Hi everyone, my name is Nicolas, and I’ve been with Roland Berger for three years, working in our Restructuring, Performance & Transformation (RPT) practice. At the beginning of 2026, I had the opportunity of joining our Social Fellowship program, spending three months supporting the Amy Foundation in Cape Town, South Africa - an organization dedicated to empowering young people in underprivileged communities through education, skills development, sports, and community uplift.

Why I chose the Social Fellowship

When I first learned about the Social Fellowship program, I was immediately drawn to the opportunity to combine professional growth with social engagement. As consultants at Roland Berger, we are increasingly working in cross-cultural environments, where cultural awareness and strong interpersonal skills are essential. With the firm’s continued expansion beyond Europe, I saw this fellowship in Cape Town as a chance to strengthen these skills in a fundamentally different setting.

Furthermore, I was motivated by the opportunity to contribute directly to sustainable impact in Cape Town. I believe that lasting change is best achieved through hands-on collaboration with the local communities. The Amy Foundation’s focus on mentorship and skills development strongly aligned with my values and desire to contribute on the ground in Cape Town.

History and mission of the Amy Foundation – “Changing lives”

At the Amy Foundation, the focus is on empowering young people from vulnerable communities through holistic education, skills development, and mentorship. Based in Cape Town, the organization provides safe and supportive spaces where children and young people can grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Through after-school and youth skills development programs, the foundation seeks to equip participants with the knowledge, confidence, and life skills needed to make positive choices and pursue sustainable opportunities.

The foundation was established in memory of Amy Biehl, an American anti-apartheid activist who was tragically killed in 1993 in the township of Gugulethu, and whose parents transformed this loss into a lasting commitment to reconciliation and youth development in South Africa. Since then, the organization has worked to break cycles of poverty and inequality by investing in education, personal development, and community engagement, enabling young people to become responsible and active contributors to South African society.

My experience at the foundation

From day one, I was warmly welcomed by the foundation and introduced to the entire team, which immediately created a strong sense of belonging. Together, we assessed where I could contribute most effectively and how the fellowship could also support my own development, building on my strengths and experience while stepping into new areas of learning.

Based on this, we defined a dual focus for my engagement: In the mornings, I supported the COO and Head of Fundraising on strategically relevant topics such as succession planning, organizational transformation, and the development of the foundation’s Theory of Change. In the afternoons, I worked directly with learners aged 10 to 18 in the After-School Program (ASP), supporting them through sports, academic, and cultural activities.

Two experiences from my fellowship particularly stayed with me: working with learners in the afternoons at participating schools and developing the foundation’s Theory of Change for the After-School Program.

1. Learning, playing, and growing together in the After-School Program

Together with the facilitators on site, I supported a range of cultural and sports activities within the Amy Foundation’s After-School Program, which provides learners with a safe and constructive environment in the afternoons. In addition to playing soccer together, I also had the opportunity to engage in cultural exchanges with the learners – for example learning how to play the marimba from them – which created moments of shared learning and connection. The aim of these activities was not only to keep young people engaged after school, but also to foster confidence, discipline, and teamwork while helping them stay away from the negative influences in their communities. By combining sports and cultural activities, the program creates a space where learners can develop new skills and grow together in a supportive environment.

2. Developing the Theory of Change for the After-School Program (ASP)

Another important part of my engagement focused on supporting the development of the foundation’s Theory of Change. For non-profit organizations, clearly demonstrating social return on investment is essential to build credibility with donors and to show how their contributions translate into measurable impact. The Amy Foundation had already developed a Theory of Change for its Youth Skills Development (YSD) program, where outcomes are easier to quantify – for example through indicators such as the number of participants who successfully transition into employment.

However, developing a similar framework for the After-School Program proved more complex, as the impact is often more long-term and less directly measurable. Together with the team, we therefore evaluated which indicators could capture the program’s contribution – defining relevant inputs, activities, outcomes, and long-term impact. Based on this, we established a structure for how these data points will be systematically collected and analyzed. Being involved in this process was particularly valuable for me, as it provided practical insight into how strategic thinking and impact measurement can support non-profits in communicating and strengthening their social impact.

Cross-cultural learnings

During my time at the Amy Foundation, I developed a deeper understanding of what working across cultures really means in practice. I experienced that trust is built less through shared backgrounds and more through consistency, openness, and genuine interest – something that became especially clear in the interaction with both the team and the learners. At the same time, I learned to adapt my communication style to very different contexts, focusing on simplicity, clarity, and empathy. Perhaps most importantly, the experience reinforced how essential it is to truly understand local realities before forming opinions or solutions. I believe that this mindset will support me in any international and cross-cultural setting at Roland Berger going forward.

Reflection and conclusion

My time at the Amy Foundation was a very meaningful experience that gave me a deeper understanding of how community-driven initiatives can create real opportunities for young people. Being part of the foundation’s work showed me how much impact dedicated people and well-structured programs can have in supporting the development and confidence of the next generation. Working closely with the team also highlighted how important collaboration, long-term thinking, and local commitment are for sustainable change.

I am very grateful to Roland Berger for enabling this experience and for supporting initiatives that allow us to engage with social impact beyond our daily work. I would also like to sincerely thank the entire team at the Amy Foundation for their openness, trust, and the opportunity to contribute to their important mission.