards. Hilda embraced the multifaceted demands of a small business, learning that success required adaptability, a sharp focus, and a fresh mindset.

One of Hilda’s most enjoyable professional periods involved organizing events such as public workshops, breakfast seminars, and similar gatherings. She gained invaluable experience in event planning by finding venues, coordinating speakers, ensuring seamless bookings, and hosting and introducing speakers. 

In 2021, when Merit Business Institute transitioned to fully online management programs, Hilda tackled a new steep learning curve. She became adept at supporting clients and managers in the online learning space, ensuring she stayed a step ahead in this new environment so that clients and attendees felt cared for and fully informed about program expectations and logistics.

Today, Hilda is a leader in her own right, thriving in her preferred role as a supportive powerhouse. She excels at attention to detail, thinking outside the box, handling diverse personalities, and continually learning – especially about leveraging social media for business.  Her commitment to being a decent human being shines through in her interactions.

She takes care of the company websites, and other less glamorous responsibilities of the business like compliance, invoicing, database maintenance, and making sure that all t's are crossed and i's are properly dotted.

Outside of work, Hilda enjoys spending quality time with Mark, friends, family and their little dog, Tobi, who is quite the character. When she's not being creative in the kitchen, painting, drawing, studying the Bible or a reading a good novel, she loves running trails or just being outdoors. Hilda’s unwavering disdain for fake people, misinformation, irrisponsibility, - and ultracrepidarians (yes, it's a real word) reflects her integrity and commitment to authenticity in both her personal and professional life.