Dr Damonse is currently the Senior Advisor: Science Enterprises in the office of the Dean of Science, University of the Witwatersrand. Until end February 2023, she was the Group Executive: Science Engagement and Corporate Relations at the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa (2012 -2023), driving strategic development and implementation in the advancement of research and technology, and engaged research and science communication in particular; equality, diversity and inclusion, as well as corporate communications and stakeholder engagement.
She has more than 20 years of senior executive leadership experience within the South African science and education system, including as the first Managing Director of the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) from 2003-2011. Thereafter she joined the NRF Corporate Executive team as its first female Group Executive and throughout her tenure played a significant role in helping the NRF advance its mission.
Dr Damonse has served in various Board and advisory committee capacities across the science and technology sector. She currently serves as the Chairperson of the Board of The Conversation Africa (TCA).
She obtained a BSc (Microbiology and Plant Pathology), B. Education and M. Education from the then University of Natal (now University of KwaZulu Natal) and a doctorate degree (PhD Education Policy and Management) from the University of Pretoria.
Dr Damonse officially joined the Board of Trustees of the Energy Mobility Education Trust on 29 August 2024.
