Archives: Speakers

Mrs Audit is legally trained across jurisdictions like India, UK and Mauritius, with more than 25 years of experience in commercial, corporate and financial services regulatory environment. Over last two decades, she has gained extensive know-how of financial regulations and of business conduct in Mauritius for having worked both with regulatory agencies and private sector in Mauritius.

In her career, Mrs Audit has actively been involved in leadership roles and participated in various senior level delegations, national committees and international forums. She has actively contributed in industry initiatives, governmental taskforce, regularly spoken at conferences, and lately been actively involved in exit of Mauritius from FATF’s grey list.

Segun is an accomplished financial services leader with over 16 years of experience across Africa and Asia, spanning seven countries including Botswana, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, Singapore, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

He currently serves as Head of Coverage – Wealth at Absa Bank (Mauritius), leading client coverage and strategic wealth segment activities for onshore and offshore clients.

He previously held senior leadership roles including Group Director Investment Products at Equity Group Holdings Plc (Kenya), where he drove 80% digital coverage of savings solutions and streamlined product development processes from 40 to 10 days. As Head of Wealth Management at Standard Chartered Bank, he achieved over 50% annual investment AUM growth across Southern Africa, building the largest collective investment scheme distribution business in Zambia with an extension of the offering into Botswana.

His track record includes growing managed investment AUM from USD42m to USD250m across African markets within three years, leading teams of 50+ professionals, and consistently delivering 20%+ annual revenue growth. He holds an MBA from Gordon Institute of Business Science(University of Pretoria) and advanced certifications in Wealth Management.

Segun is recognized for strategic vision, multicultural stakeholder engagement, and building innovative financial solutions that drive business growth and client satisfaction across diverse markets.

Gabriel is an experienced Bio-pharma professional with a passion to help patients gain access and receive the best possible treatment options. A demonstrated history of increasing responsibility working in different aspects of the industry ranging from technical roles in Quality/R&D/Manufacturing to Operations Strategy/Program and Product Management/Supplier and CMO relationships management among others.

Congressman Jeff Van Drew represents New Jersey’s 2nd Congressional District, encompassing all of South Jersey. With a career rooted in public service, Van Drew has spent decades working to improve the lives of New Jersey families, strengthen local communities, and ensure the region’s priorities are heard in Washington, D.C.

A practicing dentist before entering public office, Van Drew began his public service as a city councilman and mayor, later serving in the New Jersey State Legislature. These roles gave him firsthand insight into the challenges facing local communities, from economic development and job growth to infrastructure and coastal protection.

In Congress, Van Drew serves as Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Oversight, where he plays a key role in ensuring transparency and accountability within the federal government. He is also a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, including its Subcommittee on Aviation, where he advocates for investments in transportation systems critical to New Jersey and the nation.

Since his election to Congress, Van Drew has secured funding for critical infrastructure and shore protection projects, supported job creation and small business growth, and advocated for expanded resources for veterans, seniors, and first responders.

Throughout his career, Congressman Van Drew has emphasized collaboration and accessibility, meeting directly with constituents to understand their concerns and turning those needs into action. His approach blends a deep connection to South Jersey with a commitment to ensuring New Jersey’s interests are represented on the national stage.

Today, Van Drew continues to work tirelessly for the people of South Jersey and the United States, guided by a dedication to improving communities, protecting resources, and creating opportunities for a stronger future.

Ram Akella currently serves as the NJEDA’s Executive Vice President for Innovation Impact. Ram joined the NJEDA in November 2022 to oversee all clean energy, venture funds, and innovation products, including direct investments in emerging companies and strategic innovation centers in the State of New Jersey. Ram was also pivotal in the establishment of the New Jersey Green Bank, a subsidiary of the NJEDA formally established in Spring of 2024 that is dedicated to facilitating an equitable energy transition in the State through climate-related investments and financing products. Prior to joining the NJEDA, Ram was Managing Partner and Founder of Phoenix Capital Partners, a merchant banking boutique. During the same time, he was Managing Partner of ra Ventures, an early-stage venture fund in deep tech, battery technology, and climate technologies. Ram started his career in investment banking at various firms working in mergers & acquisition.

Raymond Adams is a nationally recognized expert in aviation and advanced air mobility (AAM), bringing over 35 years of experience across the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the U.S. Navy, and the private sector. He is the Founder and CEO of Trajectrix Corporation, a New Jersey-based startup pioneering the secure integration of autonomous and remotely piloted aircraft into the National Airspace System (NAS) through its patented technology.

As Principal of Airde Elevated Thinking, a systems engineering firm specializing in advanced aviation, Raymond supports critical FAA initiatives involving Urban Air Mobility (UAM), autonomous flight operations, and regulatory reform for UAS and AAM integration. His work includes development of autonomous flight corridors, FAA regulatory frameworks, and policy pathways for next-generation aviation systems. Airde also manages the Cape-Atlantic UAS Test Range in Southern New Jersey, serving as a key resource for emerging UAS technologies.

Earlier in his career, Raymond served as an FAA air traffic controller at Newark Liberty International Airport and the New York Air Route Traffic Control Center, where he developed deep operational insight into airspace management. He later engaged in multiple national FAA modernization efforts, including the deployment of DataComm, a key digital communications component of the NextGen air traffic system.

A champion of innovation and policy modernization, he serves on advisory boards for multiple aviation nonprofits and economic development organizations. Raymond is widely regarded for his strategic foresight, operational credibility, and technical fluency in the systems that underpin both legacy and future airspace operations.