Charting economic uncertainty with unique and surprising insights: prominent economist and strategist.

Dr Miriam Altman is a highly respected thought leader, strategist and economist. She has deep experience in economic policy research and, unusually, also in leadership of major transformation initiatives. She brings unique, deep and surprising insights to her audience, focused on practical ways of understanding and charting through local and global economic uncertainty.

Miriam is Director of Altman Advisory where she supports governments and companies in their economic and commercial strategies. Her current work focuses on infrastructure development in areas of energy, transport, telecoms and water security, as well as infrastructure state-owned entity reform. She was lead author of the SA government’s National Infrastructure Plan 2050.  At present, she is working with the Director General of the National Dept of Water and Sanitation and the World Bank as Convenor of Multi-Stakeholder Water Security Platforms in Gauteng and in eThekwini.

With a career spanning decades, Prof. Altman's professional journey has been characterized by a relentless pursuit of scalable, high-impact solutions to economic development challenges. As a strategist, economist, business person, and social activist, she has played pivotal leadership roles driving significant transformation across various sectors.

Dr. Altman was previously Commissioner in the National Planning Commission(2010-2021) in the South African Presidency and Executive Director at the Human Sciences Research Council leading its work on the economy, poverty reduction and employment promotion.

As Chief of Strategy, Miriam played a pivotal role in orchestrating the turn around at Telkom. Her expertise in digital transformation continues to be instrumental in navigating the complexities of the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Through out her career, Dr. Altman has convened top leaders to engage in productive dialogue aimed at addressing the most pressing economic challenges facing societies. Her ability to facilitate collaborative efforts and drive meaningful change has earned her widespread recognition and respect in academic, business, and policymaking circles.

She is a Professor of 4IR Practice in the Dept of Economics, University of Johannesburg, and was previously associated with UCT, Tsinghua University in Beijing and Fudan University in Shanghai. Miriam has economics degrees from McGill University, the University of Cambridge and a Ph.D. from the University of Manchester.