Speakers

As the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the DIFC Authority (DIFCA), Alya is responsible for setting the strategic direction of DIFCA’s operations and client experience. She brings more than 20 years of experience in developing and delivering technology-driven business services and solutions, providing outstanding client service, and driving internal efficiency through policy, process and digital transformation.

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.

Ian Johnston, a global financial regulation expert, having advised regulatory bodies across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. He has held senior roles at ASIC and the Hong Kong SFC, chaired the Joint Forum, and is Vice Chair of IOSCO’s Africa and Middle East Regional Committee.

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.

Prof. Phil Hart is Chief Researcher at the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Research Center at TII, UAE. With 35+ years of experience, he specializes in net zero energy systems, renewable technologies, and carbon reduction. He has led global R&D teams and held senior roles across industry, academia, and startups.

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.

Ammar is a Dynamic operations leader with over 20 years of experience at Dubai Taxi Company (DTC), excelling in managing diverse transportation services including taxis, limousines, and school buses. Proven expertise in overseeing a workforce of over 14,000 drivers and driving operational excellence in key mobility segments.

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.

Samar Al Hameedi is the Vice President of Climate Change for ADNOC Group. In this role, Samar overseas the development and implementation of an integrated net zero strategy and roadmap for ADNOC Group. Samar’s extensive career at ADNOC has encompassed roles such as Environmental Advisor, overseeing the company’s environmental programs, and HSE Manager, responsible for HSE strategies and initiatives to enhance ADNOC’s HSE performance and corporate culture. Samar holds a master’s degree in Chemical and Environmental Toxicology from the University of Ottawa, Canada.

Dimitra at Talabat, leads the company’s regional ESG agenda, focusing on community support, environmental protection, and stakeholder well-being. Previously, she served as Director of Talent Development at talabat and has over six years of strategy consulting experience in the tech space with Al Ghurair Investments.

Pavan Chilukuri, VP and Global Head of CCUS & e-Fuels at Holcim, drives the company’s net-zero ambitions, leading CCUS projects targeting over 5 million tons of CO2 capture by 2030. Under his leadership, Holcim is advancing EU-funded innovations and producing net-zero cement to reshape sustainable construction.

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. 

Bas is passionate about addressing the climate crisis with technologies and innovative business models. As the CEO and Founder of EcoMatcher, he has a proven track record in product development, global partnerships, marketing, sales, and growth strategies for Fortune 500 companies like Philips, IBM, ASML, and start-ups.

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.

Steven Poulter is Head of Principal Structuring & Investments at Barclays, running a portfolio of activity including Barclays Sustainable Impact Capital; whereby Barclays is investing £500m by 2027 in the equity of fast-growing, innovative and environmentally-focused early-stage technology companies. He sits on the board of numerous climate tech companies.

As Head of Sustainability at Dubai Holding, Stephanie leads the group’s sustainability strategy, embedding ESG principles and advancing sustainable practices across all business lines. With over 18 years of global experience, including pivotal roles at Shell before joining Dubai Holding, she brings deep expertise in sustainability strategy, ESG due diligence, environmental management, and impactful philanthropy.

He’s the founder and CEO of Energy Dome, a leading long-duration energy storage solutions provider. The company developed the CO2 Battery, a breakthrough technology capable of storing a large quantity of energy cost-effectively and efficiently. Energy Dome’s mission is to unlock renewable energy and make solar and wind power dispatchable 24/7.

Pavel is the Head of Business Development at Finvizier Consultancies, where he drives the growth of ESG Consulting and ESG Rating Advisory services. With over 15 years of experience in corporate finance and strategic consulting, he has held roles at Lincoln International, Accel Club, and KPMG UK. As a member of ICAEW, Pavel combines deep financial expertise with a passion for sustainability, helping clients navigate the evolving ESG landscape.

Nour is a Senior Credit Product Specialist in the Credit & Risk Solutions Department, based in Dubai.
He focuses on assisting multinational companies, financial institutions as well as professional service companies in improving their credit-related workflows, across a broad range of industries globally.

Ms. El Haj has over 20 years of experience in the education sector shaping frameworks to enhance employability of graduates entering the workforce. She worked on transformative, large-scale projects to facilitate access to quality education for diverse segments and
communities in a manner that accommodates and accentuates the vision of governments, strategic partners, educators, and learners.

Simon Thompson is Managing Director of the Global Capacity Building Coalition (GCBC). Launched at COP 28, the GCBC is an unprecedented alliance of UN agencies, multilateral development banks, private finance and others encompassing more than 5,000 public and private financial institutions,160 financial centres and exchanges and millions of finance professionals in almost every country in the world.

Georges Badawi is a Senior Director with S&P Global focusing on its Energy Transition consulting business. He has over 10 years of experience in energy and utilities in the region with a focus on promoting energy transition and sustainability.

Patil is the Sustainability Solution Director for the Middle East at Sustainable 1, supporting the region in providing tailored sustainability solutions needed for the transformation towards a more sustainable and greener economy. Her primary focus lies in assisting clients as they integrate sustainability intelligence into their strategic decision-making processes, effectively navigating the complex terrain of climate change risks and financial implications to meet regulatory requirements and seize opportunities for growth and competitiveness within an evolving global marketplace. With 10 years of experience in sustainability reporting and sustainable finance, Patil’s expertise extends to supporting with commercial banks to promote and champion decarbonization strategies aimed at addressing and mitigating climate change. Her educational background in environmental science and energy studies provides a robust foundation for her commitment to driving sustainable practices and advocating for sustainability solutions.

Damian launched, and since 2016 has led, Barclays Private Bank’s efforts in sustainable investing for wealthy individuals, family offices, and charities.
He advises clients on how to start investing sustainably and re-align their portfolios as well as having conversations given interpersonal dynamics on legacy, values, and decision-making. He also supports internal investment teams across asset classes on how to incorporate ethical, responsible and impact approaches into their products, portfolios, and services and meet global regulatory requirements

Chirag has 12 years of market experience and helps lead the Sustainable Finance business for the Middle East and Africa. His current role entails identifying ESG linked financing opportunities and supporting clients with the development of their ESG strategies, including advising on and structuring Sustainable Finance solutions and developing Sustainable Finance Frameworks. Chirag comes from a Loan Capital Markets and Syndications background where his primary responsibilities were the origination and execution of Sustainable Finance opportunities for a diverse client base. He has extensive experience in working across a range of sectors and structures including Project Finance, Acquisition Finance, Fund Finance as well as direct lending opportunities.

Rizwan is the Principal of Mirath, a boutique investment firm that uses its capital to create a more sustainable world for future generations. Prior to this, he worked at the family business, the Galana Group, founded a mobile computing company in the MENA region and a wireless ISP business based in Mauritius. Rizwan has also served in a consulting capacity at Integral, Inc. and the Analysis Group in Boston, US. He holds an Executive MBA from London Business School, a Postgraduate degree in Economics from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University.

CEO of The Storey Group, Karen Storey drives global sustainable innovation, , she leads projects addressing critical global challenges. As a board member of several start-ups, Karen champions clean energy, water conservation, regenerative food systems, and supply chain optimization, fostering impactful, long-lasting change.

Danielle, a sustainability expert with 15+ years of experience, specializes in strategy, supply chain, and aligning goals with frameworks like GRI and TCFD. She is a PIEMA member dedicated to driving impactful, purpose-led sustainability strategies.

Steven is an Urban Planner, Deeply influenced by his multidisciplinary background and the idea of Ecological Urbanism much of Steven’s work explores the instrumentality of the landscape as the means to design sustainable and resilient cities.

Dmitry is a technology entrepreneur (3x startup founder), investor and board member. He was featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 twice. Dmitry is Co-Founder at Net0, a carbon emissions management platform. Net0 is a software company that is trusted by Fortune 500 companies and governments worldwide to achieve their sustainability goals.

Jessica  is a recognized expert in ESG, sustainable finance, and responsible investing, with over 20 years of strategic experience spanning the private and public sectors. Her global career has taken her across the Middle East , Asia, Europe, and North America, giving her a unique perspective on the complexities of sustainability challenges.

Jaap has 15+ years of experience in financial services, specializing in climate-focused digital solutions. He has worked at Goldman Sachs, Bloomberg, and FactSet and now leads at Nexus Climate while mentoring entrepreneurs. He holds degrees in Management, Applied Physics, and a sustainability-focused INSEAD certification.

Vatche, Senior Partner in the Middle East Industrial Products and Services team, advises energy and manufacturing clients on strategy, digital transformation, and operational improvement. His expertise includes Industry 4.0 and supporting governments and corporations in industrial growth and adaptation.

Dragos Fundulea, Principal at Roland Berger Middle East, is a sustainability expert with 15 years of experience in green technologies and decarbonization strategies across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. He champions tailored, collaborative approaches to advance low- and zero-carbon solutions.

Arjun, a Partner at Arthur D. Little, specializes in fintech, payments, and digital assets, working with financial institutions, regulators, and ecosystem enablers. He hosts Couchonomics with Arjun and was named LinkedIn’s 2022 “Voice of Gulf Region.”

Karl, is a strategic business leader with 25+ years of experience in fintech, innovation, and partnerships across APAC, Europe, the MEA. He advises global organizations and is co-chair of the Capital Club Dubai’s Business Innovators committee. Karl has held executive roles at Visa, Microsoft, and Cisco, driving growth and partnerships in key markets.

Mohammed Alqassim, COO at CSR, drives digital transformation and operational excellence. Managing Partner at The Manor Hotel by JA, he is also a global advisory council member at HFTP with prior experience at Etihad Airways in revenue optimization and UAE promotion.

Arjun, Founder and CEO of Tenderd, leads an AI-powered platform enhancing sustainability in energy, logistics, and construction. Backed by Y Combinator, he also advises the Dubai Chambers of Digital Economy and collaborates with the World Economic Forum.

Rabeel Warraich, founder and CEO of Sarmayacar, leads Pakistan’s pioneering venture capital firm. An MIT graduate and Pakistan’s first Kauffman Fellow, he launched the $40M Climaventures Fund, the country’s first climate-tech fund, and teaches Venture Capital at IBA Karachi.

Camilla is a Partner in Arthur D Little Tourism and Hospitality practise. Camilla has over 16 years of experience advising clients across government, private sector, DMOs and investors to define the strategy for touristic destinations and real estate developments with focus on future customer experience, innovation and sustainability.

Adnan is a member of the senior leadership team of Arthur D. Little Middle East, based in Dubai and leads the Energy and Utilities practice in the region. He has been at the firm since September 2010. Adnan brings extensive experience in consulting, technology and operations and specializes in corporate strategy, growth strategy, diversification and innovation strategy and management.

President and CEO of Blue Sun an international award winning advanced clean technology and innovative design company, that has developed processes to solarize any infrastructure and also make solar very aesthetically beautiful.

Marina Bird, Managing Director of ESG News, brings 25+ years of expertise in business development and finance, including leadership roles at Bureau Veritas and EY. A Certified Agile Professional and EY’s 2019 “Businesswoman of the Year,” she is recognized for her expertise in sustainable finance and global business transformation.

Sonia is a co-Founder and General Partner at VentureSouq, where she leads the firm’s Climate investment practice. Previously, she was an Investment Consultant for Acumen’s KawiSafi Fund, worked in Commercial Development at Turner Broadcasting in Dubai, with Viacom’s Emerging Markets Strategy Group and with Microsoft’s Strategy and M&A team in London.

Aziz Mulay-Shah is a former senior Canadian diplomat with a career in government and the private sector spanning almost 30 years. His expertise and leadership in diplomacy and international business has been a signature of his time in government. Notable assignments include being a senior advisor on Middle East affairs for Canada’s Prime Minister and Canada’s Deputy Ambassador to the UAE.