General Info
Professional Track
- Biotechnology and Health
Country
South AfricaAreas of Expertise
- Engineering, Systems
- Health Sciences and Technology
- Information Systems Management
Professional Interests
- Agile Innovation Practices: Technology innovation using frugal principles, ensuring strategic alignment for end-users throughout the lifecycle.
- Overcoming Valleys of Death: Translating ideas into products and identifying best practices to overcome development hurdles.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Enthusiastic about fostering diverse collaboration to drive successful innovation and strengthen stakeholder engagement.
Seize every opportunity - because - If not now then when? and If not me then who?
What will be your most valuable contribution to your TechWomen mentorship?
My most valuable contribution to the TechWomen mentorship will be sharing my passion for empowering innovators and companies within the LMIC setting. I am eager to share lessons learnt from navigating complex hurdles with limited resources and achieving success when translating innovations from an idea to a product in the Tech space. My strong people skills and empathy enable me to foster collaboration and celebrate diversity, creating an inclusive environment for learning and growth. I am committed to fully immersing myself in the experience, learning from my mentor and colleagues, and making a meaningful contribution to the program.
The Top Three Things I Would Like to Learn or Experience During my Mentorship
- To develop a deeper understanding of effective leadership strategies, people, project and product management methodologies in order to lead diverse teams and projects more efficiently.
- Acquire business skills and expertise in business development, with a focus on leveraging data-driven insights and optimisation tools, to accelerate the innovation process through the lens of local innovators and startups from LMICs (Low- and Middle-Income Countries).
- Acquire relevant skills to equip for 4IR (Fourth Industrial Revolution): Gain new skills and develop a comprehensive understanding of the relevant software used, particularly within big tech companies, to stay competitive and thrive in the rapidly evolving global market landscape of the 4IR.
Mentorship Characteristic
- Visit an office or attend a site-visit
- Participate in a skills-building course, either provided by my mentor’s company or identify a free resource online
- Focus on leadership skills building
- Focus on technical skills building
- Exposes me to new tools and platforms
Ideal Company Type
My ideal mentor match could be an experienced professional from any large company within the technology sector, or a startup environment. While a large company offers resources and established processes, a startup environment provides agility and the opportunity to wear multiple hats, fostering rapid learning and adaptation. This diversity would enable me to explore different perspectives and approaches to project and product management, business development, and innovation. Whether in a corporate or startup setting, the mentor should embody the values of continuous learning, collaboration, and driving positive impact in the rapidly evolving global market landscape.
What are three adjectives that best describe you in the work place?
- Resilient
- Reliable
- Driven
What impact will your mentorship have on your career and professional path?
Collaborating with a U.S.-based mentor will be pivotal in expanding my career horizons and strengthening myself as a formidable leader. By immersing myself in this experience, I anticipate gaining valuable insights to enhance my technical skills to streamline processes, particularly within the dynamic and ever-evolving diverse technology sectors. This collaboration offers an invaluable opportunity to broaden my professional network and learn firsthand about effective business development strategies tailored to low-resource environments. Through this experience, I aim to seize new opportunities for innovation and growth, ultimately shaping a more resilient and impactful career trajectory.
After participating in the TechWomen program, how will you leverage your mentorship experience to make an impact in your home country?
After participating in the TechWomen program, I will leverage my experience to drive innovation and collaboration in South Africa especially with young women in STEM fields. I will use the skills and knowledge gained to help innovations overcome the "valley of death" in the product lifecycle. By fostering partnerships between academia, industry, and government, I aim to create opportunities for skill development and career growth, sharing my learnings with others.
Work History
Years of Full-time Work Experience
4Primary Professional Focus
- Bio or medical technology
- Leader who is in charge of overseeing the delivery of technology products and processes
- Technical project and program manager
Current/Most Recent Job
- Title and Company: Project Manager | Senior Technical Officer, UCT MedTech, University of Cape Town
- Direct Reports: 6
- Type: Full-time
- Location: Cape Town, South Africa
- Dates: January 1, 2021 –
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Responsibilities:
Lead and manage a diverse range of projects ranging from biomedical device development to startup consulting; Conduct thorough analyses and formulate strategies, encompassing comprehensive project plans that address risk factors, fiscal oversight, and optimization of operational workflows; Effectively manage relationships and gauging insights with international stakeholders, market leaders, funders, and local entities, including manufacturers, consultants, legal teams, and regulatory bodies.
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Skills:
Project Management: Demonstrated ability to lead and manage projects effectively, ensuring timely delivery and successful outcomes; Strategic Planning and Analysis: Ability to conduct thorough analyses and formulate strategies to address risk factors, fiscal oversight, and operational workflow optimization, resulting in comprehensive project plans; Cross-Functional Collaboration: Skill in working with diverse teams and stakeholders to develop and implement user-appropriate solutions, fostering collaboration between academia and industry.
Job #2
- Title and Company: Project Coordinator, UCT MedTech, University of Cape Town
- Type: Full-time
- Location: Cape Town, South Africa
- Dates: January 1, 2021 – January 1, 2022
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Responsibilities:
Project and program management: Coordinate collaborative efforts, oversee project lifecycles from inception to completion, ensure adherence to timelines, and produce comprehensive progress reports to foster stakeholder alignment; Presentation and time management: Deliver presentations effectively, manage schedules, and organize logistics for various activities to ensure efficient use of time and resources; Stakeholder Engagement and Communication: Facilitate collaboration between diverse stakeholders, maintain clear and effective communication channels, and provide seamless support across all phases of projects and activities.
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Skills:
Communication Skills: This skill is essential for effectively conveying information, fostering collaboration between stakeholders, and maintaining clear and efficient communication channels throughout projects and activities; Time Management: Time management skills are crucial for prioritizing tasks, meeting deadlines, and optimizing the use of time and resources to ensure efficient project execution and delivery; Organizational Skills: Organizational skills involve structuring workflows, managing resources, and coordinating activities to keep projects on track and ensure all necessary tasks are completed effectively and efficiently;
Job #3
- Title and Company: Lecturer, University of Cape Town
- Type: Part-time
- Location: Cape Town, South Africa
- Dates: January 1, 2020 – January 1, 2022
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Responsibilities:
Project and Program Management: Coordinate collaborative efforts, oversee project lifecycles from inception to completion, ensure adherence to timelines, and produce comprehensive progress reports to foster stakeholder alignment; Presentation and Time Management: Deliver presentations effectively, manage schedules, and organize logistics for various activities to ensure efficient use of time and resources; Stakeholder Engagement and Communication: Facilitate collaboration between diverse stakeholders, maintain clear and effective communication channels, and provide seamless support across all phases of projects and activities.
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Skills:
Communication Skills: This skill is essential for effectively conveying information, fostering collaboration between stakeholders, and maintaining clear and efficient communication channels throughout projects and activities; Time Management: Time management skills are crucial for prioritizing tasks, meeting deadlines, and optimizing the use of time and resources to ensure efficient project execution and delivery; Organizational Skills: Organizational skills involve structuring workflows, managing resources, and coordinating activities to keep projects on track and ensure all necessary tasks are completed effectively and efficiently.
Education History
Institution #1
- Institution: University of Cape Town
- Degree Awarded: Master's
- Major: Biomedical Engineering
- Minor:
- Location: South Africa
- Completion Date: December 1, 2021
Institution #2
- Institution: Stellenbosch University
- Degree Awarded: Bachelor's
- Major: Mechanical Engineering
- Minor:
- Location: South Africa
- Completion Date: December 1, 2017
