I am Terri Tanna Maselle, Chief Connector of The Good Human Recruitment Agency and Chief of Talent at The Good Human Academy of Service Excellence. Over a span of 25 years, I’ve worked as both a generalist and specialist recruiter, building a career on the conviction that people are more than just resources — they are stories, possibilities, and the beating heart of every organization. Having founded ventures like The Source Human Capital, New Way Inc., and Positive Revolution, I have always sought to do recruitment differently: to connect, uplift, and give agency, not just placements.

At The Good Human Academy of Service Excellence, our mission is built on an ethos we call the Crown of Service Excellence. This is more than a slogan — it underpins everything we do. It is a benchmark for service careers in hospitality and other customer-facing sectors, where five-star and silver service are the minimum standard, not the exception. We train with purpose: from first touch in restaurant, reception, front-of-house roles, through to managerial leadership. We don’t only teach technique — we shape presence, emotional intelligence, dignity, humility, and grace. Service becomes a way of being. Brands rise, guests remember, and youth find not just jobs, but callings.

I was nominated for the Jewish Achiever Awards, in the Eric Ellerine Entrepreneurship category, because of this work — because I am building bridges: between training and opportunity; between raw potential and excellence; between sectors that sometimes offer promise, and those that demand readiness. Because I take innovation seriously: my team and I designed the Fractional Hire model, giving graduates and students a chance to be employed in part-time, fractional roles, to build real portfolios of evidence. This solves a critical problem: the gap between training and employability. Instead of waiting endlessly for full-time roles or scarce internships, our young people get to step into work, learn on the job, prove themselves, and grow.

What makes me a worthy winner in the eyes of the judges? First, impact: measurable change in young lives, in brand consistency, in guest satisfaction, in community upliftment. Second, a clear vision anchored in values: the Crown of Service Excellence isn’t just about making customers smile — it’s about raising dignity, discipline, and a way of doing service that is world-class and rooted in heart. Third, sustainability: we align with B-BBEE transformation, SETA grants, YES and other youth employment initiatives, so this is not charity — it is systemic transformation. Finally, leadership: I lead from behind, from connecting people, from holding space rather than hogging it; from humility rather than hype. My journey, my experience, my lifelong work in recruitment and human capital innovation, all flow into this purpose.

I believe that if honoured with this award, I will carry not only my own story, but those of the thousands of Good Humans whose potential has been awakened. I will continue to steward the Crown of Service Excellence over the youth, over brands, over our shared future. Because for me, entrepreneurship is not just about business—it’s about service. And service, I believe, is what elevates the world.


My vision is rooted in transformation — first my own, and then the ripple it creates in others. As an ontological coach, I have walked the path of self-discovery, developing heightened self-awareness and self-mastery. That personal journey has given me the clarity and courage to design a new way of being for all humans — one where dignity, humility, and excellence are lived values, not abstract ideals.

For myself, my vision is to continue evolving as a leader who serves from behind, modelling humble excellence and cultivating spaces where people feel seen, valued, and empowered to grow.

For my business, The Good Human Academy of Excellence, my vision is to entrench the Crown of Service Excellence as a national benchmark — shaping a generation of emotionally intelligent service professionals who uplift industries, transform guest experiences, and redefine South Africa’s reputation for world-class hospitality and service. Through our Fractional Hire model, I see us unlocking sustainable pathways to employment for thousands of young people, giving them portfolios of evidence and a future filled with dignity and opportunity.

For South Africa, my vision is a nation where service is not a task but a way of being. A country where our youth are empowered with skills, confidence, and presence to lead industries with grace. A South Africa that embodies excellence from the inside out — where transformation is not only measured in numbers, but in the human spirit awakened.

Ultimately, my vision is simple yet profound: to elevate people, not just performance. Because when we awaken the Good Human in every individual, we unlock the true wealth of South Africa — its people.