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Sharlene Cassel is the National Director of Epilepsy South Africa — the first person with epilepsy to lead the organisation in its 57-year history. A Distinguished Toastmaster, Chairlady of the South African Disability Alliance, and contributor to the International Bureau for Epilepsy's African stigma-reduction toolkit, she draws on 27+ years of leadership in education and executive management to drive epilepsy awareness, disability inclusion, and systemic change across South Africa.

Sharlene Cassel is the National Director of Epilepsy South Africa — appointed on 1 April 2021 as the first person with epilepsy to lead the organisation in its 57-year history. She was diagnosed with epilepsy in childhood and was told she would never be able to study. She went on to earn a BA from UNISA, Higher Diplomas in Education, a Speech qualification from Trinity College Dublin, and the Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) designation — Toastmasters International's highest educational award.

With a 27-year career spanning education, entrepreneurship, human resources, and executive management, Sharlene now leads nationally on epilepsy awareness, workplace disability inclusion, and stigma reduction. She is Chairlady of the South African Disability Alliance (SADA), a contributor to the International Bureau for Epilepsy's stigma-reduction toolkit for Africa, and a sought-after keynote speaker for corporate, healthcare, education, and NPO events.

Sharlene Cassel is a keynote speaker, disability and inclusion advocate, and the National Director of Epilepsy South Africa — appointed on 1 April 2021 as the first person with epilepsy to lead the organisation in its history, which dates back to 1967. Her positioning: "Disability and Inclusion Advocate | Expert in Education & Leadership Development | Keynote Speaker | Building Inclusive Futures."

Diagnosed with epilepsy in childhood, Sharlene was told she would never be able to study. She went on to earn a BA in Psychology from the University of South Africa (UNISA), Higher Diplomas in Education, and a Speech and Drama qualification from Trinity College, Dublin. She is a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) — Toastmasters International's highest educational achievement — and served as Division Director in Cape Town.

Her professional career spans more than 27 years across education, entrepreneurship, human resources, and executive management, including 15 years as Principal, Head of School, and College Director at Montessori Education South Africa (1993–2008). She joined the Epilepsy SA Gauteng Branch board in 2019 before her national appointment.

Today, Sharlene also serves as Chairlady of the South African Disability Alliance (SADA) and contributed to the International Bureau for Epilepsy's Advocate's Toolkit for Reducing Epilepsy Stigma in Africa. She chaired the National Epilepsy Indaba panel at Wits University (February 2026), led National Epilepsy Week 2026, appeared on OFM radio for International Epilepsy Day, and led a team of 30+ riders in the 947 Ride Joburg 2025 as a fundraising and awareness campaign — despite living with seizures herself.

Sharlene is a mother of two sons, based in Johannesburg, and available for keynotes, panels, corporate training, school and university talks, and media appearances across South Africa and internationally.