ECN Africa in-person event: Tito's choice(s)

Herman Warren is The Economist Corporate Network’s Network Director for Africa. Herman works with corporate clients to provide insight and analysis on a range of topics related to the broad and specific African context, helping clients to prosper in one of the world's fastest growing and most dynamic economic zones. He regularly chairs and moderates events and delivers custom briefings to senior executives. Herman is the author of a number of white papers on infrastructure, financial and commercial developments in the region. Herman has previously worked as a management consultant with Bain & Company, started and run a successful mobile technology company and has held senior posts in both public- and private-sector corporations. Herman holds a BBA degree in Finance from Howard University.

Dr Neva Makgetla has been Senior Economist: Trade and Industrial Policy at c (TIPS) since November 2015. She was Deputy Director General for Economic Policy in the Economic Development Department from 2010 to 2015. Before joining EDD, Makgetla worked for the Presidency, the DBSA and COSATU as well as other government departments. Prior to 1994 she worked in various universities in Africa and the United States. She is currently a member of the National Minimum Wage Commission. Makgetla’s research and publications centre on industrial policy and value chain analysis, and on socio-economic challenges facing South Africa, especially employment creation and inequality.

Isaah is the Chief Economist of Alexander Forbes. In this position, he’s responsible for formulating the
macroeconomic strategy for the business, which entails identifying systemic economic risks and opportunities
that benefit the business and its clients. He contributes to Alexander Forbes investment process through generating the macro backdrop for asset allocation and the investment committee. He has 10 years’ experience spanning both public sector and private sector. He started his professional career as an economist at the local office of the International Monetary Fund where he was involved in econometric modelling and monitoring of South African macroeconomic and financial indicators. He also worked at the National Treasury and two local Investment Banks. Isaah has also lectured undergraduate economics and econometrics at the University of Johannesburg. Isaah is a Fellow of the Economic Research Southern Africa (ERSA) and a Business Day columnist.
Isaah was named Economist of the year 2019 by the Association of Black Securities and Investment Professionals (ABSIP).

Gina’s economics background started at the University of Cape Town where she mastered in advanced macroeconomics and econometric modelling. Following academics, Gina started her economics career at Standard Bank, representing Macquarie Securities and Barclays Capital / Absa Capital as their respective Lead South Africa Economists over the years. Gina joined Citibank in 2012 in London as a Director, fully responsible for all South Africa economic and political research coverage. Gina recently took over the Head of Research position for South Africa. Gina is consistently top-rated in local and global analyst rankings and is passionate about mentoring young professionals and promoting gender equality.