Richard Perez is a catalyst for design-driven change in Africa and beyond. As the founding director of the Hasso Plattner School of Design Thinking at the University of Cape Town—the first Design Thinking school in Africa—he is passionate about nurturing a new generation of creative problem solvers equipped to tackle complex societal challenges.

With a background in strategic design and innovation leadership, Richard has spent over two decades working at the intersection of business, government, and education. His focus is on using Design Thinking to drive systemic change, build inclusive innovation ecosystems, and empower people and communities to co-create better futures.

A founding board member of the Global Design Thinking Alliance (GDTA), Richard plays a key role in expanding the global dialogue on Design Thinking through a uniquely African lens. His work champions empathy, experimentation, and collaboration as essential tools for addressing the most urgent issues of our time.