Kristal Duncan-Williams (née Duncan) is the Chief Executive Assistant (CEA) of The Mandela Rhodes Foundation. In this role she serves as a strategic advisor and right hand to the CEO, responsible for managing and coordinating various aspects of the organisation’s operational and strategic initiatives.

Previously Kristal led Youth Capital, where she played a core role in shaping the campaign, building its legitimacy and forging strong partnerships across the youth development sector. Prior to that she advocated for community health workers across South Africa and Malawi in her role as a research and advocacy advisor at Médecins Sans Frontières. Kristal currently serves as a board member at the Centre for Social Development in Africa, at the University of Johannesburg, as well as Treasurer and Steering Committee Member for the Budget Justice Coalition.

Kristal has been interviewed as a youth development expert on various media platforms, as well as serving as a panellist and facilitator on numerous panels, including with the Presidency and to the National Planning Commission.

Kristal completed her Masters’ in Public Health in Health Economics at the University of Cape Town (UCT), as a Mandela Rhodes Scholar in the Class of 2014. Her Honours degree in Human Genetics was also completed at UCT. Kristal believes strongly that education, health and employment are the key building blocks for a successful and thriving society and desires to unlock the power of future generations to create a more sustainable future.