Leone Hermans-Blackburn is an experienced professional with a strong background in economic and business development, technology management and innovation. With a Ph.D. in Chemistry- Physical Inorganic/Materials from State University of New York -Binghamton and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from University of Cape Town, she has held several high-level roles in various organizations, including CEO at Central University of Technology Innovation Services, Director-Office of Strategic Industries and Innovation at State of Maryland, and Executive Director at PA NanoMaterials Commercialization Center among others. Leone has also completed the IoDSA (Institute of Directors South Africa) Being a Director series (Part 1-4) at the Institute of Directors South Africa. Leone is proficient in organizational operations, including fiscal management, and the administration of contracts and funding. Leone's leadership philosophy emphasizes transparency, collaboration, and excellence as paramount to realizing sustainable, inclusive, and capacity-building innovation frameworks.