Dr. Cherise Dunn
Harvard South Africa Fellow, Harvard T.H. Chan MPH Candidate
Dr. Cherise Dunn is the Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of SOUTH AFRICA MAKES, an award-winning medical device digital manufacturing company. A global thought leader in 3D Printing for Development, she champions this fourth industrial revolution (4IR) technology to advance healthcare in Africa. Her TEDx talk, “Made for Africa. Made in Africa: 3D printing for development,” highlights her role as the premier female expert in 3D printing on the continent.
Dr. Dunn has represented South Africa at prestigious platforms like the G20 Startup20 Engagement Forum in Brazil and the BRICS Young Innovator Prize Competition, emphasizing her work in the circular economy. SOUTH AFRICA MAKES was named one of Fast Company South Africa’s Most Innovative Companies in 2021, and Dr. Dunn was recognized as a Wesgro Young Innovator and a Mail & Guardian Top 200 Young South African in Business and Entrepreneurship.
An alumna of the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program, Dr. Dunn has engaged with global leaders, including U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman. She was a featured speaker at Manufacturing Indaba 2022, addressing local supply chain resilience, and has been named one of Inspiring Fifty SA’s most inspiring women in STEM.
Committed to mentoring and education, Dr. Dunn has supported over 500 youth and women entrepreneurs through programs with the Cape Innovation and Technology Initiative and advised Microsoft South Africa on additive manufacturing strategies. With over a decade of experience in skills development, she continues to engage in advancing healthcare innovation and entrepreneurship.