Gwen is the Director of the Violence Prevention Unit in the Western Cape Government, South Africa. The Unit was established in 2023 and focuses on better coordinating programmes and services in high-crime areas that contribute to reducing violence and addressing root causes of violence. The Unit also advocates for more data-led and evidence-informed responses to crime and violence. She has more than 15 years of experience providing strategic advice, building networks, and coalitions, developing knowledge, analysing and communicating complexity, and managing projects to influence policy implementation, with a focus on safety and violence prevention. Gwen is a Salzburg Global Fellow.