Dr Fene Osakwe

With a formidable career spanning over a decade, Professor Fene Osakwe stands as a luminary in cybersecurity. His dedication and expertise have propelled him to the forefront of multinational enterprises, where he has consistently delivered exceptional results across the Financial Services, Telecommunications, and FMCG sectors. His journey is marked by a transformative impact on organizations and a deep commitment to nurturing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

Professor Osakwe’s global experience is reflected in his work with leading multinational corporations. Notably, he served for five years as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) of the largest telecommunications infrastructure provider in the Middle East and Africa, where he led strategic initiatives to safeguard critical infrastructure across complex geopolitical environments. His ability to navigate diverse security challenges underscores his versatility and depth of expertise.

An acclaimed international keynote speaker, Professor Osakwe has graced the stages of some of the world’s most prestigious cybersecurity conferences. His thought-provoking presentations have captivated audiences in Dubai, Lagos, Brussels, Amsterdam, Alabama, London, and numerous other cities. His ability to distill complex cybersecurity concepts into engaging and accessible narratives has earned him accolades and recognition as a thought leader in the field.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Professor Osakwe is deeply committed to academia and mentorship. He has mentored Master’s and Doctoral students at the University of Westminster, Aberdeen, and Toronto Metropolitan University, empowering countless students to excel in their academic and professional pursuits. His dedication to education is further exemplified by his role as the Youngest Professor of Practice in Cybersecurity in Nigeria, where he continues to shape the future of the discipline.

Professor Osakwe’s contributions to the field have been widely recognized. He made history as the first African to win the prestigious Cyber Personality of the Year award in the United Kingdom, a milestone that earned him special recognition from the President of Nigeria in 2025. Additionally, as the inaugural Chairman of the Cyber Advisory Board for Lagos State, the second-largest economy in Africa, he has played a pivotal role in shaping cybersecurity policies and initiatives.

In addition to his professional and academic pursuits, Professor Osakwe is a passionate advocate for social responsibility. He runs a Foundation that provides scholarships and feeding initiatives for families in need, making a significant impact on the lives of many and ensuring that children have access to education and nourishment. His philanthropic efforts reflect his belief in the power of giving back and his dedication to creating a better future for all.

Professor Fene Osakwe’s remarkable career is a testament to his expertise, leadership, and commitment to excellence. His contributions to cybersecurity, education, and social responsibility have left an indelible mark on the field and continue to inspire others. As a visionary leader and a compassionate mentor, Professor Osakwe embodies the values of innovation, integrity, and service.

Robert Kothe

Robert Kothe is a solutions consultant with over 22 years of experience in clinical-research technologies, including eCOA, and IRT (RTSM). With a background spanning customer support, project management, systems design and development, and onboarding, he brings deep technical insight and a collaborative approach to global clinical-trial teams. A skilled linguist, Robert excels at fostering cross-cultural communication in the highly international landscape of clinical research.

Kendra Korte

Kendra Korte is a Technical Solutions Consultant at Perceptive, where she helped biopharmaceutical clients optimize clinical trial operations through tailored IRT and RTSM solutions. Previously a Senior Solutions Designer, she brings a strong foundation in designing technology strategies for global studies. Known for her ability to translate complex systems into clear, actionable insights, Kendra is a trusted partner in clinical innovation and a compelling contributor to industry conversations.

Jayce Jang

Jayce Jang has been working in the travel industry 8+ years in the hotel and IT sectors. ONDA is hospitality SaaS provider that includes PMS, CMS, CRS and Booking engine. ONDA Also provides GDS(distribution) to over 70+ OTAs including Google Hotels, Booking.com, Agoda, Airbnb, Trip.com, and others.

Kelsea Vaughan

Kelsea Vaughan is the Product Marketing Manager for Workday Adaptive Planning, supporting the growing EMEA customer base. Prior to joining Workday, she spent over a decade working in revenue operations, financial planning and capital planning. She holds an MBA from Trinity College Dublin.

Gavin MacKay

Gavin joined Thistle Wind Partners in May ’23 to develop and implement supply chain strategies for the Ayre and Bowdun projects as well as manage supply chain requirements.

He spent 20 years working in machinery manufacturing and economic development, specialising in energy industry development before joining Thistle Wind Partners.

Latterly his focus had been in building business and investment cases to support the development of key port infrastructure, large scale manufacturing facilities and wider supply chain to support the offshore wind industry. Gavin also served as a Board member of Europe’s largest offshore wind cluster organisation, DeepWind and advised the joint government/industry Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council.

Pascale Favre

Pascale Favre and Carmen Ene will explore how the asset finance and leasing industry is transforming in response to shifts in trade policy, technology, sustainability, and regulation. They will outline a new vision for lessors — evolving from traditional financiers to full lifecycle managers, data-driven service providers, and active sustainability and policy partners. Key themes include the impact of global trade and tariff changes, the post-COVID dynamics of the second-hand market, opportunities in data monetization and usage-based models, and the importance of total cost of ownership in customer propositions. The speakers will also address sustainability challenges, regulatory expectations, and how lessors can lead the transition towards greener, more transparent, and resilient financing ecosystems.

Marietta Sarkisian

Marietta Sarkisian has over 13 years of experience in the clinical trials industry. She has held roles in both operations and business development across global markets. She brings a strong understanding of clinical research and a strategic approach to delivering tech-driven solutions.

Gaurav Sharma

Gaurav Sharma serves as the Head of Circularity and Life Cycle Asset Management (LCAM) at DLL, where he spearheads the company’s global circularity strategy and execution.

With over 24 years of experience in consulting, business development, and software, Gaurav has dedicated more than 8 years to advancing the circular economy. His previous role at Schneider Electric saw him leading their circularity initiatives.

A recognized thought leader, Gaurav has co-authored influential white papers, frequently speaks at industry panels, and has been instrumental in award-winning projects such as The Circulars 2019 and Leasing Life 2023.

He holds an engineering degree from Delhi University and an MBA from INSEAD.