Dr Kelly Alexander is President of Meridian 17. A social scientist, she analyzes geopolitical shifts and integrates sustainability into economic development. She lectures on Strategy & Sustainability at GIBS Business School. Kelly holds a Master’s in Development Sociology from Wits University and a PhD in Management & Organisation Studies from Tilburg University.

Dr Zuziwe Khuzwayo is a global feminist gender practitioner with extensive experience in civil society, research, and philanthropy. A trained sociologist, her work centers on the intersections of gender, race, class, and sexuality, with a focus on development challenges in the Global South. 

Dr Egbert van der Zee studies tourism geography, focusing on how tourism interacts with cities, including the spatial development of Airbnb in South Africa and the influence of reviews on traveler behavior. He employs GIS, social network, and sentiment analyses to advance sustainable, inclusive tourism.

Jane Waiyaki is a sustainable finance expert mobilizing capital for conservation, climate, and nature solutions at WWF’s Global Finance Practice. She holds Cambridge sustainability credentials, a PMP, and mentors youth and SMEs as a 2021 UN Global Compact SDG Pioneer and 2022 One Young World Ambassador.

Agnieszka Skorupinska is an expert in EU sustainable policies, specializing in decarbonisation, circular economy, biodiversity, sustainable value chains, and sustainable AI. Passionate about harnessing technology to improve lives in Europe and Africa, she also dedicates her time to social inclusion and nature conservation projects.

Stanley Anyetei has over 15 years of investment and sustainable banking experience across Africa, Europe, and Asia. He previously managed impact portfolios at Triodos and PYMWYMIC, sits on the board of Signify Foundation, lectures on CSR at TIAS Business School, and mentors SMEs in financial sustainability.

Dakin Parker is a Chartered Accountant (SAICA) with 25 years of experience across three continents. He has led initiatives to bring new ideas to post-revenue, expand organizational capacity, and develop people’s skills. Holding two Master’s degrees, he thrives on challenges once deemed impossible.

Marie Badiane is a lawyer and project finance specialist bridging European capital with African energy and infrastructure projects at Alexander & Partner. She is the creator of the RUBICUB method, advancing Africa-led development through reverse-engineered finance. A trilingual deal enabler, Marie curates high-level panels and fosters German-French-African business ties.

Dr. Yvette Hlophe is a Senior Lecturer in Physiology at the University of Pretoria, specializing in innovative cancer treatments. Her research drives impactful collaborations across Africa and has earned her several accolades, reflecting her commitment to advancing both cancer research and health education.

Paul Mbikayi, the Netherlands' first Ambassador of Tolerance, bridges African and European cultures through his work in the Dutch government. This Dutch-Congolese civil servant champions dialogue and inclusion across multiple ministries, focusing on DEI/T initiatives.

Tracey Shiundu is the Co-Founder and CEO of FunKe Science, an edtech pioneer using interactive kits and AR/VR to transform science learning for over 20,000 children across Africa. A Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellow and Top 40 Under 40 honoree, she is a passionate advocate for girls in STEM.

Dr. Alessia Argiolas is a postdoctoral researcher at TUM’s Chair of Corporate Sustainability and coordinates the TUM SEED Center. Her Joachim Herz–award­ed research examines how off-grid energy ventures drive social impact in Africa and India, and she holds a PhD in Management and Innovation from the Catholic University of Milan.