Speakers

Arif Amiri is the Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority where he is responsible for setting the strategy and growth direction of the Authority. Under his leadership, DIFC has emerged as a powerful catalyst for the financial services sector, as well as the leading global financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region. South Asia (MEASA) region. 

H.E. Engineer Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Group CEO of Emsteel, has over 20 years of experience expanding the UAE’s largest steel company in manufacturing, exports, and product range. He also chairs Al Gharbia Pipeline Company and supports the UAE’s ‘Operation 300bn’ strategy for sustainable growth.

Eng. Yousif Al Ali, CEO of Etihad Water & Electricity, leads the UAE’s energy and utility sector with over 20 years of experience in energy and petrochemicals. He also chairs the Naqaa Desalination Plant and previously held senior roles at the UAE Ministry of Energy and Masdar Clean Energy, overseeing global renewable projects.

Captain Saif Al Mheiri oversees the Group’s ESG strategy. With over 20 years of experience across senior roles at ADNOC, ADNATCO, and more, he has expertise in maritime strategy, planning, and digital innovation. He also contributed to Abu Dhabi’s Plan Maritime, advancing the emirate’s maritime sector development.

Eng. Yasser Zaghloul is the Group CEO of NMDC Group, a leading energy and marine services EPC firm in MENA and South Asia. He has led NMDC’s global expansion and its merger, forming NMDC Energy, NMDC Construction, and ADEC. He also chairs The Challenge and serves on the Board of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Bräunl has driven Porsche’s 40% sales growth since 2019, launched the region’s largest car event, Icons of Porsche, attracting 27,000 fans in 2023, and led impactful campaigns like ‘Drive2Extremes’ for the Taycan. With over 30 years in luxury automotive, he brings a global perspective and vision to Porsche’s regional success.

Dr. Bernd van Linder has been the CEO of Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD) since January 2017, driving the bank’s profitability, market share, and transition toward a fully digital model. Prior to CBD, he served over seven years as CEO of Saudi Hollandi Bank (now Al Awwal), where he led the bank’s significant growth, doubling its size and profitability.

Tarek Sultan is the Chairman of Agility Global, a subsidiary of Agility Public Warehousing. Since 1997, he has led Agility’s growth into a global supply chain leader with over 54,000 employees. He is also Vice Chairman of Agility and serves on advisory boards, including the WTO’s Business Advisory Group and the WEF’s International Business Council.

Sky Kurtz, recognized by Forbes as a 2024 Middle East sustainability leader, pioneers Agritech innovations at Pure Harvest Smart Farms, delivering resource-efficient, year-round fresh produce across MEASA’s extreme climates. Previously, he co-founded Vence and held senior roles at the $24 billion investment firm Francisco Partners.

Dr. Gunnar Hauptmann is Deputy CEO and Head of Programme at the St. Gallen Symposium, a global platform for cross-generational dialogue. A former strategy consultant, he also lectures at the University of St. Gallen, where he earned his doctorate.

Jamal Saleh has over 29 years of experience in banking across the USA and UAE, with expertise in both conventional and Islamic banking.  His career spans key roles in Credit and Enterprise Risk Management, including leadership positions in major GCC and UAE banks.

Mr. Kandrács is the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Hungary, responsible for financial supervision and green finance. He is a member of the Monetary Council and holds key roles in the European Banking Authority. His career includes leadership positions at the Hungarian State Treasury and the Ministry for National Economy.

Eugene Barry is the Chief Commercial Officer at Dubai Airports, overseeing non-aeronautical revenue at DXB and DWC. He also serves on the boards of Emirates Airline Flight Catering and Dubai International Hotel. With over 30 years of experience in airport commercial development, Eugene has worked across the Middle East and globally.

Ashish Sood oversees the end-to-end supply chain for both stores and e-commerce across the GCC. With over 20 years of experience in supply chain management, he is adept at developing effective strategies and enhancing customer experiences through digitization and continuous improvement methodologies like KATA.

Noel Aoun is the Chief Strategy Officer at TAQA, leading corporate, sustainability, and innovation strategies, post-merger integration, and value creation for portfolio companies. He serves on TAQA’s Investment Committee and the Board of Massar Solutions. Previously, he held leadership roles at Schneider Electric and Booz & Co.

Fahad Al Jahrami is the Chief Development and Assets Management Officer at Qatari Diar, overseeing major projects in Lusail City, including towers, the commercial boulevard, and FIFA World Cup 2022 infrastructure. He has over 18 years of international project management experience in Qatar, Malaysia, and the USA.

Ibrahim oversees the company’s sustainability strategy and ESG reporting. He chairs the Global Council on UN SDG 13, is Vice Chair of the UN Global Compact Network UAE, and leads the MENA CSO Network. He’s also a Senior Associate at CISL and a top 100 sustainability leader by Sustainability Magazine.

Maha leads the company’s sustainability and decarbonization strategies to achieve Net Zero and advance the UN SDGs. Formerly DP World’s Chief People Officer, Maha redefined HR as the ‘People’ department to foster a globally aligned workforce. She also serves on boards, including DP World UAE, ADIB, and Université Panthéon-Assas.

Hanaa Helmy, founding CEO of the EFG Foundation, has led initiatives in microfinance, poverty alleviation, and Hepatitis C in Egypt. A UNGC 2018 SDG Pioneer, she aligned EFG Holding with the UN Principles for Responsible Investment. She also serves on the EGX Sustainability Advisory Committee and the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt.

Rana has over 22 years of experience in strategic planning and sustainability. As Chief Corporate Communication and Sustainability Officer at Orange Jordan, she leads sustainability initiatives and serves as Chief Climate Officer. Previously, she helped rebrand Jordan Telecom Group to Orange and serves on several boards, including the Jordan News Agency (Petra).

Muna has over 25 years of experience in humanitarian aid and corporate sustainability. At Haggar Group since 2011, she leads the Corporate Sustainability and Social Impact Department, promoting responsible practices aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. A certified Master Trainer, she empowers youth and advocates for community development.

Sameera is a leader in sustainable finance with over 20 years of experience. As Chief Sustainability Officer at Century Financial, she drives ESG initiatives and ethical practices. Also a Chairwoman of the Dubai Chambers’ Stockbrokers and Investment Services Business Group she has received numerous awards for her contributions to sustainability.

Rajesh Garg is the CFO of Landmark Retail, overseeing sustainability across the GCC. He has led initiatives in sustainable products, operations, and consumer journeys since 2021. Previously, Rajesh held senior roles at Cipla Pharma, GE, Procter & Gamble, and Cadbury Schweppes.

Vijay is the Chief Sustainability Officer and Group Head of ESG at Emirates NBD Group, eading sustainability strategy, finance, and ESG programs. With 20 years of experience, he has worked with EBRD, Lloyds, and KPMG UK. He is also a member of various sustainability councils and a Chartered Environmental Scientist.

Georgy Egorov is CFO of ZeroAvia, leading hydrogen-electric aviation solutions. With 25+ years in finance, he previously served as CFO of Vaccitech and Exscientia, taking both public on Nasdaq. A former Goldman Sachs and UBS investment banker, he has raised over $100 billion in capital and is a Cambridge graduate.

Prof Dr. Hakan Lucius, brings over 30+ years of experience in sustainable finance. He has structured multi-billion euro investments, leads key boards like Luxflag and EFRAG. He is also a professor at UCL, Frankfurt School of Finance, and the University of Luxembourg. An acclaimed speaker, he champions sustainability for long-term success. 

Kyung-Ah is Head of ESG Investment Management and Managing Director of Sustainability at Temasek, integrating ESG into the portfolio and supporting sustainability strategy. With over 20 years in finance, she previously led Environmental Markets at Goldman Sachs. She serves on the boards of ClimateWorks Foundation and Resources for the Future.

Sabrin is Head of Sustainability for MENA and Turkey at HSBC, achieving accolades like Euromoney’s Best Bank for Sustainable Finance. She contributed to the UAE Consensus on climate goals as COP28UAE’s Director of Partnerships and is recognized as one of Australia’s Brightest Young Minds.

With over 18 years in banking across Sustainable Finance, Corporate Finance, and investment banking, Lina drives innovative deal origination and execution across industries. In her current role, she builds key client relationships, advising on sustainable finance solutions and transition opportunities.

Dina Epifanova is Head of Sustainability at IFFCO Group, leading corporate sustainability and responsible sourcing initiatives. Previously, she spent a decade at Tetra Pak, focusing on climate change and sustainability across Europe and Central Asia. Dina has also worked at Chr. Hansen and MARS Pet Care in FMCG and retail.

Alice oversees digital courses, postgraduate programs, and executive education at CISL. She has led CISL’s global Business & Sustainability Programme and has driven impactful sustainability projects in Australia and New Zealand, including work near the Great Barrier Reef.

Ayla is a seasoned sustainability expert with over 20 years of experience, currently leading DP World’s “Our World Our Future” strategy. Previously, she held roles as Executive Director at UN Global Compact UAE and Head of Sustainability at Chalhoub Group. She is also the founder of ampUz, promoting data-driven progress on the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Janka O’Brien, leads the environmental sustainability strategy for the region, focusing on innovative technologies and advocacy to drive operational and customer improvements. With over 20 years of global experience in energy transition and sustainability, she collaborates with governments and stakeholders to advance energy transition initiatives.

Dr. Spanos, Vice President of Sustainability at Expo City Dubai, leads sustainability initiatives, quality standards, and decarbonization efforts. With 20+ years in climate strategy and sustainable development, he has driven impactful projects across sectors in the Arabian Gulf since 2013.

Eoin Daly joined the Commercial Bank of Dubai in 2019. Since then, he has held roles heading up the Change Management Office, Channels & Digitization and Customer Experience teams before assuming the role as the Head of Sustainability. In his current role, Eoin drives the sustainability transformation agenda for CBD.

Faisal leverages 29 years of government and finance expertise to drive sustainable growth and ESG alignment at Mashreq, his background spans digitalization, AI, public safety, and cybersecurity. Currently, he focuses on advancing Mashreq’s sustainability goals and aligning its ESG strategy with global climate initiatives.

Farrukh Shad leads the Energy, Sustainability Services, and Consulting organization, helping enterprises reduce carbon emissions and achieve renewable energy goals. With over 20 years of experience in global roles at L’Oréal, BP, and Philips, he is passionate about driving innovation and transformation in sustainability through digital solutions.

Keiich is the Executive Director of FinCity.Tokyo, driving Tokyo’s position as a leading global financial hub. He co-founded JIAM, serves as Chairman of WAIFC, and leads Jazz EMP. Previously, he held senior roles at Kensho Technologies and was a Partner at McKinsey, Deloitte, and PwC, focusing on financial services and technology strategies worldwide.

With 40 years in global hospitality He’s led over 350 restaurant openings across the CIS, using strategic frameworks to ensure scalable and efficient operations in 50+ cities. Founder of the Tigrus Project, He supports ecological restoration in Russia’s Far East, aiding a threefold increase in the tiger population and also launched various ventures in Russia.

Tatiana is the Founder of Goumbook, a UAE social enterprise focused on sustainability initiatives like tree planting and reducing plastic use. Recognized as a UAE Top Voice in Sustainability by LinkedIn, she also received the Mother Teresa Award for Environmental Stewardship.

Fadi is the CEO of SEE Environment Holding, leading efforts toward a Net Zero Emission future. With over 23 years of experience in intelligent cities, energy management, and sustainability, he has driven transformative initiatives in zero-carbon strategies, green buildings, and renewable energy.

Maya Beyhan is the Senior Director and ESG Specialist at S&P Dow Jones Indices, where she develops ESG and climate-based indices globally. Previously, she led equity index portfolios at State Street Global Advisors and served as an investment strategist at Kempen Capital Management, focusing on institutional clients in the U.K. and the Netherlands. 

Robyn is responsible for sustainability transformation at CBD. she has over 10 years of experience working in consulting and financial institutions across the Middle East, Europe, and North America. She applies a unique combination of experience across sustainability, transformation, and customer experience to deliver innovative and purpose-driven solutions for CBD and its clients.

Florian [Last Name] is a Senior Sustainability Manager at Commercial Bank of Dubai, managing sustainable finance initiatives, including a USD 500m Green Bond. With over seven years of global experience in banking and sustainability, he previously advanced ESG efforts at Raiffeisen Bank International and held roles across finance, NGOs, and consultancy.

Maria Elena Sandalli is ESG Regulatory Affairs Manager on Bloomberg’s EMEA Government Relations team, focusing on sustainable finance regulations, including taxonomy, reporting (CSRD, SFDR, SDR), corporate sustainability, and climate risk. She previously advised financial services clients on EU ESG regulations in public affairs consulting.

Venty Mulani, CFA, is a Sustainable Fixed Income Specialist at Bloomberg LP. She collaborates with MENA banks to analyze ESG data on frameworks and impact reports, leveraging Bloomberg’s resources to track emerging ESG trends. She holds an ESG Investing certification from the CFA Institute.

Krisztian Benyo, PhD, is a quantum solutions expert at Pasqal, where he facilitates scientific and technical exchanges to advance quantum technology applications. he transitioned from Computational Fluid Dynamics to quantum algorithms, leveraging his expertise in R&D and technical business development across industries.

Seb Davies is a Director at RLB in the Middle East, leading Cost Management services in the UAE. Since joining in 2016, he has delivered major projects and oversees the company’s Digital Services, including software solutions and carbon calculations.

Oliver collaborates with clients to develop innovative sustainable finance solutions and navigate the energy transition. He focuses on directing capital toward technologies essential for decarbonization. Since moving to the UAE in 2020, he has been pivotal in key transactions across the Middle East and Africa.

Ralph Dixon is the Executive Director of Sustainability at YTL Corporation Berhad and CEO of YTL-SV Carbon. With 17 years at YTL, he oversees environmental investment, carbon strategy, and sustainability initiatives. Previously, Ralph spent 15 years in investment banking with firms like Hoare Govett and Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein, followed by roles as CEO of Detpak’s paper converting factories and GPac Technology.

As Founder & CEO, Bipin is responsible for the Vision, Strategy, Business Development and Overall growth of the organization. Under his leadership, Esyasoft has become a leading smart grid solutions provider. Recognized globally, Esyasoft has won numerous awards, including those from the Government of India. Bipin’s vision combines social responsibility, sustainable business practices, and innovation, positioning Esyasoft as a competitive leader in the smart grid sector.