With a track record of transformative impact across South Africa’s commercial and development sectors, Shawn Theunissen brings deep expertise in strategy, enterprise development, and private sector engagement. His career spans leading roles at some of South Africa’s most prominent corporations, including Edcon, MTN, Growthpoint Properties, and Dimension Data-Merchants.

At Dimension Data-Merchants, Shawn established the training division for a 1,200-seat international call center, later advancing to manage a $25 million UK account with Carphone Warehouse as Key Account Manager. This combination of operational excellence and client-facing strategy set the foundation for his future work in inclusive development.

Shawn is the founder of Property Point, a pioneering incubator that equips SMMEs operating within South Africa’s property sector to compete in a demanding industry. Through targeted training, mentorship, and market access support, Property Point bridges the gap between emerging entrepreneurs and the formal economy.

Currently, as Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Growthpoint Properties, Shawn oversees a multi-pronged portfolio—transformation, CSI, sustainability reporting, and enterprise development. He also leads GLO Consulting, a training consultancy, and sits on the board of Twenty30, an NGO dedicated to volunteer-driven responses to South Africa’s socio-economic challenges.

Across every role, Shawn is known for his strengths in strategic implementation, innovation-led thinking, and stakeholder relationship management. His work exemplifies the role the private sector can play in fostering inclusive economic growth and advancing entrepreneurial ecosystems. Through his contributions, Shawn continues to shape a more equitable and opportunity-rich future for Southern Africa.