Archives: Person
People
Rhea See
Rhea See is the co-founder and CEO of She Loves Tech, the world’s largest tech startup competition and accelerator dedicated to women tech entrepreneurs. Under her leadership, She Loves Tech grew from a single-country initiative to a global platform spanning 80 countries, building a robust pipeline of 15,000 women-led tech startups across 110 nations. Her work has led to more than $600 million in funding raised post-competition. By 2030, she aims to mobilize $1 billion in capital for women entrepreneurs worldwide. Rhea is redefining the global investment landscape by directing capital toward meaningful innovations. She extends her influence as an investor and venture advisor with Kaya Founders and other venture…
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Stav Shaffir
Stav Shaffir is a social entrepreneur, a former member of Parliament, and a global leader in democracy and transparency. At 27, she became the youngest woman ever elected to the Israeli Parliament after leading Israel’s largest social movement for social justice. In the Knesset, she transformed political culture, introducing new standards of transparency, public participation, and activism into a rigid system. As chair of the Transparency Committee, she exposed corruption and reformed budget oversight, later leading the OECD’s global parliamentary committee on transparency and anti-corruption. A relentless advocate for democracy and peace, Stav played a pivotal role in uniting pro-democracy forces during Israel’s political crisis, pushing for cross-partisan collaboration to…
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Mohammed Rezwan
Mohammed Rezwan is the founder and executive director of Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha, an award-winning organization that transforms the lives of communities in Bangladesh’s flood-prone regions through innovative design and sustainable solutions. An architect by training, Rezwan has spent over two decades developing solar-powered floating schools — mobile classrooms that ensure children’s education remains uninterrupted, even during seasonal floods. These schools are a symbol of resilience, providing not only education but also healthcare, vocational training, and food security, proving that ingenious and community-driven solutions can thrive in the face of climate challenges. Rezwan’s floating farms (duck, fish, and vegetables), clinics, and training centers are part of an integrated development approach to…
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Garo Paylan
Garo Paylan is a visiting scholar with the Europe Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. His research focuses on the South Caucasus and TĂĽrkiye. Garo is a former member of the Turkish Parliament and a prominent human rights activist. He served in the Turkish Parliament for two terms as a representative of Istanbul (2015-2018) and later Diyarbakir (2018-2023). Garo is one of the leading advocates for minority rights in TĂĽrkiye. He has been a frequent commentator on politics and economy for Turkish and international media organizations. Garo has also been a vocal advocate for normalization between TĂĽrkiye and Armenia, as well as peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. During both of…
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Trinh Nguyen
Trinh Nguyen is a strategic development leader and the first Vietnamese country director of TRAFFIC International in Vietnam, where she manages a multi-million-dollar portfolio of wildlife trade and conservation projects. A pioneer in behavioral change approaches, she revolutionized conservation efforts through the innovative Chi initiative, which addresses the complex cultural and social dynamics driving wildlife consumption in Southeast Asia. Prior to her current role, Trinh served as TRAFFIC's senior program manager, where she established groundbreaking partnerships with Vietnam's National Assembly and helped strengthen the country's wildlife protection legislation. Her work has resulted in one of the region's strongest legal frameworks for wildlife conservation, combining enforcement measures with evidence-based behavioral science…
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Vivian López Núñez
Vivian LĂłpez Núñez is a leading judicial figure in Paraguay, recognized for her contributions to legal modernization and gender equality. With more than 28 years in the judiciary, she is known as a trailblazer in the implementation of Paraguay's first electronic docketing system, revolutionizing case management and judicial transparency. A passionate advocate for women's rights, Vivian actively advises women legal professionals and advocates for gender-sensitive judicial reforms. Internationally, she has represented her country in global legal discussions, including engagements with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Paraguay Focal Point for workshops and conferences on the Bangalore Principles of Judicial Integrity and guidelines for judges' use of social…
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Sonam Kinga
Sonam Kinga is a scholar-practitioner of democracy. Having contested elections, served as a member of Parliament, and written about his experiences, he continues to study and analyze the political situation in Bhutan. Sonam served as a member of the National Council, Parliament of Bhutan for 10 years (2008-2018) after contesting elections during Bhutan’s historic transition to parliamentary democracy. In his first term, he served as deputy chairperson and, in his second term, as chairperson. His Majesty the King conferred upon him the honor of the Red Scarf in 2012 and the Gold Medal (National Order of Merit) in 2014. He is currently a member of the teaching faculty…
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Mariam El Marakeshy
Mariam El Marakeshy is an award-winning filmmaker, multimedia storyteller, educator, researcher, and cultural specialist who works in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the USA. She is a former United Nations staff member. Mariam’s projects explore migration, culture, museums, environment, education, and media ethics. She has worked with National Geographic, ITN UK, USAID, the UN, and many NGOs. Her globally recognized works include films such as “Transit” and “Misafir A Guest” with unique storytelling from the Greek island of Lesvos and Istanbul, in addition to multimedia projects and impact media campaigns, which influence global discussions and solutions. Mariam has received numerous international awards, including the USA Social Impact…
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Asa
Bukola Elemide, professionally known as Aṣa, is a versatile and dynamic multi-genre singer renowned for her captivating performances. With a unique blend of influences that transcend cultural boundaries, Aṣa has made a significant impact on the music scene. Her evocative voice and distinctive style have earned her recognition not only in Nigeria but also on the global stage.  Influenced by artists such as Marvin Gaye, Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, Aretha Franklin, King Sunny AdĂ©, Diana Ross, Nina Simone, and Miriam Makeba, Aṣa's musical journey is marked by an eclectic fusion of genres, showcasing her ability to seamlessly navigate through diverse sounds. Her stage name Aṣa, pronounced “Asha,” is a…
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Akim Daouda
Akim Daouda is an investment and climate finance expert specializing in sustainability, infrastructure, and economic development. As the founder and CEO of Mwaana Inc., he leads efforts to secure land for conservation and drive ecological restoration in the Congo Basin. His work bridges finance, policy, and business to create economic opportunities rooted in environmental stewardship. Before launching Mwaana, Akim served as CEO of Gabon’s Sovereign Wealth Fund (FGIS), overseeing $1.8 billion in assets. He played a key role in integrating nature into finance, structuring Africa’s first $500 million debt-for-nature swap, and monetizing 90 million tons of carbon credits. His leadership extended across large-scale energy projects, banking, mining, and infrastructure…
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