EU

SwitchMed Connect 2021: who are the speakers of the event?

One week left before the event! Meet the speakers of the 2021 of the SwitchMed Connect.

Published on Tuesday 12 October 2021· NETWORKING FACILITY

There is only one week left before the 2021 edition of the SwitchMed Connect kicks off!
Hurry up, it is not too late to register to this online event, fill in this form: https://switchmedconnect.com/meetings/

The event will be held on 19th and 20th of October, find the agenda here.

The event will also host the WeMed Award Ceremony. Discover who, among our finalists, will win the prize!

In the meantime, here is more information about the speakers of the event:

SwitchMed Connect 2021 will be the first edition of the second phase of the programme (2019-2023)

Meet the speakers (click on the different sessions)

Tuesday 19 October: Opening conference "Joining the dots" ll 10.00 - 11.40

Biography

Mr Frédéric Fourtune, Programme Officer at DG NEAR
Mr Frederic Fourtune has been working as programme manager for the EU for more than 20 years.
After having started his carrier working for NGOs and private operators, he was until recently affected to various EU delegations
in Sub-Saharan Africa.
His main area of expertise is related to the water and sanitation sector but he has worked in the fields of all public services infrastructures
(water, energy, transport, urban & rural development).
Frederic is used to deal with environment and agrifood issues and he is well aware of these sectors challenges and opportunities.
Ms Carolina Gonzalez -Mueller, Industrial Development Officer at UNIDO
Carolina is an Industrial Development Officer in UNIDO’s Department of Environment. Carolina has been with UNIDO since 2009
and currently implements projects that promote resource efficiency, sound environmental management and sustainable development in industries.
Her previous work experience includes working at the Ministry of Environment of El Salvador and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
She is from El Salvador; and has a Bachelors in Environmental Technology from the University of Mobile,
and a Masters in Environmental Engineering from the University of New Hampshire.
Ms Roberta de Palma, Chief Technical Advisor at UNIDO
Roberta De Palma is acting as chief technical advisor of the SwitchMed initiative at the UNIDO Industrial Resource Efficiency unit.
She is responsible for the strategic oversight and technical delivery of a regional programme focusing on promoting resource efficiency in the
manufacturing sector and advancing circular business solution along textile and plastic value chains
in the North African and Middle East countries.
Dr Ahmed Huzayyin, Manager of the Eco-Industrial Department in Chemonics Egypt
Dr Ahmed Huzayyin is the Manager of the Eco-Industrial Department in Chemonics Egypt and an Associate Professor in the Electrical Power Department in Cairo University. He has over 20 years experience in consultancy and research within the field of resource efficiency and clean technologies in Egypt, Canada, China and numerous MENA countries. He has supported over 200 industrial, agriculture, and commercial facilities in improving their resource efficiency over the years. In addition to his technical and industry experience, his career has spanned aspects of policy making, industry road mapping, access to finance and investments particularly within the sectors of sustainable energy and waste management.
Mr Giorgio Mosangini, Team Leader – Green Entrepreneurship & Civil Society at SCP/RAC
Giorgio Mosangini has more than 20 years’ experience in the International Development Sector in the Mediterranean and Latin America.
He has been responsible of programmes related to sustainable entrepreneurship, civil society strengthening, gender and women rights,
local and rural development, sustainable development and food security. He is author of several publications and methodological guides
on Sustainability, Circular Business Models, Evaluation, Decentralised Cooperation and Social Communication. He is currently the
Team Leader of Green Entrepreneurship & Civil Society at UN Environment MAP – Regional Activity Centre for Sustainable Consumption
and Production (SCP/RAC).
Giorgio holds master’s degrees in Political Sciences (Université Libre de Bruxelles) and in Development Studies
(Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) as well as a Specialization in Impact Assessment of Development Programmes.
Ms Magali Outters – Team Leader Policy Area at the Regional Activity Centre for Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP/RAC – UNEP/MAP)
Magali is an Engineer in “Materials: Economics and Environment” from the University of Technology of Troyes (France).
She also holds a Master of Industrial Ecology and a Post-graduate degree on International development.
She has a significant expertise in sustainable consumption and production (SCP) and circular economy in the Mediterranean region with 15 years
advocating for this approach and by being actively involved in numerous capacity building projects,
technical studies, developing specific
tools and pilot initiatives with governments, private sector organizations and CSOs.
She is currently coordinating the Policy Area for SCP/RAC, a Regional Centre of the UNEP/Mediterranean Action Plan
and of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
The SCP/RAC Policy Area is currently supporting Mediterranean countries on the development of an enabling environment for
circular economy in the Mediterranean.
Likewise, it also leads a number of initiatives on the prevention of land-based sources of marine litter, plastic pollution
and toxic chemicals and participate in related international fora.
Wednesday 20 October: Public Conference "Together we rise" ll 10.00 - 11.40

Biography
Enrique de Villamore Martin, Director at SCP/RAC
Enrique de Villamore Martin has been involved in SCP/RAC since 2002 as project manager until 2010 when he was appointed as
the centre’s Director. Enrique and other members of the center jointly led a process of transformation of SCP/RAC through
which the center was finally appointed with the mandate of promoting sustainable consumption and production by the 21 countries
members of the Convention of Barcelona for the protection of the Environment and the Coastal areas of the Mediterranean region.
In that task he actively contributed to the progressive integration of sustainable consumption and production, green entrepreneurship
and the empowerment of civil society as main drivers for sustainable development within the framework of the UNEP/Mediterranean Action Plan.
Enrique has a Law degree from the Autonomous University of Barcelona. After obtaining this grade, he has directed his career
to sustainability-related issues. He has, among others, a Master in Environmental Law from the Basque Country University.
Ms Tatjana Hema, UNEP/MAP Coordinator
Tatjana Hema is the Coordinator of the UN Environment/ Mediterranean Action Plan-Barcelona Convention Secretariat,
based in Athens, Greece, since July 2021, after serving for 5 years as Deputy Coordinator. She has strong experience of inter-governmental
processes, especially in the area of marine and coastal environment and related sustainable development issues, backed by solid
scientific knowledge on chemical engineering and marine pollution issues, including marine litter.
A national of Albania, Tatjana Hema graduated in Chemical Engineering and specialized in Environmental Management and Technologies.
She joined the UN in 2003, after twelve years of service as a professor in Tirana University and five years as a Senior Manager in
the National Environment Agency of Albania and Deputy Minister of Environment. Since then, she has covered UN assignments of different
roles in MAP Barcelona Convention Secretariat addressing policy, governance and institutional aspects of the MAP system,
as well as marine pollution assessment and control. She has been member of the Steering Committee and/or Advisory Board in several research
and scientific projects funded mainly by the EU and GEF, focusing on ocean science, management and governance and on marine environmental
knowledge and assessment. She holds a PhD from the University of Tirana obtained in 1994 and a Masters’ degree on Environmental
Management and Technologies from the Federal Polytechnic University of Lausanne, obtained in 1995.
In 2016 she was awarded the UN Environment BAOBAB Staff Award in the category “Environmental Service Award”, which aims at
exemplifying those who demonstrate an outstanding effort and dedication in their field of expertise to enhance environmental
sustainability and conservation at local, national, regional or international levels.
Ms Alessandra Sensi, Head of Sector – Environment and Blue Economy at UFM
Alessandra Sensi has a University Degree in Political Science/Economic Branch, and a Master’s degree in Management and
Economics of Energy and Environment. She is Head of Sector, Environment and Blue Economy, at WEBE – the Water, Environment and
Blue Economy Division of the Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean since March 2013. She was Programme Manager of
the environment/green economy/climate change portfolio at the European Commission, EuropeAid, between 2009 and 2012.
Before, she worked for FAO, Rome; for UNEP/GEF in Nairobi and Geneva; for the Development Cooperation Office of the
Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hanoi, Vietnam; and for Eurostat – the Statistical Office of the EU, Luxembourg.
Wednesday 20 October: Track Conference - Policy ll 11.15 - 13.00

Biography

Ms Magali Outters – Team Leader Policy Area at the Regional Activity Centre for Sustainable Consumption and Production
(SCP/RAC – UNEP/MAP)
Magali is an Engineer in “Materials: Economics and Environment” from the University of Technology of Troyes (France).
She also holds a Master of Industrial Ecology and a Post-graduate degree on International development.
She has a significant expertise in sustainable consumption and production (SCP) and circular economy in the Mediterranean region with 15 years
advocating for this approach and by being actively involved in numerous capacity building projects,
technical studies, developing specific
tools and pilot initiatives with governments, private sector organizations and CSOs.
She is currently coordinating the Policy Area for SCP/RAC, a Regional Centre of the UNEP/Mediterranean Action Plan
and of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
The SCP/RAC Policy Area is currently supporting Mediterranean countries on the development of an enabling environment for
circular economy in the Mediterranean.
Likewise, it also leads a number of initiatives on the prevention of land-based sources of marine litter, plastic pollution
and toxic chemicals and participate in related international fora.
Ms Ananda Alonso Nácher, Policy Area Project Manager, SCP/RAC
Ananda has a Bachelor’s Degree in Management and Political Science and a Master’s Degree in International Development:
Sustainability, Innovation, and Participation. She has more than seven years of experience working with governments, intergovernmental
and nongovernmental organisations in six countries on development issues with a focus on Environment, Gender, Youth, and Employment.
Dr Mounir Temmam, Senior expert in evaluation of public policies in the environmental field, Enviro Consulting International
Dr Mounir Temmam has over 22 years of professional experience in the field of environment and climate change.
He acts as a senior Expert-Consultant for international donors, public sector and private companies within the framework of
internationally funded environmental and climate change programmes and projects (e.g., World Bank, UNDP, UNIDO, AFD,
UN Environment, FAO, GGGI, GIZ, UNWOMEN, EU, etc.). Through the consulting firm ECI based in Rabat, Morocco, he provides various
environmental and climate change advisory services including policy formulation, mitigation and adaptation planning, strengthening
of transparency frameworks, climate finance development and capacity building to different countries in the MENA and West African Regions.
He is often involved at different levels, from policy formulation, project design and implementation, to review and monitoring.
He has so far carried out several major strategic and operational projects, covering a wide range of environmental
(e.g, waste management, air pollution, environmental fiscal reform, environmental evaluation and due diligence, contaminated sites
assessment and rehabilitation, etc.) and climate change issues (e.g., governance, mitigation and adaptation planning, climate finance
and capacity building). He holds a Ph.D. degree from McGill University (Canada) and has been certified in 2005 by the Canadian
Federal Ministry of Environment as a verifier and validator of GHG projects, among others.
Ms. Pilar Chiva Rodríguez, Head of Circular Economy at Waste Agency of Catalonia
Pilar holds a degree in Chemical Sciences from the University of Barcelona.
She has more than 20 years of professional experience in the Ctalan public administration, initially at the Catalan
Energy Institute and later at the Waste Agency of Catalonia where she has held various positions.
She is currently the director of the Circular Economy Area.
Eng. Ruba Al-Zubi, Green Economy Policy and Governance Advisor
Ruba is a strategic advisor in the environmental policy and governance arena. She was the first Policy Director at the
Ministry of Environment, established and led several departments at the Development and Free Zones Commission, and served
as the Chief Executive Officer of EDAMA Association. Al Zubi also led the Clean Technology Sector at USAID Jordan
Competitiveness Program that aimed at enhancing private sector’s competitiveness, creating jobs, and increasing exports
in green tech. Ruba served as the Advisor for Science Policy and Program Development to the President of the Royal Scientific
Society, and as the Director of Scientific Research at Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation.
She is co-founder of the Jordan Green Building Council, a Plus Social Good Advisor, one of the United Nations Foundation’s Protectors
of Progress on SDGs, and she was Jordan’s Eisenhower Fellow for 2012.Al Zubi is an international trainer, mentor, and communicator
with a strong passion for enabling green innovation and entrepreneurship
Mr Oliver Bonstein, WISP Facilitator, Green Cape “Supporting the business of green”
Oliver studied at the University of Cape Town and Rhodes University in South Africa before starting a small scale recycling business.
He then began a career in waste management planning consulting. He has served 2 terms on the Institute of Waste Management
committee and given presentations at various conferences.
Oliver is a senior analyst at GreenCape working in the Western Cape Industrial Symbiosis Programme (WISP) and the South African
Plastics Pact. The industrial symbiosis work includes finding alternative applications for industrial waste streams that
were previously destined for landfill.
The Plastics Pact work entails the coordination and management of a pre-competitive collaboration for plastic packaging value chain companies,
working towards ambitious targets for a circular economy for plastics. This includes eliminating problematic and unnecessary items,
increasing change to reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging while increasing the amount of packaging that gets recycled and
incorporated back into packaging applications.
Oliver is passionate about innovation and new business development in the green economy and specifically in waste management.
Ms Patricia Carbonell, Project Manager at Revolve
Patricia holds a Master in Communication and Critical Practice from UAL London College of Communication. For the last 8
years Patricia has been leading projects in the Euro-Mediterranean region focused on advancing innovation and sustainability
in the water, energy and food sector. She has vast experience managing R+D+I projects, media relations as well as advocacy
campaigns. She currently grows a community of journalists and researchers to improve scientific reporting and communication
skills around de Mediterranean region. These background enables her to have a strategic vision for stakeholder engagement.
Mercredi 20 octobre : Conférence de suivi - Industrie ll 11.15 - 13.00

Biography

Ms Carolina Gonzalez -Mueller, Industrial Development Officer at UNIDO
Carolina is an Industrial Development Officer in UNIDO’s Department of Environment. Carolina has been with UNIDO since 2009
and currently implements projects that promote resource efficiency, sound environmental management and sustainable development in industries.
Her previous work experience includes working at the Ministry of Environment of El Salvador and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
She is from El Salvador; and has a Bachelors in Environmental Technology from the University of Mobile,
and a Masters in Environmental Engineering from the University of New Hampshire.
Mr. Marco Ricchetti, Co-founder and CEO of Blumine
Marco Ricchetti is co-founder and CEO of Blumine, a services provider to textile and fashion businesses in the implementation
of sustainability projects. He is an advisor to the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, Pitti Immagine and UN agencies on textile
and fashion sustainability issues. He teaches fashion economics and fashion sustainability at various Universities, has published
books and essays on scientific journals in the field of sustainability topics in the fashion industry.
Ms. Eliina Brinkberg, Environmental Manager at Nudie Jeans
With a background in business, environmental science, and global studies, Eliina started working at Nudie Jeans in 2013.
For the past five years, Eliina has been working as Nudie Jeans Environmental Manager, focusing on the supply chain and the first
steps of production; raw material and fabric production, including questions related to chemical and water use, and exploring possibilities
of closing the loop by reusing and recycling. Eliina is also responsible for Nudie Jeans climate work, mapping all Nudie Jeans
emissions, and building roadmaps towards the company’s emissions reduction targets.
Ms Roberta de Palma, Chief Technical Advisor at UNIDO
Roberta De Palma is acting as chief technical advisor of the SwitchMed initiative at the UNIDO Industrial Resource Efficiency unit.
She is responsible for the strategic oversight and technical delivery of a regional programme focusing on promoting resource efficiency in the
manufacturing sector and advancing circular business solution along textile and plastic value chains
in the North African and Middle East countries.
Ms Mariella Noto, Implementation Senior Manager at Implementation HUB ZDHC
Mariella is responsible for the evolution of the ZDHC Academy. She also drives capacity building and ZDHC implementations across the
Benelux and Africa. With substantial, industry-relevant experience of social and environmental sustainability, Mariella previously
worked as a CSR and supply chain management consultant in the textile, leather, apparel and footwear industry.
Mr Alberto Saccavini, Consultant for sustainability in fashion at Blumine
Alberto Saccavini works as a consultant for sustainability in fashion. For the past ten years, he has worked at all stages in the fashion
supply chain, from fibre production to consumer behaviour, collaborating with United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO),
Blumine srl, Fa’ la cosa giusta Trento and many others. In addition, Alberto gives lectures and seminars at the Milan Polytechnic, the Catholic
University of Milan, the Fashion Institute of Technology, among others.
Ms Fatima-Zohra Alaoui, General Manager at AMITH, the Moroccan Association of Textile and Apparel
Fatima-Zohra ALAOUI is the General Manager of AMITH, the Moroccan Association of Textile and Apparel Industries, which plays a key
role is supporting the Moroccan Textile and Garment industry since 1960. Prior to joining AMITH, she worked as a consultant in strategy
both in the public and private sectors. Fatima-Zohra holds a PhD in Economics from Lancaster University in the UK.
Mr Haithem Bouagila, Director General at Tunicotex
Haithem Bouagila is a Textile & Apparel Business Manager with a large international experience. He is currently the Managing Director of
a knitwear powerhouse in the Tunicotex Group. In addition, he also acts as a specialist in the Textile Innovative & Sustainable Processes, and
as a Member of the Board of the Tunisian Textile & Apparel Federation.
Eng. Hany Salam, Board Member at Egypt Textiles & Home Textiles Export Council (THTEC)
Hany Salam is the CEO of Salamtex, an Egyptian textile company established in 1936 and recognized as the leading manufacturer
of lace fabrics in the Middle East.
Under his leadership, the company emerged as a key player in the technical textiles industry used within a wide array of sectors.
Hany is also a member of the board of the Egypt Textiles & Home Textiles Export Council (THTEC), the Egyptian Chamber of
Apparel and Home Textile (ECAHT), the Egyptian Belgian Business Association (EBBA) and is vice president of the
Philatelic society of Egypt.
Wednesday 20 October: Track Conference - Green Entrepreneurship ll 11.15 - 13.00

Biography
Mr Giorgio Mosangini, Team Leader – Green Entrepreneurship & Civil Society at SCP/RAC
Giorgio Mosangini has more than 20 years’ experience in the International Development Sector in the Mediterranean and Latin America.
He has been responsible of programmes related to sustainable entrepreneurship, civil society strengthening, gender and women rights,
local and rural development, sustainable development and food security. He is author of several publications and methodological guides
on Sustainability, Circular Business Models, Evaluation, Decentralised Cooperation and Social Communication. He is currently the
Team Leader of Green Entrepreneurship & Civil Society at UN Environment MAP – Regional Activity Centre for Sustainable Consumption
and Production (SCP/RAC).
Giorgio holds master’s degrees in Political Sciences (Université Libre de Bruxelles) and in Development Studies
(Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) as well as a Specialization in Impact Assessment of Development Programmes.
Ms Nancy Boueri, Program Manager at Fondation Diane
Nancy Boueri has over 15 years of experience in the industrial field, mainly in paper, cardboard and plastics manufacturing and recycling.
She’s an expert in developing and implementing integrated quality, environmental and food safety management systems.
Nancy also has a vast experience in project management (mainly in the circular economy) and in training and coaching “green” entrepreneurs.
Nancy holds a PhD in Environmental Management from Hautes Ecoles Sorbonne Arts et Métiers Université, and a MBA in International
Business Research from Montreal University.
Mr Abdelkader Fergui, Director General at National Centre for Cleaner Production Technologies (Algeria)
Mr Fergui Abdelkader, Director General of the National Centre for Cleaner Production Technologies since 2017; national focal point
of the ten-year programming framework for consumption patterns and sustainable production, leader on behalf of the Ministry of the Environment
in Algeria of several support and technical assistance projects and programmes for the benefit of small and medium-sized enterprises
on issues of clean production, resource efficiency and renewables.
He has also ensured the effective implementation of training cycles for the creation of companies of more than 500 bearers of ideas
for green and innovative projects, and contributes to strengthening the capacity of national expertise and improving the
national ecosystem of green entrepreneurship at policy level.
Member of the Ministry of the Environment’s permanent sectoral committee for scientific research and technological development,
he helps strengthen the role of universities and centres for supporting and developing green entrepreneurship.
Ms Maya Karkour, Founder of EcoConsulting and Environmental Consultant
Maya Karkour is an Environmental Consultant, an Eco-Entrepreneur, and the Managing Director of EcoConsulting which she co-founded in 2003
in the UK. EcoConsulting is a specialized sustainability consultancy with a focus on reworking the relationship between businesses,
institutions, municipalities, corporations, households and the Environment through greater energy-efficiency, better resource use, pollution
mitigation, as well as healthier and circular solutions. Maya has been since 2015 one of the main local trainers & coach of the SwitchMed
Green Entrepreneurship (phase I) program in Lebanon, is currently a local coach for social/eco-entrepreneurs in the BADAEL/OXFAM project
and has been selected as one of the local mentors of the Mowgli Mentorship program. She has been coaching environmental start-ups with
innovative entrepreneurial solutions and is mentoring some eco or social entrepreneurs to help them establish themselves and scale up.
Maya holds an MSc in Environment & Sustainable Policies from the London School of Economics & Political Science, has attended
a Masters in Urban Planning at Alba University and is a LEED Accredited Professional, a BREEAM Licensed Assessor, and a
Low Carbon Energy Assessor.
Ms Andrea Ruzo, Project Manager at SCP/RAC
Over the past 10 years, Andrea has been working in Project Management and Business Development in Asia, Latin America, Europe and the
EMEA region collaborating with public governments, private actors, NGOs and impact investing funds. Selected in 2020 as one of the 50 most
promising emerging women leaders by the Santander Bank, Andrea has worked on supporting, designing and implementing projects in rural
development, environmental sustainability, health, women empowerment and social entrepreneurship in organizations like Devex,
LGT Impact Ventures, Fields Data and UNEP/MAP SCP/RAC.
She holds a Masters in International Business at ESCI – UPF Barcelona and has specialized in International Development and
Humanitarian Aid at the University of London.
Mr Doron Fahima, CEO of Matimove – Consulting, Funding and Investments LTD
Doron Fahima holds a B.A in Agronomy, and an M.B.A specialized in marketing and finance from the Technion Haifa.
In the last 20 years Doron has been consulting, training and leading thousands of entrepreneurs to establish their own thriving
businesses in various and diverse fields. He was the C.E.O of MATI Hadera, an NGO that supports SMBs and entrepreneurs in Israel.
10 years ago, Doron realized that green Business must have strong finance basis and those businesses will be the major engine
for environmental change. That vision made him establish Esek Yarok – the Israeli Center for Green Businesses. Doron has been involved
in the implementation in Israel of the SwitchMed’s Green Entrepreneurship Programme since its beginnings.
Ms Claudia Pani, Impact Investing Manager at SCP/RAC
Claudia PANI is an Impact Investing Manager with +15 years of experience designing and delivering complex international cooperation
projects and programs, focusing on the green and circular economy, sustainability and sustainable finance.
At SCP/RAC , she leads the facilitation of direct and indirect funds to entrepreneurs in the Mediterranean Region paving the way
for the design of innovative sustainable finance solutions such as TheSwitchersFund.
With a proven track record of project management, advocacy, and business development at EU and MENA levels, she leverages passion to
generate innovation to tackle 21st-century environment and social challenges and the creation of enduring social and economic value.
She holds a Master degree in Political Science from the University of Study Cagliari with a thesis on Environmental Impact Assessment
and a Post Graduate Degree in Environmental Law and Policies from the University of Study of Padua.
In the past 5 years, she specialized in Impact Investing and Climate Finance under UNIDO, World Bank Group and ESADE Business School
training programmes.
Mr Anis Daoud, SwitchMed Consultant
Anis Daoud is an Industrial Engineering graduate. He has more than 20 years’ experience in Business and IT Advisory services
within leading international consulting firms.
He has contributed to several strategic consulting projects for MENA Governments and leading public and private companies focusing on
development strategies, business environment and investment promotion policies, public-private partnership, business performances
and innovation ecosystem building.
He is currently assisting Switchmed initiatives in Tunisia, as external consultant and local coordinator, to build the ecosystem
and to promote Impact investing with key stakeholders in Green and Circular economy.
He is self-employer in the business consulting sector and has recently initiated the design and the development of his start-up project
about SMEs B2B Marketplace.
Ms Tracy El Achkar, SwitchMed Consultant
Tracy El Achkar is an impact-oriented manager with five years of experience in the green economy, sustainable finance, and sustainable
development industry. She has a proven track record in implementing sustainable projects with different stakeholders
(Governmental, international organizations, SMEs, start-ups, and NGOs) in the MENA region and facilitating capacity-building activities
for private sector actors on environmental and social risk assessments, green and circular economy. Tracy collaborated with different
institutions such as the United Nations Environment Programme under their Finance Initiative, Fondation Diane under their Green Investment
Fund in Lebanon, and arcenciel (Lebanese NGO). In her career, Tracy is always on the move to empower the budding green economy sector
in the MENA region and advance sustainable business practices.
Wednesday 20 October: Track Conference - Networking and Communications ll 11.15 - 13.00

Biography

Mr Patrick Schröder, Senior Research Fellow, Environment and Society Programme at Chatham House
Patrick Schröder is a Senior Research Fellow in the Environment and Society Programme at Chatham House.  He specializes in research
on the global transition to an inclusive circular economy with a specific focus on collaborative opportunities between key countries,
closing the investment gap and building an evidence base for trade in the circular economy. He recently started a new PhD research project
at the Centre for Sustainable Design at UCA to understand the state-of-the-art of circular, regenerative design and the role of policy
to make these design innovations the new normal.
Ms Claudia Pani, Impact Investing Manager at SCP/RAC
Claudia PANI is an Impact Investing Manager with +15 years of experience designing and delivering complex international cooperation
projects and programs, focusing on the green and circular economy, sustainability and sustainable finance.
At SCP/RAC , she leads the facilitation of direct and indirect funds to entrepreneurs in the Mediterranean Region paving the way
for the design of innovative sustainable finance solutions such as TheSwitchersFund.
With a proven track record of project management, advocacy, and business development at EU and MENA levels, she leverages passion to
generate innovation to tackle 21st-century environment and social challenges and the creation of enduring social and economic value.
She holds a Master degree in Political Science from the University of Study Cagliari with a thesis on Environmental Impact Assessment
and a Post Graduate Degree in Environmental Law and Policies from the University of Study of Padua.
In the past 5 years, she specialized in Impact Investing and Climate Finance under UNIDO, World Bank Group and ESADE Business School
training programmes.
Mr Daniel Sorrosal, FEBEA General Secretary
He coordinates the Federation’s strategy and oversees the implementation of the annual operational plan. He represents FEBEA and its
members before the European Institutions and coordinates the lobbying and advocacy work of the Federation. Daniel lobbies for the
development of solidarity based finance in Europe, an economy at the service of European citizens, more solidarity, social cohesions and
sustainable development in Europe, finance that pursues social impact as much as financial profit and support to innovative initiatives
with social and environmental goals.
Mr Aldo Puleo, Programme Officer at ENI CBC MED
Aldo started to work as a programme officer at the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, Managing Authority (MA) of the
ENI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme in 2008. His main duties are: chairperson of the Project Selection Committee, definition
and follow up of Programme circuits, supporting the Director General of the MA in carrying out the international relations with
the National Contact Points and the delegations of the 14 participating countries.
Before that, Aldo was a financial expert at the Italian Ministry of Infrastructures and Transports supporting the Italian National
Coordinator of the INTERREG III B Alpine Space (2000-2006 programming period) in the first level control and payments to Italian
partners participating in the programme.
Aldo Puleo has a Master degree in international cooperation and EU programme-project management (University of Rome “La Sapienza”)
and holds a diploma in diplomatic studies at SIOI (Società Italiana per l’Organizzazione Internazionale), Rome.
Mr Octavi Quintana, Director of the Secretariat at PRIMA
Octavi Quintana is a medical doctor, specialized in Intensive Medicine and holds a MPH from the University of Columbia.
His experience is as follows:
Director of Málaga Hospital. Deputy Director of INSALUD. President of the European Council Bioethics Committee Director.
Vice-president EC Ethics European Group. Director of International Affairs, Spanish Health Ministry.
Coordinator humanitarian aid in Rwanda, Burundi, Bosnia, Kosovo.
Director Scientific divulgation programs in TVE2. Director of Scientific Research in the EC in Health, Energy, European Research.
Octavi has been Director of PRIMA Foundation since 2017.
Mr Gianluca Gaggiotti, Research Manager at EVPA
Gianluca Gaggiotti is a Research Manager at EVPA, where he is directly involved in several research activities, with a specific
focus on data analysis and content development of several research-related initiatives.
Gianluca joined EVPA in 2017, where he has developed an in-depth knowledge on the impact ecosystem and all the actors involved in it.
Gianluca has previously worked as a Research Assistant for several projects related to development and social network economics at
Bocconi University.
He holds a Master degree in Economics and Social Sciences from the Bocconi University with a thesis on the effect of terrorism on
political outcome in the US.
Mr Gonzalo Oviedo, Manager Mediterranean Basin, MAVA
Gonzalo Oviedo is an anthropologist and environmentalist from Ecuador, South America, with long international experience in
socio-cultural aspects of nature conservation. He is currently an independent consultant providing technical advice and support to
international organizations and projects.
His main ongoing assignment is with the MAVA Foundation from Switzerland, as Manager of Cultural Landscapes in its Mediterranean programme.
In this capacity, he supervises a portfolio of projects and activities implemented by MAVA partner organizations in 7 Mediterranean countries.
The programme supports the maintenance and development of traditional practices of sustainable resource use, in a region where human
cultures have shaped the landscapes for millennia.
Until 2017, Gonzalo worked for 14 years as Senior Advisor on Social Policy for the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN),
at its Headquarters in Switzerland. Prior to that, he worked for 9 years for the International Secretariat of WWF, also in Switzerland,
as Head of its People and Conservation Unit.
Mr Selim Chami, Head of Investment and Advisory
Selim holds a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from ESIB (Lebanon) and a Masters from Ecole Superieure de Commerce de Paris.
He has over 18 years of banking experience out of which he spent the last twelve years providing investment banking advisory
services and capital raising with deals originating from Europe to the Middle East. Prior to heading VIRIDIS Investment Fund
within Fondation Diane, Selim was in charge of various investment banking departments as a senior executive with Lebanese and regional
banks. He also acted as a consultant throughout his career, and has lately founded his own consultancy practice.
His investment banking experience spans across financial services including M&A, private placements, securitization,
project finance, syndication, and investments in private equity funds, mutual funds, real estate, etc.
Mr Alessandro Miraglia, Team Leader of Networking and Communication Facility at UNEP MAP – SCP/RAC
With 14 years’ experience in sustainable development, gained working in 10 different countries, Mr. Miraglia has a strong expertise
in advocacy and capitalisation strategies. He focuses on mainstreaming Circular Economy in the Mediterranean via networking and
local ecosystem building, developing impact communication tools to increase awareness and policy uptake of international best practices.

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