Shantol started her career on an apple farm in the Langkloof and worked her way through the ranks from a General Worker to a Payroll Officer and from an Import and Export clerk to a Logistics Manager. She furthered her career at the local Municipality as a Financial clerk to Social Development Coordinator where she gained extensive experience in the development and implementation of programs and initiatives that promote the well-being and development of individuals and the community. Shantol worked in a variety of settings, such as NPOs, Government agencies, and Community corporations and her skills vary from conducting needs assessments, developing strategic plans, identifying funding sources, collaborating with community partners, monitoring and evaluating program outcomes, etc. Shantol, has had a diverse career path, from Ops Manager to Logistics, Production to General Manager in various industries but her passion for social development remained a strong and important part of her identity.As the Chief of Business Development at Blockchain Valley PTY Ltd Shantol, utilizes her skills and knowledge in the context of 4IR by identifying and addressing the social impact of emerging technologies. As a social development expert, she identifies the potential social impact of emerging technologies and develops strategies to mitigate negative effects and promote positive outcomes. Her core function is to lead the development and implementation of social innovation projects that utilize advanced technologies to address social, economic, and environmental issues. One of the challenges of 4IR is ensuring that everyone has access to and can benefit from new technologies. This is particularly important for marginalized and disadvantaged communities.Shantol is a co-Chief Executive Officer at Africa Align, a dynamic and forward-thinking initiative that fosters unity, collaboration, and progress across the diverse and vibrant continent of Africa. With over 20 years of experience, she is passionate about creating positive change and empowering communities through cross-border partnerships, economic development, and social innovation.”I will continue to equip myself with knowledge on new technologies and their potential impact, advocating for digital inclusion and responsible technology use, and developing innovative solutions to social problems. I will make a significant contribution to creating a more equitable and sustainable future for marginalized or disadvantaged populations, to help them access resources and services that improve their quality of life.”