JACQUELINE KOAY (Facilitator) is a foresight practitioner and facilitator of the Oxford Scenarios Planning Approach Programme. A former investment banker and fund manager, she is the author of nine books and Founder/CEO of an Oxford University Innovation start-up, SOFIAA Health. Jacqueline holds a doctorate from Oxford, has published in peer-reviewed journals, and is now pursuing her second doctorate in quantum physics. Her latest book is Nine Essential Lessons in Quantum. Jacqueline’s work sits at the intersection of strategic foresight, science and public good. Jacqueline is based in London, UK. hello@SOFIAA.com
MAGGIE PULLEN is a non-profit strategist with over 20 years of experience supporting values-driven organizations in the US and globally. She has developed grant-making and organizational development strategy for an international human rights NGO, and directed strategic planning, governance systems and organizational capacity building for national coalitions, community funders and frontline groups working in climate resilience and workforce development. Based in the US Gulf Coast, Maggie centers future thinking in her work to support clients in building resilient and adaptive organizations. maggie@agaruconsulting.com
PAYAM POURMAND is a strategy, innovation and business transformation specialist with a background in engineering, scientific research and business leadership. Throughout his career, he has worked with organisations across multiple sectors, helping teams develop strategy, drive innovation and deliver complex programmes. His interests lie in the application of technology and innovation to create sustainable growth and meaningful change. Academically, he holds a PhD in Polymer Science, a master’s degree in chemical engineering and an MBA from Imperial College London. payam.pourmand@bsigroup.com
STELLA T. OPAKAS is a Kenyan who has worked in the extractive sector value chain industry for twenty years, garnering experience from industry to government. A chemical engineer who currently works for the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority in Kenya. She is an active member of the Association of Women in Extractives Kenya (AWEIK) and currently serves as the vice chair, with the aim of promoting discussions in the extractives space which may create opportunities for scalable economic growth for women and society. Stella is an alumni of OSPA and is currently trying her hands in dryland farming. sopakas@gmail.com
ZAHRA KASSAM is an innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership specialist, with a background in urban planning and design and finance. Zahra set up an award-winning start up, building a company of a multi-disciplinary team, with local and international partners and developing best practices in East Africa. Her projects have changed public policy and influenced the new Habitat Agenda set at Habitat III in 2016. As an innovation expert, she has also supported start-ups and changemakers to realize change and bring innovation across Africa, specifically in East and the Horn of Africa, Sub Saharan and West Africa. zahrafkassam@gmail.com
ZANELE SALMAN is a senior strategy, transformation and capital‑markets executive with over 25 years’ experience across JSE‑listed industrial, manufacturing, energy and chemicals businesses. A scientist by training and commercial strategist by practice, she advises leaders through complexity with analytical depth, commercial judgement and governance discipline. She brings a board‑level lens to uncertainty and structural change and has guided CEOs, CFOs and Boards through pivots, turnarounds and multi‑billion‑rand programmes. Zanele is an Independent Non‑Executive Director, founder of an advisory firm and an ultra‑marathon runner. zanele.salman@gmail.com
OBSERVERS
DONALD CRANSWICK is a Senior Fintech Analyst in the Bank of England’s Payments Innovation & Fintech Directorate, where his work focuses on the future of UK retail payment infrastructure. He joined the Bank in 2022 from the Financial Conduct Authority, where he held several policy roles covering pensions and other retail investments. Early in his career, Donald worked in the private sector, primarily with Barclays. Donald is one of the Bank’s volunteers supporting the UK Women in Economics Network initiative. Donald.Cranswick@bankofengland.co.uk
MISA TANAKA is Senior Resident Fellow at NIESR and Associate of Centre for Macroeconomics, London School of Economics. She was previously Head of Research at the Bank of England, where she led a significant upgrade of the Bank’s research capability. She has worked on a range of policy issues throughout her career at the Bank, including financial regulation, climate change, and international policy coordination. She currently serves as Chair of UK Women in Economics and member of the Council of the Royal Economic Society. m.tanaka.london@gmail.com
VALERIE NOLENS is CEO of Becobra, the Belgian association representing leading commercial insurance brokers and risk advisors. She brings over 25 years of experience across insurance brokerage, corporate risk management, consulting and executive leadership. Her work sits at the intersection of business, regulation, risk and societal change, with a particular interest in how organisations navigate uncertainty and adapt to evolving environments. valerie.nolens@becobra.be
WOJCIECH ILOWSKI is the Industries Strategy and Transformation Leader for Marsh UK, a global professional services firm specialising in Strategy, Risk and People. Previous experience includes work in the global technology sector in a range of operational and licensing roles. He is a trustee of the Education and Training Foundation, a governor at New City College Group and sits on Business in the Community’s London Leadership Board. wojciech.ilowski@marsh.com
ZOE ‘BARAKA’ WEST is an entrepreneur, investor and innovation strategist working at the intersection of health, wellbeing, technology and financial inclusion. She specialises in building future-facing ventures that make personalised health support more accessible, engaging and connected to everyday life.Zoe has more than 15 years’ experience developing startups, innovation ecosystems and strategic partnerships across healthcare, wellness, fintech and emerging technology. Her work has involved collaborating with founders, investors, employers and global organisations to turn ambitious ideas into commercially viable products, partnerships and communities. zee.west@gmail.com
