Team
Simon Penso | Director & Founder
NDip. Eng (Mechatronics)
A mechanical engineer by training, Simon mastered the management of transitioning ‘ordinary’ buildings into flagship examples of sustainability. His big picture approach to the planning and execution of sustainability initiatives across renewable energy and building performance, ensures outstanding outcomes and return on investment for clients.
While Simon works with a strong team to oversee all aspects of operations at Imbue Sustainability, he is also a Director of Solid Green, where he established and heads up the Solid Green Performance division. All green building consulting projects and certifications are undertaken by Solid Green, and Imbue Sustainability focuses on its industry-leading services in renewable energy solutions and utility optimisation. The collaboration between the two companies ensures a comprehensive and focused approach for every client.
During his time as Managing Director of Spire Sustainable Solutions and National Facility Manager for Spire Property Management, Simon was involved in the positioning of the Tower Property Fund as a green fund: identifying the potential for and implementing green initiatives to transform the portfolio ahead of its listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange as a Real Estate Investment Trust.
Simon serves as a Green Star SA Assessor, providing independent assessment services to the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA), and is a Green Star SA Faculty member. He presents green building training workshops on existing buildings, and is a member of the Green Star SA Technical Advisory Group for GBCSA. In 2023 Simon received the GBCSA Leadership Award: Established Green Star, recognising his significant contribution to sustainability initiatives in the built environment.
Simon draws inspiration from the great outdoors, where he loves sailing, mountain biking, hiking, fly fishing and travel.
Jenni Lombard | Business Development Lead
HDip. (Education), HDip. (Interior Design)
With over 26 years of dedicated experience in the built environment, Jenni brings a comprehensive understanding of sustainable practices, corporate interior design and project management to the Imbue team. Over the past 11 years, she has focused on the sustainability industry, leading initiatives that promote environmentally responsible building practices.
Prior to this, Jenni spent 16 years in corporate interior design and facilities management, collaborating with a diverse range of stakeholders to deliver innovative and functional workplace solutions. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong ability to motivate and lead teams, fostering collaborative environments that emphasise quality, efficiency, and sustainability.
As the Business Partnership Lead at Imbue Sustainability, Jenni focuses on fostering strong collaborations with clients, contractors, and strategic partners to drive the integration of sustainable principles across all stages of the building lifecycle. Her approach emphasises aligning business objectives with environmental goals, ensuring that sustainability delivers both long-term value and measurable impact.
Jenni is an avid runner who stops to admire the view, or to investigate small plants along the way.
Danon Pina | Head of Projects
BSc. (Hons) (Quantity Surveying)
Danon Pina is the Head of Projects at Imbue Sustainability, where he leads the delivery of renewable energy and sustainability initiatives across South Africa. With a B.Sc. Honours in Quantity Surveying and B.Sc. in Construction Studies from the University of Cape Town, he brings both technical expertise and hands-on experience to his role.
Danon started at Imbue as a Green Star consultant, but his focus quickly shifted to the renewable energy side of the company. Danon has now managed over 10 MWp of solar PV projects. His project and programme management skills are complemented by a strong foundation in operational oversight and business development, enabling him to align technical solutions with client objectives. Passionate about creating meaningful environmental impact, Danon combines his construction experience with sustainability-focused consulting to deliver projects that are both practical and future-focused. Outside of his professional work, he is an avid trail runner, outdoor enthusiast, and photographer.
Tobie Steyn | Head of Data Analytics
BSc.Eng (Chemical Engineering)
Tobie Steyn’s data-driven approach unlocks the sustainability potential of our client’s projects. With a Bachelor of Science Chemical Engineering (with first class honours) from the University of Cape Town, Tobie contributes a powerful engineering mindset and diverse technical skills to all levels of Imbue’s work and partnerships, offering creative and comprehensive advice and solutions.
From inception to completion and beyond, Tobie ensures sound qualitative and quantitative analysis to assess viability, risk, and ongoing performance to maximise financial, social, and environmental returns. Tobie continues to hone the company’s technical systems, tool development, and internal methodologies, focusing on accuracy and transparency in all of Imbue’s data work and reporting.
In his free time Tobie pursues a host of hobbies in music, video media, writing, and fitness.
Chelsea Botha | Operations Lead
BA (Hons), LLB, PG.Dip. (Attorneys Practice)
Chelsea combines a background in environmental science, law, and property to bring operational structure and legal precision to Imbue’s solar operations. With an Honours degree in Environmental Science, an LLB, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice, she integrates scientific understanding with legal and organisational insight. At Imbue, Chelsea oversees internal and external operations, manages stakeholder relationships and performance, provides internal legal guidance and contract management, and supports the coordination and development of the company’s Solar Asset Management services. She streamlines systems and processes to ensure project efficiency, operational excellence, and seamless client communication.
Driven by a passion for the environment, Chelsea has always sought to make a positive impact in her career. Her interdisciplinary interests in environmental and trade law and policy, carbon offsetting, climate science, and restoration ecology, shape her systems-thinking approach delivering exceptional value to Imbue’s clients with practical, lasting sustainability solutions.
Bea van Huyssteen | PA & Project Administrator
BSc. (Life Science), PG.Dip. (Sustainable Development) 
Bea is currently pursuing her Masters Degree at Stellenbosch University in Sustainable Development and has a passion for integrating environmental principles into everyday business practice. With a Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Development and a BSc in Human Life Sciences from Stellenbosch University, she brings both analytical and human-centred thinking to her work.
At Imbue Sustainability, Bea supports project coordination and operational excellence across the company, ensuring smooth alignment between the Director’s strategic goals and the team’s delivery. Her role spans project administration, client liaison, organisational management, and financial administration. Her background in renewable energy recruitment sharpened her understanding of the sector’s evolving landscape and laid the foundation for her ability to navigate complex sustainability projects.
Outside of work, Bea enjoys exploring the local art, design, and music scenes, often finding inspiration in creative spaces. She also loves crafting jewellery and spending time in nature.
Zainodine Dawood | Junior Technical Engineer
BSc.Eng (Mechatronics)
Zainodine brings a unique blend of analytical precision and creativity to his role at Imbue Sustainability, with a passion for building a more sustainable future through innovative technical solutions.
As a Junior Technical Project Engineer, Zainodine provides crucial support to the project implementation team. Working closely with Danon, he assists in the delivery of renewable energy initiatives, with a focus on rooftop solar PV projects. He applies his engineering mindset and skills in problem-solving and schematic design to help turn complex project requirements into tangible assets that deliver both environmental and economic returns
Outside of his work, Zainodine is a dedicated mentor in the Ikigai mentorship program and a proven leader, having served as captain for his basketball and soccer teams. His interests in painting and drawing fuel the collaborative and creative spirit he contributes to the Imbue team.
Chris Scheepers | Junior Systems Engineer
BSc.Eng (Electrical and Computer Engineering)
Chris is currently in his final year of a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Cape Town. His studies span electronics, embedded systems, and computer engineering, providing him with a broad technical foundation across both hardware and software.
At Imbue, Chris supports the development of the company’s internal technical tooling and data systems, with a strong focus on automation and process efficiency. Working across solar monitoring and asset management platforms, he helps streamline the capture, processing, and reporting of data, contributing to the company’s growing adoption of machine learning and AI in its monitoring and reporting workflows.
Outside of work, Chris enjoys surfing, golf, and playing in UCT’s internal rugby league. As a member of the Mountain and Ski Club, he appreciates the outdoors, but also spends much of his spare time tinkering with personal coding and embedded systems projects.
“Sustainability is not about doing less harm. It’s about doing more good.” Jochen Zeitz