Little Eden Head Hands over Baton

by Erin Carelse · July 24, 2018

Retiring Little Eden CEO Lucy Slaviero (left) with new CEO Xelda Rohrbeck and resident Mutshidzi.

Longtime Little Eden CEO Lucy Slaviero, 65, is retiring and the society’s Xelda Rohrbeck, 35, will succeed her from September.

The two will be working together over the remaining period to ensure a smooth transition for the two homes for children and adults with profound intellectual disability.

Mrs Slaviero has been involved with Little Eden since she was a girl of 14, and will continue to be once she retires.

“When I accepted the position of CEO of Little Eden 22 years ago, I did so with some trepidation,” she said. “I had some very big shoes to fill — those of my father and mother, the founders of Little Eden, Danny and Domitilla Hyams, then 76 and 79 years of age.”

Mrs Rohrbeck started as a part-time receptionist, introduced to Little Eden by her now-husband, Michael Rohrbeck, one of Mr and Mrs Hyams’ grandchildren.

Mrs Rohrbeck then did a BCom honours in strategic management at the University of Johannesburg, and worked within the hospitality industry until 2008.

Prior to the birth of her two sons, she returned to Little Eden, and over the past 10 years moved from office administrator, to administration manager, to operations manager.

“Lucy has been an inspiration to me over the years, and I have learned much from her,” Mrs Rohrbeck said.

“I am committed first and foremost to maintaining the ‘golden thread’ of values woven into the fabric of Little Eden, which makes it the very special place it is.”

For more information about Little Eden Society, contact Nichollette Muthige on 011 609 7246, , or visit www.littleeden.org.za