Mamphela Ramphele has been a student activist, a medical doctor, a community development activist, a researcher, a university executive, a director of companies, a party-politician and a global public servant and is now an active citizen in both the public and private sectors. Dr Ramphele has served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town, as one of four Managing Directors of the World Bank and as chairperson of several companies. She was a founding board member of the Open Society Foundation for South Africa and the founder of the Citizens Movement and is currently a trustee of both the Nelson Mandela and Steve Biko Foundations. She is the author of several books and publications on socio-economic issues in South Africa and has received numerous national and international awards acknowledging her leading role in spearheading projects for disadvantaged people in South Africa and elsewhere.