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Black Swan Summit India 2026

Dr. Abhijit Phukon is an officer of the Indian Economic Service (IES) with over 22 years of experience in economic governance and leadership, financial sector regulation, and digital transformation across government and public sector institutions.

In his current role as Economic Adviser in the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, Government of India, he leads national policy initiatives in the banking operations, fintech, digital payments, UPI, cybersecurity, digital data governance, and emerging technologies in the BFSI sector.

A PhD in Finance and a Master’s in Economics, he also represents India in several international forums, collaborating with institutions like the World Bank, ADB, and UN agencies on diverse global economic and developmental agendas.

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.

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.

1) Apr 1994 : Joined Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (formerly the Sumitomo Bank, Limited) after graduating from Osaka University with a Bachelor of Laws
2) Apr 1994-May 1997 : Namba Branch, Osaka
3) May 1997-Dec 1998 : Thai Trainee in Tokyo and Bangkok, Thailand
4) Jan 1999-Mar 2001 : International Planning Department, Tokyo
5) Apr 2001-July 2002 : Vice President, Planning Department, International Banking Unit, Tokyo
6) July 2002-Mar 2009 : Manager, Bangkok Branch, Thailand
7) Apr 2009-May 2010 : Head of Planning Dept, Bangkok Branch, Thailand
8) May 2010-Mar 2013 : Senior Vice President, Planning Dept, International Banking Unit, Tokyo
9) Apr 2013-May 2015: Group Head, Planning Dept, International Banking Unit, Tokyo
10) May 2015-Apr 2016: Deputy General Manager, Singapore Branch
11) Apr 2016-Mar 2019: Joint General Manager, Singapore Branch
12) Apr 2019-Jan 2020: Joint General Manager, Corporate Banking Dept, APAC Div, Singapore
13) Jan 2020-Mar 2023: General Manager, Business Control Dept, APAC, Singapore
14) Apr 2023-July 2025: General Manager, Governance Planning Dept, Global Banking Unit, Tokyo
15) July 2025- till : Co-Chief Executive Officer, SMBC Global Services Pvt Ltd, Chennai, India

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.

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.

Ms. Nivruti Rai is a global technology leader from India who has been inspiring professionals worldwide with her vision to maximising the world with maximum India. She is a recipient of the prestigious Nari Shakti Puraskar (Woman Power Award), the highest civilian award for women in India, for her remarkable contributions to technologies like AI, semiconductors, and rural connectivity.

She currently heads Invest India, the national investment facilitation agency of the Government of India, as MD-CEO. Ms. Rai is responsible for promoting investments, trade and technology.

As the Country Head for Intel India, she drove engineering execution, business, entrepreneurial and manufacturing-ecosystem growth in India. Her experience of leading a 20,000-person organisation, nurturing the development of diverse talent in India’s technology workforce and using technology to solve large-scale problems relevant to society have been notable contributions in her leadership journey.

She is the epitome of the new, confident and emerging India.

QAMAR SALEEM heads SME Finance Forum, managed by IFC at World Bank Group, working to expand access to financial services for small and medium businesses globally. Prior to this role, Qamar Saleem was heading IFC’s Financial Institutions Group Advisory Services business for Asia and Pacific providing integrated client solutions across SME, Gender, Climate, Digital, Housing, Trade, Capital Markets, Agri and Supply Chain Finance. Qamar has been with IFC since 2012 and served in his previous roles as global technical lead for SME and Supply Chain Finance.

Qamar has overall 30+ years of global financial services experience having supported clients across 80+ countries internationally, managing large business lines while leading multi-cultural and cross-functional teams. He is a recognized thought leader, featured speaker, and an industry mentor with several publications and thought pieces to his credit. Prior to IFC, for a period of two decades, Qamar was associated in leadership roles with international organizations like HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank, Deutsche Bank as well as large regional banks in MENA while serving in several emerging markets where he also led SME Banking, Transaction Banking, and Commercial Banking Divisions.

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.

Sopnendu Mohanty is the Co-founder and Group CEO of the Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), a global advisory and investment firm. At GFTN, he leads innovative strategies that drive development and transformation in the financial sector through four operating arms: Forums, Advisory, Platform, and Capital.

He served at the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) as its first Chief Fintech Officer for nearly a decade, establishing Singapore on the global map as a leading center for innovation in the financial sector and a dynamic hub for fintech development. He continues to advise MAS on technology and innovation.

He currently serves on several boards, including the board of A*STAR, Singapore’s leading public sector agency dedicated to advancing scientific discovery and technological innovation. Before his leadership role in the public sector, he spent nearly two decades at Citigroup. He is credited with developing many public goods, including the notable PayNow, Singapore’s digital public infrastructure for payments. He conceptualized the globally well-known Singapore Fintech Festival and its global network of forums; today, the GFTN forum is the world’s largest convenor of tech, policymakers, and the financial sector community. Mr. Mohanty has co-authored several patented works in digital finance and received numerous industry accolades. He advises governments and various institutions on policies and implementation strategies for innovation, infrastructure, and ecosystem development in the financial sector.

Mr. Vasudevan Parameswaran is a career central banker with over three decades of experience in the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). He was extensively involved in payment system development in India and has led and successfully implemented many large payment system initiatives and projects in the country. He was closely associated in building and developing institutions like the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), Clearing Corporation of India Ltd., (CCIL), Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH), etc. He has represented the Reserve Bank on various international fora, including the Committee for Payments & Market Infrastructures, the SAARC Payments Council, the SEACEN Payments Group, the Legal Entity Identifier Regulatory Oversight Committee, etc. He has also had long stint in matters relating to supervision of banks and non-banking financial companies.
He is currently handling activities relating to FinTechs, including the pilots on Central Bank Digital Currency (e₹), MuleHunter.ai, Unified Lending Interface (ULI), etc.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Commerce and is a Fellow of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India. He has Master’s Degree in Finance and Certifications in Information Systems Audit (CISA), Information Security Management (CISM) and FinTech (National University of Singapore). He is a Certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers (CAIIB) and an alumnus of the Wharton School.

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 TD Bank 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 to join Citic-Prudential as Head of Quantitative Investment Director, 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.