Our Board of Advisors
Prof Desmond Laubscher
Teju Abisoye
With over five decades of influence in interior design education and professional practice, Desmond Laubscher is widely regarded as a pioneer, academic leader, and global advocate for the interior design profession.
He matriculated from King Edward VII School in 1970 and completed his professional training at Wits Technikon, earning a National Diploma in Interior Design (1975) and a National Higher Diploma in Interior Design (1980). His academic career commenced at Wits Technikon, where he served as a Lecturer (1976–1980) before being appointed Head of Department (1981–1986), contributing significantly to curriculum development and professional standards in interior design education.
In 1987, he co-founded the Greenside Design Center, where he served as Chief Executive Officer until 2025, transforming the institution into one of Africa’s most respected design education centres. In recognition of his academic leadership, he was appointed Visiting Professor at Nottingham Trent University in 2001.
His impact extends well beyond academia. He has held numerous senior leadership positions in international and continental design bodies, including President of the International Federation of Interior Architects (IFI) from 1999 to 2001, Vice President of the International Council of Design (ICoD) from 2015 to 2017, and President of the Pan Afrikan Design Institute (PADI) in 2019. He is a Fellow of IFI, a Fellow of Design for the World (Barcelona), and was inducted as a Fellow of PADI in 2021. He is also the Founder and President of the African Institute for the Interior Design Professions (IID), established in 2007.
An internationally sought-after speaker and juror, he has presented papers, served on design panels, conducted professional workshops, and judged design competitions in over 21 countries across Europe, Asia, the Americas, Africa, and Australia. His lifelong commitment to advancing design education, professional ethics, and global collaboration continues to shape the future of interior design worldwide.
Teju Abisoye
Teju is a lawyer with over 20 years of experience across various fields which include: development finance, project planning and execution, monitoring and evaluation of humanitarian projects, government interventions and investment opportunities. She previously worked as a Financial Analyst for venture capital and private equity firms, an Administrator for global and local non-profit organizations, Programmes Director for the Federal Government YouWIN! Programme and the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund.
She is currently a Special Adviser to the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment and the National Coordinator of the National Talent Export Programme (NATEP), a presidential initiative launched in 2023 to address Youth Employment though export of services and talent. She is an Alumnae of Yale’s Women Leadership Programme, a 2021 Amujae Leader, a flagship programme by the Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (EJS) Centre. Teju is also an
Eisenhower Fellow (2024) and has received expert training in Leading Successful Programmes, Social and Development finance from Harvard Kennedy School, Oxford and Stellenbosch Business school.
Her achievements and dedication have garnered recognition, as she was listed as one of the inspiring women impacting Africa in the 100 Women Impacting Africa E
magazine.
She is a Trustee at Guiding Light Assembly, also she is on the Board of
Majuers Holdings and Utilita Energy.
Teju is committed to the development of MSMEs, economic inclusion and 21st
century skills as the engine of growth in African Economies.