Participants
We are excited to share our participants and contributors below so you can learn about who is attending the Indaba - we encourage you to check them out!
Click below to download our latest list as a pdf:
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Aaron Kim (South Korea)
Professor, Hanyang University
Aaron earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in Instructional Systems from Florida State University. While studying, he actively participated in various externally funded research and development projects as a research assistant and instructional designer. Upon completing the master’s program, he joined the Citibank Latin America Training and Development Center in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. During the course of his doctoral studies, he worked as the evaluation supervisor at the Center for Assessment and Testing at Florida State University.
In 2012, with his friends, he founded Korea’s first private consulting firm dedicated to international development cooperation and has been working as an international development consultant ever since. Recently, he joined the Collective Impact Center at Hanyang University to promote and facilitate innovation in addressing social problems in Korea and other countries through research, education, and social innovation programs. He is also a professor in the Social Innovation Convergence Major program at Hanyang University.
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Abdulrahman Alghamdi (Saudi Arabia)
Portfolio Manager, UNDP Saudi Arabia
Abdulrahman Ali Alghamdi is a designer, facilitator, and innovation strategist who currently serves as a portfolio manager at UNDP Saudi Arabia. He holds a Master’s in Design for Social Innovation from the School of Visual Arts, NYC. He is experienced in community-centered design, innovation management, and entrepreneurship. Abdulrahman collaborates with diverse organizations to address social challenges and drive sustainable change. Skilled in facilitation, business design, and community engagement, he is dedicated to creating impactful solutions that foster social innovation across various sectors.
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Ada Wong (Hong Kong)
Founder, Hong Kong Institute of Contemporary Culture
& Make A Difference (MaD) Institute
Ada founded the Hong Kong Institute of Contemporary Culture (HKICC), a unique non-profit organization whose mission is education innovation and a creative civil society. Among other projects, HKICC founded Hong Kong’s only “art high school”, the HKICC Lee Shau Kee School of Creativity and Ada is the School’s supervisor.
She also founded the Make A Difference (MaD) Institute, a continuing platform to groom the next generation of creative leaders and innovative changemakers in Asia. Ada’s latest social venture is The Good Lab, an inspiring co-working space and a collaborative community for social innovation and entrepreneurship development in Hong Kong. Ada was an elected member of the Urban Council and Wan Chai District Council between 1995 and 2008 with the last four years as Chairperson of the Wan Chai District Council. Ada received her BA (Hons) from Pomona College, California, USA and M Ed from the University of Hong Kong. She is an Honorary Fellow of the Lingnan University and Hong Kong Institute of Education.
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Adelaide Sheik (South Africa)
Lecturer and Academic Coordinator: Continuous Education Programmes,
University of Johannesburg
Adelaide Sheik has been exposed to the corporate and non-profit (NPO) sector in managerial positions for the first 21 years of her career. She started at the University of Johannesburg as a Stakeholder Manager in 2012 and took on the role of Acting HOD for the Centre of Centre for Social Entrepreneurship and Social Economy (CSESE) until 2016.
Currently, she is a lecturer in the Business Management Department and the coordinator of Continuous Education Programmes. Her recent qualifications include a MBA and a PhD - Organizational Effectiveness in Social Enterprises.
Aïssé Touré (Canada)
Founder & CEO, BlackEstrie
Born in France, of Senegalese-Malian origin, it was in 2014 that she arrived in Quebec and settled in Sherbrooke. A nurse for the CIUSSSE de l'Estrie, she participates in particular in the implementation of the Equity-Diversity-Inclusion (EDI) policy within the Ciussse de l'Estrie establishments in 2021. She won the Social Impact prize of the group of African women entrepreneurs in 2023.
In 2020, seeing the lack of cultural initiatives for the community of Afro-descendants in the region, Aïssé launched the Blackestrie platform in Sherbrooke.
Blackestrie's mission is to promote black culture in the region. Blackestrie is now a recognized NPO under the direction of Aïssé and organizes socio-cultural activities and which offers a program “Person n'en Parle” which addresses current affairs and social issues broadcast on Ma Tv Sherbrooke and My Granby TV.
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Akira De Carlos (Canada)
Administrative and Education Director, Sankofa Farming Cooperative
Akira De Carlos is a passionate Afro-Indigenous Black Queer community organizer original to Angola, currently residing in Montreal, deeply involved in initiatives centered around food sovereignty and climate justice. They are a co-founder of the Sankofa Farming Cooperative, an initiative designed to provide a safe space for Black and Afro-Indigenous youth to reconnect with their land based ancestral practices. The Cooperative emphasizes environmental consciousness, sustainable living, and the reclamation and empowerment of their heritage.
Akira's work resonates deeply with South Africa's vibrant and resilient history, particularly its ongoing commitment to justice and collective action. As South Africa celebrates 30 years of democracy, Akira's participation in the 1st World Gathering of Leaders in Social Innovation in Bloemfontein, aligns perfectly with their aspirations. The gathering's themes of rethinking institutions, working across silos, and imagining a new future mirror the innovative approaches Akira explores at Sankofa and beyond.
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Alexander Johnson (South Africa)
Professor: Odeion School of Music, University of the Free State
Professor Alexander Johnson is a distinguished composer and academic, currently a professor of Music at the University of the Free State. He previously served as Head of the School of the Arts and Chair of Music at the University of Pretoria. His expertise includes composition, music theory, orchestration, and analysis. Internationally recognised, Professor Johnson's works are performed and broadcast in South Africa and globally, including the UK, USA, France, Russia, Canada, Germany, Italy, China, and more. Over 25 years, his piano compositions, spanning classical and jazz, have been included in the University of South Africa and Trinity College of Music, London syllabi.
Notably, he is the only South African composer featured by this UK examination body. His compositions are central to prestigious music competitions. His Jazz Impromptu was prescribed for the Seventh Unisa-Transnet International Piano Competition in 1994, Colour-keys for Clarinet in 2014, and Vocalise Africa in 2018. In 2022, his Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer were chosen for the Sixth Unisa International Strings Competition. Esteemed ensembles like the Lucerne Festival Strings and the Zürich Camerata Orchestra have performed Professor Johnson's orchestral works.
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Amwaj Alzahrani (Saudi Arabia)
Design Lab Manager, National eLearning Center
I am a multidisciplinary designer and researcher from Saudi Arabia, with expertise in strategy, design research, branding, and user experience. My work centers on creatively addressing systemic issues, guided by principles of inclusivity, sustainability, and community-led practices. Currently, I manage the Design Lab at NeLC, driving innovation in the Saudi Arabian EdTech ecosystem. Since 2020, I've also been the Communication Designer and Creative Visualizer with SIX. I hold a Master's degree in Design for Social Innovation from the School of Visual Arts (SVA), NYC, and have a deep interest in culture and art.
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Anamika Dey (India)
CEO, Gujarat Grassroots Innovation Augmentation Network (GIAN)
I am Dr. Anamika Dey, Chief Innovation Manager and CEO of the Gujarat Grassroots Innovation Augmentation Network (GIAN). With over fourteen years in the grassroots innovation movement, my work spans understanding and enhancing community-level innovations. My doctoral research on agro-biodiversity conservation has deepened my insights into creativity and resilience at the farm level amidst climate change.
I am also a Visiting Faculty at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, where I teach courses on innovation and social institutions. In my role, I train UNDP accelerator labs worldwide and co-direct GIANSTRE, our incubator company. I contribute as an Associate Editor for Honey Bee, a newsletter on grassroots innovations. My expertise has been sought by organizations like UNESCO, FAO, and UNDP for various workshops and strategy developments globally.
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Anthea Rhoda (South Africa)
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic, University of the Free State
Prof Anthea Rhoda is a distinguished academic leader with a background in physiotherapy and health sciences. Holding a PhD in Physiotherapy, she has served in key roles at the University of the Western Cape, demonstrating leadership through various committees.
Beyond her institution, she contributes to professional bodies and advisory committees, including the WHO. Prof Rhoda's leadership extends to completing prestigious training programs and advancing medical education. Known for championing initiatives in academic excellence and social justice, her research focuses on stroke rehabilitation, neurology and interprofessional education, showcasing her dedication to advancing health sciences education.
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Aparna Uppaluri (India)
Founder & Director, Antara Advisory
Aparna Uppaluri is a global executive and a senior philanthropy advisor. Recently she founded Antara Advisors, a specialised philanthropy and research and strategic advisory. She is Special Advisor to the Grow for Climate Fund and serves on the advisory bodies of Equal Measures 2030, and the Sustainable Futures Collaborative. Until recently she was the Chief Operating Officer, leading philanthropic programs at the Tata Trusts with operational and strategic planning oversight over all thematic areas including livelihoods, health, nutrition, WaSH as well as Arts & Culture.
In her previous role, she served as Senior Global Program Officer at the Ford Foundation and acting Program Director of the Foundation’s India, Nepal, Sri Lanka office. Her global work has included nurturing philanthropic collaboratives, intergovernmental partnerships, and strategic field building. She led the Science and Society Program at the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), India and founded a performing arts collective which she ran for 10 years. She was educated in Canada at Queen’s University and the University of Toronto.
Bhekinkosi Moyo (South Africa)
Director, Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment
Bhekinkosi Moyo is the Director of the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Witwatersrand’s Wits Business School. He is a leading writer on issues of African philanthropy, a prolific author, researcher and thought leader with a keen interest in questions of African resources, democracy and governance. He has championed the African discourse on philanthropy, contributed to the growth of many African civil society formations and has taken part in most of the continental processes of development and governance. Prior to joining the Wits Business School, he was CEO of the Southern Africa Trust, as well as being instrumental in establishing several institutions across Africa. He worked as Director of Programmes at Trust Africa and was also part of the formation of the African Union Foundation, becoming one of the founding council members. He sits on the boards of the International Society for Third Sector Research, the African Union Foundation, and chairs the SIVIO Institute and Association for Research on Civil Society in Africa boards. Equally, he has gained considerable experience in management, leadership and strategic roles over a significant period. Bheki has over 20 years of experience in knowledge generation, research and policy generation.
Bia Fiuza (Brazil)
CEO, Rizoma Social
Bia Fiuza is a specialist in impact ecosystems and philanthropy with 14 years of experience in social development projects. She has held leadership roles as Executive and Institutional Director of the Jacques Klein Music Institute (IMJK), which has contributed to the education of thousands of children and adolescents, and as Executive Director of Somos Um, where she played a key role in redesigning the organization, enabling it to expand its national and international reach, improving access to capital for women-led businesses, and supporting the development of impact-driven enterprises. Currently, Bia leads the Coalizão pelo Impacto project in Fortaleza, where she strengthens the local impact ecosystem through professional training programs, funding for impact business acceleration projects, and advocacy for public policies that support the impact economy. She is also a partner at Rizoma Consulting and a board member of GIFE, Movimento Arredondar, and Somos Um.
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Bridgit Evans (South Africa)
Executive Director, SAB Foundation
Bridgit Evans is Executive Director of the SAB Foundation investing in and providing business support to approximately 120 small and growing businesses and social innovators per annum, including farmers and entrepreneurs with disabilities. Prior to this, Bridgit was the CEO of the GreaterGood Group, a firm specialising in socio economic development consulting across Africa and home to the South African Impact Investing Network. Bridgit began her career at Tshikululu Social Investments and she also spent time at the Gordon Institute of Business Science running the Social Entrepreneurship Programme.
Bridgit has two degrees in Psychology and an MBA from University of Cape Town and the Indian School of Business in Hyderabad, with a thesis on Social Innovation. She is a Director at Liqid Medical, a health care start up funded by SAB Foundation and serves on the Foundations committee of Impact Investing South Africa. She is an Archbishop Tutu Fellow and is passionate about unlocking opportunities for people to realise their potential.
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Brownhilder Neneh (South Africa)
Vice Dean: Economic and Management Sciences,
University of the Free State
Prof Brownhilder Neneh is a Full Professor and serves as the Vice-dean of Research, Engagement and Internationalisation at the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at the University of the Free State. She is an NRF-rated researcher. Her primary focus is on fostering research and development of entrepreneurial competencies and behaviours vital for successfully navigating the entrepreneurial pipeline (intentions, start-up, own/manage, grow, and exit), with a special emphasis on students and women entrepreneurship. In 2023, she made the list of 28 UFS researchers (being number 9 of the Stanford-Elsevier Ranking of Top 2% Most-cited Researchers in the world (as of the 4th of October 2023, the latest update). The selection is based on the top 100,000 scientists by c-score, which is widely considered to be one of the best and most comprehensive measures of a researcher’s scientific impact.
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Buhle Dhlamini (South Africa)
Managing Director, Amahle Logistics
Buhle Dhlamini is an Accountant with at least 10 years of experience in entrepreneurship,
currently the Managing Director of Amahle Logistics (Pty) Ltd.
He served as the Head of Social Innovation & Incubation at the Allan and Gill Gray Philanthropy South Africa for 2 and a half years until May 2024. His role was to provide strategic direction, conceptualise, develop new catalytic social initiatives, and enable existing programs which support the broader South African entrepreneurship ecosystem.
He also served as the Fellowship Programme Director at the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation for 3 years starting in 2018, whose primary focus was the selection of Candidate Fellows most likely to develop into high impact responsible entrepreneurs; nurture and support them while at university. He holds a certificate in Social Impact Strategy from the University of Pennsylvania, USA and is a graduate from Wits University and the University of South Africa.
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Bulelwa Moikwatlhai (South Africa)
Assistant Director: Comprehensive Internationalisation,
University of the Free State
Bulelwa Moikwatlhai is a seasoned international education administrator with over 12 years of experience in higher education. She holds an MBA and an Honours degree in Leadership and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Higher Education Studies. As the Assistant Director of Comprehensive Internationalisation at the University of the Free State (UFS) Qwaqwa Campus, she leads the strategic direction and implementation of the campus's internationalisation agenda.
Bulelwa has a proven track record of developing, coordinating, and managing innovative and impactful programmes that enhance students' and staff's global engagement and mobility. She has been instrumental in launching the Umoja Buddy Programme, a co-curricular initiative that fosters intercultural learning and integration among local and international students. She has also established and maintained effective communication and collaboration with various internal and external stakeholders, including academics, support departments, sponsors, and partner institutions. Bulelwa is passionate about advancing the quality and relevance of higher education in a dynamic and diverse world.
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Carla Duprat (Brazil)
Senior Advisor, Instituto Cidadania Empresarial (ICE)
Born in England and raised in Brazil, Carla Duprat has 30 years experience in the social sector. Currently acting as Senior Advisor at ICE, Instituto Cidadania Empresarial a non profit of 68 practising philanthropists, Carla served as Executive Director of the InterCement Institute from 2015 to March, 2023. At ICE Carla is part of the Coalition for Impact Ecosystems team working with multiple stakeholders in six cities of the country, to strenghthen social impact business and investment field. Carla has a prior experience as Sustainability Officer and corporate philanthropy executive of Mover Group, a large Brazilian conglomorate and under her management, support to social impact business was incoporated as a poverty reduction strategy, in addition to corporate volunteering in the seven countries where the cement company had operations.
Before joining the Mover Group between Carla served in the third sector as founding member of the Institute for the Development of Social Investment until 2006. She holds a degree in politics and international studies from the University of Warwick, UK and an MBA in Human Resources from the University of São Paulo. Chairperson of the Board of Meu Futuro Digital, Carla serves on the Fiscal Board of Synergos Brazil and on the Advisory Boards of AFESU, CEAP and Litro de Luz. Carla is married to Carlos and has 4 children.
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Chatradari Devroop (South Africa)
Research Professor, Tshwane University of Technology
Chats Devroop is a research professor in the Faculty of Arts and Design at Tshwane University of Technology. His professional career spans both artistic and academic output, positioning him among a select group of artists-cum-scholars in the country. As an NRF-rated scholar, his research interests are interdisciplinary, encompassing philosophy, digital technologies, music, diaspora studies, and education.
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Cheryl Jacob (South Africa)
Head of Social Entrepreneurship, E Squared
Cheryl Jacob joined E Squared in 2019 and serves as the Head of Social Entrepreneurship. She is responsible for social impact investments. She has over 20 years’ experience in International Development working with civil society organisations across the global south. Cheryl is the Managing Director of REASONATE - a consultancy collective working across Africa. Cheryl has consulted for the Global Fund, Obama Foundation and South African National Government amongst others. Cheryl brings her experience, passion, and energy and commitment to support social enterprises to build and scale social impact in South Africa.
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Christine Taphel (South Africa)
CEO, RLabs South Africa
Christine Nicola Taphel is the CEO of RLabs South Africa and the founder of the RLabs Innovation Lab. Partnering with MIT, Google, LSE, and the Rockefeller Foundation, she advances social innovation for significant change. Christine co-founded GROW Leadership Academy, RLabs Youth Cafe, and RLabs Women, focusing on youth and women's empowerment. She holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology and Linguistics from the University of Western Cape and certificates from the University of Cape Town. Beyond RLabs, Christine founded Hit@Thirty1, a media platform transforming the lives of women and girls, helping them discover their unique voice and design.
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Cobus van Breda (South Africa)
Programme Director, Science-for-the-Future, University of the Free State
Dr. Cobus van Breda is the Programme Director of Science-for-the-Future (S4F) and Manager of the Sci-Ed Science Education Centre at the Faculty of Education. He obtained a BSc degree, a Higher Education Diploma as well as BEd and MEd degrees from the UFS and started his teaching career in 1989 at Windhoek High School. After fifteen years of teaching mathematics and physical sciences, he accepted a position at the UFS in 2004. He obtained his PhD in 2011, and in his thesis investigated the principles for an ICT-integrated approach to Physical Sciences curriculum implementation within a 21st-century Physical Sciences teaching and learning environment.
As co-founder of the S4F unit he advocates the advancement of innovative and effective mathematics and science teaching and learning. The subsequent establishment of a Physical Sciences ICT Laboratory at the faculty and the development of the UFS Family Math and UFS Key Concepts in Science professional development programmes for teachers are cited as his career-defining achievements. A further career highlight has been the conceptualization and establishment of the Sci-Ed Science Education Centre at the end of 2022. Cobus is currently the project manager of the 10 SA Universities Collaboration initiative, implementing the mentioned professional development programmes for teachers in all the South African provinces. The focus of the latter is societal impact in the rural South African context by also including learners and parents.
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Danson Gichini (Switzerland)
Community Specialist, Africa and MENA Regions,
Schwab Foundation, World Economic Forum Geneva
Danson Gichini is passionate about growing social entrepreneurship across Africa. In his role with the World Economic Forum's Global Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship, he works with governments, companies, and partners to strengthen social enterprise ecosystems. Danson is especially interested in how social enterprises can advance inclusive growth, and how they are able to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in Africa such as youth unemployment. He enjoys collaborating with others and strategically connecting people, ideas and initiatives to amplify locally-led and transformative development.
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Desmond D'sa (South Africa)
Environmental Justice Activist & Coordinator,
South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA)
Desmond D'Sa is a renowned environmental justice activist from Wentworth, Durban, South Africa, and the coordinator of the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA). For nearly three decades, he has led efforts to combat pollution caused by major oil refineries in South Durban. His activism began in the 1970s when he worked in the chemical industry, where he became aware of the harmful effects of industrial pollution on workers and local communities. Through SDCEA, Desmond has united 16 community organizations to tackle environmental and human rights issues, advocating for cleaner, more sustainable development.
D'Sa's impact extends beyond South Africa, having challenged multinational corporations like Shell and BP on their environmental practices. His work with local and international organizations, such as Friends of the Earth, highlights his dedication to ensuring a cleaner, healthier planet for future generations. Desmond remains an influential figure in environmental activism, driven by his commitment to protecting both people and the environment from industrial harm.
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Diana Ocholla (South Africa)
Marketing and Communications Manager,
Bertha Centre for Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Diana Ocholla is the Bertha Centre’s Marketing and Communications Manager. She is passionate about entrepreneurship, social innovation, youth development, and the arts. Diana has a strong media professional background with a Bachelor of Arts Honours focused on Communication and Journalism from Rhodes University. She is an experienced coordinator and content creator with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry and entrepreneurship/startup ecosystem. She is currently completing a Master's in Philosophy degree, specialising in Inclusive Innovation at the UCT Graduate School of Business. Her thesis unpacks commemoration through collaborative video in a pandemic.
Dorah Nomhle Klaas (South Africa)
Development Manager, University of the Free State
I work for the University of the Free State as a Fundraising/Deveopment Manager. I hold a Master's Degree in Development Studies. I have worked in the Corporate Social Investment space for more than 25 years. I fundraise for students' bursaries and university projects. Recently, we have included fundraising for food after realizing that some students suffer from hunger. These students come from disadvantaged families with little or no income at all. My job includes connecting and networking with potential donors and strategic stakeholders.
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Ekaete Benedict (South Africa)
Lecturer: Department of Business Management, University of the Free State
Ekaete Benedict is an academic and entrepreneur. Her teaching and research interests revolve around entrepreneurship and small business management. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in providing her students with the information, tools and skills they need to be successful in a rapidly changing environment. It is important to her that students not only learn business and management theories but also get the chance to practice the theories and concepts and engage with real-life business scenarios and personalities. This philosophy has stimulated her interest and involvement in engaged scholarship and service-learning programmes.
Ekaete has won the Top Achiever Award: Teaching & Learning in the Faculty of Economics & Management Science (2019) and was awarded first place winner during the 2020 UFS Learning and Teaching Awards in the category Innovation in Student Engagement and Learning. She is also a recipient of the UFS Learning and Teaching Fellowship Programme (2021-2023 cohort). Her research project for the fellowship focused on designing an integrated curriculum for entrepreneurship studies in higher education, emphasising incorporating experiential learning activities into the curriculum. As an entrepreneur, Ekaete is involved in the founding and running of a few small businesses and an NGO that empowers women and the girl child.
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Elisabeth Makumbi (South Africa)
Manager, Bridgespan
Elisabeth Makumbi is a manager at Bridgespan’s Johannesburg office, specializing in strategic advisory and philanthropy, with over 9 years of experience. She focuses on initiatives that promote sustainable funding models, community-driven change, and localization practices across in Africa. Elisabeth has worked extensively with non-profits, and funders to help pressure-test strategies and refine fundraising approaches, identifying key challenges and unlocking greater impact. Currently, she is leading a multi-year initiative aimed at enabling greater funding and improved practices for localization across the social sector. She previously held roles as an engagement manager at Pegasys and at the World Bank Group. In addition to her role at Bridgespan, Elisabeth serves as a non-executive Director for the Greater Cape Town Water Fund. She holds a Master’s in International Law from Georgetown University, an LLB from the University of Pretoria, and a certificate in Systems Change and Social Impact from the University of Cape Town.
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François Bonnici (Switzerland)
Director, Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship
Dr. François Bonnici is a physician, professor, and the Director of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, and Head of Social Innovation at the World Economic Forum. With over two decades of experience, his work spans multiple systems and sectors, rooted in frontline public health and humanitarian efforts. As the Founding Director of the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship at the University of Cape Town, the first of its kind in Africa, he has been instrumental in building progressive partnerships across the public sector, civil society, business, and philanthropy. A Rhodes Scholar and Archbishop Tutu African Leadership Fellow, Bonnici is also an accomplished author, with his book The Systems Work of Social Change recognized as the Best Non-Profit Management Book of 2022.
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Francois Strydom (South Africa)
Senior Director: Centre for Teaching and Learning,
University of the Free State
Prof. Francois Strydom is currently the Senior Director of the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) at the University of the Free State. He has dedicated his career to promoting quality, equity and success in higher education through innovation and excellence. The CTL has played a leading role in developing scaled, high-impact interventions that, in collaboration with faculties, have helped to halve historic achievement gaps between black and white students. He has led grants from international and national donors such as the Kresge Foundation, the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, the Department of Higher Education, and the Council on Higher Education. His professional and research interests include student engagement, success and equity, capacity development, quality learning and teaching and evidence-based change in higher education and employability.
Geoff Mulgan (UK)
Professor of Collective Intelligence, Public Policy and Social Innovation,
University College London
Sir Geoff Mulgan is a Professor at University College London (UCL) in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Public Policy (STEaPP) team, with a distinguished career spanning public policy, innovation, and academia. He served as Chief Executive of Nesta, the UK’s innovation foundation, from 2011 to 2019, and held senior roles in the UK government, including Director of the Government’s Strategy Unit.
Geoff was the founding CEO of the Young Foundation and co-founded several influential organisations, including the Social Innovation Exchange, Demos, and Action for Happiness. An accomplished author and global adviser, he has written several influential books, including Big Mind: how collective intelligence can change our world; Social innovation: how societies find the power to change; Another World is Possible: how to reignite social and political imagination; and When Science Meets Power'. Knighted in 2020, Geoff continues to shape ideas on governance, innovation, and collective intelligence.
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Gillian Vedan (South Africa)
Senior Project Manager,
Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Gillian has a background in health and social sciences. She has experience in the research and non-profit sectors, providing information to decision-makers to enable them to deliver interventions with impact. After pursuing an MBA through the University of Stellenbosch and MPH at Wits, she joined the Bertha Centre Health Financing Team as a Senior Project Manager in collaboration with the South African Medical Research Council. Gillian is passionate about finding innovative solutions to make healthcare accessible, affordable and equitable for all.
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Harvey Koh (UK)
Senior Advisor: Catalytic Capital Consortium (C3), Dalberg and FSG
Harvey is an independent advisor, and currently serves as Senior Advisor to the Catalytic Capital Consortium (C3), Dalberg and FSG.
Harvey brings over two decades of experience across impact investing & enterprise, strategy consulting, international development, market facilitation and venture philanthropy. He has worked extensively with funders, investors and entrepreneurs to develop and scale inclusive business models that benefit the poor. His experience spans the housing, water, healthcare, energy, vocational training, agrifood and livelihoods sectors, in South & Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and the Americas.
Harvey has also led influential research to advance thinking and practice, from introducing the concept of the ‘pioneer gap’ in impact enterprise and investing in 2012, to more recent work on how we can help markets work in more equitable ways. His work has featured in publications such as the Stanford Social Innovation Review, and he is a regular speaker at leading conferences, universities and other institutions. Harvey currently sits on the boards of EYElliance and Social Innovation Exchange (SIX), and was previously on the board of AVPN.
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Irene Olohou (South Africa)
Innovation Project Manager, French Embassy in South Africa
After supporting social entrepreneurs in France, I joined the Innovation department at the French Embassy in South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi. At the Embassy, we are developing projects to strengthen local ecosystems and links between France and South Africa in terms of entrepreneurship and innovation. We also implement social innovation projects to drive positive change in these countries
Itumeleng Dhlamini (South Africa)
Head of Programmes, SAB Foundation
Itumeleng is a social innovation specialist and business development practitioner with extensive experience leading high-impact, multi-stakeholder education, skills, and business development programmes. Prior to joining the SAB Foundation, Itumeleng led the Digital Skills Academy and managed strategic partnerships at Tshimologong (Wits University Incubator). She also served as the Country Programme Manager at Nuffic, a Dutch International Organisation, overseeing development projects in five African countries. Itumeleng managed the Enterprise and Skills portfolio at the British Council and spent some time at the GIBS Business School managing the Social Entrepreneurship programmes.
Itumeleng holds an MPhil in Development Practice from the University of Pretoria and is committed to developing and investing in sustainable business models designed to enhance communities while contributing to economic development.
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Jared McDonald (South Africa)
Chief of Staff, Office of the Vice-Chancellor and Principal,
University of the Free State
Dr Jared McDonald is Chief of Staff in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor and Principal at the University of the Free State. Formerly, he was Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at the University’s Qwaqwa campus. Dr McDonald is a historian and holds a PhD from SOAS, University of London. He has published research on themes related to settler-colonialism, genocide, and First Nations in local and international journals. His first monograph, Khoesan and Imperial Citizenship in the Nineteenth Century South Africa, was published by Routledge in 2023.
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John Klaasen (South Africa)
Dean: Theology and Religion, University of the Free State
Dean of the Faculty of Theology and Religion. Research interest Religion and Community Development.
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John Rexford Nzira (Tanzania)
Executive Director, Twende Social Innovation Center
John Rexford Nzira is a dynamic leader with over six years of experience driving social innovation and community development. As the Executive Director of Twende, he champions programs that empower grassroots communities to address their challenges through technology and 21st-century skills. His focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and STEM education in rural and low-income areas has resulted in impactful initiatives like "Women in Hardware Tech," STEM Clubs, and student Innovation Clubs, directly benefiting over 2,500 individuals.
An alumnus of both the African Visionary Fellowship and the Mandela Washington Fellowship, John is committed to creating a pan-African model for sustainable social and economic progress. He aims to foster more social innovation programs and models that can be adapted and implemented in diverse local contexts across Africa, driving lasting change across the continent.
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Julia Tew (South Africa)
Founder and CEO, The Circular Stage Consultancy
Julia is a seasoned communications specialist inspiring transformative engagement to create resilient, regenerative organisations. Her consulting toolkit includes powerful tools and methodologies such as systems thinking, storytelling and appreciative inquiry, and key areas of focus include inner development, social innovation, stakeholder engagement and workplace wellbeing. Julia’s skills and experience have been honed through her work in diverse sectors, ranging from food, agriculture, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals to non-profits, publishing and education.
Apart from running her own consultancies, she has served on the executive of a market-leading multinational and helped shape communications for its sustainability and community development projects. A co-founder of the Southern African Network for the Inner Development Goals, Julia supports the African Chapter of the Climate Coaching Alliance, and takes to the podium from time to time as a key-note speaker.
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Julia Puseletso Mofokeng (South Africa)
Senior Lecturer: Department of Chemistry, Qwaqwa,
University of the Free State
I am Julia Puseletso Mofokeng, (PhD); the Senior Lecturer / Researcher in the Department of Chemistry, at the University of the Free State (QwaQwa Campus). I graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree majoring in Polymer Science in 2015. I teach two Polymer Science Honours degree modules and I supervise Honours, Masters, and Doctoral research degrees’ students. I am the National Research Foundation (NRF) Rated Researcher in the Emerging Researchers (Y2) category since 2021, and I received the Best Emerging Researcher award in the faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (QwaQwa Campus) in 2016. Furthermore, I was recently awarded the 20 years of service at the University of the Free State, issued by the Council of the University.
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Kashini Maistry (South Africa)
Director: Institutional Advancement, Sol Plaatje University
I was recently appointed as the Director: Institutional Advancement at Sol Plaatje University, where I had previously been the Senior Manager: Communication and Marketing; and prior to my current appointment I was the Chief of Staff to the Vice-Chancellor.
I have extensive experience in higher education management having worked in institutions in both the United States and South Africa. My experience in higher education covers a range of areas that includes donor management, fundraising, communication and marketing, public relations, stakeholder management, academic administration, quality assurance, programme development and high-level executive support. I am currently on a leave of absence from my Master of Arts in History studies at Sol Plaatje University. I hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Philosophy (Applied Ethics) from WITS University and a four-year Bachelor of Arts degree from Wellesley College in the USA.
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Kate Philip (South Africa)
Programme Lead, Presidential Employment Stimulus
Dr Kate Philip is the Programme Lead on the Presidential Employment Stimulus in South Africa, which has rolled out mass public employment programmes as well as livelihood and enterprise support measures to over 1,7 million people since its inception during the pandemic in October 2020. This includes placing over 1 million young people as school assistants throughout the country, providing production input vouchers to subsistence farmers, support to the creative sector and the Social Employment Fund, which supports organisations in communities to create work that serves the common good - in Early Childhood Development, placemaking combatting gender based violence, food security, catchment management and much more. Through the ILO, Dr Philip supported the
Government of Greece in the design of an employment programme at the height of the Greek crisis. She is author of ‘Markets on the Margins: Mineworkers, Enterprise Development and Job Creation’, reflecting on her experiences in rural enterprise development for the National Union of Mineworkers.
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Katusha de Villiers (South Africa)
Senior Project Manager: Health Systems Innovation Lead,
Bertha Centre for Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Katusha is a senior project manager at the Bertha Centre, leading health- focused initiatives and providing support in various areas, including education, youth development, systems innovation, and innovative finance. She also conducts master classes on health systems innovation at several universities and has contributed to the Centre's work on health systems integration and the role of social innovators in health. Before joining the Bertha Centre, Katusha worked as a management consultant, specializing in healthcare projects within the American healthcare system, with a particular emphasis on peri-operative care. She holds a Masters in Health Systems Administration from Xavier University, a law degree from the University of Kentucky Law School, and additional qualifications in project management and Lean Six Sigma.
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Kelo Kubu (South Africa)
Country Director, CorpsAfrica
Kelo joined CorpsAfrica as the Start-Up Director of the South Africa office in May 2024. She is a senior TEDxAmbassador for Sub-Saharan Africa and the curator and licensee for TEDxJohannesburg. She is a TED Fellow, TED Speaker, and 2018 Skoll World Forum Fellow. Kelo was co-host of TEDGlobal 2017. She is the founder of KuMo and Company, a speaker coaching and sourcing consultancy. She is also a co-founder of Peo Labs, an ag-tech accelerator focusing on women farmers in Southern Africa. Kelo has been working in the TED system since 2007 and as part of her work with TEDxJohannesburg, has coached more than 300 speakers for the TEDx stage, some of whom ended up giving talks at TED. She currently resides in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Kgautsang Molelekeng (South Africa)
Program Manager, Ranyaka Community Transformation
Kgautsang Molelekeng is a passionate leader with a strong background in community
development and entrepreneurship. As a Programme manager at Ranyaka Community
Transformation, she works to empower communities through initiatives that focus on
sustainable development, education, and small business support. Kgautsang’s
leadership in programs such as “Proud of my town” and her dedication to driving
innovative solutions have positively impacted numerous communities across South
Africa.
With experience in climate change education, youth development, and providing
tailored support for small enterprises, Kgautsang plays a pivotal role in creating
solutions for socio-economic challenges. She is also a Mandela Washington Fellowship
alumna and is committed to fostering innovation and resilience, driving initiatives that
enhance mental health, economic participation, and community well-being.
Kgautsang’s mission is to inspire lasting change and build thriving communities across
Africa.
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Kriss Deiglmeier (USA)
Chief Global Impact Officer, Splunk
Kriss is a bridge builder who finds solutions to society’s most challenging problems at the nexus of business, philanthropy, changemakers, and policy. She is recognized as a global leader in social innovation and was listed among the “50 Most Influential Women in U.S. Philanthropy” by Philanthropy Insider. With a career as Chief Global Impact Officer, CEO, Executive Director, and COO, she has done the work to advance transformative change at scale.
Kriss is Splunk’s Chief Global Impact Officer and oversees Global Impact and ESG. Kriss works to bring the power of data to solve social and environmental challenges. Before Splunk, Kriss was the CEO of Tides Network. As Stanford's founding Executive Director of the Center for Social Innovation (CSI), she established CSI as a global leader in the social innovation field.
She is a recognised thought leader, mentor and educator, and has presented nationally and internationally on ethical AI, social innovation, social entrepreneurship, corporate responsibility, design thinking, and impact investing. Her articles have been published by Forbes, Fortune, WEF, (SSIR), and the Stanford University Press, among others. She has served on myriad Boards in Director and Advisory Roles.
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Lacea Loader (South Africa)
Senior Director: Communication and Marketing, University of the Free State
Lacea Loader's academic qualifications include a BA Honours degree in Communication, a BA Honours degree in Language Studies, and a Master’s degree in Higher Education Studies.
Reporting to the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UFS, she is responsible for institutional
communication and marketing, and provides high-level strategic support to the executive
management. She serves on a number of institutional committees, including the university
Council. She is an international award-winning communication specialist and member of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).
Lacea was national Chairperson of the South African Association for Marketing, Advancement
and Communication in Education (MACE) from 2016 to 2017 and served as MACE Regional
Chairperson from 2014 to 2015. She is the Coordinator of the MACE Excellence Awards
Programme since 2018. She has been an evaluator for the IABC Africa Blue Ribbon and the IABC Gold Quill Panel since 2012. She has also served on the evaluation panel of the IABC Golden Flame Awards of the Atlanta Chapter, USA, and the IABC Heritage Region Silver Quill Awards (this awards programme serves 17 states in the USA). In 2019, she served on an international team appointed by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) to revise the communication strategy of the Pan African University (PAU). She worked in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Nairobi, Kenya to complete the project.
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Laura Ekumbo (Kenya)
Co-Founder and Director, LAM Sisterhood
Laura Ekumbo is a performing artist, writer, entrepreneur and maker fueled by music, movement, and memory keeping, an ocean dip, dense forests, and nourishing food, and the promise of a free and just world for all to live, love, and play.
As a practicing artist for over a decade, Laura has executive produced, produced, directed, assistant directed, written, edited, voice overed, performed and told near a hundred multilingual stories in media including, but not limited to theatre, musical theatre, virtual theatre, audio stories, staged readings, short film, feature film, children’s picture books, children’s audio stories, radio drama, and live storytelling. She has performed poetry, acted, sang, danced, spoken, and hosted events on over 50 stages in 4 countries worldwide.
As The L in the LAM Sisterhood, Laura is Co-Founder and Director of the award-winning content studio where we tell, tailor, and teach stories for African women to feel seen, heard, and beloved. Among a host of accomplishments achieved in collaboration with Aleya (The A) and Moraa (The M), Laura’s work in audio shines, with an expanding multilingual repertoire for diverse audiences - ages ranging from toddler to adult. Our flagship product, KaBrazen - re-imagining the lives of Brazen African women as whimsical, folkloric stories for children aged 4-10 years old - is available for all ears on www.kabrazen.com.
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Lawrance Seseni (South Africa)
Lecturer & Enactus Faculty Advisor, University of Johannesburg
Lawrance Seseni is an Entrepreneurship Lecturer who teaches undergraduates and supervises honours and master's students at the University of Johannesburg. As part of his work in disadvantaged communities, he has initiated several developmental projects, such as conducting career exhibitions in those communities. He currently serves as the Primary Faculty Advisor of the Enactus University of Johannesburg, an international student organisation dedicated to solving societal problems through social entrepreneurship. In addition, he launched the Business Clinic at the University, as he believes that teaching students to take part in community service projects will create citizens of value. This initiative aims to help struggling SMEs in and around Johannesburg, South Africa. Among his commitments, he is the lab manager for the European Union's and Erasmus+'s Common Good First Digital Storytelling project. A major goal of this project is to showcase community-generated innovative content. Lawrance Seseni holds a Ph.D. in Operations Management.
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Leïla Lopez-Proulx (Canada)
Environmental Law Student, University of Quebec
Through her paternal family, who immigrated from Chile after the coup d'état in the 1980s, Leïla Lopez-Proulx was sensitized early on to human rights issues and the importance of justice and democracy. This family background led her to deepen her knowledge of international issues through her college studies in Social Sciences and Humanities, as well as her studies in Law and Indigenous Studies at the Université du Québec à Montréal. During her academic career, she has been involved in various activist groups and community organizations such as Lawyers Without Borders UQAM, el Centro de Investigación y Promoción de los Derechos Humanos in Montréal, el Grupo de Apoyo Mutuo in Guatemala, the Greater Montreal Legal Clinic, the Côte-Nord Community Justice Center and, more recently, the Quebec Environmental Law Center.
Leïla graduated from the Université du Québec in Montréal in 2023 with a bachelor's degree in law. She recently passed the Quebec Bar exam to become a lawyer, and is currently studying for a master's degree in environmental law. Having also completed a bachelor's degree in literature before embarking on a career in law, Leïla is also interested in art as a tool for social battles.
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Louise Pulford (UK)
CEO, Social Innovation Exchange
Louise Pulford is the Chief Executive Officer of SIX. Louise has been responsible for building SIX since 2008. Under her leadership, SIX spun out of the Young Foundation in 2013. Louise leads a team of 9 spread across London, Singapore and Canada. She plays a big role in SIX’s programme of work with philanthropic foundations, and SIX’s innovation partner advisory strand of work.
Louise is a seasoned speaker on building networks, the value of exchange and social innovation globally, and regularly designs and facilitates social innovation training programmes for governments, foundations and universities around the world. Louise also publishes regular articles on networks and social innovation. Louise has worked on social innovation with the European Commission since 2010 and she sat on the Mayor of Seoul’s Advisory group for social innovation from 2016-2020.
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Luiza Camargo Nascimento (Brazil)
Executive Board Member, Instituto Cidadania Empresarial (ICE)
Executive board member of ICE, Luiza plays a key role in leading the organization in its social innovation strategy. An active member since 2007, was responsible for introducing the themes of social enterprise and impact investing as complementary strategies to philanthropy. A firm believer in the power of business to drive change, Luiza and her husband Jalal Sefrouri founded Marrakech Capital, an ESG and Impact investing fund set up in 2020, with a current portfolio of 12+ impact-driven businesses in the field of education, health, housing, technology. A graduate in Marketing from Anhembi Morumbi University in 2007, with specialization in Marketing from London University, Luiza also completed courses in Family Business Administration at the Kellogg School of Management, Corporate Governance at IBGC Brazil and the Social Entrepreneurs Program at INSEAD.
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Lydia Sung (Germany)
Master of Public Policy graduate, Hertie School
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Lydia is a public and social impact enthusiast now based in Berlin, Germany. A recent Master of Public Policy graduate from the Hertie School in Berlin, she is interested in exploring how to foster innovation as well as unlikely partnerships in public and social sectors for better citizens' outcomes.
Lydia previously worked at Good Lab back home in Hong Kong, a think-and-do tank dedicated to promoting social innovation. Prior to that, she started her career as a news producer and reporter after graduating with a Bachelor of Journalism from The University of Hong Kong in 2016.
Lynette Jacobs (South Africa)
Acting Director: Office for International Affairs, University of the Free State
Prof Lynette Jacobs is serving as the interim Director of the Office for International Affairs at the University of the Free State in South Africa, where she also leads research on internationalisation of higher education. She was the institutional coordinator for the iKudu project, an EU funded Capacity Building in Higher Education Project that focused on curriculum internationalisation and COIL virtual exchange within the broader discourse of curriculum transformation. She now co-leads the process of establishing the iKudu Network. She is a Comparative and International Education scholar focusing on inclusive education opportunities, and specifically on inclusive internationalised learning approaches. She contributed to large numbers of peer-reviewed publications and has delivered numerous Masters and PhD students from across the world.
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Mandisa Mbaligontsi (South Africa)
aGILE Innovation Lead for Africa, Oxfam South Africa
Mandisa is a passionate change maker, facilitator, innovation/ reinvention practitioner who believes we can contribute to social change by working with the most powerful change agent - ourselves in collaboration with our communities for collective impact. With over a decade of experience across sectors such as NGOs, Government, Private Sectors and Academia, she is committed to supporting and driving social impact in Africa. She is a Bertha Scholar and Post Growth Fellow.
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Marcello Palazzi (Netherlands)
Co-Founder & Co-President, B for Good Leaders
Marcello Palazzi is the Co-Founder & Co-President of B for Good Leaders, Founder President of Progressio Foundation (Rotterdam) and Co-Founder & Board Member of B Lab Europe (Amsterdam).
Marcello is a serial entrepreneur for human progress. Following 11 years as co-head of his international family business in environmental technologies from Italy and the UK in the 80s and early 90s, he founded Progressio Foundation, which has completed 300 projects in 30 countries with dozens of partners under his leadership, in pursuit of the ‘civic economy’, ‘civic enterprise’ and ‘civic innovation’, which Palazzi wrote about in 1990 in a pamphlet which has proved prescient, predicting the rise of CSR, sustainability, public-private partnerships, ethical investments, social enterprise and other forms of a more ‘integrative’ economy and enterprise.
Since 2014, Marcello has been leading the B Corp movement in continental Europe from Amsterdam. Marcello is also the co-founder and global ambassador of NOW Partners.
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Markus Lux (Germany)
Vice President: Special Division Ukraine, Robert Bosch Stiftung
Markus leads the Robert Bosch Foundation's Ukraine special section. After studying history and political science in Mainz and Riga (Latvia) and working for ZDF, he taught at several universities in Latvia and worked at the "Jews in Latvia" museum in Riga. Since 2002, he has been working for the Robert Bosch Stiftung, where he has been responsible for projects in Central and Eastern Europe for almost 20 years and for the establishment of the International Alumni Center in Berlin. His work focuses on civil society in Ukraine.
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Marlize Rabe (South Africa)
Vice Dean: Teaching and Learning, Humanities,
University of the Free State
I am a sociologist focusing on South African family studies, especially non-residential fatherhood studies. I have been appointed this year as the vice-dean of teaching and learning in the faculty of Humanities at UFS after I have been working full-time in higher education as a lecturer for three decades at other universities.
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Melissa Zisengwe (South Africa)
Program Associate, People Powered
Melissa supports People Powered’s capacity-building programs and resources focused on technology. Her work focuses on programs and activities that help governments and organizations around the world choose and implement technology that supports and improves their participatory program.
Before joining People Powered, Melissa worked as a programme officer for the Civic Tech Innovation Network (CTIN). She has also worked as a program assistant and collaborations coordinator for Code for All, and as a research fellow at the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA). Melissa holds a master’s degree in ICT policy and regulation from the University of the Witwatersrand as well as a bachelor’s degree in Journalism & Media studies and English & Linguistics from Rhodes University (South Africa).
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Michael Ngigi (Kenya)
Chief Executive Officer,ThinkPlace Africa
Michael Ngigi is a visionary leader with over 20 years of experience in creative direction, strategy, and marketing, specializing in the financial and health sectors across Africa. As CEO of ThinkPlace Africa, he has expertly designed adoption strategies for complex products and services, employing human-centered design (HCD) and design thinking methodologies. Michael has led pioneering research initiatives throughout Africa, enhancing HCD, design thinking, and research capacities across private, public, and NGO sectors. His in-depth understanding of business and social impact is reflected in his work, including his article, "A Preferable Future: How Design and Global Health Must Adapt," published in Global Health: Science and Practice Journal.
In addition to his leadership at ThinkPlace, Michael serves on the Technical Advisory Board of Living Goods and Design for Health, advocating for health innovation. His expertise in professional service business models has propelled the growth and efficacy of organizations, and he has facilitated successful collaborations among diverse stakeholders. Recognized as a juror for Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas Awards, Michael is committed to leadership excellence, demonstrated by his recent completion of the Program for Leadership Development at Harvard Business School.
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Modester Mangilani (Malawi)
Resource Mobilization Officer, mHub
Modester Mangilani is a seasoned Resource Mobilization expert with over 5 years of experience in the non-profit sector. Currently serving as the Resource Mobilization Officer at mHub Malawi, the country’s first technology and innovation hub, Modester leads innovative funding strategies that drive the sustainability of digital and entrepreneurial initiatives. She has been a key figure in diversifying funding bases, particularly through social enterprise development in the digital space.
In addition to this, Modester has substantial knowledge of social enterprises, start-ups, Human centered design thinking, innovative funding structures, community engagement and impact measurement, drawing from her rich experience in the Southern African context. She has successfully led and executed strategies that secure substantial support for innovative projects across sectors such as women’s empowerment, technology, education, healthcare and community development. A key highlight of her career is her leadership in securing multi-million-dollar grants and overseeing their successful implementation.
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Molapo Qhobela (South Africa)
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Institutional Change, Strategic Partnerships and Societal Impact, University of the Free State
A seasoned leader in education, science and technology, with over 30 years of professional experience. Dr Qhobela holds a BSc from the University of Zimbabwe and a PhD from Kansas State University in the United States. With a doctorate in Plant Pathology, Dr Qhobela has served as the Chairperson of the Board of the South African Agricultural Research Council and a board member of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). Dr Qhobela is currently the Chairperson of TENET, and previously served as the Chairperson of the Global Research Council (GRC) and on the Boards of the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), the Council on Higher Education (CHE), and the National Advisory Council for Innovation (NACI).
Dr Qhobela has dedicated his professional career to the development and transformation of the South African higher education, science, technology and innovation system. He has held academic positions at Rhodes University and the University of Cape Town; executive leadership roles at the University of South Africa; and senior management positions in the South African Departments of Education and Science and Technology. Dr Qhobela is currently the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Institutional Change, Strategic Partnerships and Societal Impact at the University of the Free State, and the immediate past Chief Executive Officer of the South African National Research Foundation.
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Morena Tsolo (South Africa)
Chairperson, Bakoena Royal Council
My name is Tsolo Mopeli, the son of Morena Selebalo and Mahadi Mopeli of Bochabela Village in Qwaqwa. I am the 7th decendent of Mokhachanefrom the Bakotedi clan in the Bakoena tribe of the Basotho People. I am the one son, born between two Sister (Tiisetso and Mpesa). I am happily married to Mpho Mamotebang Mopeli, the daughter of the Pule Family, from the Bafokeng tribe of the Basotho people. We have been blessed with 3 beautiful children; Motebang - Son (10), Rantsane - Son (7) and Shoeshoe - Daughter (6).
I am a proud Mosotho man, who loves speaking and singing in our very melodious language. I am aware of the responsibilities that our Culture has place on all the members of a Family, as well as the roles we all are required to play in the Community. These, have to deal with a persons death or birth, and marriage, designed to ensure that there is peaceful coexistence and continuity amongst our People.
I am currently serving as Chairperson of the Bakoena Royal Council. I am one of the legal advisors to Morena e Moholo Moremoholo Mopeli, having acquired Politics, Philosophy, and Law (LLB) degrees. I am a Farmer by trade, and I deal with mixed farming; grains (maize, soyas and sugar beans) and livestock (cattle, goats and sheep). My day to day is being the traditional leader (Chief) of Bochabela Village. I am a Seventh day Adventist Christian, and am currently serving as Elder at our local Church.
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Napo Masheane (South Africa)
Artistic Director, Performing Arts Centre of the Free State (PACOFS)
Napo Masheane is an internationally acclaimed playwright, director, and Artistic Director of the Performing Arts Centre of the Free State (PACOFS). Known for her powerful storytelling and dynamic performances, Napo is a trailblazer in South African theatre. She was the first woman to write, produce, and direct a mainstage production at the iconic Market Theatre. Her work, often focused on themes of identity, gender, and social justice, has earned her numerous accolades and positioned her as a leading voice in the arts. As a theatre maker, playwright, performer and poet, Napo continues to champion the role of the arts in fostering social cohesion, empowerment, and cultural expression.
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Narissa Ramdhani (South Africa)
Director, Ifa Lethu Foundation & Vaal University of Technology
A former activist and Director of Special Projects for the late President Nelson Mandela, Dr. Narissa Ramdhani has distinguished herself in many areas of global business, higher education, diplomacy and development. Therefore she wears many hats such as that of Honorary Consul for the Republic of Chile in South Africa, Director of the Ifa Lethu Foundation of South Africa, and Director at the Vaal University of Technology among others. Her expertise in the areas of rural development and rural regeneration, entrepreneurship and small scale rural modernisation spans over 20 years and has been strengthened by her work at Ifa Lethu Foundation of South Africa. This has resulted in her providing her related expertise to bodies such as the United Nations, and countries such as Poland, Spain, Germany, the USA, UK, Australia and India.
Dr. Ramdhani has driven the Foundation’s work to innovatively focus on addressing development challenges that confront the country. Through its rural development interventions, especially in the Art and Heritage Sectors, in seven provinces of South Africa, Ifa Lethu has succeeded in promoting and implementing income generation projects in rural nodes of the country, resulting in the creation of 800 successful businesses and employment for 2500 youth, through their work on the development of creative economies. Through her work in poverty alleviation and social cohesion, Dr. Ramdhani has received many accolades such as the Honorary Doctorate from University of Connecticut.
Nthakoana Maema (South Africa)
CEO, ORIBI
Nthakoana Maema is the visionary CEO of ORIBI, an incubator dedicated to fostering social innovation through impact entrepreneurship in South Africa. With over 17 years of experience as a development strategist, she is committed to building financially thriving and inclusive economies. Nthakoana's passion for sustainable cities, social entrepreneurship, and youth and gender inclusion drives her approach to tackling complex challenges through equity and systems thinking.
Her academic background includes Business Science in Finance, Design Thinking, and NPO/SE Management, with a recent Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Development from Stellenbosch University.
Nthakoana Maema is a trailblazer in sustainable development and social impact, leaving an indelible mark on social innovation and entrepreneurship in South Africa and beyond.
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Patricks Otomo (South Africa)
Director of the Centre for Global Change, University of the Free State
Prof. Patricks Otomo is the Director of the Centre for Global Change where he provides guidance and support to a cohort of 25 postgraduate students and their supervisors. He is an Associate Professor of Zoology, and the Head of the Ecotoxicology Research Laboratory housed in the Department of Zoology and Entomology- QwaQwa Campus. His current research focuses on developing quick and reliable ecotoxicology bioassays and the remediation of aquatic pollution using emerging bioremediation approaches.
Peter Taylor (South Africa)
Research Professor, University of the Free State
Peter John Taylor is a Research Professor in the Department of Zoology & Entomology and the Afromontane Research Unit at the University of the Free State. Previously employed by the Durban Natural Science Museum and University of Venda, he led a National Research Foundation South African Research Chair on Biodiversity Value & Change, from 2013 to 2020. An NRF B2-rated scientist ("internationally recognized"), Fellow of the Linnean Society of London and Member of the Academy of Science of South Africa, he is a zoologist, passionate about bat conservation and small mammal systematics and ecology in general. He has described 20 new species of small mammals and co-authored five scientific books and 200 peer-reviewed articles.
Prayer Rikhotso (South Africa)
Founder & Managing Director,
MR Foundation
Prayer Rikhotso was born and bred in Muchipisi Village, Limpopo (South Africa), by the grace of God he has traversed his journey from humble beginnings to overcoming many insurmountable odds to attain great success in his profession; a true success testimony that only God could have orchestrated and made possible. He is a seasoned professional and a social entrepreneur, currently employed as an Investment Banker (Associate Director at Standard Chartered Bank, Financial Institutions Credit Analysis department). Alongside being a family-oriented man, astute businessman, a proud Father and motivational speaker, he is also an accomplished Academic with international publications in Economics and Finance literature, he’s also a seasoned keynote presenter in local and international conferences on Economics, Risk Management and Financial Markets.
Prayer has delivered memorable keynote addresses as a motivational speaker at local and international stages, including at the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation in Austin–Texas, USA. Prayer already earned his Master of Commerce degree in Financial Economics and now completing his PhD in Economics at the university of Johannesburg (and Bielefeld University, Germany), after obtaining his first bachelor's degree in Finance and Economics from the university of Cape Town.
Pursuant to his passion for education and heart for youth empowerment, Prayer is the founding director of MR Foundation (www.mrfoundation.co.za), *a social enterprise that elevates educational outcomes, provides leadership training for youth and democratize access to quality higher education, to build a pipeline of first generation university graduates from socio-economically and structurally excluded communities in South Africa.* He is the Managing Director at MR Foundation and general overseer of the Foundation’s Executive Council which has several portfolio leads.
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Radhika Mia (South Africa)
Researcher & Lecturer: Department of Industrial Design,
University of Johannesburg
Dr. Radhika Mia is a researcher and lecturer at the Department of Industrial Design, University of Johannesburg, South Africa, where she focuses on innovation, design thinking, and creativity. Her research spans the eMobility regional ecosystem in South Africa, skills development for the waste recycling community (ARO), Circular Textile Startups, with a global comparative perspective. As the Founder and CEO of Social Impact Africa, Radhika leads efforts to foster a "social entrepreneurship" revolution across the continent, empowering communities through innovative and sustainable initiatives.
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Refilwe Rammitlwa (South Africa)
Community Development Unit Manager, Royal Bafokeng Administration
Refilwe Rammitlwa is the Community Development Unit Manager at Royal Bafokeng Administration, with a background in psychology, development studies, trauma support counselling, and community facilitation. Qualified B.Sc. Science Masters in Development Studies. She has worked with various organizations since 2004 and is experienced in project planning, implementing programs, and working with diverse constituencies. Rammitlwa manages various programs, including Social Relief, the Support Royal Bafokeng Nation NGOs Program, and Community Empowerment. She has also served as a Disaster Management Incident Commander, providing material support to distressed communities and coordinating disaster prevention awareness. Rammitlwa is also a vice chairperson in the Bafokeng Women's Club and serves as a Southern Africa Coordinator at The Associated Country Women of the World.
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Russell Ally (South Africa)
Senior Director of Institutional Advancement,
University of the Free State
Dr. Russell Ally is Senior Director of Institutional Advancement at the University of
the Free State and a member of the university’s senior executive team. He oversees
fundraising, alumni relations and institutional advancement. He was previously Executive Director of the Development and Alumni Department at the University of Cape Town.
Before joining UCT, he was the Ford Foundation’s Program Officer for Southern Africa, overseeing the Governance and Civil Society Program in South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
Prior to Ford, he was the Country Representative of the South African Office of the
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. Dr. Ally also worked for the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights as its Human Rights Projects Manager, overseeing a human rights institutional strengthening project. He also served as the National Coordinator of the South African Government’s National Action Plan for the Promotion and Protection of
Human Rights (NAP). In 1996, Dr. Ally was appointed to South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission where he served on the Human Rights Violation Committee chaired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu. He was involved in planning the hearings of the Human Rights Violation Committee, supervising staff involved in statement taking and logistics, making findings on human rights violations and also participating in the
writing of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report. He has degrees from the University of Cape Town, Rhodes University and Cambridge University.
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Salim Kader (South Africa)
Former Chairman & CEO: Mining & Manufacturing Industries;
Middle East & Sub-Saharan Africa
Salim commenced his leadership journey, in the early 2000’s as one of the youngest Black
Directors to be appointed to the Board of a Top 20 JSE-Listed Company in South Africa.
Over the ensuing two decades, he went on to build a solid business track-record within the
building materials industry as CEO & Chairman of both local and multinational companies.
His passion for transforming business operations, is only superseded by his desire for driving disruptive change, often within highly complex, ambiguous and unstable markets. In Egypt, his pioneering work in the field of business inclusivity and diversity, received numerous accolades at the Big Five Egypt Impact Awards in 2021 and 2022. This came at a time when other industry leaders were still grappling with the ESG challenge of moving ‘beyond compliance to culture’. And as the global community still grapples with climate change, social inequalities and governance shortcoming, Salim believes that the interplay between a Company’s culture and its ESG initiatives is a topic that merits profound consideration, more so, for South African business leaders who have been forced to enter the ESG Olympics.
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Samuel Adelabu (South Africa)
Vice-Dean Postgraduate and Research: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of the Free State
Vice-Dean Postgraduate and Research: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences; University of the Free State. Professor of Geospatial Applications at University of the Free State
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Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen (South Africa)
Associate Professor and Subject Head, University of the Free State
I lead the Plant Sciences Department on the Qwaqwa campus of the University of the Free State and a wonderful group of postgraduates, postdocs and fellows of our QPAIR lab (Qwaqwa-Plant Animal Interactions Research). I am an evolutionary ecologist with specialist training in investigating the pollination and reproductive ecology of native and invasive alien plant species in South Africa. My primary passion is investigating shifts in pollination systems and associated floral traits in endemic flora of montane grasslands. Currently, in collaboration with the Afromontane Research Unit, Centre for Biological Control at Rhodes University, the Centre for Invasion Biology at Stellenbosch University, and SANBI, my research group at the UFS is primarily focusing on determining factors contributing to the spread of invasive alien plant species in sensitive high-elevation grasslands in South Africa. This research is essential to understanding how these species may be impacting our natural biodiversity and farmlands and will contribute to integrated management regimes.
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Serges Djoyou Kamga (South Africa)
Dean: Faculty of Law at the University of the Free State
Serges Djoyou Kamga is a full Professor of Human Rights Law and the Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of the Free State, South Africa. He is currently the Vice President of the African Network of Constitutional Lawyers. He is also a member of the Executive Committee of the International Association of Constitutional Lawyers. Prof Kamga previously worked at the Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs (UNISA), the Centre for Human Rights (University of Pretoria) and at the South African Institute for Advanced Constitutional Law (SAIFAC), a Centre of the University of Johannesburg. His research over the years demonstrates a profound and sustained commitment to advancing knowledge across disciplines including human rights, development studies, international affairs and the African renaissance. His research also includes illicit financial flows and their impact on human rights in Africa. He is the author/editor/co-editor of 11 books and 73 articles/book chapters. Prof Kamga is a NRF rated Researcher C1. He as has received several research grants and awards including the prestigious Ali Mazrui Award for Scholarship and Research Excellence for 2021. He is the co-editor of the African Disability Rights Yearbook.
Simnikiwe Xanga (South Africa)
Youth Innovation - Project Officer,
Bertha Centre for Social innovation and Entrepreneurship
Simnikiwe is driven by a passion for wellbeing and holistic community development. She is the Project Officer for the Youth Innovation Portfolio at the Bertha Centre
for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship. She is a Registered Wellness Counsellor and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Counselling and Psychology and a PGDip in Management Practice. She’s facilitated psychosocial support programmes for local schools and organisations. She has a decade of experience working for the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business, involved in innovative programme approaches, supporting social entrepreneurs through the Impact Venture Incubation Programme and the Changemakers Youth programme.
Siphelele Ndlovu (South Africa)
Value Creation Manager: Social Enterprises, E Squared Investments
Passionate about changing lives through SME and social development. My role is to add value to impactful organisations and individuals through financing, mentoring, general management support and business consulting.
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So Jung Rim (UK)
Chief Operating Officer, Social Innovation Exchange
So Jung is the Chief Operating Officer at SIX. Her role at SIX has been focused on leading on transnational learning exchange aimed at building social innovation ecosystems across Europe. She has worked with Seoul Metropolitan Government on bringing global insights on social innovation through advisory, capacity building and global gatherings. She has developed social innovation programmes in Asia and Latin America working with universities to embed social innovation. She has led SIX’s flagship events such as The Unusual Suspects Festival and the Wayfinder.
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Solange Rosa (South Africa)
Director of Bertha Centre for Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Dr. Solange Rosa is the Director of Bertha Centre, where she has been involved since 2016. She also serves as Associate Faculty and Adviser with the Allan Gray Centre for Values-based Leadership, and teaches on Executive Education and MBA programmes at the UCT Graduate School of Business and the UCT School of Economics.
Holding a Doctorate in Constitutional Law from the University of Stellenbosch and a Master’s Degree in Law from the University of Cape Town, Rosa’s areas of expertise and research interest include Public Policy, Policy Research and Analysis, Strategy Development, Public Law, Public Sector Innovation and Leadership, Socio-economic Development, Youth Development, Poverty Reduction, Social Justice, Human Rights, Social Innovation and Social Impact. Prior to her current role, Rosa was working as an Independent Public Policy and Strategy Consultant for four years, with clients ranging from international organisations and national and provincial government departments to academic institutions, non-government organisations and philanthropic foundations. This included the likes of the Rockefeller Foundation, the National Department of Economic Development and International Labour Organisation, and the CiTi and Western Cape Department of Economic Development.
Prior to that, Rosa also worked for the Western Cape government for 10 years as the head of the Policy and Strategy Unit in the Department of the Premier. This well-published individual has appeared in a number of academic books, journals and working papers, as well as government publications. She has served as chairperson and director for a number of non-profit organisations and is on the Westerford High School Governing Body.
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Taïna Mueth (Canada)
Co-Founder, Je suis Montréal
Taïna is a multimedia artist and community organizer of Haitian and Cameroonian descent, born in Tiohtià:ke (Montreal). She is the co-founder of the platform Je suis Montréal, which aims to challenge the dominant understanding of Montreal and Quebec identity in order to create a sense of belonging for all Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (QTBIPOC), regardless of their color, language, culture, orientation, gender, or religion.
With an initial background as a clinical nurse specializing in psychiatry, Taïna has always had a passion for mental health issues. She later pursued her career as a research assistant at Concordia University for the Simone de Beauvoir Institute on an intersectional feminist project that aimed to recognize the contributions of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color women in Quebec society. She also served on the Intercultural Council of Montreal for a year to address the issues faced by cultural communities in Montreal and how the City of Montreal should act to address them. Her projects and passions eventually led her to focus her career on the artistic and activist fields. At the heart of her commitment is her desire to create lasting change within her community. All her projects consistently fight against the systemic erasure of BIPOC individuals and promote their civic engagement.
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Temba Hlasho (South Africa)
Executive Director: Student Affairs, University of Free State
Temba Hlasho has over thirty years extensive experience in higher education, particularly in the area of Student Affairs. He has dedicated his energy to ensuring a supportive student environment that foster personal growth, academic excellence, wellbeing and lifelong connections. As a strategic leader in Student Affsirs, he committed to enhancing Student university experience through a range of services aligned with Student Affiars strategic priorities. He oversees various student support areas, such as Kovsie Sport, Student Governance, Student Counselling and Development, Student Life, Centre for Universal Access and Disability Services, Health & Wellness, Housing and Residential Affairs and Social Support Services on all three campuses. Temba is the member of the University's Executive Management. He serves in numerous professional bodies: Board of Director for University Sport Council, president of Judo South Africa, executive Committee member of Commonwealth Judo Association. International Judo Federation referee and hold a 6th Dan Black belt. Academic qualification: MPhil at NrlsonMsndela University and Execcutive Sport Management certificates at WITS.
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Thandile Giyama (South Africa)
Head of Learning and Development, Amathuba Collective
Thandile Giyama is a community development expert and an experienced creative facilitator and trainer. He designs and facilitates camps, youth programs, and staff development programs that enable immense participation from the audience.
Through his work he has directly impacted thousands of young people and adults through youth programs and facilitation training in South Africa and around the world. He is currently practicing as a Head of Learning and Development for the youth organization, Amathuba Collective, that seeks to support youth in work experiences programs to make these BEE funded initiatives more impactful and enable the young people to drive social change. His passion lies in using arts-based activities to create environments that enable young and adult people to thrive and foster true sense of presence and authenticity, and the gift that comes with it.
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Tessa Dooms (South Africa)
Director, Rivonia Circle
Tessa Dooms is a Director at the Rivonia Circle, political think-tank and author of the recently released book 'Coloured' that explores identity politics in South Africa.
Trained as a Sociologist, development practitioner and political analyst, Tessa started her career in academia. She has worked in diverse sectors including government, NGOs and the private sector, where she did work that aligns the objectives of various institutions and programmes with developmental objectives for the advancement of Africa. She has 15 years’ experience as a development worker, trainer and researcher with expertise on governance, youth development and innovation, and has worked in over 10 African countries. In 2015 she was appointed to the National Planning Commission to advise the President on the implementation of the National Development Plan of South Africa. Tessa is a Trustee of the Kagiso Trust. She holds a Masters of Arts from the University of the Witwatersrand.
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Tumi Moroeng (South Africa)
Founder and Managing Director, Makers Valley Collective
I am a creative social entrepreneur and change maker born and based in Joburg SA. My passion and commitment for the Arts, Cultural, and heritage industries started through performing onstage for my peers, directing school plays, and actively participating in various youth clubs and activities in my community. I founded my first business soon after graduating from high school, and volunteered as an intern, facilitator and administrator for various individuals, organizations, and institutions. This enabled me to get direct training in leadership and management from some industry experts.
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Vanessa von der Heyde (South Africa)
Director, Sustainability Institute
With over a decade of experience in the non-profit sector, Vanessa is a seasoned sustainability and social impact professional. Holding an undergraduate degree in business and a Master’s degree in sustainable development, she has gained unique insights into the intersection of sustainability, business, and social impact. Vanessa’s diverse experience has fostered expertise in organizational strengthening through good governance and regenerative leadership and management practices.
As the director of the Sustainability Institute, her leadership style is characterized by a passion for learning and transformation, fairness and transparency. Vanessa is dedicated to driving meaningful social change through transformative educational experiences. She imagines a world where learning is driven by curiosity rather than achieving good marks, and where education prioritizes the cultivation of wisdom, ethical sensitivity, and a deep connection to both community and environment.
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Vania Larose (Canada)
Project Manager & Events Coordinator, BlackEstrie
Vania Larose is a versatile professional with a rich and varied academic background. She studied cinema, advertising design, and the web, before obtaining a certificate in marketing from Laval University. As a photographer and videographer, she knew how to capture the essence of precious moments and sublimate them through her two photo exhibitions at the Sherbrooke History Museum, entitled “Identities, roots and melanin”.
Her commitment to the community is manifested in her role as project manager and events coordinator at BlackEstrie, where she brings dynamism, creativity, and originality to each project. Vania also worked in the field of optics, where she acquired valuable technical expertise in visual correction and comfort. She has worked as a researcher and artistic director, highlighting her ability to manage and direct creative projects. Dynamic and unique, Vania continues to inspire and innovate in all the fields she explores."
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Vasu Reddy (South Africa)
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation,
University of the Free State
Vasu Reddy is DVC: Research and Internationalisation at UFS. He is former Dean of Humanities at the University of Pretoria, and Executive Director of the Human and Social Development Research Programme at the Human Sciences Research Council. A member of the Academy of Sciences of SA, he is a B1 NRF-rated scientist (a rating which means ‘reviewers are firmly convinced that the applicant enjoys considerable international recognition for the high quality and impact of his/her recent research outputs’).
Latest book-length publications are: Texture of Dissent: Defiant Public Intellectuals in South Africa (co-edited, 2022; HSRC Press); Thetha Sizwe: Contemporary South African Debates on African Languages and the Politics of Gender and Sexualities (co-edited; ESI Press, 2023) and State of the Nation: Quality of Life and Wellbeing in South Africa (lead edited; HSRC Press, 2024).
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Vincent Ralph Clark (South Africa)
Director: Afromontane Research Unit, University of the Free State
I am the pioneer Director of the Afromontane Research Unit (ARU) and am an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography. The ARU is located at the foot of the highest mountains in Africa south of Mt Kilimanjaro: the Maloti-Drakensberg (3,500 m; South Africa-Lesotho).
The ARU's Vision is to become A Continental Leader in African Mountain Research, with an immediate focus on the sustainable development of the Maloti-Drakensberg. The research philosophy of the ARU is social-ecological systems (SES) thinking. The ARU is also advocating for a science-policy-action interface for southern African mountains as transboundary systems facing immense and complex challenges. The Mission of the ARU is to facilitate the development and capacity building of an African-based mountain research ‘community of practice’ of high excellence that informs global mountain research theory & practice and contributes to mountain-related policy and governance from an African perspective, thus balancing a predominance of mountain research driven from the Global North/Northern Hemisphere.
Other than driving a competent, multi-disciplinary mountain research team & international collaborations, my personal research expertise focuses on exploring the poorly-known plant diversity of southern African mountains, and translating this into biogeographic understanding for conservation and sustainable use outcomes.
Vivian Phetla (South Africa)
Programmes Coordinator, Indalo Inclusive
Vivian Phetla is a Programmes Coordinator at Indalo Inclusive South Africa. She has experience in enterprise development support and training, workshop facilitation, environmental education and wildlife management. Her academic training is in the field of nature conservation, and she also completed an ETDP accredited Assessor training. Her role at Indalo involves overall programmes coordination and providing support in the implementation of projects. Her work also focuses on providing training and mentorship to climate-smart and social entrepreneurs in the green economy. She is passionate about the development of entrepreneurs in rural communities and townships with innovative solutions that can help communities adapt to climate change.
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Yogavelli (Yogi) Nambiar (South Africa)
CEO and Founder, Niara Advisory
Yogavelli "Yogi" Nambiar is a social change strategist and founder of Niara Advisory, where she designs and implements interventions for sustainable socio-economic impact, leadership development, and strategic collaborations within the social change ecosystem. Her work focuses on key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including poverty eradication, gender equality, quality education, and entrepreneurship for youth and women. Yogi serves on several boards, including the Aspen Institute Global South Africa, ANDE, and the Uhambo Foundation, and is co-Chair of Catalyst2030 South Africa. She is a Fellow of the African Leadership Initiative and Aspen Global Leadership Network and was a 2023 recipient of the Mail & Guardian Power of Women Awards.
Previously, Yogi was CEO of the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation and Founding Director of the Entrepreneurship Development Academy at GIBS. She has led impactful initiatives like the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women programme and co-founded sectoral associations such as EDCSA and ASEN. Yogi is a Tedx speaker and co-author on women entrepreneurship, and she has also founded two businesses, including a high-end travel company and a social development consultancy. Her early work in women’s rights and disability advocacy in India earned her recognition in the book "Inspired" (2014). She holds an MBA from GIBS and degrees in Development Studies and Community & Health Psychology.