Ayanda N.
Innovation & Technology Lead
Experience
Apr 2024 - Present
1 year 9 monthsInnovation & Technology Lead
Tanit New Earth Solutions
- Translated client briefings into structured implementation roadmaps for a new digital platform, coordinating UX, development, and QA teams across three time zones.
- Established iterative reviews and feedback loops to ensure usability and creative vision aligned with technical feasibility.
- Result: Developed a platform that strengthened customer engagement and positioned the company for future funding rounds.
Oct 2021 - Sep 2023
2 yearsStrategic Project Consultant
ILRI (CGIAR)
- Led digital agriculture projects in multiple countries, clarifying changing requirements through re-briefings and stakeholder workshops.
- Implemented agile project management methods in grant-funded initiatives, improving speed, transparency, and collaboration.
- Result: Increased predictability and partner trust, enabling teams to reliably hit milestones in complex environments.
Oct 2018 - Jan 2021
2 years 4 monthsInnovation & Scaling Expert
Welthungerhilfe
- Evaluated and designed digital pilot projects in India, Uganda, and Afghanistan, tailoring proposals to engage both funders and local partners.
- Coordinated design, development, and QA teams to ensure product iterations met both client vision and operational requirements.
- Result: Successfully scaled pilots into multi-year programs, strengthening the organization's credibility with donors.
Jul 2013 - Mar 2017
3 years 9 monthsSenior Product Manager – Digital Strategy
Ownpower Consulting
- Led the development of a SaaS platform, translating client concepts into structured project plans with clear milestones.
- Coordinated over eleven stakeholders from government, FinTech, and creative agencies to align expectations and deliverables.
- Result: Launched a platform that digitized processes and strengthened customer relationships.
Jan 2011 - Jun 2013
2 years 6 monthsSenior Innovation Analyst
Old Mutual (Global Division)
- Conducted market and user research for digital insurance initiatives across multiple African markets.
- Collaborated with technical and creative teams to develop mobile prototypes that balanced design ambitions with feasibility.
- Result: Supported strategic investment decisions and shaped the company's digital transformation agenda.
Skills
- Venture Design & Validation
- Mvp Development
- No-code & Ai Tools (Bubble, Replit, Notion Ai)
- Innovation Strategy
- Digital Product Development
- Stakeholder Management
- Agile & Lean Delivery
- Business Model Development
- Team Leadership
- Project Management
Languages
English
NativeGerman
AdvancedEducation
Feb 2014 - Nov 2015
UCT Graduate School of Business
MPhil in Inclusive Innovation, with distinction · Inclusive Innovation · South Africa
Feb 2011 - Nov 2011
University of Cape Town
Postgraduate Diploma in Business & Systems Analysis, with distinction · Business & Systems Analysis · Cape Town, South Africa
Feb 2007 - Nov 2007
Stellenbosch University
B.A. Honours in International Relations (Political Science) · International Relations (Political Science) · Stellenbosch, South Africa
...and 2 more
Certifications & licenses
StartupBootCamp – Entrepreneur Fellowship
Amsterdam
Avant Now – Entrepreneur Fellowship
Berlin
Le Wagon Bootcamp – Data Science & ML
Berlin
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