Ms Vinny Pillay is currently the Chief Director-International Resources at the South African Department of Science and Innovation. Prior to this, she held the post of Senior Science & Technology Representative to the EU, based at the South African Embassy in Brussels.

She holds a Masters Degree in Business Leadership, with experience in international relations, the science and technology sector as well as the environmental sector. She also previously held the post of Chief Director-Bilateral Cooperation, in which she managed the science, technology and innovation cooperation between South Africa and strategic partners in Europe, Americas, Asia and the Gulf. In engaging with bilateral partners, focus has been on value addition to the South Africa science system, promoting research, exchanges, human capital development as well as policy dialogues in key science, technology and innovation priority areas.

She has also been involved in environmental and sustainable development issues through various roles, including as Senior Policy Advisor in International Sustainable Development and Trade Co-operation at the South African National Department of Environmental Affairs. A large part of the portfolio included engagement with multilateral environmental agreements. She also has experience in environmental planning, having worked with the various tiers of Government in South Africa, as Director-Environmental Governance and Planning.