I help organisations connect people, purpose and place to maximise the positive effects of infrastructure and real estate on society.

A self-starter with exceptional research and communication skills, harnessing ten years in academia and ten years in strategy consulting within a Director capacity.

Respected thought-leader in applied anthropology, and a deep understanding of the intersection of environmental, social and corporate governance - with a specific focus on the ‘social’.

Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, and passionate about helping organisations to build bridges between sectors and geographic areas through multiple lenses - taking an ethnographic and systems approach.

Areas of expertise:

  • Stakeholder engagement 

  • Convening and facilitation

  • Mixed methods (spec. ethnography)

  • Analytical research

  • Strategic thinking 

  • Report writing

  • Public speaking 

  • Visual / graphic presentation

  • Academic writing 

  • Policy advice 

  • Teaching / lecturing

  • Mentoring 

  • Project management

  • Team leadership

  • Client management 

  • Business development 

Working individually and within teams

I am Founder of Human City and Human City SA, which I established to help organisations create places that combine commercial and community benefit.

I host a series of events that showcase approaches, methods and projects Applying Anthropology in/of the Built Environment.

Interview with Matt Artz
“Gemma’s commitment to driving meaningful impact is reflected in her extensive education, which includes coursework in Real Estate Economics and Finance at the London School of Economics and Impact Investing in Africa at the University of Cape Town. Her contributions to academia and sustainable development have earned her an Honorary Research Fellowship at University College London’s Department of Anthropology and Adjunct Faculty status at the University of Cambridge’s Institute for Sustainable Leadership. She is also a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce and a Winston Churchill Fellow.”