Keynotes

Keynote Speakers

Currently serving as the Chief Albert Luthuli Research Chair at the University of South Africa (Unisa), Prof. Puleng Segalo is also a research fellow at the African Studies Center of the University of Kansas (2023-2025) and the 2023 research fellow at the Institute for African Studies of the University of Ghana. 

She previously was the Head of Research and Graduate Studies for Unisa’s College of Human Sciences. As a Fulbright Scholar, she completed her PhD in Social and Personality Psychology at the City University of New York.

Her areas of specialization include Africa-centered psychology, gender and trauma, and decolonial feminism in psychology. She is interested in the ways in which people navigate and deal with historical traumas in their personal lives and in communities. She seeks to find ways in which we can move towards social cohesion - reconciliation, social justice and psychological healing.

As a seasoned innovation management expert, Brechtje is committed to harnessing the full potential of ground-breaking research to drive tangible societal impact. As Manager of the Knowledge Transfer Office at Wageningen University & Research (WUR), the Netherlands, she is at the helm of orchestrating the seamless transfer of knowledge, technology, and research outputs to the broader community. This multifaceted responsibility entails close collaboration with researchers, industry partners, and government agencies, aiming to identify collaborative opportunities that ensure research results have a profound and positive influence on society.

In addition to her WUR role, she actively participates as a member of advisory boards and investment committees, particularly focusing on early-stage funding initiatives. Furthermore, she has had the privilege of supporting over 500 startups in their journey towards innovation and impact.