Before he was appointed Federal Managing Director of the BVMW eV in July 2023, Christoph Ahlhaus was a member of the German parliament, a councilor, an interior senator, and the first mayor of Hamburg. As chairman of the Conference of Interior Ministers in 2010, Ahlhaus earned cross-party respect as a close advisor to the federal government in internal security. Ahlhaus has been working as an independent lawyer in Berlin since 2004. He has also made a name for himself in legal circles with his expert opinion on the constitutionality of the IT Security Act. Further stations were the German University for Administrative Sciences in Speyer and the German-American Chamber of Commerce in New York. As General Secretary of the Federal Economic Senate, the excellence committee, and think tank of the BVMW, Ahlhaus has made a name for itself as a knowledgeable supporter of medium-sized companies for many years.

Guillermo Alarcón is the Director of Business Development and Employment at Bogotá’s Secretariat of Economic Development. He holds a degree in Economics from the National University of Colombia. He has earned three master’s degrees: in Public Policy from the University of Chicago, in Economics from the University of the Andes in Colombia, and an MBA from the College of Advanced Studies in Administration (CESA). With over 14 years of experience in both the public and private sectors, Guillermo has held significant roles including Director of Housing and Leasing at Asobancaria, Advisor at the National Infrastructure Agency (ANI), and Specialized Professional at the Financial Regulation Unit (URF) within Colombia’s Ministry of Finance. Additionally, he has contributed to academia as a professor at several institutions, including UIS, Jorge Tadeo Lozano, and CESA. Guillermo’s extensive expertise makes him a leader in driving economic development and policy innovation in Colombia.

Sergio Arzeni is President of the International Network for Small and Medium Enterprises – INSME. Mr. Arzeni is also a Senior Advisor of Friends of Europe; an Executive Member of the Global Coalition for Efficient Logistics GCEL; Member of the Advisory Board of SRM, the Research Centre on the Mediterranean of Intesa San Paolo Bank, in Naples; Member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies (published by Sage Publishing in London, New York and New Delhi). For over 30 years he has been the Director of the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) in Paris responsible for SMEs, Local Economic and Employment Development, and Tourism.

Bruce Billson is a respected Australian politician and business advocate. Born on January 26, 1966, he served as the Member for Dunkley from 1996 to 2016 with the Liberal Party. As Minister for Small Business from 2013 to 2015, Billson worked to reduce red tape and enhance support for small businesses. After retiring from politics, he became the Executive Chairman of the Franchise Council of Australia and was appointed Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) in 2021. In these roles, Billson has been a steadfast champion for small business owners and family enterprises, advocating for their rights and working to ensure their success in a competitive market. His dedication and expertise have made him a key figure in Australia’s business community.

Raimund Bröchler joined INTRASOFT Intl. in 2004 and he has more than 17 years of experience in the Innovation, Consultancy, Research and Technology Transfer field. Because of his leadership skills, and experience as a coordinator and project manager, he runs strategic projects with volumes of +10 Mill€. He is the Head of two INTRASOFT project labs; Innovation Services Lab and Factories of the Future Lab. Dr. Bröchler has been twice re-elected as Vice President of INSME, a position he has held since 2007.

Cristian Camisa is President of Confapi, the Italian Confederation of small and medium-sized industries, the most important Italian organization of small and medium private industries (116.000 industries and 1,2 million employees). He is President and CEO of T.T.A. (Tecno Taglio Acciai), a family business founded in 1976, specialising in cutting, trading, and processing sheet metal, special and stainless steel. He has been a member of the national board of Confapi since 2012 and in 2020 he became Vice President. He was also President of Confapi Industria Piacenza, the local association of Confapi. Since July 2015 he has been a member of the Central-Northern Italy Advisory Board of Unicredit, one of the most important Italian banks. 

Aurora Elena Candel is the Head of Public Affairs for Business Environment within The Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Tourism, in Romania. In charge of foreign affairs in matters of SMEs and entrepreneurship, she is also a coordinator of the implementation of the National Resilience and Recovery Plan and the coordinator of Romania’s accession to OECD. She started her career in public administration, as an advisor for an ex-prime minister, while she was still in high school. She built legal expertise within three central institutions, representing the entities of The International Court of Arbitration. In the sector, she worked as a consultant on public affairs and business matters.  Aurora has an overall experience of 6 years in the management of the board of directors of 5 state-owned enterprises in the defence industry. As a highlight of her work for the defence industry, it is to mention the incorporation of three joint ventures between Romanian and foreign companies.

Said Charna is an accomplished diplomat currently serving as Senior Advisor for the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), an intergovernmental organization promoting regional dialogue and cooperation among 42 member states from Europe and the Mediterranean Basin. With a distinguished career in international relations and diplomacy, Said has been instrumental in advancing Algeria’s interests on global platforms while fostering collaborative relationships with countries worldwide. His strategic acumen and negotiation skills have been pivotal in shaping bilateral and multilateral agreements that enhance peace, security, and economic development. Said Charna’s expertise also encompasses cultural diplomacy and sustainable development initiatives. His role at UfM underscores his commitment to promoting stability and prosperity through diplomatic channels, solidifying his reputation as a respected figure in Mediterranean affairs.

Giovanni Da Pozzo serves as the President of the Chamber of Commerce of Pordenone and Udine and President of Promos, an organization dedicated to promoting economic development and internationalization initiatives. With a strong background in business and commerce, Giovanni is a pivotal figure in advancing the economic interests of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region in Italy. His leadership at the Chamber of Commerce focuses on supporting local businesses, fostering trade partnerships, and advocating for policies that stimulate growth and innovation. As President of Promos, Giovanni spearheads efforts to enhance the region’s competitiveness on the global stage, facilitating international trade missions and promoting investment opportunities. His strategic vision and commitment to sustainable development underscore his contributions to both organizations, driving economic prosperity and fostering a vibrant business environment in Pordenone, Udine, and beyond.

Massimo Deandreis has held several distinguished roles throughout his career. From May 2016 to June 2023, he served as President of GEI (Gruppo Giovani Imprenditori), showcasing his leadership in fostering young entrepreneurship. Currently, he serves as the General Manager at SRM – Intesa Sanpaolo, where he oversees the strategic direction of the research center affiliated with the banking group. Massimo also contributes to academia as a Contract Professor of Business Management at the University of Turin’s Management Department. Previously, he held the position of General Director of the Chambers of Commerce of Piedmont and was responsible for their Brussels office, residing there for five years. His international engagement includes collaboration with the OECD, where he is a member of the Working Party on Entrepreneurship and SMEs. Massimo is also an accomplished author and co-author of numerous publications on topics related to business economics. His multifaceted expertise underscores his commitment to advancing economic research, business strategy, and fostering entrepreneurship globally

Andrea Di Anselmo is the vice president of META Group an international advisory and investment firm with offices in Italy, Slovenia, Poland, Sweden and Belgium (Brussels). He is the Past President of INSME (the International Network for SMEs), and sits on the Board of Directors of META Ventures, the fund management company operating Ingenium Funds, EURADA, the European Association of Regional Development Agencies and several companies. Andrea’s most recent professional experience is at an international level and concentrates on challenge-based innovation, innovation strategies (S3), financial tools and support to “Knowledge Intensive” enterprises and entrepreneurs, and exploitation of research results. He has a background as a civil engineer and research experience in materials science at the University of Storrs Connecticut (USA).

Lorenzo Galanti, born in Stuttgart in 1968, is a seasoned diplomat and leader in international relations. He began his career after graduating from the Faculty of Political Science “Cesare Alfieri” in Florence in 1993. Throughout his diplomatic tenure, Lorenzo has held significant roles at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and served at Italian Embassies in Syria, Senegal, and the United States. His tenure as Ambassador to Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos from 2018 to 2022 underscored his dedication to fostering economic cooperation and diplomatic relations in the Asia-Pacific region. Lorenzo’s leadership in promoting Italian businesses abroad and attracting investments led to his appointment as Director General of ICE Agency for the Promotion Abroad and Internationalization of Italian Companies in August 2023.

Abdel Fattah Al Kayed is the CEO of Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation (JEDCO) and a respected marketing expert, branding strategist, and advocate for startup and SME policies. He previously served on the Board of trustees of the King Abdullah II Fund for Development (KAFD) and founded the Daem Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to advocacy and public opinion shaping. With over 25 years of experience in both public and private sectors, Al Kayed drives initiatives that promote entrepreneurship, attract investments, and enhance Jordan’s business competitiveness. His strategic leadership and media savvy amplify the impact of developmental efforts, positioning JEDCO at the forefront of economic development in the Middle East.

Vasso Kyrkou is a distinguished communications professional with over 20 years of expertise in managing comprehensive communications, marketing, and public relations campaigns. Currently serving as the General Director of Enterprise Greece and a Board Member of INSME (International Network for Small and Medium Enterprises), Vasso is instrumental in promoting investment and trade in Greece while fostering international cooperation among SMEs. Her career highlights include developing and implementing corporate communications strategies, digital and social media strategies, cross-platform content management, brand PR, and community outreach. Known for her proficiency in managing time-sensitive and confidential projects, Vasso is trusted by senior leadership to handle sensitive information and high-profile initiatives with discretion and strategic insight. With a proven track record in quickly understanding target audience needs and implementing successful strategic plans, Vasso Kyrkou continues to drive growth and enhance Greece’s global business presence through effective communication and strategic leadership

Orkhan Vidadi Oglu Mammadov was born in Baku in 1984. In 2005,  graduated from the International Relations Faculty of Baku State University. In 2005, completed the Business and Finance program at Regent’s University London. In 2009, earned an MBA degree at Odlar Yurdu University. In 2012, earned a second bachelor’s degree in Finance and Credit at Azerbaijan State University of Economics. In 2006, started to work at the Ministry of Industry and Energy. From March 2007 to February 2018, held various positions at the Ministry of Economy, including serving as senior advisor and deputy head of the business development policy sector, deputy head of the foreign economic relations sector and head of the interstate economic cooperation sector. During his employment in the Ministry of Economy, participated in nearly 100 international meetings of various working groups and joint intergovernmental commissions, and was directly involved in the organization of a number of international events. On February 27, 2018, was appointed Chairman of the Management Board of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Fluently speaks Azerbaijani, English, Russian and Turkish.

Jay Mitra is a Professor of Business Enterprise and Innovation. He is a Visiting Scholar at Luneburg University in Germany and has held Visiting Professorships at the Institute of Management Technology in India, the School of Management, Fudan University in China, Bologna University, in Italy and Externado University in Colombia. He has acted as a Scientific Adviser to the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) in Paris.  Prof. Mitra is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in the UK and is a board member of INSME (International Network of SMEs) headquartered in Rome. He also leads the International Entrepreneurship Forum (IEF) a unique network and forum for researchers, policymakers and business practitioners working on entrepreneurship, innovation and regional development.  He has written widely on different aspects of entrepreneurship, innovation and economic development, and his latest book is ‘The Business of Innovation’ published by Sage in 2017. He is the editor of the ‘Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, also published by Sage and a member of the board of numerous refereed journals around the world. He has worked with various institutions around the world such as UNCTAD, UNIDO, ASEAN, EU and other government agencies and private sector organisations.

Alessandra Ricci has served as the CEO and General Manager of SACE since May 2022. Born in Rome in 1969, she holds a degree in Economics and Business Administration from LUISS University. Alessandra brings over two decades of expertise in international corporate finance to her role. She began her career at Mediocredito Centrale in 1995, specializing in Project Financing across Europe and emerging markets for ten years. Joining SACE in 2005, she held progressively senior positions, including Chief Business Officer and Chief Marketing & Underwriting Officer. From 2017 to 2020, Alessandra led SIMEST as CEO, focusing on facilitating the international expansion of Italian businesses. Returning to SACE in 2020, she directed strategic initiatives such as Garanzia Italia and the Green New Deal, aimed at supporting Italian companies’ liquidity and ecological transition. Alessandra Ricci continues to drive SACE’s mission in enhancing Italy’s business competitiveness and sustainability efforts. 

Aladdin D. Rillo is a distinguished economist and senior figure in regional economic integration, currently serving as Assistant Director and Head of Finance and Macroeconomic Surveillance at the ASEAN Secretariat. With a career spanning pivotal roles at ASEAN, including Senior Economist and Deputy Secretary-General for the ASEAN Economic Community, he has been instrumental in shaping ASEAN’s economic policies and integration agenda. Dr. Rillo’s expertise extends internationally, having served as Senior Economist at the Asian Development Bank Institute in Tokyo and Senior Manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Toronto. He holds a PhD and MA in economics from the University of Hawaii, complemented by an AB in economics from Ateneo de Manila University. A prolific author and lecturer, Dr. Rillo’s research on ASEAN economics and regional integration issues underscores his commitment to fostering sustainable economic growth and development across Southeast Asia and beyond.

Martin Ruppert is the Managing Director of IMP³rove—European Innovation Management Academy and a prominent figure in Kearney’s innovation and R&D management teams. With extensive global experience, he specializes in guiding organizations through innovation strategy development, portfolio optimization, and the creation of innovative business models. Martin is a distinguished author, contributing to numerous publications on innovation management, and has co-authored the Global Innovation Index reports for 2015 and 2016. His collaboration with the World Economic Forum includes leading projects like “Fostering Innovation-Driven Entrepreneurship in Europe.” Martin also serves as an advisor for transformative initiatives such as “Collaborative Innovation – Transforming Business, Driving Growth.” His work continues to shape and advance innovation practices worldwide, emphasizing the strategic importance of innovation in fostering organizational growth and competitiveness.

Qamar Saleem is the SME Finance Head at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), where he leads initiatives aimed at promoting knowledge exchange and best practices in SME finance globally. With over 30 years of experience in global financial services, Qamar previously served as the Manager of Financial Institutions Group Advisory Services for Asia and the Pacific at IFC, overseeing integrated investment and advisory solutions across MSMEs, gender, climate, digital, housing, trade, and supply chain finance. He has held various leadership roles at IFC since 2012, including global technical lead for SME and supply chain finance and regional SME banking lead for EMENA. Qamar is recognized as a thought leader and industry mentor in SME finance, leveraging his extensive background with international organizations like HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank, and Deutsche Bank prior to joining IFC. He holds an MBA and multiple certifications in strategy, climate finance, digital banking, and leadership.

Dr. Pasquale Salzano, born in 1973, is a distinguished figure in international affairs and energy geopolitics. He currently serves as President of SIMEST and Director of European and International Affairs at Cassa Depositi e Prestiti since December 2019, having previously chaired the Fondazione CDP from November 2020 to November 2021. With a legal background, Dr. Salzano graduated in Law from the University of Naples Federico II in 1996 and holds a PhD in International Law from the University of Siena. Starting his diplomatic career in 1999, Dr. Salzano held pivotal roles including Chief of Staff for the OSCE mission in Belgrade and establishing the Italian diplomatic office in Kosovo. He later served in New York at Italy’s Permanent Mission to the UN and as Sherpa for the G8 Summit during Italy’s presidency. His career highlights include directing the Heiligendamm/L’Aquila Process at the OECD and leadership roles at Eni, overseeing international institutional relations. Dr. Salzano is a member of several boards and institutes, contributing extensively to publications on energy and geopolitics. He is recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.

Mariangela Siciliano is a Chartered Marketer with over twenty years of experience in managing integrated marketing and communication projects across private sector, public sector, and academia. Currently at SACE since April 2018, she oversees “Education to Export” initiatives and Corporate Shared Value activities. Previously, Mariangela served as Director of Marketing at UKEF, the UK’s export credit agency, and held roles in strategic marketing at BIS (Business, Innovation and Skills) within the UK government. Her career highlights include leading high-profile MarComms campaigns for international organizations and government bodies such as the European Commission, ILO (International Labour Organisation), and Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mariangela is also a Teaching Fellow at Luiss University in Rome and an Accredited Partnership Lecturer at ECBM in London, specializing in Strategic Management and Brand Management. She contributes to academia through publications with Franco Angeli and as a guest lecturer at Birkbeck University, focusing on international marketing and public administration.

Dr Boyko Takov is the Executive Director of The Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency, appointed by an Order of the Minister of Economy, Mr Emil Karanikolov, dated November 12, 2018. Dr. Takov has a proven executive management track record and over 12 years of experience in business management. He spent four years at The Executive Agency “State Property of the Ministry of Defense“, where he served in various expert positions. From 2008 to 2012 he was CEO and member of the Board of Directors of the Bulgarian subsidiary company of a leading South Korean energy company. He earned his doctorate in Economics, Industrial Engineering and Management at the Technical University in Sofia and his Master’s degree in Marketing and Economics at the University of National and World Economy, Sofia.

Dr. Hamsa Thota is the founder and president of US-based Innovation Business Development (IBD), Inc., a company specializing in product innovation performance improvement. He has 40 years of accomplishments as an inventor, entrepreneur, innovator, and teacher. He trains and consults with organizations to improve new product success rates in the US, China and India. He holds 10 U.S. patents. He co-authored “Key concepts in Innovation”, a fundamental reference book for practitioners, students and scholars of innovation. He served as a senior advisor to the U.S. Art of Science Learning (ASL) project. Under his guidance, ASL project teams explored connections among arts-based learning and scientific innovation. Working in Innovation Incubators operating in San Diego, Chicago and Worcester, MA, the project teams developed STEM-based novel solutions to pressing civic challenges.

Giuseppe Tripoli has been the Secretary General of Unioncamere since January 1, 2016. With a distinguished career in public administration and economic development, he previously served as the SME Envoy and the Director General for Internationalization Policies and Trade Promotion at the Ministry of Economic Development from 2014 to 2015. From 2009 to 2014, he was the Head of the Department for Business and Internationalization at the same ministry. Tripoli has extensive experience with Unioncamere, having served as Secretary General from 2001 to 2009 and Vice Secretary General from 1996 to 1999. Additionally, he was the Vice Secretary General of Confcommercio from 1999 to 2001 and the Delegated Advisor of C.I.S. S.p.A. from 1992 to 1996. His academic background includes research roles at the Public Administration School of the Chambers of Commerce and at the Philosophy of Law chair in Catania and Rome. His career reflects a strong commitment to supporting Italian businesses and economic growth.

The Honorable Valentino Valentini was born in Bologna on June 28, 1962. After earning a degree in languages from the University of Trieste and working as a professional interpreter, he became an official at the European Parliament in Brussels in 1987. He later earned a Master’s in Business and, in 1999, became the Executive Assistant for Political and International Affairs to Silvio Berlusconi, President of Forza Italia. In 2001, he was appointed Head of the Office of the Prime Minister and Special Advisor for Foreign Relations. Elected to the Chamber of Deputies in 2006, he served on the European Affairs Committee. Reelected in 2008, he continued as Special Advisor for Foreign Relations to the Prime Minister. In 2013, he joined the European Affairs Committee and the Italian delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Following the 2018 elections, he became the leader of the Foreign Affairs Committee. Since October 31, 2022, he has served as Deputy Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy.

Dr. Giovanni Zazzerini is the Secretary General of INSME – International Network for Small and Medium Enterprises, a legally recognised organisation founded in 2004 by the Ministry of Economic Development and the OECD. Since 2008 he has been working as an expert for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Development Cooperation projects in China and Vietnam. Since 2012 he has been an expert for the European Commission Service offering assistance in the valorisation of research results, the commercialisation of innovation and the development of business plans. Previously, for almost 15 years, he worked as a consultant in the field of innovation, entrepreneurship and internationalisation of small and medium-sized enterprises. He is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Perugia. His areas of specialisation are innovation management, entrepreneurship and marketing.

Dr. Paola Zerilli is a distinguished academic and expert in finance. She currently serves as the Director of the MSc in Finance and Investment at the University of York, where she is also a Senior Lecturer in Finance. Dr. Zerilli lectures in the Department and her expertise lies in applied financial econometrics, with a particular focus on energy derivatives. She has direct experience with financial markets, having worked for several years as a trader on Italian Treasury bonds at Crédit Agricole Indosuez, Milan branch. In addition to her academic roles, Dr. Zerilli is the Scientific Coordinator for the SUPER-i, SUPERSHINE, and MARINEWIND projects at HORIZON2020 and HORIZON EUROPE, initiatives of the EU Commission. Her expertise spans various areas, including financial derivatives, risk management, and quantitative finance. She is actively involved in interdisciplinary research projects and collaborates with industry professionals to bridge the gap between academia and the finance industry. Dr. Zerilli is also a sought-after speaker at international conferences and seminars. Her work not only enhances the academic community but also provides valuable insights for financial practitioners and policymaker.