About Dionne Van Zyl

Dr. Dionne Van Zyl is a seasoned senior executive with over 34 years of experience leading early-stage growth companies in the financial services and high-technology sectors. Throughout his career, he has established innovative alliances and high-profile partnerships with Fortune 100 companies, including ING, Aegon, American Express, Zurich Kemper Life, Hartford Life, Pacific Life, American Scandia, and Lincoln Life, as well as DST Systems, CSC Continuum, Financial Holding Corporation, and BMC Intelligent Systems.

Dr. Van Zyl’s leadership journey began after earning a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand. He served as an officer in the South African military’s Electronic Warfare regiment and later as a full-time pastor at Hatfield Christian Church in Pretoria, where he was ordained. During this time, he co-founded the Interyouth national movement in South Africa, promoting racial harmony among over 11,000 youth from diverse backgrounds.

In 1990, Dr. Van Zyl ventured into entrepreneurship by establishing Silicon Systems, CC, a provider of military defense technologies. As the political climate evolved, the company transitioned into factory automation technologies. He also co-founded BMC Intelligent Solutions (Pty) Ltd, delivering financial services technologies to insurance companies. In 1994, he relocated to the United States and successfully founded Exchange America, a financial services technology provider, where he served as CEO, leading a team of 85 employees and an 11-member executive management team.

In 2004, Dr. Van Zyl earned an MBA and a doctorate in management. Demonstrating a commitment to community service, he and his wife established Deo Preparatory School in 1998, aiming to provide quality education to academically outstanding teenagers. Within three years, the school’s students ranked in the top four percent nationally in test scores, marking it as one of the most academically successful schools in Georgia.

Currently, Dr. Van Zyl is the founder and president of i49 Group, Inc., offering CEO consulting services and leadership development courses to startups and multinational enterprises across various industries, including technology, financial services, electronic manufacturing, real estate development, online marketing, and personal development-focused businesses.

Dr. Van Zyl and his wife, Bridget, reside in Atlanta, Georgia. They became U.S. citizens in 2002 and have a family of four married children and two grandchildren.

Through the Dionne Van Zyl Brilliant Scholarship, Dr. Van Zyl extends his dedication to leadership and personal development, empowering students to pursue their educational goals and make meaningful impacts in their communities.