Thameshree Moodley is a multi-disciplinary leader who has spent over 25 years maneuvering the intersection of complex systems and human experience. As Chairperson of the Optimal Mental Health Alliance (OMHA), she brings a unique “systems-thinking” lens to the mental health terrain, ensuring that organisational structures are designed to protect and serve the humans within them.

Her professional journey began in the high-pressure world of industrial engineering at the Engen and SAPREF refineries. These two decades in demanding environments provided a masterclass in precision, safety, and complex decision-making.

Today, Thameshree has evolved that structural expertise into the realm of human potential and ethics, focusing specifically on how global technological systems and Artificial Intelligence can remain intentionally aligned with human needs.

Beyond her strategic leadership, Thameshree is a deeply compassionate advocate, serving as a Lay Counsellor and Training Facilitator for the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG). This rare combination of corporate strategy, technical foresight, and frontline mental health advocacy allows her to lead OMHA with unparalleled perspective.

Academic Background

• BA Honours in Psychology (Psychological Counselling) – UNISA
• BA in Health Sciences & Social Services (Psychological Counselling) – UNISA
• BTech in Chemical Engineering (Environmental) – UNISA
• National Diploma in Chemical Engineering – DUT
• Accredited Lay Counselling Training – SADAG & Open Door Crisis Care
• Technical Specialisations – Advanced Process Control and Process Safety training (Shell, Honeywell, Petronas)

Jacquie Bhana is a seasoned HR Director, Executive Coach, and Business Consultant with a career spanning more than 30 years. Her extensive background includes senior executive roles in blue-chip corporations, government advisory, and academia, making her a formidable force in people development and organisational performance.

Having served as HR Director for major organisations and as First Vice President of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jacquie possesses a deep understanding of the pressures facing modern leaders. She now focuses her expertise on coaching, helping individuals navigate the complexities of high-responsibility environments, career transitions, and emotional fatigue with clarity and confidence.

Jacquie’s approach is unique in its integration of mental health awareness into executive coaching, forming a vital bridge between corporate excellence and mental resilience, ensuring that high-performance environments remain healthy and sustainable.

Academic Background

• MA Industrial Sociology – University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
• Honours in Industrial Relations – UKZN
• BA Psychology and Sociology – University of Port Elizabeth
• Executive & Leadership Coaching – University of Cape Town (UCT)
• MBA & MDP Guest Lecturer/Moderator – UKZN
• Trauma & Mental Health Training – Lifeline & SADAG

Anne Rajcoomar serves as Finance Director at OMHA, bringing a sophisticated blend of fiscal expertise and a deep-seated passion for holistic wellbeing. With over 25 years of experience across the public, private, and NGO sectors, Anne has been a driving force in the design and implementation of Employee Wellness Programmes (EWPs) throughout South Africa.

Her work has focused on the early identification and management of critical conditions, including trauma, anxiety, depression, and gender-based violence, and she has been instrumental in training organisations to identify and manage mental health conditions within the workplace.

Anne has worked extensively with major government departments, including the Departments of Health, Education, and Justice, to provide psychosocial support and oversight to diverse communities. She believes sustainable health outcomes require a collaborative effort between the private sector, government, and civil society.

Academic Background

• MSocSci (Industrial Psychology) – UKZN
• BCom (Honours) in Industrial Psychology – UNISA
• Bachelor of Commerce – UNISA
• Bachelor of Speech-Language Therapy – UKZN
• Trauma & Mental Health Training – Lifeline & SADAG

Pragashnie Naidoo brings 25 years of experience in the healing, wellness, and personal development sectors to her role as Operations Director at the Optimal Mental Health Alliance (OMHA). Her work is defined by a holistic, heart-led approach, dedicated to helping individuals and groups cultivate emotional equilibrium and lasting resilience.

Since 2000, Pragashnie has mastered a diverse range of wellness modalities, including hypnotherapy, meditation, reflexology, and aromatherapy. Uniquely, she integrates her background in dance into her practice, using expressive movement as a powerful catalyst for emotional release and restoration.

Pragashnie’s leadership extends to crisis intervention and counsellor training, where she has spent years mentoring volunteers in emotional containment and practical counselling skills. At OMHA, she bridges the gap between operational excellence and compassionate care, ensuring that mental health spaces remain safe, accessible, and evidence-informed.

Academic Background

• PhD (Social Science) Student – University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
• Specialist Wellness Counsellor – ASCHP (Reg. No: 8566)
• Master of Education – University of the People
• BSocSci Honours in Counselling Psychology (in progress) – UNISA
• BSc in Health Sciences – University of the People
• Accredited ETDP SETA Qualifications