I am Senior Vice President of M&A at Mastercard responsible for orchestrating the development and execution of acquisitions to meet the strategic and financial objectives. I have lead multiple acquisitions that are now a core part of the company’s long-term strategy while evolving our product and talent profiles. Within my time at Mastercard, I have held several positions across Technology, Customer Delivery and Mergers & Acquisitions within the US, UK and AP. With a passion for tackling complex programs of work, building powerful cross-functional partnerships and leading from strategy to execution, I have a wide breath of business experience coupled with strong leadership capabilities building, driving and motivating teams.

Agnes General Partner at Bluedge Ventures, where she invests in blockchain and digital assets infrastructure, with a focus on early and growth stage companies. Agnes is a versatile leader and investor, and an experienced operator focused on strategic growth and regulatory compliance. With a decade of traditional finance experience at BlackRock as well as being a part of the leadership team at ConsenSys/Ethereum, Agnes specializes in bridging the gap between legacy finance and emerging blockchain-enabled solutions.

Agnes was formerly Managing Director and Global Head of the Office of the CEO at ConsenSys, a global formation of technologists building solutions for a blockchain-powered future, with over 50 early-stage applications, projects, and companies that emerged from the company’s incubator. In addition to her growth and operator role, she also served as a member of the investment committee where she focused on analyzing potential seed investments and incubations in the space. Her investment portfolio dates back to early 2017 and comprises multi protocols, decentralized storage, payments, DeFi, NFTs, Web3.0 and multiple crypto currencies.

Prior to that, her time at BlackRock provided her with first-hand experience working with many of the world’s largest institutions as well as advising key regulators on strategic challenges. Agnes managed the restructuring of a $40bn multi-asset class portfolio while part of a special situations team at BlackRock and advised European Central Bank, Swiss National Bank, UBS, United States Department of the Treasury, The Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Central Bank of Ireland, Central Bank of Greece and many others during the financial crisis of 2008.

Agnes has spoken as a thought leader on blockchain and financial technology and its applications at events held by the FTSE Russell, Mobile World Congress in Spain, FDIC, Oxford University, Harvard University, Vanderbilt University, Cornell University, George Washington University, Salesforce, US Chamber of Commerce and the World Economic Forum. She is also currently a member of the Board of Directors at the Biden Institute, FTSE Russell (LSEG) Digital Assets Advisory Committee and the Yale Club Audit Committee and was named to the Forum of Young Global Leaders by the World Economic Forum. Agnes was also featured as a Tech Pioneer by El Pais and was published by the World Economic Forum https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/04/data-oil-digital-world-asset-tech-giants-buy-it/. Executive education modules: Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government “Global Leadership and Public Policies” and Nanyang Technological University Singapore “Smart Cities”.

Fares Bugshan is the Chief Executive Officer of Bugshan Investments. He is also a Board Member at MenaBev, one of the largest PepsiCo bottlers in the Middle East, and of King's College Hospital, Saudi Arabia. Prior, Bugshan was a social and economic research analyst and General Manger (Saudi Arabia) at the Gallup Organization. He holds a BA in Economics and Psychology from McMaster University, Canada, an MSc in International Relations from the London School of Economics and an MBA from the London Business School.

Yana Buhrer Tavanier is the co-founder and executive director of Fine Acts, a global nonprofit creative studio for social impact. As a creative activist, she explores human rights innovation at the intersections of activism, art, tech and science. Yana is also the co-founder of TimeHeroes.org, the largest volunteer platform in Bulgaria; and has a background as an award-winning investigative journalist. She has a BA in communication and MA in political science from Sofia University, along with executive education at Harvard University, Yale University, Oxford University, and NTU-Singapore. She is a TED Senior Fellow, a Fulbright Scholar, a WEF Young Global Leader, a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, an Allianz Foundation Fellow, and was named one of 50 people who will change the world in WIRED’s Smart List 2012. Her most recent TED talk, viewed close to 2 million times, deals with her concept of playtivism - the importance of creative play and experimentation in activism.

Born in socialist Hungary and spending childhood years in La-Paz, Bolivia, Nilda developed a passion for freedom and social change at an early age. She attended meetings of the opposition in the living room of their home in Budapest, and travelled to help Roma communities in far corners of Hungary before she was 18. At the change of the political system she was involved in human rights organizations and the nascent women’s movement; she co-edited the first feminist journal in Hungary. Her path led her to get a legal education and work with civil society organizations, recognizing the vital importance of both the rule of law and a free civil society to democracy.

Currently, Nilda is Vice President at the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL), working to protect the rights of civil society in over 100 countries. Prior to joining ICNL in Washington, DC, she was Executive Director of the European Center for Not-for-Profit Law and worked directly on legal reform in over 20 countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Nilda is an internationally recognized leader, having served as Chair of the Civil Society Advisory Committee to the UNDP Administrator and a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum, among others. She is currently serving on the Board of CIVICUS where she was elected in 2016. Today, Nilda still believes in the strength of citizens to bring about much needed positive social change.

Bachelor's degree; graduate studies, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, US. 2003, began political career running for City Council for the Recreate for Growth party (Recrear); later, Vice-President for the Buenos Aires District. In office, organized and led efforts to improve the Argentine education system. 2005-09, represented the Federal Capital of Buenos Aires; represented the PRO, a centre-right political bloc. With PRO, also allied with political blocs Commitment to Change and Recrear. Eisenhower Fellow, Multi-Nation Program (2006). In December 2015, appointed Minister of Education of Argentina by President Mauricio Macri. Elected National Senator in 2017, representing Buenos Aires Province (Cambiemos).

Bestselling author of Unmasking AI, Dr. Joy Buolamwini is the founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, an AI researcher, and an artist. She advises world leaders on preventing AI harms. Her MIT research on facial recognition technologies transformed the field of AI auditing. As the Poet of Code, she creates art to illuminate the societal impact of AI. Her writing and work have been featured in publications including TIME Magazine, New York Times, Harvard Business Review, The Atlantic, and Rolling Stone. Dr. Joy is the protagonist of the Emmy-Nominated documentary, Coded Bias. She is a Rhodes Scholar, Fulbright Fellow, and recipient of the Technological Innovation Award from Martin Luther King Jr. Center. Dr. Joy earned her Ph.D. from MIT and was awarded an honorary degree from Knox College .

Sinéad Burke is a Disabled educator, advocate and author who champions accessibility, equity and social justice to build a better world for everyone. In 2020, she founded the accessibility consultancy Tilting the Lens on the three pillars of education, advocacy and design. Advising major global brands including Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Netflix, Pinterest and Starbucks, Tilting the Lens guides clients in their move from awareness to action by creating more accessible practices, policies, products and services, places and promotions.
Sinéad serves on Gucci's Global Equity Board, ITV’s Cultural Advisory Council, the Irish President’s Council of State and Ireland’s Future of Media Commission. She is also part of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders, as well as the European Young Leaders. As a passionate writer, podcast host and public speaker, Sinéad facilitates honest conversations about identity, disability and accessibility. Her work has been featured and recognised by Vogue, The Financial Times, Fast Company, WWD, Vanity Fair, The Business of Fashion, and many more. In 2017, she delivered a powerful TED Talk on ‘Why design should include everyone.’ Her children’s book, ‘Break the Mould,’ is a primer on how to take your place in the world – with lessons for all. It won the ‘An Post Irish Book Award’ in 2020.

Jane Burston is Clean Air Fund’s founding CEO. The Clean Air Fund is a philanthropic organisation dedicated to creating a future where everyone breathes clean air. It grants ~$20m/year to air pollution reduction activity on behalf of a collaboration of philanthropic donors from health, climate, children's development and sustainable mobility.

Previously Jane was Head of Climate and Energy Science in the UK Government, where she was responsible for the UK greenhouse gas inventory and a £45m science programme. Prior to that she led a team of 150 scientists working on Energy and Environment at the National Physical Laboratory.

Jane was featured by WIRED as one of their changemakers of tomorrow and is a WEF Young Global Leader and a social entrepreneur of the year in the UK. She is a regular commentator and a trustee of Parkinson’s UK.

Eugenio Burzaco is an Argentinean politician, who currently serves as Secretary of Security of the Ministry of Security of Argentina since December 2015. Previously he served as Chief of the Metropolitan Police of Buenos Aires between 2009 and 2011, and National Deputy between 2005 and 2009. Burzaco holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Economics from Georgetown University and a BA in Political Science from the University of El Salvador.

BSc (Hons) in Economics, Lahore University of Management Sciences; MSc in Financial Management, SOAS; MBA, INSEAD. Formerly with: GEODIS (France’s largest logistics company), responsible for International business development, based in Paris; Maersk Line (world’s largest shipping company) as Area Manager, Far East and Middle East, based in Singapore. First-generation entrepreneur; has varied levels of involvement in companies covering multiple sectors and geographical span. Current: CEO Truckistan Technologies. Former commitments include: Co-Founder and MD TruckSher (a digital platform for Trucking); Founder and Chief Executive Officer, e2e, a supply chain and logistics company with offices in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Singapore; Founder and Chief Executive Officer, e2e Business Enterprise, a first of its kind manufacturing plant that produces the healthiest edible oil in the world (rice bran oil) from indigenous sources; Co-Founder and Member of the Board, Pakistan Terminal Operator and Tripkar.com, the former is the only ISO tank cleaning and repair station in Pakistan and the latter is one of the biggest travel portals in Pakistan. Has successfully exited from three companies founded in the areas of trucking, agriculture and human resources. Young Global Leader, World Economic Forum.

One of the most visible political figures from the Millennial generation, Pete Buttigieg is mayor of the once-struggling industrial midwestern city of South Bend, Indiana. A winner of the JFK Library Foundation New Frontier Award, he has guided the comeback of his city and works to help peer cities prepare for the future as chair of the US Conference of Mayors Task Force on Automation. An emerging leader in the US Democratic Party and a veteran of the war in Afghanistan.