Dr Paulo Fontoura serves as chief medical officer at Xaira, bringing 20 years’ experience of working in the pharma industry, with the most recent 16 years focusing on translational medicine and clinical development approaches for one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies. With his deep understanding of neurology immunology, ophthalmology and rare diseases, and broad experience of clinical development from his time as SVP and Global Head for these therapeutic areas where he build one of the industry’s leading teams and pipelines, Dr Fontoura brings invaluable insight and experience to Xaira. During his time at Roche, Dr Fontoura was involved in launching several breakthrough medicines for neurological indications including Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD) and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, as well as for a number of ophthalmic diseases such as Diabetic Macular Edema and Age-Related Macular Degeneration. In addition, he played an important part in pioneering new approaches to clinical development, such as mobile digital health outcomes using smartphone-based self-monitoring, and validation of the first digital endpoint for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Prior to this, Dr Fontoura pursued a clinical and academic career and held several faculty positions at the New University of Lisbon, from where he obtained his MD and PhD in Neuroimmunology and trained as a clinical neurologist. This was followed by a postdoctoral research fellowship at Stanford University School of Medicine, focusing on the discovery of new autoantigens and the development of therapeutic DNA vaccines for MS. In 2022, Dr Fontoura was elected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology, recognizing special achievement in neurosciences, the clinical practice of neurology, and academic and administrative neurology. He is a visiting professor at the New University of Lisbon, as well as a lecturer at the European Center of Pharmaceutical Medicine in Basel.

In her role as President and CEO of The Kennedy Forum, Rebecca oversees the organization’s efforts to ensure mental health as essential health and reach the Alignment for Progress “90-90-90 by 2033” goals, uniting and galvanizing advocates, business leaders, and policymakers around the most pressing opportunities to transform mental health and substance use care in the U.S. For more than 30 years, she has advanced partnerships and collaborations for wide-reaching outcomes. She served as CEO of Cannex Scientific, responsible for commercializing a new anti-anxiety medication from Brigham/Harvard Medical School. As Vice Chancellor of Economic Partnerships at the University of Pittsburgh, she expanded a network of global partnerships to support $850M+ in research. Rebecca also served as CEO of NorTech, leading the creation of the Innovation Advocacy Council (IAC), which secured a $50 million line item in the federal budget and contributed to the creation of a $1 billion Build Back Better regional challenge. Rebecca has worked for several investment banks, most notably JPMorgan Chase in New York City, and has been engaged in global efforts and organizations including Clinton Global Initiative and the federally appointed National Advisory Council on Innovation & Entrepreneurship. Rebecca currently resides in Pittsburgh, PA with her family.

Dr. Ami Bhatt is the Chief Innovation Officer at the American College of Cardiology, a cardiologist, and a digital health strategist. A global health leader and national systems architect, she’s known for designing real-world health systems that blend digital tools, clinical insight, and human needs. Her work spans AI, telehealth, and system design innovation, all grounded in her deep clinical roots and personal mission to deliver care everywhere. She’s a trusted voice for the future of healthcare, on stages, in boardrooms, and across digital platforms, advocating for care that’s equitable, scalable, and human-centered.

His Eminence Shyalpa Rinpoche was born in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains and was recognized at the age of four as a reincarnate holy child. Rinpoche is renowned as a leading teacher of the ancient wisdom of Dzogchen and has authored several books, including Living Fully: Finding Joy in Every Breath. In Lumbini, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Rinpoche is developing a historic, all-inclusive peace destination for people of all races, colors, and creeds. The Universal Peace Sanctuary aims to foster inner peace as the path to world peace. 

Elisha is a social entrepreneur and mental health advocate who has been at the forefront of catalysing the global movement for funding and action on mental health. She is the Founder of United For Global Mental Health, and is now an advisor to leading companies, funders and high profile individualsworking to improve mental health around the world and CEO of Prospira Global. She established the global mental health insight and advisory firm Prospira Global in 2021 in responseto demand from leading global companies and funders seeking to understand, design, implement and measure effective mental health solutions. Under Elisha’s leadership Prospira Global has been recognised for its innovative and high impact strategic advisory insights on financing for mental healthacross a global client base that is grounded in lived experience, evidence, and authentic impact. She was instrumental in creating the Global Business Collaboration for Better Workplace Mental Health, launched at Davos in 2021 to create a platform for collaboration between businesses and mental health experts. She has also been a regular member of the World Economic Forum Global Futures Council on Mental Health, and Co-Chaired the Global Futures Council on Neuro-technologies in 2019. She was honoured for her leadership in 2020 when she was appointed as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. She also sits on the Kate Spade New York Social Impact Council and Selena Gomez’s Rare Impact Fund Mental Health Advisory Council. She holds an MBA from TRIUM (NYU New York, LSE London, HEC Paris), and an MSc in DevelopmentManagement from the London School of Economics.

Sabine Flechet is Co-Founding Partner of Masawa, a venture capital firm shaping the future of mental health and human flourishing through investment and ecosystem leadership. Following a diverse background in private equity & investment banking at HSBC and strategy consulting at Altman Solon, Sabine joined LeadX Capital Partners, a venture capital fund, where she invested and built a portfolio of 70+ companies in the pre-seed / seed stages. Sabine is also a Senior Venture Advisor at the Purpose Foundation, identifying new forms of sustainable governance, including regenerative models and stewardownership frameworks. She holds an MBA from INSEAD, is a founding member of the INSEAD business angel club in Germany and actively supports Franco-German initiatives as Vice-President of La French Tech Munich.

Dr. Anupam Agarwal, MD, MPH (Harvard), is a physician–scientist, biotech investor, and strategic advisor with more than two decades of experience across global biopharma and healthcare innovation. He works with founders, investors, and leadership teams on clinical strategy, safety, and long-term value creation, and brings an investor perspective to the responsible advancement of medicine.

Rudolf “Rudi” Hilti, is a non-traditional entrepreneur, ecosystem builder, and systemic thinker dedicated to challenging the status quo. He invests by connecting perspectives that are usually kept apart, shaping new models of value creation beyond capital alone. He works with talents who combine productivity with ecological balance and human coherence, viewing performance as an outcome of alignment rather than extraction. Rudi is the Founding Chair of The System Change Foundation and President of the ReState Foundation, and leads initiatives such as the World Systemic Forum and THE HUS.institute. He is also Founder and CEO of RHEINEST and THE COMBINATOR, where cross-disciplinary investment becomes a practical instrument for systemic transformation.

Stefan Germann joined the Ursimone Wietlisbach Foundation in May 2024 as its first CEO. Before he was CEO of Fondation Botnar (Basel) for 7 years and was working for World Vision in a leading role. He is a global child health and well-being expert with over 30 years’ experience. He started up several social development organizations and programmes in Africa and Asia and worked for over 20 years in Africa and Asia in various innovation and health leadership roles.

Jaqueline Gil is a global sustainability strategist, keynote speaker, and consultant with over 20 years of experience in public policy, innovation, climate change, and sustainable development. She is CEO of Amplia Mundo, a boutique consultancy dedicated to leadership and executive education in climate change, regenerative economies and investments, innovation, marketing, and sustainable tourism, with a strong emphasis on science-led actionable initiatives.

Jaqueline also serves as a Ph.D. candidate in Sustainable Development at the University of Brasília (UnB) and is a researcher and lecturer on sustainability, future scenarios, and governance. She has worked with governments, international organizations including UNESCO and UN Environment, and private and academic institutions across multiple continents to advance sustainability, strategic foresight, and climate adaptation policies.

Her leadership has been recognized with awards such as “Best Country Promotion Professional in Latin America” at FIEXPO 2024 and Professional Distinction honors in Spain. Jaqueline’s work bridges evidence, policy, and practice, with a focus on building people-to-people links for sustainable business exchange and human-nature harmony.

Having lived, studied, and worked across Australia, Brazil, France, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, and the USA, she brings an unparalleled multicultural and global perspective to her work, emphasizing the importance of inclusive collaboration, peace, and regenerative economic models on a planetary scale.

Shalabh Gupta, MD, is the founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Unicycive, a company he founded in 2016 to advance life-changing therapies for patients with serious, underserved diseases. A physician–entrepreneur, Dr. Gupta has held roles across healthcare as an attending physician, biotech equity researcher, and commercial strategy executive, including positions at Genentech, UBS Investment Bank, and Rodman & Renshaw. He has founded multiple healthcare companies and serves as an advisor to academic and innovation organizations including UCSF Innovation Center and SPARK, Stanford University of Medicine. Dr. Gupta completed his medical training at NYU and holds an MD from Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, India.

Pablo Martins is the CEO and founder of STHORM Human adVentures, a radical entrepreneur focused on building high-impact ventures at the intersection of technology and contemporary social dynamics. With a background spanning Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber-Ideologies, and Cultural & Entertainment Studies, he focuses on the human and social layer of DLT and its real-world applications. Within STHORM, he founded LiqSci and ImmunoX (biotech), Multiversity (edtech), and Planetary X (climate tech), and created DeFi platforms such as Theos and Crowdhack.

As the founder and owner of the International Art Bridge, I build bridges between art, business, and collectors. The joy of art motivated me to turn my calling into a profession decades ago. My holistic approach allows me to inspire people for the world of art. Whatever you are looking for: with me, you will find it from a single source. My main focus is art consultancy and art mediation as well as all resulting services. My trademark is art concepts that are precisely tailored to the respective objective and target group. These concepts increase competitive advantages and boost innovative strength. After a thorough analysis, I will develop a tailor-made concept for you. In addition to the aspects mentioned above, this also takes into account the planning and final implementation on site. If desired, the concept can, of course, also integrate your employees and clients. My clients include companies and institutions that value direct dialogue, encounters, and exchange with both me and the artists I represent.
I guide private art collectors into the impressive world of art and help them expand their well-founded collection. Companies acquire works of art from my multifaceted portfolio in order to consciously provide their employees and clients with both a source of inspiration and demonstrate the unifying power of art.

Julia Thiele is a Senior Quantum Computing Specialist in the AWS Advanced Compute team, leading business development and go-to-market strategy for quantum technologies across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). With over 30 years of experience in the IT industry, Julia brings deep expertise spanning business operations, enterprise sales, and emerging technologies. Since joining AWS in 2018, she has worked extensively with intergovernmental research institutions and scientific organizations to advance cloud-enabled research. Julia holds an MBA in International Business from the University of Liverpool and is passionate about fostering innovation at the intersection of science and technology.

Dr. Andrei Villarroel is professor of innovation management and executive consultant in the high-tech sector. He has been on the faculty of The Lisbon MBA, Católica-Lisbon School of Business & Economics, School of Management Fribourg, and international faculty fellow at MIT Sloan School of Management. His professional experience spans organizations in ICT, biotech, energy, finance, education, and international development. He also taught at HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management (Germany), University of Pennsylvania (USA), and at IEDC Bled School of Management (Slovenia). He was Swiss NSF Postdoctoral Fellow at MIT Sloan and his research was recognized with three Best Papers at international conferences. He is co-author of the books “When Innovation Moves at Digital Speed” (MIT Press series on “The Digital Future of Management”), “Business Model Innovation” (Oxford University Press), “Leading Open Innovation” (MIT Press). Dr. Villarroel served as keynote speaker for international organizations including EFMD, JEWC, CEEMAN.

Paula’s research started in 1997 and investigates consciousness, connection and healing. At the end of three decades in Asia, Paula then chooses to dedicate herself entirely to the visual arts in 2020. She works across various disciplines that include installation & objects, performance, painting, photography and video. Her work recontextualizes discarded materials—such as cell phone screens—to reflect on presence, relationship and transformation in the real and digital worlds.

Russ Wilcox is a pioneering leader at the intersection of artificial intelligence, data science, and public policy, with over 16 years of experience in machine learning, big data, and advanced analytics. As CEO of ArtifexAI, he is transforming urban development by leveraging AI to unlock the hidden value of historical data—enabling governments, investors, and institutions to make smarter, more sustainable, and data-driven decisions for cities of the future.

Based in Boston, with deep ties to Cape Cod, Russ holds a B.A. in Physics from Boston University. His work and thought leadership have been featured in Forbes, and he has delivered two TEDx talks, spoken at the World Economic Forum in Davos, and served as a guest lecturer at UCLA and Northeastern University.

A passionate AI evangelist and trusted advisor to policymakers at both state and federal levels, Russ is deeply committed to the responsible development and deployment of AI, ensuring that emerging technologies serve the public good while driving innovation at scale.

Alina Timofeeva is a globally recognised technology advisor and media commentator in AI, data, and digital transformation, trusted by governments, global banks, and FTSE 100 leaders. Her career spans Oliver Wyman, KPMG, Accenture and PwC, advising clients including JPMorgan, HSBC, and Santander across AI, data, technology and regulation. A recognised public expert, Alina is regularly featured on national BBC News, BBC Radio 4 & 5, Bloomberg, Financial Times, The Banker, The Times, Telegraph and more, and serves as a live on-air expert on breaking AI and technology news for BBC and Bloomberg Asharq. Alina is a regular on the worldwide speaker circuit ranging from Davos to London Tech Week, Abu Dhabi Finance Week & AIM Congress to Oxford University & LSE. Alina is the founder of TechLoomY — a platform accelerating ethical and inclusive AI adoption — and sits on the Board of BCS: The Chartered Institute for IT. Her mission: to make technology human-centred, and accessible — and to inspire the next generation of leaders in AI.

Katy Nelson works at the intersection of technology, go-to-market strategy, and trust, helping founders, operators, and long-term investors scale companies in regulated markets, critical infrastructure, and other mission-critical domains where adoption is earned, not assumed. Her focus is on turning powerful ideas into products that get adopted—particularly in domains where inclusive AI, digital trust, and responsible innovation are prerequisites rather than aspirations. Much of her work sits at the intersection of security, governance, and credibility, where trust determines whether innovation scales.

Through The Juno Group, Katy partners with institutional and long-term capital to co-invest in select mission-driven companies advancing digital trust and inclusive AI. She embeds go-to-market leadership alongside capital, working hands-on with teams to establish early commercial motion and accelerate time to revenue in sectors where adoption depends on security, governance, and institutional credibility.

Previously, Katy was a Partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), where she built and led the firm’s largest cross-sector Go-To-Market organization across Infrastructure, AI Applications, Enterprise, Fintech, Growth, and the American Dynamism portfolio. During a period of rapid growth—from $13B to $60B AUM—she helped establish go-to-market as a core, differentiated operating function, supporting hundreds of portfolio companies from pre-product through pre-IPO.

Earlier in her career, Katy spent years at Gartner, advising Fortune 500 and Global 2000 C-suite leaders through major technology transitions, from cloud and mobile to early AI.

She is an Executive in Residence at NYU Stern, an Advisor to the NYU Fubon Center for Technology, Business & Innovation, and a guest lecturer at MIT Sloan, Harvard University, and Yale SOM on go-to-market strategy and responsible innovation. A first-generation college graduate, she is deeply committed to mentorship and building technology that is not only powerful, but worthy of trust.

Dr. Nathanial Matthews is a political-environmental scientist with more than 25 years of experience working across biodiversity, water governance, and climate resilience in over 30 countries. His career has been dedicated to creating systemic approaches for preserving ecosystems while supporting sustainable development. As CEO of PlanetaryX, he leads the development of technologies and financial models that value ecosystems, unlock nature-based revenue streams, and scale regenerative economic practices. Matthews is recognized globally as a thought leader in nature governance and climate financial.

Anastasia Kalinina is a global diplomacy and governance innovation leader, formerly Head of Regional Agenda at the World Economic Forum and Senior Advisor on Partnerships at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. She was a member of the founding team of the Global Shapers Community, a global network of young change-makers. Anastasia is also Co-Founder and CEO of the reState Foundation, a Swiss-based non-profit focused on reimagining governance and regenerative approaches to investing. She is also the Co-founder of SuperSymmetry Institute, a think-and-do tank dedicated to rebalancing asymmetries between the Global South and Global North through leapfrogging policy solutions and future-oriented projects. Her work spans public governance innovation, civic tech, regenerative approaches to philanthropy and investing, and social innovation. She is a frequent speaker at international forums and contributes to global policy and governance publications. Anastasia holds degrees from Bard College New York, the University of Northern Iowa, the London School of Economics, and an Executive Master in Global Leadership delivered jointly by CEIBS, Columbia University, INSEAD, London Business School, and Wharton. She is a John Smith Fellow, People Centered Internet Fellow, Apolitical Academy Fellow, and World Economic Forum Global Leadership Fellow.

2005 Shawn was the CEO & Founder of Sustainable World Capital in 2007 Shawn co-founded the 1st Impact Investing Investment Bank Big Path Capital. In 2023 Shawn founded The Real Mental Health Foundation, a nonprofit organization that harnesses the power of conversation and community to improve mental health. Having struggled with mental health issues himself, Shawn founded the foundation to help millions of men, women, and families who are suffering in silence. He is a passionate mental health advocate who has shared his personal story speaking around the globe. Including in DAVOS

In addition to his social mission, Shawn is a seasoned impact investor and financial advisor with over 30 years of experience in the industry. He co-founded Big Path Capital in 2007, the first impact investing investment bank that connects investors and fund managers who are committed to creating positive social and environmental impact while maximizing returns. Shawn has been recognized as the most connected person in impact investing, having worked with over 200 impact funds and more than 1000 limited partners. He has also created and organized numerous influential events, such as the Impact Capitalism Summit series and the Diverse Private Equity Fund Showcase series, that have advanced the cause and practice of impact investing globally

Andrew McLaughlin is Chief Operating Officer at SandboxAQ. A 2022 spin-out from Google, SandboxAQ applies AI Large Quantitative Models (LQMs) and deep expertise in quantum physics, chemistry, and biology to address challenging problems in a range of areas, including life sciences and healthcare (specifically, drug development and medical diagnostic devices), materials science & manufacturing (rapid prototyping of new materials and chemicals), magnetic navigation (GPS-free geolocation using quantum sensors), and cybersecurity (post-quantum cryptography and critical infrastructure protection). Andrew's past roles have included: Deputy Chief Technology Officer of the United States under President Obama; Head of Global Public Policy for Google; Chief Policy Officer at ICANN; partner at betaworks; co-founder
and partner at Higher Ground Labs; President and COO of Assembly OSM; CEO of Instapaper and Digg; EVP at Medium and Tumblr; and founding Executive Director of the Tsai Center for Innovative Thinking at Yale University.

Oday Darwich is the CEO of NeoFutureX, a Swiss frontier company building cross-sector ecosystems at the convergence of QuantumAI to enable unbiased decision-making and frontier discovery, powered by trustworthy AI. Guided by the principle of Making the Unknown Intelligible, NeoFutureX focuses on translating complexity into systems that can be engaged transparently, responsibly, and at scale.

His approach was shaped by hands-on work within fundamental research environments, including CERN’s Innovation Space (IdeaSquare), where scientific discovery meets real societal, industrial, and timing constraints, requiring ecosystem-level judgment rather than linear innovation models.

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He is also President of Quantum FutureX, working with executive leaders to frame strategic questions around Quantum and AI and has experience across deep-tech research, early quantum initiatives, and capital-facing institutions, including Pictet and Santander, alongside advisory and board-level roles with mission-driven and UN-affiliated organisations.

Matija completed his PhD in neutral-atom physics at ETH Zurich, after which he spent 3.5 years at McKinsey
& Company, primarily working in the intersection of quantum technologies and real-world business strategy.
Since October 2023, he has been in the quantum computing industry: first at Alice & Bob in France, and currently
at PsiQuantum. At PsiQuantum, he is responsible for educating the future users of PsiQuantum's computer on
how to use the device most efficiently.

Markus is a dedicated quantum physicist, senior financial executive, and deep-tech entrepreneur. Since he was 14 years old, he has been a quantum physics enthusiast. He built on that passion, studying mathematics and physics at RWTH Aachen, and researched in the area of quantum field theory at CERN. His curiosity drew him to business and finance, and he subsequently joined Boston Consulting Group. Later on, he assumed management responsibilities as a senior executive in various corporations including Deutsche Bank and UniCredit, as well as positions as Chief Financial Officer in owner-managed digital and high-tech companies. Ultimately, he decided to leverage his expertise in quantum physics, business and finance to become an entrepreneur in the quantum technologies space. In 2018, he founded Terra Quantum AG, a deep-tech pioneer commercializing quantum tech applications. Markus is a senior advisor to private equity funds and member of the “Baden-Badener Unternehmergespräche (BBUG)”.

Asim Khwaja is a member of the UK Government Quantum Technologies Working Group and author of Convergence of AI and Quantum. With 25+ years protecting Critical National Infrastructure (and GSIBs) including HSBC, Barclays, IAG (International Airlines Group parent company of major airlines such as British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, Vueling), and Vocalink (critical payments infrastructure); he specialises in post-quantum cryptography and cybersecurity risk. In 2025, he spoke across seven countries, including as a state guest for the World Economic Forum (WEF)-Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) Digital Future Direct Investment (DFDI)
Pakistan. Oxford MSc. All views are his own and participating in personal capacity.

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​* All views expressed are personal