Philippe Varin was elected Chair of the International Chamber of Commerce in June 2024, having served on the executive board since 2018 and as First Vice-Chair from 2022-2024.

Mr Varin began his career in 1978 with Pechiney, where he held various R&D, Plant, and Business Unit Management roles in France and the United States. By the time he left Pechiney, he was Group Executive Vice President for the Aluminium sector. In 2003, Mr Varin became CEO of the Anglo-Dutch steel company Corus, where he led a major turnaround, culminating in the company’s acquisition by Tata Group in 2007. Mr Varin continued with Tata for two years, working in Mumbai and London, before joining PSA Peugeot Citroën as Chairman of the Managing Board (2009-2014). He subsequently served as Chairman of Areva and Orano, leading nuclear energy companies, until 2020.

In 2020, Mr Varin was elected Chairman of the Board of Suez, where he defended against Veolia’s acquisition bid, stepping down in 2022. Mr Varin has also held a number of key industry roles including as Chairman of “France Industrie” and Vice-Chairman of the National Council for Industry (Conseil National de l’Industrie), both from 2017-2021, and on the board of Saint-Gobain from 2013-2021.

Mr Varin has chaired the World Materials Forum since 2014, and in 2022, the French government enlisted him to propose measures for securing Critical Raw Materials supply. He is also an operating partner of the GVP Climate investment fund and chairs the French C’Possible Association, supporting the professional integration of vocational high school students.

A graduate of the Paris École Polytechnique and École des Mines, Mr Varin is an officer of the Legion of Honour, a knight of the National Order of Merit in France, and a Commander of the British Empire in the UK.

The name, “Murrundindi,” means Home in the Mountain and was given to Murrundindi in a naming ceremony by his mother Gumbri. Murrundindi is the Ngurungaeta (Head Man) and Elder of the Wurundjeri tribe and he is also a direct descendant of Bebejern, Ngurungaeta (King) of the Wurundjeri- who signed the 1835 treaty of Melbourne with John Batman.

Murrundindi is much more than a peace keeper and a spiritual custodian of the land around the Melbourne region. He has spent the last 40 years sharing his culture and his message of love and acceptance through education in schools, many communities, and at Healesville Sanctuary. He is keenly motivated to share his knowledge of plants, animals, food and cultural practices of the Wurundjeri with all people.

Murrundindi’s culture now has his own range of clothing and accessories. The Murrundindi brand was created to not only acknowledge the offerings of Murrundindi back to his communities and to share Murrundindi’s culture but to purposeful shine a light on his values which include Respect, Unity, and Inclusivity.

Murrundindi is committed to preserving and sharing the legacy of Victoria’s First Nations. His mission is to be a bridge between the timeless traditions of Indigenous cultures and the modern world, fostering respect, understanding, and recognition for their invaluable contributions to the global tapestry of human heritage.

Jacinta Allan has two big jobs:

Premier of Victoria and mum of two.

Growing up in Bendigo, Jacinta first ran for Parliament in 1999 to stand up for workers like her dad – who lost his job when the State Electricity Commission was sold off.

She is the longest-serving female Minister in Victorian history and became Premier in 2023.

The Allan Labor Government is delivering real help, right now – like free TAFE, free kinder and free public transport for kids.

It’s protecting and expanding our frontline services – with record funding for hospitals, nurses and new schools.

It’s building more homes to open doors for young people and building more transport projects to get Victorians home sooner.

She lives in Bendigo with her husband Yorick, her two children and two kelpies.

Whitney Baird is President and CEO of the United States Council for International Business (USCIB), the leading voice of American business in global economic policy. An accomplished diplomat with a distinguished career in international affairs, Baird is a passionate advocate for open markets, trade, and the role of business in promoting economic prosperity and social progress.

Baird’s extensive experience in government and business has fostered a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the global economy. Prior to joining USCIB, Baird served as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, leading efforts to promote American economic interests abroad in close collaboration with U.S. businesses, foreign governments, and international organizations. Baird also led the U.S. Mission to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as Chargé d’Affaires from 2020-2022, representing American interests in this key forum on economic policy, trade, and development.

During her diplomatic career, Baird was appointed Minister Counselor for Economic Affairs at U.S. Embassy London, Director of Multilateral Trade, Director of European Union Affairs, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for West Africa and Security Affairs, and Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Western Europe and European Union and Regional Affairs.  She also served at U.S. Embassies in Madrid, Dakar, Lome, and Yaoundé, earning distinction as the recipient of the Secretary’s Career Achievement Award and multiple Superior Honor Awards.

Baird holds a Master’s degree in International Security Studies from the National Defense University and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of North Carolina.

Anindya N. Bakrie serves as the Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) for the 2024-2029 term. He was officially appointed during the Ninth Extraordinary National Conference/National Conference of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, held on September 14, 2024, in Jakarta, pursuant to Law No. 1 of 1987.
Before being appointed as Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) for the 2024-2029 term, Anin, as he is familiarly known, had been an active part of Kadin Indonesia for nearly 25 years, beginning his involvement as a member in 1999. In 2004, he was entrusted with the role of Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Telecommunications. He later served as Vice Chairman for Telematics in 2008. His leadership within Kadin Indonesia continued to grow, serving as Vice Chairman for Organization, Membership, Regional Empowerment, and Corporate Governance in 2010, followed by Vice Chairman for Organization, Membership, and Empowerment in 2015. During the 2021-2024 term, Anin was appointed Chairman of the Advisory Board of Kadin Indonesia before ultimately assuming the role of Chairman for the 2024-2029 term.
As the Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Anin aspires to lead the business community in supporting government programs, including the achievement of an 8 percent economic growth target and poverty alleviation. In line with this vision, under his leadership, Anin has launched four Quick Wins programs, which have been designated as Kadin Indonesia’s priority initiatives, aligned with the government’s key agendas.

These programs include the Collaborative Free Nutritious Meal Program (SPPG Makan Bergizi Gratis Gotong Royong), Collaborative Renovation of Uninhabitable Houses, Collaborative Free Health Check-up Clinics, and the Collaborative Indonesian Migrant Workers Program

As a strategic partner of the government, Anin believes that Kadin Indonesia must synergize with and support the success of government programs, so that Kadin Indonesia is not only beneficial to its members but also to the broader society.

Amanda Barlow is the Vice President of Risk Management and Business Affairs for Global Critical Logistics group of companies. GCL is made up of six specialty freight forwarding and logistics providers who handle a wide range of high value and mission critical shipments. Amanda manages the insurance portfolio and is strategic leadership of the ATA Carnet service. Amanda is a member of the Airforwarders Association (AfA) Board of Directors and is the chair of the AfA’s Technology and Cybersecurity committee, as well as an active member in the AirCargo Conference committee. Seeing industry issues emerge in real time allows her to keep a close understanding of the ever-changing needs of GCL’s companies. In addition, Amanda was appointed to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s District Export Council (DEC) of Southern California, one of more than 60 DECs that exist throughout the country to support the U.S. Government’s export promotion efforts.
Prior to joining GCL, Amanda was with Roanoke Insurance Group where she served in a variety of client focused roles. Most recently, as the Senior Vice President for Roanoke’s Client Experience department, prior to that as the Regional Vice President for Roanoke’s Western Region, where she led the sales and operations of the Long Beach and San Francisco offices. Originally Amanda joined Roanoke in 2014 as the Vice President of ATA Carnet, and she maintained her strategic leadership and development role of Roanoke’s ATA Carnet product line, especially as the ATA Carnet globally moves into a digital environment.
Amanda authored and taught for several semesters the Export Promotion Marketing course for the international trade and marketing department at her alma mater the State University of New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT-SUNY), where she has been an Adjunct professor since 2006. She has also served on FIT-SUNY’s Gemini Shippers Association’s Scholarship Committee, as well as their International Industry Advisory Board, which ensures that the curriculum is continually in line with industry needs.
Prior to joining Roanoke, Amanda was the Marketing Director in the ATA Carnet and Trade Services Department at the US Council for International Business (USCIB). Before joining USCIB, Amanda worked with ATA Carnets for a New York-based Italian fashion house. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in International Trade and Marketing from FIT-SUNY.

Mark is a full-time non-executive director and is currently a
member of the boards of the Australian Chamber of Commerce
& Industry, Transurban Limited (ASX:TCL) and the Genevabased
International Organisation of Employers. He was
President of the Victorian Chamber from 2013-2016.
Mark has served in leadership roles across the public and
private sectors, including as Chairman of Port of Melbourne,
Chair of Infrastructure Australia, Chairman of Regis Healthcare
Limited (ASX:REG) and National Leader of the Infrastructure
Group at Minter Ellison Lawyers. Recently he retired as the
Independent Chair of PostSuper.
He has deep public policy experience through his earlier service
as a Cabinet Minister, including as Minister for Industry,
Science & Technology and Government Leader in the Victorian
Upper House.
In 2021 Mark was made a Member of the Order of Australia
“for significant service to the infrastructure sector and to
business” and in 2014 was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of
Laws by Monash University, the university’s highest honour. He
is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors,
Companion of Engineers Australia and Patron of Infrastructure
Partnerships Australia.

Francois-Xavier (or ‘FX’ as he’s often known) was announced as the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee’s (Brisbane 2032) Chief Commercial Officer in August 2024. 

FX has a long history with the Olympic and Paralympic Movements, having previously served as the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee’s Senior Director of Partnerships and Licensing for five years.  Prior to that, FX carved out a global commercial and marketing career over three decades, including close to 25 years with consumer goods corporate and worldwide Olympic Partner, Proctor and Gamble. 

FX has worked across a range of locations, including Europe and the US and has settled into life in Brisbane with his family.  He has quickly refamiliarised himself with local surrounds and attractions, having previously visited the city and region for work on several occasions. 

In his spare time and when not leading the team charged with raising billions in revenue for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, FX is an avid runner.  He also holds a black belt in judo and has been a national player, coach and referee in badminton. 

Linzi Boyd is a globally recognised entrepreneur, speaker, and purpose-led visionary. By the age of 24, she had built and sold two businesses, including a global footwear brand acquired by Caterpillar. She went on to scale some of the most iconic high-street brands, earning a reputation for building Famous Brands.

Over a decade ago, Linzi made a pivotal shift from consumer brands to scaling businesses for conscious impact, founding One Earth Global—a purpose-driven platform uniting businesses, movements, and communities. The platform supports thousands of enterprises around the world to connect on purpose, learn to grow, and trade to create impact, helping shape regenerative economies and ignite global movements.

Linzi works at the intersection of commerce, consciousness, and community—leading systemic transformation by fusing profit with purpose. She has partnered with institutions such as the London Stock Exchange, the Mayor’s Office, and the UN Global Compact to drive economic reform and purpose-led innovation.

A sought-after global speaker, Linzi combines commercial strategy with deep social impact. Linzi brings a unique blend of entrepreneurial experience, visionary thinking, and deep social impact to every stage she steps onto—helping shape a new purpose economy led by people, purpose, and global collaboration.

Gayla Brock-Woodland joined the Canadian Chamber as Chief Operating Officer in 2020 bringing more than 30 years of experience in both the private and public sectors.  Core to her role has been driving implementation of the Chamber’s strategic plan, Chamber 2025, which has resulted in the launch of whole new divisions and offerings, doubling the Chamber’s size.

Gayla has served as a trusted strategic counsellor for C-suite executives and has a broad business network. She has worked with Canadian and global leaders on national and mission critical mandates in energy, telecommunications, retail, health care, pharma, lifestyle and packaged goods, food, financial and professional services, insurance, technology and more.

Prior to joining the Chamber, Gayla served as President of MSLGROUP in Canada, a division of global leader Publicis Groupe, building a full-service team that won strategy PR Agency of the Year.

Rhett Buttle is an entrepreneur, advocate, and one of the most trusted leaders at the intersection of business and policy in Washington, DC. He has worked for President Biden, Vice President Harris, President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in government and campaign roles.

Rhett is the founder of Public Private Strategies (PPS) and President of the Public Private Strategies Institute (PPSI), which works to bring together the public and private sectors to build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive policy and market outcomes. In these roles, he advises leading policy makers, foundations, nonprofits, and corporations. In addition to PPS and PPSI, he has helped found the Small Business Roundtable, Small Business for America’s Future, and the Next Gen Chamber of Commerce. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Aspen Institute and a regular contributor to Forbes, where he writes on the intersection of business, policy, and politics. Rhett has also been featured in The New York Times, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, and several other business publications.

Gennadiy Chyzhykov was born on February 19, 1964 in Donetsk. He graduated from high school with a gold medal, studied at the Donetsk Institute of Trade from 1981 to 1985 at the trade and economic faculty. After completing military service, he worked as an economist in the Trade Organization Department of the Donestk company «Mebli», and from 1987 – at the Donetsk Institute of Trade, where he held the positions of Assistant and Associate Professor of the Faculty of Enterprise Economy. In 1992 he defended his Master’s thesis, in some time – a Doctorate with specialty in Foreign Economic Activity. He has over 80 published scientific and nonfiction articles. He completed fellowships at the Bradford School of Business, University College Cork (Ireland), Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce (USA). Gennadiy Chyzhykov has contributed to the development of the Chamber movement in Ukraine for over 20 years. From June, 2002 to February, 2014 he was President of the Donetsk Chamber of Commerce and Industry. From February, 2013 Gennadiy Chyzhykov has held the position of President of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. On May 19, 2015 he was re-elected as President of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In this period, the following have been created and founded at the UCCI – a network of Export Support Centers, the National Export Forum, bilateral Business Councils with partners from 30 countries. A number of agreements on cooperation were concluded with partner organizations.

Gennadiy Chyzhykov is fluent in English and French.

Maria Monica has been working for more than 20 years creating and strengthening ties to connect entrepreneurs from Bogotá and Colombia with governments, entities, companies, and organizations from other countries. In her work, she emphasizes that global networks are essential for entrepreneurs to succeed in different markets and seize the opportunities of globalization.

She is a bilingual Industrial Engineer with an MBA and a postgraduate degree in marketing. In addition, she has extensive experience in managing business units, conducting market research, overseeing national and international commercial operations, and defining tactical plans and procedures for project development.

Throughout her career, she has developed strong skills in fostering international cooperation, managing global resources, and negotiating agreements with other countries.

Heidi Cooper is a leading business executive and Chief Executive Officer of Business Chamber Queensland, where she advocates for the strategic growth and sustainable transformation of Queensland’s business environment. In this role, she leads with purpose, driving business success while shaping the state’s economic future through policy influence, stakeholder collaboration and strategic reform.

With a career spanning business, law, corporate affairs and strategy, Heidi has led major initiatives for Top 20 ASX-listed companies, top-tier law firms and industry bodies across infrastructure, energy, financial services, education and sport. She is a recognised leader in aligning business outcomes with social and environmental impact and advancing sustainable business practices. She brings a global perspective to local leadership, strengthened by participation in the Chambers of Commerce international network and executive programs at Harvard and Princeton Universities.

A qualified solicitor, experienced board director and graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Heidi has significant expertise in governance, risk and corporate leadership. She is currently a member of the Jobs Queensland Board, Super Member Council Employer Forum, and several government advisory boards.

Deeply committed to education, arts and community, Heidi is an active philanthropist and is a member of the Brisbane Festival Giving Committee, St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace School Advisory Council, and is Deputy Chair of the St Margaret’s Foundation Board.

Heidi holds multiple qualifications in law, public policy and management and was an Adjunct Professor at the University of Queensland.

Mathias Cormann is the 6th Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

His five-year term commenced on 1 June 2021.

Working with OECD members, his priorities as Secretary-General are:

• Optimising the strength and the quality of the post COVID recovery while responding to the economic and social impacts of the war in Ukraine.
• Leadership on climate action to help secure global net-zero by 2050 in a way that is effective and fair.
• Seizing the opportunities of the digital transformation while better managing some of the associated risks, challenges and disruptions.
• Helping to ensure well-functioning global markets and a global level playing field with a rules-based trading system in good working order.
• Global engagement: advancing OECD standards, through membership and partnerships and a sound approach to development.

Prior to his appointment to the OECD, Mathias served as the Australian Minister for Finance, the Leader of the Government in the Australian Senate and as Federal Senator representing the State of Western Australia.

In these roles, he has been a strong advocate for the positive power of open markets, free trade and the importance of a rules-based international trading system.

Mathias was born and raised in the German-speaking part of Belgium.

He migrated to Australia in 1996, attracted by the great lifestyle and opportunities on offer in Western Australia.

Before migrating to Perth, Mathias had graduated in law at the Flemish Catholic University of Louvain (Leuven), following studies at the University of Namur and, as part of the European Erasmus Student Exchange Program, at the University of East Anglia.

Between 1997 and 2003, he worked as Chief of Staff as well as Senior Adviser to various State and Federal Ministers in Australia and for the Premier of Western Australia

Between 2003 and 2007, Mathias worked for major Western Australian health insurer HBF in a range of senior management roles.

Declan Daly joined USCIB in August 2018 as Senior Vice President and CFO. Daly now serves as COO, overseeing ATA Carnet and Trade Services and IT.

Prior to USCIB, Daly was with CSI Sports, an international multimedia company operating in over 40 countries, where he was VP of Finance and Operations. Prior to that, he was CFO of Geptek/GTI, which consists of a Trading Group and an Environmental Service Group, serving various industries through a network of domestic and global suppliers, partners and service providers. Other positions included Director of Finance for the FW Dodge division of McGraw-Hill and Director of Finance and Business Manager for Simon & Schuster.

Daly, a CPA, earned an MBA as well as a BS in Accounting from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

John W.H. Denton AO is the Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). He is a global business leader and international advisor on policy and a legal expert on international trade and investment.

In 2022, John was appointed by the United Nations (UN) Secretary General to represent the global private sector on the Steering Committee of the UN Global Crisis Response Group on Food, Energy and Finance.

John serves on World Trade Organization (WTO) Director General’s Business Advisory Group and the World Health Organization (WHO) Foundation Strategic Advisory Group. He is also a member of the IEA Global Commission on People-Centered Clean Energy Transitions and the OECD Blue Dot Network Executive Consultation Group.

In 2024, he was appointed Co-Chair of the Steering Committee of Business Interlocutors of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4).

John is a board member of the UN Global Compact, the UN Business and Human Security Initiative, and the UNDP Sustainable Development Goals Impact Investing Steering Group. He is also a member of the Global Leadership Council of UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited (GenU).

John is a founding member of the Business 20 (B20), of which he co-chairs the Finance and Infrastructure Task Force; Co-founder of the Australia–China CEO Roundtable; and Patron of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Australia.

He is Chair of the ICC Merchants of Peace Foundation and the Moeller Institute Advisory Board at the University of Cambridge. He is a board member of IFM Global Investors, Veracity, the African Green Infrastructure Investment Bank (AfGIIB), and the World Trade Board by Finastra.

A former diplomat, John co-led the Australian Government’s 2012 White Paper on “Australia in the Asian Century” and previously chaired the APEC Finance and Economics Working Group. Prior to his appointment as ICC Secretary General, John served on the ICC Executive Board from 2015-2018. He was also Partner and CEO of Corrs Chambers Westgarth, Australia’s leading independent law firm, for two decades.

In 2015, John was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for his services to the business community, the arts and the rights of refugees, including as a founder of Human Rights Watch (Australia) and Teach for Australia.

Layla Derraz is the Director for Strategic Events at Dubai Chambers, where she leads the organisation of the Chamber’s flagship international business forum, a key platform for promoting Dubai as a global destination for trade, investment, and innovation. With over 25 years of experience in chambers of commerce, Layla specialises in strategic event design, association engagement, and business development.

She also serves as Director for the Dubai Association Centre, where she plays a central role in building a dynamic ecosystem for international and regional associations in Dubai. Her work focuses on curating impactful programs that support their growth and contribution to Dubai’s economic landscape.

Layla is a passionate advocate for the role of associations in driving innovation, collaboration, and sustainable development. Her events and initiatives have connected global stakeholders, fostered knowledge-sharing, and helped position Dubai as a leading hub for business.

Layla holds a bachelor’s degree in international business and marketing from the University of Westminster in the UK and a Masters in Marketing.

Lyall Gorman is the President of Business NSW, having served as a Board Director for the past nine years and Deputy President for two years. He is also the Deputy President of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and currently is CEO of Evolve Housing, who is one of Australia’s largest community housing providers.

He has over 35 years’ experience in senior management, project management and administration, in both the Public and Private sectors. He holds a Master’s Degree in Administration (UNSW) with majors in Finance, Organizational Culture and Change, Organisational Behaviour, Statistics and Marketing.

Lyall was born in Griffith, NSW and has a passion for small business, mentoring emerging business leaders and aspirational youth while also featuring on the public speaking circuit in areas including Leadership, Building a Winning Culture, High Performance, Brand, Development, Consumer Engagement.

Rebeca Grynspan, of Costa Rica, was appointed the eighth Secretary-General of UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on 13 September 2021. She is the first woman to hold this position in the history of the organization.

She is also coordinator of the Task Team of the Global Crisis Response Group on Food, Energy and Finance set up by the UN Secretary-General to help support developed and developing countries face the economic shocks related to the war in Ukraine.

Paul is an internationally experienced leader and businessman having held CEO/ Managing Director and Chairman level roles across Asia Pacific, spanning several key industries.

Paul is the Chief Executive of the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Victoria’s largest business advocacy organisation, and was previously the Chief Executive of the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV), incorporating the Royal Melbourne Show and venue management of the Melbourne Showgrounds.

Prior to his work with RASV, Paul was Managing Director Asia Pacific for Optum International, a subsidiary of the UnitedHealth Group, one of the world’s leading providers of health services.

Paul was the Victorian State Director for Vodafone, and prior to this appointment, he held an extensive 17-year career with Motorola, finishing as the Director and Vice President for Motorola Asia Pacific.

Paul is a former Non-Executive Director of Red Dust Role Models, a non-for-profit organisation that aspires to improve the lives of our Indigenous youth.

Paul is a past Chairman of the Queen Victoria Market Pty Ltd. His current board roles include Director at Racing Victoria, and the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation. Paul is an Australia Day Ambassador and a proud Victorian.

As Global CEO of one of the world’s fastest growing non-profits, Sally’s mission is to inspire and support the World Commerce & Contracting (WorldCC) team and global community to collectively drive recognition and excellence in Commercial and Contract Management.

She is an experienced and accomplished commercial and contracts management professional, holding senior commercial positions at a range of corporate and multi-national organizations. Her focus is on the creation of positive and successful business relationships, constantly striving to ensure that businesses realize their true potential and value.

In 2019 Sally was invited to become Chair of the Board for the Open Contracting Partnership (OCP) and in 2021 she was appointed Professor in Practice in Strategy and Innovation at the University of Durham Business School.

Director General of British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) since April 2021, Shevaun was formerly Head of Business Engagement at Number 10 Downing Street and was at the heart of Government in the Cabinet Office as Head of the Inclusive Economy Partnership.

Shevaun started her career in consultancy in London and New York. She then moved to the Walt Disney Company in strategic planning before joining Disneyland Paris, opening its second theme park. Shevaun then joined the agency world, running global accounts for Millward Brown, Mindshare and WPP.

Following this, she started her own business as a partner in a digital innovation agency and venture builder, Independents United, where she also became an Advisor for the Danson Foundation. Most recently, Shevaun was the New Ventures Director for Avado, building new businesses in Edtech and founding the Academy of Digital Business Leaders.

Shevaun has a passion for business as a force for good. She was elected to the International Chambers of Commerce’s (ICC) World Chambers Federation General Council and is a Board member of ICC UK. She is a Trustee of the Women of the World Foundation (WoW) and a Trustee of Barefoot College International, as well as a Venture Partner at the Conduit Connect.

Malte Heyne earned his doctorate at the University of Bremen after studying economics in Bamberg. He then began working in business development in 2004 with close contacts to the chamber organization. In 2007, he joined the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce. From 2010 to 2014, he headed the Tourism and Sports Department. In 2014, he continued his professional career as managing director of IHK Nord e.V. where he bundled the common interests of the twelve North German member chambers. In 2020 Dr Malte Heyne was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Hamburg Chamber of Commerce. Malte Heyne is chairman of the board of the Initiative Pro Metropolregion Hamburg (since 2020), a member of the supervisory board and the shareholders‘ meeting of Hamburg Marketing GmbH (since 2020) and a supervisory board member of Hamburg Messe and Congress GmbH (since 2021). He is board member of ICC Germany as well as chair of the Task Force on Digitalization of the World Chambers Federation.

Mr Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu is the Chair of ICC World Chambers Federations (WCF) and the President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB), the country’s largest business organisation, representing 366 chambers and commodity exchanges and over 2 million members. He also serves as  Chair of ICC Türkiye.

With an extensive background in international business and chamber leadership, he currently holds key positions in several global organisations, including Vice-President of EUROCHAMBRES, Vice-President of the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce, Vice-President of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, Chair of B20 Türkiye, and member of the ICC Executive Board.

In addition to his institutional leadership, he is a prominent business figure in Türkiye and the surrounding region, serving as Chairman of Eskihisar Group, which operates in construction, real estate, the food industry and the automotive sector.

Engr. Jani Ibrahim is an astute businessman, accomplished Engineer and Entrepreneur. He is currently the 1st Deputy President of the National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA).

He is the Founder and Chairman of Lubcon Group, the first indigenous Lubricant blending company in Nigeria to be ISO certified. The company operates in Nigeria, Ghana and Ethiopia. He serves on the Boards of several organizations including Heritage Bank and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).

Engr. Jani Ibrahim is an alumnus of prestigious and world-class institutions like the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru and the Harvard Business School, USA.

He is the Chairman of the NACCIMA AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area) Committee and is very passionate about encouraging the active participation of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s) in AfCFTA. He was at various times the President of Kwara Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KWACCIMA), Coalition of Northern States Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (CONSCCIMA) and the Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI).

He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering and sat on the Regulatory Council of COREN (Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria). Engr. Jani Ibrahim is a recipient of the National Honour, Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).

As Owner and Chief Executive Officer of the Sintesa Group (www.sintesagroup.com), Shinta is responsible for the Management and Expansion of the Group’s business interests in Indonesia. The Sintesa Group is an Indonesian group with 16 subsidiaries, which operate in the Property, Energy, Industrial Products, and Consumer Products.

As a businesswoman, Shinta also involves in numerous business and social activities, including as the Vice Chairwoman of Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN Indonesia) and Employers’ Association of Indonesia (APINDO), as well as President of Indonesia Business Council for Sustainable Development (IBCSD), Founder of Angel Investment Network Indonesia (ANGIN), Chairwoman of Indonesia Business Coalition on Women Empowerment, and as International Board Member of World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). She is also the member of APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Indonesia.

Shinta graduated from Barnard College of Columbia University New York in 1989 and Executive Education at Harvard Business School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA in 2002. As part of her achievement, she received awards amongst others from FORBES Asia’s 50 Powerful Businesswomen (2012, 2013, & 2016) and the Asia’s Leading Businesswoman of the Year Award from Women in Leadership Forum (2013), Women Entrepreneur of the Year from Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards (2014), Women of Power from Asian Business Leadership Forum (ABLF) Abu Dhabi (2012), 30 Best CEOs by Business Indonesia Award in 2015. And in 2017, she was decorated as the Commander of the Polar Star by the King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and the Commander of the Order of Leopold of Belgium.

Julian Kassum is Global Development Director of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). Mr Kassum oversees ICC’s global network of 90 National Committees and drives the development of ICC products and services in the areas of trade, arbitration and banking. He previously served as Executive Director of ICC Brazil and ICC Argentina, and Policy Manager in ICC’s Policy Department. Mr Kassum also worked as independent consultant for the World Economic Forum and legal counsel for the oil and gas company Total S.A. He is the author of The G20: A Business Guide (2012), co-editor of the ICC Ethics and Compliance Training Handbook (2013), and co-author of the In Search of the Brazil Dream: The Political Economy an Emerging Global Power (2014). A French, British and Canadian national, he is a graduate of Sciences Po in Paris.

Gary Litman, senior vice president of Global Initiatives at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is responsible for the Chamber’s policy advocacy for the economic reform agenda of the G20, G7, and international institutions. He leads the Chamber’s participation in a range of global business coalitions and related business summits focused on sustainable economic policies. Further, he oversees the policy development of the Chamber’s Global Resource Sustainability Task Force, the International Policy Coalition for Sustainable Growth, the Global Business for Health Partnership, and dialogues with the IMF, the World Bank Group, OECD, and U.N. agencies, among other institutions.

Previously, Litman served as the Chamber’s vice president for Europe and Eurasia. He managed the programs and staff working on transatlantic relations in Washington, D.C., and Brussels, as well as project-specific consultants working in the EU, Central Asia, and Russia. He has established the Chamber as one of the most influential business institutions on European affairs.

Norman Loayza is Director of the Global Indicators Group at the World Bank. He currently supervises the flagship data and reports, Women, Business and the Law, Enterprise Surveys, Global and Subnational Business Ready, the successor to the discontinued Doing Business.

Previously, he was a Lead Economist in the Development Research Group and managed the Asia hub of the Research Group, based in Malaysia. He was director of the World Development Report 2014, Risk and Opportunity: Managing Risk for Development. His research has dealt with various areas of economic and social development, including macroeconomic management, economic growth, microeconomic flexibility, private and public saving, financial depth and stability, natural disasters, and crime and violence. His advisory experience at the World Bank has also ranged across different topics in various regions and countries. A few examples include business environment and economic performance in Latin America; informal and formal labor markets in the Middle East and Northern Africa; public infrastructure gaps in Pakistan and Egypt; savings for macroeconomic stability and growth in Sri Lanka, Georgia, and Egypt; and pro-poor growth in Indonesia and Peru. On external service from the World Bank, he was a Senior Economist at the Central Bank of Chile (1999-2000), where he advised on financial and monetary policy.

Norman has edited 10 books and published dozens of papers in professional journals and edited volumes. A Peruvian national, he holds a Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University (1994).

Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah is the President & CEO of Dubai Chambers, one of the largest economic development arms in Dubai. In his current role, he oversees the implementation of Dubai Chambers’ strategic initiatives and plans, which aim to improve ease of doing business in Dubai, support businesses expanding globally, attract foreign companies and investment and advance the digital economy. 

Previously, Lootah served as CEO of the Commercial Compliance & Consumer Protection for Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, where he was responsible for overseeing consumer protection, business protection, intellectual property protection and commercial compliance. 

He also held several other leadership positions at the Department of Economic Development, namely Deputy CEO of the Commercial Compliance & Consumer Protection Sector, Deputy CEO of the Dubai Export Development Corporation, Executive Director of Corporate Quality and Excellence and Deputy Director of Information Technology Department at Dubai Land Department. 

He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Systems Engineering from Arizona State University in the United States and an Executive MBA – Strategic Management from the Higher Colleges of Technology in Dubai. 

Alicia Loxley is a Melbourne based journalist and co-anchor of Nine’s 6pm news. 

Her career began at the ABC in radio, which took her to Perth for 5 years, where she became the lead anchor for ABC TV News. She also hosted the state-wide Drive program on ABC Local Radio. 

After returning to Melbourne as a reporter for 9News, she again relocated to Sydney to join the Today Show team. 

Alicia has had a box seat to the biggest news stories of the past decade. She led Channel 9’s Black Saturday bushfires coverage in 2009, was a key member of the network’s Olympics team in London and Paris, and co-hosted Victoria Decides 2014, 2018 and 2022. along with the Federal Election in 2022. She’s regularly hosted the Today Show and was a reporter for Channel 9’s Inside Story. 

Alicia is a Patron of the Lighthouse Foundation and Children’s Tumour Foundation and ambassador for My Room Children’s Cancer Charity. 

Anne-Marie Martin FCMI is the Director of Membership at the British Chambers of Commerce, where she oversees a global network of 130 Chambers representing over 65,000 businesses across the UK and internationally. A recognised leader in Chamber development, Anne-Marie works to strengthen the global voice of British business through strategic partnerships and network growth. With a distinguished career dedicated to developing high-performing, future-focused Chambers and business networks across multiple continents, she has extensive experience in leading transnational partnerships and driving economic diplomacy. Formerly the Chief Executive of the British Chamber Network in Europe and the British Romanian Chamber of Commerce, Anne-Marie has built her career at the intersection of trade, diplomacy, and organisational transformation.

Andrew McKellar is the chief executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) – the nation’s largest business organisation, representing employers of every size and sector in Canberra, across the country, and around the globe. 

Under Andrew’s leadership, ACCI champions policies that enable businesses to innovate, invest, and grow, promoting Australia’s economic strength and international competitiveness. 

His current appointments include membership of the board of Australian Made Campaign, the Ministerial Advisory Council on Skilled Migration, the Respect@Work Council, and the World Chambers Federation General Council. 

Previously, Andrew served as secretary general for mobility at the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile, based in Paris; chief executive of the Australian Trucking Association; chief executive of the Australian Automobile Association; and chief executive of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries. 

Earlier in his career, Andrew worked in government, serving as a senior adviser to successive federal industry ministers.  He also worked in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and Commonwealth and Queensland treasuries. 

Andrew holds a Bachelor of Economics from the Australian National University. 

Peter McMullin AM has an extensive legal and business career encompassing prominent roles in both the public and private sectors.
In his current role as Chairman and Director of McMullin Group, Peter McMullin AM leads a dedicated team of professionals, providing strategic direction and financial management across a range of industries. He also acts as Special Counsel for Cornwall Stodart Lawyers, specialising in improving outcomes for the firm and its clients by facilitating meaningful connections between like-minded people.

Throughout Peter’s career, he has had a deep-seated interest in community affairs. He has consistently used his professional experience and network to further causes that he feels deeply and passionately about.

Peter’s belief is that the private sector has an important role to play in the resolution of many of our pressing social issues. He has made a significant contribution throughout his career forging positive, constructive partnerships between the private sector and governments, the not-for-profit sector and educational institutions.

As an active philanthropist, Peter McMullin AM seeks to collaborate with other individuals and organisations to maximise the impact of his contributions. A recent example is supporting the establishment of the world’s first academic Centre dedicated to the issue of Statelessness at Melbourne University Law School, known as Peter McMullin Centre on Statelessness.

Nonkululeko Nyembezi is a seasoned business leader and current Chairman of the Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) board, as well as Independent Non-Executive Chairman of Standard Bank Group and Standard Bank South Africa.

Her illustrious career includes serving as CEO of Ichor Coal N.V. and ArcelorMittal South Africa, the largest steel producer on the African continent. Nonkululeko has also chaired the boards of Alexander Forbes Group and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and is currently a Non-Executive Director of Anglo American Plc and Chairman of Macsteel Service Centres South Africa.

In addition to her corporate roles, she serves as a non-executive director of the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra and Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra and is a trustee of the Quartet of Peace Trust, Partners for Possibility, and The Norval Foundation.

Nonkululeko holds a BSc Honours in Electrical Engineering from the University of Manchester Institute of Science & Technology, an MSc in Electrical Engineering from California Institute of Technology (Caltech), and an MBA from the Open University (UK).

After starting her career at Elf, Marie-Christine Oghly became Managing Director of Amazon Technology, chaired the French subsidiaries of Fluid Dynamics International and then Flowmaster France and in 2008 created EnginSoft France, a company specializing in engineering and numerical simulation. Since 2020, she has chaired AsTech, the aeronautics competitiveness cluster in Île-de-France.

At the same time, Marie-Christine Oghly has been involved since 2011 in the association Femmes Chefs d’Entreprises, which has more than one million members and promotes the representation of women in all economic decision-making bodies. Marie-Christine has been the world president of this association since 2017.

On June 14, the World Council of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) ratified the appointment of Marie-Christine Oghly as Vice-President of the World Chambers Federation. As part of this mandate, Marie-Christine will support the new president of the WCF, Mr. Nicolas Uribe, who is also president of the Chamber of Commerce of Bogota.

Chanelle is Chief of Staff, providing strategic counsel to the Chief Executive and overseeing the Victorian Chamber’s Media and Communication, Events, Chamber Change (Women in Business) and World Chambers Congress 2025 functions.

Prior to joining the Victorian Chamber, Chanelle was a co-Director of her own consultancy and Director – Education and Communication at the Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner.

Chanelle is a graduate and member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is also a member of the International Chamber of Commerce World Chambers Federation Women Council and the Chief of Staff Association. Chanelle holds a Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications) from the University of Melbourne.

Kieren Perkins OAM is an iconic Australian swimming Olympic Gold Medallist, widely regarded as one of the greatest middle-distance freestyle specialists in the history of the sport. Perkins rose to prominence for his remarkable achievements in the 1500-metre freestyle, a race in which he set multiple world records.

Perkins made his Olympic debut at the 1992 Barcelona Games, where he claimed a silver medal in the 1500-meter freestyle. However, it was at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics that he truly cemented his legendary status, winning the gold medal in the 1500-meter freestyle with a dominant performance. He became a national hero for his thrilling victory.

Following Atlanta, Perkins continued to break records and redefine excellence in swimming. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, he defended his 1500-meter freestyle title, winning gold once again in front of a home crowd. This victory solidified his position as one of Australia’s most beloved sports figures.

Kieran is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Sports Commission

Prior to that he was the CEO of Australian Unity Bank.

He has held numerous high level management roles within the banking sector.

Palesa has over 20 years’ experience in the information and communication technology (ICT) and Telecommunications sector working for leading multinational companies within the ICT sector as well exposure and practical experience in government and Public Sector. Moreover, she has been active in working with non-governmental organisations and social initiatives especially in projects that affect in the outlying areas in KwaZulu-Natal. Palesa is currently the CEO of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry and her key function is to drive and implement the core objectives of the Durban Chamber. She joined the Durban Chamber form MTN where she was the Regional Head for MTN Business in KwaZulu-Natal and prior to that she was also the executive Head of Vodacom Business in KwaZulu-Natal. Additionally, she has worked for multinationals and large corporates such as EMC Computers, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Dell, and Intel.

Her core competencies and functional expertise range from executive management; operations and strategic planning and management; business development and sales leadership; financial management (P&L management); resource management including project management; high-level government and private sector negotiations; corporate governance advisory role at board level; and mentoring and motivational talks.

She holds a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Johannesburg (UJ), an advanced Business Management Programme Certificate. She is a member of the esteemed South African Institute of Directors (IODSA)

Mr. Ataur Rahman joined ICC Bangladesh as Secretary General in January 2005. He has organized international conferences in Dhaka, seminars/workshops for bankers in Dhaka and in different countries jointly with ICC NCs, workshops for capacity building of SMEs and women entrepreneurs and participation of ICC Bangladesh members at World Chamber Congress. He has been actively promoting the five strategic themes of ICC by initiating program in Bangladesh.

In 1975, he started his career with Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) and organized training for bankers jointly with the Economic Development Institute (EDI) of World Bank. He worked as a senior official in-charge of Administration and Finance with the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP),a regional inter-governmental organization with its headquarter in Dhaka and with the Bangladesh Silk Foundation, funded by the world Bank as General Manager and Managing Director.

Tom leads Edelman Australia with a clear mission: to shape the future of communications through bold thinking, cultural awareness and creative impact. He brings nearly 20 years of global experience, helping brands navigate change and earn trust in fast-moving markets.

Tom is passionate about the intersection of creativity, commerce and corporate communications. He’s a vocal advocate for greater media diversity and a more inclusive media ecosystem in Australia.

A recognised industry voice, Tom has judged major awards, mentored emerging talent at the University of Sydney Business School, and contributed to initiatives with the Media Federation of Australia, CEDA and Melbourne Business School. He also helped found the Australian Influencer Marketing Council.

Jacqui Savage is a globally recognised medtech entrepreneur and innovation leader with deep expertise in the commercialization, manufacturing, and global distribution of transformative medical technologies. She has successfully launched and scaled multiple medical devices across international markets, including founding two health-tech companies, MedCorp and Mioplay. Her work spans the full innovation lifecycle—integrating clinical insight, regulatory strategy, and advanced manufacturing to deliver products that improve patient outcomes and reshape healthcare delivery.

Recognised for her contributions and leadership, Jacqui’s accolades include the 2016 Telstra Business Woman’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award, NASA’s Top 100 Global Engineering Innovations, the BioMelbourne Network Emerging Women in Leadership Award, and being named one of the Top 20 MedTech Innovators in Asia Pacific in 2021.

Known for combining commercial rigour with visionary thinking, she brings a systems-level view to healthcare innovation. Jacqui also serves as Deputy Chancellor of La Trobe University and is a Director of the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where she champions the intersection of innovation, education, and industry to drive meaningful change across the healthcare ecosystem.

Gönül Serbest was appointed Commissioner for Victoria to Europe, the Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa in February 2023, based in Paris, to elevate the State’s global trade and investment presence and reach across the region. Immediately prior, she served as the inaugural CEO of Global Victoria, where she led the State’s trade efforts overseeing 23 international offices. With over 20 years of experience, Gönül has been at the forefront of delivering high-level trade delegations, driving impactful results across the globe. Passionate about empowering young leaders and women, Gönül champions initiatives that foster active participation in trade, culture and sport. In 2023, she was awarded with the prestigious Order of the Star of Italy for her contributions to international relations. She holds a Bachelor Honours from RMIT University and executive education from Harvard University.

Rim is an active Egyptian role model, advocating for better inclusion of women at all levels across the business not only in the MENA Region but Globally. She is committed to helping to increase the proportion of women in leadership roles and build a pipeline of talent and creative young entrepreneurs through partnerships and initiatives such as:” Empowering 20,000 Women and Youth by 2020″ & ” Teaching Woman Art & Craft Carpentry Skills”

Rim has been instrumental in creating an inclusive women’s culture at the Chambers of commerce across Egypt by bringing awareness to Chamber’s impactful and inclusion initiatives and programs. In March 2015, She became the founder/president of the “ Economic Business Women Council” in Egyptian Chambers of commerce. Rim’s activities internally focused on empowering women economically, bridging generation gap ,changing the business culture of the workplace, increasing the number of female owners/partners and creating an inclusive atmosphere for all.

Externally, Rim launched #WEBB-middleeast.com an internet-based women’s marketplace that brings together female entrepreneurs to form a powerful economic force of change, focusing on increasing the number of women digitally, giving them access to market their products, franchising, networking and partnerships. In November 2015,WEBB-Middle East put in action SDG5 and received support from the United Nations Global Compact.

Previously, Rim chaired the Women’s committee for the Canada-Egypt Business Council and served as a director in Egypt for the Asian-Arab Chamber of Commerce and the Regional country manager for the Hot Mommas Project affiliated to the George Washington University School of Business .

Siam has participated in corporate social responsibility and sustainability activities (CSR), with a focus on equipping women business owners with knowledge of the importance of being a socially responsible company to bolster a company’s image and build its brand. She is passionate about equipping these groups with knowledge to increase their competitiveness in business. She is also a strong advocate for women’s economic empowerment and has been recognized with several awards. For the last two years she has been named one of the 16 UNIDO Women Economic empowerment success stories ,She is also a notable alumni Ambassador of the Global Entrepreneurship summit(GES2016-2019) .

Steven is Chairman of Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), the Australian Government’s $32Bn renewable energy and energy efficiency financier and investor, a position he has held since 2017. He is also the current longest serving Member of the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) of the Australian Treasury. Steven recently completed more than 20 years’ service as Vice Chairman Australia and Chairman of Investment Banking Coverage at Deutsche Bank AG.

Steven is Chairman of Heide Museum of Modern Art, a Director of the Centre for Independent Studies, a Member of the International Council of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in NYC, a Member of the Council of Monash University, and Honorary Life Governor of the General Sir John Monash Foundation.

With more than 20 years’ experience as a former commercial partner of two major Australian law firms, Steven’s previous appointments include Acting Chairman and Director of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Chairman of Film Australia Limited, Chairman of Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, Vice President of Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Deputy Chairman of the General Sir John Monash Foundation, Director of Australian Ballet, Director of the Australian Exhibitions Touring Agency, Chairman of 3 ASX-listed public companies (in funds management, agriculture and biotech), and Director of a NASDAQ-listed insurance company.

A former first-class cricketer, Steven holds Arts and Law (Honours) degrees from University of Queensland and a Bachelor of Civil Law from University of Oxford. Married, with three sons and two granddaughters, Steven was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2010 in recognition of his services to business and commerce, education, and the arts.

Catherine Stephens leads the International Trade Services team at Business West and has worked in international trade for over 27 years. A graduate of the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade, she specialises in trade documentation, with expertise in Certificates of Origin, ATA Carnets, Letters of Credit, and Customs Declarations.

Catherine is a certified Inspector, Trainer and Assessor for the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), sits on the BCC Certification Group (focusing on Rules of Origin), and serves on the UKNATACO Advisory Board, which advises the UK Carnet Guaranteeing Association.

A champion for innovation in global trade, Catherine is committed to developing new services and embracing digital solutions that improve speed, security, and ease for exporters. She was instrumental in implementing the world’s first Digital Carnet in 2023 and is currently working with International Chambers of Commerce on Genesis – a new tool to support preferential origin compliance.

Catherine was nominated for the BCC President’s Award in 2024 and led Business West to win the Best Industry Champion accolade at the ICC’s Digital Trade Awards. One of her proudest moments remains meeting Her Majesty, the late Queen Elizabeth, at a Buckingham Palace garden party in 2019.

Daniel Tisch is a business, public policy, and community leader, having held executive roles in government and the corporate sector, and senior governance roles at public institutions and non-profit associations. He is known globally as an expert in corporate communications, public policy, community engagement, crisis and reputation management.

From 2003 to 2023, Daniel was the driving force in building Argyle Communications (now Changemakers) into Canada’s largest management-owned engagement, communication and reputation advisory firm growing to $40M in revenue, 175 employees and ten North American offices by 2023. Earlier in his career, Daniel held senior communications roles in the Canadian government, including serving as Senior Policy Advisor and Acting Chief of Staff to Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. In the latter role, he was a member of the Canadian delegation to the G7 Economic Summit

Daniel has spoken to business audiences on every continent, lectured at Queen’s University’s Smith School of Business since 1996, and contributed to leading public relations and marketing textbooks. He appears regularly in print and broadcast media, including weekly commentary on CBC Radio and Global News during the 2019 and 2021 Canadian federal elections. In 2021, Daniel was named one of the world’s “top 100” social media influencers on public relations.

Born in Spain to a Latin American family and raised in Toronto, Daniel speaks English, French and Spanish. He holds two degrees from Queen’s University — a Bachelor of Arts in Political Studies and a Master of Business Administration. He is also a certified corporate director, with an ICD.D designation in corporate governance from the University of Toronto. Daniel has served as vice chair of the Queen’s University Board of Trustees, a leader in the international Scouting movement and a board member of Social Venture Partners International.

In 2025, Daniel was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his contributions to his community, the province and the country.

Mike van der Vijver is a free-lance Meeting Designer of international meetings for a wide variety of international clients through his company MindMeeting. MindMeeting specialises in the design of effective meeting programmes for international organisations.  He also works as an advisor, trainer and coach in Intercultural Management.

Mike is a regular facilitator, moderator or chairman of the day at meetings and alternatively provides content and training on topics such as meeting effectiveness, innovative meeting formats, and especially Meeting Design.

Mike is the co-author of Into the Heart of Meetings (together with Eric de Groot), published in January 2013, the first book on Meeting Design, which has already been called the standard work on the topic. In 2023, they published their second book on better meetings: Meetings by Default or by Design. Mike is a native of the Netherlands but his main base is in Taipei (Taiwan).

Nola Watson in the Chair of ICC Australia and a former World Chambers Federation Vice-Chair for Oceania and South East Asia.  She served as President of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and President of Business NSW.  She is currently Chair of Australian Business Lawyers & Advisers, a Director of CareSuper Superannuation Fund and a Director of Marine Rescue NSW.   

Nola was previously an executive at Insurance Australia Group with group wide responsibility for governance, risk and compliance across Australia, New Zealand, England and Asia. Prior to this she led the shared services portfolio of Corporate Affairs, Legal, Government & International Relations and Strategic Partnerships for NRMA, SGIO and SGIC insurance in Australia. 

Before working in financial services, Nola spent many years in senior executive positions within Commonwealth and New South Wales governments. She was part of the executive leadership team for the Sydney Olympics and has also served in a diplomatic position in Washington DC. 

Nola is a former Telstra Australian Businesswoman of the Year and was awarded the Commonwealth of Australia Centenary Medal “for services to Australian society in business leadership”. 

Professor Mimmie Claudine Watts is a distinguished public health strategist, academic leader, and entrepreneur with a career spanning over two decades in Australia and globally. A Harvard-trained executive, she serves as Associate Professor at Federation University Australia, where she directed industry partnerships and leads the Master of Health Leadership program, blending business acumen with health innovation. She teaches health leadership, health policy, research in practice in the MBA (Health Leadership Stream), at Federation University, in addition to Post Graduate student supervision. 

As a Commissioner for the Victorian Multicultural Commission, for her State of Victoria, she championed inclusive policies and migrant health equity, advising government on systemic barriers. Some of her prominent statutory governance roles include serving on the Boards of Western Health (overseeing three major Public Hospitals), AMES Australia, Victoria University Council, Women’s Health West, and as a Commissioner.  

She is the Chair of the Australian Chapter of the African Science Research & Innovation Council (ASRIC) African Union Commission, Policy committee World Federation of Public Health Associations, among others, where she continues to shape global health policy. 

An accomplished entrepreneur, Watts fosters cross-sector collaborations through initiatives like VMware’s “Virtualize Africa with the African Union and Universities in Africa. She served on the State Committee/Board of the Australian Arab Chamber of Commerce, active with the Australian African Chambers of Commerce, and is a member of the Advisory Board of Global Circle of Business Women,   driving sustainable trade and education ventures. Her book, Sahara: Piercing the Thatch Ceiling, highlights her advocacy for migrant women and the importance of inclusive leadership. She co-manages her fashion line La Guapa Outerwear.  

A sought-after speaker, Watts has addressed UN forums, the Dakar Academy of Sciences Senegal, and African Health Excon Egypt, merging public health expertise with diaspora-led economic development. Her research on migrant health, leadership, Early Motherhood, AI ethics, and pandemic resilience informs policy and industry practice.  

Prof Watts embodies transformational leadership bridging academia, government, leadership, and business to advance health equity and inclusive growth.  

“Education, fair leadership, and healthy policies are the pillars of human emancipation” Prof. Watts .   

Arron Wood is the Chief Executive Officer of Yurringa Energy, the first, and currently only, indigenous-owned energy retailer in Australia.  News Ltd Telstra Micro Business Award winner Arron Wood AM was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for significant contribution to the environment, to local government and to the community. Recognition for nearly 25 years of leadership Arron is the former Deputy Lord Mayor and Acting Lord Mayor for the City of Melbourne. He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and was winner of the Melbourne Business Award for Contribution to the Environment. Arron was the Chair of the Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute for the University of Melbourne and is a member of the South East Water Board in Victoria.  Arron previously won the prestigious 2001 Young Australian of the Year (National Environment Winner).  For many years Arron was the weekly environment reporter on radio 3AW and completed his autobiography ‘Billabong Boy’ published by New Holland. 

Arron previously led a team of policy, media and communication and government relations experts as Chief Policy and Impact Officer at the Clean Energy Council. As the 2007 Prime Minister’s Environmentalist of the Year Award winner, Arron received The Centenary Medal for outstanding contribution to conservation and the environment, awarded by the Governor-General and completed a Churchill Fellowship which took him to New York and Geneva working with the United Nations to research replication of environmental education programs on a global scale.     

As winner of the 2006 United Nations Individual Award for Outstanding Service to the Environment Arron holds a degree in Forest Science from the University of Melbourne and was the youngest Board Member of the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority for two terms. Arron’s commitment to the environment was covered on ABC’s Australian Story watched by 1.4 million viewers and he hosted and co-produced Channel Seven documentary Our Water, Our Future.