Dr. Barbara Van Heerden

Barbara is an accomplished economic strategist and entrepreneur specializing in sustainable business development. With 38 years of experience in socio-economic and industrial community development, she has established herself as a leading figure in both corporate management and government sectors. Her expertise spans conflict analysis and resolution, including labor and political disputes, as well as corporate governance.

Barbara has a strong ability to build effective working relationships with individuals at all levels. Her interests and practical skills encompass a broad range of areas, including manufacturing, agri-beneficiation processing, operations, finance, economics, and strategic formulation and implementation.

Currently, she focuses on sustainable business development by helping universities bridge the gap between agricultural curricula and practical, supervised agri-park operations. Her work supports the integration of academic theory with real-world applications, fostering innovation and growth in the agriculture sector.