Human-centred design is an approach to problem solving, commonly used in business and social innovation, that develops solutions by involving the people connected to the problem in all steps of the innovation process. This webinar puts forward the argument that Human-Centred Design is a critical approach to solving challenges in the South African context today.

Geoff is a product of the Cape Flats. After a successful career in teaching, he joined the corporate sector, eventually retiring in 2015 as HR Director of Maersk South Africa. Geoff runs his own management consultancy, The Caerus Effect, and serves on the boards of Dinaledi Educational Coaching, School Turnaround Foundation and St James Church, Kenilworth. He is also currently President and Chair of the Board of the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Geoff has BA and BEd degrees from UCT, a BA (Hons) degree from UNISA, an MA in History from the University of Wisconsin, and an MBA from UCT’s Graduate School of Business.

Lana Franks holds a BSc in Electro-Mechanical Engineering and a Masters in Energy and Development Studies from the University of Cape Town. She is a creative problem-solver and a social entrepreneur with a passion to mobilise youth-led innovation across universities in South Africa. Lana works as a Human-Centred Design Practitioner and Entrepreneurship Coach at the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Western Cape and has also co-founded CodeYourFuture South Africa, an organisation that repositions adults for a future in tech.

Lorenzo Davids is the Chief Executive Officer of the Community Chest South Africa and has career in development spanning some 35 years. Lorenzo is a founding board member of the homelessness magazine, The Big Issue, in Cape Town, as well as Christel House South Africa, a school offering world-class education to children from impoverished communities.

He has also served on the Boards of Beth Uriel, Media Village, The City Mission World Association, The Viva Network, Beautiful Gate, Christel House, The Big Issue, The Carpenters Shop and most recently the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation, The Pinotage Youth Development Academy and Community Chest.

Charleen Duncan is the Director for The Centre of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI) at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). Currently she serves as the chairperson of board of directors of Community Chest of the Western Cape. The CEI is active in developing short courses and entrepreneurship training programmes at UWC which has a footprint across all seven faculties. Its objective is addressing the student entrepreneurship agenda. Ms Duncan has developed a global network for Centre’s for Entrepreneurship on the African Continent, USA and Europe.