With over 20 years of experience in diverse national and international infrastructure projects, Dr. Coenie Nel is a dedicated Project Management expert committed to empowering individuals and organizations. By combining his passion for Project Management with his innate leadership and teaching abilities, he guides clients towards success by applying key project management principles and ensuring the successful individuals, successful organizations and successful completion of projects.
Professional background
Dr Coenie Nel is a distinguished Project Management & Consulting Professional (Pr Eng, PMP) with a robust career spanning over two decades. Beginning his journey as an intern at Power Construction (1999-2002), he quickly ascended through various technical and leadership roles. At Laing O’Rourke, UK (2003-2004), and subsequently MVD Construction Civil and Structural Engineers (2004-2005), Nel honed his engineering and project management skills, overseeing significant construction and engineering projects. Transitioning to an entrepreneurial role, he founded and managed MultiStone Granite & Marble (2005-2008), showcasing his capability in production management and large-scale installations.
Dr Nel’s expertise was further solidified at SSI Consulting Engineers (2008-2010) as Office Manager & Civil Engineer, where he was instrumental in municipal construction tenders and water management projects. His academic contributions began with lecturing positions at the University of Stellenbosch, CPUT, and involvement with the Western Cape Government (2010 onwards), mentoring and facilitating project management knowledge transfer. In 2014, he established Creative Project Management Solutions, offering consulting, training, and project management services across multiple sectors, including significant international exposure through various training providers in the Middle East.
His leadership roles extend beyond professional settings into academic and voluntary capacities, demonstrating a commitment to industry advancement and community development. Dr Nel’s multifaceted career reflects a deep engagement with project management, engineering, and education, emphasizing innovation, strategic development, and mentorship.
Education and qualifications
Doctor of Philosophy, PhD, Project Management and Business Strategy; Master’s in Engineering, MSc, Engineering Management; Master’s in Business Administration, MBA, Business Management; Bachelors in Engineering, B.Eng, Civil Engineering – Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Personal
On a personal note, Dr. Nel cherishes family time, being supported by his wife, a dedicated professional nurse, and their three children, currently navigating their high school education. His commitment to personal well-being and balance is evident in his passion for the outdoors and endurance sports. Dr. Nel actively engages in road running, where he not only participates but excels in marathons and ultra-marathons, embodying the discipline and resilience that mark his professional life.
