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Meet the team ready to change your world
Adirupa Sengupta
Group Chief Executive, Common Purpose Charitable Trust
Adirupa is Group Chief Executive of Common Purpose. She has been with the organization since 2001 and has held a variety of roles over the years including CEO of Common Purpose Asia-Pacific, during which time she started a global hub out of Singapore and grew it to be a major player in the leadership field in Asia-Pacific.
Adirupa has been working in the leadership development space for over 20 years. She has a passion for developing talent and connecting people from different backgrounds. She has extensive knowledge and experience of working across different countries, cities and cultures to help leaders learn to cross boundaries in order to tackle complex problems. Her TEDx talk speaks to her passion for cross-boundary leadership.
Over the years, she has worked with major organizations and institutions and driven some key partnerships for Common Purpose including the American Express Foundation, BNP Paribas, GE, DBS, FWD, the UK Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office, the ASEAN Foundation, and RMIT University to deliver leadership programmes for different generations across the world. These include the SG100 Young Leaders Programme (with the National Youth Council of Singapore), CSCLeaders (with The HRH Duke of Edinburgh Commonwealth Study Conferences (UK Fund)) and the ASEAN Leaders programme (with the ASEAN Foundation).
Adirupa grew up in India where she completed her Bachelor’s degree before reading for an MPhil in International Relations at St. John’s College, Cambridge. She is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School’s High Potential Leadership Programme.
Alison Coburn
Chief Executive of Common Purpose International
Alison Coburn is one of the founders of Common Purpose and is Chief Executive of Common Purpose International. In 2020 she founded Sky Blue, a programme for leaders working on our environmental challenges. She is passionate about providing support and leadership development for the people who are tackling our climate, waste, and biodiversity crises.
Alison has spent most of her career working with leaders across the world, often in challenging environments. She spearheaded the development of Common Purpose internationally establishing Common Purpose in France, Germany, Ghana, Hungary, India, the Netherlands, South Africa and Turkey.
She led Common Purpose’s work across the MENA region for a number of years. This included the leadership of an EU supported capacity-building programme in Libya from 2011 to 2013 - during and after the conflict in the country.
Alison also led partnerships with organisations such as Deutsche Bank, the Vodafone Foundation, the American Express Foundation and the MAVA Fondation pour la Nature.
Currently, Alison is focussed on creating and supporting leadership programmes and initiatives that tackle the environmental emergency.
In the early stages of her career, Alison worked for the Arts Council of Great Britain, Community Service Volunteers and the BBC. She has a degree in American Studies from the University of Kent, gained from studying in both in the UK and the US.
She is an Ambassador for the Tutu Foundation UK, a member of the International Advisory Council of the Human Health and Research Foundation, a Trustee of Well Grounded and a Board Member of the Mission Zero Academy.
Andy Coxall
Chief Executive of Common Purpose Student Experiences
Andy is Chief Executive of Common Purpose Student Experiences where he helps enable students’ future career success in partnership with leading universities across the world. Andy believes that in this complex, fast paced world we need to support students over time to help find their calling, develop the skills and mindsets they need and chart their unique pathway to their success.
Andy has taken Common Purpose Student Experiences from proof of concept to now partnering with over 100 universities and working with over 10,000 students every year. 93% of students say their learning and development with us has helped them progress in their career, and 66% say that it has helped them move into a leadership role after university.
Currently he is setting up a new EdTech venture for Common Purpose, whereby we aim to reach 1 million students and young people across the world by 2030.
Andy is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a Trustee of The Pace Centre (a specialist school for children with neurodisabilities), and a regular speaker at events and conferences such as TEDxLondon, EAIE, APAIE and Going Global. Andy has a MA (Hons) in Social Anthropology from the University of Edinburgh.
When he is not dreaming big about EdTech and future talent, Andy can be found fuelling his addiction to the news and global affairs, cooking Asian food, and in between ferrying kids around trying to get some exercise and fresh air.
Claire Piela
Global Growth and Partnerships Director
Claire Piela is Global Growth and Partnerships Director. She helps people develop as leaders and grows partnerships which equip more people – from students to senior leaders - for future success. Claire is deeply committed to connecting and empowering others, and she loves working with so many diverse leaders all over the world.
Claire has over a decade of experience in building global partnerships that align with our social purpose, leading business development teams in Common Purpose and working on new market growth. In 2020, Claire led the development and launch of January, Common Purpose’s flagship Global Leaders Programme, developed with Google Digital Academy and continued to lead and establish the programme over a period of two years. Prior to this, she played a pivotal role in the development and leadership of the CSCLeaders programme, a Commonwealth wide senior leaders programme in partnership with HRH The Duke of Edinburgh’s Commonwealth Study Conferences in this role, over several years, Claire supported the early growth of Common Purpose in Australia, Canada, parts of Asia Pacific and across Africa.
Currently, Claire leads our successful Global Students work, overseeing partnerships with 100 universities globally. In this role, she is also working on the growth of our staff development work in the Higher Education sector.
Prior to Common Purpose, Claire worked in Marketing, Public Relations and Events Management. She holds an MSc in International Public Relations and a BSc in Drama and Theatre Arts.
When she is not leading partnerships and growth at Common Purpose, Claire enjoys running, baking (and eating) cakes and spending time in the outdoors with her husband and their two young children.
David O'Connor
Director, Learning and Innovation
David is Director, People, Innovation & Learning at Common Purpose, responsible for overseeing talent, culture, brand, marketing, communications and impact across the organization. David firmly believes in the potential of people to move the dial in positive ways towards greater engagement in both work and social spaces. He is focused on driving Common Purpose’s vision for a world where people are having the real, purpose-driven conversations, the types of conversations we need to be having to bring about real change.
David has experience in multi-disciplinary work at both local and international levels, across areas such as marketing and communications strategy, brand awareness building, public relations, organizational design and innovation, product / programme development as well as creating work environments and cultures where people can feel and be at their best.
David is an experienced leadership development facilitator, delivering high impact experiential learning experiences for organizations such as American Express, Barclays plc., Greater London Authority, Google, and TED.
David holds a BBS (Hons) in Business & Marketing from the University of Limerick, Ireland.
When David is not working on all things people, culture, marketing and learning he is often found engaging in his passions for football and rugby. He is also an avid reader, theatre goer and movie buff.
Ed Herman
Delivery Transformation Director
Ed is Delivery Transformation Director at Common Purpose, responsible for overseeing our programme delivery across the world. He leads a team based in the US, UK, India, Singapore and Australia. Even after nearly 20 years, Ed is still excited to experience the unique atmosphere of a Common Purpose programme – wherever it’s taking place.
Ed has acquired in-depth knowledge of Common Purpose across a number of disciplines, having held a variety of different senior roles - with responsibilities including local and international projects and programmes, operations, governance, sales, people development strategy, marketing strategy and implementation, internal and external communications, PR, alumni strategy and reputation management. Currently he is working on several exciting developments that he hopes could revolutionise how Common Purposes manages both projects and resources.
Ed has held various voluntary roles, including being part of the London 2012 Olympics, charity fundraising and acting as a Trustee for Liberal Judaism.
When Ed is not involved in all things Delivery at Common Purpose, or spending time with his family, he can often be found running through the streets of London, enjoying a game of cricket or “enjoying” watching Arsenal Football Club.
Elsbeth Dixon
Chief Executive of Common Purpose South Africa
Elsbeth is the Chief Executive Officer, Common Purpose South Africa and heads the operations of Common Purpose in Africa. With the local team, she has grown the African footprint of Common Purpose by diversifying the programmes offered to include public and bespoke leadership programmes, as well as programmes focusing on youth, student and women’s leadership, spreading the footprint of Common Purpose into 21 countries. Elsbeth believes that good leadership is the most powerful way to transform the future of the African continent.
Elsbeth has designed and facilitated leadership and diversity programmes for a wide range of clients, from rural communities to blue chip corporates, from global foundations to government departments, and has delivered programmes in the USA, Europe, Asia and Africa. Elsbeth started her career as a scientist at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa, before moving to Adcorp, in the private sector, to run the Technology Top 100 Awards Programme. She then co-founded the Da Vinci Institute, a private university specialising in management and leadership education, before joining Common Purpose in 2006.
Currently she is working to grow the African team of Common Purpose into a diverse group, representing the different regions of the continent, and bringing together multiple cultural perspectives to deliver powerful pan-African leadership programmes.
Born in a rural South African family, Elsbeth trained in applied mathematics and psychology, as well as counselling, coaching and group process facilitation. She holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics from Cambridge University, UK and is an alumnus of Harvard Business School’s Executive Development Programme.
When she is not exercising her passion for facilitating the growth journeys of her clients, Elsbeth is a dedicated road-runner, an avid sports fan across many disciplines, and finding her way thoughtfully into the role of mother of adult children.
Lloyd Fleming
Group Finance Director and Company Secretary
Lloyd is the group’s Finance Director and Company Secretary, who helps Common Purpose by striving to ensure the group’s finances are robust and his team’s processes operationally effective. Lloyd believes that, in the digital era, finance is a key strategic tool in underpinning and driving the charity’s success.
Lloyd has previously worked in roles across finance, energy, and climate change. He has worked in strategic risk for much of his career, including roles in banking working at Board level and with divisional heads. Lloyd’s interest in emerging and hard-to-measure risk has included developing revenue opportunities for financing based on emerging risks, carbon markets and energy efficiency. He also developed a range of policies and strategies for managing business risks in socially and environmentally contested projects.
Currently Lloyd is working on developing strategies to secure the long-term financial sustainability of Common Purpose.
Lloyd is a qualified accountant (FCCA) and has a masters’ degree in environmental studies from the University of Melbourne.
When he is not engrossed in a spreadsheet, Lloyd can be found burning off the stress at the local gym or out running, or if he’s looking for something more creative, singing in a choir or relaxing at the opera.
Marie Mohan
Managing Director, UK
Marie joined Common Purpose in 2000, becoming Chief Executive of Common Purpose UK in 2014. Marie has a track record at Common Purpose of bringing leaders together to tackle complex social problems, to understand collaborative working and to develop their ability to ‘Lead Beyond Authority’. She has extensive knowledge of leadership development especially in the experiential field; helping leaders learn through practice.
Marie is experienced in transformational change programme design, management and delivery and has facilitated leadership programmes for emerging and senior UK leaders from the private, public and third sectors. Marie is highly skilled in developing trusting relationships within large and diverse groups that allow people to overcome differences, innovate and create new and challenging partnerships. She led 20:20, Common Purpose’s flagship UK leadership course, for five years. She brings passion and commitment to developing programme participants to be the best they can be for the benefit of their organisations and wider society.
Her work to date includes the planning and delivery of a Celtic Nations Open Ground for senior leaders from the three devolved administrations - Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - to look at social and economic success. She has led senior NHS leaders through a Collaborative Simulation Process with stakeholders from across the health and social care sectors.
Marie currently leads on our Legacy work with young people and is particularly proud that in the UK we have delivered Legacy programmes in 12 locations since the very first programme in March 2020.
Before joining Common Purpose, Marie held a variety of communications, business development and community engagement roles with Marketing Manchester, the Countryside Agency and Sport England.
Marie is originally from County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland but has lived in Manchester for nearly all of her working life. Educated at Queen's University Belfast, Marie also has an MA in Comparative Literature from the University of Manchester. She has three children - her son has transformed her into a football fan and she is now a Manchester City FC season ticket holder.
Swati Mathur
Managing Director of Common Purpose Asia Pacific
Swati joined Common Purpose in December 2015, after spending a decade in the corporate sector. In her current role with Common Purpose as Managing Director Asia Pacific, she is responsible for the operations and business development in the region. She is passionate about leadership development and in the past has led organizations to realize their leadership aspirations. She also leads on the programme design for bespoke interventions with organizational partners and manages key relationships for the organization in the wider Asia Pacific region.
Swati is passionate about inclusion and diversity and considers herself fortunate to be able to link her personal purpose with her professional choices and therefore been able to align the impact that she always wanted on her own learning and that on her ecosystem. Starting her career as a researcher, moving into Human Resources within large organizations and currently nurturing her passion of creating leaders who can work across differences to navigate the complexities of their environment, what has driven Swati, is connecting people, places and ideas.
Prior to joining Common Purpose, Swati was Vice President and Leadership Development Lead for Edelweiss Financial Services. She also worked with Cisco Systems and 3Global Systems prior to that. Swati holds a Master's in Arts in Social Work, from the prestigious Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, India. Born in India, she now lives in Singapore with her family.
Ayşegül Gurerk
Director, Common Purpose Turkey
Ayşegül is the Founding Director of Common Purpose Turkey.
Ayşegül attended the Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara. In 1998, she completed her Master's degree in Educational Supervision at Pace University, New York and lectured on Communication Skills at Bilgi University from 1998 to 2000.
Between 2000 and 2007 she worked at the British Council, first as Istanbul Education Services Manager and then Turkey Exams Services Manager. She has presented her works on English education and cultural studies at international conferences. She is also a certified Cambridge University IELTS examiner.
During her time at Common Purpose Turkey, Ayşegül has delivered Meridian for senior leaders and Frontrunner for the new recruits of a leading telecommunications company based in Turkey. She has also delivered bespoke programmes, including those covering Diversity and Inclusion. A one-day customised leadership programme; "Add Value to Their Lives and Your Life" - focusing on "Leading Beyond Authority" and "Social Responsibility" was delivered for the senior leaders of one of the biggest holdings in Turkey.
Ayşegül spends her leisure time with people she has met through Common Purpose, having become good friends with many of the graduates. She also enjoys travelling to different countries with her family.
Dara Connolly
Chief Executive, Common Purpose Ireland
Dara has held senior roles in a number of organizations, recently as Head of Business Development in Young Social Innovators (YSI) and now the Chief Executive of Common Purpose Ireland. He also enjoyed four successful years taking Recreate, a Creative Reuse social enterprise working with children and individuals with disabilities, from start up to a sustainable business model, winning a number of awards along the way including Social Entrepreneurs Ireland’s Impact Award.
Before ReCreate, he was Head of Business Development and Property of Temple Bar Cultural Trust Ltd, managing a cultural and commercial property portfolio of €100M. Here he project managed a number of landmark capital infrastructure projects such as the construction of Ireland’s first outdoor retractable roof on Meeting House Square in Temple Bar.
His experience includes working for Microsoft as Financial Services Manager and travelling extensively in search of adventure! Dara has a passion for the arts and environment, resulting from his work in Temple Bar and Cultivate (a sustainability NGO), and his very rewarding time as director and chair of Saplings Schools for Children with Autism has given him a real interest in children’s development. He is a qualified Management Accountant and holds diplomas in Business Studies, Project Management and Post Graduate Diploma in Innovation.
When not working he is chasing around his 4 kids and trying to get some time to play football, take in some music and follow his beloved Munster.
Katharina Anna Rahne and Lena Meyer
Managing Directors, Common Purpose Germany
Katharina Anna Rahne, in short: "Käthe" spent eleven years with the non-profit Teach First Deutschland GmbH in various functions. She started out as a fundraiser in 2011, and after three years she became head of the Partners & Sponsors department, and in 2020 she moved to the business development department of the management board.
From 2009 to 2011 she completed a master’s program in fundraising and grantmaking at New York University. She gained practical experience during her studies at Amnesty International USA (2010), at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (2009), at NDR Kultur (2006-2008), among others at the Hamburg State Opera (2005/06), the Hamburg Civic Foundation and as a city ambassador from Osnabrück in Angers (F) from 2000 to the start of her studies in 2001. In her hometown at the University of Osnabrück she did her Bachelor of Arts in European studies (2004), in Hamburg she received a diploma in culture and media management in 2006 at the Hochschule für Music and Theatre and works at the KMM institute there as a lecturer for fundraising in the cultural and media management distance learning course. Katharina Rahne is associated with the Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation, the German National Academic Foundation, the KMM Network eV, the Kulturpolitical Society eV, the German Fundraising Association eV and #WILMANetzwerk. She lives in Berlin.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katharina-anna-rahne-09b9251b0/
Lena Meyer has worked as a special education teacher in Hamburg for the past 14 years. She took her first state exam in 2006 at the University of Hanover and completed her legal clerkship in 2008 at the Hamburg State Institute with the second state exam in the teaching profession special education.
In 2008, in addition to her work in the pilot project Integrative Support Centres of the City of Hamburg, she started at the non-profit Teach First Deutschland GmbH as a manager for the primary school curriculum. Three years later, in 2011, she took over full-time management of the regional office in Hamburg until her parental leave in 2013. After maternity leave, she started working as a special education teacher for the city of Hamburg in 2014, where she completed her training as an inclusive school development consultant, among other things. Lena Meyer took part in the Common Purpose Navigator program in Hamburg in 2010. She lives in Hamburg.
Ada Sim
Director of Products, Emerson Collective
Ada Sim is Director of Products at Emerson Collective. She works directly with product managers, engineers, and data scientists to co-design and develop innovative technology solutions to strengthen the social sector efforts. As a community builder and an advocate of using technology and data for positive impact, Ada has led global teams to successfully leverage data for good and re-engineer systems with technology.
She has over a decade of experience in the financial sector at Morgan Stanley and Bank of America Merrill Lynch where she held diverse roles in development, corporate finance, investor relations, strategy, and the chief operating office. In addition, she has worked and advised a number of early stage international civil society organizations collaborating with them to identify the data that matters to further their missions in serving their respective communities.
In 2019, Ada was part of Common Purpose's Streetwise MBA program, and she currently resides in New York City.
Albert Tucker
Independent Consultant
Albert Tucker is Chairman of the Karma Cola Foundation, supporting communities in Sierra Leone and a Director of Karma Cola UK the ethical drinks company. He is a Director of The Renewable Power Exchange a renewable energy enterprise linking renewable energy and people living in fuel poverty.
Albert is an EU expert adviser on Diaspora engagement and policy.He has a strong track record in leading and building successful social enterprises, working to multiple bottom lines e.g. Cafedirect, Divine Chocolate, and Twin Trading.
He is Chairman of Etico ethical trading company, Trustee of the Carnegie UK Trust, Common Purpose, the global leadership organisation and an RSA fellow. He has an MA in Social Policy and Administration.
Ali Layne-Smith
HR DIRECTOR
Ali Layne-Smith is an experienced HR Director who has made exceptional contributions to demanding and complex organizations including Ford Motor Company, GE Healthcare, Johnson & Johnson, West Midlands Police, London Ambulance Service and HMRC.
Ali currently works as an independent executive HR consultant aiding organizations to create inclusive working environments by delivering sustainable cultural change.
Ali is a Trustee of Oasis Community Learning (OCL), which is one of the UK’s largest MATs (Multi-Academy Trusts). She chairs their newly formed People Committee which incorporates the Remuneration Committee. OCL’s focus is on transforming education for children, their families, and their communities.
Ali recently started her first Non-Executive Director role with Cambridge University Hospitals Foundation Trust where she is a member of the Workforce and Education Committee and chairs the Remuneration committee.
Ali is co-opted to the People Committee at "Kick it Out" which is a charity fighting against racism and discrimination in football.
Ali Söğüt
Sahibi & Avukat, Adar Akaryakit
Ali Söğüt 1978 yılında Konya ‘da doğdu. İlk ve orta öğrenimini Konya‘da; lise eğitimini ise İzmir’ de tamamladı. Daha sonra İstanbul Üniversitesi Hukuk Fakültesi’nden mezun oldu. İş hayatına ortaokul ve lise yıllarının yaz tatillerinde garsonluk, tezgahtarlık, çaycılık, şehirler arası otobüs firmasında muavinlik ve taksi şoförlüğü yaparak başladı. Üniversite yıllarında bayi sorumlusu (Kompen A.Ş.), Tıbbi Satış Mümessili (Sina Sağlık A.Ş.) Satış sorumlusu (NTS Elektronik Ltd. Şti.) olarak çalıştı. Kendi işine üniversite son sınıfta Bilgisayar ve Teknoloji Ürünleri satışı firmasını kurarak başladı. 2000’li yıllarda bilgisayar ve teknoloji ürünleri satışı amacıyla web sitesi kurarak, yaklaşık 3600 adetlik ürün portföyü ile ilk elektronik ticaret yapanlar arasında yer aldı. ERP (Kurumsal Kaynak Planlama) konusunda danışmanlık yaptı. Ardından İnşaat ve Kuyumculuk sektörlerinde faaliyet gösteren şirketlerde ortak yönetici olarak görev yaptı. Ülkemizde yaşanan 2008 krizinin ardından, fiili olarak Serbest Avukatlık yapmaya başladı. Tekstil sektöründe faaliyet gösteren bir firmada İcra Kurulu üyeliği yaptı. Ticaret yapma arzusunun ağır basmasına istinaden, 2015 yılında Ali Babanın Çiftliği A.Ş. firmasını memleketi Konya’da kurarak, %100 yerli sermayeli Opet markası altında Akaryakıt sektöründe faaliyet göstermeye başladı. Sektördeki başarısının ardından 2017 yılında İstanbul merkezli olan ve yine Opet markası altında faaliyet gösteren Adar Akaryakıt firmasının tüm hisselerini satın alarak sektördeki büyümesine devam etti. Üçüncü istasyonunu, yine %100 yerli sermayeli Aytemiz markası altında açmak üzere yatırım çalışmalarına devam etmektedir. Üç kız çocuğu olan Ali Söğüt yaklaşık 1 yıl Amerika’da yaşamış ve İngilizce eğitimini Intrax USA’da almıştır. Seyahat etmeyi seven Ali Söğüt, Türkiye ‘de 72 il ‘e ve Dünya ‘da 52 Ülkeye ve 85 Şehir ‘e gitmiştir. Yurtdışı gezilerinin bir kısmını motorsiklet ile gerçekleştirmiştir. 50 yaşına kadar 100 ülkeyi görmeyi istemektedir. Kitap okumanın yanında, Sky Diving, Scuba Diving, Kayak, Rafting ve Motocross sporları ile ilgilenmektedir.
Alvin Ng
Regional VP & General Manager, Johnson Control
Alvin Ng is the regional VP & General Manager of Johnson Control, responsible for JCI’s Digital Solution across Asia Pacific & Japan. JCI Digital creates self-conscious, self-healing and occupant-driven building that unlocks new possibilities of how enterprises discover new insights, find efficiencies, and create other sources of value and sustainability.
Prior to JCI, Alvin was the General Manager of GE Digital chartered to lead GE Digital’s industrial software solutions and services that bring together brilliant machines, data, insights, and people to drive real-time connectivity and data intelligence through a digital thread in Asia.
He has over 20 years experience in sales management, business and market development, and has held a series of global leadership roles. Three of those years were spent in Europe.
With his extensive experience and passion for Digital Transformation and Advance Technologies (IOT and AI), he serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor at NTU Nanyang Business School and as a founding member of World Economic Forum’s Digital ASEAN Skills Task Force. He is also a Senior Career Fellow and plays the role of an executive coach Global Executive MBA and Full-Time MBA programme at Nanyang Business School.
Before joining Johnson Control and GE Digital, Alvin Ng was the Regional Vice President, Banking Products & Solutions, for Wincor Nixdorf. He leads the Software Business Unit for Asia Pacific & Japan and have the overall P&L responsibility for sales, consulting and professional services.
Alvin began his leadership journey in Cisco Systems as the Managing Director of Cisco Systems Global Enterprise Sales with responsibility over Cisco Systems’ largest Global Enterprise customers.
Amee Parikh
Director, Amansa Capital Pte. Ltd
Amee Parikh is a corporate law and finance consultant with over twenty years’ experience across both the commercial and not-for-profit sectors. Presently she is an executive director at Amansa Capital, Amansa Fund LP, Amansa Holdings, Amansa Investments and AAP Advisors.
She is also an independent corporate law consultant enabling start-ups with legal and finance advice.
Amee is a non-executive director of Amansa Social Foundation which engages with social entrepreneurs and undertakes philanthropic activities in India.
In addition, she serves on the board of Magic Bus.
Amee was an assistant lecturer for Economics and Public Policy at LEE KUAN YEW School of Public Policy, Singapore between 2009 and 2011.
Prior to that, she had set up a proprietary firm, Amee Parikh & Co. which provided business law consultation to corporates since 1990 to 2007.
Amee was educated at Bombay University and Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.
She has also done her ICSA (Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators), UK.
Amy Stillman
Senior Director of Strategic Communications, Grads of Life
Amy Stillman is the Senior Director of Strategic Communications at Grads of Life, a non-profit organization working with U.S. employers to implement skills-based talent practices that drive diversity and equity outcomes. She was the Chief Communications Officer of the Global Impact Investing Network, an international non-profit working with financial institutions to increase the amount of investment capital going to social and environmental businesses around the world. Prior to that, she was Director of Communications and Policy at the UK's leading venture philanthropy organization, the Impetus Trust.
She was previously the Head of Communications and Public Engagement at Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO). From 1999 - 2007, she was Marketing Director at global leadership development organization Common Purpose. Her background also includes senior marketing and communications roles at commercial organizations, including Merrill Lynch and WATG, as well as marketing consulting firm The Commonwealth Group.
Amy spent 26 years in London before returning to the United States in 2014, and currently lives in Boston.
Anita Varshney
Global Vice President, Strategy SAP Sustainability Engineering
Anita is passionate about sustainable change and transformation, working with public-private partnership models, bringing together global communities to make a positive impact. Through a system thinking mindset, she consults on how businesses can bring sustainable ideas to life and with the right culture of innovation, coordinated team efforts, turning them into a powerful grassroot movement. Anita is a strong advocator on the role of women leadership and sports in accelerating our progress to reach the Global Goals by 2030.
Anita is spearheading SAP's strategy on Sustainability Management across SAP's product portfolio, working closely with experts, and leaders across different board areas. She is driving collaboration with SAP's partners and wider ecosystem, accelerating innovation and delivering customer success on their sustainability ambitions.
Anita leads SDG Ambition for SAP, which was launched at World Economic Forum 2020, in collaboration with UN Global Compact and Accenture. This program is aimed at developing and implementing innovative and ambitious business strategies that significantly increase companies' positive impact on the UN SDGs.
Anita has a strong dedication to working with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and has previously led the strategy behind building a global innovation with purpose space at SAP New York, Hudson Yards and ecosystem which serves SAP's global customers in 180+ countries in collaboration with startups, accelerators, tech community partners, venture firms, impact investors and philanthropists, futurists, and purpose driven institutions. Anita has been a key contributor to the books "SAP Next-Gen: Innovation with Purpose" and "SAP Next-Gen: Using Science Fiction as a Starship for Enterprise Innovation".
Anita has led several Gender Equality initiatives helping women and girls to design, shape and benefit from the technological transformations and innovations changing our world including #sheinnovates in collaboration with UN Women, to drive industry-wide action to make innovation and technology work better for young women and girls; Global Goals World Cup in collaboration with Danish Eir Soccer, to drive the power of sports for women from all walks of life, across all regions of the world onto the field and advocate for the Goal that is most invigorating for them, for their families, and community; Women in Data Sciences in collaboration with Stanford empowering female data scientists and mentoring them in their careers, across a global network of 3,360+ educational institutions and launched Female Quotient Equality Lounges at Universities, to bringing experiential pop-ups at college campuses, global conferences, and companies where women connect, collaborate, and activate change together to best prepare women with confidence to advance in the workforce.
You can know more about Anita here: LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and her website
Barbara Kokonya
Managing Director, Very Chic Limited, Kenya
Barbara Kokonya is Founder & Managing Director of Very Chic Limited, a promotional merchandise company, and at KoKo by Khakasa™, a lifestyle brand.
Prior to going into entrepreneurship, Barbara worked in the sports industry for over ten years. She was the first female to hold the position of General Manager at both Cricket Kenya and Kenya Rugby Union. She consulted for the International Cricket Council in the dual position of Host Liaison and Event Coordinator for Kenya and Zimbabwe during the 2003 Cricket World Cup.
She has a joint Executive MBA degree from Maastricht School of Management and Eastern and Southern African Management Institute.
Outside work, Barbara is passionate about education, mentorship and empowerment of young men and women across Africa. She currently mentors high school girls under a UK registered Trust called Precious Sisters and also runs the KOKO Accelerator Program, which focuses on empowering artisans grow their handicraft micro-enterprises.
Bettina Jorzik
Programmleitung Lehre, Akademischer Nachwuchs, Stifterverband
Bettina Jorzik ist seit 2003 beim Stifterverband und verantwortet dort als Programmleiterin Lehre, Akademischer Nachwuchs alle Aktivitäten und Förderprogramme, die der Verbesserung und Weiterentwicklung der Qualität von Studium und Lehre dienen. Zuvor war sie zwölf Jahre im Wissenschaftsministerium des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen beschäftigt.
Common Purpose hat sie als Teilnehmerin des Ruhr Meridians 2009/10 kennengelernt. Für sie bedeutet Common Purpose, gemeinsame Sache zu machen und Verantwortung zu übernehmen für die Gestaltung des Gemeinwesens. Denn die Zivilgesellschaft sind nicht die anderen, sondern wir alle. Deshalb engagiert sie sich seit Juni 2018 im Vorstand von Common Purpose sowie im Kuratorium für den Standort Ruhr.
Fotorechte: David Außerhofer/Stifterverband
Carol Abade
Group CEO of Exp. A Pan African Experiential Marketing and Sponsorship Agency
Kenyan-born Carol Abade is the Group CEO of EXP. A Pan African Experiential marketing and sponsorship agency. After co-founding a company called Direct Marketing Communications, Abade joined forces with Group Africa Marketing to form EXP, which now has operations in more than 19 African countries.
Since first becoming interested in experiential marketing, Abade has been actively involved in the launch of Exp in 15 countries over the last 20 years, and considers this one of her greatest personal achievements to date. Her focus is on driving the multidimensional aspects of experiential marketing and effectively applying these techniques both from a commercial and social perspective in order to improve the living conditions of the poor in Africa, through Behaviour Change Communication modeling.
Her current passion is in developing Social and Cause Marketing techniques to drive measurable change in behavior for the greater good of the communities in which we work. She believes that communication is key to delivering real change and improving living conditions by empowering communities.
Carol Conway
Owner, Freelance Catalyst
A graduate of both Psychology and Economics, Carol is a lifelong Behavioural Scientist with a passionate interest in human dynamics and a fundamental belief in people. Her work revolves around assisting individuals and organizations to achieve more of their potential. On any given day that can include training, facilitation, leadership development or coaching.
Carol’s mission in life is to share information so that those she works with can achieve more; personally, professionally and organizationally. She has worked with CEOs, management teams and Boards of numerous organizations.
Carol also designed and co-ordinated the Young Community Leaders project for the Northside Partnership (2011–2015), producing 125 young leaders in five years who are all working to make their community a better place. Since she works predominantly within the Voluntary and Community sector, Carol sees the value of her work as being better outcomes for Irish society.
In addition to her Freelance work, Carol is currently a Board member of Common Purpose Ireland and sits on the Governance Sub Group of The Wheel.
Cedric Crocker
Partner, Sage Partners LLC and Managing Partner at Clarity + Focus Consulting
Cedric Crocker is a partner with Sage Partners LLC. Sage is a venture acceleration and strategy & governance advisory firm working with early-stage to established companies globally. He is also managing partner at Clarity + Focus Consulting, providing strategy advisory and business coaching to executives, a senior advisor to the European Learning Industry Group (ELIG), and the EMEA Chair / Alumni Leadership Award for the University of California. He has held senior positions with Wiley, CBS, The Compage Company, and Cengage. He works with partners and clients in Europe, SE Asia, and the United States.
Prior to founding C+F, Cedric served in senior positions at Wiley, a global professional learning and education company. As Vice President for Strategic Business Development in Europe/Middle East/Africa, he helped reposition Wiley from publishing to professional development solutions by creating new, digitally-based business with regional clients and partners. Prior to that he headed Wiley’s leadership & training products group, where he guided the migration to digital products, the acquisition of e-learning and assessment companies, and the launch of the Talent Solutions group, Wiley’s fastest growing business. He worked with a wide range of learning and professional development enterprises on intellectual property strategy, product creation, and go-to-market strategies, and collaborated with many of the most prominent thought leaders in business.
Prior to joining Wiley, Cedric held positions at Viacom, as director of the technology practice at The Compage Company, and founded and ran his own communications consulting business.
Cedric is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley and serves as District Chair, Europe/Middle East/Africa for the University’s Alumni Association Leadership Award. He also serves as Senior Advisor to the European Learning Industry Group (ELIG), a European Commission-sponsored of companies and universities committed to changing the way Europe learns.
Cedric divides his time between the San Francisco area and London.
Professor Christine Ennew OBE
Provost, University Of Warwick
Christine Ennew OBE is Provost at the University of Warwick, where she supports the Vice Chancellor in the academic leadership of the University. A key aspect of her role is leading the development and delivery of the University’s academic strategy, ensuring that Warwick remains competitive and relevant within HE and beyond. She is responsible for the efficient and effective use of academic resources (including departmental resources, capital planning and space management, and information resources).
Christine graduated from Cambridge University and completed her PhD at Nottingham. Until recently she was one of Nottingham’s Pro Vice Chancellors, as well as serving as Provost and CEO of the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus. She joined the University of Warwick in August 2016
She is currently a member of the Advisory Board of the Observatory on Borderless Higher Education, a member of the Board of Directors for Common Purpose Student Experiences, a member of the Board of Examiners for the Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers and represents the University of Warwick on the Boards of a range of associated companies.
David Grace
Independent Business Adviser And Non Executive Director
David is an independent business adviser and non-executive director, with a focus on social enterprise. He currently carries out a number of advisory roles, mainly providing strategic and consulting advice, as well as mentoring to professionals.
Until his retirement, David was a senior partner at PwC, where he held a variety of UK and global leadership roles within Financial Services. In his final role, he was the Global Head of Financial Crime and a member of PwC’s Global Financial Services Leadership team. He also held a number of positions focused on people development, marketing and communications. He has always been an advocate for developing people’s leadership skills, both for their own benefit, and to help create environments in which others can thrive.
David has been a Trustee of Common Purpose Charitable Trust (CPCT) since 2017 and was Chair of the CPCT Audit & Risk Committee. He has had a long involvement with Common Purpose, dating back to its original formation, with what was then Coopers & Lybrand. Over the years, he has provided ongoing PwC help and assistance.
David is a past Trustee of Clarity & Co., a social enterprise which supported people who are visually impaired and disabled. Other non-executive roles include acting as a Special Advisor to the Audit Committee at Charity Bank, an ethical bank, and being an Audit Committee member at the Arab British Chamber of Commerce.
David has a law degree from Southampton University and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales.
David Robinson
Non-Executive Director
David has had over 30 years’ experience in the sports and luxury outdoor brands market, starting his career at Puma UK before moving to Speedo International in 1995.
Over this time he has developed a multidisciplinary career which started in the commercial function before broadening to lead teams across product, marketing and supply chain. He joined the Speedo Executive team in 2000 before becoming Global President in 2008.
After eight years of leading Speedo through its most successful period of growth, he became CEO of Le Chameau, the prestigious country wear brand in June 2017.
David lives in Nottinghamshire with his wife and five children.
Dr Atiya Mosam
Public Health Medicine Specialist and Senior Researcher: PRICELESS SA - Samrc/Centre For Health Economics And Decision Science
Dr Atiya Mosam is a proudly South African Public Health Medicine Specialist who also holds a Masters of Public Health (Policy and Management) and a Masters of Medicine (Community Health). Atiya holds an interest in healthcare financing and economics as well as health promotion and prevention for non-communicable disease and is currently working at PRICELESS SA as a senior researcher.
Atiya’s passion for social upliftment extends beyond her career. She has been involved in numerous projects to increase awareness of and funding to various causes such a homelessness and HIV affected youth. She served on the Board of the Public Health Association of South Africa and is a current director of Common Purpose SA. Atiya has recently been chosen as a one of 20 Young Physician Leaders to participate at the 2019 World Health Summit.
Dr Kenneth Ashigbey
Chief Executive Officer, Chamber of Telecommunications, Ghana
Dr Ing. Kenneth Ashigbey is the CEO of the Ghana Telecommunications Chamber. He has been a member of Common Purpose South Africa’s Africa Venture Selection Panel since 2019 till the 2022, when the role was changed to Africa Advisory Panel. He is the Board Chairman of Lumen Christi Catholic Media Ltd and is a non-executive board member of the Old Mutual Pensions Trust Ghana.
Prior to his appointment at the Chamber, he was Managing Director of Graphic Communications Group Ltd. Before then, Ken was the Chief Operating Officer for Multi TV, General Manager of JoyFm as well as the Chief Technology Officer of the Multimedia Communication Group at different times. In between his time at Multimedia, he was also Managing Director of Optimum Media Prime, a media independent and marketing company. He left Fanel Ltd, a building services engineering company as a Senior Projects Engineer.
He holds a Doctorate degree in Business Administration from SMC University. He also has an MBA in Finance from Leicester University (UK) and a BSc in Electrical/Electronic Engineering from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. He is a 2018 CSC Leadership alumnus and a fellow of the Ghana Institution of Engineering, Institute of Directors Ghana, Institute of Certified Economist. He is also an Accredited Member Institute of Public Relations and is a Project Management Professional.
Apart from the LCCML, Kenneth also serves on other boards, councils and committees. He is the Chairman of the National Engineering Coordinating Committee and was recently appointed to the National Employment Coordinating Committee. For his alma maters he is the convener of his year group, APSU88 (St. Augustine’s College) and for his university, he is the chairman of the KNUST Media Management Board. Ken is an avid media rights advocate and a firm believer in the potential of the African, especially the youth.
Dr Robert F Care
Arup Principal, Act and Strategic Geographies Leader
Dr Robert Care has built and led high performance teams in diverse countries, cultures and economies. He has been highly effective in building the commitment, engagement and momentum for change in difficult and often highly resistant environments. His leadership style is characterised by a powerful combination of humility, humanity and commerciality. His sense of purpose is that he makes a difference wherever he is and whomever he is with. This in turn inspires others to strive and achieve.
His ability to combine care and compassion with deep wisdom has been key to his success and the success of others. These highly prized attributes allow him to communicate complex and challenging messages and galvanise support.
Robert's approach has a basis in the appreciative inquiry model for problem solving. He is one of those rare individuals who can understand the requirements of both people and process.
His academic education is within engineering (PhD) and he marries very successfully this left-brain focused training with high level right-brain creativity.
Robert's coaching and mentorship model is based on listening in its very real sense, an attribute so often missing in today's fast-paced environment. Through truly hearing, he is able to respond with thought provoking questions, which may challenge deeply held and often subconscious beliefs. This approach creates new insights for clients enabling them to unlock and discover new ways of assessing and responding to complex and often seemingly intractable issues.
Alongside his mentoring and coaching clients, Robert is chair of The Arup Partnerships (global) and a Principal in the Australasia Region of Arup Group. His responsibilities include the Australian Capital Territory and Strategic Geographies (including Indonesia and New Zealand). He was a member of the Arup global Group Board from 2008 to 2014. He was also Chair of Arup Group’s UK, Middle East and Africa region from 2010 to 2013, and Chair of Arup Group’s Australasia Region from 2004 to 2010. In both cases Robert oversaw significant business turnarounds.
Robert’s particular interests include workplace diversity, leadership, mentoring and coaching, both inside and outside Arup Group. He has used these skills to lift the performance and outcome in the various organisations in which he has held leadership positions.
Arup, a professional services firm of designers, planners, and project managers, are skilled in building design and have pioneered some of the most ambitious, ground-breaking and unusual sustainable buildings and infrastructure projects around the world today. Robert is convinced real value for clients is added through focussing on sustainability.
Before taking on his current role Robert worked around the world in a career spanning more than 40 years – with posts in Japan, Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea, Australia and the UK. He helped to lead the reform of Australia's building regulations in the 1990s and he has worked on many major global railway and infrastructure projects.
From 1986 through to 1990 Robert was first the Chief Engineer of the National Capital Development Commission (effecting a turnaround in performance of the then Engineering Division) and subsequently the Director responsible for The Infrastructure Division later called ACT Public Works (essentially leading this as a ‘start up’ business).
Robert is a Fellow of Engineers Australia, a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences & Engineering and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management. His commitment to the community is reflected in his appointment as chair of the Common Purpose Charitable Trust in December 2013. Previously he was a Director of RedR Australia (Registered Experts for Disaster Relief) in 2006 and subsequently Chair of RedR Australia in November from 2008 until December 2010.
In 2012 Robert was made a Member of the Order of Australia AM for his services to Engineering, Business, Humanitarian Programs and Athletics. In 2013 Robert was recognised by the University of New South Wales as International Alumni of the Year. In 2014 Engineers Australia awarded Robert Australian Professional Engineer of the Year.
Ed Kitchen
GM Operations, Grocery & New Verticals (ANZ), Uber
Ed Kitchen is GM Operations, Grocery & New Verticals (ANZ), Uber.
Ed has had the opportunity to work and study in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Prior to joining Uber, Ed worked as a management consultant for KPMG, focussing on strategy and supply chain. Ed also worked as Group Projects Director for Common Purpose in London from 2014 to 2015, which was the beginning of Ed's relationship with Common Purpose.
Ed holds a Master in International Relations from Monash University, with a focus on conflict resolution and political economy. This included a semester on exchange at King's College London. Ed also has Bachelors degrees in Commerce (Finance) and Arts (Politics and History) from the University of Melbourne.
Ed is passionate about cities, sustainability and helping young leaders thrive in an increasingly complex and technology-driven world. Ed lives in Melbourne with his girlfriend, Steph, and little puppy, Rosie.
Elfriede Eckl
Regional Lead-Partner Frankfurt/Rhein-Main-Gebiet Und Niederlassungsleiterin Eschborn/Frankfurt A.M., Ey
Elfriede Eckl ist seit Juni 2018 Mitglied des Vorstands des Common Purpose Deutschland e.V.
Seit 2001 ist sie Partner bei EY und seit 2016 Leiterin der Niederlassung Frankfurt von EY, der Central Region mit ca. 2.600 Mitarbeitern. Sie ist verantwortlich für die Präsenz EYs im lokalen Markt und der Koordination der EY Service Lines, Standortleitung/Office Management unter dem Gesichtspunkt der Nachhaltigkeit und unternehmerischen Sozialverantwortung sowohl in finanzieller als auch in inhaltlicher Hinsicht. Sie betreibt weiterhin aktive Mandatsbetreuung und leitet das Leasingkompetenzzentrum in GSA. (Germany Switzerland Austria)
Sie ist ein Genussmensch der nicht nur gutes Essen liebt, sondern auch gerne und regelmäßig für Familie und Freunde kocht.
Common Purpose hat sie als Teilnehmerin des Matrix Programms kennengelernt. Sie unterstützt das Kuratorium in Frankfurt und seit 2018 ist sie auch im Vorstand von Common Purpose aktiv.
Emma Shercliff
Consultant
Emma is a publishing consultant and literary agent. In 2020, she founded Laxfield Literary Associates as a response to the lack of literary agents outside London, and with a focus on working with under-represented writers. Emma has worked for publishing companies in Paris, Melbourne, Abuja and London, and as a consultant for the British Council in Nigeria, Iran and Ukraine. She was formerly Managing Director of Macmillan English Campus, a global digital publishing division of Macmillan Publishers and Executive Director of the Turquoise Mountain Foundation (U.S.) from 2009-2014. She is a non-executive director of Cassava Republic Press UK, an award-winning independent African publishing company.
Emma holds an MA in Modern Languages from Cambridge University and an MA in International Development & Education from the UCL Institute of Education, University of London. She is currently a doctoral candidate at the UCL Institute of Education; her PhD research focuses on the role and contribution of women within the African publishing industry.
Emre Hantaloğlu
General Manager, Lenovo Turkey
Emre Hantaloğlu has more than 20 years' experience in the information technologies industry. Hantaloğlu is the General Manager of Lenovo Turkey, one of the top global technology companies, since November 2017. Hantaloğlu was the Channel Sales Manager at Lenovo before he became the General Manager.
Emre Hantaloğlu studied Electrical Engineering at Yıldız Technical University. He earned a master's degree in Business Administration at the University of Maine in the US, and started his career as a Product Manager at Empa Elektronik ve Bilgi Teknolojileri A.Ş.
He had executive roles in several well-known technology companies including Compaq, HP, Türk Telekom and Samsung.
Under his leadership Lenovo Turkey has cooperated with TEGV in opening two technology classes "Design and Skill Workshop" in Ergani, Diyarbakır; and Gümüşpala, Izmir in 2019.
Emre Hantaloğlu also leads a project launched by TEGV and Lenovo Turkey in 2020, which aims to train 50,000 children in digital thinking and introduction to coding in the school year 2020-2021.
Hantaloğlu played an active and leading role in launching the "Produce with Technology" platform established by Lenovo Turkey in cooperation with leading organizations including ‘Education Volunteers Foundation of Turkey’ (TEGV), İTÜ ARI Teknokent, FutureBright Group, Arena Bilgisayar, Index Group, Koyuncu Bilgisayar and Penta Technology.
Emre Hantaloğlu is a member of Executive board of TÜBİSAD.
Eugene Ho
Global CSR Director, Future Skills, SAP
Eugene is an accomplished corporate affairs leader with close to two decades of experience in the Information Technology sector, he is also a respected speaker, having spoken at international conferences and schools about leadership, skills development, sustainability, technology, and volunteerism. He contributes to advisory and advocacy committees including Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs East and Southeast Asia and the EU-ASEAN Business Council. Eugene was involved in consultations and programmes with international development organizations including ASEAN, UNICEF, UNDP, UNV, GIZ, Commonwealth Secretariat, and the World Economic Forum on ASEAN.
As Global CSR Director at SAP, Eugene is responsible for leading and developing the company’s global CSR flagship skilling programs targeted at youths in need to reduce inequality in education and employment. He works closely with partners across the public-private-plural sectors to ensure that youths have access to the skill development and jobs opportunities needed to succeed in the Digital and Green Economy.
Prior to this, Eugene oversaw SAP’s CSR efforts across 18 markets in the East Asia & Pacific region as the Regional Head of Corporate Social Responsibility. He is responsible for grant management and employee volunteerism to support SAP CSR’s focus areas to accelerate social business, build future skills, and collaborate for sustainability. He was instrumental to SAP receiving many recognitions including the ASEAN Business Award (2021 & 2018) for socio-economic contributions to the region. The company was also recognized as a “Champion of Good” by the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (2022 & 2020).
In addition, Eugene had led Corporate Affairs for more than 5 years in SAP South East Asia as a member of the Senior Executive Team, during which he had founded the ASEAN Data Science Explorers programme in 2017, impacting more than 40,000 youths over 6 years.
Eugene holds an MBA from the University of Strathclyde, a Bachelor of Psychology from James Cook University, a Graduate Diploma in Communication Management & Innovation and an Executive Certificate in Leadership from the Singapore Management University.
Fiona Keane
Head of Human Resources Europe, Standard Life International
I have 25+ years in Business Management and Human Resources. In my career to date I have held a number of senior leadership roles in the manufacturing, technology and financial services sectors in the UK and Ireland.
I have been with Standard Life International, an investments and long term savings company providing solutions to financial advisers in the Irish, German and Austrian and UK Offshore channels, since 2010 and currently hold the position of Head of Human Resources Europe. I have successfully led strategic organisational change projects, including most recently as European HR Lead for the Brexit Programme and the acquisition of Standard Life International by the Phoenix Group.
I am energised and driven by improving business outcomes and individual performance through connecting people to new thinking, ideas and practice, and I coach and mentor leaders and high potential talent inside and outside my organisation. I hold a Business degree and an MSc in Organisational Behaviour from Trinity College.
Galip Soykan
Forwarder Risk Yönetimi Ve Kontrol Müdürü, Arkas Holding
30 yıldır Arkas Holding bünyesinde çalışıyorum. Şu an Üst Düzey Yönetici olarak Acente Grubunda, Forwarder müşterilerden sorumluyum. Ayrıca 10 yıldır Arkas Akadedimi bünyesinde Satış Pazarlama eğitimleri veriyorum. Meridyen 7 ve IÜ Su Ürünleri bölümünden mezunum. Bir önceki yönetimde Denetim Komitesi Başkanı olarak görev yapmıştım. Evliyim, 1 kızım ve 1 Can dostum köpeğim var.
Güler Polat
Avukat, Güler Polat Hukuk Bürosu
1961 yılında Denver’de (ABD) doğdu. İlk, orta ve lise öğrenimini Adana’da tamamladı. İstanbul Üniversitesi Hukuk Fakültesi’nden 1984 yılında mezun oldu. Halen şahsına ait hukuk bürosunda şahıs hukuku, inşaat hukuku, sözleşmeler hukuku vb. serbest avukat olarak çalışıyor.
2002-2003 yıllarında TRT 2 Radyosunda canlı yayında “Hukuk Hepimize Lazım” konulu Temel Hukuk Kavramları ve Yasal Düzenlemelere ilişkin kadınlara yönelik bilgilendirici programı hazırlayıp sundu. 2004–2011 yılları arasında İstanbul Barosu Engelli Hakları Komisyon Başkanı olarak çalıştı, çeşitli emsal davalar açarak, çeşitli TV programlarına danışmanlık yaptı, konuk olarak katıldı. Engelli haklarının hayata geçirilmesi ve eğitimlerle, hakların yaygın kullanımı için farkındalık yaratmaya çalıştı. Avrupa İnsan Hakları ve Birleşmiş Milletler Engelli Hakları Sözleşmeleri konusunda iki yıl süre ile Eğiticinin Eğitimini aldıktan sonra çeşitli Sivil Toplum Kuruluşları ile engelli hakları konusunda çalışmalara ağırlık verdi.
2002 yılından itibaren Türk Toplum Hizmetleri Vakfının, 2010 yılından itibaren Toplumsal Haklar ve Araştırmalar Derneği’nin hukuk danışmanı olarak gönüllü hizmet veriyor. Birleşmiş Milletler Engelli Hakları Sözleşmesinin iç hukuk uygulamaları konusunda çeşitli illerde verdiği eğitimlerin yanı sıra 2011 yılından bu yana Mimar Sinan Üniversitesi Mimarlık Fakültesinde kendi önerisi ile müfredata alınan Engellilik ve Mimarlığa Hukuki Bakış dersinin okutmanlığı görevini sürdürüyor. 2010 yılında Cenevre’de Birleşmiş Milletler Ekonomik ve Sosyal Haklar Komitesi’ne Türkiye’de Engelli Haklarının Uygulanmasına yönelik sorunların sunumunu yapan grupta yer aldı. Sabancı Vakfı tarafından 2012 yılında “Fark Yaratanlar” Programına seçilen “Engelli Ayrımcılığını Önleme Platformu” ve “Engelli Hakları İzleme Platformu” dahil olmak üzere Birleşmiş Milletler Engelli Hakları raporlama projelerinde danışmanlık, eğitmenlik ve çeşitli sivil toplum kuruluşlarında gönüllü hukuk danışmanlığı görevlerini sürdürüyor. 2015 yılında Doğum İçin Elele Derneği’nin kurucuları arasında yer alarak Doğumda İnsan Hakları ve Yeni Doğan Hakları konusunu, 2017 yılında Aile ve Sosyal Politikalar Bakanlığı bünyesindeki bakım ve huzurevleri çalışanları ile birlikte yürütülen projede danışman ve eğitmenlik yaparak Yaşlı Hakları ve Vesayet Hukuku konusunu da çalışma alanına dahil etti.
Atanur adında bir oğlu olan Güler Polat, İngilizce biliyor. Kişisel gelişim, Yunan Mitolojisi, İstanbul tarihi ve kültürü konusunda seminerlere katılmaktan hoşlanıyor. Kızılderili tarihini, kültürünü ve Kızılderili Şamanizminin günümüze yansımalarını anlattığı seminer dizisine 2015 yılında başladı, farklı kültürleri ve inançları öğrenmek, seyahat etmek zevkleri arasında.
Işık Deniş
Başkent Doğalgaz Dağitim Gyo A.Ş, İşletme Direktörü
H. Işık Deniş, 1972 yılında Kayseri’de doğdu. İlk, orta ve lise eğitimlerini Bartın, Malatya ve İzmir’de tamamladı. 1999 yılında İstanbul Teknik Üniversitesi Petrol ve Doğal Gaz Mühendisliği Bölümünden mezun oldu.
Çalışma hayatına 1995 yılında İstanbul’da başlayan H. Işık Deniş, 1998 yılında STFA bünyesine katılmıştır. 1998-2002 yılları arasında STFA’nın çeşitli şirketlerinde görevler aldı. Bu dönem içerisinde 4646 sayılı Doğal Gaz Piyasası Kanunu üzerine detay çalışmalar yaparak, STFA’nın bu sektörde pozisyon almasına liderlik etti. 2003-2021 yılları arasında STFA’nın Doğal Gaz Dağıtım Şirketleri’ni bünyesinde bulunduran Enerya Enerji A.Ş.’de çeşitli üst düzey pozisyonlarında görev aldı.
Ekibi ile birlikte geliştirdiği yöntemlerle, doğal gazın boru hatları ile ulaşamadığı bölgelere doğal gaz arzı sağlanabilmesi için CNG ve LNG sistemlerinin doğal gaz dağıtım sektöründe kullanılmasını sağlayarak, Enerya’nın Türkiye’deki ilk uygulamaları gerçekleştiren şirket olmasını da sağladı.
2021 yılında Türkiye’nin en büyük özel doğal gaz dağıtım şirketi olan Başkent Doğalgaz Dağıtım GYO A.Ş.’de İşletme Direktörü olarak göreve başladı.
Bir dönem Türkiye Doğal Gaz Dağıtıcıları Birliği GazBir’de Yönetim Kurulu Üyeliği yapmış olup halen İTÜ Mezunlar Derneği, TMMOB Petrol Mühendisleri Odası ve Ortak İdealler Derneği üyesidir.
Jack Kavanagh
Pharmacist, Speaker & Non Exec Director
I am a performance and resilience coach, speaker and a qualified healthcare professional.
In 2012 I suffered a life changing spinal cord injury leaving me with 15% muscle function.
This ignited a passion for life and motivated me to help others live more aligned, courageous, fulfilling lives, fuelled by purpose and centred in their values. In 2019 I was awarded as one of "Ten Outstanding Young People of the Year" as a dynamic individual who is doing inspirational work. I am passionate about creating environments where everyone can explore their potential and so am excited to join the board of directors of Common Purpose Ireland along with the National Disability Authority and Center for Excellence in Universal Design.
In my work as a coach and speaker I am passionate about accompanying people on their journey of wellbeing, mental fitness, personal development and leadership. I work with individuals and groups as they transform towards the person or team they want to and can be. I strive to facilitate and empower people and teams that are engaged, resilient, willing to create space for curiosity, vulnerability and insight, to build awareness and perspective, to understand and appreciate their potential then to grow into it, helping to reframe adversities for possibilities. I help people and groups to live and lead more intentionally, to move with purpose, clarity and deliberate action towards goals with an understanding of their why. I ultimately intend to assist people lead open, courageous, authentic, inspired, impactful, adventurous and compassionate teams, organisations and lives. How? Through 1:1 coaching, workshops and keynote speeches. I strive to create environments where people feel more connected, less disillusioned and have permission to lower their masks so the world gets to see more of their magic.
As a Pharmacist and Health Professional I strive to understand health in all its guises, what makes and keeps us well. I was inspired by The World Health Organization (WHO) who in 1948 defined human health as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity". Thus far, my experience has shown me that western medicine, including pharma and interventional medicine, has an important place allowing many a quality of life they may otherwise not have available. However it has also highlighted for me the absolute necessity for a holistic approach to health and wellbeing, something I am very passionate about in my private life and in the environments I work in.
James Campbell
Chief Executive Officer and President of Rockwell Diamonds Inc
James Campbell is currently Chief Executive Officer and President of Rockwell Diamonds Inc. Prior to this he was Vice President - New Business for Lucara Diamond Corp, following Lucara's acquisition of African Diamonds plc, where he was Managing Director for four years.
Preceding this, James was with De Beers for over twenty years, culminating in being General Manager responsible for advanced exploration and resource delivery in the Global Mining and Exploration group. During his career with De Beers, he also led a number of diamond exploration and evaluation programmes and small-scale mine development as well as being involved in corporate and strategic management and being Nicky Oppenheimer's Personal Assistant.
James holds a degree in Mining & Exploration Geology from the Royal School of Mines (Imperial College, London University) and an MBA with distinction from Durham University. James is a Fellow of the Institute of Mining, Metallurgy & Materials, Chartered Engineer (UK), Chartered Scientist (UK), a Professional Natural Scientist (RSA) and a member of the Institute of Directors of South Africa. He is also a director of Bugeco sa, Swala Resources Inc and Stellar Diamonds plc.
As part of James' social commitment to South Africa, he serves as vice chairman of the South African Ballet Theatre ('SABT'), chairman of the South African Ballet Theatre Trust ('SABTT') as well as chairman of Common Purpose South Africa. He is also a licensed Lay Minister in the Anglican Church of South Africa and an accomplished Ballroom and Latin American dancer. James lives in Irene with his wife, who is a ballet and ballroom dancing teacher, and two university going daughters.
Jan Sanders
Senior Consultant, Ashurst
Jan Sanders is a senior consultant at law firm Ashurst LLP, having previously been a partner for 24 years in their projects team working on greenfield infrastructure projects and infrastructure mergers and acquisitions. During her time there she led numerous exciting transactions including The Barts and the Royal London Hospital Project involving new cancer care and heart specialist units for the capital. She also had a role in the successful bid to bring the Olympic Games to London in 2012.
Although based in London, throughout her career Jan has travelled and worked in various locations in Europe, Asia and the USA. She was also responsible for human resources matters in her department involving recruitment and promotions, appraisals and the promotion of equality and diversity. Jan has a reputation for her collaborative and inclusive style of operating, determination to see things through in a commercial and pragmatic way as well as a tremendous capacity for hard work. These attributes have enabled her to apply for and be accepted as a Magistrate sitting in her local area.
Jo Maharaj
Head of Loan Capital Market Solutions, Rand Merchant Bank
Jo has 13 years’ experience in investment banking spanning derivative structuring, institutional sales, loan syndications. She joined RMB in 2011 and was appointed to lead the Syndications and Distribution team for South Africa and African Regions 2017. In 2021 she was appointed as the Head of the Loan Capital Market Solutions (“LCMS”) team, which consists of the Loan Syndication, Insurance, Export Credit Agency Finance and Offshore Structured Sales business. She is a member of the RMB Investment Banking Executive Committee.
During her tenure at RMB, she has acted as Chair to RMB Aperture - RMB’s Diversity, Inclusion and Equity workplace forum; is a member of RMB Athena Exco – RMB’s Gender Equality initiative; and a founding member of RMB Origin Lamba – RMB’s LGBTQIA+ affiliation group.
Prior to joining RMB, she worked at Absa Capital in Infrastructure & Public Sector coverage. She holds a Master’s degree in International Finance and Development Economics from the Fletcher School, Tufts University, Boston and a BA in Law and Economics from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
Jonathan Donner
Leadership Development Consultant
Jonathan Donner is an independent Leadership Development Consultant, based in Seattle, Washington. He is a recognized expert in the fields of Leadership Development, Talent and Learning, and he has led some of the world’s most pioneering global leadership development programs and largest learning transformations.
Jonathan’s executive experience includes global senior leadership roles at organizations including: Unilever, the United Nations World Food Programme, and, most recently, Amazon. His expertise has been recognized in the Harvard Business Review, The Economist, many important leadership books, and as part of the Executive Education curriculum of Harvard Business School and the IMD Business School in Switzerland.
Joseph Ruane
Health Manager, Health Service Executive
Joseph is originally from Galway but now lives in Dublin.
For over 20 years, he has worked in the Health Services in Northern Ireland, England and Ireland holding a number of senior positions and his current role is Head of Primary Care for the Midlands, Louth and Meath.
His studies include B Sc. (Hons) Human Nutrition from the University of Ulster, Diploma in Professional Development (Community Organisations) and M.Sc. in Health Service Management from the University of Wales College of Medicine, Barrister-at-Law Degree from the Honourable Society of the Kings Inns and a Diploma in Leadership & Quality from the Royal College of Physicians.
His interests include sports, politics, podcasts and attending as many sporting and cultural events as possible.
Julia Harvie-Liddel
Director, Talent Acquisition, EMEA, AWS
Julia Harvie-Liddel is Director, Talent Acquisition, EMEA, AWS.
She was previously Group Head of Talent Acquisition (TA) at BP, where her responsibilities included developing and overseeing the implementation of BP’s resourcing strategy in service of the capabilities required to deliver the long term BP strategy. This included all recruitment at BP globally from school leaver to board room level.
Julia joined BP in 2011 as the Global Vice President for Upstream Resourcing, with a focus on driving standardization, modernization and quality of global hiring. This role expanded over time to cover all businesses and levels. Julia is based in London but travels for large parts of the year.
Julia spent the early part of her career working at Accenture. There she held a variety of resourcing and HR generalist roles – with both local and global remits.
Julia Middleton
Founder, Common Purpose & Women Emerging From Isolation
Julia is passionate about helping people from all backgrounds to develop as leaders and make an active and tangible contribution to their communities and to wider society.
Julia is the author of two bestselling books: Beyond Authority and Cultural Intelligence.
In the autumn of 1989, Julia founded Common Purpose, which has grown to be one of the biggest leadership development organizations in the world. Julia stepped down from the position of Chief Executive in 2019.
Julia continues to support Common Purpose as a volunteer.
In April 2020 she launched Women Emerging from Isolation which she now leads. Julia is also a member of the Advisory Group of Common Purpose in Pakistan and is a Patron for Common Purpose of the Europe101 initiative.
She is on the board and chairs the investment committee of Alfanar (delivering Venture Philanthropy in the Arab World), is on the International Advisory Council for Fundação Dom Cabral (a business school in Brasil), is a Senior Fellow of Babson College, is a trustee of The Wren Project (supporting people with autoimmune conditions) and is a Goodwill Ambassador of the Aurora Forum (a global humanitarian initiative run out of Armenia).
Julia was born in London and educated at French Lycées around the world. She worked for the Industrial Society after receiving an economics degree from the London School of Economics. She is married, and has five children, one daughter in law, one son in law and one granddaughter.
Julie Sanders
Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Newcastle University
Julie Sanders is a Professor of English Literature and Drama and currently, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost at Newcastle University where she has worked since 2015 having previously been at the University of Nottingham where she was Head of English (2010-13) and then Vice Provost for two years at Nottingham's China campus. She has published many books and articles in her research area of Shakespeare and early modern literature and is also currently a trustee for Shakespeare’s Globe, Northern Stage, and the Shakespeare North Playhouse. Her work at Newcastle has focused on academic strategy, Equality Diversity and Inclusion, and Social and environmental justice (the University’s core values work). She is a global ambassador for the Living Values project of the Magna Charta Observatory for universities worldwide and an alumna of Common Purpose’s Global Leaders programme in 2018. From 1 October 2022, she will become the next Principal of Royal Holloway University of London.
Leyla Alaton
Yönetim Kurulu Üyesi, Alarko Holding & Yönetim Kurulu Başkani, Alvimedica
Leyla Alaton İstanbul'da doğdu, Şişli Terakki, Lycée Sainte-Pulcherie ve Notre Dame de Sion okullarına devam etti. ABD'deki Fairleigh Dickinson Üniversitesi'nden İşletme Yönetimi, ayrıca New York Üniversitesi'nde Sosyal Bilimler alanında yüksek lisans mezunudur. Alaton, Alvimedica Yönetim Kurulu Başkanı ve Alarko Holding Yönetim Kurulu Üyesidir.
Kariyerine 1986 yılında babası İshak Alaton ve ortağı Dr. Üzeyir Garih tarafından kurulan Alarko Holding'de başlayan Alkent - Etiler Uyduşehir ve Alsit Villakent projelerinin tanıtım ve pazarlamasını yönetti. 1992 yılında Milli Prodüktivite Merkezi tarafından “Yılın İş Kadını” seçildi. 1993 Davos Dünya Ekonomik Forumu'nda “Geleceğin Liderleri” arasına girdi. Aynı yıl Megatrend Halkla İlişkiler danışmanlık şirketini kurdu ve Aérospatiale ve Alcatel gibi dünya devlerine danışmanlık hizmeti verdi. 2014 yılında Türkiye-Fransa ilişkilerine olumlu katkılarından dolayı Fransa'nın en yüksek nişanı olan Légion d'Honneur ödülüne layık görüldü.
Sivil Toplum Kuruluşlari
- TÜSİAD (Türk Sanayici ve İş İnsanları Derneği)
- GYİAD (Genç Yönetici ve İş Adamları Derneği)
- KAGİDER (Türkiye Kadın Girişimciler Derneği)
- Darüşşafaka Cemiyeti
- Contemporary Art İstanbul
- Cartier / Women’s Forum
- New Museum, NY
- Make A Wish (Bir Dilek Tut)
- YPO (Young Presidents' Organization)
- Ortak İdealler Derneği (Common Purpose)
Linda Yanta
Auditor and Independent Consultant in Corporate Governance
Linda is currently an independent consultant providing services mainly in the area of Corporate Governance. He is also a Board member of Prudential Investment Managers and also chairs the organization’s Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee. Up to December 2014 Linda was part of SizweNtsalubaGobodo. He had joined the firm in May 2012 as a Director in Corporate Governance Services. He was responsible for the provision of governance, risk management and internal audit services to his clients. In addition, he was the lead partner for the provision of sustainability assurance services to key clients of the firm.
Linda’s experience is varied and includes 12 years of financial management and 11 years of heading a significant internal audit function. He served his articles with Deloitte. Linda’s financial management experience spans organizations such as Unilever, National Sorghum Breweries, Transnet and Eskom. During these 12 years he was involved in project accounting, factory management accounting, financial analysis, general financial management, commercial and procurement management and leadership of a finance function.
Linda is also a past President of the Institute of Internal Auditors (“IIA”) in South Africa and has served as a director on the Global Institute’s Board. He has just concluded his term as a director on the SA Board of the IIA and as Chairman of the Human Resources Committee. He has also served as a member of the Global Institute’s Committee for Research and Education. Linda was also a member of the internal audit subcommittee in King III. He is also the past Chairman of the Audit Committee at the Department of Trade and Industry. He has also been a member and in the last year Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Internal Audit Programme at the University of Pretoria.
Over the years Linda has been regularly invited to present on various internal auditing, risk management and governance related topics at key conferences.Linda who is married and has two children has a keen interest in travelling, reading and youth development.
Liz Bromley
Chief Executive Officer, NCG
Before joining NCG in the summer of 2019, Liz worked in Higher Education for more than 20 years, holding senior roles at the Open University, Salford, Goldsmiths and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) where she was Deputy Vice Chancellor. Liz was also CEO of University Alliance during 2018, on a secondment from UCLan.
First in her family to go to University, Liz studied English Language and Literature at Worcester College, Oxford. She has been a passionate advocate for social equality and for widening access to all forms of education, in practical as well as in policy terms, throughout her career and is well known across the sector for leadership development, positive change management, entrepreneurial leadership, improving the student experience, and for making things happen. She has non-executive experience of multi academy trusts in London and Cheshire, and is currently a board member of English Heritage, and has recently joined the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Liz was previously a member of the board of Common Purpose (UK).
Lynna Chandra
Founder And Trustee, Rachel House
Lynna Chandra founded Rachel House in 2006 to pioneer the first paediatric palliative care service in Indonesia, which helped to champion the establishment of a palliative care ecosystem to benefit patients living with life-limiting conditions. Driven by the conviction that no child should ever have to live or die in pain, compassion was the underlying foundation of the organization and equitable access its reason for being. The outcome has been the flowering of this fountain of compassion, not just in the care that it provides, but its extension into the communities.
Lynna has since embarked on a new journey in search of an equitable humane healthcare model to ensure compassionate and excellent care is available and accessible for all, in an economically sustainable way.
Lynna is an accountant by training and spent the first decade of her career in the investment banking industry. She is an Ashoka and Atlantic Fellow, and serves on the boards of Assisi Hospice (Singapore) and Bamboo Capital Management, a private equity firm focusing on impact investment.
Mark Linder
Partner, N2
Mark is a partner with Helsinki-based N2, a Nordic design and communications group. Until 2016 Mark was a partner in the geopolitical arm of Bell Pottinger, when he moved full time to Finland. Mark previously worked for WPP as a global client leader, one of the first to put together cross-company teams that focused on global clients across the group. He was the first ever Chief Marketing Officer for KPMG.
Mark has directly developed international branding strategies and solution implementation for corporates like AT&T, Ford Motor Company, BP, Nokia, Vodafone, Andersen, KPMG, Ernst & Young, McKinsey & Company and others. He has worked in sectors characterized by perpetual controversy like GMOs (Oxitec), unconventional natural gas (Cuadrilla), and tidal range energy (Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay). His interests include energy, the built environment and conflict transformation. In Finland he has created recognized export programmes in the areas of power technology and construction safety, and created global positioning for a number of Finnish entities. He is an investor in Finnish startups with globally relevant propositions.
Matt Epstein
Director, Goulston & Storrs PC
Mr. Epstein practices commercial real estate law at Goulston & Storrs where he serves as co-chair of the firm’s retail, restaurant and consumer group. He is a Trustee of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and chaired its Community Benefits Committee, and serves on the President's Council of Berklee College of Music.
Mr. Epstein is a graduate of Harvard College and holds a law degree from Harvard Law School as well as a master's degree in social and political science from Emmanuel College, Cambridge, England, where he served as the Harvard Scholar.
He lives in Newton with his wife, Deborah Hiatt.
Moawia Bin-Sufyan
Investment Director, Wales Regional Coordinator, Care After Combat and Governor, Coleg Gwent
Moawia brings a wealth of senior board experience in education, investments, housing, social care, and criminal justice over the last two decades. Currently, he is an Investment Director, Wales Regional Coordinator for a Military Charity (Care After Combat), Magistrate, and Governor at one largest FE Colleges (Coleg Gwent) in the UK.
He holds several other Non-Executive Director and Public Appointment roles including with the Ministry of Justice, Hafod Housing, Welsh Government, and is an Executive Board Member of the (UN) United Nations Association.
Moawia is the founder of a charity that provides health and educational services in South Asia. He is quinti-lingual and regularly lectures and speaks across the world on a range of issues, including education, criminal justice, and community cohesion.
Moawia is passionate about supporting and mentoring future leaders, having personally mentored over 500 mentees over the last 22 years. He is also a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Educators and the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers. He received the Freedom of the City of London in 2021.
Murat Palaoğlu
Şirket Ortaği (Gümrük Ve Diş Ticaret), KPMG Türkiye
Murat Palaoğlu, Gümrük ve Dış Ticaret Bölüm Başkanı olarak, otomotiv, elektronik ve tekstil gibi çeşitli sektörlerde faaliyet gösteren şirketlerin gümrük ve ticaret uygulamaları üzerinde yoğunlaşmaktadır. Önceki mesleği sırasında Gümrük ve Ticaret Bakanlığı Başmüfettişi olarak dış ticaret alanında faaliyet gösteren şirketleri ve gümrük müşavirlerini denetlemiş, dış ticaretle ilgili her türlü davayı araştırmış ve görevi ile ilgili olarak Gümrük İdaresini temsilen AB birimleri dâhil birçok yabancı heyetle toplantılara katılmıştır. İhracat ve ithalat kontrolleri de dâhil olmak üzere gümrük idaresi ve uygulamalarını denetlemiştir.
2012 yılında KPMG Türkiye’ye Gümrük ve Dış Ticaret Bölüm Başkanı olarak katıldıktan sonra, çeşitli çok uluslu şirketlere dış ticaret ve gümrük uygulamaları konusunda danışmanlık hizmeti vermektedir.
Lisans öğrenimini Ankara Üniversitesi Siyaset Bilimleri Fakültesinde tamamlayan Murat Palaoğlu, ardından Boston Üniversitesi’nde Yönetim Bilimlerinde Finansal Ekonomi ve Çokuluslu Ticaret konulu iki ana dalda yüksek lisansını tamamlamıştır. İstanbul Üniversitesi (dış ticaret) ve Boston Üniversitesi'nde (finans ve uluslararası ticaret) çeşitli dersler vermekte ve sektör çalışanlarını eğitmektedir. Ayrıca İstanbul Ticaret Üniversitesi’nde Uluslararası Ticaret Hukuku üzerinde doktora eğitimine devam etmektedir.
Naina Desai
Head, Revenue Growth & Advanced Analytics, Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages
Naina Desai is an internationally experienced executive, with broad commercial and financial experience, and a deep understanding and passion for Africa. Born and raised in Kenya, Naina’s professional journey with leading multinational enterprises including Procter & Gamble, GlaxoSmithKline and Coca-Cola, has taken her to over 70 countries globally, and she has lived in various countries on three continents, notably Africa, North America and Asia. Currently based in Atlanta, USA, she leads Revenue Growth Management & Advanced Analytics for the US Operations of Arca Continental, one of the largest Coca-Cola bottlers in the world.
Naina is a passionate advocate for Africa and a believer in paying forward the invaluable support and mentorship she has received throughout her career from various people. She serves as an active mentor to many and has previously served The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation as Marketing Director on a pro-bono basis. Naina serves as an Advisory Board Member for Mbora, a social impact enterprise in Malawi, which aims to empower rural communities through digital, financial and health inclusion, enabled by technology and driven by sustainable agricultural practices.
Her leadership perspective framed by her global, multicultural outlook, is anchored in a strong belief that organizational and societal engagement are direct functions of culturally astute leaders who can cross boundaries to create exceptional experiences and opportunities for their teams and their communities.
Nick Davies
Business Consultant and Board Resource, Holistic Governance
I have been involved with Common Purpose for circa 30 years, having participated in their programmes and being an advocate of its Purpose.
I see myself as a European citizen being a first-generation Welshman whose family originates from Germany and what was Czechoslovakia. I reside in Malahide with my wife Laura and our two young men, Alex and Howard, who has learning difficulties.
I was with Ernst & Young for 33 years, initially in the UK and then Eastern Europe. I then joined Grant Thornton Ireland. Subsequently I worked in a senior position at NAMA, the Irish semi state body created by the Irish Government in late 2009, in response to the Irish financial crisis and the deflation of the Irish property bubble. I am now retired from full time employment and provide Enterprise Risk Management Business Consulting and Non-executive director services.
I have a very clear philosophy and operating style, which is to develop a holistic view of the 'Universe' an organization operates in, the need to work across boundaries and thrive in multiple cultures. This approach I have applied wherever I have worked. I have always considered the Environmental Societal and Governance (ESG) Agenda and the impact on the development and day-to-day operation of an organization's activities. This in turn creates the content of the dialogue with the key stakeholders and what an organization needs to manage.
I have taken an active interest in the Community and the part that business must play. Previously, I have been a non-executive director of a UK National Health Service hospital, a commercial radio station and two family owned businesses. I am currently a non-executive director and Board secretary for the Beaumont Hospital Foundation.
Orla Cunningham
Programme Director, Bank of Ireland
Orla has been with Bank of Ireland for 30 years and has held numerous leadership positions and managed multiple projects during her career which include Outsourcing, GDPR, IT change, Procurement, Facilities Management, Real Estate restructure, Training and COO Markets and Treasury.
She enjoys collaborating with diverse groups to troubleshoot problems and establishing common ground so that initiatives can be progressed to achieve collective outcomes.
She holds a Bachelor of Business Studies degree from Trinity College and a CIPD diploma in Human Resource management from the National College of Ireland. She is also a co-opted Board member of the Children’s Rights Alliance.
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Paul Li
Partner, Head of Asia, Simmons And Simmons
Paul is a specialist in the field of financial markets regulation. He advises clients on both contentious and non-contentious aspects of their financial services businesses and specializes in related claims and regulatory and criminal investigations.
Recent work includes:
- Advising various asset managers in connection with insider dealing investigations, including acting for the former Head of Asian Equities of the asset management division of a major European banking group, defending insider dealing proceedings before the Market Misconduct Tribunal
- Acting for a private bank defending claims by various investors alleging mis-selling of leveraged products advising various financial institutions, listed companies and individuals in relation to investigations conducted by the Securities and Futures Commission, including the publicly announced investigation in relation to Citic Pacific
- Advising a hedge fund investor in connection with a US$180m+ claim against professional advisers.
Pauline Sahetapy
Head-AP Government Education & Delivery Excellence
With more than 40 years in the payment business, Pauline's experience covers many areas such as Business Development, Operations, and Education. Her clients included financial institutions as well as numerous government agencies in Asia Pacific (AP), Central Europe Middle East Africa (CEMEA) and Latin-America & Caribbean (LAC) Regions.
She joined Visa International in 1982 and has held several positions throughout her career starting as a Member Services Manager responsible for implementation and operations of clients' issuing and acquiring programs. Subsequently, she was promoted to Country Manager for Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and Guam in 1995 where she managed the business development and key strategies for those countries.
She then joined the Member Education Department, where she was instrumental in raising the profile of the department through the creation of what is now, the Visa Business School. As Director of the School she expanded the curriculum by introducing new and enhanced training initiatives aimed at increasing our clients' profitability.
In 2010, she started to focus on government education programs and to date, she has personally trained closed to 5,000 delegates representing various government organizations in AP, CEMEA and LAC regions. This eventually evolved into the Visa School of Public Policy (VSPP) in March 2015 to provide the required focus to facilitate engagement opportunities for government education and regulatory dialogue. This department was then merged into the Visa University organization in March 2019.
In 2020, Pauline has been tasked with driving Delivery Excellence initiatives which includes the Visa University Faculty Program, one of the key pillars in driving a learning culture within Visa by leveraging our very own "Leaders as Teachers". This has created a pool of 100 faculty members located across the five Visa regions.
Pauline is based in Singapore and is happily married with two daughters.
Peter Kulloi
Chair, Bátor Tábor Foundation
Peter Kulloi sits on the board of Serious Fun Children's Network founded by Paul Newman. He is also is co-chair of Tate’s REEAC. Before becoming a philanthropist, Peter was a successful investment banker.
Philip Niem
Financial Services Professional
Philip Niem's latest position was at Bank of Singapore where he was Investment Counselor for the North Asia Team. Prior to that he worked for Barclays Wealth where he was Head of the Discretionary Portfolio Management department. Before that he was Head of the Asian and Hong Kong/China research departments at AXA Investment Managers, HSBC Securities and Hoare Govett Asia. Philip graduated from the London School of Economics and qualified as a Chartered Accountant.
In addition to serving on the Board of Common Purpose Hong Kong, Philip serves on the Board of Viva Hong Kong a Charity dedicated to releasing children from poverty and abuse worldwide.
Rengin Onay Girav
Founding Partner, Real Fokus Consulting
Rengin Onay Girav is the founding partner of REAL Fokus Consulting which mainly focuses on employee engagement and employee experience matters in global organizations.
She has diverse industry and culture experiences gained in several different leadership roles mainly in HR, Public Affairs, Foundation Chairwoman in Shell Oil, The Coca-Cola Company and in Vodafone. She led HR operations of both at headquarters and subsidiary levels of 36 countries that includes a geographic footprint of USA, Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Middle East, Pakistan, and India.
She is passionate about continuous learning, and launched her online fashion jewellery brand to observe how she could reflect what she’s learned from her experiences gained in global consumer brands. She is actively supporting young women, young entrepreneurs and is a coach to tech and energy related startup companies, as well as a volunteer to many young individuals who are at the beginning or at the midst of their careers.
She is a graduate of Marmara University, Istanbul and Kingston Business School, London. Rengin is one of the founding members of Common Purpose's Turkey chapter.
She was born in Turkey, has three children and currently lives in Chicago with her family.
Rolf Pfeiffer
Managing Partner, Schwarz & Pfeiffer Executive Advisory Partners GMBH
Rolf Pfeiffer ist seit Juni 2020 Mitglied des Vorstands des Common Purpose Deutschland e.V. und seit 2019 Mitglied des Frankfurter Kuratoriums.
Im Jahr 2018 kam er als Partner zu Bernotat & Cie., heute Schwarz & Pfeiffer Executive Advisory Partners GmbH. Vorher war er 10 Jahre lang als Mit-Gründer und Managing Partner/Senior Partner einer Leadership Development-Firma aktiv und parallel dazu für das Center for Creative Leadership in der globalen Führungskräfteentwicklung unterwegs. Er ist seit einigen Jahren Fellow des Institute of Coaching at Harvard. Zudem unterstützt er seit 2001 die Stiftung der Deutschen Wirtschaft (SDW) als Mitglied der Stipendiaten-Auswahlkommission und ist seit vielen Jahren Mitglied des Fördervereins der SDW.
Er lebt mit seiner Familie am Taunus und freut sich auf die immer wieder spannenden Familien-Tennis-Matches und viel Zeit unterwegs mit dem Familien-Hund.
The Honourable Ronald Arculli
Senior Partner, King & Wood Mallesons, Hong Kong
Mr Ronald Arculli is a Senior Partner of King & Wood Mallesons in Hong Kong. He chairs the Board of FWD Group (the insurance arm of Pacific Century Group), the Honorary Advisory Committee of SVHK Foundation Limited, Common Purpose Charitable Foundation Limited, Hong Kong and Light Be Foundation Limited. He is also a Non-Executive Director of Asia Art Archive Limited and a Trustee, Vice-Chair of the Trustees and Director of IFRS Foundation. He is a Board Member and the Vice-Chairman of the Board of The West Kowloon Cultural District Authority and chairs its Executive Committee and Development Committee.
Mr Arculli is also an Independent Non-Executive Director of Hang Lung Properties Limited, and a Non-Executive Director of HKR International Limited, Sino Hotels (Holdings) Limited, Sino Land Company Limited, Tsim Sha Tsui Properties Limited, HK Electric Investments Manager Limited (as trustee-manager of HK Electric Investments) and HK Electric Investments Limited (all listed in Hong Kong except HK Electric Investments Manager Limited).
Mr Arculli has a long and distinguished record of public service. He was a Non-Official Member (November 2005 – June 2012) and later appointed as Convenor of the Non-Official Members (December 2011- June 2012) of the Executive Council of the HKSAR Government. He was a former member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong (1988-2000). He was the former Chairman of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (2006-2012) and The Hong Kong Jockey Club (2002-2006). He was also the former Chairman (2010-2012) and Board Member (2008-2012) of The World Federation of Exchanges.
In 2000, he succeeded HRH the Duke of Edinburgh as Chairman of The International Award Association, a youth development programme present in some 100 countries – a position he held until November 2007. He has served on many commissions and boards including the Board of the Hong Kong Jockey Club and the Board of Governors of the London Business School.
In 2005, the City University of Hong Kong conferred on Mr Arculli an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Social Sciences. In 2010, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology conferred on him an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws. Mr Arculli was called to the English and Hong Kong Bars and is currently a solicitor in England and Wales and in Hong Kong.
Rosemary Iphie Ugonabo
Senior Consultant, Nextier Advisory, Nigeria
Iphie is a UK qualified chartered certified accountant (FCCA) and a certified project management professional.
Her 16 years of industry experience, which spans the public and private sectors in the UK and Nigeria, includes public practice, media and advertising, FMCG, education, energy and international development. She currently works as a senior consultant in the development sector, notably in the UK DFID/FCDO-funded UK Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility programme. She has previously worked on other international development programmes - DFID Solar Nigeria Project; USAID-Deloitte Power Africa and Heinrich Boell Foundation, to mention a few. She has also held senior finance roles, including the position of University Treasurer at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), where she led a number of initiatives commissioned to improve ways of working in the financial management and operations space.
Iphie sits on the Strategic Advisory Board of Coal City University, where she provides support on how to upskill students, innovate disciplinary curricula to make them student-led, and facilitate effective personal development planning for students.
Iphie holds bachelors’ degrees in Botany (University of Nigeria, Nsukka), Applied Accounting (Oxford-Brookes University, UK) and a Master’s in Management (University College London, UK). She is an alumnus of the Executive Programme for Women Leaders from Stanford Graduate Business School, USA and the Common Purpose Global Leader Experience and Africa Venture programmes.
Salome Mbugua Henry
National Director, Akidwa
Commissioner for Irish Human Rights and Equality, Salome Mbugua is a researcher, gender equality activist and human right advocate. She is the founder of AkiDwA -The Migrant Women’s Network where she works as the head of operations and strategy. Salome has over 20 years’ experience of working with under-represented groups in particular women, children, and the youth, in Europe, Africa and Internationally.
Her strong belief in equality and justice has shaped her career, leading to engagement with policy makers at national, European and international level. Salome serves on various boards and advisory groups in Ireland and at the European level; she is the president of European Network of Migrant Women and sits on the EU Expert group on Economic Migration. Salome also sits on the Observatory experts group on Violence against Women with the European Women’s Lobby and is 2015 OHCHR-UN Fellow of people of African Descent and 2010 Eisenhower Fellow on women Leadership.
Salome holds a Master’s degree in Equality Studies from UCD and has just completed Doctorate research at Trinity College Dublin in International Peace Studies.
Sanjeev Gupta
Executive Director, Financial Services, AFC
Sanjeev Gupta is Africa Finance Corporation’s ('AFC') Executive Director for Financial Services and a Member of the Board of Directors. His overall responsibility in AFC includes Treasury, Trade Finance, Debt Syndication, Country Relations and Financial Advisory.
Mr Gupta has 30 years of experience in Investment and Fund Management, Private Equity and Corporate Finance. His forte has been to blend together global and indigenous corporates, financial investors and governments to develop commercially viable business and development models that leave a sustainable impact on emerging market economies.
Prior to joining AFC, Mr Gupta was the Managing Partner of Emerging Markets Mergers and Acquisitions Center of Excellence at Ernst and Young. He has also been the Chief Executive Officer of Sanlam Investment Management Emerging Markets operations and was a Founder & Managing Partner of Emerging Opportunity Consulting, a boutique advisory firm specializing in SME financing.
Mr Gupta holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Calcutta, India and is an Alumnus of the Said Business School, University of Oxford, England and also an alumnus of the MIT Sloan School of Management. He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, India (FCA).
Sarah Bean
Management Consultant, Sarah Bean Consulting
Sarah has a B.Sc. Mgmt (Marketing) from DIT College of Marketing & Design. From 1988-1996, she joined Johnson Brothers, an Irish distributor to the grocery trade, where she worked in various roles involving both marketing activities and customer management.
In 1996, Sarah set up the Ireland subsidiary for Coty Inc, at the time a private beauty company based in Paris, now publicly quoted on NYSE. There, Sarah's remit as General Manager was to deliver the sales & P&L target for Ireland, liaising with logistics and media partners locally. Sarah completed the Institute of Directors modules on Governance, Finance, Strategy and HR, in 2016, sitting the certificate exam and achieving a distinction in the Diploma in June 2017.
Having completed secondary school education in Newtown, Sarah was appointed to the School Committee which preceded the 'Patron Body' structure. During that time, Sarah convened the marketing sub-committee and was the first female appointed to the finance committee. Sarah has also sat on a School Review Panel for DIT, alongside 5 academics. Sarah currently sits on a media advisory group for Cosc, the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (Dept of Justice). Beginning 2017, Cosc have been promised €1m annually to change the culture in Ireland around domestic violence. Sarah's role is to assess the media plans and ensure Cosc are getting value for money.
Shenouda Bissada
Country Director, Alfanar, Egypt
Since 2012, Shenouda Bissada has been the Egypt Country Director for Alfanar, a UK-Charity investing in social enterprises in the Arab World. His experience extending over 27 years covers a wide range of themes including grants management, capacity building and coaching, monitoring and evaluation, disability and inclusive education.
Prior to his joining Alfanar, he worked for Save the Children UK, the Drosos Foundation, the USAID-funded Education Reform Programme and Caritas Egypt. His working experience covers Egypt, Morocco, Lebanon and Jordan. Holding an MBA in Global Management from ESLSCA (Ecole Supérieure Libre des Sciences Commerciales Appliquées), Mr Bissada serves as trustee for a variety of charities including SOS Villages Egypt and advisory support to local and regional bodies on leadership, entrepreneurship and human development.
In 2019, Mr Bissada participated in the CSCLeadersip Programme run by Common Purpose in several parts of the world and is currently serving on its Africa Advisory Panel.
Shuvo Saha
Founder, Google Digital Academy
In 2014, Shuvo set up Google’s Digital Academy, which runs a range of education programmes including "Squared" which helps develop the marketing industry’s top young talent. In 2015 he launched a new initiative, "The Talent Revolution" which provides free digital skills benchmarking for marketing departments.
Shuvo previously led Google’s Sales Team working with the FMCG industry, and also played host and curator for Google’s 'Think Marketing' events. He started his career in Brand Management at Procter and Gamble, and was an early pioneer, driving much of P&G’s first digital work in the late 90s and early 2000s.
Outside of work, Shuvo sits on the boards of three educational charities supporting development from early teens to young adults. He’s married with two sons, and lives in South West London.
Stephen Leung
Country Manager, Pfizer, Hong Kong & Indonesia
Stephen is the Country Manager of Pfizer Hong Kong & Indonesia, who has over 35 years of executive experience in four different continents.
Under his leadership, Pfizer HK won the prestigious HKMA Quality Gold Award, Outstanding Corporate Citizenship Gold Award and Best Companies to Work for in Asia.
Currently, Stephen is the Board of Director, Common Purpose (Hong Kong); Chairman of Chinese University, School of Pharmacy Advisory Board; Consultative Committee of School of Nursing; Member of Advisory Council on Food and Environmental Hygiene; Council Members of various management associations including the Hong Kong Management Association (HKMA), the College of Health Service Executives, the College of Pharmacy Practice and the Institute of Health Policy & System Research.
Stephen is a pharmacist by profession. In addition, he is a Registered Corporate Coach and passionate in inspiring people to unleash their potential to the fullest. Stephen is honored with the Asia Coaching Leadership Excellence Award in 2015, the Leader of the Year Award 2016 and most recently the Exemplary Leader Award by Global HR Excellence Award 2021 in recognizing his visionary leadership and unremitting contribution to the industry.
Sudhakar Rao
Former Chief Secretary to the Government of Karnataka
Sudhakar Rao is a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Officer of the 1973 batch. After initial postings at the field level in the State of Karnataka, he went on deputation to the Union Government as Under Secretary in the Ministry of Power, where he was closely associated with the work of the path breaking Rajyadhakshya Committee on Power. He was Deputy Commissioner & District Magistrate of Shimoga District during 1982 and 1983. He proceeded on deputation to the Government of India once again after completing his district assignments, and was Deputy Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance for two years and Director in the Prime Minister's Office for two years, dealing with policy matters covering social sectors.
Later he was Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Power, entrusted with the development of Hydel power in the country following which he was posted as Minister (Economic) in the Embassy of India in Washington for four years.
On his return to the State Government in 2000, he held various assignments, including Chairman & Managing Director of the Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation (KUIDFC), Principal Secretary, Finance, Principal Secretary, Home; Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Development Commissioner and finally Chief Secretary of Karnataka from which post he retired from Government service in 2009. On retirement, he was appointed as a Member of the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) from which post he resigned in 2012 to take up other professional engagements.
Sudhakar Rao Has a Masters Degree in Economics from The Delhi School of Economics and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.
Sudhakar Rao is, inter-alia, also an independent director on the boards of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, CMC Ltd; L&T Infrastructure Development Projects Ltd and Binani Industries Ltd. He is the Group Advisor, Strategy & Development of the Manipal Education And Medical Group.
Sudhakar Rao was conferred the Kannada Rajyotsava Award under the public service category by the Government of Karnataka on November 1, 2010.
Sunny Banerjea
Managing Director at Fidelity National Information Services
Sunny is currently Managing Director at FIS, the #1 FinTech company in the US, with over $13 Billion in annual revenues. Prior to joining FIS, Sunny was the Managing Partner for the Management Consulting Practice at KPMG, where he was also the leader of their Financial Services practice and one of seven members of KPMG's Global Management Consulting Board.
Prior to KPMG, Sunny worked with IBM and PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he held various leadership roles within the Financial Services Sector. During this period Sunny worked in the US, UK, Germany, ASEAN countries, China, Russia, and India. Sunny has to his credit numerous papers and publications and is a frequent speaker at industry conferences.
Sunny is a passionate believer in compassionate capitalism, democratizing capital raising, women entrepreneurship, and promoting fairness and equity in the workplace. He has been an active investor as an Angel and through his investment fund with companies which espouse similar values. Sunny has successfully exited several of his investments and is an active mentor, Advisor to CEOs, Board Member and Immediate Past President of TiE (A Silicon Valley based non-profit which mentors, invests and nurtures start-ups). He is also a Past member of the Confederation of Indian Industry, Western Region (Mumbai) – the largest industry association in India and a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Foundation.
Tavengwa Tavengwa
Associate Partner, EY
Tavengwa Tavengwa is an Associate Partner at EY Ireland. He has advised several corporations in understanding, evaluating and managing technology risks for the last 19 years, whilst working with KPMG, PWC and now EY. In his various roles he has experienced the power of coaching, diversity and purpose. He has and continues to hold people leadership roles in EY. He is also a member of the EY Diversity & Inclusion Steering Committee and is an ambassador on the power of diversity.
He is originally from Zimbabwe, living in Ireland for more than 14 years and is married to Rumbie with three kids. He grew up in a poor neighbourhood in Zimbabwe and he observed first-hand how families with purpose changed the course of their lives. He is passionate about enabling and stimulating individuals to awaken to the possibility that they can become more.
Tavengwa is a qualified Business and Life Coach and an alumnus of the Common Purpose Meridian leadership programme. He is also a Certified Information Security Auditor and holds a Bachelor of Commerce with the University of South Africa.
Tayfun Zaman
Kurucu Ortak, Integrity Partners Compliance Consultancy Group
Turkish Integrity Center of Excellence ve Özel Sektör Kolektif Eylem Merkezi’nin kurucusu, OECD Yolsuzlukla Mücadele Bölgesel Danışma Kurulu üyesi, Free Enterprise and Democracy Network Danışma Kurulu ve B20 Yolsuzlukla Mücadele Görev Gücü üyesi olan Tayfun Zaman, yolsuzlukla mücadele ve uyum risk yönetimi alanında iki kitap ve onun üzerinde rehberin yazarıdır.
Ukrayna İş Etiği ve Uyum Kolektif Eylem Merkezi (UNIC) stratejiden sorumlu danışmanı olarak hizmet veren Zaman, aralarında Birleşmiş Milletler, OECD ve B20’nin de bulunduğu birçok uluslararası ve ulusal platformda uyum risklerinin etkin yönetimi, yolsuzluğun sosyo-ekonomik etkileri, özel sektörde yolsuzlukla mücadele yöntemleri konusunda konuşmalar yap- maktadır.
Zaman, Kurucu genel sekreteri olduğu Etik ve İtibar Derneği’nin çeşitli çalışma gruplarında görev almakta ve ve Yönetim Kurulu Üyeleri Derneği Denetim Kurulu üyeliğini sürdürmektedir.
Rev. Teresa Hord Owens
General Minister and President, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada
Rev. Teresa “Terri” Hord Owens was elected as the General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada in July 2017. She is the first person of color and second woman to lead the denomination. She is the first African-American woman to lead a mainline Christian denomination. A descendant of one of the oldest African-American free settlements in Indiana and a Disciple since young adulthood, Hord Owens was dean of students at the University of Chicago Divinity School and pastor of First Christian Church of Downers Grove, IL prior to her election. She earned a BA in Government and Afro-American Studies at Harvard University, and the MDiv at the University of Chicago Divinity School.
Terri’s resume includes more than 20 years in corporate America as a technology management consultant and executive, leading diverse teams in data management in health care and other industries before she entered seminary. After ordination, she served 15 years at the University of Chicago Divinity School, shepherding a varied student body in both background and theology. As Dean of Students, she was responsible for academic policy, recruiting, admissions, financial aid, academic advising, and monitoring of students’ academic progress and placement, serving master’s and doctoral students. Terri was a leader in campus-wide diversity and inclusion initiatives. She also represented the Divinity School in several programs and boards in theological education, including the Hispanic Theological Initiative, the Hispanic Summer Program, and the Fund for Theological Exploration. She served on the Board of Trustees of Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, IN, and was a founding member of the Advisory Board for the Center for the Study of Black Faith and Life at Chicago Theological Seminary.
Terri is widely sought after as a preacher, speaker and workshop facilitator. Her ministry and intellectual interests include a theology of reconciliation, cultural intelligence, developing inclusive and multicultural congregations, and the mentoring of young adults. She has been married to Walter Owens, Jr., for over 30 years. They are the proud parents of an adult son, W. Mitchell Owens, III.
Tswelo Kodisang
Group Chief People Officer, Discovery
Tswelo, Discovery’s Group Chief People Officer, is a commercially driven, international HR Leader with more than 25 years’ experience in building dynamic people functions. He has operated as a business partner and trusted advisor across Africa, the Middle East, Turkey, Israel and the UK for large FMCG companies (Unilever and Tiger Brands). Tswelo has a proven track record in improving business performance through talent acquisition and development, performance management, managing business change/transformation, building critical business capabilities and nurturing powerful, enabling corporate cultures. He coaches and enables, whilst fostering accountability and impact. Tswelo is deliberate and passionate about liberating the best in people and creating collaborative teams to achieve this.
Tswelo joined Discovery in 2018, where he is applying his extensive knowledge in creating business critical capabilities, with Discovery’s core purpose and values as a foundation, to build the best people function in the industry and take Discovery into number one position as top employer. He is focused on creating the ultimate employee experience, preparing for the future world of work and harnessing the value of people analytics.
Tswelo also serves as a member on the Global CHRO Round Table, Global SAP Success Factors Advisory Board, the St Mary’s School Board and St Stithians’ College Remuneration Committee.
On a personal note, Tswelo is married with three beautiful daughters who share his fascination with different cultures, travelling and exploring new places. Tswelo leads an active lifestyle running marathons, cycling and riding motorbikes.
Ural Aküzüm
Öğr, Etim Üyesi, Bilgi Üniversitesi & Öğretim Üyesi & Hukuk Fakültesi Dekan Yardimcisi, Gedik Üniversitesi
Yıllardır genç insanların potansiyellerini keşfetmeleri ve değerlere bağlı toplum liderleri olmaları için çalışıyorum, kuruluşundan beri içinde olduğum GençLİG Vakfı’nın yönetiminde bu amaç için görev yapıyorum.
28 yaşında topluma yeni bir gönüllülük anlayışı kazandırmak ve yeni nesil toplum liderlerini yetiştirmek amacını güden ARI Hareketi başkanlığını üstlendim. Çocukluğumdan beri en sevdiğim şey olan kitap okuma alışkanlığımı şimdi akademisyen olarak öğrencilerime aşılamaya devam ediyorum.
Çok çeşitli iş dünyası ve muhtelif sivil toplum kuruluşlarında kişisel gelişim yolculuğuma önemli artılar yazdım. Galatasaray Spor Kulübü’nde 6 başkan döneminde çok değişik görevler üstlendim, sporun toplum üzerindeki dönüştürücü etkisi üzerine çok sayıda deneyim kazanmama neden oldu. Halen Bilgi Üniversitesi ve Gedik Üniversitesi’nde öğretim üyesi, Gedik Hukuk Fakültesi dekan yardımcısı olarak akademik kariyerimi sürdürüyorum.
Ortaklarımla KABİNE adını verdiğimiz bir hukuk büromuz var, uluslararası kompleks uyuşmazlıklar ve tahkime ilişkin müvekkillerimize hizmet veriyoruz . Bu faaliyetlerin dışında muhtelif yatırım ve girişimlerim var.
5 kitabım ve 100’den fazla muhtelif makalem çeşitli mecralarda yayınlandı. Kendi memleketim olan Kars ve dedelerimin yurdu olan Azerbaycan’a kalpten bağlıyım. Kızıma ve bütün aileme bu aidiyet duygusunu aşılamaya çalışıyorum.
Vandana Saxena Poria OBE
CEO, Get Through Guides And Training And Ukibc Board Director
Vandana Saxena Poria OBE is the award-winning founder of Get Through Guides – which develops content and training programmes for students, colleges and corporates in Africa, Asia and Europe, with the view to bridge the gap between students and corporates to make them professionally skilled for jobs and business.
Born and brought up in the UK Vandana is of Indian heritage. She qualified as a Chartered Accountant and then spent ten years living and working in a multitude of countries in Central and Eastern Europe. Initially she was with Ernst & Young before setting up the international division of Europe’s largest listed professional education company, BPP Professional Education, where she was CEO for seven years. Vandana then chose to move to India and in 2006 she set up Get Through Guides (GTG).
Vandana chairs the British Business Group in Pune which was set up with the support from British High Commission She also works closely with the British Government to foster international trade for the UK and has given numerous presentations. She has held several positions with the British Chambers of Commerce in several countries. In the Queen’s Birthday Honours list announced on 14th June 2008, Vandana was honoured with an OBE (Equivalent to Padmashree) for services to trade and Investment in India – one of the youngest Asian females to be given the honour.
Vandana is a Non–Executive Director on the Indian Board of UK India Business Council and assists on formulating UK Strategy in India. She is also the contact member for the ICAEW in Western India and has attended two Common Purpose programmes: Dishaa and CSCLeaders.
Vandana fundamentally believes that with the right methods, India can turn a nation of entrepreneurs into a nation of Infosys’s and Tata’s. She is passionate about connecting like-minded people together, then working with them to catalyse growth and lives through her behavioural equation (Time * Quality of Interaction is proportional to Transformation Caused). This is a concept she spoke on in her TEDx talk in March 2014. She is equally passionate that women have a fundamentally different way of doing business which needs to be heard – something that could be extremely crucial in the development of India.
She has brought these thoughts, along with a tinge of Vedanta, together and explored them through her series of Science Fiction novels, The Ojas Chronicles. In her spare time, she plays the saxophone (badly), is a brown belt at Taekwondo and a keen Capoeira player. She also has two amazing children, Jai and Zara.
Zeynep Ürkün
Diller Okulu Direktör Yardimcisi, Kadir Has Üniversitesi
Ankara doğumlu olan Zeynep Ürkün, Ankara Üniversitesi, Dil Tarih ve Coğrafya Fakültesi İngiliz ve Amerikan Dili ve Edebiyatı bölümünü birincilikle bitirdi. 1994 senesinde Cambridge University, Royal Society of Arts Master ptogramını tamamladı. Mezuniyetinden sonra 1989-2007 yılları arasında Bilkent Üniversitesi ve 1997-2001 yılları arasında Boğaziçi Üniversitesi’nde ders verdi. 1992 yılından başlayarak İngilizce Dil Eğitmenliği’nde Ölçme ve Değerlendirme konusunda uzmanlaştı. Bu konuda 1994 yılında İngiltere Reading Üniversitesi’nde “Main Principles of English Language Assessment” üzerine eğitim aldı ve sonraki senelerde aynı alanda çalışmalar yapmaya devam etti. 2001-2016 yılları arasında Sabancı Üniversitesi’nde Ölçme ve Değerlendirme biriminin kurulmasına öncülük etti ve yöneticiliğini yaptı. 2001 senesinden itibaren IATEFL (International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language) kuruluşunun üyesidir. 2006-2010 yılları arasında IATEFL Testing, Evaluation and Assessment Special Interest Group’unun koordinatörü olarak çalışmış ve Avusturya, Çek Cumhuriyeti, Çin, Dubai, Hırvatistan, İrlanda, İspanya, Kuzey Kıbrıs ve Türkiye’de akademik eğitim konferansları düzenlemiştir.
2010-2016 yılları arasında ayrıca IATEFL’ın yönetim kurulunda görev alarak 120 ükede faaliyet gösteren bu vakfın geliştirilmesine destek vermiştir. 2016 senesinde uluslarası vakıf yönetiminde edindiği tecrübeyi Türkiye’de devam ettirmeye karar vererek Bir Dilek Tut/Make-A-Wish Türkiye Derneğinin Genel Müdürü olmuştur. 2019 sonunda Kadir Has Üniversitesi, Diller Okulu Direktör yardımcısı olarak başladığı görevini halen devam ettirmektedir.
Evli ve bir erkek çocuk annesi olan Ürkün, iyi derecede İngilizce ve az derecede İtalyanca biliyor. Sinemaya gitmekten, doğa yürüyüşü ve kayak yapmaktan hoşlanıyor ve okumayı ilk öğrendiği dakikadan itibaren kitap okuyor.
