Ilse van Schalkwyk is a development economist who resides and works in the Western Cape. She holds a Masters degree in Public Development Management. Ilse has worked in both private and public sector as a development economist with over 16 years of experience in economic research and planning, strategy development, market research as well as economic analysis for local and international clients.

She has been employed in the public sector for the past 9 years in senior management positions relating to economic planning and development for both local and provincial Government within the Western Cape and she currently holds the position of Chief Director for Economic Sector Support at the Western Cape Provincial Department of Economic Development and Tourism. The major programmes she is responsible for is sector trade and development as well as tourism within the Province. Her areas of responsibility include sector development, destination development and planning, export development and investment for a range of priority industries.