Dr. Thato Shuping, also known as “Dr. Guy,” is an innovation expert with a background in local government and development finance. He currently serves as the Director of the Innovation Unit at the City of Tshwane, where he leads transformative projects and has played a key role in shaping the city’s Innovation Strategy. His work focuses on creating programs that support youth and women, establishing Tshwane as a leader in innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems. Previously, Dr. Shuping was an Innovation Manager and Post-Investment Administrator at the Industrial Development Corporation. He also mentors emerging innovators, serves as a shop steward with the South African Municipal Workers’ Union, and was on the advisory committee at Tshwane University of Technology’s Institute of Advanced Tooling. Dr. Shuping holds a PhD in Business from the University of Pretoria and a Master of Commerce from the University of Johannesburg, with research focused on employee mindset in paradoxical work environments and its effect on job performance.