Meryem Agadi
Morocco
Morocco
Held several positions and responsibilities in the private and public sector. She is certified in 2021 as a Professional Coach in order to accompany leaders and organizations towards a sustainable change.
Ms. Agadi initially trained in Civil Engineering and Water and Environmental Engineering. She also completed an Executive Master in Business Administration (E-MBA) at the Hassania School of Public Works and the Ponts Business School between Casablanca and Paris. She has pursued several training programs for the development of sustainable leadership in Morocco and Africa. She has extensive experience in West Africa and China in business development in the construction, energy and sustainable building services sectors.
Ms. Agadi has a strong background in project management, having led some of the largest sustainable construction projects in Morocco. She has also been involved in civil society since a very young age on issues related to alternative diplomacy, environmental protection, child protection, equality and human rights. She has worked on large-scale projects promoting volunteerism in Morocco in partnership with national and international organizations.
Dr. Hassan Heshmat
Iraq, UK
Iraq, UK
Dr. Hasan Heshmat Managing Director of Hydro-C Ltd, Holding BDS University of Baghdad, college of dentistry and MPhil degree from Strathclyde University – Engineering Dept. with several certificates in business management and leadership. 13 years of experience working alongside international companies and organizations specialized in Energy, Water, Construction, Agriculture and Innovation. Focusing on building sustainable relations between nations and states to develop peace and business for mutual interest, stabilizing renewable energy, Oil&Gas, Infrastructure investment, humanitarian aid and education. Concentrating on taking the energy sector up to a greener level by incorporating sustainable clean solutions Energy industry allowing transforming the future to adopt innovative solutions. Achieved successful results by teaming with pioneer partners in UK, US, Israel, EU, China, Iraq and UAE. I enjoy walking my pet in the green dear place, water polo and swimming, obsessed with tech-related advancements for interstellar traveling. I do believe humanity as a race can achieve impossible when united, stronger together
Dr. Shira Efron
Israel
Israel
Dr. Shira Efron is director of research at Israel Policy Forum and a special climate change advisor to Israel’s Ministry of Defense and National Security Council. She is also the co-chair of the subgroup on regional cooperation of President Herzog’s climate forum. Dr. Efron is currently on sabbatical from the RAND Corporation, where she founded and led the Israel program between 2016-2022. At RAND, she led and participated in several studies at the nexus of climate change and national security including on Gaza’s water crisis and the implications of climate change for the U.S. Air Force.
Several of her studies directly addressed food security challenges in the MENA region, such as making the case for the Global Dry Land Alliance and a project on GCC food security challenges in partnership with the UAE-based Emerge85. Previously, Dr. Efron was a fellow at several think tanks in Washington, D.C., including the Center for American Progress and Middle East Institute, and at the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies (INSS). She has a PhD and MPhil in policy analysis from RAND’s Graduate School, an MA in international relations/international business from New York University, and a BSc in biology (major) and computer science (minor) from Tel Aviv University.
Prof. Dr. Salah Arafa
Egypt
Egypt
Professor Salah Arafa is a tenured faculty member at the Physics Department, School of Sciences and Engineering of the American University in Cairo (AUC). He joined AUC in 1968. Before joining the University, he worked as a physics researcher at the Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority from 1962 till 1968.
Arafa holds a B.Sc. in Physics and Chemistry (1962), M.Sc. in Nuclear Physics (1966), and a Ph.D. in Solid State Physics (1969); all from Cairo University.
In 1967-68, he was a research fellow of the International Seminar in Physics, Uppsala University, and later in 1971-1972 was a visiting Scientist at the Physics Department of Uppsala University, Sweden.
He joined the American University in 1968 and was the Chair of the Science Department twice and served as senator at large in the University Senate.
Professor Arafa is well known as one of the leading Social Entrepreneurs in Egypt and the Arab World. He was selected a Senior Ashoka Fellow in 2004 and was awarded as the Man of the Year for Environment and Development in 2009. Since 1974, Arafa is involved in many Civil Society activities and is today the chairman and founder for few of the leading NGOs in Egypt. He has also served as consultant to many international organizations: US-AID, UNICEF, GTZ, EU, and UNDP. He is a member of the National Committee on Climate Change and also a member of the Research Council on Environment and Development at the Egyptian Academy for Scientific Research and Technology.
Professor Arafa’s work in the fields of Experimental Physics, Advanced Materials, Renewable Energies, Climate Change Impacts, Sustainable Community Development, Child Protection and Eco-communities is nationally and internationally recognized.
Michal Dolev Hashimshony
Israel
Israel
Michal, a dedicated environmental and sustainable development professional with a passion for making a positive impact on communities worldwide. With her expertise in water and food security, business development, resource mobilization, and innovation, she strives to address pressing environmental challenges.
She holds a master’s degree in Earth sciences and sustainability from Tel Aviv University, where she gained a deep understanding of environmental issues and their implications for communities. Throughout her career, she has been actively involved in sustainable architectural planning projects, embedding sustainability principles into every endeavor she undertakes. By promoting energy efficiency and water recycling technologies, she aims to create a greener and more resilient future.
One of her most significant contributions is through her work with Engineers Without Borders-Israel. Leading this organization, she is focused on promoting Appropriate Technologies and empowering communities through capacity building and human-centered engineering. Notably, EWB-IL’s rainwater harvesting systems in Tanzania and food security initiatives in Kenya have transformed the lives of thousands of people, ensuring their access to clean water and a stable food supply.
At the Porter School of Environmental Studies, she is engaged in research that focuses on developing sustainable planning tools for diverse communities in Africa. Additionally, she has served as part of the evaluating team for the Education for Sustainable Development project conducted by Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation (MASHAV) in Kenya. These experiences have broadened her perspective and deepened her commitment to finding innovative solutions for sustainable development.
As a CEO and leader in her field, she draws inspiration from the potential to create positive change in communities worldwide. She firmly believes in dreaming big while starting with small, actionable steps. Piloting projects allows her to ensure quality and achieve significant outcomes.
Currently, her primary area of expertise lies in water-related issues in developing countries. She is actively promoting the establishment of research and development centers to advance technologies for obtaining potable water and enhancing food security in these communities.
By driving innovation and collaboration, she aims to create sustainable solutions that will improve the lives of people in need.
Ali Faqeeh
Bahrain
Bahrain
Ali Faqeeh is an analyst at the Bahrain Centre for Strategic, International, and Energy Studies (Derasat), as well as a non-resident research fellow at the Atlantic Council in Washington, DC. With a primary emphasis on entrepreneurship and food security, Ali is dedicated to shaping policies that enhance and foster food security by cultivating a conducive business environment within the agriculture sector at local and regional levels. Furthermore, he endeavors to revolutionize the agricultural landscape by spearheading the development of innovative and
sustainable agricultural technologies. Ali’s expertise in the field is well- documented through his collection of policy and scholarly articles. Prior to his tenure at Derasat, Ali Faqeeh honed his skills and gained invaluable experience in both the commercial and public sectors, solidifying his comprehensive understanding of diverse industry dynamics.
Sylvia Parienté
Morocco, Israel
Morocco, Israel
Sylvia Parienté is a Moroccan Israeli – French professional with over 25 years of
experience in international expansion management in Africa. With a strong
background in various sectors, including infrastructure projects, agriculture,
sanitation, waste management, and water treatment, Sylvia has developed
extensive field experience and a robust network of qualified contacts.
The last 10 years, Sylvia’s passion lies in addressing environmental challenges and
promoting sustainable practices. She has been actively involved in the
decarbonization movement and the Net Zero Emission project, focusing on energy
transition and innovative solutions. Her visionary leadership has led to the
creation of the African Blue Project (ABC), which aims to quantify and certify
carbon sequestration in nature across multiple African countries.
As the CEO of Exochems Environment Africa, Sylvia has played a pivotal role in
establishing the company as an innovative start-up capable of tackling Morocco’s
environmental issues. Under her guidance, Exochems has transitioned into an
SME with a strong identity and expanded its operations to sub-Saharan countries.
Sylvia’s expertise extends to waste treatment and recovery strategies based on
circular economy principles. She advises companies and local authorities on
implementing sustainable waste management systems, emphasizing the creation
of exemplary units that benefit both the environment and society. By developing
projects that transform waste into valuable secondary raw materials, compost,
agricultural soil improvers, and solid or liquid fuels, Sylvia aims to promote a
circular approach to the economy.
With her international sales experience at L’EXPRESS International Magazine,
Sylvia has developed a vast network of local and international administrations.
She leverages this network to foster partnerships and collaborations that drive
environmental sustainability.
Sylvia Parienté achievements and commitment to sustainability make her a
respected leader in the field. Her passion, expertise, and dedication continue to
contribute to the advancement of environmentally conscious practices in both the
public and private sectors.
Danielle Abraham
Israel
Israel
Danielle has spent her career in Israel dedicated to connecting Israeli expertise to needs in developing countries. At present she is the Executive Director of Volcani International Partnerships, an NGO dedicated to promoting Israeli agricultural innovation and expertise for the benefit of Israel and the world. Prior to this position, Danielle was the Co-Chair of the annual ID2 Conference and co-founder of Impact Investing Israel, working to develop the impact investment sector in Israel. Danielle started her career in Israel as a senior policy advisor in MASHAV, Israel’s agency for International Development Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In this role she represented Israel, as a guest speaker, at the UN, OECD and German Development Bank. Danielle made Aliyah from London, where she worked for the Strategy and International Directorate of the UK Home Office. Danielle holds a B.A. and an M.A. from the University of Oxford and lives in Tel Aviv with her family.
Dr. Adnan Mjalli
Palestine, USA
Palestine, USA
Dr. Adnan Mjalli is an internationally recognized entrepreneur in the business of drug discovery and development of new medicines in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry.
The work of Dr. Mjalli goes far beyond drug discovery and development. He is the founder of more than 20 other companies in many areas, including education, energy, agriculture, bioremediation, construction, development, real estate, commerce, and finance. These companies focus on science, education, tourism, entertainment, technology, and the advancement of human capital in developing countries.
Dr. Mjalli attended university in Jordan and postgraduate studies in London, England before obtaining his PhD in Medicinal Chemistry in 1989 from the University of Exeter, UK. His postdoctoral work was completed at the University of Rochester with Professor Richard S. Schlessinger. Since then, Dr. Mjalli has held various positions of increasing leadership responsibilities in research and senior executive management at a number of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, including Merck & Co., Inc.
During the early stages of his leadership responsibilities, he was successful in raising close to $1 billion dollars in equity and forged major strategic partnerships with several pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies including Merck & Co., Pfizer, Novo Nordisk, Boehringer Ingelheim, Kanabo Pharmaceuticals of Japan, Cephalon (acquired by Teva), and Forest Labs (acquired by Actavis)
Dr. Mjalli has raised, structured, negotiated, and concluded several multibillion-dollar deals with major global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
So far, Dr. Mjalli has authored hundreds of scientific articles, four book chapters, and has been named an inventor on over 700 patents and patent applications.
Lisa Moon
USA
USA
Lisa is President & Chief Executive Officer of GFN. Previously, Lisa served as Vice President of Global Agriculture and Food at The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, where she spearheaded a project that has become one of the leading global contributors to discussions around hunger and food security. There she conducted studies and policy dialogues on the role of agriculture in emerging economies, the nexus between agriculture and health, the pressures water scarcity and climate change will place on the global food system and the importance of trade and food price volatility to social stability. She holds a Master of Arts degree in security policy studies from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in international studies, political science, and Spanish from Bradley University.