Sam Braithwaite

Sam Braithwaite is an accomplished economic development specialist with over 15 years of experience working in local and global contexts. With expertise in socio-economic development, innovation, investment pipeline sourcing, and due diligence, Sam has a sound understanding of both the business and development sectors. Her relentless networking skills and ability to connect with people across sectors make her an accomplished professional in her field of work.

After studying a Post-Graduate Diploma in Enterprise Management and Entrepreneurship at Rhodes University, Sam started her journey as a volunteer in Nepal. She then went on to work with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus in the promotion and practice of impact investing and training in the Grameen micro financing model in places like Dubai, India, Nepal and Bangladesh. Later, she became the client portfolio manager for the Anglo American Group and the Anglo American Chairman’s Fund, one of the oldest professionally managed social investment funds in South Africa. Sam has also worked with global development organizations such as the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs to document and understand entrepreneurial ecosystems in emerging markets. In 2018, she was a core team member of the Africa Innovation Summit (AIS) responsible for selecting the Top 50 African innovations in healthcare, water, energy, and agriculture, alongside the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa.

Sam has an excellent educational background, having studied for her IEB Matriculation Certificate at St Mary's D.S.G before graduating with a Bachelor of Social Science in Economics and Organisational Psychology from Rhodes University. She is a selected Brightest Young Mind and was chosen by the UN to participate as one of 1000 change makers in the first-ever Unleash Global Lab in Copenhagen, Denmark.