Abdalhamid David Evans
Senior Analyst, Imarat Consultants
United Kingdom
Abdalhamid David Evans
Senior Analyst, Imarat Consultants
United Kingdom
Apart from his role in Imarat Consultants, Abdalhamid is also the founder of HalalFocus, the largest online news archive on the halal sector. He co-founded the World Halal Forum in 2006, and has organised halal-related conferences, workshops and seminars in Malaysia, Brunei, Australia, the UAE, UK, USA, Canada and Europe. He was an active player in the Halal Chapter of the Malaysian 3rd Industrial Masterplan and a member of the team consulting the Halal Industry Development Corporation HDC in their initial start-up phase. He was the Editorial Director for the Global Islamic Economy Summit in Dubai in 2013 and is currently the Conference Director for the World Halal Summit in Kuala Lumpur. Abdalhamid has long been an advocate of halal development and has lobbied for greater integration among the halal industry, Islamic finance and other relevant sectors.
Ajan Reginald
Co-Founder and CEO, Cell Therapy Limited
United Kingdom
Ajan Reginald
Co-Founder and CEO, Cell Therapy Limited
United Kingdom
CEO of Cell Therapy Ltd, Ajan Reginald co-founded this company with Nobel Laureate, Professor Martin Evans. Cell Therapy invents and develops Regenerative Medicines for Life™ - breakthrough cellular medicines that treat life threatening / life changing diseases. Ajan is an inventor of CTL’s core technology and tissue specific regenerative medicine products and leads the company’s commercial and operational activities. Ajan was Roche’s Global Head of Emerging Technologies overseeing the identification, acquisition and development of the next generation of breakthrough Biopharma technologies and products. He joined Roche as Business Development Director in Roche Pharma, where he led M&A teams and major licensing transactions including the $1.3B licensing transaction with Alnylam. Prior to Roche, Ajan was a consultant with the Boston Consulting Group and received a MBA from Kellogg Business School, Northwestern University where he was awarded the Biotechnology scholarship. In 2002, he was awarded the UK Fulbright Scholarship.
Alia Khan
Founder, Islamic Fashion Design Council
United Arab Emirates
Alia Khan
Founder, Islamic Fashion Design Council
United Arab Emirates
Based in Dubai, UAE, Alia Khan is the Founder and Chairwoman of Islamic Fashion and Design Council (IFDC), an organisation established for the development of the Islamic fashion and design industry worldwide. IFDC is the world’s leading fashion and design (art, architecture, interiors, etc.) council representing the Islamic economy and its stakeholders. IFDC aligns itself with established and budding mainstream as well as Islamic fashion and design brands, government organisations, institutions, corporations, global conferences, and publications. Apart from IFDC, Alia also has strong interest in the development of the underprivileged areas of the Muslim world. Now she runs a charity that provides solutions to upgrade education systems and eradicate malnutrition. Alia is a recognised industry expert and speaker at top business forums, conferences, and events. Alia has also been featured in multiple global publications.
Ariff Sultan
Regional Director, Asia, IdealRatings Inc.
Republic of Singapore
Ariff Sultan
Regional Director, Asia, IdealRatings Inc.
Republic of Singapore
Holding a Master of Business in IT and a Diploma in Islamic banking and Finance, Ariff Sultan began his career as a software developer and manager for financial software applications with Deloitte and Touché and subsequently with OCBC Bank in Singapore. This was followed by 17 years in financial and banking software sales, successfully selling into APAC and the Middle East financial institutions and working with leading financial software providers. Ariff then went on to become the regional director for Russell Indexes and Dow Jones Indexes where he developed their businesses for both conventional and shariah index sales. He is currently the Regional Director for Ideal ratings in Asia. Ariff has also engaged as aspeaker and moderator at a vast number of seminars and conferences around the globe.
Ayman Amin Sejiny
Chief Executive Officer, Bank Alkhair Group
Kingdom of Bahrain
Ayman Amin Sejiny
Chief Executive Officer, Bank Alkhair Group
Kingdom of Bahrain
Ayman Amin Sejiny is the Group Chief Executive Officer of Bank Alkhair. He has over 21 years of corporate and investment banking experience, having worked with leading international institutions such as Barclays, CITI Bank and ABN Amro. During his five year tenure, Ayman was responsible for managing Barclays Capital and Barclays Wealth. Mr Sejiny was Co-Founder of Bank Alkhair, (formerly Unicorn investment Bank), and a member of its Board of Directors. He was also Managing Director and CEO of Alkhair Capital Saudi Arabia, (formerly Unicorn Capital Saudi Arabia). Ayman has a BA in Finance from Eastern Michigan University, USA.
Azhar Kassim Mustapha
Chief Executive Officer, Nervesis
Malaysia
Azhar Kassim Mustapha
Chief Executive Officer, Nervesis
Malaysia
As a graduate of the highly prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston, USA, Azhar received his Bachelor of Science and Master in Engineering degrees in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science. Holding three patents to his name, one in the USA, and two in Malaysia, Azhar has an outstanding track record of successfully designing, developing and implementing highly advanced technologies. In addition to his role as the CEO of Nervesis, he was also a Research Specialist at Multimedia University of Malaysia (MMU), where he led a team conducting advanced research and development (R&D) work funded by the Matsushita Corporation of Japan. Azhar has written and published numerous scientific papers at the International level.
Badlisyah Abdul Ghani
Founding President, Chartered Institute of Islamic Finance Professionals
Malaysia
Badlisyah Abdul Ghani
Founding President, Chartered Institute of Islamic Finance Professionals
Malaysia
Badlisyah Abdul Ghani is the founding President of the Chartered Institute of Islamic Finance Professional (CIIF), the standard bearer of professionals in the Islamic finance industry in Malaysia and globally. Badlisyah was the founder CEO of CIMB Islamic, the global Islamic banking and finance unit of CIMB Group. He is a member of the Standing Committee on Islamic Financial Reporting of the Malaysian Accounting Standard Board (MASB); the Islamic Finance Committee of the Malaysian Accounting Institute (MIA); and the Law Harmonisation Committee of Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM). He was elected by his peers as the 7th President of the Association of Islamic Banks in Malaysia (AIBIM). Badlisyah was also the Chairman of the Islamic Capital Market Committee of the Malaysian Investment Banking Association (MIBA). He has a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of Leeds, United Kingdom, is an alumnus of the ICLIF program, and a lifetime member of ANSARA.
Chokri Mousaoui
Chief Executive Officer, Eternal Sun
The Netherlands
Chokri Mousaoui
Chief Executive Officer, Eternal Sun
The Netherlands
Chokri Mousaoui (1983) is a Cleantech entrepreneur and founder and CEO of Eternal Sun, a venture capital backed company based in The Netherlands. Eternal Sun develops and supplies solar testing equipment for the purpose of accurate performance and reliability testing of solar modules on climate degradation effects. The company is currently working with customers in innovation hubs worldwide. Being the CEO, Mr. Mousaoui is in charge of global business development and sales, with a prime focus on increasing the company’s sales pipeline, expanding its business model globally and executing strategic partnerships. Eternal Sun has won several international innovation awards. In 2015, ‘PV Magazine’ has listed the Dutch tech company as number 1 in the global top 50 game changing innovators in the solar industry. In 2013, Mousaoui has been awarded the Cleantech Academy Award Cleantech at the ‘Cleantech Open Global Forum’ in San Jose, Silicon Valley. Mousaoui serves as member of the Advisory Board of the Dutch Industry Network, and also serves as member of the Advisory Board of StartupDelta in The Netherlands. Mousaoui studied Systems Engineering at Delft University of Technology in The Netherlands, and followed an exchange program at Harbin Institute of Technology in China.
Dato Dr Nik Ramlah Mahmood
Deputy Chief Executive, Securities Commission
Malaysia
Dato Dr Nik Ramlah Mahmood
Deputy Chief Executive, Securities Commission
Malaysia
Nik Ramlah Mahmood made the transition from academia to capital market regulation in 1993 after serving 13 years at the Faculty of Law, University of Malaya. She joined the Securities Commission (SC) as a Manager and Head of Department in 1993, and was made Executive Director in 1998, Senior Executive Director in 2006 and Managing Director in 2008, and was appointed Deputy Chief Executive in 2012 Since joining the SC, Nik Ramlah has been directly involved in key capital market initiatives including but not limited to areas involving Islamic capital market development and regulations pertaining thereto. She was a member of the Corporate Law Reform Committee established by the government in 2004 and Co-Chair of the Ethics Committee of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants from 2003 to 2008. She is currently a member of the Board of the SIDC and the Capital Market Development Fund. She also sits on the Malaysian Venture Capital Development Council and is a member of the Professional Development Panel of INCEIF. Nik Ramlah graduated with a First Class Honours in Law in 1979 from the University of Malaya, obtained her LLM in 1980 and PhD in 1988 from the University of London.
Dato’ Boonler Somchit
Board Member & Advisor, Khazanah's Corporate Development Centre (CDC)
Malaysia
Dato’ Boonler Somchit
Board Member & Advisor, Khazanah's Corporate Development Centre (CDC)
Malaysia
Honours graduate of Ecology from University Malaya, Dato’ Boonler Somchit started his career at the University and left 6 years later as Assistant Registrar. He went on to hone his management skills at the ASEAN Food Handling Bureau, and later became the Registrar at Sunway College. The opportunity to establish the Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC) was then presented to him, where he served more than 24 years as the CEO. The PSDC is the first tripartite, industry-led skills training and education centre in Malaysia. The Centre has trained over 150,000 participants through more than 7,000 courses, pioneered local industry talent development initiatives, assisted in the input and formulation of national policies pertaining to human capital development and contributed directly to the Malaysian workforce transformation initiative. Currently Dato’ Boonler is a Board Member and Advisor to the Corporate Development Centre (CDC), and a Board Member of the Penang Golf Club since 2012.
Dato’ Dr Mohd Nazlee Kamal
Chief Executive Officer, Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation (BiotechCorp)
Malaysia
Dato’ Dr Mohd Nazlee Kamal
Chief Executive Officer, Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation (BiotechCorp)
Malaysia
With more than 25 years of experience in diverse portfolios in the biotechnology industry, Dato’ Nazlee brings strong acumen in both technical and business aspects of biotechnology to BiotechCorp, where he serves as the CEO. BiotechCorp is the lead development agency for the biotechnology industry in Malaysia. He is also the Chairman of Malaysian Bio-XCell, a dedicated biotechnology park and ecosystemhub being developed in the southern state of Johor, Malaysia. Prior to joining BiotechCorp, he was the CEO of Inno Biologics SdnBhd and the Group Managing Director of Inno Bio Ventures Sdn Bhd. Inno Bio Group of Companies focuses on biopharmaceutical manufacturing and cell-based diagnostics. Dato’ Nazlee has also gained a wealth of experience encompassing marketing and technical portfolios with multinational companies such as Amersham Biosciences, Sartorius and BBraun. He served 10 years as a Lecturer at the University Of Technology Malaysia (UTM) where he developed the Bioprocess Engineering Program. His innovation, the “External Spinfilter”, is being marketed by Sartorius BBI Systems.
Dato’ Dr Norraesah Mohamad
Chairman, WIEF Businesswomen Network
Malaysia
Dato’ Dr Norraesah Mohamad
Chairman, WIEF Businesswomen Network
Malaysia
Dato' Dr Norraesah Mohamad is the Executive Chairman of My E.G. Services Berhad, an IT service provider. She is also Executive Chairman of Embunaz Ventures Sdn Bhd. a family owned Investment Company involved in Education and Hospitality sector. She also sits on the Board of 5 other listed companies in Malaysia. Dato' Dr Norraesah is a member of the Board of Trustees of the World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) Foundation, a member of its International Advisory Panel and heads the WIEF Businesswomen Network (WBN). She obtained a PhD (Economic Science) International Economics and International Finance from University of Paris I. Pantheon-Sorbonne, France in 1986. In 1982, she obtained her Masters in International Economics Relations from International Institute of Public Administration, France and Masters in International Economics and Finance from University of Paris I, Pantheon-Sorbonne, France. She obtained her first Degree in Economics from University of Malaya and also earned a Diploma in Commercial Policy from GATT Geneva.
Dato’ Dr Hafsah Hashim
Chief Executive Officer, SME Corporation
Malaysia
Dato’ Dr Hafsah Hashim
Chief Executive Officer, SME Corporation
Malaysia
Dato’ Hafsah Hashim has held the position of Chief Executive Officer since March 2005. As the Chief Executive Officer of SME Corporation Malaysia, she is responsible in coordinating and overseeing policies for the overall development of SMEs in this country. Having served under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Ministry of Agriculture, and Ministry of Primary Industries, Dato' Hafsah has acquired many years of experience and knowledge that has allowed her to be entrusted to hold top positions in the civil service. She is also a Board Member, Council Member, Advisory Panel and member of various esteemed and well-known organisations, corporations, councils, and committees. Recently she has been appointed as a Senior Vice President (Development) for the International Council of Small Business (ICSB).
Dato’ Muzaffar Hisham
Chief Executive Officer, Maybank Islamic Berhad & Group Head, Islamic Banking, Maybank
Malaysia
Dato’ Muzaffar Hisham
Chief Executive Officer, Maybank Islamic Berhad & Group Head, Islamic Banking, Maybank
Malaysia
With 20 years of banking and financial services experience, Dato’ Muzaffar Hisham started his career at Asian International Merchant Bankers Bhd in the corporate banking division. Later joining Amanah Merchant Bank Bhd and Amanah Short Deposits Bhd, followed by investment banking at CIMB Investment Bank and HSBC Amanah. Prior to joining Maybank, Dato’ Muzaffar was the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of CIMB Islamic Bank Bhd. He was presented with several awards and contributed significantly to the growth of Maybank Group’s Islamic banking business. As the Group Head of Islamic Banking and CEO of Maybank Islamic, he currently plays a leading role in managing and overseeing the overall Islamic banking franchise of Maybank Group and ensures that it operates on a parallel platform, leveraging on the Group’s resources, while also spearheading the expansion of Group Islamic Banking in ASEAN and globally.
Dato’ Seri Ismail Shahudin
Chairman, Maybank Islamic Berhad
Malaysia
Dato’ Seri Ismail Shahudin
Chairman, Maybank Islamic Berhad
Malaysia
Dato’ Seri Ismail Shahudin was appointed as a Director of Maybank on 15 July 2009. He serves as Chairman of the Credit Review Committee and as a member of Risk Management Committee of the Board. He was Chairman of Bank Muamalat Malaysia Berhad from 2004 until his retirement in July 2008. He has held senior positions in Citibank, serving both in Malaysia and New York, United Asian Bank andMaybank where he was appointed Executive Director in 1997. He left Maybank in 2002 to assume the position of Group Chief Executive Officer of MMC Corporation Berhad. His current directorships in companies within the Maybank Group include as Chairman of Maybank Islamic Berhad and as Director of MCB Bank Limited, Pakistan. He is also Chairman of Faber Group Berhad and a director of several public listed companies which include EP Manufacturing Berhad, Opus International Consultants Ltd, a company listed on New Zealand Stock Exchange and Aseana Properties Limited, a company listed on the London Stock Exchange.
Datuk Fadilah Baharin
Director General, Department of Standards Malaysia
Malaysia
Datuk Fadilah Baharin
Director General, Department of Standards Malaysia
Malaysia
Fadilah Baharin has more than 30 years of working experience in the government sector. Being at the helm of the National Standards and Accreditation Body of Malaysia and with over 15 years of experience, she has been instrumental in spearheading Malaysia’s interests and global competitiveness both nationally and internationally in fields that are niche to Malaysia such as Halal. Among her achievements in the field include leading the effort for Malaysia to become a member of Standards And Metrology Institute For Islamic Countries (SMIIC). Malaysia was accepted as a member of SMIIC in November 2014. She is also the chair for the National Working Group on Trade Facilitation and Consumer Welfare that is under the Halal Certification Management Focus Group spearheaded by The Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU). In addition, she was also one of the Panelist during the World Halal Summit (WHS) 2015.
Datuk Ismail Ibrahim
Chief Executive, Iskandar Regional Development Authority
Malaysia
Datuk Ismail Ibrahim
Chief Executive, Iskandar Regional Development Authority
Malaysia
Datuk Ismail Ibrahim, a chartered town planner obtained his degree from Heriot Watt University Edinburgh. He was appointed as Chief Executive of Iskandar Regional Development Authority in 2010. He has more than 30 years of professional experience working in the public and private sectors mainly in the field of urban and regional planning and development and governance. They include the Federal Town and Country Planning Department, Penang State Government and Khazanah Nasional. His many achievements in IRDA include securing a total cumulative investment worth US$40 billion for the period 2006 to June 2014 and the successful execution of public infrastructure projects worth US$2 billion for Iskandar Malaysia. He was responsible for coordinating and facilitating public private cooperation to develop Iskandar Malaysia through various programmes such as human capital and entrepreneurship, safety and security, youth development, public transportation, housing and the environment.
Datuk Mohd Radzif bin Mohd Yunus
Group Managing Director, SME Development Bank
Malaysia
Datuk Mohd Radzif bin Mohd Yunus
Group Managing Director, SME Development Bank
Malaysia
Datuk Mohd Radzif bin Mohd Yunus was appointed as Managing Director of SME Bank in July 2010 and had recently been appointed as the Group Managing Director of SME Development Bank (Malaysia) in January 2014. Datuk Mohd Radzif comes from a diverse management background. He started his career in academia as a lecturer before following this up with a stint in an international consultancy firm. From here he joined the senior management of a financial institution and thereafter took up the position of Chief Executive Officer of a local conglomerate. Being driven by his entrepreneurial spirit, Datuk Mohd Radzif ventured into his own business but he was soon back to serving a higher purpose when he was called to take up the position of Chief Executive Officer of two pilgrimage fund companies. Subsequently, the Government appointed him as the Chief Executive Officer of Institut Jantung Negara Sdn. Bhd. (National Heart Institute) effective September 2003. In 2006, he assumed duties as the Group Managing Director of IJN Holdings Sdn. Bhd. and in charge of three companies as its Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer including Institut Jantung Negara Sdn. Bhd, IJN Capital Sdn Bhd and IJN College Sdn. Bhd. Datuk Mohd Radzif is also a Chairman of ADFIM (Association of Development Finance Institutions of Malaysia) and a Vice Chairman of ADFIMI (Association of National Development Finance Institutions in Member Countries of The Islamic Development Bank). He is also the member of National Entrepreneurship Council of Higher Education (NECHE) and Intellectual Capital Development Committee (ICDC) of Agensi Inovasi Malaysia (AIM). Datuk Mohd Radzif was given the Malaysian Business Leadership Award for Healthcare in 2009.
Datuk Wira Jalilah Baba
Chairman, Crewstone International Sdn Bhd
Malaysia
Datuk Wira Jalilah Baba
Chairman, Crewstone International Sdn Bhd
Malaysia
A renowned thought leader and notable expert on Malaysian and international economics, Datuk Wira Jalilah Baba retired as the Director General and CEO of MIDA (Malaysian Investment Development Authority) in August 2011 after serving with the establishment for 35 years. A key reference personality in investment-related matters by the media, Datuk Wira Jalilah led numerous international business negotiations for Malaysia and introduced numerous prudent action plans and policies that helped position the country as a premier foreign investment destination. Currently the Chairperson of Crewstone International SdnBhd, a specialised business consulting firm; and recently appointed as the first Malaysian lady to be the President of the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce (MICCI). She also sits on the board of various companies. On top of that she is also regularly invited to represent Malaysia at international forums, conferences and business platforms.
David Wittenberg
Chief Executive Officer, The Innovation Workgroup
Republic of India
David Wittenberg
Chief Executive Officer, The Innovation Workgroup
Republic of India
Known as India’s resident innovation guru, David brings world-class innovation to top-tier Indian and multi-national corporations including Reliance Industries, Tata and Ericsson. The author of The Executive’s Guide to Innovation, David introduces global best practices in the discipline of innovation so that firms can manage innovation for breakthrough results. Prior to founding The Innovation Workgroup, David worked at one of the world’s leading innovation labs, the Advanced Concepts and Technology group at Pitney Bowes, a Fortune 500 corporation. A lifelong innovator, David holds two patents, has written five books, is a published songwriter, and has created four business solutions that each generated more than one million dollars. Earlier in his career, David worked as an independent management consultant for such firms as American Express, AT&T, Kelly Services, Philip Morris, Standard & Poor’s and UPS.
Dian Pelangi
Fashion Designer & Entrepreneur
Republic of Indonesia
Dian Pelangi
Fashion Designer & Entrepreneur
Republic of Indonesia
Dian Pelangi is a young fashion designer pioneering and pushing the boundaries of Muslim fashion in both local and international spheres. Having graduated from Ecole Superieur des Arts et Techniques de la Mode (ESMOD) in 2008, Dian had gained invaluable experience and a broader perspective on how to introduce and unify Muslim identity into the vast spectrum of fashion. By 2010, Dian had showcased her collection at Jakarta Fashion Week, sparking interest across the country, including an interview with CNN. Dian is an award winner, businesswoman, and a young Indonesian designer pushing trends and pulling inspirations from the global Islamic community.
Dr Janez Potočnik
Co-chair of the International Resource Panel (IRP), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Dr Janez Potočnik
Co-chair of the International Resource Panel (IRP), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Dr Janez Potočnik graduated with a PhD in 1993 from the Faculty of Economics at the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. Starting his career in 1989 as a researcher at the Institute of Economic Research in Slovenia, he became Director of the Institute of Macroeconomic Analysis and Development in 1994. He was appointed Head of Negotiating Team for Accession of Slovenia to the European Union in 1998. He was also Director of Government Office for European Affairs in 2000, Minister Councillor at the Office of the Prime Minister in 2001 and Minister responsible for European Affairs in 2002. In 2004 he joined the European Commission, first as "shadow" European Commissioner for Enlargement and then as Commissioner responsible for Science and Research. From 2010 to 2014, Dr Potočnik served as European Commissioner for Environment. He now co-chairs the United Nations Environment Programme International Resource Panel.
Dr Abdulhasan Al Dairi
Chairman, Bahrain SMEs Society
Kingdom of Bahrain
Dr Abdulhasan Al Dairi
Chairman, Bahrain SMEs Society
Kingdom of Bahrain
Dr. Abdulhasan Al-Dairi has been the Chairman of Bahrain SMEs Society since 2006, a founding member and shareholder of various companies, and a researcher and practitioner in the field of entrepreneurship and SMEs development for more than twenty years. With PhD in Entrepreneurship and MBA in Marketing Management, in addition to his Family-Business background, Dr. Al-Dairi enjoys a wealth of experience in private and public sectors as well as an accumulated teaching and training best practices in banking, vocational and academic higher institutions. He has extended his services to UNIDO, ILO, OIC, GCC-UE to name a few, and was appointed as Ambassador of the Arab Youth by the AYCID of the Arab League, Egypt and then selected to be the Member of its Executive Council. Dr. Al-Dairi currently serves as the Manager of Stakeholder Relations at the Bahrain Polytechnic, which he joined following his post as the Director of Community Centres at the Ministry of Social Development, Bahrain.
Dr Amat Taap Manshor
Chief Executive Officer, Finance Accreditation Agency
Malaysia
Dr Amat Taap Manshor
Chief Executive Officer, Finance Accreditation Agency
Malaysia
Dr Amat has more than 20 years of experience in human resource initiatives. He has helped raised the standards of talent in the financial industry with his dedication in the development of quality and innovative learning programmes. Under his stewardship, FAA successfully engineered the world’s first comprehensive set of learning standards for the finance industry. The introduction of this body of knowledge marked an important milestone. It laid the foundation and has enabled the industry to continuously build learning initiatives that meet industry needs. Dr Amat has worked with large MNC’s such as Hitachi, Guthrie, Dunlopillo and Intel. He was involved in planning and supporting the development of human capital for high-performing organisations. Dr Amat’s academic career saw him as Dean at the Business School of the Management & Science University and Dean at Multimedia University’s Faculty of Business & Law.
Dr Anwar Ghani
Former President of FIANZ & Chairman of Halal Advisory Council
New Zealand
Dr Anwar Ghani
Former President of FIANZ & Chairman of Halal Advisory Council
New Zealand
Dr Ghani is the Inaugural Chair of Halal Standard Advisory Council of New Zealand, which was established in 2010 by the New Zealand’s Ministry of Primary Industries. Dr Ghani served as the President of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ) for 12 years. He is currently the Vice President of Regional Islamic Dawah Council of Asia and Pacific (RISEAP) and the CEO of New Zealand Institute of Procurement & Supply (NZIPS). Dr Ghani worked for 20 years as a senior scientist at AgResearch and has authored 95 scientific papers. Dr Ghani was awarded the Member of New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) and listed three times by the Royal Jordanian Islamic Journal as one of the top 500 Muslim leaders in the world.
Dr Ashraf A. Mahate
Head of Export Market Intelligence, Dubai Exports
United Arab Emirates
Dr Ashraf A. Mahate
Head of Export Market Intelligence, Dubai Exports
United Arab Emirates
Dr Ashraf Mahate has actively been involved in researching and providing consultancy in the areas of entrepreneurship, trade, economics, banking, and finance for over 22 years in the UAE and previously in the UK. Currently, Dr Mahate is the Head of Export Market Intelligence at the Dubai Exports, and the Vice Chair of the Economic Policy Committee, both of the Dubai Economic Department. Dr Mahate is an advisor to the SME sector and a judge for various industry awards. He is a regular contributor to various business magazines, newspapers, academic journals and chapters in books concerning entrepreneurship, trade, finance and innovation. Dr Mahate received his PhD in Finance from Cass City University and his Masters in International Economics and Banking from the University of Wales in Cardiff. Dr Mahate is a member of Chartered Institute of Managers (UK), Institute of Commercial Management (UK) and Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists.
Dr Cedomir Nestorovic
Professor, Management Department, ESSEC Asia Pacific
Republic of Singapore
Dr Cedomir Nestorovic
Professor, Management Department, ESSEC Asia Pacific
Republic of Singapore
Professor Cedomir Nestorovic teaches Geopolitics, and Islam and Marketing at the ESSEC Business School. He is also the academic co-director of the MBA at the Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain. Cedomir authored several books including Marketing in an Islamic Environment, Marketing Islamico and Marketing dansunenvironnementislamique. He has been a Visiting Professor at University of Malaya, and lectured at University Putra Malaysia, University of Teheran, Kuwait University and University of United Arab Emirates. He is a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Islamic Marketing. Cedomir regularly serves as an expert consultant to companies such as Delphi (USA), Groupama or SEB (France). In 2012 he was recognised as the "Professor of the Week" for Islamic Finance by The Financial Times. He is currently the Director of the ESSEC Executive MBA Asia Pacific in Singapore.
Dr Imran Lum
Associate Director - Islamic Capital Markets, National Australia Bank
Commonwealth of Australia
Dr Imran Lum
Associate Director - Islamic Capital Markets, National Australia Bank
Commonwealth of Australia
Imran is currently an Associate Director at the National Australia Bank and his primary responsibility is building the Islamic finance capability for bank's Product and Markets division. He is part of the Islamic finance working committee of the Australian Financial Markets Association (AFMA) and prior to this, he was the national Product Manager for NAB’s multi-award winning Microenterprise Loans. Imran serves on the Board of the Australia-ASEAN Council, established by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and is an Advisory Board Member of the Islamic Museum of Australia and Piety Investments. He is also an Honorary Research Fellow at the Institute for Religion, Politics and Society at the Australian Catholic University and the Founder of an online Arabic learning platform called arabicmadeinchina.com. Imran has an undergraduate degree from the University of Adelaide, a Masters in Islamic Studies from the University of New England and a PhD in Islamic finance from the Melbourne Law School and the Asia Institute at the University of Melbourne.
Dr Jomo Kwame Sundaram
Assistant Director General & Coordinator for Economic and Social Development, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Dr Jomo Kwame Sundaram
Assistant Director General & Coordinator for Economic and Social Development, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Dr Jomo has been Assistant Director General and Coordinator for Economic and Social Development (ADG-ES), Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations since 2012. He was Assistant Secretary General for Economic Development in the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) from 2005 until 2012, and (Honorary) Research Coordinator for the G24 Intergovernmental Group on International Monetary Affairs and Development from 2006 until 2012. He has received several honours and awards for his work including the 2007 Wassily Leontief Prize for Advancing the Frontiers of Economic Thought. He has authored and edited over a hundred books and translated 12 volumes besides writing many academic papers and media articles. Dr. Jomo was Professor in the Applied Economics Department, Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Malaya, Founder Director of the Institute of Social Analysis (INSAN) and Founder Chair of IDEAs, International Development Economics Associates. He was also on the Board of the United Nations Research Institute on Social Development (UNRISD), Geneva.
Dr Mohd Lutfi Fadil Lokman
MD., Executive Director, Hospital Beyond Boundaries
Malaysia
Dr Mohd Lutfi Fadil Lokman
MD., Executive Director, Hospital Beyond Boundaries
Malaysia
Founder of Hospitals Beyond Boundaries (HBB), Dr Lutfi Fadil bin Lokman is the Executive Director of this non-profit organization with a mission to build hospitals where they are needed most. HBB runs community-based health centres for vulnerable communities, focusing on Southeast Asia. Their first health centre was established in Phnom Penh, providing healthcare accessibility to the marginalized Cham-Muslim ethnic minority of Cambodia. Formerly serving the World Health Organization as an intern at its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, Dr Lutfi Fadil’s main interest lies in the field of international health and infectious disease, often intercalating between treating individual patients and managing the health of poor communities. He is also currently a practicing physician at Sungai Buloh Hospital, Malaysia's national referral centre for infectious disease.
Dr Rikrik Ilyas
Chief Executive Officer, Innokeys Group
Republic of Singapore
Dr Rikrik Ilyas
Chief Executive Officer, Innokeys Group
Republic of Singapore
Dr. Rikrik Ilyas received her Pharmacy degree from Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia, followed by a Master's degree from the National University of Singapore and a PhD from Limburg Universitaire Centrum (now Hasselt University), Belgium. Her professional experience spans from being a medical scientist to being in charge of corporate functions in regulatory, business development, R&D and International business in various local and multinational companies. She has also started biotech companies that are revenue generating and expanding.
Dr Shariha Khalid
Co-founder, Impact Hub Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Dr Shariha Khalid
Co-founder, Impact Hub Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Shariha is a social designer, impact strategist and investor with over 15 years of experience, holding various roles in the public, private and non-profit sectors around the world. She specialises in designing platforms and programmes that support entrepreneurs, change leaders and social innovators, as well as connectingthem with supporters and enablers to create partnerships, policies and innovations. Shariha is a Global Good Fund Ambassador and +SocialGood Connector at the UN Foundation initiative, PlusSocialGood together with partners such as the Rockefeller Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and UNDP. She is also a social entrepreneur in residence at Sunway University Social Enterprise Centre and INSEAD Singapore. Shariha is also involved in Google Business Groups Women Kuala Lumpur, Social Value International as well as Social Progress Malaysia Malaysian chapter as part of her commitment to buildcommunities of practitioners connected to causes.
Dr Stefan Wess
Chief Executive Officer, Empolis Information Management GmbH
Federal Republic of Germany
Dr Stefan Wess
Chief Executive Officer, Empolis Information Management GmbH
Federal Republic of Germany
Dr. Stefan Wess is a researcher, speaker and entrepreneur. He holds a PhD in Artificial Intelligence and is an industry veteran with multinational front-line technology and scientific leadership experience. His professional career includes the role as a technical manager for the US CRM software company Inference (acquired by eGain Inc.). He was a member of the Executive Board at Tecmath AG (Avid today) and also CEO for Tecinno. From 2000 to 2008, Wess was CTO and later CEO of a Bertelsmann Arvato AG subsidiary in Guetersloh, Germany, as well Managing Director of Arvato Middle East in Dubai. He later became a member of the Attensity Group Management Board, out of which Empolis Information Management GmbH was spun off as an independent company in 2012. Wess is a member of the DFKI (German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence) Board of Directors and Trustee of the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft in Germany.
Dr Victoria Kisyombe
Founder and Cheif Executive Officer, Selfina
United Republic of Tanzania
Dr Victoria Kisyombe
Founder and Cheif Executive Officer, Selfina
United Republic of Tanzania
Dr Kisyombe has empowered and improved the livelihoods of many women and their families in Tanzania with micro-leasing. Her success has been recognised by World Bank, World Economic Forum and The International Alliance for Women. Dr Kisyombe is a Council Member of the World Economic Forum for New Growths; a Pioneer Member of the World Entrepreneurship Forum (Lyon, France); Associate Member of Global Banking Alliance for women (USA); Chairperson of the Centre for Advancement of Women in Agriculture in Tanzania (CAWAT), which is supported by Land O Lakes (USA); a Council Member of Tumaini Makumira University in Tanzania; Council Member of United Evangelical Mission (UEM, Germany); and Chairperson of UEM Foundation Board and UEM Investment Trust. Dr Kisyombe received a prestigious Global Leadership Award by Vital Voices Global Leadership, which was founded by the Hon. Hillary Clinton.
Eddy Lee
Founder, Deft Intelligence
United States of America
Eddy Lee
Founder, Deft Intelligence
United States of America
Eddy Lee, PhD has invested in more than 50 startups predominately in the US, Singapore and Indonesia. Investment areas include mobile health, big data and marketplaces. A current focus is the intersection of mobile technology, healthcare and consumer especially for emerging markets. At Deft Intelligence, he works alongside entrepreneurs in product development, enterprise partnership, M&A exit, and entering international markets such as the US, Japan, Singapore and Indonesia. At Stanford University, Eddy concurrently serves as a Consulting Professor at the School of Medicine, where he connects academic projects with commercial opportunities. During his research career at Stanford, Singapore and Australia, he devised medical imaging technology for visualising stem cell migration and therapy. And while at Marvell and Lucent, he designed semiconductor circuits for high speed communications.
Frederic Viala
Founder and President, Entofood Sdn Bhd
Malaysia
Frederic Viala
Founder and President, Entofood Sdn Bhd
Malaysia
In 2012, Frederic VIALA founded ENTOFOOD an innovative Malaysian-based Startup providing sustainable insect protein for fishmeal substitution through a bioconversion process of organic waste. He has more than 20 years of experience in business management and startup development. He launched and led several successful companies and businesses in Europe and Indian Ocean. Frederic is business oriented with strong ethical value toward social and environmental impacts. He is graduated in engineering andland architecture from Geneva HEPIA Technicum (Switzerland).
H.E. Benjamin Clement Eghan
Special Representative of President John Dramani Mahama
Republic of Ghana
H.E. Benjamin Clement Eghan
Special Representative of President John Dramani Mahama
Republic of Ghana
H.E. Dr Ahmed Mohamed Ali Al-Madani
President, Islamic Development Bank and Honorary Fellow, WIEF Foundation
Saudi Arabia
H.E. Dr Ahmed Mohamed Ali Al-Madani
President, Islamic Development Bank and Honorary Fellow, WIEF Foundation
Saudi Arabia
Dr Ahmed Mohamed Ali Al-Madani is the first President of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) since 1975. Dr Ali was born in Saudi Arabia in 1934, where he completed his early education. He holds a B.A. in Commerce and Law from Cairo University. He earned his M.A. and Ph.D., both in Public Administration, from the University of Michigan and State University of New York in 1962 and 1967. He is married and has four children. He returned to Saudi Arabia as the Acting Rector of King Abdulaziz University from 1967 to 1972. In 1972, he was selected to serve as Deputy Minister of Education and served for three years. When the member countries of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) decided to establish the Islamic Development Bank, he was chosen as its first President. His education, background and experience helped him establish a strong base for the mission of the Bank. His qualifications, background and commitment to the development of people have enabled him to take up the challenges of managing the IDB and to widen the spectrum the activities of the Bank. Dr Ali’s views on development have been expressed in many articles, speeches, lectures and working papers on Islamic Economics, Banking and Education. He is a firm believer that Islamic principles and its applications in Economics and Banking has a lot to offer the world and thus contribute positively towards solving the current economic crisis. He is keen on taking the IDB to a world of excellence with the Vision 1440H, which was delineated on behalf of the Bank by a group of Eminent Persons. The Vision 1440H Document aims at alleviating poverty, eradicating illiteracy, providing better healthcare, strengthening ties with private sector and NGOs, and striving for the cause of women. He looks at development as a comprehensive and integrated phenomenon that has to be continuously reviewed and closely coordinated. He seeks cooperation with all people who would like to contribute to a better life for all humans in this global village.
H.E. Dr Dragan Čović
Chairman of the Presidency
Bosnia and Herzegovina
H.E. Dr Dragan Čović
Chairman of the Presidency
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Doctor Dragan Čović, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Born on 20th August 1956 in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 1971 - completed Primary education, and in 1975 Secondary education. In 1979 - graduated from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Mostar 1989 - obtained a Masters degree from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Mostar 1989 - completed Specialist Study of Management, Faculty of Economics in Sarajevo 1996 - obtained a Doctoral degree from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Mostar 1980 - employed by the “SOKO” Mostar Company 1986 - 1992 different managerial posts in the SOKO Mostar Company 1992 - 1998 General Manager of the SOKO Mostar Compnay 1994 - Senior Assistant, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Mostar 1996 - Assistant Professor, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Mostar 2000 - Associate Professor, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Mostar 2004 - Full Professor, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Computing, University of Mostar 2002 - Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Economics, University of Mostar 2007 - Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Mostar 2013 - Corresponding Member of the International Academy of Engineering 2014 - Academician, Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts of BiH 1996 - 1997 Member of the Presidency of the Cantonal Board of HDZ BiH 1997 - 1998 President of the City Organisation of HDZ BiH 1998 - 2001 Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance in the Government of the Federation of BiH 1998 - 2005 Deputy President of HDZ BiH 2002 - 2005 Croat Member of the Presidency of BiH 2005 - President of HDZ BiH 2011 - 2014 Speaker of the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina 2011 - President of the Croatian National Congress of BiH 2014 - Elected as the Croat Member of the Presidency of BiH at the general elections held on October 12, 2014.
H.E. Dr Surin Pitsuwan
Former Secretary General of ASEAN
H.E. Dr Surin Pitsuwan
Former Secretary General of ASEAN
Dr Surin Pitsuwan holds an MA and PhD in political science and Middle Eastern studies from Harvard University. After completing his education in the US, he returned to Thailand to assume a teaching position at Thammasat. He successfully ran for Parliament two years later. As an MP two years later, he was appointed Secretary to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Secretary to Deputy Minister of Interior, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Minister of Foreign Affairs. He served as the Chair of the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting and the Chair of the ASEAN Regional Forum. In 2001, Dr Surin was appointed as a member of the Commission on Human Security of the United Nations. He also served as an advisor to the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty and on the ILO’s World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalisation. He is now active advocate in the promotion of the regional integration in East Asia, educational and political reform efforts in Thailand.
H.E. Tayeb Abdulrahman Al Rais
Secretary General, Awqaf & Minors Affairs Foundation (AMAF)
United Arab Emirates
H.E. Tayeb Abdulrahman Al Rais
Secretary General, Awqaf & Minors Affairs Foundation (AMAF)
United Arab Emirates
Tayeb Abdulrahman Al Rais has been serving as the Secretary General to the AMAF since 2009. Following a career spanning 24 years in the private sector, he took on the opportunity to help people through the management of awqaf funds and empowerment of the minors. Having travelled and lived in countries outside of the Middle East like the USA and London enabled him to generate the vision to guide the foundation in extending a helping hand to all UAE citizens. Al Rais strongly believes that people are the core to the construction of a state and a community and thus he seeks to enhance and develop people’s capabilities.
H.R.H. Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah Al-Maghfur-Lah
Sultan Perak Darul Ridzuan
H.R.H. Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah Al-Maghfur-Lah
Sultan Perak Darul Ridzuan
Hyunju Madison Shin
Global Regulatory Affairs Manager, Daesang Corp.
Republic of Korea
Hyunju Madison Shin
Global Regulatory Affairs Manager, Daesang Corp.
Republic of Korea
Graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, majoring in Sociology and Psychology, Hyunju Shin is currently the Global Regulatory Affairs Manager for Daesang Corp., one of the leading food manufacturing companies in Korea. Hyunju specializes in global food regulations and food safety issues. She has been a part of the regulatory planning and strategy team of Quality Management and is also in charge of food certifications, such as Halal, Kosher, organic, gluten-free certificates, etc. In addition, she has attended and participated in the certified Halal international auditor training program organized by INHART(International Institute for Halal Research and Training) and International Islamic University Malaysia, receiving a certification as a Halal internal auditor. Hyunju also attended International training on Halal Assurance System organized by LPPOM MUI Indonesia.
Irfan Siddiqui
President & Chief Executive Officer, Meezan Bank Ltd.
Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Irfan Siddiqui
President & Chief Executive Officer, Meezan Bank Ltd.
Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Irfan Siddiqui is the founding President and CEO of Meezan Bank. He initiated the formation of Al-Meezan Investment Bank in 1997, which was converted into a full-fledged scheduled Islamic Commercial Bank in May 2002 - the first ever Islamic Commercial Banking license given in Pakistan. Meezan Bank isnow the largest Islamic Commercial Bank in Pakistan with 490 branches spread across 120 cities. Irfan is a Chartered Accountant from England & Wales and has extensive financial sector experience with Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Abu Dhabi Investment Company, Kuwait Investment Authority and Pakistan Kuwait Investment Company (Pvt.) Ltd. He is also a Member of the Government of Pakistan Steering Committee for ‘Promotion of Islamic Banking in Pakistan’, on the Board of Trustees of the Accounting and Auditing Organization for IslamicFinancial Institutions (AAOIFI), Bahrain and Chairman of IBP Sub Committees for Academic Board and Finance Committee.
Jagjit Kaur
Head, Digital Innovation & Transactional Banking (Wholesale Banking), Hong Leong Islamic Bank Berhad
Malaysia
Jagjit Kaur
Head, Digital Innovation & Transactional Banking (Wholesale Banking), Hong Leong Islamic Bank Berhad
Malaysia
With over 24 years of Shariah and conventional banking experience, Jagjit Kaur heads the Digital Innovation and Transactional Banking of Hong Leong Bank Bhd. She was previously the Head of Business Automation and Transaction Banking of Hong Leong Islamic Bank Bhd. Jagjit currently leads a team responsible for the development, execution and management of wholesale digital banking products, serving Government entities, corporate and SME’s. She is also actively involved in MEPS and MyClear working committees in ensuring all statutory and regulatory requirements are met in all solutions offered.
Jamaludin Bujang
Chief Executive, MAVCAP
Malaysia
Jamaludin Bujang
Chief Executive, MAVCAP
Malaysia
Jamaludin is currently the Chief Executive of MAVCAP, a wholly-owned venture capital firm of the Ministry of Finance Inc. He joined MAVCAP in 2011 from another state-owned VC, Malaysian Technology Development Corp, specialising in biotechnology investments. Prior to that, he was an Investment Analyst with a number of local and international firms over a period of 15 years, specialising in the energy and telecommunications sectors. He graduated with BBA in Economics and Masters in Laws from the Wichita State University, USAand from the International Islamic University, Malaysia. He is currently the Chairman of Malaysian Venture Capital Association and a member of the Malaysian Venture Capital Development Council.
Javier Santiso
Executive Director, Investments, and Head of Khazanah Europe
London
Javier Santiso
Executive Director, Investments, and Head of Khazanah Europe
London
Javier Santiso holds an MBA and PhD in economics, finance and the political economy. He studied at Oxford, Harvard, HEC and Sciences Po Paris, and has published several books on emerging markets with MIT Press, Oxford University Press and Cambridge University Press. Javier served as the Director General and Chief Economist of the OECD Development Centre and has expended his skills as a senior advisor for emerging markets and new investment strategies at Amundi, one of the top ten private asset management firms in the world. He is a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum and has been advising the Colombian and Spanish Governments on Sovereign Funds and Innovation. Javier is currently the Executive Director for Investments of Khazanah Europe and Head of the European Office based in London.
Khatija Barday-Wood
Founder and Cheif Executive Officer , EIMAN
United Kingdom
Khatija Barday-Wood
Founder and Cheif Executive Officer , EIMAN
United Kingdom
A feminist activist advocating gender equality, Khatija Barday-Wood is an agent for change with a belief that women united, can lead. Khatija is Founder and CEO of EIMAN - formed to empower and transform Muslim Women into positive role models currently focusing on creating strong leadership & effective economic participation. Khatija works with NGOs and attends important conferences nationally and at United Nations (New York and Geneva) which encompass gender equality, leadership and entrepreneurship. She is proactive in CSW and been UKNGOCSW core group member for 3 years working with Government Equalities Office pre CSW. Prior to EIMAN Khatija worked as a forensic accountant consultant for blue chip companies, consultancy businesses in Creative and Engineering Industries. Khatija championed the value of “women returners” and transferable skills within the employment market. Her positive experiences have formed her into a champion to ensure girls and women are provided with the best for them to become economically independent and strong leaders.
Linar Yakupov
President, Association of Regional Investment Agencies
Russian Federation
Linar Yakupov
President, Association of Regional Investment Agencies
Russian Federation
Linar Yakupov is currently the President of the Association of Regional Investment Agencies of Russia, a specialised platform for interaction and exchange of experiences among major regional investment agencies and development corporations of the Russian Federation with a view to maximise their integration in the international investment community. Linar is a founder and President of the Islamic Business and Finance Development Fund (IBFD Fund), the centre of competence in Islamic business and finance of Russia. He also serves as an advisor to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan, is a member of the Presidential Council for Cooperation with International Financial Organizations and a board member of the Tatarstan Investment Company. Linar previously served as the CEO of Tatarstan Investment Development Agency (TIDA), member of the Government, and Director for Eastern Europe in the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA). Linar has been awarded, among others, the prestigious Global Islamic Finance Awards (GIFA) for his effectiveness in promoting Islamic banking and finance in Russian Federation since 2001. He is a participant and speaker at large-scale events on Russian and international level, and conducts master classes to regional governments, advising on investment policies and strategies.
Lisa Oake
Former Co-host of CNBC Asia’s Squawk Box and CEO, Oake Media
Republic of Singapore
Lisa Oake
Former Co-host of CNBC Asia’s Squawk Box and CEO, Oake Media
Republic of Singapore
Holding a masters degree in journalism from Canada’s University of Western Ontario, Lisa Oakeis is currently the CEO of Oake Media, and the former co-host of CNBC Asia’s top-rated morning program Squawk Box. She has eighteen years of experience covering global economics, business and politics. Lisa has conducted thousands of interviews with CEO’s, central bank governors and heads of state including Indonesia’s Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Thailand’s Abhisit Vejjajiva, New Zealand’s Helen Clarke and Canada’s Kim Campbell.
Marcos S. Jank
Vice President, Corporate Affairs & Business Development - BRF Asia Pacific
Republic of Singapore
Marcos S. Jank
Vice President, Corporate Affairs & Business Development - BRF Asia Pacific
Republic of Singapore
As Vice President of corporate affairs and business development for BRF, Marcos Jank currently handles government and stakeholder relations for one of the largest and most successful food companies in the world. He was previously the President and CEO of the Brazilian Sugar Cane Industry Assoociation (UNICA), founding president of the Brazilian Institute for International Trade Negotiations (ICONE), special expert in Integration and Trade at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and served 18 years as Associate Professor at the University of São Paulo’s (USO) faculty of Economics and Agriculture. Fluent in Portugese, English, French and Spanish, Marcos has also consulted internationally for the World Bank, IDB, FAO, OECD, UNDP, the Hewlett Foundation and other global organizations. He holds an MSc in agri-food policies and a PhD from the School of Economics and Business, University of São Paulo.
Martin Nygate
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Gentay Communications Pte Ltd
Republic of Singapore
Martin Nygate
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Gentay Communications Pte Ltd
Republic of Singapore
Founder & CEO of Gentay Communications Martin Nygate is a seasoned entrepreneur with a penchant for startup success, he is the architect behind the nanu business. Martin has made a career out of delivering profitable high-tech sales and communications solutions to the maritime and software industries, spanning Asia and Europe. Product expertise includes CRM, ERP, CCTV, SIM card, banking and voice over internet protocol (VoIP) software. Nanu was conceived from Martin’s singular mission to revolutionize the telecommunications industry.
Matthew Driver
Group Executive, Global Products and Solutions,
MasterCard Asia Pacific
Matthew Driver
Group Executive, Global Products and Solutions,
MasterCard Asia Pacific
Matthew Driver is the Group Executive and Head of Global Products and Solutions for MasterCard Asia Pacific and based in Singapore. In this role, Matthew leads the development of innovative products and services that benefit consumers, merchants, business partners and governments for MasterCard across Asia Pacific to further advance the company’s vision of achieving a World Beyond Cash. Matthew has responsibility for Core Products, Emerging Payments & Digital Platforms, Processing Services, MasterCard Advisors, as well as Marketing and Communications in Asia-Pacific. Prior to his current role, Mr. Driver was most recently the President of Southeast Asia, and has held a range of global and regional general management and business development roles at MasterCard in both Singapore and London. Mr. Driver joined MasterCard in 2002 and has over 26 years of experience in banking, payments and business services. He has had an extensive international career in financial services having worked at American Express, Edengene, group companies of WPP plc and Westpac Banking Corporation in Auckland, Hong Kong, London and Singapore. Mr. Driver regularly speaks on the role of payments in driving economic growth appearing on CNBC, BBC, Bloomberg, Channel News Asia and the Wall Street Journal. He has represented MasterCard at APEC, WEF East Asia, and in many other ASEAN payments events. He has participated in forums on financial inclusion and the digitalization of payments at WEF, the GPFI Forum at the G20, as well as the Responsible Finance Forum. Born in New Zealand, and a Singapore citizen, Mr. Driver has Executive MBA's from Columbia University in New York, and from London Business School; a Master’s degree (honours) in International Business and Marketing from the University of Auckland, NZ; and a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Economics & Marketing from the University of Otago, NZ. Mr. Driver is married to Patricia, an executive coach and they have five children.
Melanie Elturk
Cheif Executive Officer and Chief Designer, Haute Hijab
United States of America
Melanie Elturk
Cheif Executive Officer and Chief Designer, Haute Hijab
United States of America
Based in the United States, Melanie Elturk is the CEO of Haute Hijab, an online retailer for modest fashion. She designs all the clothing in-house and engages with customers directly to provide high-quality, expertly crafted and uniquely designed hijabs and clothing. Melanie aims to instill self-confidence in hijab-wearing women worldwide, and in addition to her clothing and hijab line; she facilitates support for those struggling with hijab, and also highlights inspiring women who contribute to their communities in meaningful ways. By providing compelling and innovative products and connecting with her customers in a meaningful way, Melanie has propelled Haute Hijab from a cult favorite to a household name with a loyal following and dynamic social media presence.
Melih Araz
Managing Director, ATA Holding/Ata Invest A.S.
Republic of Turkey
Melih Araz
Managing Director, ATA Holding/Ata Invest A.S.
Republic of Turkey
With more than four decades of international experience at CEO / Board level in areas of corporate and investment banking, finance, strategy, leadership, and corporate governance, Melih Araz is currently the Managing Director at Ata Group – a leading private group with investments in food and quick service restaurants in Turkey and China. He is also an independent board member at Enka A.S. (a leading contracting, real estate development and energy giant). Araz actively participates in numerous NGO’s; is Vice-Chairman of the Turkish-Chinese Business Council; Turkish-Japanese Business Council; Corporate Governance Association, member; Advisory member at the Educational Reform Group (ERG), Sabancı University and founding member of TESEV - the leading think tank organization. After serving twelve years at Citibank NA in Istanbul, he joined Interbank as the CEO and led the bank and its subsidiaries to a position of one of the finest and most respected financial institutions in Turkey. Melih Aziz holds an MBA from Kelley School of Business and a PMD from Harvard Business School.
Michael Miebach
President, Middle East and Africa, MasterCard
Michael Miebach
President, Middle East and Africa, MasterCard
Based in Dubai as the president of MasterCard for Moddle East and Africa, Michael Miebach is responsible for driving the evolution of payments and delivering increased value to MasterCard stakeholders in markets across the Middle East and Africa region. He joined MasterCard in 2010 from Barclays Bank PLC where he worked extensively in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, and represented Barclays as a member of the board of directors in Egypt, Tanzaniaand Botswana. Prior to Barclays, Mr. Miebach held several senior-level positions in Citibank; his experience spanned cards and consumer finance, corporate and investment banking, operations and financial control. With a wealth of experience in banking operations, Mr. Miebach lectures at various banking conferencesand has co-authored banking related publications. He promotes community service and is a patron of the leading global student exchange organization, Youth for Understanding. He is a board member for Accion, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to building a financially inclusive world with equal economic opportunity for all and is also a member of the G-20Y Association Advisory Board. Michael holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Passau in Germany.
Mike Michalec
Managing Director, EdTech Asia
Kingdom of Thailand
Mike Michalec
Managing Director, EdTech Asia
Kingdom of Thailand
Mike has a keen interest in the use of mobile and Internet technologies for improved social and economic development outcomes coupled with a strong passion for innovation and entrepreneurship within the education sector. He has extensive experience working with multilateral organisations and the private sector as an international development consultant on education and technology initiatives. Mike is currently the managing director of EdTech Asia, a consultancy, research, and event company that fosters a community of edtech enthusiasts with member groups in a dozen cities throughout Asia.
Muhammed Fazeel
Founder, Benecure
United States of America
Muhammed Fazeel
Founder, Benecure
United States of America
Muhammed is the Founder of Benecure, a company that assists patients suffering from chronic conditions by using smart devices and gamification. It is designed to promote intrinsic motivation which leads to sustained behaviour change. Prior to Benecure, Fazeel co-founded an educational company, Tabule, in 2009. His work has been published in the renowned Forbes, The Chicago Sun Times, Chicago Tribune, and MedCity News, among many others. Additionally, he has spoken at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, TEDxIIT, the American Islamic and Economic Finance Conference, North American Professionals & Entrepreneurs Council Conference, and several university forums. Fazeel is an alumnus from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.
Osama Manzar
Founder & Director, Digital Empowerment Foundation
Republic of India
Osama Manzar
Founder & Director, Digital Empowerment Foundation
Republic of India
Osama Manzar is a leader on a mission to eradicate information poverty in India and the southern region. He is a social entrepreneur, author, columnist, impact speaker, angel investor and mentor. Manzar serves in several government and policy committees in India as well as other international organisations. With 20 years of experience, Osama has worked in the areas of journalism, new media and software enterprise. Eventually, he founded the Digital Empowerment Foundation, which currently has presence in more than 10 countries with 150 locations and interventions, mostly in South Asia. He has co-authored more than five books including Internet Economy of India, and instituted 10 awards to give recognition to digital innovations for development projects in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. He is a member of licensing committee for a community radio in India, and a Member of Working Group - IT for Masses at the Ministry of IT in India.
Pacita Juan
Founder, ECHOstore Sustainable Lifestyle and President, Women's Business Council of Philippines
Republic of the Philippines
Pacita Juan
Founder, ECHOstore Sustainable Lifestyle and President, Women's Business Council of Philippines
Republic of the Philippines
Pacita has been active in social development since 1999. She currently heads the Women’s Business Council of the Philippines and the Philippine Coffee Board Inc. She is also the Chapter Chair of Women Corporate Directors of Philippines and a Board Member of Peace and Equity Holdings Inc, a new subsidiary of the biggest endowment fund in the Philippines handling over ₱2 Billion in assets. Pacita runs a social enterprise called the ECHOstore, which promotes sustainable lifestyle and is the first specialty store of its kind in the Philippines. ECHO means Environment, Community, Hope and Organisation. The store sources all their merchandise from marginalised communities around the country, thus promoting environment-friendly and upcycled artisanal crafts.
Prof. Datuk Dr Syed Othman Alhabshi
Deputy President Academic, International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance (INCEIF)
Malaysia
Prof. Datuk Dr Syed Othman Alhabshi
Deputy President Academic, International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance (INCEIF)
Malaysia
Holding a B.Ec (Hons) in Statistics from University of Malaya, M.S. (Statistics) from University of Wisconsin, U.S.A. and Ph.D.in Econometrics from University of Birmingham, U.K., Professor Alhabshi hasserved in various academic capacities in four public universities in the country. He also served as the Founding President and CEO of Universiti Tun Abdul Razak after serving Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia as the Deputy Director-General. Among others, he was a member of Etiqa Takaful Berhad Board, Maybank Islamic Board and Asia Unit Trust Board. He is currently a Board member of several educational institutions, standard setting bodies and Professional Councils. He also serves as a Shariah Advisor for Islamic insurance companies and asset and fund management companies. He has written and publish numerous articles on various topics related to Islam, Economics, Banking, Takaful, Ethics and has written and edited a total of 12 books.
Prof. Dr Achmad Suryana
Senior Researcher, Indonesian Center for Agriculture Socio Economic & Policy Studies (ICASEPS), Ministry of Agriculture
Republic of Indonesia
Prof. Dr Achmad Suryana
Senior Researcher, Indonesian Center for Agriculture Socio Economic & Policy Studies (ICASEPS), Ministry of Agriculture
Republic of Indonesia
Prof. Dr Achmad Suryana is a senior researcher at Indonesian Center for Agricultural Socio Economic and Policy Studies, Agency for Agricultural Research and Development, Ministry of Agriculture. He is also a visiting Professor in the field of agribusiness policy at Graduate School, Bogor Agricultural University, Indonesia. He served as Director General of the Indonesian Agency for Food Security for two terms (2000-2004 and 2008-2014), and Director General of the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development, Ministry of Agriculture (2004-08). He was appointed as Director Bureau of Planning (1998-2000) and Director of Center for Agricultural Socio Economic Research, Ministry of Agriculture (1995-1998). Prof. Suryana earned an engineering degree in agriculture in 1978 and Master of Science in agricultural socio economics in 1980, both from Bogor Agricultural University, Indonesia, and obtained a PhD degree from North Carolina State University, USA, in 1986, in the field of agricultural economics. Prof. Suryana was a member of the National Research Board, Indonesia (2005-08) and vice chair of National Bioethics Committee (2005-2008). At international fora, he was a member of APTERR (ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve) Council (2012-2014), and member of the Board of Trustees of International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) for two terms (2008-2013). He was also appointed as Chair of APEC-PPFS (Policy Partnership on Food Security, 2013).
Prof. Dr Volker Nienhaus
Former President, University of Marburg
Federal Republic of Germany
Prof. Dr Volker Nienhaus
Former President, University of Marburg
Federal Republic of Germany
Prof. Dr Nienhaus received his doctorate and post-doctorate in economics from the University of Bochum, Germany. He was Full Professor of economics at the German universities of Trier and Bochum, Vice Rector of the University of Bochum and President of the University of Marburg. He holds an honorary professorship at the University of Bochum and is a Visiting Professor at the University of Reading, UK. He was Visiting Professor at the University of Malaya and the Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies. He served as a consultant to the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) and in several academic advisory committees and boards. He is a member of the Governing Council and Adjunct Professor of INCEIF in Kuala Lumpur and a member of the International Advisory Panel of the WIEF Foundation. He is also a member of the Supervisory Board of FWU AG in Munich.
Rani Wemel
Co-founder, MymobileUni
Malaysia
Rani Wemel
Co-founder, MymobileUni
Malaysia
Rani Wemel, COO and co-founder of LTT Global, a global pioneer in mobile learning, started from her dining table with a vision to make learning accessible and affordable for all. Her years of experience and diverse background in finance, PR, branding and law contributed much to her present success. MyMobileUniversity, her global initiative is a free holistic learning site. She is the co-founder of Mobile Industry Group (MOBIG) and the Asia Pacific Mobile Learning & Edutainment Advisory Panel (APACMLEAP). A proud finalist of “teleworking mums”, she is also a nominee for the Prime Minister’s Woman Entrepreneur 2011 Award and Woman Social Activist 2011 Award. She is a member of the United Nations Global Alliance for ICT and Development (UN-GAID) and Open Education Europa and a selected mentee for the Cherie Blair Foundation.She serves as a mentor, speaker, panelist, honorary advisor for global companies and sits on committeesdriving the mobile sector.
Roberto C. Amores
Director-in-Charge for Agriculture, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Republic of the Philippines
Roberto C. Amores
Director-in-Charge for Agriculture, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Republic of the Philippines
Holding a BA Major in Social Sciences from the University of the Philippines, Roberto Amores is the President and CEO of Hi-Las Marketing Corporation, one of the leading exporters of Fresh and Processed Mangoes in the Philippines. Out of the more than 37 years of his experience as an Agri-business entrepreneur, 32 years was devoted principally to fresh and processed mangoes and other agricultural produce. Aside from his business, he provides equal devotion to the food processing and exporting industry as a whole through active participation in various organizations and advocacy groups such as Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry; President of PHILFOODEX; PHILEXPORT as Trustee for the Food Sector; Governing council for the Philippine Accreditation Office (PAO); and Philippine Mango Exporters Foundation, Inc. as President, just to name a few.
Roshika Singh
IFC SME Consultant, FIG Advisory Services, South Asia and Advisory Board Member, Fifth Estate India
Republic of India
Roshika Singh
IFC SME Consultant, FIG Advisory Services, South Asia and Advisory Board Member, Fifth Estate India
Republic of India
Roshika Singh holds a BA from the American University and an MSc from LSE, and has also has authored a chapter in a book that examines case studies on commercial banks. She currently works for the International Finance Corporation (IFC) focusing on financial inclusion and collaborating with financial institutions to deepen the reach of SME finance in the region. She is actively engaged in designing Non-Financial Services (NFS) for banks to offer existing and potential Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) customers.
Prior to IFC, Roshika worked at Deloitte as a co-Fund Manager for the Business Linkages Challenge Fund (BLCF), a cost sharing competitive grant scheme aimed towards improving the ability to access markets, enabling benefits of globalization to be secured for, and by the poor. She was also the Activity Manager for the Kosovo Business Finance Fund (KBFF) that established a full-service bank, to mobilize deposits and provide other financial services to SMEs in Kosovo.
Salome Ganibe
Senior Consultant and Gender Expert, Gender Equality Resource Center, Inc.
Republic of the Philippines
Salome Ganibe
Senior Consultant and Gender Expert, Gender Equality Resource Center, Inc.
Republic of the Philippines
Former Executive Director of the Asian Women in Co-operative Development Forum (AWCF) for more than 14 years, backed by 17 years of work promoting gender and development and 25 years of being with the co-operative movement both in the Philippines and in Asia-Pacific, Ms Salome Ganibe pioneered the mainstreaming of gender in co-operatives and drawing attention to the socio-economic impact of co-operatives in communities and the society. Ms Ganibe has developed conceptual frameworks and written resource materials, manuals and modules on women empowerment and gender equality for co-operatives. She has led a technical working group in drafting a government policy entitled “Guidelines for the Promotion of Gender and Development for Co-operatives in the Philippines.” Mas Ganibe has also conceptualized and developed numerous gender equality and development projects in the Philippines. Ms Ganibe is a Masters graduate of Management from the University of the Philippines.
Sangu Delle
Founder and Chief Executive Officer , Golden Palm Investments
Republic of Ghana
Sangu Delle
Founder and Chief Executive Officer , Golden Palm Investments
Republic of Ghana
Sangu graduated from Harvard with highest honours in African Studies and Economics. At Harvard, Sangu co-founded Cleanacwa, which is currently working to bring clean water and sanitation to over 200,000 people across 120 villages in Ghana. Convinced that the real needs of communities can best be met through entrepreneurship, in 2008 he founded an investment holding company, Golden Palm Investments (GPI) to fund promising startups that create social impact and generate jobs. GPI has built a portfolio of greenfield companies in healthcare, real estate, and financial services. Sangu has received several international accolades, including being named Africa’s “Young Person of the Year” in 2014, selected as a 2014 TED Global Fellow, named one of Forbes’ top 30 most promising entrepreneurs in Africa in 2015 and Euromoney’s “Africa’s Rising Stars” award for “outstanding individuals and power brokers who are changing the financial, investment and business landscape in Africa.”
Sean Kidney
Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder
Climate Bonds Initiative
United Kingdom
Sean Kidney
Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder
Climate Bonds Initiative
United Kingdom
Sean Kidney co-founded Climate Bonds, an international NGO working to mobilise debt capital markets for climate solutions. He is currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer, managing projects such as the green bond definitions and certification scheme, which holds US$34 trillion of assets represented on its Board and some 50 organisations involved in its development and governance, advising the EU on mobilising private capital, and working with the China’s central bank on how to grow green bonds in China. Sean is also a founding member of the Green Sukuk Working Group, working to promote environmental investments within the Islamic finance sector, and a consultant to the United Nations Secretary-General's climate finance team. Sean was previously marketing advisor to a number of the largest Australian pension funds.
Sungkyu Chang
Partner, EY Advisory Practice (ASEAN), Ernst & Young
Malaysia
Sungkyu Chang
Partner, EY Advisory Practice (ASEAN), Ernst & Young
Malaysia
Sungkyu Chang is a Partner in EY Advisory Practice, ASEAN, specialised in marketing, sales and service transformation across different industries. Working at the intersection of business and technology, his areas of expertise include operational strategies and implementation of digital, customer and information experiences. His current focus is in the areas of experience design, customer analytics, and omni channel realisation; he builds and delivers programmes in the areas of customer strategy, digitalenablement, CRM, e-Commerce, mobile and social networking. Sungkyu is currently leading Customer competency in ASEAN covering 7 countries. Prior to joining EY, he worked for IBM GBS and PWC Consulting as Marketing and Sales Transformation leader where he led major customer focused projects for top-tier companies. He holds MBA degree from INSEAD, France, and graduated from Yonsei University, Korea with BSc degree majoring computer science.
Tan Sri Dato’ Ahmad Fuzi Haji Abdul Razak
Secretary General, WIEF Foundation
Malaysia
Tan Sri Dato’ Ahmad Fuzi Haji Abdul Razak
Secretary General, WIEF Foundation
Malaysia
Tan Sri Dato' Ahmad Fuzi Haji Abdul Razak was previously the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia. He joined the Malaysian Diplomatic and Administrative Service in 1972, and served in various capacities at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, mainly in the Political Division, and at the Malaysian Missions abroad in Moscow, the Hague, Canberra, Washington and Dhaka. Tan Sri Ahmad Fuzi has previously also served as Director General, Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations Malaysia; Ambassador-at-Large; Malaysia's Representative to the ASEAN High Level Task Force (HLTF) on the Drafting of the ASEAN Charter and Malaysia's Representative to the High Level Panel (HLP) on the Drafting of the Terms of Reference of the ASEAN Human Rights Body. Tan Sri Ahmad Fuzi is currently, Secretary-General of the World Islamic Economic Forum Foundation (WIEF) and Chairman, Amanahraya-Reit Managers Sdn Bhd; Seremban Engineering Berhad; Ranhill Energy and Resources Bhd ; Theatre Management Associates Sdn Bhd; Optima Capital Sdn Bhd; Sofgen (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd and ACE Holdings Sdn Bhd. Tan Sri Fuzi is also a member of the Board of Directors of Maybank Islamic Bhd; Maybank Islamic Asset Management Sdn Bhd; Puncak Niaga Holdings Berhad; Management Development Institute of Singapore; Alstar Solutions Sdn Bhd and WEROS Technology Sdn Bhd as well as Advisor, Xadarcorp Sdn Bhd. Tan Sri Ahmad Fuzi is currently also a Distinguished Fellow, Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) and Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations; Deputy Chairman, Malaysian Member Committee of the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific (CSCAP Malaysia); Member, Board of Trustee, MERCY Malaysia, Perdana Global Peace Foundation (PGPF) and F3 Strategies Bhd; Member,Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS) and Advisor, Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Award (APEA), Malaysia -Myanmar Chamber of Commerce and High School Bukit Mertajam Alumni Malaysia.
Tan Sri Dato’ Megat Zaharuddin Megat Mohd Nor
Non-Independent Non-Executive Director (Chairman)
Malaysia
Tan Sri Dato’ Megat Zaharuddin Megat Mohd Nor
Non-Independent Non-Executive Director (Chairman)
Malaysia
After building an outstanding career for 31 yeasr in the oil and gas industry Tan Sri Dato’ Megat Zaharuddin Megat Mohd Nor retired in 2004, going on to become the Chairman of several organisations including Maxis Communications Bhd, Etiqa Insurance and Takaful, Malaysian Rubber Board. He was also appointed as Director of Capital Market Development Fund until 2010 and Director of Woodside Petroleum Ltd from 2007 to 2011. His current directorships in companies within the Maybank Group include as Chairman of Maybank Investment Bank Berhad and President Commissioner of PT Bank Internasional Indonesia Tbk. He is also the Chairman of PADU Corporation and Director of The ICLIF Leadership and Governance Centre, Malaysia and of the Financial Services Professional Board. Tan Sri Dato’ Megat Zaharuddin Megat Mohd Nor is an Associate of the Royal School of Mines and holds an Honours degree in Mining Engineering from the University of London.
Tan Sri Dr Ahmad Zaidee Laidin
Member of the Board, Open University
Malaysia
Tan Sri Dr Ahmad Zaidee Laidin
Member of the Board, Open University
Malaysia
Professional Engineer, graduated from Brighton College of Technology, Tan Sri Dr Ahmad Zaidee Laidin also holds and MSc in Technological Economics from the University of Stirling. He served 27 years at Tenaga Nasional before being appointed as CEO of Institute Teknologi MARA. Upon its upgrading to a University, he became its first Vice Chancellor. He was elected as a Senior Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, entitling him as "Academician". He was honoured by four UK Universities and one from Malaysia, and received awards from the State and the Federal Governments. He is currently a practicing Engineer and Chairman at ERINCO Sdn. Bhd. Dr Ahmad is also Chairman of the Board of Universiti Teknologi MARA, a member of the International Academic Advisory Committee to Universiti Teknologi Petronas and Universiti Malaysia Pahang, the Secretary General of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, and a Board Member of Open University Malaysia and Meteor Learning Sdn. Bhd. He also serves on the Board of UNITEN and YLI Holdings Bhd, and was recently made a Member of Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA).
Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood
Chief, World Humanitarian Summit Secretariat
United States of America
Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood
Chief, World Humanitarian Summit Secretariat
United States of America
Dr Jemilah Mahmood is the Chief of the World Humanitarian Summit Secretariat and has more than 15 years of experience working in disaster affected countries. She was the Chief of Humanitarian Response at United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in New York from 2009-2011, and from 2011-2013 was concurrently a Senior Visiting Research Fellow at the Humanitarian Futures Programme at King’s Policy Institute, King’s College London, and worked on private sector and military roles in disasters as well as engagement with “new” humanitarian actors. Dr Mahmood is a medical physician and the Founder of MERCY Malaysia, one of the most successful humanitarian organisations from the global south, which she led for a decade. She also co-founded the Asian Disaster Reduction and Response Network in 2004. For her work in humanitarian and peace building, she has been conferred numerous national and international awards.
Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz
Former Minister of International Trade and Industry
Malaysia
Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz
Former Minister of International Trade and Industry
Malaysia
After graduating from the University of Malaya with a Masters degree in Economics, Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz lectured for 10 years in the Faculty of Economics. She was appointed as Senator and later served as Member of Parliament in two Constituencies. Tan Sri was appointed as Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Public Enterprises, followed by a promotion to Deputy Minister of Finance before she held her post as Minister of Public Enterprises for 7 years. She then served 21 years as Minister of International Trade and Industry. After winning a seat in the UMNO Supreme council, Tan Sri served the council for 38 years since 1975. She has received various awards from the States of Selangor, Perak, Malacca, Terengganu and Sarawak, as well as international awards from Thailand, Argentina and Chile. Tan Sri has also been conferred Honorary Doctorates from several Universities, and has served as Chairman in AirAsiaX, Megasteel and Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studio.
Tariq Al-Rifai
Author, Writer and Advisor on Islamic Finance
State of Kuwait
Tariq Al-Rifai
Author, Writer and Advisor on Islamic Finance
State of Kuwait
Tariq AL-Rifai is currently the Head of Investor Relations and Corporate Sustainability at Kuwait Finance House in Kuwait. He is a leading authority on Islamic funds and investment products and is an active speaker and educator at industry events globally. Tariq has previously served as Director of Index Investment Strategy at S&P Dow Jones Indices in Dubai, Vice President of UIB Capital in Chicago (an Islamic private equity firm) and Vice President of HSBC’s Islamic Banking department in New York. He was the founder of Failaka Advisors in 1996, which was the first organization to monitor and publish research on Islamic funds. Today, he is the author of a new book titled Islamic Finance and the New Financial System. The book discusses the problems with our current financial system and why it is overdue for change. It also looks into Islamic finance in search of solutions to a system prone to financial crises.
The Hon. Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak
Prime Minister, Malaysia and Patron, WIEF Foundation
Malaysia
The Hon. Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak
Prime Minister, Malaysia and Patron, WIEF Foundation
Malaysia
He was born into politics. Both his father and uncle were Prime Minister. When his father died he became the youngest MP in Malaysia’s history in 1976, and has since held many major ministerial portfolios. When he became Prime Minister on 3 April 2009, critics called him the ultimate insider. But he has taken many by surprise, implementing the most far-reaching political and economic reforms since Malaysia’s independence. The Prime Minister has, for example: repealed the colonial-era Internal Security Act, which permitted indefinite detention without trial; ended Malaysia’s 60-year State of Emergency; introduced measures to increase media freedom, such as scrapping restrictions on newspaper publishing licenses; reformed the Universities and University Colleges Act to allow undergraduates to participate in political activities; created the Peaceful Assembly Act, for the first time enshrining in law the right to peaceful protest; announced the repeal of the Sedition Act to strengthen freedom of speech; repealed the Banishment Act; repealed the Restricted Residences Act; and implemented various electoral reforms. His Government Transformation Programme has fundamentally changed the provision of government services – improving education, widening access to healthcare, developing rural infrastructure, expanding public transport, reducing poverty, cutting crime and corruption and bringing down the cost of living. Alongside this, his Economic Transformation Programme has significantly liberalised the economy – creating more than 300,000 jobs, raising living standards, encouraging foreign investment and turning Malaysia into one of Asia’s most dynamic and successful economies. The Prime Minister has also introduced the ‘1Malaysia’ concept, stressing the importance of national unity regardless of race or religious belief. In terms of foreign policy, the Prime Minister has called for a new global Movement of the Moderates to combat extremism, attracting support from President Barack Obama and Prime Minister David Cameron, among others. In 2011, Najib Razak became the first Muslim head of government to unequivocally condemn suicide bombing and label it as un-Islamic. He has also contributed to the coalition effort in Afghanistan by sending in female Muslim doctors. Prime Minister has implemented the most far-reaching political and economic reforms since Malaysia’s independence. His Government Transformation Programme has fundamentally changed the provision of government services – improving education, widening access to healthcare, developing rural infrastructure, expanding public transport, reducing poverty, cutting crime and corruption and bringing down the cost of living. His Economic Transformation Programme has significantly liberalised the economy – creating more than 300,000 jobs, raising living standards, encouraging foreign investment and turning Malaysia into one of Asia’s most dynamic and successful economies. Najib Razak was returned to office last May, winning Malaysia’s 13th general election, where he stressed the importance of national unity and working for the betterment of all Malaysians.
The Hon. Tun Musa Hitam
Chairman, WIEF Foundation
Malaysia
The Hon. Tun Musa Hitam
Chairman, WIEF Foundation
Malaysia
Tun Musa Hitam, who is currently Chairman of the World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) Foundation was Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister until 1986. In the course of his service in the Malaysian government, he held various positions including Minister of Home Affairs, Education, Primary Industries and Trade and Industries and Chairman of the Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA). Among his major official activities were as Leader of Malaysian Investment Missions to Europe, USA and Japan and representing Malaysia at UN ECOSOC related negotiating and regular conferences. Since Tun Musa’s retirement from politics in 1987, he held Chairmanships of 3 Public Listed Companies and various business related institutions both at domestic and international levels. He was Chairman of the Malaysia – China Business Council, Co-Chair of the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) of the Asean – China, 15 year economic cooperation program and Chairman of the EPG to draft the Asean Charter. Currently, Tun Musa is Chairman of the Sime Darby Foundation, Chairman of the International Advisory Panel of CIMB Bank, Chairman of the International Selection Panel of the Royal Award on Islamic Finance and member of the Advisory Panel of the Iskandar Development Authority. Tun Musa holds a BA (University of Malaya) and MA (University of Sussex) and held a resident Fellowship at Harvard University. For his services to the nation, The Yang Di Pertuan Agong (King) of Malaysia conferred him Malaysia’s highest award which carries the title “Tun”.
Tina Sciabica
Executive Director, READ (Rural Education and Development) Global
United States of America
Tina Sciabica
Executive Director, READ (Rural Education and Development) Global
United States of America
Tina serves as Executive Director of READ Global, an international nonprofit organization which partners with rural communities to build READ Centers that serve as platforms for education, economic empowerment and community development. To date, READ Global has built 83 READ Centers reaching over 2 million people in rural South Asia. READ has received the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Access to Learning Award, as well as the Lipman Family Prize. READ Global has also been recognized by the Clinton Global Initiative for its unique approach to education and empowerment of women in rural South Asia. Before joining READ, Tina was Deputy Director of Social Venture Network (SVN), a peer-to-peer network of social entrepreneurs solving critical global issues. Prior to that, Tina was a chapter leader for Room to Read, international nonprofit providing educational opportunities for children in Asia and Africa. Earlier in her career, Tina was a commercial litigation attorney. Tina received a bachelor of science in investment finance from the University of Illinois and a Juris Doctor from Indiana University School of Law.
Tod Gimbel
Managing Director, Landmark Asia
Republic of Singapore
Tod Gimbel
Managing Director, Landmark Asia
Republic of Singapore
Holding 20 years of experience in senior leadership roles with large multinational corporations, Tod Gimbel has designed, developed and managed integrated public affairs programs for companies in a number of different industries. His focus is building and overseeing public affairs capabilities that mostpositively impact the company’s bottom line. Tod has also assisted clients in participating in Public Private Partnerships in various issue areas. He has led Asia Pacific Public Affairs functions atCitibank, Kraft Foods and Levi Strauss & Company. Tod has a BA in political science from Lawrence University as well as a Law degree behind his name from Marquette University Law School. Currently, Tod is the Managing Director of Landmark Asia, an independent public affairs agency, specialized in helping organizations understandand engage strategically and effectively with the external environment in which they operate. Landmark focuses on delivery of top quality advisory services tailored to the client’s unique needs.
Yusuf Jaffar
Head, Social Enterprise Ventures, myHarapan
Malaysia
Yusuf Jaffar
Head, Social Enterprise Ventures, myHarapan
Malaysia
Yusuf Jaffar is the head of Social Enterprise Ventures (SEV) at the Youth Trust Foundation, also known as myHarapan. SEV is building Malaysia’s first social impact fund whose investees will be made up exclusively of social enterprises and businesses. He also leads the investment team at IdeasGate.Biz, an online platform that brings together venture capitalists, angel investors and corporations from around the world to invest in innovative ideas within Asia. Previously, he worked in the field of corporate finance and held a position with the Securities Commission Malaysia.
Zeinoul Abedien Cajee
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the National Awqaf Foundation of South Africa
Republic of South Africa
Zeinoul Abedien Cajee
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the National Awqaf Foundation of South Africa
Republic of South Africa
As the founding CEO of the National Awqaf Foundation of SA, Zeinoul Abedien Cajee is involved in several departments of the institution including Strategic Planning, Projects, Investments, and Marketing. He also serves as a consulting partner in a firm of chartered accountants, established by him. Zeinoul previously held a senior lectureship at the University of Johannesburg. He participated in thefirst “Management of Awqaf Properties” course in Jeddah in 1984 and has written and presented several papers relating to Awqaf at various international conferences. He has also been involved in several AwqafSA initiatives including conventions, conferences, and waqf training programmes. Zeinoul has a passion for developing the Waqf sector, particularly in Muslim Minorities and is instrumental in its proliferation in other countries and placement on the agendas of Islamic finance conferences. He is currently working with a team towards the actualization of an International Awqaf Development Council under the auspices of the World Islamic Economic Foundation (WIEF).
Zulfiye Tufa
Blogger and Designer
Commonwealth of Australia
Zulfiye Tufa
Blogger and Designer
Commonwealth of Australia
Australian born blogger and fashion designer, Zulfiye Tufa hails from Turkish and African heritage. Byday she works as a clinical pharmacist in a Melbourne Hospital and by night she is a blogger and YouTuber under the moniker of ‘The Hijab Stylist’. She believes that style is a reflection of who you are and loves to help women develop their own style that they are most comfortable and confident with. She has had her work recognized throughout Australia and recently received the ‘Fashion Icon Award’ inMalaysia and is glad to be back! If she had to sum up her work ethics into one sentence it would be that you can never be overdressed or overeducated.
The Hon. Tun Abdullah bin Hj. Ahmad Badawi
Former Prime Minister of Malaysia
Malaysia
The Hon. Tun Abdullah bin Hj. Ahmad Badawi
Former Prime Minister of Malaysia
Malaysia
Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s career as a civil servant, political leader, diplomat and statesman spanned 45 years. He was born in 1939 into a prominent religious family in the northern state of Penang. Graduating in Islamic Studies from the University of Malaya, Abdullah started in the Malaysian civil service in 1964. He left the civil service as Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sports to become a politician in 1978, and rose to become Prime Minister of Malaysia 25 years later, in October 2003. Abdullah held various positions in government, including Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Minister of Education, Minister of Defence, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Finance. Excelling in diplomacy and international relations, as Prime Minister, Abdullah sought to improve bilateral and multi-lateral cooperation, actively leading (among others) the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) when Malaysia assumed the chair of these international organisations. As Prime Minister, Abdullah introduced the concept of Islam Hadhari to guide development efforts in Malaysia and the wider Islamic world. This move towards progressive Islamic civilisation seeks to make Muslims understand that progress is enjoined by Islam. It is an approach that is compatible with modernity and yet firmly rooted in the noble values and injunctions of Islam. Islam Hadhari espouses ten fundamental principles which were accepted by Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Abdullah focused on human capital development as a key pillar of his Administration. This went beyond merely strengthening lower and higher education in Malaysia, to enhancing mindsets and infusing ethical, moral and religious values. Science and technology was further promoted, while innovation and creativity was pushed to the fore. As Chairman of the OIC, Abdullah waged a war against poverty and the lack of knowledge and development in the Muslim world. Besides emphasising the enhancement of education in OIC countries, Malaysia sought to share its experience in national economy development by initiating a series of self-help projects involving OIC Members and the Islamic Development Bank with the objective of increasing capacities in several poor member countries of the OIC. The immediate purpose was to generate income and provide employment, while the longer-term intention was to assist the OIC countries upgrade their governance and development efforts. Abdullah also sought to provide an economic face to the OIC, in a bid to enhance trade, business and investment linkages between Member countries. The World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF), of which Abdullah is the founder patron, continues to be an important gathering of government and business leaders from the Muslim world and beyond. International Halal fora and trade expositions, initiated by Malaysia, are now held regularly throughout the globe to advance Halal industries, for the benefit of the larger Ummah. Tun Abdullah married the late Tun Endon Dato' Mahmood in 1965 and after 40 years of marriage, lost her after a prolonged battle with cancer on 20 October 2005. They have 2 children and 6 grandchildren. Tun Abdullah married Tun Jeanne Abdullah on 9 June 2007. Abdullah stepped down as Prime Minister on 3 April 2009. He remains committed to pursuing development, promoting progressive Islam and enhancing understanding between the Muslim and Western worlds. He is Chairman of the Malaysian Institute of Islamic Understanding (IKIM), and Chairman of the Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS) in Kuala Lumpur, which he established in 2009. He is the founding patron for the World Islamic Economic Forum. He holds several government advisory roles, including Malaysia’s regional growth corridors and Malaysia Airlines. Internationally, Abdullah is the member of the InterAction Council, board member of BOAO Forum for Asia (BFA) and Vice Chairman, Asian Peace and Reconciliation Council (APRC).
Sevket Can Tulumen
Chairman of Foreign Relations Commision, MUSİAD Businessmen's Association
Republic of Turkey
Sevket Can Tulumen
Chairman of Foreign Relations Commision, MUSİAD Businessmen's Association
Republic of Turkey
Sevket Can Tulumen received his BA in Civil Engineering from Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey and his MA Degree in Civil Engineering from Case Western Reserve University, USA in 1988. His experience includes being a Partner for Tulka Construction and Engineering Company and owner of Tulpa Marketing and Trade Company Ltd. He is currently Member of the Board and Chairman of Foreign Relations Committee for MUSİAD Businessmen Association in Turkey. He is also Member of Auditing Board for Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, ITO.
Salahuddin Kasem Khan
Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, A.K. Khan & Co Limited, Executive Chairman, SEACO Foundation
People's Republic of Bangladesh
Salahuddin Kasem Khan
Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, A.K. Khan & Co Limited, Executive Chairman, SEACO Foundation
People's Republic of Bangladesh
Salahuddin Kasem Khan, Managing Director A. K. Khan & Co. Ltd., Chairman, Coats (Bangladesh), Chairman, A.K. Khan Jute Mills and Director, Bengal Fisheries. Appointed Honorary Consul General of Turkey by the President in 1984. Khan is also the President of the Bangladesh - Malaysia Chamber of Commerce (BMCCI). He is Chairman of the SEACO TASK FORCE and Co-chair of Skills Development WG, Better Business Forum (BBBF), Co-Chair EC National Skills Development Council & Member (NSDC). Member of the WIEF International Advisory Panel (IAP).
Evelyn Mungai
Executive Chairman, Speedway Investments Ltd
Republic of Kenya
Evelyn Mungai
Executive Chairman, Speedway Investments Ltd
Republic of Kenya
She is the Founder and past immediate President of the All Africa Businesswomen Association (AABA) and Vice Chairperson of the African Business Round Table (ABR), body of the African Development Bank (ADB). In 1993 Evelyn Mungai was awarded Lincoln University President's Award for Excellence in Business and Finance. In 2006 the President of Kenya recognised her with the Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW), in recognition of her numerous and significant contributions to the country's development. Member of the WIEF International Advisory Panel (IAP).
Mumtaz Khan
Advisor, The National Oil and Gas Holding Company
Kingdom of Bahrain
Mumtaz Khan
Advisor, The National Oil and Gas Holding Company
Kingdom of Bahrain
Mr Mumtaz Khan is the Advisor of The National Oil and Gas Holding Company in Kingdom of Bahrain. Mr Khan is a recognised leader in private equity in the Middle East and Asia. He was the key person to establish the US$ 730 million Islamic Development Bank Infrastructure Fund (IDB Fund) and served as Chairman and CEO of EMP Bahrain, the general partner and manager of the IDB Fund, for eight years. Mr Khan served as a Managing Director at EMP Global in Washington D.C. and for three years was based in Hong Kong as a Managing Director for the US$ 1.1 billion AIG Asian Infrastructure Fund. Prior to that, Mr Khan was with IFC for 14 years and served as Resident Representative based in Jakarta. Mr Khan also served as a Manager in IFC’s Asia Department responsible for investments in East Asia. He pioneered IFC’s programme in China through extensive engagement with state owned entities in China and the Ministry of Finance. Mr Khan started his career as an engineer in the oil industry in the Middle East and Pakistan. Mr Khan served on the Board of Directors of TAV and Akfen Holding S.A. in Turkey, Advanced Petrochemical Company and Saudi International Petrochemical Company in Saudi Arabia and as an Alternate Director on the Board of YTL Power and as a Director of AirAsia in Malaysia, and Director of AES Oasis. Mr Khan is a founder shareholder of the Singapore based Islamic Bank of Asia and a member of the Advisory Board of the Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum (OMFIF) and serves as Economic Advisor to the World Islamic Economic Forum. He is also a member of the Bretton Woods Committee and served as a member of the Interim Council of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
Zalfian Fuzi
Artistic Director & Chief Executive Officer, Theatre Management Associates Sdn. Bhd.
Malaysia
Zalfian Fuzi
Artistic Director & Chief Executive Officer, Theatre Management Associates Sdn. Bhd.
Malaysia
Director, actor, teacher, and dramaturge, Zalfian has worked in theatre and the creative industry for the past 15 years, having developed, and directed award-winning productions to public and critical acclaim. His specialisations include content creation, acquisition and distribution. He has also programmed art spaces for the convergence of multiple art forms. Zalfian is the Chief Executive Officer of Theatre Management Associates Sdn. Bhd., established to implement plans in arts infrastructure development, touring and coproduction, and training for arts managers. His company comprises a world-class team of practitioners, arts entrepreneurs, and creative people with vast experience in designing, developing, delivering and operating vibrant arts centres, theatres, galleries and music venues.
Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Wan Mohd Zahid Mohd Noordin
Chairman, Management and Science University
Malaysia
Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Wan Mohd Zahid Mohd Noordin
Chairman, Management and Science University
Malaysia
76Tan Sri Dato' Dr Wan Mohd Zahid Mohd Noordin is an educationist by training and profession. He began his career as a teacher and subsequently rose to the rank of Educational Manager within the Ministry of Education. His last position was as Director-General of Education of Malaysia. Tan Sri Dato' Dr Wan Mohd Zahid Mohd is presently Chairman of Management and Science University (MSU), Furukawa Electric Cables (M) Sdn. Bhd, and MARA University of Technology (UiTM). He is also a Director of Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), Amanah Saham Nasional Berhad, Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad, SP Setia Berhad and Amanah Mutual Berhad. He was formerly the Chairman of Berger International Ltd based in Singapore, and Deputy Chairman of International Bank Malaysia Berhad. He is also a board member of the Securities Industry Development Corporation (SIDC), the training and development arm of the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC). Tan Sri Dato' Dr Wan Mohd Zahid holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree from University of Malaya, Masters from Stanford University and PhD from University of California, Berkeley. He underwent a course in business management under the Advanced Management Programme at Harvard Business School. Chairman of WIEF Education Trust, WIEF Board of Trustee and Member of the WIEF International Advisory Panel (IAP).
The Hon. Dato’ Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
Deputy Prime Minister
Malaysia
The Hon. Dato’ Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
Deputy Prime Minister
Malaysia
BIOGRAPHY OF THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA DATO’ SERI DR AHMAD ZAHID BIN HAMIDI Dato’ Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid became Deputy Prime Minister in July, 2015. He is also Minister of Home Affairs, a portfolio he had held since 2013. Prior to that, he was the Defence Minister. He is the Member of Parliament for Bagan Datoh constituency in the State of Perak since winning the seat for the first time in 1995. After the 2004 General Election, Dato’ Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid was appointed the Deputy Tourism Minister and later Deputy Information Minister. After successfully defending the Bagan Datoh parliamentary seat in the 2008 General Election, he was appointed as a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department. A year later, Dato Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid took the appointment as Defence Minister. Before venturing into politics, Dato’ Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid was a banker with among others, the OCBC and Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) where he served as an assistant manager from 1977 to 1979. His talent was spotted by State-owned Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) or the National Equity Corporation and appointed the young Ahmad Zahid, as he was only 26 then, a marketing manager at Amanah Saham Nasional Berhad (ASNB), a wholly-owned subsidiary of PNB. The stint at PNB presented him with the opportunity to learn the ropes and being a good and fast learner, Dato’ Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid later found himself with a huge task. Ironically, the task was to rejuvenate BSN and he accepted the challenges. It was under his chairmanship between 1994 and 1999 that BSN saw its biggest transformation from a “post-office savings bank” to among those with the largest network in the country. Dato’ Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid was born on Jan 4, 1953 in Bagan Datoh, Perak. He is the eldest son of nine siblings. Had a Chinese foster-father with whom they ice cream together for six years while he was in elementary school. In 1975, Dato’ Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid graduated from University Malaya, the country’s most prestigious university then and still is now, with a Bachelor in Economics and Malay Study. While being a deputy minister, Ahmad Zahid pursued a doctorate degree at Universiti Putra Malaysia and was conferred a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Communication in 2008 at the age of 55. The major factor for his success was his belief in lifelong learning and hoped that it would encourage young generation to purse their education to a higher level.
Attiya Nawazish Ali
Assistant Secretary General, Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture
Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Attiya Nawazish Ali
Assistant Secretary General, Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture
Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Attiya Nawazish Ali has been working in the Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (ICCIA), which is an affiliated Institution of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) since its establishment in 1980. She has been working with the private sector of 57 OIC member countries, and has spear headed projects focused on Capacity Building, Poverty Alleviation, Microfinance, Value Addition, Entrepreneurship development, SME development and transferring of knowledge and expertise. She represents Islamic Chamber at numerous international events and brings with her a rich experience of the private sector of the OIC Countries. She works closely with some of the UN Agencies and other International Organization and Association working in similar fields, aiming at South-South Cooperation.
Kunrat Wirasubrata
Acting Director, Islamic Development Bank
Malaysia
Kunrat Wirasubrata
Acting Director, Islamic Development Bank
Malaysia
Based in Kuala Lumpur, Kunrat Wirasubrata is the Acting Director of Islamic Development Bank Group Regional Office for Southeast Asia since December 2011. Before being posted in Kuala Lumpur, he worked in IDB headquarters in Jeddah managing IDB portfolio in East and Central Africa, and before that in South and Central Asia.
Raja Teh Maimunah Raja Abdul Aziz
Chief Executive Officer, Hong Leong Islamic Bank
Malaysia
Raja Teh Maimunah Raja Abdul Aziz
Chief Executive Officer, Hong Leong Islamic Bank
Malaysia
Raja Teh is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Hong Leong Islamic Bank, and also holds the position of Chief Operating Officer for Digital Innovation & Transactional Banking of Hong Leong Bank. Prior to her current appointment, she was the Global Head of Islamic Markets at Bursa Malaysia, Chief Corporate Officer and Head of International Business at Kuwait Finance House Malaysia, CEO of Bank AlKhair Malaysia, and Head of Investment Banking at RHB Sakura Merchant Bank. She had also served in Malaysia’s national asset management and debt recovery agency, CIMB Investment Bank and KPMG Peat Marwick Consultants. Raja Teh is the Advisor on Islamic Banking and Finance to the WIEF Foundation, a Board Member of Islamic Banking and Finance Institute Malaysia, and a member of the Islamic Finance Committee for the Malaysian Institute of Accountants. She also sits on the Board of Hong Leong MSIG Takaful.
H.E. Sun Chanthol
Senior Minister and Minister of Commerce
Kingdom of Cambodia
H.E. Sun Chanthol
Senior Minister and Minister of Commerce
Kingdom of Cambodia
Chanthol Sun is currently a Senior Minister, Minister of Commerce and Vice Chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC). He was previously a Senior Minister and Vice Chairman of the CDC from 2008 to 2013. Mr Sun was a Minister of Public Works and Transport from 2004 to 2008 and was elected as a Member of Parliament in 2003. He founded SCI Co., Ltd., an investment and trading firm, in Cambodia in 1999, and served as an Economic and Finance Advisor to the President of the National Assembly from 1999 to 2003. Mr. Sun was a Secretary of State for the Ministry of Economy and Finance and Secretary General of the CDC from 1994 to 1997. Previously, Mr Sun worked for General Electric for 16 years, where he held a variety of executive positions. He received a B.S. in Business Administration (BSBA) from American University, Advanced Management Program (AMP) from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and a Master in Public Administration (MPA) from Harvard University. Mr. Sun was elected as a Global Leader for Tomorrow of the World Economic Forum in 1995. He has been a member of the Wharton Executive Board for Asia since 2002 and served as the first Chairman of the Wharton Executive Board for Asia from 2009 to 2013.
Assoc. Prof. Dr Madeline Berma
Director, Tun Fatimah Hashim Women's Leadership Centre
Malaysia
Assoc. Prof. Dr Madeline Berma
Director, Tun Fatimah Hashim Women's Leadership Centre
Malaysia
Doctoral graduate of University of Hull, England, Madeline Berma’s expertise lies in development studies, and her research work focuses on rural development, indigenous economic development, and women development. She is currently an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Management, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and is also the Director of the Tun Fatimah Hashim Women’s Leadership Centre. Dr Madeline has done extensive research on economic development, focusing on poverty, and the indigenous communities. She also worked extensively with Government agencies and NGOs, particularly on economic empowerment programs. In that capacity, she has been in several leadership roles involving policy and advocacy for marginalised communities. Dr Madeline has published and presented more than 80 conference papers, journal articles, and books. She has been a researcher, consultant, and keynote speaker in national and international conferences. Currently, she is heading an action research to evaluate the effectiveness of the Ministry of Women, Community and Family Development’s economic empowerment programs. She is also a member of the National Unity Consultative Council which was formed to address unity-related issues in Malaysia.
H.E. Bambang Permadi Soemantri Brodjonegoro
Minister of Finance
Republic of Indonesia
H.E. Bambang Permadi Soemantri Brodjonegoro
Minister of Finance
Republic of Indonesia
Bambang, who was born on October 3rd, 1966, received his bachelor’s degree majoring in Economic Development and Regional Economy from Faculty of Economics, Universitas Indonesia in 1990. He continued his master degree in University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States and graduated in 1995. In 1997, he earned his PhD from the same university. He once became the guest lecturer in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States in November 2002. Then he served as the Dean of Faculty of Economics, Universitas Indonesia during 2005 – 2009 and Director General Islamic Research and Training Institute, Islamic Development Bank up to 2010. On January 21st, 2011, he was inaugurated as the Acting Head of Fiscal Policy Office, Ministry of Finance. Starting on October 1st, 2013, Bambang served as the Vice Minister of Finance II while still became the Professor of Economics of Faculty of Economics, Universitas Indonesia. On October 27th, 2014, President Joko Widodo inaugurated Bambang P. S. Brodjonegoro as the Minister of Finance in his Working Cabinet for period 2014-2019.
The Rt. Hon. Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
United Kingdom
The Rt. Hon. Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
United Kingdom
Lord Ahmad was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Home Office in May 2015. He has more than 20 years of professional experience in banking and finance. He was educated at Rutlish School and London South Bank University (LSBU) as well as the Chartered Institute of Financial Services. He is a member of the United Kingdom House of Lords. Lord Ahmad was raised to the peerage in 2011 and served as a party whip before being appointed to government. He was vice-chairman of the Conservative Party between 2008 and 2010 with responsibility for cities. He also served as a Councillor (Wimbledon Park) and Cabinet Member in the London Borough of Merton between 2002 to 2012.
Freda Miriklis
Co-chair, Commonwealth Businesswomen Network (CBW)
Freda Miriklis
Co-chair, Commonwealth Businesswomen Network (CBW)
Freda is co-founding chair of the not for profit membership company registered in the UK with a remit to encourage, enable and embed economic empowerment for women in the Commonwealth. Freda is an entrepreneur, executive and board director with experience educating and supporting world leaders and CEOs to promote equality and economic opportunities that empower women at a global level. She is an inaugural member of the United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles: Equality Means Business Leadership Group, based in New York, and a member of the WEPs CEO Leadership Awards Committee. She is also a director of The Hellinic Initiative (Aust). She worked in the investment advisory industry for over two decades and a market commentator in broadcast and print media. A sought after conference speaker, Freda is a leader of international consortia promoting global commercial collaborations and alliances; and is involved in establishing sustainable investment frameworks and policies by creating commercial partnerships in the investment and finance sector. Freda is a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FinSia), Master Stockbroker with the Stockbrokers Association of Australia and Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA).
H.E. Yaqub Eyyubov
First Deputy Prime Minister
Republic of Azerbaijan
H.E. Yaqub Eyyubov
First Deputy Prime Minister
Republic of Azerbaijan
Yaqub Eyyubov was born in 1945 in Baku, Azerbaijan. In 1963-1964, he studied at Azerbaijan Technical University. He briefly worked at the Sattarkhan Plant (then the Lieutenant Schmidt Plant). He was conscripted to military service in the Soviet Army from 1964 to 1967. In 1968, after returning to Baku, he continued his education at Azerbaijan Technical University and graduated in 1972 with a degree in construction engineering. While at the university, he was the chairman of the Komsomol Committee of the Construction Studies Department from 1970 through 1972. In 1973-1974, he was deputy chairman of the party committee of the university. Eyyubov worked as a senior professor, assistant dean, docent, acting dean, prorector on scientific issues and department director at Azerbaijan Architecture and Construction University from 1975-1997. Political career From 1997-1999, he chaired the Regulation of Industrial Activities Safety Committee and Highland Field Exploration Regulation Committee. From 1999 until 2003, he served in the Cabinet of Azerbaijan as Deputy Prime Minister mainly coordinating issues of the energy industry. In 2001, he was appointed head of the committee on termination and privatization of a large state company, Azneftekhimmash. On February 13, 2003 he was appointed as First Deputy Prime Minister. Yaqub Eyyubov has chaired the Interdepartmental Committee for Protection of State Secrets under the President of Azerbaijan (established on January 17, 1997); Committee for Cooperation with NATO under the President of Azerbaijan (established on November 14, 1997).
Mark Beards
Director of Corporate Development, Cell Therapy Limited
United Kingdom
Mark Beards
Director of Corporate Development, Cell Therapy Limited
United Kingdom
Mark Beards brings over 20 years’ experience in the life sciences and financial sectors. He has worked in sales, marketing and R&D roles at Abbott Laboratories and GlaxoSmithKline. He also brings a significant amount of life science strategic consulting experience, from McKinsey & Company, and as co-lead for life sciences strategy at Charles River Laboratories. Mark was the Head of Healthcare Equity Research at Goldman Sachs where he built a new team focused on the European pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical technology sectors. He was most recently Director of Life Sciences Strategy at KPMG. Mark holds a BA(Hons) and MA in Mathematics from The Queen’s College, Oxford University. He is a qualified Chartered Management Accountant.
Aziz Senni
Founder, Impact Partners
French Republic
Aziz Senni
Founder, Impact Partners
French Republic
Aziz Senni is a dedicated French entrepreneur, age 39, married and father of one son. Aziz is the founder of several enterprises covering transport, property investment and business consultant. He founded “Business Angel des cités“, which is currently known as Impact Partenairs (Impact Partners), an investment fund supported by distinguished business gurus in France such as Claude Bébéar, founder of AXA and dedicated to the development of underprivileged suburban areas. Aziz plays a pivotal role in civic engagement in France, rigorously promoting entrepreneurship, social mobility, equal opportunities and peaceful coexistence of people from different backgrounds. He is the author of three books on social mobility and entrepreneurship, his engagement with civil society is widely recognized at the national, European and international levels.
Prof. Dr Pieternal A.M. Claassen
Senior Scientist, Wageningen UR Food & Biobased Research
The Netherlands
Prof. Dr Pieternal A.M. Claassen
Senior Scientist, Wageningen UR Food & Biobased Research
The Netherlands
She has a full honours degree in Molecular Sciences and a PhD in microbial physiology and biochemistry, both from Wageningen University. After obtaining her Ph. D. Dr Claassen worked at Shell Research Centre in the UK on microbial desulfurisation using extremophilic bacteria. In 1987 she started her career at the Institute for Processing of Agricultural Produce which later became Food & Biobased Research. In 1995 she became manager of projects addressing the topic of energy and chemicals from renewable resources. She has been supervisor of many (post) doctoral employees and students, several coming from abroad on Huygens, Leonardo or Erasmus fellowships, or doing project research at Wageningen University and the Technical University of Delft. Besides a role as research manager, Dr Claassen is member of the Board of the Dutch BioHydrogen Foundation, member of the Dutch BioHydrogen Network and member of the working group ‘Economics of (Bio)hydrogen’ of the Dutch Association for Hydrogen and vice-president of the International Association for the Hydrogen Economy (IAHE), subdivision Biohydrogen. Dr Claassen has great experience in the coordination of multidisciplinary projects. The most current examples are the European project HYVOLUTION with 22 participants (www.hyvolution.nl) from all over Europe, Turkey, Russia and South Africa and the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking project HyTIME (www.hy-time.eu) with 9 partners all coming from research organisations and industries. Both projects address the non-thermal production of hydrogen from biomass using bacteria, and range from biomass procurement to hydrogen upgrading and utilisation. Before, Dr Claassen has been coordinator of several large (>MEuro) projects: Biological Hydrogen Production, ABE fermentation, Bio-energy in Wageningen, funded by the Dutch government and BIOHYDROGEN, ANIMO (New bioprocess for the production of ‘green’ agrochemicals), funded by the EU. In September 2011 Dr Claassen was appointed as the first Chairholder of the Chair “Zero waste technology for the palm oil industry at the National University of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur. Dr Claassen has numerous publications and holds a patent on the combination of A(I)BE and hydrogen fermentation. She has been nominated for the International Energy Agency Award 2012 with her work in HYVOLUTION.
James Chau
Special Contributor, CCTV News
People’s Republic of China
James Chau
Special Contributor, CCTV News
People’s Republic of China
He has interviewed a range of personalities, amongst them Winnie Mandela, Robert Mugabe, Elton John, Paul Kagame, Muhammad Yunus, Joko Widodo, Diane von Furstenberg, Bob Geldof, Annie Lennox, Jimmy Choo, Fatima Bhutto, Kevin Rudd, David Tang, Mary Robinson, Lauren Bush, Arianna Huffington and Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan. He was the first journalist from China to interview Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung Sang Suu Kyi. In 2015 he was named Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, an honour that recognises his journalism and his activism as Goodwill Ambassador for UNAIDS — the first person in China appointed to this role. He is a frequent public speaker and recently moderated an event led by philanthropist Bill Gates. He was named by art publication Larry’s List to its Top 50 Art Collectors and is a Trustee of the Menuhin Competition, the world’s leading platform for young violinists. Born in London he studied piano at the Royal Academy of Music and graduated from Cambridge University. He lives in Beijing.
Kamarul Bahrin Haron
Executive Editor Current Affairs, Astro Awani
Malaysia
Kamarul Bahrin Haron
Executive Editor Current Affairs, Astro Awani
Malaysia
Kamarul Bahrin Bin Haron is a well established TV journalist, editor and anchor in Malaysia with 20 years of experience in reporting and producing news & current affairs content. Kamarul is currently the Executive Editor in charge of editorial operations for the increasingly popular 24 hours News and Current Affairs channel in Malaysia called Astro Awani. This bachelor of broadcasting graduate from Universiti Sains Malaysia in Penang goes live on prime time TV and web streaming every Monday to Friday discussing the latest and most relevant issues of the day in his own talk show called Agenda Awani. His favorite focus areas include globalisation, sustainability, innovation, social enterprise, human capital and entrepreneurship. His passion to seek and highlight truth and knowledge through journalism has seen him critically engaging top local and international subject matter experts including more than a dozen Nobel laureates, country leaders like Prime Minister David Cameron and Dr Mahathir Mohamed, business leaders like Las Vegas Sand’s Sheldon Adelson, technopreneurs like Biz Stone (Twitter) and also public intellectuals from civil society like Bunker Roy (India’s Barefoot College) and Dr Muhammad Yunus (Grameen Bank). Kamarul enjoys networking and is ever readily contactable at:- E-mail: kamarul_haron@astro.com.my Twitter: @kamarulbahrin Instagram: kambahrin Facebook: Kamarul Awani
Harris Irfan
Managing Director, European Islamic Investment Bank plc.
United Kingdom
Harris Irfan
Managing Director, European Islamic Investment Bank plc.
United Kingdom
Harris is the Managing Director and Head of Investment Banking at EIIB-Rasmala, and also the Founder of Islamic finance advisory firm Cordoba Capital, which in now an EIIB group company. He is the author ofthe critically acclaimed best-seller Heaven’s Bankers: Inside the Hidden World of Islamic Finance. An investment banker with over 20 years of experience in London and the Middle East, he was the co-Founder of Deutsche Bank’s world leading Islamic finance team where he structured and led some of the most ground-breaking deals in the industry. He was then appointed CEO of Deutsche’s distressed Islamicfinance advisory subsidiary, which he successfully restructured and made profitable during the financial crisis, before moving to Barclays where he was appointed global head of Islamic finance for the group.
Sophie Kamaruddin
Anchor & Editor, Bloomberg TV Malaysia
Malaysia
Sophie Kamaruddin
Anchor & Editor, Bloomberg TV Malaysia
Malaysia
After graduating from the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., Sophie Kamaruddin was part of the founding team at CIMB ASEAN Research Institute (CARI), a think tank dedicated to supporting the ASEAN economic integration agenda. She then embarked on a career in media, gaining experience in business and financial news production with CNBC Asia at their Singapore headquarters. During her time with the channel’s marquee show, Squawk Box Asia, she produced interviews with prominent regional and international names such as investment guru Jim Rogers, US Trade Representative Ron Kirk and former Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. Sophie then went on to lead the media strategy for the CIMB Group in Singapore before returning to Kuala Lumpur to join Bloomberg TV Malaysia, where she is currently the lead anchor and editor. In her role as local correspondent, she has covered breaking news, has interviewed Malaysian thought leaders and policymakers as well as corporate captains and globally renowned figures.
H.E. Axel Jesson Denis Ayenoue
Special Representative and Adviser of President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon
Gabonese Republic
H.E. Axel Jesson Denis Ayenoue
Special Representative and Adviser of President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon
Gabonese Republic
H.E. François Kanimba
Minister of Trade & Industry
Republic of Rwanda
H.E. François Kanimba
Minister of Trade & Industry
Republic of Rwanda
HE Minister Mr François KANIMBA was appointed as Rwanda’s Minister of Trade and Industry on May 10, 2011 after a long career as an economist and banker where he had served as the Governor of the Central Bank of Rwanda from 2002 to 2011, as the First Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Rwanda from 2000 to 2002 and as the World Bank Principal Economist from 1995 to 2000. When HE Kanimba was with the World Bank he had coordinated the World Bank’s operations in Rwanda in the areas of Macroeconomic Management and Private Sector Development. Under his leadership since his appointment as Minister of Trade and Industry, Rwanda he has developed new strategies to promote a competitive private sector and to expand the export base of the country to reverse the growing trade deficit. Between 1984 and 1995, HE Mr. Kanimba had worked in the Ministry of Economic Planning where he developed a wide expertise in macro-economic management. He was the Chairman of the Governance Task Force which negotiated Rwanda’s first structural adjustment programme supported by the World Bank, the IMF and other development partners. He was also one of the main architects of economic reforms implemented by Rwanda in the last 15 years, which has allowed Rwanda to be one of the fast growing economies in Sub-Saharan Africa. Originally trained as an engineer, HE Kanimba has a degree in statistics and economics from the Paris-based European Centre for Training Economists Statisticians for Developing Countries.
H.E. Ernesto Max Elias Tonela
Special Representative of President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi and Minister of Trade & Industry
Mozambique
H.E. Ernesto Max Elias Tonela
Special Representative of President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi and Minister of Trade & Industry
Mozambique
