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Visionary Minds Driving Change

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35+ Senior Leaders & Decision Makers

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30+ Leading Organizations Represented

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4 Hours of Networking & Dialogue

Join the conversation that’s shaping tomorrow’s resilient businesses

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Speakers

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Melina Taprantzi

Founder - Earth & Co

Melina Taprantzi

Founder - Earth & Co

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Melina is a social entrepreneur who, in 2020, was one of seven women globally to receive the prestigious “SDGs and Her” award from the United Nations and the World Bank for her work in implementing the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.

She is the founder of Earth&Co, a consulting company that has been leading various projects from conception to implementation, supporting Fortune 1000 companies in the agri-food, renewable energy, technology, media, retail, and consumer goods markets. As an advisor on Corporate Strategy, Organizational Development, and Sustainability/ESG, Melina helps businesses navigate change, strengthen corporate culture, and develop future-proof strategies. She supports companies in building a robust strategy, enhancing stakeholder engagement, improving ESG processes, and aligning sustainability initiatives with business goals. Melina also works on key areas such as employee attraction and retention, diversity and inclusion, change management and driving organizational transformation to achieve long-term growth and resilience.

She is a faculty member at various educational institutes, such as the Institute of Sustainability Studies in Dublin, the Economic University in Athens, Kaplan Middle East, Emeritus, Informa in Dubai, PIF Academy, the Center for Governance in Saudi Arabia and others, where she teaches courses on leadership, sustainability, self-development, and entrepreneurship in professional programs. She has delivered programs for major clients across the GCC region, including PIF, VFS, SNB, Dubai Islamic Bank, the National Events Center, NBB, Takamol, Omantel, and Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare. She is also a regular contributor to TechCamp, a public diplomacy program hosted by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.

Melina sits on the board of multinational non-profit organizations, such as Junior Enterprises Global, and is a keynote speaker at international conferences. She is a TEDx speaker, a BMW Foundation Responsible Leader, an IVLP alumna in the program of Social Responsibility and Innovation funded by the U.S. Department of State, a Young Emerging Leader 2018 by the European-Australian Forum, and a Young Innovative Leader 2019 (YTILI Fellow) by the German Marshall Fund. She co-founded a marketing agency in 2007, attracting nationwide accounts, before founding Wise Greece in 2013, which today is one of Europe’s most awarded social enterprises.

In 2022, Melina received the World of Difference Award from the International Alliance for Women in Washington, DC, for her contribution to the economic empowerment of women, and in 2024, she was chosen as one of the 25 global Vital Voices.

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Shireen Mistree

Head of Sustainability - VFS Global

Shireen Mistree

Head of Sustainability - VFS Global

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Shireen Mistree is the Head of Sustainability at VFS Global, the global leader in trusted technology services that empower secure mobility for governments and citizens worldwide. In this role, she is responsible for leading the company’s global sustainability strategy, which is deeply integrated into VFS Global’s business model and growth ambitions. Previously, Shireen held senior roles with Tata Trusts; one of India’s leading philanthropic institutions leading their work on sustainability and policy and advocacy initiatives. Prior to that, she worked at the Consulate of The Republic of Singapore and with The Royal Bank of Scotland in India. She has also worked with private sector organizations in articulating their social purpose and developing strategies to contribute to global sustainable development goals.

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Dr. Salman Abdulla

Advisor to Chief ESG & Sustainability Officer - Emirates Global Aluminium

Dr. Salman Abdulla

Advisor to Chief ESG & Sustainability Officer - Emirates Global Aluminium

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With more than 40 years of experience in the aluminium industry, Dr. Salman has played a pivotal role in advancing Emirates Global Aluminium’s sustainability and operational transformation.

As former Executive Vice President of Sustainability and now Advisor to the Chief Sustainability Officer, he has championed transformative initiatives including the Government Accelerator Program, Safety Culture Transformation, Resolving Spent Potline challenges, and the production of solar-powered aluminium.

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Adel Ahmed

Professor of Accounting and Sustainable Finance - Amity University Dubai

Adel Ahmed

Professor of Accounting and Sustainable Finance - Amity University Dubai

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Dr. Adel Ahmed is a Professor of Accounting, Ethical and Sustainable Finance at Amity University Dubai, where he also leads the Sustainable Finance Workgroup within the UAE Universities Climate Network (UCN) and serves as a member of the Research Center of Excellence for Sustainability. A British academic with over three decades of experience in higher education across the UK and MENA regions, he has held senior leadership roles including Academic President (Birmingham City University UAE Campus) and Dean of Business (Al Ain University). Professor Ahmed is a CPA Australia member and a Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and the International Society for Development and Sustainability (ISDS, Japan). His scholarly work focuses on ethical finance, ESG integration, and sustainable investment models that bridge Islamic and green finance. He has represented UAE academia at COP28 and numerous global sustainability summits, contributing to regional ESG policy dialogue and sustainable finance capacity-building.