michelle harding
Programme Manager
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
Pretoria, South Africa
I manage the Innovation Support and Enablement Programme on behalf of the South African Department of Science, Technology and Innovation.
My organisation
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
Authority/Government
Pretoria, South Africa
About me
Highly accomplished and results-driven Programme Manager and Innovation Leader with over 13 years of progressive experience in strategic development, project governance, and operational leadership across the national innovation ecosystem, research, and education sectors. Expertise in designing, implementing, and managing multi-pillar national programmes focused on innovation commercialisation, competency building, and data-driven policy formulation. Proven ability to lead and manage cross-functional teams, secure funding, implement complex digital platforms (e.g., Innovation Bridge Portal), and establish robust governance and financial oversight for large-scale projects. Dedicated to leveraging strong business acumen and strategic stakeholder engagement to drive organizational growth and deliver measurable benefits within the technology and entrepreneurship domains.