OUR PROGRAM

OUR PROGRAM

Monday, 20th January
Catalysing Systems Change Through Collaborative Action

12:00 – 1:00 PM • Impact Investing for Life Flourishing
Private Launch of Impact Investing for Life Flourishing by Chavalit Frederick Tsao, Chairman, TPC. This exclusive event offers a deep dive into Tsao’s vision for harnessing impact investing to achieve both financial returns and meaningful societal transformation. Gain unique insights into aligning investment strategies with social impact to drive sustainable, long-term change.

Speakers:
• Chavalit Frederick Tsao, Chairman, TPC (Tsao Pao Chee)

Presented by TPC (Tsao Pao Chee)

Private session. By invitation only

1:30 – 2:00 pm • Welcome to the Social Innovation House
Join Gaby Arenas de Meneses and Fredrik Galtung, Co-Chief Facilitators of Catalyst Now, as they welcome attendees and present an overview of the Social Innovation House program. Together they will share insights about social innovation, the upcoming sessions and opportunities for collaboration during this transformative gathering.

Speakers:
• Gaby Arenas de Meneses, Co-Chief Facilitator, Catalyst Now
• Fredrik Galtung, Co-Chief Facilitator, Catalyst Now

Presented by Catalyst Now

This session is sold out. If you wish to be included in the waiting list, please send an email to info@catalyst2030.net.

2:00 – 3:00 PM • The Future of Social Innovation: Unleashing Collective Impact Through High-Impact Ecosystems
Experience powerful insights from cross-sector collaborations, regional ecosystems, and local high-impact ecosystem leaders as they share their journeys in forging robust multi-sector alliances. These pioneering voices will reveal how strategic partnerships have enhanced their social innovation projects and fostered enduring community transformation. Through real-world examples and practical strategies, discover how collaborative ecosystems can unlock new possibilities for sustainable social transformation and maximize collective impact.

Speakers:
• Andrea Escobar, Co-Chair, Latin America Avanza
• Faiz Kamaludin, Co-Chair, ASEAN Rising
• Jackie Maalouf, Co-Chair, MENA Manarah
• Luvuyo Rani, Executive Director, Africa Forward

 Moderator:
• Cheryl Dorsey, President, Echoing Green

Presented by Echoing Green

This session is sold out. If you wish to be included in the waiting list, please send an email to info@catalyst2030.net.

4:00 – 5:00 pm • Catalyzing Change: Next-Generation Funding Models
Explore groundbreaking approaches to social innovation funding as we examine emerging financial models that are reshaping how we support social change. This dynamic session will showcase innovative funding mechanisms, from blended finance to impact investing, that are unlocking large new pools of capital for social entrepreneurs and mission-driven organizations. Join leading investors and practitioners to discover how next-generation funding models are breaking down traditional barriers and accelerating sustainable social impact.

Speakers:
• Vaishali Nigam Sinha, Co-founder of ReNew
• Chavalit Frederick Tsao, Chairman, TPC (Tsao Pao Chee)
• Dr. Wes Sechrest, Chief Executive Officer and Chair, Re:wild

Moderator:
• Brian Gallagher, Founding Partner, Abundance Circle

 Presented by TPC (Tsao Pao Chee)

This session is sold out. If you wish to be included in the waiting list, please send an email to info@catalyst2030.net.

5:30 – 6:30 pm • Cities as Learning Labs: Building Innovation Ecosystems
This session will examine how cities can become dynamic hubs of education, innovation, and social cohesion, empowering residents to thrive personally and professionally. Speakers will discuss successful examples of learning cities that prioritize accessible education, community engagement, and sustainable development, all aimed at creating inclusive societies where individuals can reach their full potential and contribute to collective well-being.

Speakers:
• Carolina Deik, First Lady of Bogotá
• Maria José Rubio, Co-Founder, Compromiso Bogotá
• Tyler Samstag, Executive Director, Remake Learning – Pittsburgh Ecosystem

Moderator:
• José Correa, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Sustainable Startup & Co

Presented by Catalyst Now

Registration for this session is required. Please register here to attend

7:00 – 8:00 pm • We Don’t Do Charity Documentary & Discussion
Join us for a screening of We Don’t Do Charity Documentary & Discussion. This compelling documentary by Alan Braithwaite and Republica Media challenges traditional aid narratives. The film highlights how social entrepreneurs and grassroots NGOs in the Global South are rejecting ‘white saviorism’ in favor of locally-led, sustainable development. The session includes a 30-minute screening followed by a panel discussion on local leadership, sustainable development, and transforming aid systems.

Speakers:
• Alan Braithwaite, Founder, ISEDT
• Nicola Banks, Professor, Global Development University of Manchester Global Development Institute, and CoFounder,
  One World Together
• Claire Barnhoorn, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Solvoz
• David Campbell, Producer and Director, Republica Media
• Ayesha Farrah, Communications and Advocacy Manager, Comic Relief

Moderator:
• Amanda Campbell, Director, Republica Media

Presented by Catalyst Now and Republica Media

Registration for this session is required. Please register here to attend

Tuesday, 21st January
Empowering Social Innovation: Community Voices, Data and AI in Action

7:30 – 9:00 am • Meditation Session: Cultivating Well-being for Transformative Impact Facilitated by Octave Institute Start your day with a transformative session where mindfulness meets social innovation. Octave Institute leaders will guide participants through powerful grounding and meditation practices designed specifically for changemakers. Learn practical techniques to enhance your well-being, sustain your impact, and deepen your capacity for systems change.

Facilitator:
• Susanna Eduini

Presented by TPC (Tsao Pao Chee)

Registration for this session is required. Please register here to attend

9:30 – 10:30 am • Learning Ecosystems: Transforming Education for Social Innovation and Human Flourishing
Transforming Education for Social Innovation and Human Flourishing Discover how learning ecosystems are transforming education by connecting diverse stakeholders and fostering environments where social innovation can thrive. Explore innovative approaches that blend traditional education with real-world problem-solving, creating pathways for human flourishing and sustainable societal transformation.

Speakers:
• Luis Camargo, Founder and Director, Opepa
• Barbara Bulc, Founder and Chief Steward, SDG Colab

Moderator:
• Ross Hall, Education Portfolio Lead, Fondation Botnar

Presented by Catalyst Now

Registration for this session is required. Please register here to attend

11:00 – 12:00 pm • How regenerative agriculture can unlock the next generation of farmers
This interactive session will bring together agriculture leaders in the field of agriculture, from leading companies, NGOs and farmers’ organizations to discuss the role of regenerative agriculture in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the world’s food supply.

Private session. By invitation only

12:30 – 1:30 pm • Data Convergence & SDGs financing: The Future of Impact Investing
Explore how data convergence is revolutionizing the way we track, measure, and finance progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Discover innovative data frameworks and financing mechanisms that are accelerating impact investing and driving sustainable change to achieve the 2030 Agenda. Learn from industry leaders about cutting-edge approaches that connect data-driven insights with investment decisions to maximize social and environmental impact.

Speakers:
• Prof. Dr. Niels Bosma, Professor of Social Entrepreneurship, Utrecht University School of Economics & Senior Research Fellow, Global Entrepreneurship Monitor
• Dr. Brigitte Mohn, Member of the Executive Board, Bertelsmann Foundation
• Daniel Nowack, Head of the Global Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship, World Economic Forum
• Ajaita Shah, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Frontier Markets

Moderator:
• Fredrik Galtung, Co-Chief Facilitator, Catalyst Now

Presented by Bertelsmann Foundation

This session is sold out. If you wish to be included in the waiting list, please send an email to info@catalyst2030.net.

2:00 – 2:40 pm • The Wisdom Economy: Unleashing Longevity’s Potential
Join pioneering social innovators who are transforming how we approach aging, longevity, and intergenerational connection. This dynamic session reveals breakthrough solutions that are creating new opportunities for meaningful engagement, economic participation, and social contribution across all life stages.

Speakers:
• Jackie Maalouf, Vice President, International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and Founder and President, DiaLeb
• Ricardo Neves, Co-Chair, Catalyst 50+ Chapter
• Mary Ann Tsao, Chairwoman, Tsao Foundation

Moderator:
• Manoj Panjwani, Governing Council Member, Catalyst Now

Presented by Catalyst Now

Registration for this session is required. Please register here to attend

3:00 – 3:45 PM • Building Bridges: Social Innovation for Refugee & Migrant Integration
Explore transformative approaches that are revolutionizing how refugees and migrants integrate into new communities through inclusive, dignity-centered solutions. This session showcases innovative models that celebrate cultural diversity while creating sustainable pathways for newcomers to thrive.

Speakers:
• Camila Batista, Chief Operating Officer, Migraflix
• Olga Diakova, Co-Founder, Impact Force
• Lala Lovera, Co-Founder and Director, Comparte por una Vida

Moderator:
Gaby Arenas, Co-Chief Facilitator, Catalyst Now

Presented by Catalyst Now

Registration for this session is required. Please register here to attend

4:00 – 5:00 pm • Schwab Awards Live from the Social Innovation House
Join us for the first part of the Schwab Awards, live from the Social Innovation House, where we will celebrate transformative leaders driving systemic change.

Registration for this session is required. Please register here to attend

5:30 – 6:30 PM • Climate and Regeneration
At the root of society’s challenges lies the pollution of the mind—fragmented thoughts, divided priorities, and disconnection from self. Addressing this requires a dual approach: an inner journey of self-cultivation to embody the wholeness of spirit, body, and mind, and an external commitment to collaboration for unified transformation. This session explores how mindfulness, self-awareness, and collective action can tackle societal challenges.

Speakers:
• Kirsten Dunlop, CEO, Climate-KIC
• Alfredo Giron, Head of the World Economic Forum’s Ocean Action Agenda and Friends of Ocean Action
• Poman Lo, Vice Chairman, Regal Hotels Group
• Dr. Wes Sechrest, Chief Executive Officer and Chair, Re:wild
• Chavalit Frederick Tsao, Chairman, TPC (Tsao Pao Chee) √

Presented by TPC (Tsao Pao Chee)

Registration for this session is required. Please register here to attend

7:00 – 8:00 pm • Transformative Business Models: Harnessing AI for Social Innovation
In an era defined by rapid technological advancements, artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to reshape business models and drive transformative change. This session explores how AI can serve as a catalyst to reimagine traditional paradigms, enabling businesses to build collective communities and foster meaningful collaboration. By integrating AI into strategies that prioritize shared values and purpose, organizations can align innovation with societal needs.

Speakers:
• Luana Genot, President and Executive Director, Instituto Identidades do Brasil
• Dr. James Ong, Author of the book AI for Humanity: Building a Sustainable AI for the Future
• Amit Pradhan, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Rainfall
• Chavalit Frederick Tsao, Chairman, TPC (Tsao Pao Chee)
• Dena Trujillo, Chief Executive Officer, Crisis Text Line

Moderator:
• Kamilah Sanders, Chief Executive Officer, Greater Than Equal

Presented by TPC (Tsao Pao Chee)

Registration for this session is required. Please register here to attend

This session is sold out. If you wish to be included in the waiting list, please send an email to info@catalyst2030.net.

Wednesday, 22nd January
Mental Health & Well-being Day

7:30 – 8:45 am • Public Innovation in Mental Health: Global Solutions Showcase
Join us for the launch of our groundbreaking report showcasing innovative public sector solutions transforming mental health care delivery and accessibility worldwide. Explore successful initiatives and scalable approaches revolutionizing mental health support systems, featuring insights from pioneering leaders across the globe.

Speakers:
• Su Balasubramanian,  International Development and Clinical Mental Health Professional
• Daisy Rosales, Co-founder and Executive Director, Brio

Moderator:
• Gaby Arenas de Meneses, Co-Chief Facilitator, Catalyst Now

Presented by Catalyst Now

Registration for this session is required. Please register here to attend

9:00 – 9:45 am • Relationship between Psychological Factors and Climate Change
The session explores the emerging field of ecopsychology as it relates to climate action and leadership. While many Davos discussions focus on technological or policy solutions, this session examines a crucial but often overlooked dimension: the psychological relationship between humans and nature that indeed underpins all environmental decision-making. We would like to particularly examine what are the optimal ways to re-establish the connection to nature, which is ultimately connection to self and how to use this to pass the climate passivity among leaders, but also among the public.

Speakers:
• Dr. Deborah Brosnan, Ocean & Climate Scientist, Co-Founder, OceanShot
• David Erritzoe, Clinical Senior Lecturer in General Psychiatry in Centres for Neuro Psychopharmacology and Psychedelic Research at Imperial
• Lindsay Hooper, CEO of the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership
• Anna Lerner Nesbitt, CEO, Climate Collective
• Leor Roseman, Psychedelic Researcher and Lecturer, University of Exeter and Imperial College London

Moderator:
• Ledana Edwards, Co-Founder Bekyn Counsulting, Deloitte Partner Alumni, PhD candidate in Transformative Studies

Presented by Catalyst Now

Registration for this session is required. Please register to attend

10:00 – 10:45 AM • Rewriting the Narrative on Men’s Mental Health: A Conversation with Patrick J. Kennedy & Shawn Lesser
Keynote: Unlocking $10 Billion in New Capital by 2030 for Mental Health: The Launch of the REAL Mental Health Fund of Funds (in formation) by Shawn Lesser

Shawn Lesser will present THE REAL’s vision for engaging family offices, foundations, and institutional investors to expand the global mental health ecosystem. Drawing on 30 years of finance experience and his role as a pioneer in impact investing, Shawn will outline strategies to attract significant new capital to the mental health space.

In an inspiring fireside chat, Former U.S. Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy and Shawn Lesser will explore how vulnerability and courage can break stigma around men’s mental health. They will share personal stories, discuss the transformative power of openness, and highlight the importance of early intervention, brain health research, and policy reform to create systemic change.

 Speakers:
• Patrick J. Kennedy, Co-Founder, The Kennedy Forum and Former U.S. Congressman
• Shawn Lesser, Founder, The REAL Mental Health Foundation

Moderator:
• Elisha London, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Prospira Global

Presented by The REAL and Convergence Partners

Registration for this session is required. Please register here to attend

11:00 – 12:00 pm • Education and AI as a Catalyst for Social Innovation
Education is more than knowledge acquisition—it’s a tool for harmonizing our inner selves with the world around us. This session explores how education fosters collaboration, personal growth, and collective flourishing. By nurturing the co-creative spark that empowers communities, education becomes a shared journey where everyone plays a vital role.

Speakers:
• Omid Aschari, Senior Advisor, UNGC
• Chavalit Frederick Tsao, Chairman, TPC (Tsao Pao Chee)
• Lakshmi Shruti Settipalli, Renowned Athlete and Global Entrepreneur

Moderator:
• Seok Hui, Chief Executive Officer, Philanthropy Asia Alliance (PAA)

Presented by TPC (Tsao Pao Chee)

Registration for this session is required. Please register here to attend

12:10 – 1:10 pm • Mind Matters: Innovating for Brain & Mental Health – Sessions with Global Leaders at the Cutting Edge of Brain & Mental Health Innovation
Join industry leaders and experts as they present evidence-based approaches and pioneering solutions that redefine care in these critical areas, offering hope and improved quality of life for diverse patient populations.

Speakers:
• Guillaume Blivet, Co-founder and Chief Information Officer, REGEnLIFE
• Matthias Gutknecht, Chief Executive Officer, Swiss DTx
• Dr. Laura Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, Brainscape Medical
• Dr. Chris Rehse, Chief Executive Officer Neotiv

Moderator:
• Daniel Koppelkamm, Founder, Convergence Partners

Presented by The REAL & Convergence Partners

Registration for this session is required. Please register here to attend

1:30 – 2:40 pm • Meditation Session: Cultivating Well-being for Transformative Impact Facilitated by Octave Institute
Start your afternoon with a transformative session where mindfulness meets social innovation. Octave Institute leaders will guide participants through powerful grounding and meditation practices designed specifically for changemakers.

Facilitator:
• Susanna Eduini

Presented by TPC (Tsao Pao Chee)

This session is sold out. If you wish to be included in the waiting list, please send an email to info@catalyst2030.net.

3:00 – 3:30 pm • Reimagining Global Change Through Social Innovation
Join us for an inspiring vision of how social innovation and cross-sector collaboration can address our world’s most pressing challenges. Through this new hub, we will accelerate impact and scale solutions for lasting social change.

Speakers:
• Jeroo Billimoria, Founder, One Family Foundation
• Hilde Schwab, Co-Founder and Chairperson

Registration for this session is required. Please register here to attend

3:45 – 4:25 pm • Innovate to Elevate: Shaping the Future of Global Youth Mental Health
This dynamic session explores the most innovative ways youth mental health is being approached today. Grounded in the voices of young people, it highlights cutting-edge approaches to effectively addressing youth mental health care, including enhanced support within schools, peer-driven support models, and the success of dedicated youth crisis lines.

Speakers:
• Diana Chao, Founder, Letters to Strangers
• Sabrina Gracias, Founder, Ortus Foundation
• Katherine Hay, Chief Executive Officer, Kids Help Phone
• Todd Khozein, Chief Executive Officer, Second Muse

 Moderator:
• Vooha Vellanki, Chief of Staff, Mantra Health

Presented by The REAL & Convergence Partners

Registration for this session is required. Please register here to attend

4:35 – 5:15 pm • AI & Digital Tech Breakthroughs in Mental & Brain Health Innovation: Merging Brain Science, AI, and Digital Innovation
Explore how neurotechnology is transforming mental health care by personalizing treatment, enhancing brain function, and addressing conditions like depression, anxiety, and ADHD. Discover evidence-based approaches such as neuromodulation, digital therapeutics, and AI-driven crisis support. Join us to see how these innovations are shaping the future of mental health.

Speakers:
• Erwin Böttinger, MD, Chief Executive Officer, Wyss Center
• Adam Hanina, Chief Executive Officer, Dandelion Science
• Margaret Meagher, Chief Impact Officer, Crisis Text Line

 Moderator:
• Pascal Joncour, Partner, Convergence Partners

Presented by The REAL & Convergence Partners

Registration for this session is required. Please register here to attend

5:25 – 5:55 pm • Brain Capital, Psychedelics & Human Flourishing: The Links Between Brain Health Improvement, Plant Medicine & Living on Purpose & How This Leads to Economic & Human Prosperity
This session explores the powerful connections between brain health, plant medicines, and purpose, revealing how they drive human flourishing and economic growth. Experts will unpack the concept of Brain Capital, emphasizing the role of mental well-being and cognitive performance in shaping the future economy. Learn how psychedelics and plant medicines, combined with living with purpose, can enhance resilience, unlock creativity, fuel innovation, and help address trauma—laying the foundation for healthier individuals and more prosperous societies.

Speakers:
• Dr. Harris Eyre, Co-Lead of the Brain Capital Alliance & Senior Fellow at the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute
• Tadeusz Hawrot, Founder & Executive Director, PAREA
• Geoff Moore, Founder, Pinned2Purpose

Moderator:
• Frederic Destrebecq, Head of European Brain Council

Presented by The REAL & Convergence Partners

Registration for this session is required. Please register here to attend

6:05 – 6:45 pm • Global Wisdom: Transformative Mental Health Innovations from the Global South and Indigenous Cultures
This session shines a spotlight on the transformative mental health approaches emerging from the Global South and Indigenous cultures—innovations rooted in community, resilience, and cultural wisdom. These cost-effective, evidence-based models offer valuable lessons for the Global North, addressing mental health challenges with sustainable solutions that prioritize accessibility and equity.

Speakers:
• Mindahi Bastida, Director, Original Nations Program of The Fountain & Otomi-Toltec Caretaker
• Anastasiya Kulygin, Co-Founder, AguilaCondor Foundation
• Samhita Kumar, Senior Associate Director, The Carter Center

Moderator:
• Jennifer Wu-Schwab, Global Wellbeing Expert & Podcast Host

Presented by The REAL & Convergence Partners

Registration for this session is required. Please register here to attend

6:55 – 7:30 pm • Strategic Leadership to Support Mental & Brain Health Ecosystems in Business: Driving Impact & Cultures of Care in the Workplace & Beyond
Discover practical strategies for empowering leaders to prioritize mental and brain health, aligning these efforts with broader business objectives. Explore how leadership rooted in well-being can build a culture of care, enhance decision-making, and foster resilience across teams. Learn how prioritizing brain health in leadership can transform internal operations, strengthen partnerships, and elevate customer relationships, driving sustainable and lasting impact.

Speakers:
• Jennifer Moore, Director, Prospira Global
• Kelly O’Brien, Vice President, USAgainst Alzheimers & The Business Collaborative for Brain Health

Moderator:
Richard Lui, MSNBC News Anchor, FinTech-CareTech Founder, Author & Filmmaker

Presented by The REAL & Convergence Partners

Registration for this session is required. Please register here to attend

7:45 – 8:15 pm • Using sound healing and mental wellness resources for social innovation
Join this transformative session with U.S. Grammy-nominated and multi-platinum producer, singer, and songwriter Maejor exploring the positive social impact from sound frequencies. Experience deep relaxation and inner harmony with a sound bath, learn how the Frequency School uses the power of music to nurture the mind, body and soul, and tune in to the brand new release of their «195» song featuring women from all countries to promote gender equality.

Speakers:
• Martina Fuchs, Co-Founder, Frequency School
• Maejor, U.S. Grammy-nominated and multi-platinum music producer

Presented by Catalyst Now

Registration for this session is required. Please register here to attend.

Thursday, 23rd January
Social Innovation: Addressing the Complex Issues

7:30 – 8:45 am • Harnessing Social Procurement for Sustainable Impact
Discover how strategic social procurement is creating pathways for sustainable development and community empowerment. Learn from experts how leveraging purchasing power drives positive social impact, builds inclusive supply chains, and fosters long-term social value.

Speakers:
• Laura Herman, Partner, Dalberg
• Christina Jaeger, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Yunus Environment Hub
• Shiv Kumar, Founding Director, Catalyst Group
• Alexandra van der Ploeg, Global Head of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), SAP

Moderator:
• Stephanie Mehta, Chief Executive Officer & Chief Content Officer, Mansueto Ventures

Presented by SAP

Registration for this session is required. Please register here to attend

9:00 – 10:00 am • Living Soils, Living Systems: The Future of Food
Explore how regenerative agriculture and living soil systems are revolutionizing the future of food production and environmental sustainability. Join pioneering farmers, scientists, and innovators as they share transformative approaches to building resilient food systems that nourish both people and the planet.

Speakers:
• Matthias Berninger, Senior Vice President for Public Affairs, Science & Sustainability, Bayer Foundation
• Luis Camargo, Founder and Director, Opepa
• Juan Ignacio Gerardi, Founder, Bioconexión
• Rose Goslinga, Co-Founder and President, PULA
• Christian Schaub, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Food Brewer

Moderator:
• Fredrik Galtung, Co-Chief Facilitator, Catalyst Now

Co-Presented by Bayer Foundation and Food Brewer

Registration for this session is required. Please register here to attend

10:30 – 11:30 am • The Evolving Role of the CEO: Driving Value in 2025 and beyond
Explore how the role of the multinational CEO has evolved amid political polarization, geopolitical risk, and technological change. This session, grounded in research, will examine how CEOs can deliver value and integrate societal impact in today’s challenging landscape.

Speakers:
• Petra Jenner, Head of EMEA, Splunk
• Jim O’Leary, Global President and North American CEO, Weber Shandwick
• Timothy Young, CEO, Jasper AI

Moderator:
• Stephanie Mehta, Chief Executive Officer & Chief Content Officer, Mansueto Ventures

Presented by Weber Shandwick

This session is sold out. If you wish to be included in the waiting list, please send an email to info@catalyst2030.net.

11:50 – 12:35 pm • The Role of AI and Cloud Technologies in Climate Health
Climate change increasingly threatens our health, necessitating urgent action to mitigate its impact especially on the most vulnerable populations and healthcare systems. While innovative technologies, such as AI and cloud, are crucial in addressing these challenges, we must prioritize community-owned data, equitable access, and inclusive approaches to build resilient health care systems that ensure effective and just solutions to climate-related health issues.

This panel explores innovative approaches to climate-related health challenges, from AI-powered early warning systems for disease outbreaks to improving health care system efficiency, and creating more resilient communities in the face of environmental challenges. Join us to discuss how cutting-edge technologies and collaborative efforts can pave the way for climate health resilience and a healthier, more equitable future.

 Speakers:
• Safia Agueni, HealthTech Lead and President, Women In Tech Switzerland NGO
• Dr. Ricardo Baptista Leite,  CEO, ‘HealthAI – The Global Agency for Responsible AI in Health’
• Dr. Geoff Ibbotson, Executive Director, Global Surgery Foundation
• Pradeep Kakkattil,  Founder and CEO, Health Innovation Exchange (HIEx)
• Shiv Kumar, Founding Director, Catalyst Group

Moderator:
• Silja Chouquet, Co-chair of the Collaboration on Climate Change and Human Health, CatalystNow

Presented by Catalyst Now

Registration for this session is required. Please register here to attend.

12:50- 1:50 pm • Corporate and Governmental Cooperation Towards a Livable Future
Climate associated events, such as fires, hurricanes, heatwaves, floods, droughts are increasing in their strength and frequency. Yet, the actions of public, corporate leaders and government officials are weak and fragmented. This session aims to bring representatives of corporations, foundations and government together to discuss:

• What is the role and motivation of the private sector/ corporation towards reinforcing climate action? How can society move beyond the „green washing «to the action that makes real impact?

• How it is possible to preserve the presence of nature and clean air in the large cities, where access to nature is limited and where most people will live in 2025? What are the sustainability actions that can be implemented in the big cities for the public to reconnect to nature?

Speakers:
• Patrícia Ellen, ex-Secretary of Economic Development, State of São Paulo
• Gregory Ellis, Research Geologist, US Geological Survey
• Izabella Teixeira, President, Ambipar’s Global Sustainability
• Risto Vayrynen, Founder, The Impact Office

Moderator:
• Phillip Mossop,  Co-founder and Chief Product Officer at Pentatonic

Presented by Catalyst Now

Registration for this session is required. Please register here to attend.

2:00 – 3:00 pm • Future Proofing Youth
This panel explores systemic approaches to equipping youth with skills, mindset, and opportunities to thrive. Focusing on entrepreneurship and employability, it examines how collaborative ecosystems unlock youth potential and drive inclusive growth.

Speakers:
• Fadi Al Qassar, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Venture2Impact
• Tatiana Houndjo, Global Shaper from Cotonou Hub
• Margaret Meagher, Chief Impact Officer, Crisis Text Line
• Zimkhitha Peter, Chief Executive Officer, Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropy
• Alnefaie Rakan Turki, General Manager of Research & Innovation, Arweqah

Moderator:
• Nontobeko Mabizela, Chief Executive Officer, Allan Gray Orbis Foundation

Presented by Crisis Text Line, Allan Orbis Foundation and Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropy

Registration for this session is required. Please register here to attend

3:30 – 4:15 pm • Launch of the European Social Enterprise Monitor 2023-2024 Report
Join the launch of the European Social Enterprise Monitor 2023-2024 Report, a collaboration across 31 European countries, national social networks, and universities. This biennial report explores the challenges and needs of social enterprises, focusing on public sector support and private sector engagement through social finance and procurement. The report contributes to the WEF and Schwab Foundation’s 2024 insights and will be launched at the Social Innovation House in Davos.

Speaker:
• Johanna Mair, Professor, Hertie School.
• Murali Nair, Senior Project Manager, Bertelsmann Stiftung

Moderator:
• Neven Marinovic, President, Euclid Network.

Registration for this session is required. Please register here to attend

4:30 – 5:30 pm • Does every corporate need to be a social enterprise?
This panel explores the hypothesis that the scale of the impact gap we face today requires not just niche players, but all corporates, to adopt a social enterprise model to deliver social outcomes alongside financial sustainability.
In an era where consumers demand ethically-produced goods, employees seek purpose-driven work, and investors prioritize sustainable practices, is this approach a moral imperative or a strategic necessity for corporations?
Through success stories of for-profit social businesses, we explore what it will take for the broader corporate ecosystem to buy in, and what we gain and lose when corporations and social enterprises become synonymous with each other.

Speakers:
• Elizabeth Adamson, Director of Policy and Partnerships, Novartis Foundation
• Ahmed Al Shamsi, Chief Executive Officer, Emirates Foundation
• Dr. Ola Brown, Founder, HealthCap
• Akshay Saxena, Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Avanti Fellows

Moderator:
• Gaurav Gupta, Global Managing Partner, Dalberg

Presented by Emirates Foundation, powered by Dalberg

Registration for this session is required. Please register here to attend

6:00 – 7:00 pm • Generations of Change: Family Businesses Driving Social Innovation
Discover how family businesses are leveraging their unique strengths and multi-generational perspectives to address pressing social and environmental challenges. Join next-generation leaders as they share innovative strategies for transforming family enterprises into powerful catalysts for sustainable impact. Learn how these business leaders are reimagining legacy companies to drive positive change while maintaining long-term value creation across generations.

Speakers:
• Jorge Bermúdez, Co-Founder, Bivien
• Chavalit Frederick Tsao, Chairman, TPC (Tsao Pao Chee)
• Amer Vohora, CEO, Ikigai Ventures

Presented by TPC (Tsao Pao Chee)

Registration for this session is required. Please register here to attend

7:30 – 9:00 pm • Meditation Session: Cultivating Well-being for Transformative Impact Facilitated by Octave Institute
End your day with a transformative session where mindfulness meets social innovation. Octave Institute leaders will guide participants through powerful grounding and meditation practices designed specifically for changemakers.

Facilitator:
• Susanna Eduini

Presented by TPC (Tsao Pao Chee)

This session is sold out. If you wish to be included in the waiting list, please send an email to info@catalyst2030.net.

OUR WORKSHOPS

OUR WORKSHOPS

Tuesday, 21st January
Empowering Social Innovation: Community Voices, Data and AI in Action

6:30 – 8:00 pm • The Longevity Economy – A Call to Action
This workshop will convene a select group of individuals tackling the pressing challenge of shaping an innovative mindset for a shifting demographic reality—one marked by increasing life expectancy and declining fertility rates.

With one in two children born today expected to live to at least 90 years old, the concept of a centenarian life is fast becoming the new normal. In this context, how can we redefine aging and adulthood, where being 50 is merely the midpoint of life?

• We invite participants to explore critical questions:
• What narratives can guide us in this new era of longevity?
• How can we rethink life stages, reshape public policies, and reimagine work, education, pensions, and insurance?
• What innovative business models and sustainable economic systems can harness the potential of longer lifespans and lower birth rates?

If you’re ready to approach these challenges with enthusiasm and creativity, join us for this dynamic and thought-provoking event, part of the Social Innovation House program at Davos 2025.

Speakers:
• Ricardo Neves, Coordinator, 50plus Chapter
• Cynthia Hanson, Managing Director, Innovation Foundation

Co-Presented by Catalyst Now, 50+ Chapter and Innovation Foundation

Registration for this session is required. Please register here to attend.

Wednesday, 22nd January
Mental Health & Well-being Day

9:00 – 10:00 am • Enhancing Social Well-Being in the Digital Age: Building Authentic Connections globally
In an age dominated by social media, young people are more connected than ever, yet feelings of loneliness and disconnection are on the rise. Social platforms often encourage superficial interactions, fostering a toxic cycle of comparison, anxiety, and isolation. To support the well-being of the next generation, we must rethink how technology can help build authentic, meaningful connections.

Speaker:
• Julius Wijnands, Founder, Cyrcl.life

Presented by Catalyst Now

Registration for this session is required. Please register here to attend

1:00 – 2:00 pm • Unlocking inclusion via purple economy
Did you know that there is an untapped economy built around people with disability and people with difficulties? Where the jobs and businesses created will be an antidote to AI impacting citizens from all walks of life? We call this the purple economy – purple being the color for disability. This economy finds a lot of parallels with the healthcare economy that flourished after the 1800s. Just think of how disabling our life would be without healthcare systems? Without this economy built around patient care and sickness? With longer life spans, decreasing quality of life, climate change and more, we all need to focus on purple economy!

Join us in a hands-on session to deep dive into the purple economy and how you could be an ally to shape your future as well as that of society.

Speaker:
• Shanti Raghavan, Co-Founder, EnAble India

Presented by Catalyst Now

Registration for this session is required. Please register here to attend.

Thursday, 23rd January
Social Innovation: Addressing the Complex Issues

11:30 – 12:30 pm • Inner Development Goals: A Lever for Social Innovation
This dynamic session will explore how the Inner Development Goals (IDGs) framework can act as a catalyst for social innovation, driving transformative change at both individual and collective levels. Social innovations focus on enhancing society’s capacity to act by equipping individuals and communities with the inner and outer resources needed to sustainably meet human needs. They also work to transform social structures and relationships, fostering more inclusive and equitable systems. Achieving these goals requires shifts in attitudes, behaviors, and perceptions, as well as the inclusion of new actors in the social dynamic, promoting collaboration and shared action.

Rooted in the research underpinning our forthcoming book, to be published by DeGruyter in mid-2025, this session will explore how the IDG framework empowers people to reshape their inner landscapes—thoughts, emotions, and behaviors—ensuring that innovations are human-centered and sustainable. The framework supports the creation of positive ripples throughout society, encouraging the involvement of diverse actors and facilitating purposeful, collaborative action.

As part of IDG Switzerland’s initiatives, this highly interactive workshop will invite participants to share their perspectives, engage in dialogue, and co-create solutions together. Through group activities and reflection, participants will explore how inner development can support social innovation and help foster more inclusive, resilient systems for the future.

Speakers:
• Mauricio Campos, Founder, Inner Development Goals Switzerland
• Dr. Eleftheria Egel, Social Innovator

Presented by Catalyst Now

Registration for this session is required. Please register here to attend.

SPEAKERS

SPEAKERS

Hilde Schwab
Chairperson and Co-Founder, Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship

In 1970, Ms. Hilde Schwab joined Klaus Schwab as the first collaborator to create the World Economic Forum, where she served as advisor and project manager for initiatives in arts and culture. In 1995, she co-founded the World Arts Forum to promote global cultural cooperation. In 1998, she and her husband established the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, uniting nearly 500 social innovators in over 190 countries to accelerate models for a sustainable world. She co-created the «Crystal Awards» to honor outstanding artists globally. From 2017-18, she served as Co-Chair of the UN High-Level Advisory Board for Sustainable Impact Finance. A board member of organizations like International Bridges to Justice, Global Dignity, and La Chartreuse de Neuville, Hilde was named Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur in 2021 for her social engagement. Her work continues to shape global social innovation and cultural cooperation.

Safia Agueni
HealthTech Lead and President, Women In Tech Switzerland NGO

A computer scientist with 18 years in Swiss pharmaceuticals, Safia is a dynamic and recognized executive leader in the healthcare industry. She has achieved significant milestones, including establishing Digital Governance systems for top pharmaceutical companies and overseeing development of AI-based algorithms products for personalized medicine. Early in her career, she championed women in STEM, expanding her vision to later launch the Swiss Chapter of Women InTech in 2021. Nominated for the Hidden Figures Award 2023 and ‘Advocate of the Year 2023’ at the PowerHer Awards, Safia is recognized for catalyzing change and promoting equal opportunities for women in the innovation ecosystem.
Safia’s legacy in digital health innovation and diversity advocacy paves the way for her next chapter: fostering innovation in healthcare between the MENA and European regions, leveraging diverse communities to drive global health advancements.

Fadi Al Qassar
Co-Founder and Executive Director, Venture2Impact

Fadi has come a long way from his Native Jordan. And he’s made a lot of stops along the way, currently residing in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. He leads Venture 2 Impact, which is a non-profit organization focused on connecting skilled tech and business professionals with marginalized communities that need their skills.

Fadi spends his days talking to employees and engaged partners from Salesforce, Netflix, Microsoft, Apple, Google,DocuSign, Workday,  and many other companies to onboard them on skills based volunteer programs. Fadi believes that solving the world’s most complex social, economic and environmental problems requires the brightest minds and our fullest commitments.

Through the work at Venture 2 Impact, valuable partnerships with technology companies and marginalized communities, his team has: created a digital tracking tool to help 25,000 children in Uganda receive essential services faster, empowered indigenous  entrepreneurs in Panama create thriving business through investment in business and tech education, provided business and technology mentorship to refugee entrepreneurs residing in Jordan, and supported women entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs with disabilities in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania receive technology and business education to grow and scale their businesses. 

Through our efforts in 2024, Fadi’s work directly benefited 4,065 individuals and positively impacted 18,559 more indirectly. Through Venture 2 Impact, Fadi’s work has saved  $84,782 and 110 staff hours, enabling  nonprofit partners to focus on their missions. Additionally, Fadi’s work provided $694,460 worth of pro bono services, amplifying our collective impact.

Ahmed Al Shamsi
Chief Executive Officer, Emirates Foundation

Ahmed Al Shamsi is Chief Executive Officer of the Emirates Foundation, an organization championing volunteerism and corporate citizenship, while also serving as the Director of National Experts Program at the Court of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. Previously, he was the Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Youth Council from 2017 to early 2019 and the first United Arab Emirates United Nations Youth Ambassador.

Gaby Arenas de Meneses
Co-Chief Facilitator, Catalyst Now

Gaby Arenas de Meneses is a pioneering social innovator and entrepreneurial leader with over 15 years of experience catalyzing systemic change. As founder of the TAAP Foundation, she has transformed over 4.7 million lives globally through groundbreaking initiatives in education, peacebuilding, and social innovation. Her work has earned prestigious international recognition, including appointments as Rotary Peace Fellow (2021) and Ashoka Fellow (2014). She was named Social Woman of the Year by She Is Foundation (2020) and served as UN Ambassador for the «Network for Peace» in Latin America.

Gaby has co-founded transformative global initiatives including Catalyst 2030, The Weaving Lab, Colombia Cuida a Colombia, and NetEdu. She holds a Master’s in Development Communications from Universidad Católica Andrés Bello and specialized in Peace Studies at Chulalongkorn University. Her expertise in fostering cross-sector collaborations has established her as a thought leader in systems change. Currently, as Co-Chief Facilitator at Catalyst Now, she leads an international team across six continents, promoting innovative solutions for complex social challenges and building bridges between sectors to create lasting global impact.

Su Balasubramanian
International Development and Clinical Mental Health Professional

Su Balasubramanian is an international development and clinical mental health professional with over 20 years of experience in applying human-centered design, social behavior change, and commercial marketing approaches for social impact across global health, gender, and the consumer sectors. Her work spans HIV, gender-based violence, sexual/reproductive health, and mental health/psychosocial support, with roles including strategy consulting, psychotherapy, and leadership in high-impact programs across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Currently, Su is a psychotherapist supporting clients experiencing trauma, grief, and other mental health challenges and is also a senior strategy consultant and facilitator supporting organizations in the international development sector. She is passionate about integrating mental health into global programming. Su holds an MSW from Columbia University, an MBA in Social Entrepreneurship and Marketing from Duke University, and a BSE in Computer Engineering from Case Western Reserve University.

Nicola Banks
Professor, Global Development University of Manchester Global Development Institute, and Co-Founder, One World Together

Increasingly uncomfortable with researching development NGOs in a fundamentally flawed system, Niki set to work designing a radical new system of giving, free of the inequalities facing the broader charity sector. Working at the University of Manchester’s Global Development Institute she saw the potential of her passionate and committed students in making this a success. 

She describes the not-for-profit as “One World Together” supports communities across the globe. We provide long-term funding that our partners can spend how they want,when they want. Our unrestricted funding model shifts the power to local organisations. We trust that our partners are best-placed to respond to challenges in their areas.”

Dr. Ricardo Baptista Leite
CEO, ‘HealthAI – The Global Agency for Responsible AI in Health’

Dr. Ricardo Baptista Leite is a Portuguese-Canadian medical doctor trained in infectious diseases with extensive experience in global health, health systems and science-based policymaking. Before his current role as CEO of ‘HealthAI – The Global Agency for Responsible AI in Health’ in Geneva, Ricardo served four terms as a Member of Parliament in Portugal on both health and foreign affairs committees. Ricardo is a city councilor in Sintra and previously served as Deputy Mayor of Cascais.

He is the founder and President of the ‘UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health,’ a network of current and former policymakers from 110 countries. With more than 15 years of academic experience, he is Chair of the Board of the Harvard-Charité Global Health Policy Lab, based in Berlin, and Chair of the Centre for Global Health at NOVA University Information Management and Data Science School in Lisbon. He completed postgraduate studies at Johns Hopkins University, Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and Harvard Medical School. Previously, Dr. Baptista Leite worked as a practicing physician in the Portuguese National Health Service for several years, including an internship at the World Health Organization.

More recently, he served as a medical volunteer for over a year during the COVID pandemic in his hometown hospital in Portugal and as part of a humanitarian mission at the Lviv Regional Hospital in Ukraine during the first summer after the beginning of the war.

Claire Barnhoorn
Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Solvoz

Claire Barnhoorn is a seasoned humanitarian professional with nearly 20 years of experience in aid delivery, logistics, and global supply chain management. With a career spanning Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and collaborations with NGOs and UN agencies across Europe, Asia, and Africa, Claire is dedicated to driving systemic change through data, technology, and sustainable procurement practices.

As the founder and CEO of Solvoz, she leads a social enterprise to create fair, responsible markets through sustainable supply chains, especially in LMICs. Solvoz revolutionizes procurement for organizations in low- and middle-income countries, fostering transparency, localization, and ethical integrity. Through Solvoz’s open-access tools and the Solvoz Foundation, Claire advocates for equitable, efficient, and sustainable humanitarian responses, empowering agencies globally to operationalize the localization of aid and advance the SDGs.

Claire is a frequent speaker at global forums, including the African Logistics Conference, World Economic Forum and the European Congress on Global Health, emphasizing the importance of fair and responsible supply chains. With degrees from Wageningen University and University College Dublin, she brings academic expertise to her mission of transforming global procurement systems.

Mindahi Bastida
Director, Original Nations Program of The Fountain & Otomi-Toltec Caretaker

An advocate for Indigenous rights, Mindahi leads initiatives to integrate Indigenous knowledge into environmental practices, fostering sustainability and cultural preservation. His leadership in promoting the rights and contributions of Indigenous peoples highlights his dedication to creating platforms that amplify Indigenous voices globally.

Camila Batista
COO of Migraflix

Camila Batista is a Brazilian social entrepreneur and the COO of Migraflix, a social enterprise focused on advancing the social and economic inclusion of migrants and refugees across Latin America. She also serves as Chair of the Advisory Board for MYCP, the official platform for youth engagement in intergovernmental processes and at the United Nations. Camila is a fellow of the BMW Foundation, Opportunity Collaboration, and CERC Migration and Integration. She was honored as one of the “150 Voices of Tomorrow” by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC).

Jorge Bermúdez
Co-Founder, Bivien

Jorge Bermúdez is the Co-Founder and Chairperson of Bivien, a health and beauty company with $40M annual revenue, offering products ranging from personal care to baby products, distributed across Colombia and Latin America. Beyond business, Bermúdez dedicates his career to combating poverty and conflict in Colombia. 

During the COVID-19 crisis, he co-founded Colombia Cuida a Colombia (CCC), a collective of over 400 entities that mobilized the largest emergency food effort in Colombia’s history, feeding 3 million people and providing bio-medical kits to vulnerable communities. CCC now focuses on economic reactivation, creating jobs for underemployed communities and fostering solidarity nationwide.

As an angel investor, Bermúdez supports social enterprises like Suyo.co (land titling), EatCloud (food waste reduction), and TryMyRide (sustainable transport). He also serves on the boards of B Corp Colombia and Fundación Origen, promoting social and environmental impact.

Bermúdez is working on innovative solutions such as Compromiso Bogotá

Matthias Berninger
Executive Vice President Public Affairs, Sustainability & Safety, Bayer AG

Christian Schaub is the Co-Founder and CEO of Food Brewer, a pioneering food tech company headquartered near Zurich, Switzerland. Previously, he was the Co-Founder and CEO of Redvax, a biotech startup acquired by a U.S. pharmaceutical company in 2015. He also served as Chairman of Redbiotec, further showcasing his leadership in the biotech sector.

In addition to his entrepreneurial endeavors, Christian is an active angel investor and startup coach, committed to mentoring the next generation of innovators. An engineer by training, he holds an M.Sc. from ETH Zurich. Christian Schaub brings a unique blend of technical expertise, visionary leadership, and a deep commitment to advancing technology in food, health, and beyond.

Jeroo Billimoria
Founder of One Family Foundation and Catalyst Now

Jeroo Billimoria is the founder of several award-winning NGOs and has over twenty years of experience in running systems change organizations. She is a Skoll awardee, an Ashoka Fellow, and a Schwab Fellow. Among her organizations are Child and Youth Finance International (CYFI) and Aflatoun International. CYFI has built a global network to drive financial inclusion and Economic Citizenship Education for young people in 160+ countries, while Aflatoun has reached over 1 million children in 100 countries with social and financial education. Jeroo also founded Childline India and Child Helpline International, protecting children in 181 countries with over 160 million calls responded to. She now leads One Family Foundation, which incubates social innovations and applies systems change to scale organizations. In June 2019, One Family Foundation launched Catalyst Now.

Guillaume Blivet
Co-founder and Chief Information Officer, REGEnLIFE

Co-founder of REGEnLIFE, Guillaume develops groundbreaking therapies for neurological diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s, through brain-gut stimulation. His leadership in neurotechnologies is recognized internationally, offering innovative solutions in healthcare and contributing to numerous scientific publications.

Prof. Dr. Niels Bosma
Professor of Social Entrepreneurship, Utrecht University School of Economics & Senior Research Fellow, Global Entrepreneurship Monitor

Niels Bosma is a professor of Social Entrepreneurship at Utrecht University School of Economics and Director of Studies. He holds a PhD in Economic Geography from Utrecht University and an MSc in Econometrics from the University of Groningen. Previously, he worked with London Business School, EIM Business and Policy Research, Erasmus University, and the Tinbergen Institute. Co-founder of the Utrecht University Social Entrepreneurship Initiative, he also served on GECES, advising the European Commission on the Social Business Initiative. Bosma is on the Board of Directors and Senior Research Advisor for the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) and has co-authored several GEM Global Reports.

Erwin Böttinger
MD, Chief Executive Officer, Wyss Center

Director of the Wyss Center, Erwin pioneers neurotechnology innovation and personalized medicine, integrating AI and human health. His career in digital health research includes founding roles at Hasso Plattner Institute and Mount Sinai, making significant contributions to personalized medicine.

Alan Braithwaite
Founder, ISEDT

Alan Braithwaite was a highly-respected management and logistics guru before turning his attention and energy to humanitarian issues. He and wife Pat undertook a journey across India in a 3-wheeled Morgan where he first came across the work of Goonj, an innovative and hugely successful NGO. He is an active member of both his local and Catalyst Now communities, and is co-chair of the Disasters Group alongside Meenakshi Gupta, co-founder of Goonj.

Alan was responsible for funding ‘We Don’t Do Charity’ which he describes as his legacy.

Dr. Ola Brown
Founder, HealthCap

Dr. Ola Brown is the General Partner at HealthCap Africa, specializing in early-stage investments in healthtech, fintech, and infrastructure. HealthCap has backed nearly 20 startups valued at approximately $700 million, creating almost 1000 direct jobs and supporting around 12,000 indirect employment opportunities, achieving a 56.7% representation of women, with 49.5% in management roles.

Previously, Dr. Ola co-founded and managed funds at Greentree Investment Company, delivering an impressive IRR of 25% and playing a significant role in the successful exit of Paystack, among six investments executed.

Her educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine and a Master’s in Finance and Economic Policy, currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Finance, focusing on digital currencies, financial inclusion, and monetary policy.

Dr. Ola is a published author with notable works such as «Economics, Banking, and Finance in Emerging Markets» and «Journey to Series A,» providing insights into financing for technology companies.

She also founded «Flying Doctors Nigeria,» a tech-enabled urgent care services marketplace operating in 45 African countries, responding to over 15,000 emergency requests, showcasing her dedication to addressing critical healthcare needs.

Barbara Bulc
Founder and Chief Steward, SDG Colab

Barbara Bulc is a social chemist and pioneering social innovator, committed to midwifing new social systems that prioritize care and wellbeing of people and the planet over limitless economic growth. As Founder of SDG Colab and Ambassador of Reboot the Future, she codesigns inclusive and values-driven solutions to reimagine education, urban transitions, and civic engagement.

With over 25 years of leadership experience in global diplomacy with Clinton Foundation and Global Business Coalition, and as a healthcare CEO, Barbara shifted her focus to ecosystem approaches that empower imagination and communities large and small. She stewards groundbreaking initiatives such as the OurCluj, a 10-year values-based urban living, lab part of the global OurCity network, and the School of Possibilities, which uses generative AI to amplify students’ voices in education reform.

A systems thinker with background in natural and social sciences at Ljubljana and Columbia Universities, and a student of wisdom traditions, she integrates science, culture, and spirituality to foster personal and community transformation.

Luis Alberto Camargo
Founder and Director of the Organisation for Environmental Education and Protection (OpEPA)

Luis Alberto Camargo is a global leader in social, educational, and environmental innovation, focused on regenerative education, food systems, and community resilience. As Founder and Director of the Organisation for Environmental Education and Protection (OpEPA), he has empowered hundreds of thousands of youth and educators to reconnect with nature. Luis serves as a Governing Council Member and Latin America Co-chair for Catalyst Now, promoting regenerative agriculture and conscious food systems. He is also the South America Vice Chair for the IUCN Commission on Education and Communication and co-leader of initiatives like Colombia Regenerativa and the Regenerative Communities Network.

Recognized globally, Luis has received honors such as the 2023 Richard Louv Prize, the 2011 WISE Award, and recognition as a WEF Young Global Leader, Ashoka, and Salzburg Fellow.

Amanda Campbell
Director, Republica Media

Amanda Campbell is a social impact storyteller, film marker and content creator. A former journalist, magazine editor and author, she produced ‘We Don’t Do Charity’ in 2024 and is now working on pre-production for the next documentary examining the inequity of climate change impact. A Catalyst Now member since 2020, she is a passionate advocate of collective global responsibility.

David Campbell
Producer and Director, Republica Media

David Campbell is a writer and filmmaker originally from the north of Ireland. His latest documentary ‘We Don’t Do Charity’ won a Sunrise award at the Berlin Film Festival. He is adamant that the best documentaries raise questions without preaching, and tell stories with strong characters. “You are never going to change anyone’s view of the world with facts and information – you have to inspire people and create meaning through great storytelling.”

Mauricio Campos
Founder of CamposSuarez

Mauricio’s journey as a transformative leader spans over 20 years, encompassing healthcare, technology, leadership development, and innovation across more than 40 countries. With a background as an engineer, MBA, and certified Integral™ (ICF PCC) and Systemic Senior Team Coach, he integrates inner development with business strategy through cultural transformation. After holding pivotal roles in large global corporations, Mauricio now collaborates with organizations and supports leaders as an independent coach and transformation catalyst. His dedication to organizational and leadership transformation fuels his drive to elevate awareness and create a better world. Deeply committed to fostering the sustainability shift needed to address humanity’s most pressing challenges, Mauricio supports companies globally from his base in Switzerland. As a father of two and a long-time yoga and mindfulness practitioner, he aims to help leaders and organizations embrace change, expand their purpose, enhance well-being, and drive personal and systemic transformation in a rapidly evolving world.

Diana Chao
Founder, Letters to Strangers

Diana Chao is a first-generation Buyi Chinese-American from California. Diana founded Letters to Strangers (L2S) at 14-years-old after bipolar disorder and a blinding eye condition nearly ended her life. By beginning to heal through letters, she discovered that writing is humanity distilled into ink. Today, L2S is the largest global youth-for-youth mental health nonprofit, exchanging 60000+ letters and impacting over half a million people in over 70 countries over the last ten years. L2S published the world’s first youth-for-youth mental health guidebook for free, currently taught in schools worldwide, and also operates the first toll-free 24/7 pan-African mental health hotline out of its nationally-recognized Liberia office.

Diana was honored by two U.S. Presidents at the White House, named a 2021 Princess Diana Legacy Award Winner, and 2020 L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth. She graduated from Princeton University in 2021 with Honors and pivoted from being a NASA astrophysicist and UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change researcher to recently completing an MBA at the University of Oxford as a Skoll Scholar. Having grown up below the poverty line with parents who don’t speak English, Diana learned firsthand how healing is a non-linear process that no one should have to approach alone.

Silja Chouquet
Co-chair of the Collaboration on Climate Change and Human Health, Catalyst Now

As a co-chair of the Collaboration on Climate Change and Human Health, Silja co-lead the strategic direction of this vital initiative aimed at building climate-resilient healthcare systems and addressing the intersection of climate and public health.

Working alongside grassroots organizations, policymakers, and industry leaders from sectors such as life sciences, med-tech, and technology, she guides our collaborative efforts to drive systemic change. Together, we aim to mobilize localized awareness campaigns, empower communities to take ownership of climate-health data, and develop solutions that enhance healthcare infrastructure in climate-affected regions.

José Correa
Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Sustainable Startup & Co

José Correa Pernas is a prominent professional in the field of sustainability and entrepreneurship in Spain. He is the founder of Sustainable Startup & Co, an organization that promotes sustainable development processes within Spain’s socio-economic ecosystem, leveraging a community of entrepreneurs to accelerate change effectively.

Additionally, Correa Pernas has held significant roles in integrating the 2030 Agenda into local entities. He has collaborated as an advisor for the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP), bringing his expertise to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the municipal level.

His participation in sustainability events and symposiums is noteworthy. For instance, during the «I Simposio Ecoisla Gran Canaria 2030,» he contributed to the discussion on the 2030 Agenda at a national level, sharing his insights on sustainable development strategies.

In the realm of entrepreneurship, Correa Pernas served as the director of the Móstoles Impact Entrepreneurship Booster (Mieb), an initiative by the Móstoles City Council aimed at transforming the south of Madrid into a hub for scalable startups, fostering collaboration between entrepreneurs and local companies.

His career reflects an unwavering commitment to sustainability, innovation, and business development, positioning him as a significant figure in these fields in Spain.

Carolina Deik
First Lady and Social Manager of the Mayor’s Office of Bogotá

Carolina Deik is an accomplished attorney and legal scholar with extensive academic and professional credentials. She holds an LL.M. from Harvard Law School and a Ph.D. from a joint program between the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and Universidad Externado de Colombia. As the founder and director of Deik Acostamadiedo Abogados, she leads a law firm specializing in public and private law with a strategic problem-solving approach.

Her academic contributions include teaching positions at several prestigious Colombian universities, including Universidad Javeriana, Los Andes, Santo Tomás, and Externado. She has authored multiple books on administrative law and government contracting, establishing herself as an authority in these fields.

Currently serving as First Lady of Bogotá (2024-2027), Diana is committed to fostering a more equitable, just, and prosperous city. Her vision focuses on creating lasting transformative change and building a safer, more dignified future for all of Bogotá’s residents.

Frederic Destrebecq
Head of European Brain Council

Executive Director of the European Brain Foundation, Frederic advances brain health research and policy, fostering collaboration among stakeholders. His leadership in European health initiatives makes him a key figure for those interested in supporting impactful health initiatives that address critical neurological challenges.

Olga Diakova
Co-Founder, Impact Force

Olga Diakova is the co-founder of Impact Force, a pioneering Ukrainian women-led non-profit driving social behavioral change and fostering economic opportunities. Impact Force’s flagship programs include «Restart Mindset,» the «Impact Business Accelerator,» «Innovators in Energy Efficiency for Ukraine,» and the women’s online academy «Dream and Achieve.» A social innovator and business leader, Olga has a 20-year legacy in organizations like How Women Lead, Slow Food Ukraine, and the David Lynch Foundation’s Ukrainian Chapter. She graduated with distinction from the KMBS School of Strategic Architecture in 2024, focusing on national ecosystem projects, and completed leadership programs at the Aspen Institute Kyiv and the Swedish Institute. Her accolades include the Ukrainian-French Queen Anne Award, «Honor of the Nation.» With a Master’s in Cybernetics from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Olga is dedicated to empowering women, advancing mental well-being, and advocating for sustainable food systems. Her visionary leadership inspires positive transformation and social impact globally.

Cheryl L. Dorsey
President of Echoing Green

Cheryl L. Dorsey is the president of Echoing Green, a nonprofit supporting emerging social entrepreneurs. She became the first Echoing Green Fellow to lead the organization in 2002. Cheryl is also a social innovator, founding The Family Van, a mobile health unit in Boston, through her 1992 Echoing Green Fellowship. She has served as a White House Fellow in two presidential administrations and held roles at the U.S. Department of Labor. Cheryl serves on boards including The Bridgespan Group and the Skoll Foundation. She holds a medical degree from Harvard Medical School, a master’s in public policy from Harvard Kennedy School, and a bachelor’s from Harvard-Radcliffe Colleges. Cheryl advocates for racial justice and equity in philanthropy, co-authoring the 2020 report «Racial Equity and Philanthropy.» She has received numerous awards, including the Pfizer Roerig History of Medicine Award and Robert Kennedy Distinguished Public Service Award. In 2019, she was named a Schwab Foundation Social Innovation Thought Leader.

Kirsten Dunlop
CEO, Climate-KIC

Kirsten is Chief Executive Officer at Climate-KIC International Foundation, where she leads the organisation in developing and implementing innovation to catalyse profound systemic change. As a designer and leader of business model transformation, strategic innovation, and cultural and organisational remaking, she brings unique expertise and versatility to the climate action challenge. Her vision for Climate-KIC is to offer an innovation capability to regions, cities, communities and businesses in systems transformation to achieve rapid decarbonisation, equitable economies based on sufficiency and environmental regeneration, and a climate resilient society.

Susana Eduini
Breathwork Master Trainer

Susanna is a Breathwork Master Trainer with over 30 years of experience and a professional coach specializing in Executive Development, Career Development, and Self-Actualization Coaching. She has a proven track record in the wellness, training, and coaching industry, working with an international clientele. As an author and TEDx speaker, her work blends ancient and modern approaches, integrating breathwork, coaching, neuroscience, myth, folk tales, and anthropology to help individuals shape their lives. Susanna holds a certification in Neuro-Semantics and has co-authored three best-selling books on vegan lifestyle and raw food in Italy. Inspired by Abraham Maslow’s quote «Impossible means you haven’t found the solution yet,» she combines success stories, decades of research, and her personal experiences in the USA, Europe, China, and Southeast Asia. Her goal is to help people become more motivated, passionate, and successful with a renewed sense of purpose and personal excellence.

Dr. Elftheria Egel
Social Innovator

An experienced entrepreneur, scholar, and startup advisor, dedicated to unlocking the power of inner growth for outer change.I have spent the past decade navigating the intersection of entrepreneurship and academia. As a visionary thinker and master architect of ideas, she specializes in challenging assumptions, fostering innovative perspectives, and pushing the limits of possibility. Her academic work is centered on social sustainability, fuelled by a deep passion for uncovering how social conditioning influences meaning-making processes that can constrain human potential and growth.

Andrea Escobar
Co-Chair, Latin America Avanza

Andrea Escobar Hoyos is a Colombian social entrepreneur and systems innovation leader dedicated to transforming lives and strengthening the social innovation ecosystem in Colombia and Latin America. As co-founder and general director of Soydoy, she has spent 17 years promoting integral well-being through healthy, sustainable, and accessible food systems, impacting over 47,000 people across 14 regions of the country. 

In 2024, Andrea was honored as Woman of the Year in Health by the She Is Foundation and received the Special Mention Award for Women + Leadership + Health from Mpodera in Salud by Afidro. She is also an Ashoka Fellow, Acumen Fellow, and Global Good Fund Fellow, having been named International Fellow of the Year 2018 by the latter.

Dr. Harris Eyre
Co-Lead of the Brain Capital Alliance & Senior Fellow at the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute

A visionary in neuro-policy, Dr. Eyre integrates neuroscience with economic development, leading initiatives like the Brain Capital Alliance. His leadership in brain health offers valuable insights for investors interested in transformative health policies, making significant contributions to mental health care.

Ayesha Farrah
Communications and Advocacy Manager, Comic Relief

Ayesha Farah is the Shifting the Power Communications and Advocacy Manager at Comic Relief. She has a bachelor’s degree in history, and an  MSc in Public Policy and comes with a range of experience in the non-profit sector. Ayesha is deeply passionate about working with local communities on authentic story-telling as well as influencing the wider sector on funding fairer and fostering equitable partnerships with local actors.

Martina Fuchs
Co-Founder, Frequency School

Martina Fuchs is an international TV anchor, business journalist, event moderator, DJ, expert on China and the Middle East, and speaks 9 languages. She currently works as a business correspondent for China’s news agency Xinhua, consultant for the IMD business school, brand ambassador for Switzerland’s premium chocolatier Läderach, and serves on the board of directors of the Montreux Jazz Festival China. 

Martina recently co-founded the Frequency School with U.S. multi-platinum and Grammy-nominated producer Maejor to bring mental health, sound therapy and music around the world. She is also the executive producer of the 195 women «EQUALITY» song, the first song in history to involve a woman from every country using sound healing frequencies.

Brian Gallagher
Founding Partner, Abundance Circle

Brian Gallagher is the Founder and CEO of Leargas Group, focusing on social capital, digital technology, racial justice, equity, and impact investing. He co-founded the Abundance Circle, which created a multi-sector approach to impact investing, using systems thinking, conscious capital, and a biomimicry lens. Gallagher also co-founded Donorful, a company that connects philanthropy with results-driven non-profits through a trusted network of local United Ways and Community Foundations.

Gallagher served as CEO of United Way Worldwide for 19 years, transforming the organization into the world’s largest privately supported non-profit. He established new membership standards and shifted United Way’s mission from fundraising to measurable community impact. Under his leadership, United Way expanded to 40 countries globally.

Gallagher has shared his expertise with organizations like the World Economic Forum, OECD, United Nations, Harvard Business School, and Yale School of Management.

Fredrik Galtung
Co-Chief Facilitator Catalyst Now

Fredrik Galtung is a leader in international development with over two decades of experience transforming governance, accountability, and community empowerment. As Founder and CEO of TrueFootprint, he pioneers innovative approaches to regenerative agriculture by centering community agencies and facilitating collaborations between project developers and global food businesses.

His groundbreaking work at TrueFootprint combines community-driven development with cutting-edge technology, generating trusted consumer insights from over 100 million users across 60 markets. A founding member of Transparency International, Fredrik also co-founded Integrity Action, which has revolutionized bottom-up monitoring of development projects, impacting over 3.4 million people through partnerships with governments, corporations, and development agencies.

Recognized as an Ashoka Fellow, Fredrik’s expertise extends to academia and capacity building, where he has trained hundreds of social entrepreneurs and government officials in integrity reforms leadership. Currently, as Catalyst Now, Co-Chief Facilitator, he continues to pioneer approaches that bridge community empowerment, technological innovation, and sustainable development, establishing new paradigms for accountability and social impact in global markets.

Luana Genot
President and Executive Director, Instituto Identidades do Brasil

Luana Génot is President and Executive Director of ID_BR – Instituto Identidades do Brasil (https://simaigualdaderacial.com.br/en/), where she is responsible for the organization’s leadership, development and expansion. ID_BR has nearly 40 staff working throughout Brazil to support companies, government agencies and third sector organisations with anti-racist education and affirmative action on diversity, equity and inclusion. ID_BR created Deb (@chamaadeb) AI for inclusion, which has supported thousands of people to engage in dialogue for inclusion through technology.

Winner of the prestigious Folha de SP 2022 Award in the Human Rights Category, member of the Presidency’s Council for Economic and Social Development, and member of the World Economic Forum Young Global Leaders.

With a degree in advertising and marketing from PUC-RIO, Luana was a Capes scholar of the Science Without Borders Program at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the USA, where she specialised in race, ethnicity, and media. She also holds a master’s degree in Ethnic-Racial Relations from CEFET-RJ, and a graduate degree in marketing and communication from IED-RIO.

Mother to Alice and Hugo, Luana is a weekly columnist for O Globo newspaper in Ela Magazine, and the author of three books: «Mais Forte – Entre Lutas e Conquistas» (Stronger – Between Struggles and Achievements), the most recent; children’s book «Guerreiras do Sim» («Warriors for Yes»); and «Sim à Igualdade Racial» (Yes to Racial Equality), finalist for the Jabuti Prize 2020.

Juan Ignacio Gerardi
Founder, Bioconexión

Juan Ignacio Gerardi es un innovador social, emprendedor y promotor de prácticas regenerativas en el ámbito de la producción y el desarrollo comunitario. Fundador de BIOCONEXION, donde trabaja en resignificar el rol del agricultor en la sociedad, junto a comunidades originarias y destacados chefs, promueve sistemas más sostenibles y justos en toda la cadena de valor alimentaria.

Ha liderado iniciativas de alto impacto como Guardianes de Semillas y ha colaborado con figuras de la gastronomía mundial en proyectos que integran sostenibilidad, tradición y creatividad. Con una experiencia diversa que incluye el desarrollo de productos innovadores y la gestión estratégica en empresas, Juan Ignacio ha impulsado cambios significativos en la relación entre la producción agrícola, la industria de la hospitalidad y el consumidor final. 

Con una visión que combina estrategia, innovación y valores humanos, Juan Ignacio busca inspirar a otros a repensar la manera en que nos conectamos con los alimentos, el medio ambiente y las comunidades.

Alfredo Giron
Head of the World Economic Forum’s Ocean Action Agenda and Friends of Ocean Action

Alfredo is Head of the World Economic Forum’s Ocean Action Agenda and Friends of Ocean Action, leading strategy across a wide range of ocean work. The Ocean Action Agenda work aims to create business and policy transformations for a sustainable ocean. He has wide experience spearheading the creation of public-private partnerships to address pressing ocean challenges related to marine conservation and restoration, sustainable fisheries management, and accelerating the blue economy. His work has contributed to strengthening the role of science in marine policy in over 15 countries. Before joining the Forum, Alfredo was an André Hoffmann fellow at the Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions and the World Economic Forum Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR), where he led the creation of scientific and technological solutions to combat illegal fishing. He holds a PhD and MSc from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and a Bachelor in Science from the Universidad Autonoma de Baja California. He was selected as the Roger Revelle awardee by the US National Academy of Sciences in 2021 for his contributions to global ocean policy.

Rose Goslinga
President of PULA

Rose Goslinga is the President of Pula, a company transforming agricultural insurance by scaling climate insurance for smallholder farmers in 23 countries across Africa, Europe, and Asia. Since 2015, Pula has insured over 5 million farmers through partnerships with governments, input providers, and lenders.

With an MSc in Political Economy of Development and a BSc in Business and Economics, Rose has 15 years of experience in agriculture and insurance. She is a Rainer Arnhold Fellow, a TED speaker, and has received several awards, including the Financial Times/IFC Award for Sustainable Finance and InsureTech 3.0. Rose is recognized for her innovative work in scaling insurance solutions for smallholder farmers facing climate risks.

Sabrina Gracias
Founder, Ortus Foundation

Founder of Ortus Foundation, Sabrina focuses on mental health crisis prevention among youth, investing in transformational technologies that align healing with profitability. Her role on various boards underscores her commitment to supporting innovative solutions in mental health, consciousness, and spirituality.

Gaurav Gupta
Global Managing Partner, Dalberg

Gaurav is the Global Managing Partner of Dalberg Advisors, leading its direction and global strategy. He advises major philanthropies, supports corporations in aligning with global development goals. He previously led Dalberg’s Climate and MEL practices. Outside Dalberg, he serves on the board of Educate Girls. Gaurav holds degrees from Oxford (Philosophy, Politics, and Economics) and Yale (Development Economics).

Matthias Gutknecht
Chief Executive Officer, Swiss DTx

As Founder and CEO of MADLAB, Matthias has been a leader in digital health and innovation since 2004, consistently demonstrating his ability to lead transformative projects. His work with SwissDTx™ highlights his commitment to enhancing mental health care through technology and social impact, appealing to investors in scalable healthcare solutions worldwide.

Ross Hall
Education Portfolio Lead, Fondation Botnar

Ross is Lead of the Education Portfolio for Fondation Botnar, modelling a system change architecture that ensures every child is developing holistically and communities are learning to thrive together. This builds on his groundbreaking work in Ghana and Colombia with the Jacobs Foundation.

Ross is passionate about weaving multi-stakeholder collaborations that transform education systems so that the development of wisdom becomes the central purpose. In this way, he hopes to see a world in which whole communities are becoming equipped and inclined to care for themselves, each other, and the planet. Ross is a co-founder of The Weaving Lab, a global community who are aiming to advance ‘weaving’ as a leadership practice and profession that is essential for collaborative system change. Ross incubated The Weaving Lab while leading Ashoka’s global education strategy for 5 years.

Before that, he designed the Learner Guide & Better World Programmes with Camfed, empowering 500,000 young people across Zimbabwe and Tanzania to be well and do well. This extended the Education for Economic and Social Development project that he conceived while leading Pearson’s international qualifications business, using it to evaluate the effectiveness of education systems internationally. Before joining Pearson, Ross spent 15 years designing and launching 20 businesses on 5 continents.

Adam Hanina
Chief Executive Officer, Dandelion Science

CEO of Dandelion, Adam is a pioneer in neuromodulation and AI in healthcare, developing the world’s first Generative Neuromodulation™ platform. His innovations focus on treating vision and brain disorders, offering transformative solutions in the industry and compelling opportunities for investors.

Cynthia Hanson
Managing Director, Innovation Foundation

Cynthia drives the overall strategy, delivery, and impact of the global Innovation Foundation, leading the team to drive social innovation and to serve as a hub of new ideas for the wider Adecco Group.

Following a career in the private and non-profit sectors, Cynthia Hansen joined the Adecco Group in 2017 to start the Innovation Foundation (then called the Adecco Group Foundation) and spearhead social innovation. Cynthia’s areas of expertise include strategy, change management, social impact and partnership. Prior to joining the Adecco Group, she spent nine years at the World Economic Forum, in leadership roles across Strategic Partnerships, Professional Services, Financial Services, Civil Society, and Content Strategy. Previous roles include Director of Management Consultancy at boutique consulting firm Action Planning, Director of the US State Department’s International Visitor program for the State of Washington under the World Affairs Council, and Head of Admissions for Amity Institute. Cynthia has served on a number of non-profit boards and advisory bodies. She holds an MSc in Management of NGOs from the London School of Economics and a double BA (Hons) in Asian Studies and English Literature from the University of Puget Sound. Cynthia was also a Global Leadership Fellow of the World Economic Forum.

Tadeusz Hawrot
Founder & Executive Director, PAREA

Founder of PAREA, Tadeusz drives systemic change in Europe’s healthcare system through psychedelic research, addressing unmet mental health needs. His work in policy and advocacy extends globally, contributing to the formation of the OneNeurology global partnership and WHO’s action plan on neurological conditions.

Katherine Hay
Chief Executive Officer, Kids Help Phone

President and CEO of Kids Help Phone, Katherine leads initiatives supporting youth mental health in Canada, expanding the reach and impact of this essential service. Her strategic leadership in healthcare and community advancement offers compelling opportunities for investors passionate about supporting transformative social causes.

Laura Herman
Partner, Dalberg

Laura is a Partner in Dalberg’s New York office with over 20 years of experience in working with organizations across the social sector. Laura has led engagements focused on strategy, learning and evaluation, stakeholder engagement, new market entry, advocacy and collaborative approaches to social change. Prior to joining Dalberg, Laura was the VP of Strategy and Advocacy for the inclusive business unit at Essilor where she focused on developing new business models to bring eyeglasses to the 2.5 billion people worldwide who lack access to spectacles. Laura was also part of the founding team and a Managing Director at FSG, leading the Health and Gender Equity practices where she helped to grow the firm to a team of 160 consultants in 6 offices worldwide.

Lindsey Hooper
Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership

Lindsey Hooper is CEO for the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership which activates leadership globally to transform economies for people, nature and climate.

Dr. Geoff Ibbotson
Executive Director, Global Surgery Foundation

Dr. Geoff Ibbotson serves as the Executive Director for the Global Surgery Foundation (GSF), a UN-incubated initiative based in Geneva, Switzerland. Under his leadership, the GSF has grown quickly to meet the unmet needs in surgical care in the most vulnerable communities. In particular, the GSF Women’s Health Programme brings safe surgical care to LMICs, reducing maternal mortality by > 30% through its innovative approach. 

Geoff has more than 25 years of experience in medical humanitarian and disaster relief work and has served as a front-line surgeon in multiple countries and several conflict zones. He has also led disaster response activities, developed strategic programmes and guided organizational and governance reviews and restructuring.

Through his work as a general surgeon on the frontlines in low-resource settings, he has developed a strong passion for global surgery and is committed to working on solutions for ensuring that the poorest and most marginalized have access to surgical care.

Christina Jäger
Co-founder & Managing Director, Yunus Environment Hub

Christina co-founded Yunus Environment Hub (YEH) together with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus and his Creative Advisor Hans Reitz. YEH develops social business solutions that tackle the environmental and climate crisis. The expertise of the global YEH network covers waste & plastic management, circular economy, carbon neutrality, biodiversity, afforestation, sustainable agriculture, clean energy and access to clean water. 

Christina was appointed to the Commission on Sustainable Business, Trade and Finance of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation & Development and serves as co-chair of the ministry’s PREVENT Waste Alliance. She is part of the advisory committee of the Circular Action Hub, a board member of the Circular Economy for Africa association, a Responsible Leader of the BMW Foundation World Responsible Leaders network and has received a Social Impact Scholarship of KfW Foundation. She has lectured at several universities and speaks regularly at high profile events. In 2016 she co-founded “Circular Economy Rhein Main” and in 2019 “Colombia Circular”, platforms to develop a circular economy in Rhein Main metropolitan region and Colombia respectively; in 2016 she co-founded “The Plastic Lab”, a creative laboratory to keep plastics out of nature.  

YEH is a spin-off company of Grameen Creative Lab where Christina is an Advisory Board member and has served before as Managing Partner and various other roles since 2011. Prior, she worked as Assistant to the Executive Director of Yunus Centre in Bangladesh and was trained in micro-finance with Grameen Bank. She holds a Master’s degree in Political Science & International Economics from Otto-Friedrich University Bamberg and studied International Relations of Latin America, Spanish & Portuguese at UADE. During her studies she was an active member of AIESEC, the largest international student run NGO on developing societal leaders. She was Vice President Talent Management, Conference Manager for the annual International Congress in Brazil (2008) and India (2010) and served as trainer and facilitator in various conferences. 

Christina’s passion is nature and exploring the wonders of our world. She has embarked on a journey towards a zero-waste lifestyle and in becoming a vegan. Christina draws inspiration from art, culture & sustainable design and enjoys doing sports such as hiking, mountain biking, yoga and volleyball.

Petra Jenner
CEO, Splunk in EMEA

Petra Jenner is Senior Vice President and General Manager for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Splunk. Prior to Splunk, Jenner spent six years at Salesforce across a variety of roles in EMEA, most recently as General Manager, Senior Vice President responsible for Eastern Europe and Switzerland. Based in Munich and with more than 25 years in the technology industry, she has also held leadership roles with Microsoft, Checkpoint and Pivotal. Jenner holds a Masters Degree in Business and IT, and studied International Management at the Stanford Graduate School of Business in Singapore.

Dr. Laura Johnson
Chief Executive Officer, Brainscape Medical

Co-Founder of BrainScape Medical, Laura advances neurotech solutions for brain disorders, emphasizing innovation in treatment. Her extensive experience spans healthcare corporates, startups, and public innovation institutes, making her a vocal advocate for reshaping neurological and psychological conditions.

Pascal Joncour
Partner, Convergence Partners

Partner at Convergence Partners, Pascal focuses on innovation in brain and mental health, leveraging his experience in healthcare communications. His role supports startups in developing impactful health solutions, targeting new modalities in brain and mental health at the intersection of psychedelics and AI.

Pradeep Kakkattil
Founder and CEO, Health Innovation Exchange (HIEx)

Pradeep Kakkattil is a serial social entrepreneur and global health and innovation leader.  He is the Founder and CEO of the Health Innovation Exchange (HIEx) a unique platform connecting political leadership with innovators and investors in scaling healthcare access in low- and middle-income countries. He is also co-founder of the Women in Innovation Fund (WiNFUND) that advocates for equitable access to financing for women led health enterprises and invests in Africa and Asia. Given the negative impact of climate on health, he co-created the Climate Health Innovation and Equity Fund (CHIEF) that focuses on leveraging the power of AI and investing at the intersection of climate and health with a particular emphasis on impact of climate on women’s health. 

Pradeep has worked on health and development over the last three decades including with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) based in Geneva, Switzerland, where he served in several senior functions including as Director and Senior policy Adviser to the Executive Director.  He steered UNAIDS engagement in the successful adoption by member states of the 2016 UN General Assembly High Level Political Declaration on ending AIDS. A former journalist and filmmaker, Pradeep serves on several Advisory Boards including the Graduate Institute in Geneva and is a founding member of the Geneva Innovation Network.  He co-edited the Elsevier published 2024 book Resilient Health: Leveraging Technology and Social Innovations to Transform Healthcare for COVID-19 Recovery and Beyond. He is a recipient of the Schwab Foundation/ WEF Public Intrapreneur 2022 award.  He serves as an Ambassador for the Virchow Foundation.

Faiz Kamaludin
Founder of AstroX

Dr. Faiz Kamaludin is a social innovator and advocate for transformative change, blending over 30 years of experience in aviation with a passion for empowering communities. As Co-Chair of Catalyst Now ASEAN and Malaysian chapter and founder of initiatives like AstroX and Spacevio, he champions collaborative solutions to global challenges through education, innovation, and sustainability. With a PhD in Social Entrepreneurship and Sustainability, Dr. Faiz’s work focuses on fostering equitable ecosystems and driving progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), earning him recognition for his impactful contributions to social change.

Patrick J. Kennedy
Co-Founder, The Kennedy Forum and Former U.S. Congressman

Former Congressman and mental health advocate, Kennedy co-authored the Mental Health Parity Act and founded The Kennedy Forum, aiming to ensure mental health as essential health. His initiatives, including bestselling books, strive to enhance mental health screening and treatment by 2033, making him a leading voice in mental health reform.

Todd Khozein
Chief Executive Officer, Second Muse

Founder of SecondMuse, Todd designs programs for resilient economies and has collaborated with major organizations globally, including NASA and The World Bank. His leadership emphasizes community-focused innovation and sustainable economic systems, making significant strides in advancing the roles of communities and entrepreneurship in economic development.

Daniel Koppelkamm
Founder, Convergence Partners

An investor in HealthTech, Daniel focuses on brain and women’s health technologies, leveraging blockchain and computational biology advancements. His leadership in Convergence Partners reflects his forward-thinking approach to innovation, positioning him as an influential force in the HealthTech industry.

Anastasiya Kulygi
Co-Founder, AguilaCondor Foundation

Founder of INME Wellness, Anastasiya integrates ancient wisdom with modern wellness practices through psychedelic retreats in Europe, guided by experienced shamans and therapists. Her previous experience in asset management complements her innovative approach to holistic health, making her work a unique offering for those invested in sustainable wellness solutions. 

Samhita Kumar
Senior Associate Director, The Carter Center

A leader in global health, Samhita advances mental health advocacy at The Carter Center, enhancing mental health care and policy. Her work bridges research, policy, and advocacy, offering compelling opportunities for philanthropists and investors interested in supporting transformative health programs.

Shiv Kumar
Founding Director, Catalyst Group

Cofounder of The Catalyst Group, Shiv Kumar is a social investor dedicated to solving complex social challenges and improving the health and livelihoods of vulnerable communities. With over 30 years of experience in social development across India and internationally, Shiv has founded organizations like Catalyst Management Services, Swasti, Vrutti, and Fuzhio, and supported over 200 community organizations.

He has positively impacted 3 million lives, mentored 210 organizations, and mobilized $1.4 billion for social causes. A thought leader, Shiv serves on several national and international committees, writes extensively on social impact, and authors the newsletter Clarity in Chaos.

An advocate for collaboration, partnerships, and sustainable solutions, Shiv is also a tech enthusiast, foodie, and cyclist. He lives by the mantra: Act with urgency, be patient with outcomes.

Anna Lerner Nesbitt
CEO, Climate Collective

Lerner Nesbitt is a strategic senior leader with expansive technology, partnerships, and social impact experience across Europe, Africa, South America, and North America

Shawn Lesser
Founder, The REAL Mental Health Foundation

Co-founder of Big Path Capital, Shawn is an impact investing advocate and mental health supporter, founding The Real Mental Health Foundation. His work connects investors with social causes, advancing the practice of impact investing globally and organizing influential events like the Impact Capitalism Summit series.

Elisha London
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Prospira Global

A dynamic leader in global mental health, Elisha has founded and led impactful initiatives that resonate deeply with philanthropists and investors. Her work blends strategic insight with heartfelt dedication to improving mental health awareness and support globally, positioning her as an invaluable partner for those seeking to invest in a brighter future.

Lala Lovera
Co-Founder and Director, Comparte por una Vida

Lala Lovera brings over 20 years of experience in the social sector, focusing on the well-being of children, youth, and families across Latin America. A fellow of Acumen Colombia 2024, she has been recognized by USAID Colombia for her expertise in designing gender-focused projects aligned with SDG 5: Gender Equality. Honored as a «2022 Emerging Leader» by the Tällberg Foundation, Lala serves on nonprofit boards in Colombia, the US, and Europe. As co-founder of Fundación Comparte and Closing the Gap Foundation, she led the award-winning «Quédate en la Escuela» model to reduce school dropout rates among migrant children. Lala has also managed programs at Fundación Casa de la Madre y el Niño in Bogotá, focusing on adoption and family reunification.

A Venezuelan migrant in Colombia for over 15 years, Lala holds degrees in Education and Social Management. Her current work focuses on building inclusive networks and addressing inequality gaps in migrant and host communities, with plans to expand her model across Latin America.

Maejor
U.S. Grammy-nominated and multi-platinum music producer

Inspired by sound therapy through his cancer surviving journey, Maejor is on a global mission to heal through music.  His new audible original award winning podcast «Maejor Frequency» was created to explore the healing power of music. Over his career, the Grammy-nominated and multi-platinum singer, songwriter, and powerhouse producer has worked with the likes of Justin Bieber—with whom he collaborated on the #1 hit album Purpose—as well as Drake, Frank Ocean and DJ Martin Garrix, and countless others.

Jackie Maalouf
Vice President, International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and Founder and President, DiaLeb

Dr. Jackie K. Maalouf is the Co-Chair of MENA and founder of the Lebanon Chapter at Catalyst Now, serving on the Catalyst Governing Council since 2022. She is Vice President of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) for 2023-2025 and president of DiaLeb, Lebanon’s National Diabetes Organization, which she co-founded in 2011. Dr. Maalouf is dedicated to promoting sustainable health, organizing awareness campaigns, and developing programs for those living with diabetes. She holds a Ph.D. in Public Relations & Communications from the University of Corllins, Virginia, USA. An educator at the American University of Beirut and AUCE, Dr. Maalouf is a passionate advocate for social innovation. Fluent in four languages, she excels in fostering global communication and collaboration. Guided by the principle “Being the Change,” she has earned multiple awards for her dedication to empowering communities and driving positive social change.

Neven Marinovic
President, Euclid Network

Neven Marinović is the President of Euclid Network as well as the co-founder and executive director of Smart Kolektiv, a leading Serbian organisation in corporate social responsibility and social entrepreneurship. He is also the director of Responsible Business Forum, a network aiming to mainstream CSR in Serbia.

Neven has co-founded a number of social enterprises in Serbia, also helping to initiate programmes supporting social and young entrepreneurs – from incubators and training programmes to financing schemes and advocacy coalitions. He gained formal education at the Faculty of Drama Arts in Belgrade, and informal education through numerous programmes throughout Europe and the USA (Harvard University), including in non-profit management and leadership.

Margaret Meagher
Chief Impact Officer, Crisis Text Line

Margaret Meagher is Chief Impact Officer at Crisis Text Line, leading data science efforts to analyze millions of mental health conversations. With 20+ years of experience in large-scale social impact across languages and cultures, she leverages AI/ML/NLP to generate insights and measure the effectiveness and international impact of Crisis Text Line’s services and model. Margaret has a strong background in AI for social good, mixed methods research, and impact assessment, with expertise in leading complex programs and building collective impact networks worldwide. She holds an MA in International Development and numerous specialized trainings. Before joining Crisis Text Line, Margaret led high-impact programs at organizations like Mastercard Foundation and Care International, working with governments and institutions such as UNGEI, UNESCO, FAWE, African Leadership Academy, and the Brookings Institution.

Stephanie Mehta
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Content Officer, Mansueto Ventures

Stephanie Mehta is chief executive officer and chief content officer of Mansueto Ventures, publisher of Inc. and Fast Company. She previously served as editor-in-chief of Fast Company, where she oversaw digital, print, and live journalism. Under her leadership Fast Company was a National Magazine Award finalist in design for three years in a row, and the title added two new annual conferences. She has worked as a writer and editor at Vanity Fair, Bloomberg Media, Fortune, and The Wall Street Journal.

Dr. Brigitte Mohn
Member of the Executive Board, Bertelsmann Stiftung

Brigitte Mohn is a member of the Executive Board of the Bertelsmann Stiftung. Dr. Mohn earned a Master’s in political science, art history, and German philology, followed by a PhD and an MBA from WHU Koblenz and Kellogg School of Management. She has worked with organisations like McKinsey & Company and Pixelpark. As a member of the Bertelsmann Stiftung Executive Board since 2005, Dr. Mohn is responsible for the following areas: Communities for Better Living, Improving Healthcare – Informing Patients, Civil Society and the Transfer and Scale unit. She chairs the German Stroke Foundation and serves on the Supervisory Board of Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA. Mohn also co-founded PHINEO, advancing social entrepreneurship and impact investing.

Geoff Moore
Founder, Pinned2Purpose

A seasoned professional in asset management, Geoff is passionate about impact investing and sustainable solutions, having raised billions across asset classes. His leadership on various boards underscores his commitment to aligning investment with positive impact, offering strategic insights for institutional investors.

Murali Nair
Senior Project Manager, Bertelsmann Stiftung

Murali Nair leads impact investing projects at the Bertelsmann Stiftung, with a focus on digitalization and common good. An engineer with an MBA in marketing, he worked in the automotive industry, NGOs and academia in Asia, Africa and Europe. At the Bertelsmann Stiftung, he is focused on creating digital public infrastructure for impact projects.

Ricardo Neves
Co-Founder of the 50+ Chapter

Ricardo Neves is a social entrepreneur and consultant specializing in Strategy, Communication, and Social Marketing. An Ashoka Fellow from Brazil’s first cohort, he has been a long-time advocate for innovative solutions to social challenges. Based in Berlin since 2020, he joined Catalyst Now, co-founding the 50plus Chapter and serving as Co-Chair of the Europe Chapter. He runs Lifelong, a consultancy helping pension funds and insurance companies navigate demographic shifts and longevity challenges.

An engineer by training and a communicator by passion, Neves holds degrees in Electronic Engineering, an MSc in Production Engineering, and a Diploma in Advanced Studies in Communication Sciences. As an author, he has published nine books on innovation and systemic transformation, including The New Longevity: Reinventing Retirement (2024).

Vaishali Nigam Sinha
Co-founder of ReNew

Vaishali Nigam Sinha is the Co-founder of ReNew, a leading NASDAQ-listed decarbonization solutions company. She has positioned ReNew as a global ESG leader, advancing Net-Zero goals and impactful ESG strategies. As the Founding Chair of the ReNew Foundation, she spearheads the ReNew India Initiative, positively impacting over a million lives in India.

Vaishali serves as Co-Chair of the B20 Finance and Infrastructure Task Force under G20 Brazil and is an active member of the World Economic Forum’s South Asia Regional Action Group, CEO Climate Leaders Alliance, and the 1 Trillion Trees Initiative. She chairs the South Asia Women in Energy (SAWIE) and sits on boards like the UN Global Compact Network India and Columbia University’s SIPA Advisory Board.

A sought-after speaker at global forums, Vaishali writes extensively on sustainability, energy transition, and gender equality. She co-edited the T20 compendium Pathways to Equality and has received accolades such as Fortune India’s ‘50 Most Powerful Women’ (2024) and Edie’s ‘Sustainability Leader of the Year’ (2024). Vaishali holds a Master’s in Public Policy from Columbia University and completed the Owners and Presidents Management Program at Harvard Business School.

Daniel Nowack
Head of the Global Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship, World Economic Forum

Daniel is leading the Global Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship, the largest multi-stakeholder coalition in the sector hosted by an international organisation. The Alliance and its 100 members – corporations, investors, philanthropists, governments, researchers, media, and industry actors – are uniquely positioned to contribute to building social innovation movement. The Global Alliance is hosted by the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship. 

Prior to joining the World Economic Forum, Daniel worked as a Managing Director and COO with philanthropic venture fund Yunus Social Business, where he has led corporate partnerships on social intrapreneurship, procurement, innovation and research. Daniel works at the intersection of science and social fiction, bringing together financial acumen with a deep commitment to impact. He has worked as a Startup CFO, in corporate finance for a multinational organization and led marketing campaigns for SMEs. He is a Google for Startups Mentor, a Founder Institute mentor, a lecturer at TU Munich and University of Applied Sciences Wiesbaden. He is also a passionate drummer.

Jim O’Leary
Global President and North American CEO, Weber Shandwick

Jim O’Leary advises CEOs on how to navigate complex challenges at the intersection of business, society, culture and policy. As CEO of The Weber Shandwick Collective, North America, and Global President, he has oversight of all major global markets including EMEA, APAC and LATAM.b Prior to joining Weber in 2023, O’Leary spent 15 years at Edelman, where he served in a number of U.S. and global leadership roles with escalating responsibility, including U.S. Chief Operating Officer, Global Chair of Impact & ESG, and Corporate Affairs Practice Chair.  O’Leary is a longtime counselor to CEOs and their boards in business-critical situations. His clients have included Walgreens, McDonald’s, McKinsey & Company, PayPal, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, General Electric, Hewlett-Packard, Bombardier, and Raytheon. 

 Prior to joining Edelman, Jim served as a communications leader and on-the-record spokesperson for Honeywell. He has been recognized in PRWeek’s Dashboard 25 as one of the industry’s most innovative professionals and was previously named to PRWeek’s «40 Under 40».

Dr. James Ong
Author of the book AI for Humanity: Building a Sustainable AI for the Future

Dr. James Ong has 38+ years of experience as an entrepreneur, tech executive, venture builder, author and professor and enjoys his journey of ecosystem building for impactful outcomes, bridging scientific research, startups, and impact investment.

He founded Artificial Intelligence International Institute (AIII), a think tank advocating Sustainable AI for Humanity and is co-author of “AI for Humanity: Building A Sustainable AI for the Future» published by Wiley.

He is Adjunct Professor at SUTD and AI Mega Centre, a member of the Strategic Resource Allocation Committee (SRAC) at the National Supercomputing Centre Singapore (NSCC) and Head of AI, Chair of AI Subcommittee and Professional Council Member at Global Fintech Institute (GFI). He is also CEO of Origami Frontiers, a venture building firm, Venture Partner at Delight Capital and Partner at Hashtaqs. He received his PhD from the University of Texas at Austin specializing in AI for Governance and Business Process Automation.

Manoj Panjwani
Governing Council Member, Catalyst Now

Manoj is a social impact leader focused on innovative and catalytic solutions that seek to make the world more equitable.  He is particularly passionate about impact investing and other financing models, collaborative movements, and initiatives linked to mental health, gender equity, and youth empowerment. 

His engagement in the sector includes being an advisor/mentor in the areas of strategy, ecosystem building, and governance; creating solutions that focus on mobilizing capital flows into the sector; and being an early stage investor in start-ups. 

He draws on his prior international experience and expertise in financial services, gathered from a 25+ year career with HSBC in developed and emerging markets across Asia, Europe and North America.

In addition to Catalyst Now, Manoj serves on multiple non-profit boards.

Amit Pradhan
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Rainfall

Amit is a visionary founder, investor, and speaker committed to leveraging frontier technologies like AI, Blockchain, and Quantum computing to address global challenges and create lasting positive impact. As the Founder and CEO of Rainfall, he leads the development of Self Sovereign AI, an approach that prioritizes user privacy, empowerment, and economic benefits, fundamentally rethinking how technology can enhance lives.

Through JetVentures, Amit invests in startups using exponential technologies to drive inclusion, create access, and solve pressing problems, with a focus on empowering vulnerable and disconnected populations. As the former President of the Silicon Valley Blockchain Society, he championed responsible innovation in the decentralized ecosystem and its convergence with AI.

He serves on the boards of organizations like the Norwegian Refugee Council and the BMW Mobility Council and is a mentor to founders worldwide. Amit’s work centers on sustainable progress, inclusion, and creating a net positive impact for humanity.

Shanti Raghavan
Co-Founder, EnAble India

Shanti’s lived experience with her brother becoming blind at the age of 15 resulted in starting EnAble India 25 years ago. She has pioneered livelihoods of people with disabilities across 21 disability types. This has resulted in a shift in narratives about persons with disability as valuable members of society, active citizens, taxpayers, change makers and nation builders. Her organization EnAble India has impacted 500,000 stakeholders across 28 states in India and more than 42 countries including Mauritius, Chile, Ethiopia. Enable India has helped businesses and governments through scalable models, frameworks, products and platforms She now works for systems change at population scale and is using DPI to unlock a new economy centered around disability giving rise to economic growth and job creation. She calls this “purple economy” purple being color for disability. She has also pioneered the IncludAbility Quotient(TM) which enables leaders to maximize value across their teams.

 Shanti was identified by Business Today as one of the Most Powerful Women in Business in 2017. She has done her MS in Computer Science and has corporate experience in companies such as AT&T, Bell Labs, ADP, CyberCash, GE Aircraft Engines. Her mantra is “I see me in you” and sees value in every human!

Luvuyo Rani
Founder and CEO of Silulo Ulutho Technologies

Luvuyo Rani is a South African social entrepreneur and business leader, founder and CEO of Silulo Ulutho Technologies, a company established in 2004 to provide technology-driven solutions and education to underserved communities. The company bridges the digital divide through digital training, mobile solutions, and tech-based services, empowering individuals and small businesses in marginalized areas.

Under Rani’s leadership, Silulo Ulutho Technologies has made significant strides in promoting digital literacy and entrepreneurship. In 2024, he became Executive Director of Africa Forward, a pan-African movement supporting social enterprises across the continent. Rani is committed to advancing Africa’s social entrepreneurship ecosystem, addressing challenges like poverty, unemployment, and inequality through innovative business models. His leadership is driving innovation, economic inclusion, and a sustainable future for Africa.

Daisy Rosales
Founder and Executive Director, Brio

Daisy Rosales is a social entrepreneur dedicated to expanding dignity and agency through mental health. She is the founder of Brio, an international nonprofit that partners with civil society leaders to design mental health programs that strengthen psychological flexibility at scale. Since 2018, Brio’s initiatives have directly helped 134,000 people in Latin America, Asia, and the United States, and are on track to benefiting 5 million people by 2030 through government partnership.

Daisy writes and speaks about global mental health innovation, and co-chairs the Mental Health Collaboration at Catalyst Now. She is an Acumen Fellow, One Young World Ambassador, and Yale Entrepreneurial Fellow. Her work has been published in Poets and Quants and Stanford Social Innovation Review. She holds a BA cum laude from Harvard and an MBA from Yale.

Maria José Rubio
Co-Founder, Compromiso Bogotá

Maria Jose Rubio de Hart has dedicated over 30 years to addressing inequity and fostering systemic change. Her career spans microfinance, education, and collaborative networks. She led impactful initiatives in microfinance, including directing a foundation, spearheading Colombia’s UN International Year of Microcredit (2005), and confounding Redesarrollo. Later, at Fundación Carulla-aeioTU, she built partnerships with organizations like the LEGO Foundation and Grand Challenges and advocated for Colombia’s Early Childhood Development Law (2016).

In 2020, Maria Jose co-founded Colombia Cares for Colombia (CCC) and Toynovo. CCC drives collective action over individualism and incubates initiatives like Compromiso Bogotá together with Compromiso Valle, Skoll Foundation and USAID. Toynovo, a B Corp, recognized by Uplink (WEF), promotes learning and positive relationships through play.

Maria Jose’s work continues to promote equity through connection, action, and systemic solutions; she is currently focused on Compromiso Bogotá, fostering networks of collective leadership to create opportunities for underserved communities in collaboration with businesspeople, social organizations and the city of Bogotá.

Tyler Samstag
Executive Director, Remake Learning

Tyler Samstag is the executive director of Remake Learning, who has been stewarding Pittsburgh’s expansive learning ecosystem for nearly two decades. Tyler started his career as a special education teacher in New York City, implementing research-based literacy interventions in both traditional and alternative academic settings. Later, while living in Boston, Tyler completed an internship with the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST), a nonprofit education R&D organization that works to expand learning opportunities for all individuals through Universal Design for Learning and was a member of the IDEO Bits + Blocks LAB at the Harvard Innovation Lab, a program to develop new ventures around the technologies inspired by Bitcoin and blockchain. Interested in applications of human-centered design in education and nonprofit sectors, Tyler has facilitated an array of interactive workshops on design thinking and rapid prototyping at Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Harvard Graduate School of Education, and MIT. Tyler holds a master’s degree from Teachers College, Columbia University in English Education, and graduated from the Mind, Brain, and Education program at Harvard University, where he was an Urban Scholars Fellow.

Kamilah Sanders
Chief Executive Officer, Greater Than Equal

Kamilah Sanders is an award-winning Global Strategist and Ecosystem Weaver with over 25 years of experience in marketing and executive leadership. She is the CEO of Greater Than Equal, an action-driven think tank helping leaders maximize their impact through self-awareness and strategic action. As an advisor and ecosystem builder, Kamilah specializes in helping leaders realize their vision for impact by facilitating large-scale projects and curating events that redefine the future of global collaboration connecting diverse networks, shifting power dynamics, and accelerating social innovation.

Kamilah is the visionary behind HauteLink, which leverages technology to build interconnected ecosystems and drive future-focused innovation. As a prominent voice in technology, sustainability, and leadership, she co-hosts AI for Creatives podcast and hosts Fashion Futurist, which explores the intersections of humanity and technology while serving as an innovation-driven communication platform drawing on emerging technology to future proof social impact.

As a member of the Governing Council for Catalyst Now, she facilitates collaborations that accelerate social innovation and equity-driven change. Known for her ability to navigate complex systems, Kamilah’s mission is to connect disparate groups and amplify the voices of marginalized communities for real world impact.

Dr. Wes Sechrest
Chief Executive Officer and Chair, Re:wild

Dr. Sechrest co-founded Re:wild, where he is CEO, and Board Chair. He leads Re:wild’s efforts to use nature-based solutions to address the interconnected biodiversity, climate, and human wellbeing crises.

Christian Schaub
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Food Brewer

Christian Schaub is the Co-Founder and CEO of Food Brewer, a pioneering food tech company headquartered near Zurich, Switzerland. Previously, he was the Co-Founder and CEO of Redvax, a biotech startup acquired by a U.S. pharmaceutical company in 2015. He also served as Chairman of Redbiotec, further showcasing his leadership in the biotech sector.

In addition to his entrepreneurial endeavors, Christian is an active angel investor and startup coach, committed to mentoring the next generation of innovators. An engineer by training, he holds an M.Sc. from ETH Zurich. Christian Schaub brings a unique blend of technical expertise, visionary leadership, and a deep commitment to advancing technology in food, health, and beyond.

Ajaita Shah
CEO, Frontier Markets

Ajaita Shah is the founder/ CEO of Frontier Markets, a social enterprise empowering rural women in India as entrepreneurs, known as «Saral Jeevan Sahelis.» Through innovative technology like the Meri Saheli App, Frontier Markets connects over 35,000 Sahelis with products and services in agriculture, clean energy, finance, and digital inclusion, benefiting 1 million+ households across 5,000 villages. With 20 years of experience in rural development, gender-inclusive business models, and impact investing, Ajaita sits on multiple boards for social enterprises, nonprofits, as well as impact funds. She is the South Asia UNCTAD e4trade advocate, an Echoing Green Fellow, Fortune 40 Under 40 Entrepreneur of the Year, Forbes 30 Under 30 Social Entrepreneur, and recipient of the Women Transforming India Award. She was the 2024 Schwab Social Innovator of the Year. She is a Tufts University graduate.

Chavalit Frederick Tsao
Chairman, TPC (Tsao Pao Chee)

Chavalit Frederick Tsao is the fourth-generation steward of TPC (Tsao Pao Chee), a family business with over 120 years of history. After studying at the University of Michigan, he joined the family business at age 20 and became chairman at 37. In 1995, he founded the East West Cultural Development Centre to explore global sustainability challenges, blending ancient wisdom with modern science to foster leadership. He transformed TPC into a purpose-led, well-being-focused organization, aiming to create both wealth and positive impact. Chavalit oversees three nonprofits: The No. 17 Foundation, Restore Nature Foundation, and OCTAVE Institute, all working to restore nature and relationships. Through TPC, he leads initiatives to create value for the flourishing of life, integrating sustainability and social responsibility into business practices. He remains dedicated to TPC’s mission of balancing economic success with societal and environmental well-being.

Mary Ann Tsao
Chairwoman, Tsao Foundation

Mary Ann Tsao is the founder of the Tsao Foundation, dedicated to promoting longevity and ageing in place in Singapore. A pioneer in ageing initiatives since 1993, she was named by the UN as one of ‘The Healthy Ageing 50’ in 2022. The Tsao Foundation provides integrated medical and psycho-social care for older people, with programs like ComSA (Community for Successful Ageing), launched in 2013. Mary Ann transitioned from a pediatrician in the U.S. to public health, impacting systems change to improve care accessibility. Born in 1955, her family fled Shanghai for Hong Kong, where her father built a business. Inspired by her aunt, economist Linda Tsao Yang, she advocates for women’s empowerment. Mary Ann’s research led to the Hua Mei Mobile Clinic (1993) and Hua Mei Seniors Clinic (1996), models for healthy ageing. Her work has earned awards like Singapore’s Public Service Star and recognition from WHO and HelpAge.

Dena Trujillo
CEO, Crisis Text Line

Dena Trujillo, CEO of Crisis Text Line, has 25+ years operating at the intersection of nonprofit and for-profit – amplifying innovative models that leverage technology and business solutions to maximize social impact. Before joining CTL in 2020, Dena was with Omidyar Network for 17 years. As a Venture Partner she led various philanthropic initiatives worldwide, spanning sectors from education to economic development, specializing in marketplaces and talent networks that empower people to scale impact and change systems. Dena previously served on boards including: African Leadership Group, DonorsChoose, Fuse Corps, and High Resolves Group. Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7, high quality text-based mental health support and crisis intervention in English and Spanish. Guided by empathy and innovation, Crisis Text Line endeavors to build an empathetic world where nobody feels alone.

Alexandra van der Ploeg
Global Head of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), SAP

Alexandra van der Ploeg is SAP’s Global Head of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). In this capacity, she is entrusted with shaping the strategic direction of SAP’s CSR initiatives, aimed at fulfilling the company’s overarching purpose of «helping the world run better and improving people’s lives.» She does this through strategic partnerships and programs that yield both sustainable social impact and long-term business value. Alexandra also manages corporate giving, employee engagement, and the development of multi-stakeholder partnerships, an area for which she has a special affinity.

Joining SAP in 1999, Alexandra initially took on a role in SAP Switzerland, focusing on management development. Over the next decade, she transitioned through various managerial roles within the Human Resources department. In 2010, she moved to the CSR organization and has since been responsible for developing and managing multiple global CSR programs. These include establishing an infrastructure for social business in Haiti and creating various pro-bono consulting programs, such as the SAP Social Sabbatical Portfolio.

Beyond her role at SAP, Alexandra co-chairs the Corporate Leadership Council of WEF’s Global Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship. She holds an MBA from Henley Business School in Great Britain.

Vooha Vellanki
Chief of Staff, Mantra Health

A mental health advocate and investor, Vooha co-founded Athlete Base Camp and leads initiatives at Mantra Health, focusing on student-centered mental health solutions. Her work destigmatizes mental health among students, fostering resilience and empowering the next generation through a culture of openness and acceptance.

Amer Vohora
CEO, Ikigai Ventures

Amer is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur into businesses that are catalysts for change. As a lecturer and thought leader in impact investing, he identified the need for financial inclusion as one of the barriers for poverty mitigation. As the CEO of Swiss Fortress, he leads the business to solve this issue for society where all your assets are securely held for those that need them the most.

Amer has been working in finance all his career at institutions such as Rothschild Bank (CH), Valueworks (CH), FIO Partners (CH) and First Capital (UK). Now Amer has a joint role as CEO of Swiss Fortress as well as Ikigai Ventures, the Vohora family single family office. The family office is the steward for the Vohora coffee business, which is a vertically integrated coffee business with three plantations in Tanzania, a coffee and macadamia processing mill in Arusha Tanzania and now the Edelweiss Coffee branded B2C business which is run through the family office in Baar, Zug.

The family coffee business has been family owned for over 60+ years and was recently highlighted by Edelweiss Air online as a destination highlight for Tanzania.

Jennifer Wu-Schwab
Global Wellbeing Expert & Podcast Host

A leader in venture capital and non-profit governance, Jennifer supports synthetic biology startups and community resilience through art initiatives. As the Founder and Podcast Host of The Founder Spirit, she shares personal stories of exceptional individuals, offering invaluable life and business lessons.

Timothy Young
CEO, Jasper AI

Timothy Young is the CEO of Jasper, the leading AI marketing platform, which elevates all marketing and all marketers with the power of AI.

Prior to joining Jasper, he served as the president of Dropbox and VP of product & engineering for VMware and has decades of experience scaling companies in rapidly evolving industries.

Timothy has start-up roots, having founded Socialcast in 2005 and co-founded about.me in 2009, both of which he led through successful acquisitions. Timothy is also the founder of Hidden Hand Capital where he helps founders build and scale amazing companies with early-stage capital, COO, and product leadership and strategy support. He has a background in entrepreneurship, executive leadership, and investing in early-stage tech companies.

Throughout his ventures, Timothy’s focus has remained on building tools and platforms that reshape work.

Scaling Mental Health Access:
Case Studies and Practices for
Public Sector Integration
By Daisy Rosales and Su Balasubramanian
Catalyst Now Mental Health Collaboration | January 2025