Jolene Shaw was appointed as General Manager of Knowledge Pele in 2023.

Jolene brings fifteen years of experience across the private and public sectors, with a career focused on leadership, research, economic development, and social impact. Her experience includes roles such as Manager of Research, Planning and Reporting at the Construction SETA, Economic Development Manager at Aurora Wind Power and Socio-Economic Development Consultant at Tshikululu Social Investments. Prior to her appointment as General Manager, Jolene served as the Head of Research and Advisory at Knowledge Pele.

As General Manager, Jolene oversees the operations of Knowledge Pele, with a focus on delivering development programmes that generate meaningful and sustainable impact for the participants and communities they serve. Jolene is also at the forefront of expanding Knowledge Pele's pipeline of development projects, focusing on prioritising community self-sufficiency and long-term socioeconomic development.

Jolene supports the need to work collaboratively to rethink community ecosystems. By creating meaningful opportunities through focusing on energy assets, skills development, growing and introducing employment, and creating industry, the goal of realigning the future of the livelihoods of disadvantaged communities can be met.

Jolene holds a Bachelor's Degree in Development Studies, a Bachelor's Honours in Development Studies, and a Master's in Public Administration. She was also recognised as a Mail & Guardian 200 Young South African in 2017 and received the Youth Service and Excellence Award from the Gauteng Premier's Office in 2018.