Get to know the members of ORSSA: Linke Potgieter

Welcome to our new blog series, Get to Know the Members of ORSSA. This series aims to shine a spotlight on the people behind the society, sharing their stories, interests, and experiences through short, informal interviews. We begin with members of the Executive Committee, offering a glimpse into the individuals helping to guide and grow ORSSA. Kicking off the series, our first interview features the current President of ORSSA, Linke Potgieter.

Whether you’re a long-time member or looking into ORSSA, we hope these profiles help you feel more connected to the faces in the society.

Linke, what is your academic and professional background?

"My academic background is an undergraduate in Actuarial Science and a postgraduate in Mathematics and Operations Research. I am currently an Associate Professor in Operations Research at Stellenbosch University, where I am involved in teaching, research, and postgraduate supervision. I am also currently serving as Chair of the Department of Logistics."

How and when did you first get involved with ORSSA?

"I first became involved with ORSSA during my postgraduate studies in Mathematics, when I attended the 2009 ORSSA conference to see if I wanted to pursue a career in Operations Research." 

What position do you hold on the Executive Committee and for how long have you had this position?

"I currently serve as President of ORSSA, a role I have held since 2026." 

Tell us a bit more about what your role includes on the Executive Committee.

"As President, I represent ORSSA where required, and I help guide the strategic direction and goals of the Society. I work closely with the Executive Committee to help ensure we achieve our goals, support our members and grow the OR community in South Africa. I attend the annual Conference to deliver the President's Address, compile the yearly President's report for the Annual General Meeting (AGM), chair EC meetings and the AGM, and receive nominations for Society awards."

Have you had any other positions on the Executive Committee of ORSSA, and if so, when?

"I previously served as Vice President during 2025, as Head of Marketing in 2019 - 2021, and as Additional Member of the Executive Committee in 2015-2017." 

What do you feel is the biggest benefit of being a member of ORSSA?

"For me, the biggest benefit is the sense of community, and the new ideas and inspiration gained from conference or workshop attendance. ORSSA creates a space where academics, students, and practitioners can connect, collaborate, and learn from one another. As an academic, it also provides a valuable platform to introduce my students to a professional community, support their career development, and give them exposure through conference presentations and student competitions."

What excites you about the field of OR?

"What excites me most is the ability of OR to make a tangible real world difference."

Was there a specific project or moment that made you realise, "This is why I love OR"?

"Working on healthcare-related projects, particularly those involving mobile clinics and service delivery in local clinics in underserved communities, really stood out for me. Seeing how analytical and simulation models can directly inform decisions that improve access to care reinforced why I find OR so meaningful."

What skills do you think OR students should focus on developing today?

"Beyond strong analytical and modelling skills, I believe it is essential for students to cultivate the ability to creatively define and frame a business problem (which they can then attempt to solve using their analytical and modelling skills). This will set students apart in industry. Equally important is the ability to work across disciplines and to communicate effectively to translate technical results into actionable insights."

What has been your favourite ORSSA memory over the years?

"The ORSSA conferences stand out as a highlight - there’s always a strong sense of community, openness, and genuine interest in each other’s work.  On a lighter note, some of my favourite memories include taking my two sons to their first ORSSA conferences as 1-year olds in 2015 and 2016, respectively, and knowing that they were as welcome as any other member at the conference. My eldest was even nominated as the next president, and responded with a loud 1-year old "Hoo" (whether that meant yes, or no, we'll never know :-))"

What piece of advice would you give to students or those new to OR?

"Get involved early – attend national (and international if possible) conferences, engage with the community, and don’t be afraid to apply your skills to real-world problems and make a meaningful difference."