Archives: Speakers

Inès is an Innovation Analyst at HSBC working with Large Language Models and Generative AI. The focus of her work is exploring the potential of Generative AI to derive insights and create new ways to approach and solve problems. She uses her expertise to help her colleagues to better understand Generative AI and empower them to utilise these tools. In her spare time, Inès enjoys exploring her creative side through arts and crafts.

A human-centred-designer with over two decades of experience, helping organisations deliver better outcomes for their customers.

Keith is a founding director and CEO of the Consumer Duty Alliance (CDA), an independent, not-for-profit professional body, for the sector by the sector. The CDA is consumer focused and brings together a cross-sector Alliance for the sharing of ‘good practice’ to support members, engage Policymakers on key consumer duty matters and raise the profile of the profession and the value of professional advice with the public.

A recognised leader within the financial services sector, Keith has over 38 years experience operating at executive level, has an established media profile and is regularly called upon for comment both home and abroad by various organisations, including Trade and National press.

Keith established a strong media profile whilst leading the Personal Finance Society as Chief Executive Officer, also incorporating the role of Chief Membership Officer of the Chartered Insurance Institute, prior to which he was an executive board director of one of the UK’s largest IFA Networks, Tenet Group and prior to that he was Head of Retail Distribution for the largest mutual insurance company in the UK, Royal London Group. Actively engaged in the promotion of financial services within the UK and internationally, he has contributed to various boards, including PFS, Tenet, RL Retail, AIFA, AMI, European Financial Planning Association (EFPA) and various government and regulatory working groups.

Keith is also the founding Chair of the Financial Vulnerability Taskforce, which is an independent representative body covering the Personal Finance and wider Financial Services Sector. Its ultimate purpose is to promote greater understanding, encourage appropriate behaviours and establish good practice in respect of consumer vulnerability.

Seasoned marketing leader with over 20 years of experience driving business growth and crafting differentiated client experiences for blue chip financial services businesses across investments, real assets, alternatives and wealth management.

Skilled at leading high-performing marketing teams and executing integrated programs in today’s digital landscape. A creative strategist adept at fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and out-of-the-box thinking.

Core competencies include:

• Alternative investments, covering Real Estate, Infrastructure, Private Equity and Credit. Managing all external communications, brand-building and content development.
• PR & Marketing strategy and communications planning
• Digital marketing and optimization
• Brand strategy and positioning
• Advertising, agency management and creative development
• Product marketing
• Budget management and operations
• Assembling and leading teams
• Marketing transformation and change management
• Leveraging global experience to enhance multinational marketing efforts
• Fluent Italian, English and B2 French

Faisal Memon founded iOL over 25 years ago and has made it his mission to solve some of the travel industry’s most daunting problems through the power of cutting-edge technology. Faisal possesses a remarkable gift: the unique ability to unravel some of the most intricate challenges in the travel industry through the
lens of technology. This unique fusion of expertise distinguishes Faisal as a true changemaker in his field. Under Faisal’s leadership, iOL’s innovative suite of technology solutions have become a cornerstone for many leading companies in the global travel sector – a true testament to his unwavering commitment to
empowering clients, and ensuring their journey towards success is supported by seamless technology.

Ralf is the Director of Operations at McDreams (www.mcdreamshotels.de)

McDreams Hotels is an innovative budget hotel concept with eight locations in Germany. As a family-owned business, we prioritize the long-term development of our brand and company. Proudly, we’ve significantly reduced our ecological footprint in recent years. Our goal is to make overnight stays affordable and environmentally friendly. We achieve this through ongoing technological advancements in streamlined processes.

Ralf leads all operational belongings within McDreams with a 15years hospitality background. Ralf aims to introduce, advance, and thereby achieve the best fit for contemporary business travel by implementing automated and lean structures into the corporate context.

Kate Vergara, Ph.D., M.P.H is a Sr. Principal Scientist, Regulatory Affairs for Altria Client Services in Richmond, VA. In this role she serves as Science Lead for NJOY Products, developing and guiding scientific strategies to support tobacco harm reduction.

Prior to joining Altria, Dr. Vergara, was Vice President Health Impact at NJOY, LLC leading individual and population health studies for the NJOY ENDS PMTAs submitted to the FDA (Marketing Granted Orders issued for NJOY ACE April 2022 and NJOY DAILY June 2022).

Before her four years at NJOY, Dr. Vergara dedicated almost 20 years to addressing public health infectious disease burdens in vulnerable populations in emerging economy settings, including tuberculosis and intestinal parasites (Peru), and vaccine preventable diseases in high-risk counties in Africa (Angola, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, Somalia, and Sierra Leone) and India. She passionately supports growing a more diverse public health workforce, launching the flagship course Public Health Concepts in Epidemiology in 2019 at Baylor University’s Master of Public Health program, one of the most diverse student and faculty MPH programs in the US. Dr. Vergara continues to serve as an adjunct faculty as well as the course lead developing course content and overseeing all faculty teaching the course.

She has authored several peer-reviewed scientific publications and has presented on numerous public health research topics domestically and internationally.

Board experience includes the American Public Health Association SA Executive Board Treasurer from 2014-2016. And, after receiving a Fulbright to Peru 2003-04, Dr. Vergara continues to engage with the US State Department Fulbright Program serving as a Board Member for the Fulbright Association Chicago Chapter since 2021. Dr. Vergara has been an active volunteer with the US Medical Reserve Corps since 2020 and a member of the Chicago Triathlon Club since 2015.

Executive and Continuing Professional Education (ongoing) Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts

Ph.D., Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

M.P.H., Community Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

B.S., Education, New York University, New York, New York