Cayley Wood

Cayley Wood, 30, grew up in Johannesburg in a family that valued integrity, service and education. From an early age, she knew she wanted to make a difference — even if the path was unclear. From wanting to be a paediatrician to a teacher, she was drawn to roles that empowered others. After facing bullying at school, Cayley developed a deep commitment to kindness and resilience — values that now shape her work. Today, she is the founder and chief executive of Ingage Support, a digital mental health platform, and a registered counsellor with the Health Professions Council of South Africa. She supports children, teens and adults dealing with trauma, grief, stress and identity struggles, while building tech-based tools to make emotional care more accessible. Cayley holds an honours degree in psychology (cum laude) and continues advanced training in trauma-informed practice. Her work is guided by one belief: healing multiplies — and every conversation has the potential to change a life.

• Bachelor of Arts, University of Pretoria – with distinction majoring in psychology and education
• Bachelor of Social Science Honours (BPsych Equivalent)
• Postgraduate degree awarded cum laude by the South African College of Applied Psychology (SACAP)
• Registered counsellor –  currently registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA)
• Ongoing Advanced Training –  Continues to pursue training in: Brainspotting – Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) – Trauma-informed practice

• Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 in 2024 – this honour was a reminder that impact does not need to be loud to be powerful
• recognised for the News24 Young Mandela Award in 2023 – being recognised in the name of someone who embodied dignity and compassion reaffirmed my belief that leadership is about service — about lifting others up and creating space for shared humanity
• Founding Ingage Support in 2022 – building a mental health tech platform from the ground up came with great highs and difficult challenges
• Presenter at the ISPCAN International Congress, Prague (2019) – Speaking internationally about child protection was humbling. It revealed the universality of pain and highlighted the urgent need for culturally relevant, community-led solutions.
• Collaborations with the South African Depression and Anxiety Group, Jelly Beanz Inc and other key organisations

• My parents – their example of quiet strength, humility and unwavering integrity has provided grounding throughout life. My mother who taught empathy, kindness and the importance of showing up for people – my father who taught critical thinking, humility and the importance of following through on one’s word. Both have offered unconditional support while challenging growth, self-trust and voice
• My younger sister – her strength, emotional intelligence and unwavering authenticity demonstrate what it means to live boldly and lead with heart
• My husband – his quiet strength, steadfast support and belief in purpose provide constant encouragement. Having someone who truly sees and supports purpose is a gift not taken for granted
• Leaders in mental health – those who challenge the status quo, push back against stigma, fight for equity and design inclusive, transformative systems of care
• Community-based professionals – those working in schools, clinics and grassroots spaces — often unseen — serve as reminders that impact is not always visible, but it is always valuable