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The Forum of Young Global Leaders is a community of innovators from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Search current members and alumni by year awarded, sector or region.

Mamadou Kwidjim Toure

Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Ubuntu Group, USA

Inspired by the wisdom of his ancestors, Mamadou Kwidjim Toure believes that co-creating a better world is possible when diversity is nurtured and access to opportunities is evenly distributed. This philosophy was the driving force behind establishing Africa 2.0, a non-for-profit pan African civil society organization with the aim to create a sustainable vision for the transformation of Africa. Named one of the top 10 Most Influential Men in Africa by Forbes Magazine in 2014, Mamadou founded the Ubuntu Group in 2015 and built on his global network and investment savviness to launch socio-economic projects throughout the continent of Africa. His recent venture, Ubuntu Tribe, a digital platform promoting shared economy through tokenization of gold and other mineral ressources as a means for financial inclusion and wealth redistribution received in 2019 a distinction as finalist at the African Bankers Awards. In 2020, he was listed among the top 30 most influential in the world in blockchain technology. Over the past 20 years, Mamadou worked in instituons such as KPMG, BNP Paribas Investment Banking, IFC (World Bank Group) and finally General Electric as Managing Director in charge of Investments and Project Finance for Subsaharan Africa. He has worked on infrastructure, mining, banking, agriculture technology projects exceeding a combined value of US$ 25 billion, thus creating opportunities and hope for many people in Africa. Mamadou has been at the forefront of international high finance and remains a strong proponent for digital economy as an engine for emancipation and shared wealth creation.

Mamadou is a global citizen, passionate of culture, art and avid reader of history books, he continues to advocate for a bright future for humanity through pushing the boundaries. He believes in the power of collective action to build lasting enlightenment and prosperity. Mamadou went to the prestigious High School Lycee Louis Le Grand in Paris and holds MSc in Finance from EDHEC Business School (ranked global top 10 graduate school in Finance by Financial Times) and completed two education programs at Harvard Kennedy School on « Global Leadership and Public Policy for 21st Century » as World Economic Forum Young Global Leader in 2018 and « Public-Private Partnership » in 2010.
Mamadou completed program on artificial intelligence at MIT in 2020.

Lila Tretikov

Deputy Chief Technology Officer, Microsoft, USA

Lila Tretikov is Chief Executive Officer of Terrawatt (TWI), a global organization that aligns corporate, financial, NGOs and political interests to alter the trajectory of Earth's ecology. TWI brings next-generation clean energy to humankind through innovative models rooted in shared economic value, enabled by technologies such as artificial intelligence and financial engineering.

Named one of the 21 Most Powerful Women in Bay Area Technology by San Francisco Chronicle, one of The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women by Forbes and invited by the World Economic Forum to join the Young Global Leaders in 2016. She has co-authored numerous articles, patents and inventions across areas of policy, management and technology.

Previously, Ms. Tretikov was Chief Executive of the Wikimedia Foundation, an organization supporting Wikipedia, the world’s largest encyclopedia available in 300+ languages and the fifth most popular internet media site. She transformed the organization to prepare for upcoming changes in the age of ubiquitous Internet and machine learning. She also led Wikipedia’s rapidly expanded regional presence to nearly 100 global organizations, doubled revenues and launched the Wikipedia Endowment to support modernization and expansion of knowledge access in perpetuity.

Ms. Tretikov is Board Director and CEO Advisor at numerous companies such as Rackspace, Onfido, PrivacyShell Corp., OpenEd (acquired by ACT), Zamurai (acquired by Join.me), Crunchbase and Bonsai. She advises leaders on identifying and navigating through major market and consumer behavioral shifts propelled by technical innovations.

Ms. Tretikov launched her first company, Grok, while attending college at UC Berkeley creating intelligent data mapping of the Human Genome Project. She founded and scaled several pre-IPO companies, as well as accelerated 10-100% YOY growth of strategic projects within multi-billion USD corporations. Her cross-discipline background has allowed her to play a seminal role in helping businesses and their leaders synthesize and operationalize successful, lasting strategies and paths of execution.

Born in Moscow, Ms. Tretikov started college at the age of thirteen and emigrated to the United States independently as a teenager. She has more than two decades of experience as a transformational leader in Silicon Valley companies where she honed her passion for harnessing human-focused technologies for global impact. She currently resides in Paris, France.

Vasudha Vats

Vice-President, Pfizer, USA

Vasudha Vats has grown several multi-billion dollar businesses in pharma and currently manages one of the highest selling small molecule medicines in the world. Her mission is to not only help patients by delivering high-quality medical therapies, but also to improve care delivery across the entire patient experience. As a leader in healthcare, she has forged and led partnerships across the industry to deliver better outcomes for patients, including patient advocacy groups like the American Diabetes Association, technology (Fitbit), pharmacy (CVS and Walgreens), and government (National Institutes of Health). She is an advocate of supporting emerging thinkers to fuel future societal improvement, actively mentoring emerging biotechnology firms with the New York City Entrepreneurship Lab and having helped to co-found the Chandini Foundation, a charity designed to provide underprivileged youths in developing nations with mentoring support to become ethical, impactful and entrepreneurially minded leaders.

Hitesh Wadhwa

Enterprise Technology and Business Leader, Google Cloud, Google, USA

Hitesh holds a distinguished position as a seasoned leader in Enterprise Technology, Sales, and Business at Google within the United States. In his role, he leads growth and adoption of Google Cloud with large enterprises in Central US. His responsibilities are centered around elevating Technology, particularly in the domains of AI, web3, Cloud, Quantum Computing, and more, to the forefront of large-scale Enterprises and their associated communities. He is also a GenAI Ambassador at Google.

Before joining Google, Hitesh's career encompassed a pivotal role at Amazon Web Services (AWS) as the 'Principal, Enterprise Business' for a rapidly expanding region, where he orchestrated strategies to expand AWS adoption within substantial and medium-sized organizations.

Prior to his tenure at AWS, he occupied the position of Vice President at Tech Mahindra, the IT division of the Mahindra group. In this capacity, he orchestrated a range of strategic engagements and undertakings within the Telco, Media & Entertainment (CME) sector, leading to a noteworthy growth of Tech Mahindra's business by over $100 million through both organic and inorganic means. Hitesh played an instrumental part in Tech Mahindra's CME vertical, a business segment generating more than $2.5 billion annually. He was selected twice for the company's highly competitive "Shadow Board" program, an exclusive initiative where only six individuals out of over 130,000 employees are chosen each year to shadow the board of directors. As a Shadow Board member, he administered several impactful programs spanning digital transformation, diversity, culture, and sustainability.

Over the course of his extensive 17+ years of professional journey at the intersection of Technology and Business, Hitesh has demonstrated adept leadership in team management, business expansion, strategic endeavors, and effective management of Fortune 500 client relationships. Noteworthy clients include AT&T, USAA, Facebook, Verizon, Oracle, UnitedHealth Group, WarnerMedia, Rakuten, and iHeartMedia, among others.

Hitesh's enthusiasm for Technology is profound, driven by his belief in its potential to address significant global challenges when employed judiciously. In 2021, he was named as a 'Young Global Leader' (YGL) by the World Economic Forum
https://www.weforum.org/press/2021/03/ygl-class-2021/

He has also been chosen by Forbes for "Forbes Business Development Council", an invitation-only organization for Senior-Level Sales and Business Development Executives

Beyond his professional pursuits, he nurtures a penchant for fine Coffee and Bourbon. During his leisure moments, he cherishes quality time with his family - his wife and two children. Presently, he resides in Austin, Texas, USA.

Tiffany Xingyu Wang

Chief Trust and Marketing Officer, OpenWeb, USA

An award-winning marketer and social entrepreneur, Tiffany Xingyu Wang’s deep technological understanding, digital trust stewardship and marketing prowess have positioned her at the nexus of the future of media, corporate ethics and the emerging community economy.

She currently serves as the Chief Marketing & Trust Officer of OpenWeb – a role that reflects her leadership in the field. The leading community engagement platform powers over 3,000 publishers and brands and is leading the way in creating trusting spaces for healthy conversations and diverse, engaged communities in the Web3 era. At OpenWeb, Tiffany Xingyu oversees marketing as well as the entire trust and safety P&L and is working closely with the company’s vast partner networks to scale market-leading best practices.

Tiffany Xingyu is also the President and Co-founder of Oasis Consortium. As part of the nonprofit created to define a digital sustainability model for businesses, she launched first-of-their-kind User Safety Standards for Web3, minting industry-backed consensus on digital safety early in the Web3 revolution and earning interest from TIME, MIT Technology Review and more. The momentum continues with over 20 platforms, including Roblox, Pandora, Grindr, Fandom, The Meet Group and Together Labs, pledging to the standards.

Tiffany Xingyu’s pioneering approach to marketing, innovation and advocacy serves as a model for future leaders looking to drive positive change at a global scale. She’s democratizing access to critical digital trust and safety knowledge through a first-of-its-kind LinkedIn Learning course for brand leaders. Active with global organizations that are elevating the dialogue around the future of media and the web, she is also a member of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders program, the Atlantic Council’s Trust & Safety Taskforce and a board member of AdCouncil.

Prior to joining OpenWeb, Wang was the Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer at Spectrum Labs, a leading contextual AI platform that keeps over 1 billion users safe online. She also holds two USPTO patents in machine learning applications for marketing.

Tiffany Xingyu stays abreast of blockchain and quantum computing technologies through investments and advisory board roles. She’s also a venture partner at Tribe, a Singapore government-backed blockchain accelerator, where she leads investor relations in the US.

Her leadership continues to be acknowledged within the industry and the global business community. She was recently on the cover of Adweek’s first edition of 2023 in the “Year of the Tenacious CMO” feature and her work has been highlighted in leading publications including Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Digiday, and VentureBeat. With further recognition from Forbes’ Most Entrepreneurial CMO List and the CMO Club’s Most Innovative Awards under her belt, Tiffany Xingyu has solidified her reputation as one of the seminal innovators of her generation.

Nolan Watson

President and Chief Executive Officer, Sandstorm Gold Ltd, Canada

President and CEO, Sandstorm Gold, a NYSE American-listed company with a market capitalization of $1.1 billion. Founder and President, Nations Cry, a registered charity building and operating schools in Sierra Leone, Africa. By the age of 26, was the youngest CFO of any NYSE-listed company in the world. Recognized as one of the "Top-40-Under-40", Canada and "CEO of the Year". In addition, Nolan is the youngest "Fellow" of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia and he has been recognized as one of the "Most Motivated" Chartered Financial Analysts in the World by CFA Magazine. Nolan is a regular contributor on various radio programs, television programs, and government conferences on topics ranging from mining, to environmental sustainability and he has been seen on CNBC, Fox Business News, BBC, BNN and CNBC Europe among others.

Adam Werbach

Head of Digital and Unscripted, Kapital Entertainment, USA

Adam Werbach is a media sustainability leader working at the intersection of technology, business and politics. He recently joined Kapital Entertainment as head of Digital and Unscripted Television and is creating shows across major networks and streamers. Previously, he developed the sustainable shopping customer experience as the Global Lead for Sustainable Shopping at Amazon.com. After a YGL journey, he founded Trove (formerly Yerdle), the re-commerce company that manages resale for Patagonia, Nordstrom's, Eileen Fisher, Arc'Teryx, and REI. He previously founded Act Now, which was acquired by Saatchi & Saatchi and the Publicis Groupe, after he helped Walmart launch its sustainability efforts. At age 23, Werbach was elected President of the Sierra Club, the oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization in the US, after helping pass the legislation to create Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Parks in California. He spent almost ten years producing an indie-rock documentary film entitled "This is Noise Pop," which was named one of the top five music documentaries of the year by Rolling Stone Magazine, even though it was only shown once. Werbach lives between San Francisco and Bolinas, California with his wife Lyn and their three kids, Mila, Pearl and Simon.

Ted Wiley

Co-Founder and President, Form Energy Inc, USA

Ted Wiley is the Co-founder and President of Form Energy (formerly Baseload Renewables), a startup company developing ultra-low cost, long duration energy storage to enable a 100% renewable energy future. Previously, Ted was president and of McDonough Innovation, a consulting and product development company focused on helping companies implement cradle to cradle and circular economy principles developed by William McDonough. Prior to McDonough Innovation Ted was a co-founder of and head of product at Aquion Energy, a start-up that manufactures sustainable, cost-effective batteries for stationary energy storage applications. Prior to Aquion, Wiley was a Senior Associate at Hudson Clean Energy Partners where he worked on biofuels and solar investments. Before Hudson, he served as a captain in the US Army. As a platoon leader for the 1-23 Infantry Battalion, he spent a year in Iraq leading combat missions and helping to organize the country's first free elections. Wiley earned a BSc in Physics at Seattle University and an MBA from Harvard Business School with concentrations in clean technology entrepreneurship.

Michele Wucker

Chief Executive Officer, Gray Rhino & Company, USA

Author of THE GRAY RHINO and YOU ARE WHAT YOU RISK. Founder and CEO, Gray Rhino & Company. Founding Faculty and Stakeholder Supervisory Board Member, DCRO Risk Governance Institute. Distinguished Lecturer: University of Virginia MA in Public Safety; Lecturer, University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. Advisor to APRI Armenia, IRM India, and Preventable Surprises. YGL Board Service Initiative Founder. Member: Council on Foreign Relations, Authors Guild, Women Corporate Directors, Private Directors Association. Mentor-Editor, The OpEd Project; Sisters on the Planet Ambassador, Oxfam America

Songyee Yoon

Chairman, NC Foundation, USA

Songyee Yoon is a successful entrepreneur, innovator, and investor. As the President and Chief Strategy Officer of NCSOFT (KRX:036570), a global leader in online game development and publishing, Yoon played a pivotal role in guiding the company through AI transformation. She utilized cutting-edge technology for game development and improved various aspects of the business. Under her insightful leadership, NCSOFT's workforce grew from 350 employees to a team of 5,000 professionals across seven countries in Asia, Europe, and North America, and the company's revenue surpassed 2 billion USD.

As the founder and managing partner of Chamaeleon, a quant and tech-based early stage venture capital firm, she invests in innovative startups at the intersection of gaming, AI, and consumer technology. Yoon's strategic expertise spans a wide range of domains, including early monetization strategy, organizational development, marketing, branding, business development and partnerships, licensing, and other strategic initiatives that have cemented NCSOFT's position as a market leader. She chaired the ESG committee and NC University, demonstrating her commitment to fostering responsible business practices and nurturing talent within the organization.

Yoon is the chairperson and founder of the NCSOFT Cultural Foundation, she actively engages herself in various philanthropic initiatives including main sponsor for Special Olympics, collaboration with UN Food Program and UNHCR. In an effort to support working parents, Yoon personally oversaw the development of the “Laughing Peanut,” a daycare facility that accommodates 400 children and is located at the NCSOFT R&D center. She also oversaw the development of “Projectory,” a program for nurturing and fostering creativity.

Yoon has supported AI and ethics education at higher education institutions through the Embedded EthiCS program at MIT, Harvard, and Stanford Universities. Her passion for this topic led her to publish a book, The Most Humane Future, which is one of the most cited books on the ethical development of AI in Korea. Yoon also served as an advisory board member of the Center for Asia Pacific Policy and a visiting fellow at the Center to Advance Racial Equity Policy at RAND, where she continues to explore the social impacts of AI, equity, and the ethical sides of technology.

Songyee holds a Ph.D. in Computational Neuroscience from MIT, where she also serves as a board member. She is an inaugural member of the Advisory Council of Stanford University's Human-Centered AI and has served on South Korea's Presidential Advisory Council for Science and Technology under two presidents. She has also been serving on the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace board. She is a member of the National Academy of Engineering of Korea, was named one of the 50 Women to Watch in Business by the Wall Street Journal, and also was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum

Andrey Zarur

Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Greenlight Biosciences Inc, USA

Andrey J. Zarur is Founder and CEO of GreenLight Biosciences, a diversified biotechnology company delivering natural solutions for human health, animal health and agricultural applications. Prior to GreenLight, Dr. Zarur was the Founder and Chairman of Solid Biosciences, a gene therapy company addressing neuromuscular genetic disorders. Dr. Zarur is also Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lumicell Surgical. Dr. Zarur is a Senior Lecturer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He obtained undergraduate degrees from the National University of Mexico and doctoral degrees from MIT and Harvard Medical School. He is the author of dozens of peer-reviewed scientific publications and holds over one hundred issued and pending patents.

Michelle Zatlyn

Co-Founder, President and Chief Operating Officer, Cloudflare, USA

Michelle Zatlyn is co-founder, President, and COO of Cloudflare, the Internet security, performance, and
reliability company on a mission to help build a better Internet. Cloudflare is a publicly traded company
on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: NET). Prior to co-founding Cloudflare, Michelle held positions at
Google and Toshiba and launched two successful startups. Michelle currently serves on the board of
directors for Atlassian and the World Economic Forum Young Global Leaders Foundation. Michelle has
been named to Fortune’s 40 Under 40 list and was part of Marie Claire’s 7th Annual New Guard. She
holds a B.S. degree, with distinction, from McGill University, and an MBA from Harvard Business School,
where she was awarded the Dubilier Prize for Entrepreneurship.