This document provides information about an individual with a diverse set of interests and skills. They describe themselves as curious, open-minded, intuitive, energetic, and empathetic. They have 20 years of experience in the NGO field and psychology, where they have taken on various roles and responsibilities. They aim to understand people and problems from multiple angles to develop effective solutions through communication and understanding human behavior and motivations.

1. Why can’t I be a ballerina AND fly helicopters AND be a microbiologist who
loves cats, collects shoes and tea, writes children’s stories and cooks?
I see the world as a big puzzle where everything is connected. I see this whole
kaleidoscope through a prism of emotion, compassion and deeper meaning. While
I am fiercely independent, and often hanker for creativity and freedom, I am driven
by my ability to be innovative and problem-solve in a unique way – never losing my
little spark of madness.
My personal traits include:
• Extravert
• Curious and Open-Minded
• Observant
• Intuitive
• Energetic and Enthusiastic
• An Excellent Communicator
• Adaptable and Spontaneous
• Empathetic and Approachable
• Emotionally Expressive
• A Flexible and Relaxed Non-Conformist
I am an inherently curious person who looks for the bigger picture. I want to know
how people think and why things work (or don’t work) so I can find effective
solutions and approaches. I am highly analytical and I strongly believe that
problems need to be attacked from every angle – I want to completely scrutinize
a problem until I can find the logical solution on how to solve that problem in the
most effective way possible. Edward Bernays, the Father of Public Relations,
nephew of Sigmund Freud, believed that psychology (or the understanding of the
public mind) was essential to marketing and the success of a brand. I am highly
influenced by the work of Edward Bernays, and try to approach problem areas into
workable solutions whether it’s on an individual level or a project level.
My experience, work and expertise lies over a large portfolio of skills. Having
worked in the NGO field for 20 years, I have assumed different roles and
responsibilities that would often be covered by separate departments or divisions
in the corporate market.
People are guided by impulse, habit and social norms and will keep doing what
they have always done despite economics or negative consequences. Faced
with tough choices, people will bow-out and do nothing; and faced with everyday
choices, they’ll do what they’ve always done or what their peers are doing. My
twenty years in the psychology field has taught me this is true of the human
psyche, and even more so in a consumer society. As a trained psychologist I apply
psychological insights to different projects I am involved with, to research the
issue, develop insights and strategize how best to communicate and positively
impact each target group, in order to effectively manage formal communication to
internal and external stakeholders and ensure alignment to process and outcomes
guidelines.
“It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for –
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.” (Oriah Mountain Dreamer)
JANINE LISA SHAMOS
linkedin.com/in/janine-shamos-58a74923
@JanineShamos
janine-lisa-shamos.squarespace.com
082 338 9666
janine.shamos@gmail.com
ACCOLADES
• Winner of the Carter Awards for Mental
Health Journalism (2011/12)
• Presenter at the World Federation for
Mental Health Congress
(Cape Town 2011)
• Inter-Disciplinary Conferences
Presenter on Bullying and Suicide
(Prague 2011)

2. The ie Group
Freelance Trainer/Coach (2015 – current)
• Executive coaching and life coaching.
• Topics including: communication skills, voice and speech, mindfulness, personal
branding.
The South African Jewish Board of Deputies
Consultant (2014 – 2015)
• Active steering committee member on the Hate Crimes Working Group – researching
and capturing data about hate crimes.
• Needs analysis highlights problem areas in particular communities and drives projects.
• Media monitoring
Midrand Graduate Institute
Lecturer (2009 – 2014)
• Lectured English, Psychology and Communication.
• Wrote course materials for four modules.
The Speaking Books (www.speakingbooks.com)
Research, Insight Management, Copywriter (2004 – current)
• Research into different cultures and demographs in the targeted community and country,
as well as a needs analysis, community structure, and knowledge base within the target
community, as well as insight development.
• I have worked with clients such as Pfizer, Adcock Ingram, De Beers, UNICEF, the Global Fund,
PEPFAR to name a few.
South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG)
Media Liaison, Ambassador, Trainer, Technical Writer & Consultant (1996 – current)
• Technical writer: proposal writing, manuals, brochures, educational materials.
• Marketing and PR: media releases, press conference, handling information requests
from media sources, TV and radio interviews.
• Project management.
• Develop and facilitate workshops and seminars for the corporate community and
run workshops and seminars on mental health and advocacy for mental health
professionals, community leaders and the youth.
• Extensive work with government, Department of Health, and the police.
• Establish positive associations with the public and mass media on behalf of their clients;
• Draft and send press releases to print and broadcast media outlets;
• Organise media events like press conferences;
• Control information output and handle incoming requests for information from media
outlets;
• Identify stakeholder needs and establish appropriate channels of communication;
• Create and maintain relevant processes for managing formal communications;
• Creating/writing communication documents/marketing drafts;
• Presentations;
• Research;
• Technical and business writing.
University of the Witwatersrand (1993 – 1996)
Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy, Law, International Relations, English)
UNISA (1997 – 2003)
Psychology I, II and III, Psychology Honours, Criminology II and III
Zane Wilson (The Speaking Books) | 083 321 4163 | zane1@medport.co.za
Cassey Chambers (SADAG) | 011 262 6396 | office@anxiety.org.za
Wendy Kahn (SAJBD) | 082 444 3675 | wendy@sajbd.org
Marion Scher (Journalist) | journo@icon.co.za
WORK EXPERIENCE
SELECTED SKILLS
EDUCATION
REFERENCES