FOUNDERS PAGE
Hi, I’m Don Stevenson, a third-generation miner with deep roots in the industry. From my grandfather, a blacksmith in the Zambian mines, to my parents who dedicated their lives to mining, this world has shaped who I am.
I’ve seen both the highs and the heart-breaking lows—losing my grandfather to TB and lung cancer. My father, a gold mine shift boss, to a tragic accident. The industry gave us adventure and community, but it also took its toll, especially through its heavy substance abuse culture and mental health disregard.
My career has been a whirlwind, from designing mines, selling mining related products and services, conducting mining viability studies, and working across Africa, Australia, Canada, and South America. But relentless travel, work and pressure coupled with neurological illness, led to crippling anxiety, depression and poor mental health, forcing me to confront the hidden costs of the mining industry life.
That’s why I founded DrillDownReports.com, a platform to support miners and their families, offering mental health resources, industry insights, and a sense of community.
Mining is rich with opportunity, but we must also address the challenges that come with it.
Let’s dig deep, support one another, and build a future where miners don’t just survive—but thrive.
Hi, I’m Mark Joseph, and I’ve dedicated my life to bringing mindfulness into people’s daily lives—both in South Africa and beyond. As a partner and lead facilitator at Mindful mentors, I’ve had the privilege of helping individuals and businesses embrace mindfulness as a powerful tool for resilience, well-being, and transformation.
My journey into mindfulness began with my own struggles with panic attacks and anxiety. Seeking answers, I immersed myself in both Eastern and Western mindfulness philosophies, eventually traveling to India and the Himalayas in the late 1990s. There, I spent three years living in a Buddhist temple, learning from some of the great masters of Asian classical wisdom.
When I returned to mainstream life, I knew I wanted to share these practices in a way that could make a real impact. I’ve since led extensive eight-week stress reduction workshops and, in 2016, developed South Africa’s first mindfulness teacher training program. Today, my work is helping individuals and businesses alike create meaningful culture change through mindfulness.
I’m passionate about making these practices accessible to everyone, and I look forward to sharing this journey with you.
Hi, I’m Charmaine Stevenson, and I’ve devoted my career to transforming workplaces by prioritizing mental health and well-being, particularly in the high-stakes worlds of mining and banking. As Delivery & Administration Director at Drilldown Reports, I lead the charge in rolling out innovative mental health programs that empower organizations to thrive while supporting their people.
My journey began over 20 years ago, managing complex projects for industry giants like Anglo American, Rio Tinto, RMB, and KPMG. I saw firsthand how workplace pressures—tight deadlines, high expectations, and relentless demands—could erode well-being if left unchecked. This sparked my passion for creating solutions that not only optimize processes but also nurture the human side of work. A personal turning point came when I witnessed the toll of unaddressed mental health challenges in mining communities, including my own family’s experiences. It drove me to bridge the gap between operational excellence and meaningful care.
Today, at Drilldown Reports, I combine strategic oversight with a deep commitment to impact, delivering tailored programs that integrate mindfulness, psychological support, and digital tools to foster resilience and connection. Whether it’s designing a mental health initiative for a bank’s customer-facing team or a mindfulness program for miners underground, I’m dedicated to making well-being accessible and sustainable.
I’m excited to collaborate with others who share this vision—let’s build workplaces where people don’t just succeed, but flourish.
Hi, I am Nikita Francis (Erasmus), and I’m driven by a deep passion for understanding how people think, feel, and grow. With a strong academic background in cognitive science, psychopathology, therapeutic models, philosophy, and education from the University of Johannesburg, I’ve spent over a decade turning psychological theory into practical, impactful solutions. My journey includes working in special needs education, founding a remedial therapy centre, and designing personalized interventions that build emotional resilience and cognitive flexibility for people of all ages.
As Lead Trainer at Drilldownreports, I craft and deliver corporate mental health training programs that are evidence-based, relatable, and empowering. From recording training videos to shaping the narrative tone, I ensure every module is clear, compassionate, and grounded in real-world application. My personal experiences with chronic physical and mental health challenges have given me unique insight into neurodiversity, trauma, and psychological strength, allowing me to create inclusive and meaningful content.
I believe emotional intelligence is the foundation for thriving teams and workplaces. My goal is to provide tools that don’t just educate but inspire lasting change, helping organizations foster cultures where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to succeed.
