Douglas Sanyahumbi, PhD., MBA

Dr Douglas Sanyahumbi is a highly skilled Innovation Management professional with extensive experience in facilitating supporting and promoting technology transfer and innovation from R&D to bedside and to communities.  He has more than 20 years of experience facilitating intellectual property and technology innovation management for new product development and new venture creation.

Doug has considerable senior and executive level management experience, with leadership roles that have spanned a wide range of organisations in South Africa, the USA and Malawi, including Project Manager for a medical devices incubator, Business Portfolio Manager for a human health-focused regional biotechnology public investment organisation, General Manager for Industrial Biotechnology at a national public investment organisation, Founding Director of a Tech Transfer Office for a public research university, all in South Africa, and Senior Project Manager for a biotech company in the US that specialized in the development and commercialisation of novel cell-based immunotherapies for cancer, to Innovation Management Consultant based in Malawi and operating in the Southern Africa region. 

Douglas has a proven track record of developing and executing effective strategies and project plans for innovation. He is adept at fostering strong partnerships across industry and business sectors, government, and academia to facilitate IP commercialization, technology transfer, technology innovation investment management, and technology & business incubation.

In his recent previous role as VP for Africa Engagement at the Southern Africa Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA), Doug drove initiatives aimed at enhancing regional research and innovation ecosystems’ capacity to strengthen social and economic development. Doug has contributed to the development of national and institutional innovation strategies and has facilitated and/or managed investment projects within the life sciences, including healthcare and medical devices investment projects.

Doug is actively involved in supporting numerous Development Agencies and NGO-funded innovation and capacity development projects in the SADC region and in supporting and mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs in the region. He serves on a number of boards as an independent director and provides technical and business advice to numerous organizations.

Doug is passionate about fostering invention education, entrepreneurship, and innovation for impactful socio-economic growth in the SADC region, Affrica and beyond.