Dr. Ricardo Virgill Smart (30) from Blackheath has been elected as the International Leadership Council Leader-Alumni Member of the Golden Key International Honour Society.
Smart joined the Golden Key Society after his first year at Stellenbosch University in 2011, where he was among the top 15% of academic achievers in his particular programme.
Ever since then Smart has been an active member of the Golden Key Society and has served in several leadership positions at the Stellenbosch Chapter, including service director and vice-president.
When Smart served as Service Director, and at a later stage as vice-president, the Stellenbosch Chapter received several national special awards, Gold Status, and Key Chapter Awards. The most memorable projects he was involved in include free tutoring services that significantly improved the grades and confidence of leaders in an after-school programme, a sandwich drive in collaboration with Matie Community Service (Stellenbosch University) that prepared sandwiches for over 10 000 people and a platform to discuss mental health, burnout prevention, and coping strategies.
In his new role Smart’s responsibilities will include mentoring and training advisors and chapter leaders, as well as serving as a bridge between advisors, student members, the international staff, and the Board of Directors. “Serving in this position provides me with a substantial platform from which I can lead the positive and impactful executive committee members with a vision. This position allows me to engage with Golden Key alumni members from all over the world in order to assist them to attain their full potential while remaining active in Golden Key,” says Smart.
Smart will also serve as an advisory body to the Board of Directors and international staff on chapter-related and member-related programmes and initiatives. “I have been an active Golden Key member for more than a decade, and I have networked with and built strong relationships with inspiring and influential leaders both nationally and worldwide. Golden Key holds a special place in my heart, but I never expected to be elected as a member of the International Leader Council,” he says.
Smart was nominated by Dr. Elmie Castleman from The Golden Key Southern Africa Head Quarters. “I have the utmost respect for the Golden Key Southern Africa Head Quarters personnel, and they have done an incredible job of fostering personal and professional development, not only for Golden Key members, but for many young South African leaders as well.
“I am humbled by the fact that they saw my potential and trusted me enough to nominate me for this position, for which I am eternally thankful.
“When I heard that I had won the election for this position, it was a glorious moment for me. This was in fact one of my greatest aspirations after earning my Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at Stellenbosch University. Words cannot explain how enthusiastic I am about academics, leadership, and service,” he says.
Smart took office on 1 June and will serve in this position for a period of three years.
