Welcome Address

Charleen Duncan is the Head of Programmes at Allan Gray Orbis Foundation. Her current role is to lead, direct and develop the senior leadership team in Fellows/ Scholars/ Alumni/ Programme Management through strategy formulation, talent management and operational excellence.

She was the Founding Director for The Centre of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI) at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). The CEI is active in developing short courses and entrepreneurship training programmes at UWC which has a footprint across all seven faculties. Its objectives are addressing the student entrepreneurship agenda and contributing to local economic development by supporting SMMEs in the Western Cape.

She played an active role for the national platform representing the 26 SA universities, Entrepreneurial Development in Higher Education reporting into Universities South Africa (USAF). Currently, she is on the advisory board for the US-SA Higher Education Network and the advisory board of the False Bay College Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. One of her career highlights at UWC is setting up the first ever South African design, entrepreneurship, and textile incubator.

Ms Duncan holds a Master’s degree (cum laude) in Development Studies with a focus on the informal economy. She has completed short courses at Oxford University (leadership), The University of Florida (entrepreneurship), Wroclaw University of science and technology (Institution advancement), Coventry University (entrepreneurship).