Rene Parker is an exemplary social impact entrepreneur, who brings a wealth of experience to her role as the Co-Founder and Director of RLabs and its current Global Expansion leader. Under her visionary leadership, RLabs has evolved from a modest community project in Cape Town, South Africa, into a globally recognized and award-winning social enterprise. Rene’s transformative influence has turned RLabs into a powerful global movement, inspiring replication in 24 countries and positively impacting over 50 million lives.

Passionate about empowering women in technology, business, and entrepreneurship, Rene has spearheaded RLabs Women programs, demonstrating her commitment to fostering inclusivity and diversity. Her entrepreneurial spirit shines through in co-founding Junk.fund, an innovative crowdfunding platform providing seed capital to women entrepreneurs, catalyzing the realization of their ideas. Notably, Rene served as a Semi-Final Judge for the “Africa Business Heroes” program, contributing to the elevation of African entrepreneurs from 2019 to 2023.

Beyond RLabs, Rene co-founded the RLabs Angels network, investing in high-growth startups across Africa. Her impact extends internationally, as evidenced by her recognition as one of the Inspiring 50 Women in STEM in South Africa in 2019. Recently, the Schwab Foundation and World Economic Forum bestowed upon her the title of Social Innovator of the Year 2022, acknowledging her pivotal role in driving change toward a more just, inclusive, and sustainable future.

Rene Parker’s influence is not confined to organizational borders. As a sought-after international speaker, she captivates audiences with insights on innovation, social entrepreneurship, Living Labs, and women’s empowerment through technology and entrepreneurship. Beyond speaking engagements, Rene serves as a thought leader, offering consulting services in International Development, Scaling Social Ventures, and Community Innovation to both private and public sectors. Rene’s remarkable journey is characterized by an unwavering commitment to positive change, women’s empowerment, and innovation. Her leadership inspires and shapes a brighter, more inclusive future for communities worldwide.