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Alex Capri is the author of Techno-Nationalism: How it's Reshaping Trade, Geopolitics and Society (Wiley). He teaches in the Business School at the National University of Singapore (NUS).

He has worked extensively in China and Asia for almost two decades, where he was a partner and the regional leader of KPMG's Asia Trade & Customs Practice.

He is a regular panellist for the World Economic Forum (WEF). He writes for Forbes Asia and Nikkei Asia, and he is a frequent guest on global television and radio networks.

Dr. Amar Patnaik is a lawyer by profession and the Founder of A&N Legal Solutions LLP, a law firm based in New Delhi and Bhubaneshwar. A former Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha (2019-2024), Dr. Patnaik represented Odisha, where he addressed key economic issues such as debt financing, supply-side inflation, and ESG frameworks. He served on key parliamentary committees, including Finance and PSUs. He was awarded the Sansad Ratna award in 2022 for his impactful parliamentary performance.

Dr. Patnaik has 28 years of experience in the Indian Civil Services as an IA & AS officer under the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), leading external audit missions for the UN in New York, Sudan, Uganda, and Italy. His audits included IT systems for the UN and FAO, and national entities like Indian Railways. He is a recognized thought leader, frequently invited as a keynote speaker by organizations like ASSOCHAM and FICCI, and has participated in key global discussions such as the Global Fintech Summit by NPCI (2022-2023).

As a member of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Personal Data Protection Bill, Dr. Patnaik made significant contributions to shaping India's digital privacy laws. He is a strong advocate for evidence-based reforms that promote growth through subsidy rationalization, enhanced MSME credit access, and balanced regulations for emerging sectors like AI, online gaming, and the metaverse.
Dr. Patnaik holds a Ph.D. in Institutional Studies from XIMB, an MBA in Finance and Systems, a Master’s in Public Management from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and Harvard’s Kennedy School, and an Advanced Management Certificate from the Wharton School. A Chevening Gurukul Scholar at the London School of Economics, he is also a Certified Fraud Examiner and Certified Internal Auditor, with expertise in risk management and assurance. Currently, he practices as an advocate, advising clients and government officials on legal implications in India.

Carrie Suen is Vice President and Head of Global Affairs & Strategic Development at Ant International, leading global strategy, market access, and business innovation to build a more inclusive, sustainable, and interoperable digital economy. Since joining Ant in 2014, Carrie has helped guide its international expansion journey—first by building out global legal and regulatory capabilities, and now by driving new market access and growth strategies across diverse regions.

She has played a central role in shaping Ant International’s engagement with regulators and industry leaders worldwide, contributing to sustainable development of emerging technology applications, ranging from AI, tokenization, privacy enhancing technology, and green tech.

Beyond her corporate leadership, Carrie also advises international industry bodies, including the Financial Stability Board and Emerging Payments Association Asia, shaping global policies for digital finance and financial inclusion.

One of India’s most successful young entrepreneurs and amongst its foremost digital experts, Dilip Modi is the Chairman of DiGiSPICE Technologies and Founder & CEO of Spice Money. Dilip is a second generation entrepreneur who has pioneered several new innovations and built a strong portfolio of businesses within the Indian mobility and technology space during his stellar career spanning over two decades.
Dilip’s journey as an entrepreneur started early on in life. He has always believed that technology will be a key enabler for achieving inclusive growth in the world and started several innovative, technology-driven businesses. Today, he is furthering the cause for financial inclusion and empowerment of rural India with Spice Money. Spice Money is a part of Spice Group and is one of India's largest rural fintech start-ups. Spice Money is progressing, at a great pace, with a mission to revolutionise the way Bharat banks by bridging the gap between the served and the under-served by providing digital and financial services to customers at their doorstep through its 1.5 million strong Adhikari (non - bank business correspondents) network.
Apart from managing his businesses successfully, he is equally aware of the responsibility of the industry for affecting a positive social impact. His leadership attributes are widely recognized by corporate India, resulting in him becoming the youngest-ever President of the Associated Chambers of Commerce (ASSOCHAM), India’s oldest chamber, in 2011–12, and the youngest Chairman of the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) in 2004–05.
In keeping with his passion to support entrepreneurship and the next wave of business leaders emerging within the country, Dilip has also assumed the role of a mentor and has even made investments in a personal capacity into several promising start-ups. These include Shuttl, AdGyde, Uolo, Curofy, etc.
Dilip has also been awarded the “Youth Icon Award” by the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry for his exemplary leadership. He is the founder of Ek Soch, a social impact initiative to support innovation and entrepreneurship in the areas of Mobility, Education and Environment.
Dilip holds a First Class Bachelor of Science Degree in Management Technology from Brunel University, London, UK. He has also done his Master’s in Business Administration from the Management School at the Imperial College, London, with a specialization in Finance.

Mr. Douglas Feagin serves as President of Ant International and Corporate Senior Vice President of Ant Group.

He joined Ant Group in June 2016 to spearhead the company's globalization strategy, Alipay's global business development, operations and marketing activities. Prior to joining Ant Group, Mr. Feagin worked at Goldman Sachs from August 1994 to May 2016 and served as a Managing Director from 2004 through 2016.

At Goldman Sachs he maintained a broad set of client relationships across sectors including banks, specialty finance, FinTech and insurance in the U.S., Latin America and Asia.

He graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor's Degree in Economics in June 1988, and he received an MBA from Harvard Business School in June 1994.

Irene Arias Hofman is a senior executive and CFA Charterholder with deep expertise across finance, venture capital, and private equity. She is an independent board member and CEO of MIRA, LLC, a US-based advisory and investment firm focused on the future of finance.

From 2018 to 2025, she served as CEO of IDB Lab, transforming it into a global innovation platform supporting more than 1,100 startups and 115 venture capital funds.

Earlier at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), she managed loan and equity portfolios exceeding $16 billion and pioneered local capital market offerings across emerging economies. Irene has held senior global governance roles, and is recognized for combining technical rigor with strong institutional leadership.

Joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1991 and retired in December 2024. He now writes and comments on international affairs and strategic, defence and security issues. Has served in Indian Missions in Frankfurt, Berlin, Kathmandu and Washington DC and as High Commissioner of India to Singapore from 2016 to 2020 and as Ambassador of India to France and Monaco from 2020 to December 2024.
In New Delhi, he held various positions in the Americas Division, including as the Head of the Division, in the Ministry of External Affairs. He served as Joint Secretary (senior adviser) in the Prime Minister's Office with former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the portfolio comprising foreign policy, defence,, national security council, atomic energy, space and, briefly, science and technology.
Studied Economics at undergraduate level from St. Stephen's College, Delhi, and Management at Master's level from Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad. The French Government has decided to confer the Commander of the Legion of Honour for his contribution to the development of India-France relations.

Mr. Jinya Suzuki is the Chief Executive Officer of MUFG Global Service (MGS) , a position he
assumed in June 2023. Mr. Suzuki is also the board member of MGS Board of Directors. A
seasoned banker with more than 29 years of experience, Mr. Suzuki has held a series of
leadership positions both in Japan and overseas.
Mr. Suzuki began his career in April 1997 at The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Ltd. (now MUFG
Bank) and has been working with MUFG till date. He has handled key strategic leading roles in
MUFG Head Office such as Corporate Banking Division of MUFG Bank (2011-2013), Financial
Planning Division of MUFG (2013-2018).
Starting May 2018, Mr. Suzuki was entrusted to head the Planning function of both of Global
Corporate and Investment Banking Division for Asia, and Asia Investment Banking Division as
Managing Director based out of Singapore. In February 2021, he returned to Tokyo to serve the
Corporate Planning Division as the Deputy Head where he led strategic planning for sustainable
growth in overseas business across MUFG.
Mr. Suzuki holds a BA degree in Economics from Hitotsubashi University, and a Master of
Business Administration (MBA) degree from Simon Business School, University of Rochester.

Kwamina Duker, known as “K”, is currently the CEO of the Development Bank of Ghana.

K Duker brings a wealth of experience in finance and investments, particularly Treasury and FX trading. With over 30 years of experience in leadership roles across different geographies including Ghana, the UK, and Asia.

K has particular experience in leading major FX technology platforms and treasury in Europe, the Americas, and the Asia Pacific.

K was formerly the Managing Director of Dwennimmen Group Company Limited, an advisory firm that is passionate about connecting world-class expertise to Africa. Prior to this, he was the Managing Director for the Asia Pacific at OANDA where he had full oversight responsibilities of the company’s operations in the region. Prior to OANDA , K was an executive director at Deutsche Bank and HSBC

He has previously served on various Boards including Consolidated Bank Ghana, Executive Committee member of OANDA, and Fidelity Bank Ghana.

K holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of California and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Barking University, Essex, U.K.

Mr. Sakaguchi is Co-Chief Executive Officer of SMBC Global Services Private Company Limited, Chennai, India, since July 2025, where he leads the organization's strategic direction and operational expansion efforts from India.
He joined the Sumitomo Bank (currently SMBC) in 1994 and has been with the bank ever since. He has built a distinguished global career across Japan, Thailand, Singapore, and India. Prior to his current appointment, he held various leadership roles within the bank, including Joint General Manager, Singapore Branch and Corporate Banking Dept., Asia Pacific Division leading APAC regional business strategies (2025-2020), General Manager, Business Control Dept, Asia Pacific Division, overseeing APAC banking operations including Shared Service Center in Malaysia (2020-23) and General Manager, Governance Planning Dept., Global Banking Unit, leading global transformation projects (2023-25).
He holds Bachelor of laws from Osaka University (1994).

Mr. Shibata is currently in charge of FINOLAB community operation since 2019. In his former position at The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, he was leading R&D initiatives in emerging technology and online/mobile financial services as Head of Global Innovation Team. He also held positions in corporate planning, accounting, corporate finance, and retail customer services at the bank. He is one of the founders of FINOVATORS, a mentor group consists of FinTech experts. He also became an external board member at new digital bank, UI Bank, when it acquired a banking license in 2021. For his undergraduate course, he studied Economics at the University of Tokyo, with a year at Harvard University. And for his graduate course, he studied at the University of Oxford to obtain Master of Science in Development Economics.

Namatame joined Tokio Marine Holdings in 2018 and was appointed Managing Executive Officer and Group Chief Digital Officer in 2021, and promoted to Senior Managing Executive Officer in 2024. Prior to Tokio Marine, he was Managing Director, and the member of the board at BlackRock Japan. Before that he had a number of senior executive positions at Visa Worldwide Japan, Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank. He started his career at Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan. In addition to his career positions, he assumed the non-executive director at Mercari, Inc. and an advisor to Japan's Financial Services Agency. He graduated from University of Tokyo and earned MBA from Harvard Business School. 

Michael Schlein brings nearly 30 years of extensive international banking, management, and public service experience to his role as President and CEO of Accion. He is responsible for creating and implementing Accion’s strategy, managing its global team, and maintaining a high-performing organization.

Michael’s strategic leadership has built Accion into a leading early-stage investor in fintech for inclusion and an expert in the digital transformation of financial service providers. During his tenure, he has cultivated partnerships that strengthen Accion’s work to develop and scale cheaper, more accessible, and customer-friendly financial solutions for underserved people globally.

Michael joined Accion in 2007 as a member of its Board of Directors and in 2009, became Accion’s President and CEO. Prior to his employment at Accion, Michael served as President of Citigroup’s International Franchise Management, where he managed the bank’s network of 100 Chief Country Officers. Before that, he ran communications, philanthropy, government relations, branding, and human resources for Citigroup. He served as Chief of Staff at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in the Clinton Administration and in New York’s City Hall in the Dinkins and Koch Administrations. He began his career in investment banking.

From 2014 until Jan. 2021, Michael served as the Chairman of the New York City Economic Development Corporation, which encourages economic growth throughout New York City’s five boroughs and facilitates investments that build capacity, generate prosperity, and catalyze the economic vibrancy of city life as a whole. Michael has graduate and undergraduate degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa.

Neil serves as the Group Deputy Chairman and Board Director at the Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN). He is also Vice Chairman, Asia Pacific for Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) Group. Until recently, he was Partner and Head of Asia and Australia at Tikehau Capital. He previously held the position of CEO, Asia at National Australia Bank.

Neil is a Council Member of the Singapore Business Federation and the Singapore Institute of Directors and serves as an Advisory Board Member of the James Cook University, Singapore, and the Singapore Fintech Association. He also serves as a Senior Adviser to the Atlantic Council in Washington DC. and is a Fellow of the Singapore Institute of Directors as well as the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is also the Chairman of the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He served as a Nominated Member of Parliament in Singapore from 2023 to 2025. He has also served on the Governing Council of the Association of Banks in Singapore and as Chief Executive Officer of Pegasus Asia, a company listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange.

Mr Ravi Menon has a portfolio of work in sustainability, innovation, and inclusion.

Mr Menon is Singapore’s first Ambassador for Climate Action and Senior Adviser to the National Climate Change Secretariat at the Prime Minister’s Office. He plays a leading role in Singapore’s efforts to foster collective action internationally and transition planning locally towards a low-carbon future. He is also Chairman of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) Asia-Pacific Advisory Board and a member of the GFANZ Principals Group.

Mr Menon is Chairman of the Global Finance & Technology Network, which harnesses technology and fosters innovation for more efficient, resilient, and inclusive financial ecosystems globally. He is also a Trustee of the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Chairman of its Innovation and Enterprise Committee.

Mr Menon is Chairman of ImpactSG, a philanthropy which aims to grow a community of purposeful givers in Singapore and Asia. He is also a Board Member of The Majurity Trust, a charity which deploys cause-based funds for social needs; and a Trustee of the Singapore Indian Development Association, a community self-help group.

Prior to his current roles, Mr Menon served for 36 years in the Singapore Public Service.

As Managing Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (2011-23), Mr Menon oversaw monetary and macroprudential policies, reformed the financial regulatory framework, and developed Singapore as a green finance centre and a global FinTech hub. On the international front, he served as Chairman of the Network of Central Banks and Supervisors for Greening the Financial System and Chairman of the Financial Stability Board Standing Committee on Standards Implementation.

As Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade & Industry (2007-11), Mr Menon helped to steer the economy during the global financial crisis. As Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Finance (2003-07), he oversaw fiscal policy and government reserves.

Mr Menon is a recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal from the Singapore Government, the Distinguished Alumni Award from NUS, and the Distinguished Leadership and Service Award from the Institute of International Finance in Washington.

Mr Menon holds a Master's in Public Administration from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) in Economics from NUS.

Sanjiv Bajaj is the Chairman and Managing Director of Bajaj Finserv Limited, the holding company of the financial services businesses of the Bajaj Group, one of India’s oldest and largest conglomerates. Under Sanjiv’s leadership, Bajaj Finserv Limited has emerged as one of India’s leading and most diversified financial services companies with solutions across lending, life insurance, general insurance and investments. With a consumer-first, digital approach and a culture focused on innovation, it has reshaped digital consumer financing in India.

Sanjiv was the President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), FY 2022-23. He was a member of the Steering Committee appointed by the Government of India for B20 as part of India’s G20 Presidency FY 2022-23.

Sanjiv is a member of the International Advisory Council of Brookings Institute, USA, and a member of J.P. Morgan- Asia Pacific Council. He is also a member of the Board of the Indian School of Business (ISB) and the Regional Stewardship Board for India and South Asia 2019-2020 of the World Economic Forum.

At 24 Kapur left a career as a Chartered Accountant/Management Consultant to pursue a career in the Arts. Has created iconic award-winning films and TV shows in India , as well as in Hollywood and the UK. His films have been nominated for several Oscars. Has created major theatrical musicals in the West End, Broadway, Europe, and Dubai. Has served as International Advisory Board Member for the Singapore Media Development Authority. And served on the National Innovation Council under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and most recently on the Board of the Dubai Expo. Till recently was Chairman of the Indian Film and Television Institute.

Has taught Film at Tisch Singapore, at Film School in Doha, and also as Hony Researcher at MIT.

Is an early-stage digital start-up/founder entrepreneur in India.

He is currently Director of the International Film Festival of India

He has recently been honoured with the Padmabhushan, one of India's highest Civilian Awards.

Dr Wu is CEO and Founder of Surfin Meta Digital Technology (SMDT) Pte Ltd, a Singapore-headquartered financial technology solutions provider for the underserved.
He began his career as a research scientist in the IBM T. J. Watson Research Center as well as the Los Alamos National Lab, where he published several academic papers on first-rate physical journals.
Dr Wu then kickstarted his financial career by joining a hedge fund for quant trading, before moving on to a large bank in Canada for 13 years as a senior portfolio manager, managing $30 billion in AUM for global asset allocation and quant strategies. Following that, he moved to Asia as Head of Quantitative Investment Director of an international mutual fund company, and was responsible for managing $4 billion in AUM with a focus on Asian equities for 5 years.
SMDT was founded in 2017, inspired by Dr Wu’s passion for bringing financial inclusion to the unbanked and underbanked. He hopes to utilize his financial training combined with his love for technology to create a unique cross-border platform that will aim to provide financial services such as consumer lending and credit cards, payments and remittances, wealth management as well as B2B solutions to those who are unable to access traditional financial institutions.