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.

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.

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.

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.   

Françoise joined Endeavour Energy at its first female Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in October 2020 and plays a pivotal role in transforming the company’s financial operations and regulatory protocols. Françoise has over 20 years’ experience in the engineering, infrastructure and defence sectors encompassing finance, risk management, project performance, commercial and contractual negotiations. Françoise’s previous roles include ten years in the defence sector, across the Australian Defence Industry and Thales, prior to joining Aurecon as Global Chief Financial Officer.

Françoise’s operational experience and financial background is a key driver in leading Endeavour Energy’s transformation to a modern grid, with a focus on sustainable outcomes through emphasising the strategic partnership model, automation and adoption of new technologies. Her executive leadership and sponsorship at Endeavour Energy was instrumental leading up to the first sustainability strategy that was approved and executed in 2022. In January 2022, Françoise implemented and drove the inaugural Sustainable Linked Loan, setting an industry benchmark.

Françoise is also passionate about Diversity and Inclusion and driving the organisational rewards associated with it, with a focus on increasing female leadership in senior and executive roles.

A Fellow of CPA Australia, Françoise holds a Master in Business Administration from ESSCA Business School in France and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Françoise was appointed Chair of the French Foreign Trade Advisory Board in January 2020, having joined in 2018.

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.

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).

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.

Sheikha Tamader Khalifa Jassim Al Thani is the Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Qatar and Director of International Relations and Chamber Affairs at the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI). A dedicated advocate for international cooperation, she has over a decade of experience driving global engagement and trade facilitation initiatives.

Sheikha Tamader serves as a member of the ICC World Chambers Federation (WCF) General Council and participates in the WCF Women’s Council, Task Force on Digitization, and Task Force on Sustainability and Climate Action. She led the launch of the TIR System in Qatar and chairs the QCCI ATA Carnet Committee, advancing seamless cross-border trade.

Her leadership spans major initiatives including the World Trade Agenda and Qatar Chamber’s biennial SME Conference. She oversees international partnerships, policy advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning across ICC events, trainings, and publications.

Sheikha Tamader holds a Juris Doctor from Hamad Bin Khalifa University and a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. With a focus on innovation, sustainable development, and private sector empowerment, she continues to play a vital role in shaping Qatar’s international economic presence and strengthening the global chamber network.

A seasoned business leader with extensive experience in international trade, Karim served as the Managing Director
of United Corporation, a global engineering procurement management company he established in 1995. Under his leadership, the company has twice received the prestigious Queen’s Award for International Trade, in 2007 and 2011.
Karim is a recognised expert in global commerce and is a member of the Department for Business and Trade’s Expert Trade Advisory Group on SMEs. His long-standing commitment to the LCCI includes serving as a Board Member since September 2022 and as a member of the LCCI Council for over seven years.
In recognition of his contributions to international trade, Karim was awarded an OBE in the 2025 New Year Honours, following an MBE in 2012.

Bronwyn is a Partner in the Thomson Geer Disputes team with extensive experience in commercial litigation and international arbitration.

She also regularly advises on conflicts of laws, international treaty rights and obligations (including the CISG) and on the enforcement of foreign judgments and foreign arbitral awards in the Australian courts.

Bronwyn’s practice covers a range of industry sectors, including international trade, insurance, building and construction, energy and resources, pharmaceuticals, technology and renewables.

She has a particular interest in the resolution of joint venture and shareholder disputes and a specialist practice in cross border and multi-jurisdictional matters.

Bronwyn has acted for national and international clients in high value disputes in most of the superior courts in Australia and has experience in the conduct of arbitration under the rules of many of the world’s leading arbitral institutions, including the Singapore International Arbitration Centre and the International Chamber of Commerce, and under the UNCITAL Arbitration Rules.

Bronwyn also sits as an international arbitrator, both as sole arbitrator and presiding arbitrator.

Amongst other roles, she is a director of ACICA and the Australian Disputes Centre, vice-chair of the Federal Litigation and Dispute Resolution Exec of the LCA, a member of the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR and one of Australia’s four designated conciliators for ICSID (World Bank).

Nathaniel Diong is an award-winning speaker, innovator and education activist. He is the CEO of Future Minds Network, empowering 11,000 young people with the technological, entrepreneurial and innovation skills to thrive in the future and create their own businesses. Students have launched 3D-printing businesses, led charities uplifting 10,000 elderly residents, and discovered their dream careers in social change.

In 2023, they unveiled Gen Z Labs – a new strategic insights and consulting firm. It enables institutions to unlock the unique workforce talent of Gen Z, bridge intergenerational gaps and adapt to the future of work. Their efforts have provided invaluable support to C-level executives, governments and UN agencies across Thailand, South Korea, India, China, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom

Nathaniel has been recognised on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, 2023 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year finalist, Young Australian of the Year finalist, and received the Pride of Australia medal. As an internationally-acclaimed speaker, Nathaniel has shared his expertise in over 11 countries, including at Forbes, TEDx, St James Palace, SBS World News, UN Women, Ferrero Rocher, COP28, the Australian, Herald Sun, The Age, and many more.

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.

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.

Yazeed Salah is a seasoned expert in strategy, digital transformation, and business excellence, with over a decade of experience in Chamber of Commerce ecosystems and business growth initiatives. His multidisciplinary background spans strategic management, innovation, operational excellence, and AI & digital transformation across both public and private sectors.

Yazeed has played a pivotal role in shaping Dubai Chambers’ strategic direction, collaborating with leading global consulting firms to build robust strategy execution models and performance frameworks. He has led major digital transformation projects, including the digitalization of the Certificate of Origin (COO), and the development of a blockchain-based trade platform enhancing transparency and automation in global trade processes.

With a strong foundation in quality and excellence frameworks, Yazeed has managed award-winning programs MRM Awards under EFQM and Malcolm Baldrige models for business communities and for Dubai Chambers and contributed to key government service initiatives like the Dubai Model (HBMASG), further reflects his commitment to sustainable impact and continuous improvement.

Holding an Executive MBA from Coventry University (UK) and a BSc in Computer Science, Yazeed brings a practical, results-oriented approach to every challenge, with specialties in strategy consulting, innovation management, and advanced quality systems.

Sarp Kalkan is Deputy Secretary General and Chief Policy Officer at the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB). He leads TOBB’s policy alignment, advocacy, and business development functions, overseeing flagship projects such as Togg, Turkey’s first domestic electric vehicle, and the Turkish Mercantile Exchange. Kalkan served as B20 Sherpa during Turkey’s G20 Presidency, coordinating global business engagement with 500 multinationals and 1,000 national champions. Earlier, at TEPAV, he contributed to economic policy projects across Turkey and the region. He holds an MBA and BA in Economics from METU, and a PhD in Finance.

He is the Institutional Relations Manager at CAINCO, a role he has held for over 15 years, leading the articulation between the private sector and public institutions. His work focuses on promoting strategic solutions to the challenges of Bolivia’s productive ecosystem, driving public policies that improve the business climate, foster competitiveness, and support the formalization of the national economy.

Sakshi Thakur OAM co-founded Sewing The Seeds, a social enterprise that provides textile education and employment with women from low socio economic backgrounds in Pondicherry, South India. Through textiles education and equitable employment, the organisation prioritises impact in four key areas — education, employment, empowerment, and environmental sustainability. They create this employment by hand making wholesale products such as merchandise for conferences to retail fashion dresses. Where they can, they also showcase sustainable Indian textile techniques and upcycle donated sarees through their making – they have upcycled more than 1600 sarees to date. She has an academic background in Biomedical Sciences, Finance, and a Master of Entrepreneurship from Melbourne Business School, and her innovative approach to social impact has garnered significant recognition as she was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her service to the community through social welfare organisations in 2024 

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.

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”. 

Max, a law graduate, specialises in business & ethics, prevention of corruption in high-risk countries, commercial crime, root causes of global crime and money laundering.

He has worked in some 90 (mostly challenging) countries on export promotion, prevention of corruption, crime prevention, cross cultural management, international negotiations techniques. Max is a lecturer for business associations, companies, universities on corruption avoidance (in Central Asia, Eastern Africa, the Balkans, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Asia) and has co-authored some 15 books.

Steven Marshall is President of the American Australian Association, the leading organization connecting the United States and Australia through business, innovation, education, and the arts. Based in New York, he works with governments, industry leaders, and cultural institutions to strengthen bilateral ties and create opportunities for collaboration across key sectors, including technology, defense, space, and the creative industries. 
 
Marshall served as the 46th Premier of South Australia from 2018 to 2022, leading a economic transformation that positioned the state as a hub for defense, space, cyber, and energy. His government championed global investment, innovation, and cultural development. 
 
A passionate advocate for the arts, Marshall has long supported cultural diplomacy as a driver of economic and social exchange. He also serves as Chair of the Australian Advisory Council for MITRE and as a Governor of the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia. 
 
With extensive experience in government and a robust international network, Marshall continues to foster technological advancement, cultural enrichment, and economic growth between Australia and the world. 

Victor is a multi-award winning entrepreneur, business coach, and investor with a passion for empowering others to achieve their highest potential.

With over 8 years of business experience, Victor owns multiple 7-figure businesses in the sectors of event management, event technology, video production, marketing, travel and accommodation, and self-produced events. Victor has founded and directed multiple successful ventures, including JT. Production Management, Future Events Lab, and FRMEFEST.

Ms. Khulan Davaadorj, is an internationally recognized and award winning Mongolian social-entrepreneur, public speaker and mentor who founded her company, Lhamour in 2014. She started Mongolia’s first ever organic skincare brand LHAMOUR (www.lhamour.com) with the vision to create a global brand with the purpose to nurture and encourage the power of love through our hand-made, natural, eco-friendly skincare products. As Mongolia’s first organic skincare entrepreneur she is trying to pave the way for everyone else in Mongolia to try and overturn conventions and to contribute to positive social change and economic growth. She holds a MSc in Public Policy from Hertie School of Governance, Berlin (2011) and from Columbia University, New York (2012). She was the recipient of the Julius Brocker Scholarship, was awarded as Asia-Pacific’s best entrepreneur of 2016 and was named Forbes 30 under 30. She runs several social businesses at the same time and is mostly a mother who just wants to create positive change for the next generation to live a better life

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.

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).

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. 

Ullas has spent more than a decade in the development sector, designing and managing entrepreneurship programmes. He heads the ICC Centre of Entrepreneurship, steering its vision of creating a global inter-connected entrepreneurship network. Currently, the ICC Centre of Entrepreneurship network covers 16 countries. Previously, he managed a bilateral women-entrepreneurship programme on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, and the Indian Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. The programme directly benefited more than 900 entrepreneurs across India. Prior to that, he led scouting for Villgro Innovations Foundation, a globally-renowned social enterprise incubator based out of India. He holds a Master’s degree in marketing management.

Mykhailo Bno-Airiian is a Ukrainian public executive, diplomat, and expert in international communications and energy policy with over fifteen years of experience at the intersection of government, foreign economic relations, and strategic transformation. He combines deep expertise in international affairs with a strong record of reform implementation in the fields of energy, regional development, and public governance. 

Currently, Mykhailo serves as the Director of the Department for Government Relations and International Cooperation at MHP, one of Ukraine’s leading agricultural and food-tech companies. MHP is a vertically integrated international producer and exporter of poultry and agricultural products, operating in over 80 countries across the EU, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. The company is a major contributor to global food security and is recognized for its innovations in sustainability, including energy self-sufficiency through biogas and biomethane, as well as its role in advancing Ukraine’s green transition and export resilience in wartime conditions. MHP partners with global financial institutions such as the EBRD and IFC, and plays a prominent role in shaping Ukraine’s modern agri-industrial policy. 

In addition to his role in the private sector, Mykhailo Bno-Airiian chairs the European Integration Committee of the Federation of Employers of Ukraine — the country’s largest business association. In this capacity, he coordinates the institutional engagement of the private sector in Ukraine’s approximation to the EU internal market. He actively contributes to the development of position papers and trade negotiation strategies, facilitates dialogue with European stakeholders including the European Commission, European Parliament, EBRD, and BusinessEurope, and plays a direct role in shaping the architecture of Ukraine’s future economic integration with the European Union. 

Previously, Mykhailo served in the diplomatic service of Ukraine, held leadership roles at the Ministry of Energy as Head of the European Integration Department, and was Director for Communications and International Cooperation at Ukraine’s national energy company “Ukrenergo.” He was directly involved in drafting key legislation for the electricity market reform and in Ukraine’s integration into ENTSO-E. In 2019, he was appointed Governor of Kyiv Region, where he implemented open governance tools, launched anti-corruption procurement reforms, and established participatory decision-making practices at the regional level. 

Mykhailo Bno-Airiian is a frequent participant in international forums, a public speaker, and author of research and documentary projects on Ukraine’s transformation and global engagement. His current areas of expertise include EU-Ukraine relations, energy diplomacy, sustainable supply chains, strategic communications, and international trade policy. His dual experience in diplomacy and business makes him a prominent advocate for Ukraine’s integration into global markets and institutions. 

Arefeen Raafi Ahmed is a dynamic entrepreneur, industrialist, and serial investor with over 12 years of experience leading ventures across pharmaceuticals, technology, hospitality, and e-commerce. He serves as Executive Director and Managing Director in multiple companies including Techno Drugs Ltd., Pulse Tech Ltd., and Greentech Holidays Ltd., among others. His business footprint spans Bangladesh, the UAE, and beyond, with a strong focus on innovation, youth employment, and global impact.

Arefeen is also a passionate humanitarian, having led disaster relief efforts in Nepal and Bangladesh, and launched health tech initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic. A seasoned car racer, he has competed internationally, including in Australia, India, and the UAE. His leadership extends to civic engagement through Junior Chamber International (JCI), where he currently serves as Deputy National President of JCI Bangladesh and a Strategic Implementation Committee Member for JCI Asia-Pacific.

Educated in Australia, Arefeen holds a BSc in ICT from the University of Western Sydney and various certifications in business planning and leadership training. His diverse interests and relentless drive make him a visionary force in both business and community development.

Kimsuor Lay a Cambodian entrepreneur  based in Siem Reap. He serves as the CEO of Amatak Innovest, a hospitality management company overseeing hotel,  boutique hotels, restaurants, catering services, and private villas. He also leads Suorkear Investment, a property development company focusing on affordable housing, land plots, and private villas for international buyers and investors, and he is a shareholder of Australian Pacific International School (API), reflecting his engagement in the education sector. 

Beyond business, he is the Vice President of the Young Entrepreneurs Association of Cambodia (YEAC), where he heads the International Affairs Commission, and the President-elect of the Cambodia Hotel Association (Siem Reap Chapter). 

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. 

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.

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.

Martin Van der Weide is Policy Advisor on Origin at the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce and Chair of the ICC/World Chambers Federation International Certificate of Origin Council.

In the Netherlands M van der Weide is responsible for the system of electronic Certificates of Origin. Each year the Netherlands Chambers of commerce is issuing more than 700.000 CO’s both preferential and non-preferential. 100% of these CO’s are applied online (e-CO’s)

M. Van der Weide has served more than twenty five years in the Chamber network. He started his career at a regional Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands.

M. Van der Weide is also a member of the International CO Accreditation Committee. The Accreditation Chain affirms that chambers are mutually responsible and globally interconnected, assuring businesses, traders, banks and customs administrations that COs are issued in accordance with international best practices.

M. Van der Weide has studied agribusiness management

A leading expert in international business and a respected voice in global trade, with prominent leadership roles at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the World Chambers Federation (WCF). He serves as Chairman of the ICC Argentina, Regional Coordinator for the Americas, and a member of the global ICC Executive Board. At the WCF, he is an elected General Council member and former Chairman of the Task Force on Sustainability and Climate Action.

An accomplished professional with a Master ‘s in Business Administration from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and a law degree from Universidad de Buenos Aires, he is a trusted advisor and consultant to companies in Argentina and abroad. His academic influence is reflected in his role as Director of the Master’s in Strategic and Technological Development and as a professor at the Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires (ITBA).

He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Argentine Chamber of Commerce and Services (CAC) and a Consulting Member at the Argentine Council for International Relations (CARI). A sought-after international speaker, he has presented in over 30 countries and is a widely published author and columnist on topics of international business and global markets.

Simon Elisha is a noted technologist with a 35-year career spanning hands-on development and influential business leadership. His expertise in translating technology innovation into tangible business benefits is evidenced by his nine technology patents and his role as a catalyst for transformation in the technology landscape. As an effective communicator of digital transformation, Simon challenges conventional thinking and empowers organizations to drive real business change through technology.

At Amazon Web Services (AWS), Simon’s technical acumen and ability to simplify complex concepts make him an invaluable asset. He regularly speaks at prestigious global events such as AWS re:Invent and the AWS Public Sector Summit. Simon’s expertise extends to the public sector, where his leadership has resulted in significant outcomes, including conducting the first-ever Census survey of 25 million Australians in the public cloud and developing a breakthrough COVID-19 testing notification application for NSW Health.

Simon’s passion for innovation and culture is expressed through his sharing of Amazon’s ‘Culture of Innovation’ and his role as a ‘Hiring Bar Raiser’ within Amazon’s talent acquisition operation. He founded and hosts The Official AWS Podcast, which has attracted a global audience with over 23 million downloads. Prior to joining AWS over 14 years ago, Simon held senior positions at organizations such as Pivotal Software, Cisco, and Hitachi Data Systems. He holds an Honours Degree in Information Technology from Melbourne’s Monash University.

Willy is a young entrepreneur and Motivator from Indonesia who likes to explore new things and meet new people.  

A MURI Record Holder in Indonesia for the Youngest Motivator who has worked in 11 Countries. 

Nowdays going around a lot for teaching and mentoring people about Entrepreneurship and Communication.  

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.

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.

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.

Damian is an international banker with experience working in Australia, New Zealand, London, Japan and Korea. Over this time,  Damian has held Senior Management, Coverage, Origination, Product and Risk roles in both ANZ and Barclays Capital focusing on Institutional Banking.

Damian also actively participates in the community having held Chairman and Treasurer roles in a variety of business associations.  Currently Damian is Chairman of the Australia and New Zealand Regional Committee of the International Trade and Forfeiting Association.

In his current role in ANZ, Damian is tasked with developing end-to-end propositions to enhance the B2B Payables experiences for its customers and leading efforts to drive trade digitalisation in the industry.

Sally Curtain is the incoming Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and an accomplished and transformational leader with extensive experience across state and local government, the education sector and business enterprises.  

Sally joins the Victorian Chamber after nearly six years as Chief Executive Officer of Bendigo Kangan Institute (BKI), Australia’s largest integrated skills organisation comprising Bendigo TAFE, Kangan Institute, VETASSESS – a national and international provider of assessment services – and eWorks, a specialist in e-learning hosting content and consultancy.  

Under her leadership, BKI doubled in size, was named both the Victorian and Australian Large Training Provider of the Year in 2022 and delivered major infrastructure projects, including the $60 million Bendigo City Campus Revitalisation and the $60 million Kangan Institute Health and Community Centre of Excellence in Broadmeadows. 

A highly respected figure in the public sector, Sally has held senior executive roles at the Department of Justice, the City of Casey and VicRoads, where she led large-scale organisational change, regulatory modernisation and service delivery improvements. Her work has included restructuring government agencies to better serve regional communities, establishing the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC), scaling up local government services for growing populations and modernising licensing and registration systems for Victoria’s largest service provider. 

In 2022, Sally was recognised as a Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia (Victoria) for her outstanding contribution to public administration and exemplary service to the Victorian community. She was also recognised in IPAA Inaugural Top 50 women in the Public Service in 2017 and is a member of the Chief Executive Women, Member International Women’s Forum. 

Sally’s leadership philosophy is anchored in purpose, collaboration and innovation. She has a proven track record in guiding organisations through transformation while keeping a strong focus on people, partnerships and community impact. She is particularly passionate about the power of education and skills to change lives and has been a champion for diversity and inclusion initiatives, including serving as an inaugural Champion of the Victorian Chamber’s Chamber Change program to support women in business. 

Craig Hunter is the Vice President of Customer Relations at GrantGuru, where he brings over two decades of expertise in grant strategy and funding working with chambers, business networks, all levels of government, scaleups and ASX-listed companies. A passionate advocate for regional innovation and entrepreneurship, Craig serves as Chairperson of Startup Central Victoria, where he has led the training and mentoring of over 150 entrepreneurs and played a pivotal role in catalyzing Central Victoria’s AI ecosystem.   

As former Chair of Central Victoria’s largest business and exporters network, Craig facilitated its merger with the local chamber of commerce, forming Be.Bendigo. He also founded the region’s Young Professionals’ Network, which has fostered leadership and collaboration among emerging talent for over 20 years. 

In recognition of his contributions to regional growth, Craig was recently appointed by the Victorian Parliament to the Regional Partnership Committee for the Loddon Campaspe region, where he helps shape strategic priorities and direction for the region’s future. 

Craig’s executive management roles in the Central Victorian startup and scaleup ecosystem include CEO, Director of Government Engagement and R&D, where he has consistently driven innovation and strategic partnerships across diverse industries.  

 Mita is 23 years old, just completed her bachelor’s. She started working for her family company during highschool and started her own company “MVCHIC” as well as joined and worked for the CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY TIMOR LESTE (CCITL) and YOUNG TIMORESE ENTREPRENEURS ASSOCIATIONS before leaving to university.  

Collected enough experience from her family company and building a great network through YEGAP, CCITL, ANJET and many other organizations and ready to expand her company and help develop economy and employment situation of Timor Leste. 

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.

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.

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 .

After training as an accountant, began his career in the optical industry, where he initially served as Financial Manager before moving into the role of Operations Manager. The company exported approximately 50% of its turnover to a wide range of overseas markets, particularly in Europe and the Middle East.

Paul joined the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) in 2008 as Finance Manager, and three years later transitioned into the international trade team. In his current role as Trade Training and Compliance Manager, Paul oversees the UK’s network of Chambers authorised to issue trade documentation, ensuring compliance with both UK regulations and ICC standards.

For the past ten years, Paul has actively contributed to several ICC World Chambers Federation committees focused on Certificates of Origin. He currently serves as Chair of the Rules of Origin Working Group and Vice Chair of the Certificate of Origin Council.

Jan Lambrechts is a serial entrepreneur and data visionary who transforms workforce challenges into scalable, AI-driven solutions. With over 20 years of experience spanning five continents, he pioneers platforms that turn complex talent data into strategic intelligence; empowering organisations, governments, and industries to future-proof their workforces.

Jan’s career began in Belgium during the Y2K era, where he engineered mission-critical retail data systems. A trailblazer in cloud computing, he founded Yuntaa in 2006, the world’s first commercial cloud storage platform, years before the cloud became ubiquitous. He then moved into workforce analytics, scaling Asia-Pacific operations for Conexus, Norway’s leading education analytics firm, and advising national governments on data-driven labor strategies.

As founder of Epitome Global, Jan built an AI-powered talent intelligence platform used by millions worldwide. Seamlessly integrated with HR ecosystems, it addresses critical challenges like skills mapping, internal mobility, and equitable hiring. Following its 2024 acquisition by Resource Group Holdings PLC, he now drives innovation across RGH’s global workforce optimisation portfolio.

Jan’s expertise bridges technology and human impact:
• AI & Analytics: Designing ethical, transparent systems for talent decision-making
• Global Scalability: Deploying solutions across enterprises and public-sector initiatives
• Responsible Innovation: Balancing cutting-edge tools with data privacy and employee rights
Selected as an Endeavor Entrepreneur (2018), Jan champions practical AI, building tools that augment human potential rather than replace it. Connect with Jan to explore the future of talent intelligence or to turn your workforce data into a competitive advantage.

Ahmed Fawzi Abu Nahia has served the Qatar Chamber for over 20 years. As the Head of Public Relations & Communication, he handles the Chamber’s strategic communications, media relations, and stakeholder engagement. Acting as a leading advocate for Qatar’s private sector on both a local and global scale.

He is also a key member of the local and international events committee. In this role, he has been vital to organizing and running some of the biggest events in Qatar. These events are an important part of Qatar National Vision 2030, which aims to build a modern and sustainable country. For example, he has played a key role in the ‘Made in Qatar’ exhibition, which promotes local companies, as well as the Qatar Economic Forum, a major global event that attracts world leaders and investors. His work has also included coordinating various bilateral business councils and forums aimed at expanding Qatar’s trade relations and showcasing its economic landscape.

He supports the growth of private businesses, helps new entrepreneurs, and strengthens Qatar’s trade relationships with other nations. He has been involved in initiatives that highlight why Qatar is a great place to invest and shows off the country’s strong and diverse economy. Through his work, Ahmed has played a major part in helping the Chamber achieve its goals.

Mr. Bernardino Moningka Vega, is the President Director of PT Pembiayaan Digital Indonesia (AdaKami), one of Indonesia’s largest peer-to-peer lending platforms, serving over 15 million users, with a focus on financial inclusion for unbanked and underserved communities. He currently serves as the Alternate Chairman representing Indonesia in the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), appointed by the Minister of Trade.

Mr. Dino has extensive experience in both public and private sectors. He was previously appointed by the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia as Chairman of the National Secretariat for Sub-Regional Cooperation, where he led Indonesia’s initiatives in BIMP-EAGA, IMT-GT, and AIDA. He also served as Vice Chairman for International Relations at the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), and as President Director of PT Pembangkit Energi Mandiri.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Vega held leadership roles within the Humpuss Group, where he played a pivotal role in project financing involving institutions such as Morgan Stanley, the US Exim Bank, and Germany’s Hermes.

Mr. Dino earned a Ph.D.-level MBA from Providence College, USA, and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles. He is a strong advocate for regional integration and empowering local economies through sustainable and inclusive business practices.

Bronwyn has over 20 years executive experience in health technology commercialisation, venture capital, capital raising and industry advocacy. In 2017 she founded ANDHealth, an organisation that supports digital health companies in Australia by providing education, resources, non-dilutive funding and mentorship to help them navigate the complexities of the healthcare industry. 

ANDHealth is now one of Australia’s leading health technology commercialisation organisations with companies participating in its flagship ANDHealth+ program raising $19.70 in new capital and generating $6.70 in new revenues for every dollar invested. ANDHealth manages over $30M in public and private commitments to digital health commercialisation and provides specialist support to a further $100M of funding managed by Brandon Capital. 

Bronwyn was a member of the National Health & Medical Research Council for the 2021-2024 Triennium. She is currently a Non-Executive Director of Lumos Diagnostics Ltd (ASX.LDX) alongside a number of other advisory roles. 

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.

Davide Cichero is the Chief of Staff at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris, France. In this capacity, he oversees the Secretary General’s strategic external engagements. His work spans ICC’s involvement with multilateral fora – including ASEAN, BRICS+, and GCC – as well as key international organizations such as the UN, WBG, and WTO. Additionally, he leads ICC’s initiatives supporting recovery and reconstruction efforts in conflict-affected economies, including Ukraine, Palestine, and Syria.
Prior to joining ICC, Mr. Cichero held senior advisory roles across Europe and the Middle East, designing and executing public policy, international affairs, and economic development strategies.
Most recently, as an Associate Partner at Albright Stonebridge Group (ASG) in Dubai, he developed policy solutions for Gulf-based organizations. Previously, he served as an advisor to senior decision-makers at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abu Dhabi, focusing on foreign direct investment, economic development, and diplomatic engagements.
Earlier, he provided strategic counsel at the G20 Saudi Secretariat in Riyadh, preparing policy frameworks and capacity-building initiatives ahead of Saudi Arabia’s G20 Presidency in 2020, with a focus on international trade and investment. Prior to that, he played a key role at the Italian Prime Minister’s Office, shaping policies during Italy’s G7 Presidency in 2017, and crafting and negotiating the G7 Leaders’ communiqué.
Mr. Cichero holds a Master’s in International Economics from The Graduate Institute in Geneva and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Bocconi University in Milan. His academic training also includes studies at SciencesPo in Paris and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore.
Mr. Cichero is a Fellow of the Aspen Institute (Italy), a Member of the Advisory Committee at the University of Genoa, and a Founding Member of ‘M&M Minima Moralia’, a non-partisan policy organisation in Rome. He previously served as a World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Shaper.

Tanvir Ahmed is a prominent Bangladeshi entrepreneur and Managing Director of Sheltech & Envoy Legacy Group of Companies. Educated in the UK, he is the youngest-ever CIP honoree since 2014. Under his leadership Envoy Textiles Ltd. became world’s first LEED Platinum-Certified Denim Mill in the world. He held leadership roles in Bangladesh Garments Association, Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Bangladesh Thai Chamber, Ceramic Manufacturers Association to name a few. A Defense National College Capstone Course alumnus, Mr. Tanvir’s business portfolio spans into real estate, manufacturing, construction &engineering, garments, textiles,logistics, freight forwarding, education, agro, food processing, education, and, stock brokerage 

Antoinette has extensive experience as a Director, Business Leader and Entrepreneur across a range of sectors.  She is currently Executive Director, Commercial Services at the Victorian Chamber and is also Non-Executive Director of the Goulburn Murray Credit Union and Slimline Warehouse. 

Prior to joining the Chamber, Antoinette was CEO of Brad Teal Real Estate.  She worked at NAB for 11 years, leading various business units in Consumer and Business Banking, and spent the early stages of her career in Strategy and Corporate Advisory roles.  In between raising three young girls, Antoinette co-founded a brand of skincare for tween girls, launching 15 product lines with international sales, and achieving distribution through 400+ Priceline stores nationally. 

Antoinette thrives on helping people and organisations realise their potential through growth and transformation. 

Julie Martini is the Vice-President of Public Affairs for the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. With over two decades of marketing and communications experience in the financial services sector, Julie combines her professional background and studies in cultural anthropology to form a unique understanding of the challenges, opportunities and human behaviours that are driving transition in Ontario’s business community. In her current role, Julie serves as a key strategist and advisor in shaping the narrative in support of Ontario’s business community.

A graduate of McGill University, Julie also holds the Professional Certified Marketer (PCM®) and Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP®) designations, and a Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University.

Julie is a proud mom of two, community volunteer, and veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces.

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.

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.

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).

Iva Hristova is the Deputy Director of the Global Partnerships and Development department at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). In this role, Iva leads the delivery of a comprehensive suite of trade promotion tools and services designed to create value for the ICC network and internationally operating businesses. Her work focuses on empowering companies and professionals with cutting-edge resources, skills, and networking opportunities to thrive in the global economy.

Prior to joining ICC, Iva served as Director of a consulting firm specialising in development cooperation, where she led the implementation of EU-financed trade and investment technical assistance projects in South-East Asia. Her early career includes roles within chambers of commerce in Bulgaria, the United Kingdom, and Singapore, providing her with a rich foundation in international trade and institutional collaboration.

Iva holds a Double Degree BA in International Business, an MSc in Development Studies from the London School of Economics (LSE), and an Executive Education certificate from Harvard Kennedy School.

Masami was born in Japan but her desire to expand her horizons took her on a global journey. She became deeply concerned about the inequalities and other challenges that existed in the world. Since then, she has endeavored to create real WIN-WIN connections across all cultures, people, and organisations to realise a different world.

She has been a serial entrepreneur since 2001, starting and running several commercial enterprises all aiming to transform the way businesses are operated today. And by taking a completely new look at the power of giving, she founded B1G1 (originally known as Buy1GIVE1) in 2007.

Masami’s approach to life is very different. She brings a new, almost upside- down strategy to everything she does. And she also radiates it through her writing and speaking. She has authored four books including, ‘JOY – The gift of acceptance, trust, and love’, ‘GIVING BUSINESS – Creating the maximum impact in the meaning-driven world’ and ‘Better Business, Better Life, Better World’.

Masami’s career has followed her diverse talent and skills having been a teacher, translator, natural food chef (and farmer!), author and award-winning entrepreneur as well as a mother of two teenage children. She is a two time TEDx speaker and frequently invited to international events, podcasts, and interviews.

Glenn is the Executive Director, Information, Communications and Technology, responsible for the Victorian Chamber’s technology systems. 

Prior to joining the Chamber, Glenn was Chief Information Officer of the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria, overseeing all technology located at Melbourne Showgrounds. 

Glenn brings to the organisation more than 25 years’ experience in developing software and implementing infrastructure. Glenn is a member of the Australian Cyber Security Centre Joint Industry Advisory Group, and an industry advisory board member of RMIT Centre for Cyber Security Research and Innovation. Glenn holds a Bachelor of Science (Computing) and a CISSP certification. 

Clare Gleghorn is the Director of Corporate Affairs at Marinus Link, a key member of the executive leading corporate communications, community engagement and social impact, policy and government relations. She is a corporate affairs leader with more than 20 years’ experience in Australia and globally spanning government, energy, education, technology, infrastructure, Indigenous Affairs, media and not-for-profit. She is a Board Director with youth homelessness charity Kids Under Cover and holds an MBA and GAICD. 

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.

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.

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.

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).

Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC is the 30th Governor of Victoria and the second woman to hold the office. Prior to her appointment in August 2023, she was the 9th and first woman President and Vice-Chancellor of Monash University from September 2014 until August 2023. 

Prior to joining Monash, the Governor was Vice-Chancellor and President of the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) from April 2005 until August 2014. She has extensive academic experience, having held various leadership positions in Australian universities throughout her career, including as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at The University of Queensland and Pro Vice-Chancellor at Griffith University in Queensland. 

She attained a first-class honours degree in Economics and a PhD from the University of Sydney. In 1988, she was a Fulbright Postdoctoral Fellow, spending time at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cornell University, New York, and the University of California, Berkeley. In 2018, she was elected a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia. 

The Governor was Chair of the Group of Eight Universities in Australia from 2020 to 2023. She was also a Director of Infrastructure Victoria from 2015 to 2023, the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG) from 2015 to 2023 and Chair of CASE Asia-Pacific Regional Council from 2019 to 2023. 

The Governor was Chair of Universities Australia from 2017 to 2019 and Museum Victoria from 2008 to 2016 and chaired the Strategic Advisory Committee and the Expert Panel of the Office of Learning and Teaching (Federal Government Department of Education and Training). She has also been a member of various other boards and committees, including the Australian-American Fulbright Commission, the ANZAC Centenary Advisory Board and the International Education Advisory Committee, which led to the Chaney Report. 

In 2007, the Governor was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in recognition of service to tertiary education, particularly in the areas of university governance and gender equity, and to industrial relations. Subsequently in January 2020, the Governor was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for her eminent service to tertiary education through leadership and innovation in teaching and learning, research and financial sustainability. 

Elvin Teo is the Interim Secretary General of Junior Chamber International (JCI), a global network of young people committed to creating positive change. With over a decade of experience in youth leadership and international collaboration, Elvin has held key roles within JCI, including Local President of JCI Marina Singapore, National President of JCI Singapore, and JCI Vice President. His contributions have spanned local, national, and global levels, reflecting a deep commitment to empowering leaders worldwide.

Beyond his work with JCI, Elvin brings a strong professional background in the tech and startup ecosystem. He has held leadership roles in several high-growth companies, most recently serving as Head of Customer Experience at Advance AI, one of Asia’s leading AI and big data unicorns. Elvin’s unique blend of civic leadership and business acumen makes him a compelling voice on topics such as youth empowerment, innovation, and global collaboration.

Richard Williams is Senior Director of Education at the Chief of Staff Association (CSA), the global professional body for chiefs of staff, representing members from over 75 countries and a diverse range of sectors. He has built his career at the intersection of education, community and technology, and now leads CSA’s product, executive education, research and advocacy in collaboration with institutions including Harvard Business School and the University of Oxford. His portfolio spans delivering high-impact programmes for senior chiefs of staff worldwide and overseeing pioneering research that shapes global understanding of the role’s impact and potential. Richard has held leadership roles at Change.org, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, General Assembly and the Harambe Entrepreneur Alliance. 

Stephen Levickis is the General Manager of Membership and International Services at the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Stephen started his career working across event management and sales across iconic Melbourne venues such as the MCG, Melbourne and Olympic Parks and Marvel Stadium. He then had five years at the Pullman Hotel in Albert Park as Director of Sales and Marketing. Stephen joined the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 2022, and is responsible for membership acquisition and engagement, as well as export documentation and services.  

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.

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.

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.

Tom has nearly 20 years’ experience consulting with global and local organisations across Europe, Asia and Australia in areas of brand strategy, integrated communications and commerce.

Tom’s passions lie in championing the future of corporate and brand communications through creativity and innovation while being an active proponent of greater media diversity in Australia’s challenged media ecosystem. Tom has served as a juror on a number of industry awards, has been a mentor for the University of Sydney Business School alongside contributions to the Media Federation of Australia, Council for Economic Development Australia, Melbourne Business School’s MBA programme and was a founding member of the Australian Influencer Marketing Council.

Mr. Sun Xiao, born in June 1975 in Zhejiang Province, Master Degree.
He started to work for China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) in August 1997, and served successively as:
Deputy Director, Division of West Asian and African Affairs, CCPIT;
Director, Division of International Organizations, CCPIT;
Deputy Director General, Department of Cooperation and Development, China Chamber of International Commerce (CCOIC);
Director General of the Department of Multilateral Cooperation, CCOIC.
He is now the Secretary General of the China Chamber of International Commerce since December, 2021.

Keisuke Shimoyamada serves as the 2025 President of Junior Chamber International (JCI), a global organization of young people committed to creating positive impact. In this role, he leads international efforts to empower youth leadership, foster global collaboration, and advance the mission of JCI across more than 100 countries.

Keisuke is also the CEO of Intertech Limited, a pioneering Japanese company specializing in environmentally friendly materials. Under his leadership, Intertech has become a recognized innovator in recycled engineering plastics and elastomers, contributing to Japan’s efforts toward zero greenhouse gas emissions. His commitment to sustainability is matched by his entrepreneurial drive, with business activities spanning import-export and international trade.

A member of the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce, Keisuke combines civic leadership with business acumen, using his platform at JCI to champion innovation, sustainability, and youth empowerment on a global scale.

Save is ICANN’s Regional Vice-President for Stakeholder Engagement serving the Oceania region. He is responsible for managing relationships with key stakeholders to bring ICANN to the region.

Before joining ICANN, Save was the Policy Development Manager and Pacific Islands liaison at APNIC. In 2004, he helped co-found the Pacific Network Operators Group (PacNOG), a technical capacity development platform for network engineers in the Pacific Islands.

He managed the Pacific Islands Telecommunications Association, PITA secretariat between 1997 to 2001.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

Catherine Foster is the Global Lead of the ICC Centre of Entrepreneurship. In this position, Catherine leads the implementation of the Centre across the ICC network, manages relationships with global and regional partners, and focuses on all governance and operational aspects of the programme. She has a strong background in project and programme management, communications, event management, and logistics. Catherine has held various roles at the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris since 2007.

Kaveen Kumar Kumaravel is the 2024 President of Junior Chamber International (JCI), a global organization of young people committed to creating positive impact. With over a decade of leadership experience in JCI, he has held key roles including Executive Vice President and National Vice President of JCI India. Kaveen is also the Founder of JIB and the initiator of Human Duties Day, reflecting his commitment to civic responsibility and global impact. Professionally, he leads TIPTOP Groups, a successful enterprise in customized bags and retail. He holds degrees from Loyola College, Chennai, and London South Bank University, and is actively engaged in community service through various civic and educational organizations.

Melanie has been the CEO of the Pietermaritzburg & Midlands Chamber of Business since February 2011.

She holds a B. Comm degree in Industrial & Organisational Psychology, is people-focused and cause-driven.

She is the current Chairperson of the Association of South African Chambers, an alliance of the largest chambers in South Africa to give voice to shared business challenges and represent the mandated and agreed common interests of members on national issues of a policy and/or regulatory nature.

She serves as the Treasurer of the KwaZulu-Natal Business Chambers Council and on the KwaZulu-Natal Economic Council. She is a member of the South African Institute of International Affairs National Council and she has recently been appointed to serve on the WFC General Council.

Prior to her appointment at the chamber, she was the Director of Pietermaritzburg Tourism for nine years. During her tenure, she was elected Chairperson of the Community Tourism Association KZN as well as President of Skal International Midlands.

Melanie is a passionate advocate for business, equality and justice. Keenly aware that the development of business is key in alleviating poverty and addressing unemployment, she takes her advocacy role seriously and works boldly and consistently to drive meaningful change.

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.

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.

Stuart grew up in a small business family. His father ran several small businesses that had two primary goals. The first was to put food on the table for the family. The second was to create community impact.

From an early age Stuart saw the power of entrepreneurial thinking and business to create social good. He spent time working in the family businesses seeing how the business worked to blend these two objectives.

These strong childhood experiences led Stuart to completing several degrees including a Master of Environmental Science at Stockholm University. Having held senior positions within the not-for profit, government and private sector he sees the value true collaboration can bring.

Stuart has lived and worked in remote communities, understanding the realities of emerging markets. He has also sat at some of the most powerful tables on the planet, having been an observer at the European Union and United Nations.

His professional interests have led him to focus on entrepreneurship and entrepreneurialism as a driver for prosperity as well as sustainability.

The Good Business Foundation, where he is both CEO and Co-Founder, has a strong focus in supporting inclusive and sustainable entrepreneurship across the Asia-Pacific Region. He is also Vice President – Entrepreneurship at the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI).

Dr. Giorgi Vekua is the Deputy Director General of the Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI). He oversees strategic development and international partnerships while continuing to drive gender equality and digitalization initiatives across Georgia’s business landscape.
Dr. Vekua brings over a decade of leadership experience at GCCI, having previously served as Director of Business and Regional Development and as Director of International Relations and Project Management. He is currently developing an “AI for Business” training course and implementing a pioneering “AI for SMEs” project with support from the Czech Government. Under his leadership, he has successfully managed numerous high-impact projects funded by international donors, including the European Union, USAID, UN Women, and GIZ. He remains committed to modernizing business practices through technology and artificial intelligence.
His expertise spans women’s economic empowerment, digital transformation of SMEs, and international trade facilitation. Notable achievements include leading the Women’s Economic Empowerment through Digitalization initiative, the DCFTA Information Centre project, and multiple UN Women programs focused on gender equality in business governance.
Prior to his chamber career, Dr. Vekua served as Advisor to the Minister at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development of Georgia, Deputy Director of the television network GDS TV, and held various legal positions, including attorney roles at the Coalition of Non-Governmental Organizations of Georgia and the Permanent Private Arbitration Chamber.
His academic credentials include a Ph.D. in Social Sciences and two Master of Laws degrees from the University of Amsterdam—one in International Trade and Investment Law and another in European Union Business Law. He also holds LLB and LLM degrees from Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University.

Emily Rice is an accomplished broadcast journalist, MC and conference facilitator with more than 20 years presenting experience across Australia and internationally.

Emily is a former senior reporter for the Nine Network in Melbourne specialising in business and medical issues.

Emily is also in demand for her exemplary MC skills, regularly hosting national industry conferences, forums and functions.

In the business space she has hosted numerous HR, finance and leadership conferences – namely for Business Insights Australia.

Emily is highly recommended for her brilliant moderating skills and reputation for seamless conference facilitation. Highly regarded for her intelligent and engaging style she ensures events run smoothly and to time.

He previously co-founded a technology services company that was acquired in a $120M exit, and brings over 15 years of experience in AI, procurement, supply chains, and international trade. Vineeth has worked closely with Fortune 500 companies and chambers of commerce worldwide, combining deep enterprise knowledge with an entrepreneurial track record.

At LevelPlane, he is now building the first autonomous sourcing network, where AI agents and trusted ecosystems come together to make sourcing faster, smarter, and fair for businesses of all sizes.

Hélène Kolmodin is the coordinator for the World Chambers Federation (WCF) of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the global institutional voice for 45 million companies worldwide.

The WCF is the forum that connects chambers across borders, creating a better environment for business and MSMEs, and driving prosperity and opportunity for all.

In her role, Hélène coordinates different areas of work engaging the worldwide network of chambers and ICC National Committees, and manages the secretariat of the WCF Women’s Council.

The Women’s Council is a forum for WCF members – men and women – to exchange on best practices, initiatives, tools and services, championed by chambers of commerce, to promote the empowerment of women.

She takes an active involvement in a great variety of projects to support ICC’s mission to enable business worldwide to secure peace, prosperity and opportunity for all.

Hélène holds a Swedish citizenship. A graduate of the University of Geneva, Switzerland, Hélène has been involved in international programs and  has been working for the ICC since 1999.

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.

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.

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.

Adrian Kloeden is an independent Director and Chairman. He is currently President of the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chairman of the Aquasure group of companies and a Director of The Smith Family. He is a senior executive leadership coach in companies, government, the professions and NFPs.  

Adrian’s management experience covers a wide variety of industries, including forestry, agribusiness, manufacturing, distribution, retail, research and development, brand management, technology, e-commerce, defence and tourism and transport. He has held CEO or leadership positions in large and small public and private companies and a government related organisation and has operated in many regions of the world. 

He graduated in science from the Australian National University and holds a master’s degree in business from the London Business School. He has an Honorary Doctorate from Deakin University and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.  

Mr. Mohammed Bin Ahmad Al Obaidly is the third generation of Al Obaidly family. After education and a brief but illustrious, he took over the reins of the family business, and since then has successfully managed and expanded the businesses in the various industrial sectors in Qatar and other Regions.

He has effectively expanded the OITC GROUP into 20 subsidiaries with diversified activities, interests and expertise in Business Development, Joint Ventures, EPC Contracting, Oil & Gas, Infrastructure in Ports & Harbors, Airports, Roads & Interchanges, Bridges, Tunnels, Railways, Power & Desalination, MEP, Electromechanical and HVAC, Industrial Plants, Heavy Machineries and Construction Equipment, Agencies and Representation, Real Estate & Investments, Travel Management & Hospitality Services, Environment, Facility Management, Agricultural and Landscaping, having consistent business track record coupled with a reputation that speaks for itself.

As the Owner and Chairman of KINGDOM INVESTMENT GROUP(KIG), Mohammed Bin Ahmad Al Obaidly has propelled the Group into a multidimensional powerhouse, engaging in technology-oriented industries such as FinTech, investment & Funds , banking settlement systems, digital banking, technology, Education, Healthcare, Logistics, Real Estate, Event Managements Conferences and Exhibitions, Hospitality ,F&B, Tourism, Oil & Gas, Utilities and infrastructure services, Mobile Applications, Digital Transportation, Food Security. His strategic investments in cutting-edge technologies and business models position the Group at the forefront of innovation, ensuring sustainable growth and diversification across multiple
sectors and regions.

Through his leadership, prestigious projects have been accomplished in the different sectors of the industries in the State of Qatar and International, a testimony to the mission of the Group to provide quality and reliable solutions to all its clients.

With an outlook for continues development and expansion, Mr. Mohammed Bin Ahmad Al Obaidly maintains the urge to explore and create specialized businesses opportunities in technology-oriented industries and services and develop business cooperation with GCC and International Partners who have the latest state-of-the-art technologies in diversified fields of vital
interest to contribute to the growing requirements of industries and infrastructures in the State of Qatar and Internationally.

Mr. Al Obaidly has widely traveled all over the world gaining excellent business opportunities, solid technical experiences, and fruitful business relationships with commercial, industrial and manufacturing companies and corporations which possess specialized and diversified line of activities, products and services.

He has chaired and attended meetings with various National and Foreign Governmental ministries, Q a t a r Chamber of Commerce and Trade delegations, Business forums, technical seminars and business-related gatherings at local, regional and international levels.

Being a Board Member of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he belongs to a council which would diagnose, recommend, advice, and explore ways and means to serve the Private Sector in a better way by promulgating policies, rules and guidelines for the business sector. The Council will also make proposals and propose solutions to enhance the Public-Private- Partnerships (PPP), as well as in the Small-and-Medium Enterprise (SME) and (ENTREPRENEURSHIP), business proposition and collaboration.

Mr. Al Obaidly’s entrepreneurial, proactive strong drive and keen business mind have continuously expanded the Group of Companies to high level of profitability and competitiveness through his updated business policies.

His methodical approach to planning and organizing has resulted in establishment of Joint Venture companies creating strong business cooperation with prominent foreign Principals and Partners, in the State of Qatar.

Demetris Skourides is an Advisor to the President and Deputy Minister of Innovation, Research and Technology of the Republic of Cyprus. He is the architect of Cyprus’s AI strategy and a driving force behind the country’s innovation renaissance.  

Mr Skourides holds a BSc in Computer Science from Arizona State University and an MBA from Henley Management College in the UK. He has also completed executive training from prestigious institutions like Columbia University, Stanford, MIT, Cambridge, Harvard, and Yale. 

With more than 17 years of experience at Oracle and AWS, Skourides has led transformative cloud and emerging technology initiatives across EMEA and Asia Pacific. His leadership has received international recognition, including the CYDIA Impact Award and being named among the Top 100 Global Power Leaders. 

Mr Skourides is committed to developing an AI playbook that reskills public sector employees and positions Cyprus as a gateway between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. He is also responsible for shaping Cyprus’s broader research and innovation ecosystem, launching the first space research and innovation centre, CSPARK.  

A passionate advocate for inclusive innovation, Mr Skourides is dedicated to advancing deep tech capabilities and building global, inclusive innovation ecosystems. 

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)

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. 

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.

Nick Reece was sworn in as Lord Mayor of Melbourne in July 2024 and re-elected in November 2024. He was first elected as a councillor at the City of Melbourne in 2016 and was elected as Deputy Lord Mayor in 2020.

Nick serves as portfolio head of the City Infrastructure portfolio and deputy for the Finance, Governance and Risk portfolio – these cover a range of responsibilities and activities which are core to council business. As Deputy Lord Mayor, Nick helped steer the city through some of its darkest days during the Covid lockdowns and the subsequent recovery. With a long history of public service and experience in business, law and journalism, Nick brings a deep understanding of Melbourne life to the role of Lord Mayor.

Nick is one of the original “Mo Bros” and former chairman of global men’s health charity Movember. Founded in Melbourne, almost 10 million people have participated in Movember and raised almost $1.5 billion for prostate cancer and men’s mental health. For over 10 years, Nicholas was a director for the street newspaper The Big Issue, Australia’s most successful social enterprise for homeless and vulnerable people.

Nick has been a senior executive at the University of Melbourne. He has considerable experience in government having worked as a senior adviser to Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Victorian premiers Steve Bracks and John Brumby.

Nick lives in Carlton with his wife and three school age daughters. He is a paid up and passionate member of the Carlton Football Club and is dreaming of a flag for the Blues in 2025.

Mr. Gabriel Idahosa is the Founder of UHY Professional Services, a professional accounting and consulting firm established in 1980. Today, the firm operates with nine partners and serves as the Nigerian member of UHY International.

A distinguished leader, Mr. Idahosa’s journey in global leadership began with Junior Chamber International (JCI), a worldwide network dedicated to developing young executives and professionals. He served as National President of JCI Nigeria in 1984, before advancing to Chairman of the Africa JCI Association in 1986, International Vice President in 1987, International Executive Vice President in 1988, and International Senior Executive Vice President in 1990.

In the accounting profession, he has contributed significantly to the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), first as Chairman of the Kano District Society, and later as a member of ICAN’s Professional Practice Section—now the Audit and Assurance Faculty.

Within the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Idahosa has held several key leadership roles, including Chairman of the Professional Practice Group, Treasurer, and Council Member. As Vice President and Chairman of the Trade Promotion Board, he oversaw the Lagos International Trade Fair between 2018 and 2021. He went on to serve as Deputy President of the Chamber in 2022 and 2023.

Today, as President and Chairman of Council of the LCCI—Nigeria’s foremost private sector advocacy body, founded in 1888—Mr. Idahosa continues to champion the interests of the business community with vision, dedication, and influence.

Dr David Cade is the Group Chief Medical Officer of Telix Pharmaceuticals, bringing over two decades of experience as an industry physician spanning biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices. At Telix, he leads the company’s global medical strategy, supporting the development and commercialization of precision radiopharmaceuticals that are transforming how cancer and other serious diseases are diagnosed and treated.

Prior to joining Telix, Dr Cade held senior executive roles at Cochlear Ltd and Sirtex Medical Ltd, where he served as Chief Medical Officer and gained extensive leadership experience across the United States, Europe, and Australia. His career has been distinguished by contributions to oncology, interventional radiology, and nuclear medicine — fields that sit at the intersection of breakthrough science and patient care.

Dr Cade is known for his ability to translate complex scientific advances into clinical practice, ensuring that innovative technologies reach the patients who need them most. With a global outlook and a deep understanding of both clinical and commercial landscapes, he has played a pivotal role in scaling health innovations across markets.

At the World Chambers Congress, Dr Cade brings insight into how medical innovation can drive both patient impact and international industry growth.

Hiromi Aoki has a diverse background that includes roles at the U.S. Embassy Commercial Service as commercial assistant and Lehman Brothers as marketing officer after graduating from American high school and university. In 2008, he joined Suntech Co., Ltd., a leading plant manufacturer that fabricating steel equipment such as heat exchangers and pressure vessels. In 2013, he ascended to the position of President and has expanded its business activities in Thai, Myanmar, China, and Morocco. He served as the Chairman of the International Business Committee of the Young Entrepreneurs Group (YEG) of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Japan YEG) in 2023. He also has been appointed as the vice president of Japan YEG as the head of international relations.

He has been supporting YEGAP activities as one of the executive committee members.