Maria Fernanda Reyes
She is a foremost authority in the agricultural industry, recognized for her expertise in regulatory affairs and global leadership in biostimulants, biocontrol, adjuvants, pesticides, and post-harvest technologies. With a wealth of experience and a commitment to innovation, Maria has become a trusted voice in shaping the future of sustainable farming practices worldwide.
Her deep understanding of regulatory frameworks and industry standards has positioned her as a key influencer in navigating the complex landscape of agricultural products. Maria’s contributions extend beyond mere compliance; she actively works to drive forward-thinking policies that promote environmental stewardship and product efficacy.
As a post-harvest technology expert, Maria has spearheaded initiatives to reduce food waste and improve the quality and safety of agricultural products throughout the supply chain.
Deana Zelenka
She is currently the CEO of the Lula Group of Companies. An international businesswoman and philanthropist, she has professional leadership experience serving as Chief Executive and senior executive member in companies ranging from venture-backed start-ups to global enterprises across a variety of sectors, including petroleum, renewable energy technology, metals and chemical manufacturing, environmental and clean tech, commodities trading, and structured finance.
She is experienced in defining and managing strategy, sales and marketing, financial management, intellectual property development, corporate structuring, mergers and acquisitions, and fundraising throughout her career. Deana specializes in global trade and structured finance as a principal and agent via a global client book. Previously, she served as a senior executive responsible for hazardous materials supply chain management and as EVP and Manager of Voith GmbH’s polyurethane, silicone, and rubber product lines. Earlier, she was a senior executive for Kaiser Aluminum’s fluorides business division.
Rafaela Rica
She is a successful entrepreneur from Albania who founded her own company at the age of 23, which is one of the biggest dynamic, innovative, and integrated advertising and communications agencies in Albania. She graduated from the University of Tirana with a Bachelor’s degree, majoring in English. Ten years later, she was awarded an MBA from the University Institute Kurt Bösch in Sion, Switzerland. Since 2018, she has been a PhD candidate at the Consortium of the International Joint Cross-Border PhD Programme in International Economic Relations and Management in Austria, and her research topic is “Factors Affecting Female Entrepreneurship in Albania.”
She credits her success to a motivated team of 22 young professionals who grew up together, worked hard, trusted, and believed every day in the common goal and vision of their leader. Being one of the rare women entrepreneurs in 1999, she was always invited as a motivational speaker, becoming a role model for many young women and aspiring entrepreneurs. Recalling all the difficulties she went through, mostly challenging the mentality and sometimes just needing a word of encouragement or simple advice, she decided to become a mentor for young women entrepreneurs in Albania and the Balkan regions.
Chantal Yelu Mulop
She is the Special Advisor to the President of DRCongo on Youth, Gender, and Violence against Women. A leading activist, recognized humanist, and feminist, she fights for social justice, economic and women’s rights, and passionately opposes all forms of injustice, including immigration reform, healthcare reform, reproductive rights, environmental protection, racial equality, and workers’ rights.
Having spent considerable time outside the country, mainly in Canada and Belgium, she is multilingual, fluent in French, English, Kikongo, Lingala, and some Swahili. Her professional career is flourishing and varied, including roles such as President and CEO, Care Coordinator, and Director of Nursing. Her clinical background is impressive, focusing primarily on emergency care, long-term care, palliative care, mental health, and maternity.
Additionally, she has held several leadership positions within various organizations as a community leader. Her extensive experience in community health and her personal commitment to promoting youth and defending women’s causes on the international stage have earned her the position of Advisor on Gender to the President of DRC, Hon. Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo.
Audrey Mothupi
She is the CEO of South African-based SystemicLogic Group, a global financial innovation, data, and technology disruptor specializing in emergent business models. Audrey’s experience spans various business domains, including group strategy, talent design, marketing and communications strategy, integrated with strong corporate relationship management.
In 2015, Audrey was granted honorary membership for academic and leadership excellence from the Golden Key International Honour Society and named one of Africa’s 1,000 most powerful women. She has decisively positioned SystemicLogic Group for its next generation of growth, executing a strong plan that is delivering measurable results to its clients while positioning the company for future growth. With her extensive market knowledge, Audrey passionately champions the SystemicLogic business model to deliver solutions tailored to the needs of the client, specific to their respective operating environments.
Tara Murney
She has created a pathbreaking Prison Reform & Reintegration Program called Transformfluence designed to help women and young women find community, connection, and hope re-entering back into society. An advocate for Anti-Human and Sex Trafficking, she volunteers for O.U.R (Operation Underground Railroad) and works on projects in this arena as well. Tara is known for her coaching with cultural visionaries, leading changemakers, and soul-preneurs. As an Emotional Intelligence Coach, she mentors conscious leaders to experience new levels of clarity, focus, creativity, and fulfillment to create a global impact through their businesses. Her consulting and teaching focus on how to unlock one’s creative genius and use executive strategic awareness for training, self-awareness, and emotional EQ.
Tara is the author of the forthcoming book Everyday Cognitive Courage for high performance and personal leadership. Her work illustrates her viewpoints about various experiences through which she has grown, birthing a richer and deeper meaning of life that has welcomed a path of happiness, unlimited bliss, confidence, and an inner landscape full of peace and fulfillment.
Dr. Sanja Popovic Pantic
She is leading innovation in the SME sector and female entrepreneurship. She is the President of the biggest national association of female entrepreneurs in Serbia, running since 1998. During that time, nearly 200 projects have been realized to strengthen female entrepreneurial initiatives, projects, start-ups, and established companies. She obtained her PhD in female entrepreneurship in 2013 at the Faculty of Economics, University of Belgrade, Serbia.
She has been chairing the Women’s Entrepreneurship Group within the EU-funded project Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) since May 2015. She is the author of two books based on research on female entrepreneurship in Serbia: “From Vulnerable to Sustainable Group” – how to overcome poverty among women through self-employment in 2007, and “Sustainability of Female Businesses”, which was published in 2010. She has also been engaged as a UN Women expert in their project “Advancing Women’s Economic and Social Rights in Serbia.”
Hayat Jmammou
She is a Swiss-based philanthropist, art collector, and art advisor. She is the Founder of Hayat Fine Art Advisory, Hayat Fine Art Selection, La Filature, and H.J. Consulting. She manages some of the most important private and corporate collections, curates art exhibitions, and organizes events to protect historical sites, such as a Roman site in Baalbek, Lebanon, and works with Aliph, a Swiss-based foundation acting for the protection of heritage in conflict areas. Her international business education has led her down a path where she creatively combines her passion for art, anthropology, literature, opera, theatre, cinema, historical and mythological sites, with solidarity of cultural leaders globally.
She particularly supports women art collectors and art aficionados as part of the International Women’s Art Collectors Club. She lectures on the art market and writes papers related to art and geopolitics, finance, and the economy. She donates to cultural institutions, organizes charity auctions, and supports artists in difficult times. She believes that in every society, culture, and heritage matter deeply, even though silently, and that these remain one of the most important drivers of individual and collective change.
Dr. Pauline Crawford
She is the designer and originator of the Gender Dynamics Intelligence (GDI©) Map. Her vision is authentic harmony among men and women. With more than 30 years of experience working in business sectors in the UK, Europe, Asia, and the US, Dr. Pauline is Chief Visionary of Corporate Heart International, President of WAVE (World Association of Visionary & Entreprenologists), President-Elect of the Rotary Club of Global Impact, Chairperson of the Permanent Commission for Social Issues and Women Entrepreneurs at WUSME (World Union of Small and Medium Enterprises). An author and international speaker, Dr. Crawford has introduced her unique concepts and programs to different countries worldwide, fostering a new leadership narrative that honors women like never before.
She envisions a healthy synergy of the best learning practices from the past and humanity-oriented visualization of the future for all-inclusive prosperity.
Dr. Sirikul ‘Nui’ Laukaikul
She is a brand strategist and sustainability advisor, Founder of The BrandBeing, and Country Director for SB (Sustainable Brands), Thailand. After working for global corporations for nearly 20 years, Nui established her own consulting firm, BrandBeing Consultancy.
The mission of her firm is to be a small but competent strategic advisor to Thai clients who truly believe in sustainable branding and systematic methodology. Her approach to developing brand strategy is based upon the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy: A Mindset to Advance Your Brands. With a background ranging from creative management to professional training, plus her own unique combination of creative flair and strategic thinking, Nui is a “one-of-a-kind” consultant who can provide strategic and holistic recommendations that are sensible and practical for each client’s issues. Her strengths are Brand Strategy Development, Branded CSR, and Brand-led Business Planning. She is the author of “Build Brand” and “Sufficiency Branding, Sustainable Brand” pocketbooks. In addition, she is a special lecturer at Chulalongkorn University and Bangkok University, as well as the founder of the well-respected พอแล้วดี The Creator (PorLaewDee) program for young entrepreneurs.
Anja Carron
Anja Carron is the Founder of Theia International (TI). She has been awarded for “Outstanding Leadership” (UAE, 2022) and recognized as a Top 100 Leader in Global Education (UAE). She was also nominated for the Marion Doenhoff Prize for International Understanding and Reconciliation by the ZEIT Foundation. Anja is the first Global Chairperson for Circular Economy of the eminent women leadership network, G100. She initiated the first global youth network in the circular economy to skill-up young people and bridge them to mentors, companies, and investors worldwide. The program is funded by the joint project of the Federal Ministry of the Interior, the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, and the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (DSSE). Alongside this program, she leads a circular grassroots-level initiative for clean villages in Ghana, funded by the Federal development cooperation (Engagement Global). Theia International has been selected by UNESCO as Best German Practice, and the Theia-Global-Citizenship-Programs are UNESCO-BNE-Partners for schools in intercultural, sustainable, mindful, and global education (SDG 4.7).
Dr. Nicoleta Acatrinei
she is the CEO & Founder of Impact Investing Metrics. An alumna of Princeton University, USA, and the Swiss School of Public Administration, Switzerland, she started her career in banking and received her Ph.D. in 2014. Her dissertation, entitled “Work motivation and pro-social behavior in the delivery of public services: theoretical and empirical insights,” showed that intrinsic and extrinsic motivations may coexist simultaneously, and that both types of motivation may foster pro-social and altruistic behavior at work.
She has authored books, book chapters, and journal articles, including: “Saint John Chrysostom and Homo oeconomicus” (2008); “Let’s talk about money, let’s talk about human nature” (2007); “The determinants of work motivation in the delivery of public services: the case of the Swiss education sector” (2015); and “Perspectives of Saint John Chrysostom for the VUCA world.”
Rina Pua
She is Founder & Chief Executive Director of Nation Care Group of Entities, and she is also an International Partner of (WBAF), the World Business Angels Forum, and an affiliated partner of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI). Nation Care Group of Entities is an International Venture Team that invests in and manages a portfolio of companies, industries, and assets in the areas of healthcare, supply chains, deep technologies, farming, real estate development, and education. The group has 30 teams internationally and nationwide resources to assist businesses from small to medium enterprises to large corporations in growing globally, providing assistance in funding, finance needs, and the right capital solutions.
An avid community leader, she served as a Member of the Women Executive Committee from 2008 to 2018 and Chairs the Young Ladies Community, among others. Since 2007, Rina has served on several national and grassroots committees, assisting various ministers of state in leading committees and councils to address the needs of different issues and policies in Singapore.
Caroline Sack Kendem
She is the co-founder and President of AWEP Cameroon (The African Women Entrepreneurship Program for Cameroon). She is also the chairperson for AWEP Central Africa and a representative of all the French-speaking AWEP branches (total of 19 branches). Caroline is committed to fighting the economic and social exclusion of African women, a cause she has championed for almost 13 years. Her activism and commitment resonate throughout Africa.
In 2012, when she launched AWEP Cameroon, she was a pioneer in the fight for better access for women in the business world. AWEP activities are aimed at female entrepreneurship, coaching, leadership, mentoring, as well as the empowerment of young girls and women.
In 2017, AWEP Cameroon received an $85,000 grant from the US Department of State for the implementation of an empowerment project for women and young girls in the northern regions of Cameroon, which were facing terrorism at that time.
Dr. Dominique J.E. Delporte Vermeiren
She is President of Groupe VerDel Holding and CEO of VerDel Innovation and Social impact Tech investor. She is a seasoned (non-) executive, serial entrepreneur, social impact tech investor, researcher and EU policy writer. Today she acts as CEO of a boutique consulting firm in governance, strategy and enterprise architecture and is President of the Family Holding. Her international signature spans over three decades and is three-fold: 1. as corporate executive (Fortis, KPN, TNT, EPO, Wolters Kluwer, Coface, Atradius, Graydon, Delporte Management & Consultancy DMC bv) from 1998 to 2016 ; 2. as VC partner and social impact investor (TNWCF – Borski Fund, AquaTigres Fund) from 2012 until 2022 ; 3. as academic lecturer and researcher from 2003 to date
This threefold career path has influenced the way she approaches complex social issues and characterizes her as an independent strategic thinker, a technology futurist with a passion for complex problem solving and a continuous learner.
Dr. Milan LaBrey
She is the Founder of KideoGo and the Co-Founder of KideoTech. Dr. Milan has been a psychology instructor for 19 years. She is an expert in child and social psychology and human relations. Dr. Milan is an award-winning, internationally published author and former radio show host. She is also a movie, TV, and voice actress, as well as an international speaker. Globally, she has lectured on authentic leadership, creating your personal signature, education, and emotional intelligence. In 2013, she was considered for a Grammy in the Best Spoken Word category for the narration of her book, “Back to the Basics”. Because of Dr. Milan’s passion for education in human values, she created KideoGo to empower children through educational programming and other ventures to meet their true potential as human beings of high moral character. She created KideoTech to advance her work at KideoGo, using neuroscience, psychology, and simulation to help reframe and retrain the brain. With cutting-edge technology and science, the content helps shift the internal narrative, creating lasting positive changes.
Onyi Nwaneri
She is the CEO of Afrika Tikkun Services (ATS). Her leadership has taken the company from R10 million to over R150 million in less than 3 years, phenomenally contributing to the growth of skills development and employment opportunities. She is committed to empowering youth with industry skills so that they become economically viable. Onyi is a very passionate, driven, and high-energy leader experienced in leading teams to deliver value to organizations in a manner that always exceeds expectations.
Her key value add to an organization is her ability to deliver on multiple projects through management and working with multi-functional teams across multiple sites. Onyi’s experience cuts across legal practice to compliance, research and development, business development, sales and marketing, customer service and relations, HR, logistics, operations, stakeholder management, deal generation and conclusion, and corporate social responsibility.
Marvy Rieder
She is the Founder of the MarVie Foundation, Advisory Board member of the Academy for Eating Disorders (AED), and Global Advisory Board member at All is Health (AIG), Institute of Positive Health (IPH) in the Netherlands. At the age of nineteen, Marvy Rieder took her first steps into the world of modeling. She initially wanted to study medicine but was “asked” by a photographer while doing a side job. Curious about what it would bring her, she sought adventure and took on the challenge. She became successful in the fashion industry by becoming the global face of brands like Guess and Armani Jeans, among others. Marvy walked the catwalks from New York to Milan and worked with top photographers. She was also one of the regular Lifestyle and Fashion experts on TV shows, wrote columns regarding ‘self-confidence’ for Cosmogirl and Brilliant magazine, among others, and moderated the Amsterdam Fashion Week for years. She was a self-esteem coach on the program Holland’s Next Top Model and has done numerous (corporate) presentations for World Fashion Centre, Global Entrepreneurship Summit, Fabulous Mama, Jaguar, Elite Model Look, JCI International, AED, de Bijenkorf, HC Dinner Concerts, Keune, etc.
Helen Yu.
She is the founder and CEO of Tigon Advisory Corp, the host of CXO Spice, an Independent Board Director, and a Wall Street Journal best-selling author. She is a respected industry thought leader in digital transformation, AI, cybersecurity, IoT, supply chain, and customer experience. As a Board Director, she brings a unique perspective to the boardroom, combining deep technology thought leadership, cybersecurity risk management, manufacturing and supply chain management, go-to-market strategy, and customer experience to deliver thoughtful questions and insights that help drive informed decisions. She has demonstrated success in leading ambitious companies, inspiring culture-building, achieving multi-billion-dollar revenue growth, and profitability through a career that has spanned early-stage startups and pre-IPOs to Fortune 500 enterprises, including Oracle, Adobe, and Marketo. She has managed over $100 million of P&L at a global scale. With over 25 years of executive experience, she guides organizations through digital transformation, strategic planning, cybersecurity risk management, go-to-market optimization, and marketing strategy covering tech, manufacturing, telecom, and financial services.
Simone Siebra
She is the Founder of Voltko and Co-founder of the Angel Investor Club in Portugal. Throughout her career, she has come to believe that innovation is driven by people, and that diversity is the key to improving relationships and outcomes. She believes that the equation for impact is People + Innovation + Connection. She is a Strategic Executive with over 25 years of experience in various industries, including education, oil & gas, real estate, infrastructure, distribution, logistics, and health.
At Voltko, she focuses on business consulting, specializing in organization design, business processes, digital transformation, financial management, governance, and leadership. She is one of the co-founders of the Angel Investor Club, a community of experts who support entrepreneurship worldwide. She serves as a global mentor for startups in programs such as Women in Tech, Inovativa Brasil Latam, Abstartups Brasil, Startup Barreiro in Portugal, and the Nova SBE Haddad Entrepreneurship Institute.
Angelica Conraths
She is an innovative entrepreneur and passionate advocate for women’s wellbeing and intersectional feminism. She is the Founder of fembites, which is committed to enhancing the understanding of the female body and women’s health, while addressing the prevalent gender data gap. From a personal perspective, Angelica’s own journey with health struggles and the subsequent discovery of the underrepresentation of women in medical studies inspired her to launch fembites. Her mission is to provide scientifically-backed, holistic solutions for women, aiding them in navigating their health journey with greater confidence and knowledge.
Angelica is a strong advocate for intersectional feminism, actively promoting equality for all women, regardless of their race, socioeconomic status, or background. Her personal experience with the feeling of being lost and misunderstood fuels her passion for ensuring that all women are equipped with the knowledge and tools they need to understand their bodies and achieve optimal health. In short, Angelica Conraths is not just a business founder; she is a pioneer in the field of women’s health, making significant strides to close the gender data gap and promote a more equitable world.
Dr. Muhra AlMuhairi
She is a distinguished entrepreneur and visionary leader, renowned for her multifaceted accomplishments across various industries. She is the founder of the SMAA Group, a conglomerate specializing in Design, Real Estate, E-mobility, Social Media, and Fashion & Beauty. Navigating diverse sectors with unparalleled ease and expertise, Dr. AlMuhairi is also the visionary behind The Art of Being Academy, an institution dedicated to fostering individual and organizational excellence, alongside spearheading innovative research and development initiatives.
Her dynamic career has encompassed roles within both federal and state government bodies in the United Arab Emirates, culminating in over two decades of invaluable experience across government, semi-government, and private sectors. Dr. AlMuhairi’s impressive track record includes pivotal contributions to the establishment of various organizations, sectors, and startups. Notable achievements include the founding of a School of Government, nurturing social startups, and elevating the volunteering sector.
Teuta Sahatqija
She has over 30 years of diverse work experience across various fields and is deeply passionate about empowering women in diplomacy, politics, and technology through her extensive skills and expertise. Her background encompasses roles in public service, diplomacy, and governance, including serving as a Member of Parliament, Ambassador and Consul General of Kosovo in New York, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora for the Republic of Kosovo.
As a Women in Tech Ambassador at Women in Tech Kosovo, she actively supports the mission of promoting gender equality and inclusion in the tech industry. Leveraging her skills in marketing communications and new business development, she works towards raising awareness, building partnerships, and generating funding for the organization and its programs.
Annamaria Tartaglia
She is a businesswoman and investor, named by Startup Italia as one of the 100 women who are changing Italy. She is an advisor of Women7 (G7) and W20 (G20), the civil society interest groups that aim to develop policy proposals on gender parity and empowerment for leaders of G7 and G20 member countries. She is currently CEO of TheBrandSitter, a bespoke factory dedicated to the strategic development of high-end brands in international markets, and founder of Angels4Women, the first group of business angel women born to support and develop female start-ups. Her managerial experience includes roles at companies such as Trussardi and Ferragamo as Global Marketing and Communications Director, and at Superga and Value Retail as Chief Marketing & Communications Officer. She is engaged in mentoring and training young talents, supporting them in their entrepreneurial paths with innovation, vision, and coaching skills.
Patricia Elias
She is a French-Lebanese lawyer. Patricia specializes in International Law, as well as Arab, French, English, and North American laws. She is an expert on gender equality, women’s empowerment, women’s political participation and leadership, and ending violence against women and girls, as well as on rule of law and governance. She is the founder of the NGO “Avenir Liban,” which supported the creation of the first Ministry of State for Women in Lebanon. As Chief of the global diplomatic campaign for Every Woman Treaty, she leads the overall campaign and represents it to world leaders, Heads of States, Presidents, and Prime Ministers. She is a former senior advisor and coordinator at the UN Women regional office for the Arab States and a UN Women certified trainer in women’s political participation and leadership. She was the editor of Lebanon’s 4th shadow report for the UN CEDAW committee on women’s access to justice and the 6th shadow report on women’s political participation and leadership.