The high-level panel of judges for the Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards is comprised of distinguished individuals from around the world – including United Nations leadership, government representatives, grassroots activists, civil society, creatives, and impact-driven business champions. The UN SDG Action Campaign is honoured to work with such a distinguished group of leaders committed to turn hope into action for a peaceful, equitable and sustainable world for all.
Rebeca Grynspan, of Costa Rica, was appointed the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on 13 September 2021. Ms. Grynspan is the first woman to hold this position in the history of the organization. She is also Coordinator of the Task Team of the Global Crisis Response Group on Food, Energy and Finance set up by the UN Secretary-General to help support developed and developing countries face the economic shocks related to the war in Ukraine. Prior to her UNCTAD appointment, she was the Secretary-General of the Ibero-American Conference from 2014 to 2021, the first woman to lead the organization. She is also a former Under Secretary-General of the UN and Associate Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and a former Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. Prior to joining the UN, she served as Vice President of Costa Rica from 1994 to 1998. She also held the positions of Minister of Housing, Minister Coordinator of Economic and Social Affairs, and Deputy Finance Minister. She holds a degree in economics from the University of Costa Rica and a Master’s degree in economics from the University of Sussex. She was awarded a Doctorate Honoris Causa by the University of Salamanca, the University of Extremadura, and the European University of Madrid in recognition of her outstanding professional achievements.
Johann Saathoff is the Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany. A directly elected Member of the Bundestag for Aurich-Emden since 2013, he previously served as Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Home Affairs (2021–2025) and concurrently at the Federal Ministry of Justice (2024–2025). From 2020 to 2021, he was the Federal Government’s Coordinator for Intersocietal Cooperation with Russia, Central Asia, and the Eastern Partnership countries. Before entering parliament, Mr. Saathoff was mayor of Krummhörn (2003–2013) and held senior positions in public administration after qualifying in 1990.
Stefano Gatti is a senior Italian diplomat serving as the Director General for Development and Cooperation at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI). Mr. Gatti also serves as the Special Envoy of the Italian MFA and International Cooperation for Food Security. In this capacity, he co-chaired the Steering Committee for the organization of the 2021 Pre-Food Systems Summit and the 2023 Food Systems Summit+2. Previously, he served as the Ambassador of Italy to Australia, First Counsellor at the Permanent Representation of Italy to the United Nations, Counsellor at the Permanent Representation of Italy to NATO, and First Secretary at the Italian Embassy in New Delhi. He has also been the Director for International Affairs, General Director of Participants, and Director of the Italian Pavilion at Italy EXPO 2015. In addition, he worked as Diplomatic Advisor of the Minister for Innovation and Technologies, and Head of the E-Government Mission Unit for the Development of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers from 2001 to 2006.
Kimberly Kay Hoang is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Chicago and the author of Spiderweb Capitalism: How Global Elites Exploit Frontier Markets and Dealing in Desire: Asian Ascendancy, Western Decline, and the Hidden Currencies of Global Sex Work. Her research explores the intersections of global finance, gender, and development in frontier and emerging markets. Through empirical work, Prof. Hoang sheds light on the opaque networks through which capital flows—and the profound impact these movements have on local communities. As a sociologist deeply committed to equity and accountability, she brings a justice-oriented lens that powerfully resonates with the mission of the SDGs.
H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat is the Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation of the Arab Republic of Egypt. H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat previously served as the country’s Minister of International Cooperation and was Egypt’s first female Minister of Tourism. She has over 20 years of international experience in central banking, financial systems, monetary policy frameworks, international cooperation policies and strategies, sustainable development, and climate finance. Her previous positions include Advisor to the IMF Chief Economist and Sub-Governor for Monetary Policy at the Central Bank of Egypt. She also has several publications in monetary policy, financial stability and institutional reforms in transition and emerging markets. She was named the Most Visionary & Outstanding Minister of International Cooperation in Africa in 2022 by the Elliott School of International Affairs George Washington University and the GE7 Initiative.
Nomzamo Mbatha is a South African actress, humanitarian and businesswoman. Appointed UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in 2019, she has engaged with refugee communities across Africa and advocates for greater private sector investment in refugee inclusion. As a Global Citizen Ambassador since 2018, she has championed campaigns on gender equality, education and poverty eradication, and hosted major global events including the Nansen Refugee Award Ceremony and the Global Citizen Prize. She also serves as an Earthshot Global Ambassador, spotlighting climate innovations and convening changemakers to advance inclusive environmental solutions. She continues to amplify stories of displacement, social justice and climate resilience across global stages.
Volker Türk has served as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights since October 2022. A seasoned human rights expert, he has dedicated his career to protecting the world’s most vulnerable, particularly refugees and stateless persons.
Previously, he was Under-Secretary-General for Policy, coordinating global efforts on human rights and the UN’s “Our Common Agenda.” He also held key roles at UNHCR, including Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, where he was instrumental in developing the Global Compact on Refugees.
Türk holds a doctorate in international law from the University of Vienna and has published extensively on refugee and human rights law.
Honourable Emma Inamutila Theofelus is a Member of Parliament and the Minister of Information and Communication Technology in the Republic of Namibia. In her current role, she is spearheading national initiatives to increase internet access, build digital literacy and prepare Namibia for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. She also champions digital justice across the African continent as a council member of the Nala Feminist Collective.
A globally recognized leader and former youth activist, she is the 2022 Laureate in the Individual Category of the United Nations Population Award and serves as a board member of the Leadership Council of Africa REACH.
Previously, she served as the Deputy Speaker of the Youth Parliament of the Republic of Namibia, Board Member of the National Council of Higher Education and the Junior Mayor of the City of Windhoek amongst other roles.
Her extensive advocacy for gender equality, children’s rights and sustainable development has earned her international acclaim, including being named to the BBC 100 Most Influential Women in the World 2021.
Born in Windhoek, she holds an LLB Honours Degree from the University of Namibia, alongside diplomas in Business Management from Amity University and Afrikan Feminism and Gender Studies from the University of South Africa. She is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in ICT Policy and Regulation at the University of Witwatersrand.
Uğur Gallenkuş is a renowned visual artist based in Istanbul, celebrated for his compelling collages that explore the stark global divide between privilege and oppression. His work weaves together themes of misery and joy, wealth and poverty, love and despair, offering a raw and unflinching perspective on the complexities of human experience. Through his art, Gallenkuş seeks to foster understanding and empathy by confronting viewers with the contrasts and inequalities of our world.
His art has been featured in prestigious platforms and exhibited globally. He collaborated with the United Nations’ Lion’s Share Fund, UNDP, the Kulczyk Foundation, the WHO Foundation, and Médecins Sans Frontières on campaigns and projects addressing global inequality, climate change, biodiversity, and medical aid.
Vasser Seydel is the President of The Oxygen Project, a nonprofit dedicated to defending the life support systems that keep us breathing and advancing a regenerative, conscious, and climate-resilient future through bold campaigns, innovative education, and powerful storytelling. Through their programs, fellows turn inspiration into action via workshops, expert insights, mentorship, and a supportive community. Vasser Seydel serves on the boards of Mission Blue, founded by Dr. Sylvia Earle, the National Center for Family Philanthropy, and the Turner Foundation. Vasser is also an Arctic Angel for Global Choices and an advisory board member for One Earth. She was recently named one of Inside Philanthropy’s most powerful people in philanthropy under 40.
Amitabh Behar is the Executive Director of Oxfam International, a global civil society leader with decades of experience in human rights, economic justice, and strengthening citizen participation. Before this, he was CEO of Oxfam India. He has held leadership roles in major organizations including CIVICUS, where he served as Vice Chair of the Board, and Navsarjan and Yuva, where he was Chair and President, respectively. He currently serves on the boards of the International Civil Society Centre and the Norwegian Human Rights Fund, and also holds the position of Chair at the International Civil Society Centre. Prior to Oxfam, he led the National Foundation for India and co-chaired the Global Call to Action Against Poverty, a coalition of over 11,000 civil society groups worldwide.
Andrea Macrì is the Legacy Manager for the Milano Cortina 2026 Organizing Committee and assistant captain of Italy’s Para ice hockey team. He entered the Paralympic world after a life-changing accident at age 17, first competing in wheelchair fencing at the London 2012 Paralympics. He later transitioned to Para ice hockey and, in less than a year, is set to be a key player on the ice at the Milano Cortina 2026 Games.
Now a full-time advocate for inclusive sport, Andrea is dedicated to promoting disability awareness and culture in Italy through athletic leadership and legacy work.
Yoke Ling Chee is the Executive Director of Third World Network (TWN), an international policy research and advocacy organization focusing on sustainable development issues and international relations from a Southern perspective. Her work addresses the systemic macro-economic injustices faced by developing countries, focusing on public health and access to affordable treatments, food sovereignty and farmers’ rights, the impact of trade, debt, and technology – including intellectual property regimes – on knowledge building and innovation in the Global South. Yoke Ling has engaged as part of the TWN team in the UN Sustainable Development Agenda since the Earth Summit of 1992.
Brigitta Maria Andrea Gunawan is an award-winning ocean advocate, conservation biologist, and founder of 30×30 Indonesia and Diverseas, whose work has engaged more than 22,000 people through environmental education, policy advocacy, immersive media, and community-led conservation initiatives. Through leadership training, coral reef restoration and virtual reality, Brigitta empowers communities to become active environmental stewards. As a scientific scuba diver, she works with diving communities to support locally led conservation. Her recognitions include Forbes 30 Under 30, Samsung and UNDP’s Generation17 Young Leader, National Geographic Young Explorer, Millennium Oceans Prize, Global Citizen Youth Leader, and Ocean Awards Young Initiative Winner.
Merve Dizdar is an award-winning Turkish actress recognized for her powerful work across theatre, film and television. In 2023, Dizdar made history as the first Turkish actress to win the Best Actress Award at the 76th Cannes Film Festival for her performance in About Dry Grasses, directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan. Born in İzmir, she began her theater career with Semaver Kumpanya, a theatre company in Türkiye, and later performed at Craft Theater, including her role as the Cat in Alice the Musical. Throughout her career, she has received numerous awards and nominations, including the Afife Theatre Award, Direkler Arası Audience Award for Best Actress for her performance in Yutmak (Swallow) and Best Actress Award at the 59th Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival for Snow and the Bear, establishing herself as one of Turkey’s most respected contemporary performers.
Kitty van der Heijden is the Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director for Partnerships of UNICEF. Ms. van der Heijden’s career in international development spans over 35 years – working for government, non-governmental organizations and United Nations entities. Prior to her current role, she was the Director General for International Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. She also served as the Vice President and Director for Europe and Africa of the World Resources Institute, the Netherlands’ Ambassador for Sustainable Development and Director for Climate, Energy, Environment and Water. Her field experience includes Mexico, India, Ethiopia and Vietnam. She also served as a non-executive member of the board at Unilever Netherlands, the Global Commission on Business and SDGs and the Global Planetary Security Conference. She was awarded the Dutch National Green Ribbon of Honor in 2013 and has a Master of Economics from Erasmus University, Rotterdam.
Nery Santaella is the Founder of Voices of Venezuela. After fleeing Venezuela for Colombia, Ms. Santaella founded Voices of Venezuela to provide educational resources and support Venezuelan refugees in Colombia. Her organization uses social media, chatbots and artificial intelligence to provide millions of refugees with critical safety information and educational resources. In addition, her team collects and analyzes data to allow faster and more accurate early detection of gender-based violence, discrimination, human trafficking, and many other challenges within the Venezuelan diaspora. She was recognized as a Changemaker in the 2023 UN SDG Action Awards and won the USA for UNHCR’s Gene Dewey Refugee Award in 2022 for her dedication to helping people forcibly displaced from their homes.
Alicia Pepe Vides is a marketing strategist and journalist with 4 years of experience in the humanitarian sector and 12 years in charge of information projects in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Canada. Ms. Pepe Vides is working as a Senior Manager of SignPost, an International Rescue Committee (IRC)-led consortium project that creates community-led information platforms to empower people in times of crisis and is being implemented in 20+ countries and 25 languages. Last year, the SignPost project was awarded the 2023 UN SDG Action Award in the Connect Category. She holds a Master’s degree in International Cooperation Project Management and currently works as a Field Manager in IRC’s response in Venezuela.
Jessica Smith OAM PLY is a leading international advocate for diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Ms. Smith is a former Australian Paralympic swimmer, as well as a motivational and keynote speaker, writer and author. Her various platforms allow her to help facilitate honest conversations about diversity and accessibility and to highlight practical solutions that improve the lack of inclusivity within society. Combining personal experience and academic research, she formulates strategic initiatives to help people understand the complexities associated with disability and inclusion, and in doing so, delivers genuine social impact. Her outstanding advocacy work has been widely recognized and she has received many awards including the Pride of Australia Medal, and in 2019, the Medal of the Order of Australia, Australia’s highest honour.
Heidi Solba is the President and Head of the Global Network at Let’s Do It World, an environmental action network headquartered in the Republic of Estonia that is active in 164 countries. Ms. Solba has extensive experience in change management and communication, and her work focuses on empowering people, organizations, and governments to create positive change in societies. Over the past nine years, in her role at Let’s Do It World, she has led flagship global campaigns such as the World Cleanup Day, Digital Cleanup Day, and various green projects. The World Cleanup Day programme has been awarded the 2023 UN SDG Action Award in the Mobilize Category and the UN Habitat Scroll Award in 2021. Her past experience includes implementing corporate social responsibility projects with 46 Estonian organizations, working as a strategic human resources professional for Enterprise Estonia, and serving in client management for private banking at Swedbank.
Stefano Boeri is an architect, urban planner, and Professor of Urban Planning at the Politecnico di Milano and serves as the President of Triennale Milano. He is one of the main protagonists of the debate on climate change in international architecture and the architect of the Bosco Verticale in Milan. His work ranges from architectural planning and urban visions to design, with a constant focus on the geopolitical and environmental implications of urban phenomena. He is also known for his research, visions and masterplans on the evolving global urban condition. He has been involved in designing regeneration and development plans for metropolises such as São Paulo, Geneva, Tirana, Cancun, Riyadh, Cairo, and various cities in Italy. In 2023, his architecture studio Stefano Boeri Architetti won the UN SDG Action Award in the Inspire Category for Green Obsession, its vision for a greener urban future.
Guy Ryder is the Under-Secretary-General for Policy in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General (EOSG) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Mr. Ryder coordinates global policy work, with a particular focus on follow-up to the Our Common Agenda report and strategic coordination within the Executive Office. He ensures coherence in the analysis provided to the Secretary-General and conducts system-wide coordination, including on the Secretary-General’s Call to Action for Human Rights. He chairs the Deputies Committee, oversees Secretariat support to the Executive Committee and the Senior Management Group, and coordinates closely on matters related to the Chief Executives Board. Prior to this role, he served as Director-General of the International Labour Organization in Geneva. He was the General Secretary of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions and was also elected as the first General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation when it was created in 2006. He studied Social and Political Sciences at the University of Cambridge and Latin American Studies at the University of Liverpool.
Maureen Penjueli is the Co-Lead of the Pacific Network on Globalisation, a pioneering policy research and advocacy network focusing on supporting Pacific Island people’s right to political, economic and socio-cultural self-determination. Ms. Penjueli’s research and advocacy work revolves around the impacts of systemic and structural injustices on island nations in the region. She researches the climate emergency through the lens of deep-sea minerals and the just energy transition debate, debt and frontier-market-based climate financing mechanisms, customary land tenure, food sovereignty and oceans economy. Previously, she served on a number of boards including Greenpeace Australia-Pacific, Fiji Women’s Crisis Center, and Leadership Fiji. She is also currently an advisor to Nia Tero, and holds an environmental science degree from Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia.
Casey Camp-Horinek is a community leader, long-time Native rights activist, environmentalist, actress, and the Environmental Ambassador for the Southern Ponca Tribe of what is now called Oklahoma. Ms. Camp-Horinek has been an outspoken protector and defender of her people and Mother Earth and a global leader in the Rights of Nature movement. She is a board member of the Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), founding chairwoman of Movement Rights’ Board, and also serves as the chair of the Indigenous Council for the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN). As traditional Drumkeeper for the Ponca Pa-tha-ta, Woman’s Scalp Dance Society, she helps maintain the cultural identity of the Ponca Nation of Oklahoma for herself, her family and her community. She is known for her roles in the television series Avatar: The Last Airbender and Reservation Dogs.
Shomy Hasan Chowdhury is an award-winning Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) activist from Bangladesh, and the Co-Founder of the global non-profit Awareness 360. Ms. Chowdhury is a development professional with over 10 years of experience in community development. Her notable recognitions include Forbes 30 Under 30, President Barack Obama’s Volunteer Service Gold Award, Putra Icon Award, and the Diana Legacy Award. She is also the first Bangladeshi to sit on the 2021 Diana Legacy Award Judging Panel, a McCain Global Leader, Global Citizen Advocate, Asia Pacific’s first Samsung Global-UNDP Generation17 Young Leader, Specialist for the CEE initiative of the US State Department, and International Election Observer. She also holds leadership and advisory positions at multiple international organizations. She has a Master’s in Global Affairs from Tsinghua University in Beijing, China, as a Schwarzman Scholar. She is currently based in London, UK, working as a Project Manager at The Diana Award.
Lambert Wilson is one of the best-known actors from France. Mr. Wilson has championed the work of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations for nearly a decade and has used his fame to promote World Food Day and the fight against hunger, while also actively advocating for environmental issues such as reforestation, sustainable fisheries management and the protection of biodiversity in common oceans. As an actor, he has appeared in over 100 films and worked with directors such as Fred Zinnemann, Jacques Demy, Andrez Wajda, Carlos Saura, Bertrand Tavernier, James Ivory and Alain Resnais. In theatre, he has worked with Jean-Louis Barrault, Harold Pinter and Stephen Sondheim. Internationally, he is best known for his work in Xavier Beauvois’ Of Gods and Men
and as The Merovingian in the Matrix films. His recent work includes Hélène Fillières’ Volontaire, Gabriel Le Bomin’s De Gaulle, Paul Verhoeven’s Benedetta and Anthony Fabian’s Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris.
Sadya Touré is a women’s rights activist from Mali. Ms. Touré is the Founder of Woye – a women-led and women’s rights organization, and Youth Empowerment – an NGO that provides education opportunities and career training to girls from rural Mali. She is also a writer, blogger, and author of the book Being an Ambitious Woman in Mali, which contributes to the debates surrounding the empowerment of women and gender equality. In addition, she was nominated by the Confederation of West African Youth as one of the 100 Most Influential Young People in West Africa. As part of her education, she spent six weeks at Kansas State University through the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. She graduated in Journalism and Communication and holds a Master Degree in International Relations and Diplomacy.
Prof. Dr. Jayati Ghosh is an Economist and a member of several international boards and commissions, including the UN Secretary General’s High-Level Advisory Board on Effective Multilateralism, the UN High-Level Advisory Board on Economic and Social Affairs, and the World Health Organization Council on the Economics of Health for All. Prof. Dr. Ghosh teaches economics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA and was previously a Professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University, India for nearly 35 years. She has authored and edited 20 books and more than 200 scholarly articles. She has received several prizes, including the International Labour Organization’s Decent Work Research Prize in 2011, the 2023 Galbraith Award of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, and the International Economics Association Fellow Award for 2023. She has also advised governments in India and other countries, and for two decades from 2002 to 2021, she was the Executive Secretary of International Development Economics Associates.
Michelle Roverelli is the Director of Member Relations and Communications at the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). As part of the EBU’s senior leadership team, Ms. Roverelli is responsible for Member and Institutional Relations, supporting EBU Members in 56 countries and championing the values and needs of public service media in Europe and beyond. She also leads marketing, communications and events for the organization. She is from Rome and joined the EBU in 2007 as a Senior Communications Officer. She was appointed Head of Communications in 2011, and took over the responsibilities for marketing, branding and events in 2018 before being appointed as Director. Prior to joining the EBU, she held senior roles in two global public affairs and communications consultancies in Brussels and Geneva. She also has extensive experience with some of the most influential lobbies in Brussels. Michelle is multi-lingual and graduated in Political Science from Luiss Guido Carli University in Rome. She also holds a Masters in EU Policy and Economics from the Université Libre de Bruxelles.
Foodmasku is a multimedia artist based in New York City. The New York Times selected his Instagram account as “one of five art accounts to follow”. He is a sustainable artist who fuses creativity, sustainability, and culinary artistry. Through his extraordinary food masks, which he first wears and then eats, he provides a captivating take on the intersection of food waste, responsible consumption, and sustainable food systems. He represented “Zero Hunger” – one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set to achieve a more sustainable future by 2030 – at the 2024 UN Food Systems Summit and the 2024 UN Sustainable Development Goals Summit.
Sabrina Dhowre Elba is a CEO, Model and Activist. Born in Vancouver, Canada and of Somali Descent, Ms. Dhowre Elba is passionate about gender equality and was appointed UN Goodwill Ambassador for the International Fund for Agricultural Development in April 2020, dedicating her efforts to the challenges faced by rural women and girls. She also works with a variety of civil society organizations, which includes supporting Farm Africa in raising funds to help farmers across Eastern Africa and working with Conservation International on environmental issues. She chairs the European Board for Global Citizen and has been a keynote speaker at leading global events. She has also received – awards in recognition of her advocacy work, including the TIME100 Impact Award and The Crystal Award from the World Economic Forum.
Farhoud Meybodi is a filmmaker and an entrepreneur focused on storytelling that inspires cultural change. Mr. Meybodi is the Founder of Ritual Arts and over the past fourteen years, has collaborated on a variety of award-winning projects at the forefront of brand purpose and social impact. He has been involved in projects that have cumulatively been seen over two billion times and raised millions of dollars for terminal illness research. He also serves as a member of the Television Academy and the Directors Guild of America. Additionally, he teaches an upper-division business course on storytelling for social impact at Loyola Marymount University. At his core, he believes in the transformative power of art to help heal the political and social divide of the present day.
Leyla Hasanova is the Youth Climate Champion for COP29 in Azerbaijan. Ms. Hasanova serves as the Chairperson of the Non-Aligned Movement Youth Organization, and has previously worked as the Head of the Secretariat of the Non-Aligned Movement Youth Organization and Program Coordinator at the Institute for Development and Diplomacy at ADA University. She holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and is also a United National System Staff College and UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction programme graduate. In her role as a Youth Climate Champion, she will amplify the voices of youth-led and youth-focused organizations to ensure that they are mainstreamed into climate diplomacy and the COP process. She will also work with YOUNGO, the official children and youth constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), to empower children and youth and promote youth participation in climate action.
Geraldine Lendor-Gabriel has been serving as the Mayor of the City of Castries in Saint Lucia since 2021. Mrs. Lendor-Gabriel is also a Chartered Accountant and an Accredited Director with the Institute of Chartered Secretary. In addition, she works as a Business and Environmental Consultant. She is a member of the Board of the 1st National Bank Saint Lucia and the Immediate Past President of the Association of Management Consultants of Saint Lucia. Previously, she held several positions at the national level in Saint Lucia, including on the board of the Cultural Development Foundation, Folk Research Centre, Public Health Board, Saint Lucia Civil Service Cooperative Credit Union, and the Saint Lucia Cooperative League. She also served as Chairperson of the Internal Audit Committee of the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions and as the CEO of the Saint Lucia Solid Waste Management Authority. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Management and a Master of Science in Environmental Management.
Mr. Rain is an Italian singer-songwriter, rapper, and producer, hailing from Brescia, Italy. He boasts an impressive track record with 16 Platinum and 6 Gold records.
In February 2023, he secured a third-place finish at the world famous Sanremo Festival with the hit song ‘Supereroi.’ Mr. Rain’s growing popularity has led to sold-out concerts and a highly anticipated 2023 summer tour which will see him perform across Italy.
The Honourable Antonio Tajani is the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for the Government of Italy. He was appointed Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on 22 October 2022. Mr. Tajani was born in Rome on 4 August 1953. From 2019 to 2022 he served as Chair of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs and of the Conference of Committee Chairs of the European Parliament. In January 2022, he was re-elected, by acclamation, Chair of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs. He actively worked to implement the Conference on the Future of Europe and was a key player in the talks over the Brexit agreement, always upholding the rights of European citizens living in the United Kingdom. He has participated, for over 20 years, in the volunteer work of the non-profit organization “Comunità in Dialogo” in Trivigliano (Frosinone), aimed at the recovery and social reintegration of young people with substance use disorder. Since 2018, he has been donating his pension as former Vice President of the European Commission to this very organization. He graduated in Law from the University of Rome – La Sapienza and was an officer in the Italian Air Force. He is married and has two children. He speaks French, English, and Spanish fluently.
Ms. Baldino is currently Board Member of The Marguerite Fund, of the European Development Finance Institutions (EDFI), and of the Italian Public Development Bank for Sport and Culture. Ms. Baldino has extensive experience in corporate and investment banking, focusing on infrastructure, public and development finance, in primary financial institutions in Italy and abroad. She served as member of the Senior Advisory Board at Italy’s Ministry of Finance. Prior to that, she gained experience at the World Bank and United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
Ambassador Fergal Mythen is the Permanent Representative of Ireland to the United Nations in New York. Prior to this appointment, Ambassador Mythen spent considerable periods of his career working for the Government of Ireland in support of the Northern Ireland peace process and implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.
Most recently, as the Director-General of the Ireland, UK and Americas Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs from 2017 to 2022, he led the team working on Northern Ireland, Irish-British relations, Irish-US and Irish-Canadian relations, and relations with the Latin America-Caribbean region. Ambassador Mythen also previously served in Ireland’s Permanent Representation to the European Union in Brussels, and with the EU in Sarajevo.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Trinity College, Dublin, and a higher diploma in business studies from University College Dublin.
Mayor Cosse is the elected Mayor of Montevideo, the capital and largest city of Uruguay, and she also serves as the President of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG).Ms. Cosse’s involvement in politics began in 2007, when she assumed the position of Director of the Information Technology Division of the Departmental Government of Montevideo. In May 2010, President José Mujica appointed her as president of the National Administration of Telecommunications, a position she held until 2015. She was appointed as Minister of Industry, Mining and Energy in March 2015, at the beginning of the Presidency of Tabaré Vázquez. She is a member of the Frente Amplio Party. She holds a degree in electrical engineering from the University of the Republic and a master’s degree in mathematical engineering.
Mayor Soyer was the Mayor of Seferihisar for two terms, between 2009-2019, and was elected as the Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality in March 2019. He has taken on numerous international leadership roles such as being the Vice President and member of the Executive Bureau in the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (CoE). He is also a full member of l′Assemblée Régionale et Locale Euro-Méditerranéenne (ARLEM), representing Mediterranean coastal cities (MedCities). Mayor Soyer completed his university degree at Ankara University, Faculty of Law. He holds a master’s degree in international relations from Webster College in Switzerland and a master’s degree in the European Union from Dokuz Eylül University in İzmir.
The Honourable Karina Gould was elected as a Member of Parliament in 2015. She has served as Minister of International Development and Minister of Democratic Institutions. A graduate of McGill University and the University of Oxford, Minister Gould is passionate about helping Canadian families, public service, and international development. Before being elected, she worked as a trade and investment specialist for the Mexican Trade Commission in Toronto, and as a consultant for the Migration and Development Program at the Organization of American States in Washington, D.C. With the birth of her son Oliver, Minister Gould became the first woman federal Cabinet minister to give birth while holding office. She is passionate about breaking down barriers for women, youth, and underrepresented groups.
Inger Ashing is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Save the Children International. A respected child rights activist, she set up her own youth organisation at the age of 12, working against racism and violence at county level. Since then, Inger has been determined to make children’s voices heard. She has been associated with Save the Children for more than 25 years, first serving as a youth advocate and later on the Boards of Save the Children Sweden and Save the Children International. Prior to her appointment in September 2019, Inger held various national and international roles focused on children’s rights and was most recently Director General at the Swedish Agency against Segregation.
Muhammed Muheisen is a Canon Ambassador and world-renowned photographer. Mr. Muheisen is a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner, National Geographic photojournalist, Founder and Chairman of the Dutch non-profit organization Everyday Refugees Foundation, and Global Ambassador for Jordan Tourism Board. He was named Best Wire Photographer in 2013 by the TIME Magazine and recently received the 2023 National Geographic Wayfinder Award. Since 2001, he has documented major events in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the USA, and for over a decade and a half, his work has covered different refugee crises. His documentary Muhammed Muheisen: Finding the Light featuring his life and achievements is now available for streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.
Niels Annen is a German politician who has been serving as Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development in the coalition government of Chancellor Olaf Scholz since 2021. Mr. Annen previously served as Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office from 2018 to 2021 in the government of Chancellor Angela Merkel. He has been a member of the German Bundestag from 2005 to 2009 and since 2013. As a long-time member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, he established himself as a foreign policy expert, focusing largely on the German engagement in Afghanistan and the Middle East. As a Spanish speaker, he is also well versed in the history and politics of Latin and Central America. Within the Committee on Foreign Affairs, he has served on the Subcommittee for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation as well as the Subcommittee for the United Nations. Previous to this position, he served as the Foreign Policy Spokesperson for the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) and as a Senior Transatlantic Fellow at the German Marshall Fund in Washington between 2010 and 2011. He also worked for the Department for International Policy Analysis of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Berlin. He holds a Master Degree in International Public Policy of the Johns Hopkins University, Washington D.C., USA.
Martina Caironi, born on July 24, 1989, in Milan, Italy, is a renowned Paralympic athlete and advocate for sustainable development. Competing in para-athletics, specifically in the T42 classification, Martina has achieved remarkable success on the international stage. Her most notable accomplishment came at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, where she won a gold medal and set a world record in the 100 meters T42 event. Martina has also secured multiple podium finishes at World Championships and other prestigious competitions, solidifying her status as one of Italy’s most celebrated para-athletes. In 2022, she was honoured to carry the Paralympic Flame at Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympic Games. She is now a member of the IPC Athletes’ Council and an active athlete, running towards Paris 2024.
Beyond her athletic achievements, Martina Caironi is dedicated to promoting sustainable development and inclusivity. With a background in environmental science, she possesses a profound understanding of the importance of preserving our planet and creating a more inclusive society.
Felizitas is the Managing Director of Capgemini Invent Germany, the digital innovation, design and transformation brand of the Capgemini Group. She joined Capgemini, a leading global consultancy group with more than 360,000 employees worldwide, over 20 years ago. Felizitas consults international clients across industries, driving topics such as sustainability, digital strategy and innovation, future organizations, major transformations, and leadership coaching. Sustainability, diversity, inclusion and social responsibility are strong beliefs in her role as a leader, but also in her private life, Felizitas studied economics at Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich with stops in Paris and New York and lives with her family in the Bavarian capital.
The Hon. Emma Theofelus is a young, 27-year-old Namibian born in Windhoek, who is currently a Member of Parliament and the Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Technology in the Republic of Namibia. Before her appointment, The Hon. Emma Theofelus was a youth activist for issues of gender, children’s rights, sustainable development, and youth unemployment. She served as the Deputy Speaker of the Youth Parliament of the Republic of Namibia and the Junior Mayor of the City of Windhoek, amongst other roles. Hon. Emma Theofelus holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the University of Namibia, a Diploma in Business Management from Amity University and a Diploma in Afrikan Feminism and Gender Studies from the University of South Africa. Hon. Emma Theofelus has been awarded the Laureate in the Individual Category of the United Nations Population Award in 2022 and serves as a board member of the Leadership Council of Africa REACH and council member of Nala Feminist Movement.
Carmelo Troccoli is the General Director of the World Farmers Market Coalition. He began his work with Coldiretti in 2002 at Coldiretti’s Representation to the Community Institutions in Brussels, as a policy advisor on issues such as intellectual property, international agreements, and innovation programs in agriculture. From October 2009 to January 2018, he was National Secretary of Coldiretti Giovani Impresa, for which he organized “Oscar Green”, the main competition on innovation in the primary sector. Since November 2016, he has been director of the Campagna Amica Foundation, which promotes the world’s largest network of farmers, selling directly under the same brand.
In recent years, there have been many projects he has focused on including the creation of the World’s First Coalition of Farmers Markets, enhancing food education programs in schools, strengthening the network of Social Farming farms, and defending and safeguarding biodiversity.
Inna Modja is a Malian-French singer, musician, and visual Artist. She is also a UNCCD Goodwill Ambassador and women’s rights activist. She is the CEO and Co-Founder of Code Green, a web3 green-tech company, and a leading figure in the web3 and NFT space. Through her music, she empowers women and people living at the frontline of climate change. Her photography is inspired by the work of her mentor Malick Sidibé, and West African photographers of the 60s, including Seydou Keita and Sory Sanlé. Growing up in Bamako, she was fascinated by the natural elegance of the people in the streets, which she loves to capture in sophisticated compositions.
Gemma Styles is a Podcaster, Writer and MQ Ambassador who uses her voice to raise awareness on a variety of global matters she is passionate about. With the aim to use her platforms for good, Gemma has built a loyal audience who are invested in learning and are eager to implement change. As the host of the award-winning podcast, Good Influence, Gemma invites discussion on topics that we should be familiar with, from mental health to sustainability and feminism. After three successful seasons, Gemma has reached over 900k downloads and won ‘Podcast of the Year’ at the 2022 Blogosphere Awards. In partnership with Kenmark, Gemma crafted her own brand, Gemma Styles Eyewear, launched three successful sunglasses collections, and branched into optical eyewear last year.
Shomy Hasan Chowdhury is an award-winning Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) activist from Bangladesh. She is a development professional with 10+ years of experience in community development. Shomy co-founded the global non-profit Awareness 360, through which she empowers young people across 40+ countries in advancing the UN Global Goals. She has been recognized by Samsung Global and UNDP as the first ever Generation17 Young Leader from the Asia Pacific for the inaugural cohort, one in 4 in the world. For her outstanding social impact, she was listed as a Forbes 30 Under 30 and was spotlighted as a Featured Honoree. She is also a Schwarzman Scholar, Specialist of the US State Department’s CEE Program, Global Citizen Youth Advocate, former Asia Representative of the Commonwealth Students’ Association, Global Changemakers Fellow, Royal Commonwealth Society Fellow, Queen’s Commonwealth Trust Member, Youth Advisory Board Member of Youth Combating NTDs, Advisor at Social Enterprise World Forum, and sits in leadership & advisory positions of multiple international organizations. In 2018, Shomy was invited to Pakistan as an International Election Observer to observe the Pakistan General Elections, appointed by the Commonwealth Secretary-General Rt Hon. Patricia Scotland. Shomy spoke at the Global Citizen Festival in Central Park, New York, addressing a crowd of over 60,000 people. She was also invited to Kensington Palace, UK to meet His Royal Highness Prince William. Her notable recognitions include the President’s Volunteer Service Award (Gold) by President Barack Obama, the Putra Icon Award, Global Leader Award, and The Diana Legacy Award.
Jean-Sébastien Decaux joined JCDecaux Group in 1998. He became CEO for Belgium in 2004, taking over operations for Luxembourg, Southern Europe, Africa, and Israel by 2010. Mr. Decaux became a Board Member of the group in 2013. In 2019, he left his operational functions to devote himself to his role as Co-CEO of JCDecaux Holding (Family Holding). In May 2020, he became Member of the JCDecaux Group Supervisory Board. He also founded in 2017 the Terre & Fils endowment fund and impact investing vehicle, operating on patrimonial know-how in France.
Cill (born Chioma Ogbonna) is a Singer, Songwriter and Artivist based in Lagos State, Nigeria. Cill uses her music for promoting social causes, focusing on the themes of political participation, human rights, and accountability. She is a member of the Music for Democracy Network, which collaborates with other artists from different parts of the world, especially in Africa. In 2019, she won the Accountability Music Award after being nominated alongside great artists such as Falz, Fatoumata Diawara, Sauti Sol and Platinum Prince. She became a Fair Play Music Ambassador in 2020, a global platform launched by Transparency International, JM International, and the International Anti-Corruption Conference for young artists to connect with global changemakers fighting corruption and amplifying their voices.
Achim Steiner became Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on 19 June 2017. The United Nations General Assembly confirmed Mr. Steiner’s appointment following his nomination by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. In April 2021, the UN General Assembly confirmed his appointment to a second four-year term beginning in June 2021. He is also the Vice-Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group, which unites 40 UN System entities that support sustainable development.
Over nearly three decades, Achim Steiner has been a global leader on sustainable development, climate resilience and international cooperation. He has worked tirelessly to champion sustainability, economic growth, and equality for the vulnerable, and has been a vocal advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals.
Prior to joining UNDP, he was Director of the Oxford Martin School and Professorial Fellow of Balliol College, University of Oxford. Mr. Steiner has served across the United Nations system, looking at global challenges from both a humanitarian and a development perspective. He led the United Nations Environment Programme (2006-2016), supporting countries and communities to advance new efforts to protect and restore our natural world. He was also Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi. Achim Steiner previously held other notable positions including Director General of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and Secretary General of the World Commission on Dams.
He graduated in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (MA) from Worcester College, Oxford University and holds an MA from the University of London/School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).
He also studied at the German Development Institute in Berlin and at Harvard Business School.
Sandra Uwera Murasa is the Global CEO of Fairtrade International. Previously, she served as CEO of COMESA Business Council, the leading Business Member Organization in Africa and a private sector institution of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), which represents 34 business sectors across 21 countries. As part of Ms. Uwera Murasa’s work with CBC and COMESA, she has led projects and programs on sustainable solutions for small and medium enterprises, advocacy, technical capacity-building, industry competitiveness and market access, digital financial inclusion, and programs focused on women and youth empowerment. Ms. Uwera Murasa is also an Eisenhower fellow and sits on various Boards in Africa and internationally. She holds a Master of Science in Strategic Planning, a Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communications, and has undertaken advanced professional training in international trade policy and law, digital inclusion, and leadership for business sustainability.
Pablo Ciano is the CEO of DHL eCommerce Solutions at Deutsche Post DHL Group. He began his career at Deutsche Post DHL Group in 2005 as DHL Express’ Senior Director for Strategy and Business Implementation. Over the years, he took on various leadership roles within the DHL Express US organization, including Chief of Staff CEO US positions from 2008 to 2012. In 2012, he was promoted to the role of Chief Information Officer at DHL Express Americas and became a member of the Express Americas Management Board. Pablo’s responsibilities expanded in 2014 when he took on the role of Vice President of Customer Services for DHL Express Americas, followed by his appointment as CEO Central and South America in January 2016. In 2018 he took over the position as EVP Corporate Development & Corporate First Choice in Deutsche Post DHL Group and successfully led the development and roll out of the Group wide “Strategy 2025”. With his wealth of experience, he was appointed as a Member of the Board of Management at Deutsche Post AG in 2022. Pablo holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the Darden Business School at the University of Virginia.
Jayathma Wickramanayake was appointed as the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth in 2017 at the age of 26. She is the youngest senior official in the UN and the first woman to hold this position. In this role, Jayathma works to expand the UN’s youth engagement and advocacy efforts across all four pillars of the organization’s work and serves as a representative of and advisor to the Secretary-General. In 2019 Jayathma was recognized by Time Magazine as one of “Time 100 Next: Rising stars shaping the future” and in 2020 was recognized by Forbes magazine as part of its “30 under 30” list. Originally from Sri Lanka, she has worked extensively on youth development and participation, including playing a key role in transforming the youth development sector. Prior to taking up her post, Jayathma was instrumental in creating the movement for civic and political engagement of young people, especially young women, in Sri Lanka through the “Hashtag Generation” movement. Previously, she advocated for global youth development on an international level including as the first ever Sri Lankan Youth Delegate to the UN and as the youth lead negotiator and member of International Youth Task Force of the World Conference on Youth.
Billie Dumaliang is a Trustee of the Masungi Georeserve Foundation, an award-winning environmental conservation organization protecting a threatened karst ecosystem in Rizal, Philippines, through research, education, protection, and innovation geo-tourism. Today, her team’s goal is to reforest some 2,700 hectares of degraded watershed areas, serving as the capital’s natural defence against climate change. Billie is an honouree of the 2022 Forbes 30 under 30 in Asia List for Social Impact, the 2021 Vanity Fair Changing Your Mind Travel Awards, and was named “Warrior of the Year” by Esquire Magazine PH in 2021, together with her sister Ann Dumaliang. The Masungi Georeserve was the winner of the 2022 UN SDG Action Award in the Inspire category.
Paola Andrade is an international activist and expert on sexual violence and prevention. She is the Co-founder and Executive Director of Ecuador Says No More Foundation, which received a 2022 UN SDG Action Award in the Mobilize category for driving a series of inspirational campaigns to empower sexual abuse survivors to become ‘SUPER survivors’ and realise their potential as agents of change. Paola received UNICEF’s “Champion for Children” medal in 2022. She is also a spokeswoman for UN Women’s #HearMeToo Campaign for Latin America. As a video producer, writer, and campaign specialist, she has created innovative resources and audio-visual tools with 22 million downloads to prevent sexual violence across the world. She is currently developing “SHEroes of 5 Continents”, a series of worldwide events focused on inspiring and giving practical resources to Latina women refugees and migrants in Europe who are survivors of, or at risk of, sexual violence. She is passionate about rethinking how to flip the script through transformative and creative leadership with one purpose: a safe world.
After spending more than a decade in the corporate world, Srishti’s passion for gender equity led her to embark on a remarkable journey. She walked 3,800 kilometres over 230 days across India to put a spotlight on social norms that limit a girl’s potential. Srishti conducted over 100 workshops focussed on importance of digital literacy and financial independence for all women. Her journey has been captured in an 11-time awarded documentary, WOMB – ‘Women Of My Billion’. After her walk, Srishti, further committed herself to grassroots projects focussed on gender equity in education and resilient livelihoods.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Srishti has received several awards, including the 2022 UN SDG Action Award in the Changemaker category. Her work has been featured in two TED talks, TEDWomen, and TED Salon.
Ms. Amina J. Mohammed is the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group.
Prior to her appointment, Ms. Mohammed served as Minister of Environment of the Federal Republic of Nigeria where she steered the country’s efforts on climate action and efforts to protect the natural environment.
Ms. Mohammed first joined the United Nations in 2012 as Special Adviser to former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon with the responsibility for post-2015 development planning. She led the process that resulted in global agreement around the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the creation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Ms. Mohammed began her career working on the design of schools and clinics in Nigeria. She served as an advocate focused on increasing access to education and other social services, before moving into the public sector, where she rose to the position of adviser to four successive Presidents on poverty, public sector reform, and sustainable development.
Ms. Mohammed has been conferred several honorary doctorates and has served as an adjunct professor, lecturing on international development. The recipient of various global awards, Ms. Mohammed has served on numerous international advisory boards and panels. She is the mother of six children and has two grandchildren.
Mame Balla is a Senegalese singer, songwriter, and music producer based in Europe who sings about peace, environmental issues, the experiences of growing up in West Africa and more.
Mame Balla has worked with Bouba Ndour, producer and brother of the famous singer Youssou Ndour, with whom he released two internationally successful albums. Between his solo career and the former music groups Dancehall Masters and Darou Salam, Mame Balla has partnered with international artists of different music genres such as Senegalese pop singer Viviane, dancer Ndeye Geye, hip hop group Gokh-Bi System, and Dutch-Albanese rapper Jon Tarifa. He has also partnered with Polish and German artists for a jazz project, and performed with Congolese afrobeat singers in the Netherlands. Between 1999 and 2004, Mame Balla and his former group Dancehall Masters received awards as Best New Group and Best Group in The Gambia; and also received the prize Prix de l’intégration at a Senegalese hip-hop awards. Mame Balla took a course in music production at the State of Mic Studio in The Gambia. Performing with Pape Samory and Issa Ndiaye.
Katlego Kai Kolanyane-Kesupile is an international award-winning cultural architect, communications specialist, performance artist, development practitioner and human rights advocate. OkayAfrica named her one of the 100 Most Influential Women of African Descent in 2018. Her accolades include being nominated for the US State Department’s International Women of Courage Award, a TED Fellow, Queen’s Young Leader, Chevening Scholar, Mandela Washington Fellow, and OutRight’s UN Religion Fellow. She holds a Sociology Masters in Human Rights, Culture, and Social Justice, with a focus on Disability Rights and Public Space Design, from Goldsmiths University of London, UK. Her published writing spans theatre, academic texts and policy analyses.
Ms. Ulrika Modéer officially began her role on 20 August 2018 as UNDP’s Assistant Administrator and Director of the Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy. In this role she leads the organization in nurturing and growing key relationships with Member States, and new and emerging partners, as well as lead UNDP’s communications and advocacy, as it works to realize the vision of the Sustainable Development Goals. Ms. Modéer previously served as Sweden’s State Secretary for International Development Cooperation and Climate and has been instrumental in reshaping the country’s international development cooperation to support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. She combines a strong policy background with parliamentary and civil society experience and has had several assignments in Latin America (Bolivia, Guatemala) and Africa (Mozambique/South Africa). Ms. Modéer holds a BA in International Relations from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Tolu Olubunmi is a Nigerian-born, American-raised chemical engineer turned political strategist, social entrepreneur and public speaker. She is the founder and CEO of the social impact venture, Lions Write. In 2018, Tolu was tapped by the Director-General of the UN Migration Agency (IOM) for a special appointment as Advisor to the UN Department of Global Communications and Manager of the Climate Action Campaign ActNow. Tolu has established and led numerous NGOs and campaigns focused on education, migration, economic inclusion, sustainability, and climate change. She has worked closely with leaders in government, the private sector, and civil society to shift culture, influence public policy and build strategic and mutually beneficial partnerships – she served on the World Economic Forum’s Migration Council, co-founded Immigrant Heritage Month, and has helped draft and implement U.S. immigration policies.
Tolu sits on the Board of Directors of the Anti-Defamation League, Board of Directors of USA for IOM. In 2015, the World Economic Forum named her one of 15 Women Changing the World and an Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur. Her inspiring personal story and work have been profiled by several media outlets, including BBC, MSNBC, TIME, CBS, US News and World Report. Tolu is an inaugural Leadership Institute Fellow at the Center for American Progress and holds a chemistry-engineering degree from Washington and Lee University.
Since 2014, Khalifa Jassim Al-Kuwari has led the establishment, strategy-setting, partnerships, and funding programs of the Qatar Fund for Development in developing countries. Previously, Mr. Al-Kuwari was the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director – Joint Venture and International Business of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA). He has been appointed to the boards of leading organisations, including: Harrods, Volkswagen Group, Fairmont Raffles Group, Songbird Real Estate, Qatar Exchange, Katara Hospitality, and Mowasalat. He holds an Executive MBA in Business Administration from the London Business School, an MBA in Accounting from Cleveland State University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Qatar University. He graduated from the Leadership Development Program at Harvard Business School and Qatar Leadership Center.
