Itha Taljaard

Founder Sense2Solve; South Africa

With jpb.com: Jenni business development and implementation; training and consulting

Itha Taljaard has the widely varied background that is typical of a creativity and innovation expert. She holds BSc degrees in Mathematics and Chemistry and Masters degrees in chemistry and future studies. Her professional career has been equally varied, from setting up a specialists children's clothing manufacturing and marketing firm to leading IT development teams on complex projects.

In 2002 she was asked by her then employer, Standard Bank of South Africa, to set up an innovation and foresight department and design an innovation process. IN 2005, ABSA, a large financial services firm made her chief innovation officer which again required that she design and implement an effective innovation strategy for a large organisation.

Two years later, using her diverse knowledge and experience in setting up innovation departments in large, complex organisations, Itha launched Sense2Solve, one of South Africa's leading creativity and innovation consultancies. Through Sense2Solve, Itha helps a handful of the country's leading firms become more innovative.

In addition to her work in creativity and innovation, Itha is a regular participant in IronMan and in 2008 completed the IronMan in PE and Austria (3.8km swim, 180km cycle, 42.2 km run).