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Merle is one of the world's few African women futurists working in Front End Innovation (FEI).

She leads foresight & innovation thought leadership at Lacuna Innovation a global boutique FEI consultancy that provides trends, insight & commercial expertise to some of the world's leading luxury brands.

Merle holds a Masters of Philosophy in Future Studies from the University of Stellenbosch Business School, a BA from the University of Cape Town, Diploma in International Public Relations Management from PRISA (cum laude) & a Journalism Certificate from Cape Technikon.

In her doctoral research, she is exploring how the fields of art & science are moving towards a common space & the radical innovation this holds to alter the axis of Africa's future. Her start-up Creation iLab serves as a testbed for these ideas.

She served as deputy President of the World Future Society SA Chapter (2009 - 2012), founded the SA Chapter of the International Development Innovation Network with MIT D-Lab, served as a juror for the 2015 International 'A'? Design Awards & a curator for World Design Capital Cape Town 2014.

Merle's honors include being named in the Mail & Guardian's 2010 Book on South African Women shaping the future of science & education, a Fellow & former President of PRISA, winner of the Financial Mail PRISM Awards 2003, a SABC Lebone Woman of the Year Award 2000, the 1998 PRISA Edelman Vision Award, chairperson of South Africa: A Winning Nation Active Citizens Co-operative & member of the Advisory Council of Vega School of Brand Leadership

Merle is recognised as Africa's foremost exponent of Odissi Indian classical dance and music. She established Odissi Niketan Africa (the home of Odissi in Africa) - to share her passion for this ancient codified form of creativity.

She is lateral, counter-intuitive & holistic thinker with an inherent curiosity about deeper issues & designs solutions for the future that are human-centred, sustainable, values-based and inclusive.