Our Board Members
Dan Lohrmann
Chief Strategist & Chief Security Officer, Security Mentor Inc.
Ex Chief Security Officer,
State of Michigan, USA
Daniel J. Lohrmann is an internationally recognized cybersecurity leader, technologist, keynote speaker and author. During his distinguished career, he has served global organizations in the public and private sectors in a variety of executive leadership capacities, receiving numerous national awards.
He has advised senior leaders at the White House, National Governors Association (NGA), National Association of State CIOs (NASCIO), U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), federal, state and local government agencies, Fortune 500 companies, small businesses and nonprofit institutions.
"As technology and innovation continue advance around the world to solve complex problems that have plagued humanity for centuries, the role of cybersecurity, ethics and online integrity have never been more vital to society.
It will be our youth who take this vision to the next level and who bring cutting-edge solutions. I am passionate about equipping young people with the tools to lead this charge.
At the same time, I am excited about the possibilities and adventures before us as we bring the next generation together from across the world.
What an amazing time to be alive. And each youth empowerment ambassador can, and will, change the world by working together. Let's get started!"
- Dan
Wee Seng Lim
Executive Director,
Satellite Research Centre,
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
LIM, Wee Seng is the Executive Director of Satellite Research Centre, School of EEE in Nanyang Technological University (Singapore).
He oversees the centre space program and is managing the university’s VELOX-series of nanosatellites.
"The complexities of human problems need innovative ways of approach and new ways to solve them.
Technology and spacetech will have a huge role to play and the youth will need to drive the next era of innovation forward.
Looking forward to collaborating with the young minds and examining the endless possibilities that we can forge whilst working together"
-Weng Seng
Mariama N'Diaye
Fullbright Scholar, Ex Manager Bloomberg Philanthropies Foundation, USA
Mariama N’Diaye served as a Manager of the Social Services Discipline of Bloomberg Associates, the pro-bono consulting arm of the Bloomberg Philanthropies foundation. She led projects domestically in support of President Obama's My Brother's Keeper Challenge, and internationally in support of several marginalized communities.
Her work in Paris focused on creating the City's first homeless count, in Lima focused on creating a citywide domestic violence awareness campaign as rates of domestic violence increased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mariama is currently a Fulbright Scholar studying how different city agencies in Milan and Berlin support migrant communities, specifically through the lens of human centered design.
" I am devoted to supporting marginalized communities globally, and passionate about entrepreneurship.
-Mariama N'Diaye
Julia R. Elmer
Assistant Vice President, Data Analytics for Retail Bank in the USA
I'm interested in research and policy at the intersections of urban planning, economic development, and public health. I'm also committed to communicating my research findings in ways that are meaningful to a wide range of stakeholders.
I earned my PhD in City and Regional Planning from The Ohio State University in August 2016. The title of my dissertation is "Reinventing the Rust Belt: Welcoming Economies, Immigrant Entrepreneurship, and Urban Resilience."
"I'm a curious, empathetic person with an observant eye who has lived and worked in Europe, Asia, South America, and Australia in addition to my native North America. My academic training and work experiences are quite diverse. Prior to pursuing the PhD, I worked for about fifteen years in education, non-profit management, and the corporate sector"
- Julia R Elmer
Our Speakers, Advisors and Mentors
Paul Misener
SVP, Global Corporate Affairs, Amazon Inc
Paul Misener is Senior Vice President for Global Corporate Affairs. An Amazon veteran of 25 years, Paul is an engineer, attorney, and inventor named in three patents. Prior to his current role, in which he explains and advocates Amazon’s culture and methods of customer‐obsessed innovation, Paul founded Amazon’s public policy operations and served as the company’s Vice President for Global Public Policy from February 2000 to May 2016.
Scott Cohen
Chief Innovation Officer, Warner Music Group
Scott Cohen is Chief Innovation Officer, Recorded Music, Warner Music Group. Scott works closely with Warner’s senior management team to help chart the long-term course of the company at the intersection of music, technology, and culture.
A prominent public speaker and lecturer, Scott travels the world evangelizing new business models for the digital age. An outspoken proponent of AR, VR, Blockchain and AI, he is also the co-founder of CyborgNest, a company exploring the interface of biological and digital intelligence.
Aachal Chand
Lead Nutritionist, World Food Program, South Sudan
An experienced programme manager & public health nutritionist with over 13 years of field-based experience in nutrition & food security encompassing strategic programme design, emergency & development related implementation, advocacy, capacity strengthening and innovative partnerships.
Currently Aachal is based in Juba, South Sudan where I work as a nutritionist at World Food Programme.
Janett Tapia
Project Manager Urban Resilience, Netherlands Water Partnership
Janett is the Project Manager at NWP that supports and facilitates US-Dutch partnerships at local level by linking Dutch knowledge and expertise with local USA challenges, often in close cooperation with the Dutch consular network in the USA.
Areas for cooperation include integrated water management solutions related to flood resilience, spatial adaptation, and flood early warning systems. Smart and efficient water technology solutions on waste and drinking water, and algae control are, among others, specific Dutch solutions that are highly desirable in the USA.
Jervais Choo
Deputy Director, National Heritage Board Singapore
Jervais has been transforming the National Museum of Singapore (NMS) through high-tech, immersive exhibitions. He executed the DigiMuse programme in 2016 for museums to explore ways to use new, emerging technologies and partner with private sector groups for digital innovation.
Jervais has developed Chatbots such as Heritage Granny, a Facebook messenger bot built with Bus Uncle Company (of Bus Uncle chatbot fame), and the 15-metre high Story of the Forest, featuring digital artwork inspired by the museum’s William Farquhar Collection of natural history drawings
Matt Roberts
Global Head of insights,
Formula 1
Matt has 15 years of market research and analytics working across Radio and press before moving into world of sport in 2008 when he took over as Head of EMEA Research at Eurosport.
He headed up insight teams at ESPN, BT Sport and Sky Sports before joining F1 as Global Research Director in June 2017. At F1 he is responsible for all data and insight which helps drive fan engagement and commercial revenue opportunities within the sport.
Anwaar Al Shimmari
Chief Innovation Officer, UAE Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy
Anwaar Al Shimmari is Chief Innovation Officer and Director of Design at the UAE’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy where she also leads the artificial intelligence (AI) team and the authority’s Scientific Research committee.
Eng. Al Shimmari has 19 years of multi-discipline experience in architecture, urban planning, engineering, and infrastructure sectors. She is an official judge, keynote speaker, and trainer in the fields of engineering, Innovation, AI, and Leadership. She has judged over 4000 individuals, entities, and projects.
Professor Cynthia Kiro |
Pro Vice-Chancellor Māori, The University of Auckland
Cindy focuses on developing a positive Māori profile within and about the University and helping develop Māori programmes in liaison with the Vice-Chancellor, Māori staff, students and the community.
She advises the University at all levels, from the Vice-Chancellor to the Senior Leadership Team and faculties.
Mona Ataya
CEO, Mumz World
Mona Ataya is the founder and CEO of Mumzworld. She is a leading entrepreneur and a role model within this region.
In 2013, she was listed among the 100 Most Powerful Arab Women by Arabian Business and was listed among the most powerful Arabs, next generation in 2013.
Itunu Akintola |
Assistant Project Manager, The Model Group
Itunu works in affordable housing development at Model Group, a Cincinnati-based real estate development company. The mission of Model Group is to positively transform communities, and we do that by providing quality low-income and market-rate housing that radically revitalizes neighborhoods.
Itunu am passionate about youth skills training and leadership development in Africa, specifically Nigeria
Chetan Singh Solanki
Scientist, Social Entrepreneur, Researcher, Author and Professor
Chetan Singh Solanki is an Indian scientist, social entrepreneur, researcher, author and a professor at the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay