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Lorelle Bell
Committed to Human-centred Design & Design Justice and Innovation as an enabler of transformative solutions.
Professional Background
Lorelle Bell is a distinguished professional with a passion for human-centred design, renowned for her adeptness in driving innovation to tackle intricate challenges. With her extensive expertise in communication, business development, strategic partnerships, project design, and management, Lorelle has been instrumental in implementing a human-centred design approach in various projects. This methodology enhances collaboration and fosters innovative solutions that create a significant impact on communities and organizations alike.
Since November 2015, Lorelle has been deeply involved with the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design Thinking (d-school) at the University of Cape Town (UCT). She played a pivotal role in assisting the director, Richard Perez, in establishing the school and enhancing its strategic communication efforts. The d-school is renowned as one of only three such institutions in the world, alongside those at Stanford University in the United States and the University of Potsdam in Germany. Its mission revolves around delivering design thinking programs to a broad array of participants from academia, industry, government, and civil society.
Collaboration is at the heart of the design thinking philosophy that Lorelle champions, combining a human-centred approach with creative confidence. Participants in the programs engage in hands-on, experiential learning to address real-world challenges sourced from various sectors, ensuring holistic and effective solutions.
Alongside her work at the d-school, Lorelle is celebrated as a communication and strategic partnerships consultant, a social entrepreneur, and the founder of the #2030-UP! Women's Innovative Entrepreneurship Programme. Through this initiative, she empowers women entrepreneurs by equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate today’s business landscape.
Education and Achievements
Lorelle's academic journey is as impressive as her professional one. She completed her Bachelor of Arts and Higher Diploma in Education (BA HDE) in English and Drama at the University of Cape Town. Her passion for learning and development led her to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences, which further enriched her understanding of humanities and social sciences.
Currently, Lorelle is a candidate for a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Inclusive Innovation at the Graduate School of Business at UCT, highlighting her commitment to understanding innovative methodologies that can effectively address inclusivity in different contexts. This advanced degree will enhance her capabilities and deepen her impact on various initiatives focused on social entrepreneurship and innovation.
Notable Contributions
Throughout her career, Lorelle Bell has garnered a wealth of experience across diverse organizations, each role contributing to her current expertise in human-centred design and innovation. Some notable positions in her career include:
- Founder/Director at 2030-UP!: In her capacity as a founder, Lorelle has dedicated her efforts to developing the #2030-UP! initiative, designed to uplift women and foster entrepreneurship.
- Head of Strategic Partnerships and Business Development at the Hasso Plattner School of Design Thinking: Lorelle played an essential role in cultivating partnerships that advance the d-school's mission and foster impactful projects.
- Human-Centred Design, Innovation, Impact Project & Business Development Consultant at Connect4Sustainability: Here, she applied her expertise in human-centred design to drive sustainability initiatives.
- Project Manager for World Design Capital 2014: Lorelle’s leadership and project management skills were significant to the success of this high-profile event in Cape Town, which showcased the city as a leading design capital.
- Director at The Design Cradle: As a director, she contributed to initiatives aimed at fostering design thinking and creative problem-solving.
- Corporate Communication roles at A.P. Moller-Maersk and Warner Lambert: Lorelle has a rich background in corporate communications and social investment, ensuring that her work effectively bridges the gap between organizations and their communities.
Lorelle’s background also includes writing for various publications, where she merged her communication skills with her passion for arts and culture as an education reporter. Her diverse range of experience has equipped her with a profound understanding of the nuances of effective communication in various contexts.
A unique aspect of Lorelle’s approach is her commitment to learning through doing. With strong facilitation skills, she enables interdisciplinary teams to engage fully and develop innovative solutions, something evident through her work with a variety of project partners in public, non-governmental, and private sectors.
In summary, Lorelle Bell is a vibrant and influential figure in the realm of human-centred design and innovation. Her passion for empowering others, particularly women entrepreneurs, and her commitment to using design thinking methodologies to drive impact set her apart as a leader in her field. As she continues her journey, Lorelle remains dedicated to fostering inclusive innovation and inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs and change-makers.
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