CBDC Project Manager,...
CBDC Project Manager, IBM, Netherlands
Vasileios Theodosiadis is a blockchain consultant and project manager at IBM, an industry associate at the UCL Centre for Blockchain Technologies, and a member of the “Power of the Many” Working Group at 2Tokens. He advises clients, leads blockchain initiatives, and translates complex business needs to innovative, tech-driven solutions—with a particular focus on the financial industry, including projects such as tokenized central bank money for cross-border payments and tokenized bond issuance. Beyond his commercial work, Vasileios conducts academic empirical research on enterprise blockchain governance and explores how traditional organizations can drive innovation by leveraging elements of the Web3 ecosystem. He regularly shares his insights through speaking engagements and as a co-author of a book, a book chapter, and several academic publications.
CEO | Founder...
CEO | Founder | Compliance Education, RAW Compliance AI, Portugal
Oonagh van den Berg is a globally recognised compliance expert and dynamic speaker reshaping the future of financial services. With over 20 years' experience across traditional banking, fintech, and crypto, she brings a unique blend of regulatory depth and tech-forward innovation. She has led global GRC transformations for institutions including HSBC, Citi, ING, and Uphold, and founded Virtual Risk Solutions and RAW Compliance- initiatives that empower professionals, uplift industry standards, and advocate for inclusive, human-centred regulation. From the ECB to the United Nations, Oonagh is a trusted voice helping financial ecosystems adapt, evolve, and lead with purpose. She is also the proud mother of three daughters, and a fierce advocate for working mothers and women in business - challenging the narrative that motherhood should limit ambition by championing systems that support equality for parents in the workplace.
Head of Financial...
Head of Financial Markets & Information Technology, Center for European Policy, Germany
Dr. Anastasia Kotovskaia, LL.M. is Head of Department Financial Markets and Information Technologies at the Centre for European Policy in Berlin, Germany. As a legal expert at the European policy think tank, she provides comprehensive background knowledge about policy proposals of the EU and evaluates them as well as drafts practicable policy options for Europe. She had previously worked as a policy expert at the Policy Center of the Leibniz Institute for Financial Market Research SAFE in Frankfurt am Main with a focus on digitalization of finance, sustainable finance, and capital market integration in the EU. She holds a Ph.D. in Law from Goethe University in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. She is author of articles and policy papers in law, finance, and information technology.
Founder, SOEBIT Cybersecurity,...
Founder, SOEBIT Cybersecurity, Netherlands
Soenil Soebedar is a solution-oriented IT & cybersecurity professional who spent more than 32 years in the IT sector, 22 years as a freelancer & founder of SOEBIT Cybersecurity in the Netherlands (Europe) and 12 years in the Cyber Security area as an Ethical Hacker, Penetration tester, PKI/Cryptography specialist/Architect, Senior Security Engineer, Senior SOC Specialist. He lives and studies in the Netherlands, born in Suriname (South America).
Founder & Principal...
Founder & Principal Advisor, Guard & Grow Institute, Former Vice President, Financial Crime Prevention | NatWest Group
Natalie Detsik is an Executive Advisor on Financial Crime Governance, Regulatory Transformation and Institutional Resilience. She advises financial institutions on strengthening governance, managing financial crime risk and navigating regulatory transformation across banking, payments and fintech. As Founder & Principal Advisor of Guard & Grow Institute and former Vice President at NatWest Group, Natalie brings extensive international leadership experience across AML/CTF, fraud prevention, enterprise risk and board-level governance. A recognised international speaker and moderator, she is known for translating complex regulatory challenges into practical business strategies that strengthen institutional resilience and executive decision-making.
Vice President, Managing...
Vice President, Managing Director of FIS GmbH & FIS Operations GmbH & Solution Leader Product, Germany
Boris Strucken is a senior banking technology executive with more than 25 years of experience in digital transformation, core banking modernization, enterprise architecture, and regulatory-driven innovation. As Vice President, Managing Director of FIS GmbH and FIS Operations GmbH, and Solution Leader Product for KORDOBA, he drives product strategy and innovation for the modernized KORDOBA banking platform in Germany, while also contributing to selected initiatives and strategic topics at a European level. He combines deep industry expertise with a strong focus on client-centric innovation, scalable digital banking solutions, AI, APIs, automation, cloud, and regulatory changes. His experience includes senior technology leadership, consulting, and architecture roles, including Deputy CIO responsibilities as well as former roles at Accenture and as Chief Architect for BMW and BMW Financial Services. Since joining FIS in 2017, Boris has held senior leadership roles focused on innovation, enterprise architecture, and product strategy. Since mid-2020, he has been leading Banking Germany, helping financial institutions improve customer experience, operational efficiency, and business growth while advancing the adoption of emerging technologies.
Senior Payment Expert,...
Senior Payment Expert, Deutsche Bundesbank, Germany
David Ballaschk is a payments expert at Deutsche Bundesbank’s Directorate General Payments and Settlement Systems. His work focuses mainly on cross-border and real-time payments. He is a member of various G20 and G7 groups focussing on payments.
Partner, Deloitte, Germany
Partner, Deloitte, Germany
Matthias Rode is a Partner in Deloitte's German Financial Services practice and part of the Global Deloitte's Financial Crime (FinCrime) expert group. He also co-leads the Deloitte Europe AMLA (Anti-Money Laundering Authority) efforts, supporting financial institutions across the continent as they interpret and prepare for the sweeping changes AMLA brings to the industry. With over 25 years of experience, Matthias focuses on advising clients in the Financial Services Industry on the full spectrum of Financial (Economic) Crime and Non-Financial Risk Management (NFR-M). His expertise encompasses financial crime prevention, large-scale remediation projects, and strategic regulatory transformation. Matthias has led complex initiatives aimed at aligning organizations with new regulations, enhancing governance and organizational structures, improving controls and processes, and integrating data analytics and advanced technology into financial crime risk management frameworks. He is recognized for his practical approach to solving regulatory challenges, balancing compliance demands with cost efficiency, and enabling technological adoption for sustainable change. His leadership continues to shape market standards for financial crime prevention and non-financial risk management, making him a sought-after speaker and advisor on regulatory change, operating model transformation, and digital innovations in risk management within the global financial sector.
Director and Head...
Director and Head of Group Anti-Money Laundering, Deutsche Börse Group, Germany
Jens Oliver Kreiter is Director and Head of Group Anti-Money Laundering at Deutsche Börse Group. In this role, he is responsible for the group-wide management and further development of preventive measures against money laundering, terrorist financing and other financial crime – including governance, risk analyses, control frameworks and the implementation of regulatory changes, in particular the EU AML Package. With many years of experience in financial crime compliance, the management of international AML programmes and collaboration with supervisory authorities such as BaFin and, in future, AMLA, he is playing a key role in driving the harmonisation and digitalisation of compliance processes within the Group. In addition, he is active as a speaker and panellist on topics such as risk-based approaches, EU regulation and the future of the fight against financial crime in Europe.
Head of Partnerships...
Head of Partnerships - DACH, Wise Platform, UK
Fred Hesse is the Head of DACH Partnerships at Wise Platform, Wise’s global payments infrastructure for banks, financial institutions and enterprises around the world. With over a decade of experience in the payments sector, Fred is responsible for scaling and shaping the partnerships and go to market strategy for Wise Platform’s solutions across Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Prior to joining Wise, he held leadership roles at Mastercard and has worked in major financial hubs from Singapore to New York, as well as Frankfurt.
Sustainable Finance and...
Sustainable Finance and Climate Action Expert, WeNetwork.app/47Pitches, Netherlands
Arend Janssen is a Sustainable Finance and Climate Action Expert with a broad background spanning international organizations, financial institutions, and consulting. At WeNetwork.app/47Pitches, he connects health and climate tech startups with venture capitalists and angel investors, fostering innovation in sectors critical to the planet and public well-being. In addition to this role, he contributes his expertise to the Blockchain & Climate Institute, the International Sustainable Resilience Center, and the Urban, Planning and Transport Research Journal. He also works in trade finance with Euro Exim Bank and Silicon Valley Global PH, supporting global financial operations and sustainable investment strategies. His career has taken him across roles in the Netherlands, the European Union, and the United Nations, focusing on sustainable development, climate finance, and resilience. He held key positions at the European Investment Bank, where he evaluated urban and regional development projects, and at the UN Climate Action Team, where he advanced the Paris Agreement and global climate finance initiatives. He also supported organizations including the Multilateral Corporation Center for Development Finance, the Impact Economy Foundation, and the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong. Arend earned a Master's in Urban Planning from the University of Amsterdam and a Bachelor's in Human Geography from Utrecht University, with an exchange at the University of Florida. He has shared his knowledge as a guest lecturer at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and University College London. Based in Amsterdam, Arend enjoys life with his wife and two children.
Founder and CEO,...
Founder and CEO, ASR Ventures, Netherlands
Dr. Ajay Sharma is a Netherlands-based global business leader and founder of ASR Ventures. He works with boards, executives, and investors at the intersection of sustainable finance, ESG governance, and technology-driven transformation, helping organizations translate green ambition into bankable strategies, measurable outcomes, and credible controls. In 2025, he was recognized as a “Sustainable Entrepreneur” by Business Press. He is a board member at iCapital Ventures and the author of The Conscious Board, which explores modern board governance and decision accountability in an AI-enabled world. With deep leadership and board-level experience across Europe, India, and Africa, Dr. Sharma has supported growth and transformation initiatives spanning fintech and alternative finance, digital infrastructure, and the energy transition. His work emphasizes disciplined governance, risk oversight, stakeholder alignment, and practical operating models that make ESG and sustainability initiatives scalable, auditable, and investable.
Executive Director, Digital...
Executive Director, Digital Euro Association, Germany
Tamara Ferreira Schmidt is Executive Director of the Digital Euro Association (DEA), with over 15 years of experience in financial engineering, capital markets, and derivatives. A German Chancellor Fellow of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, she researched alternative financing and its role in shaping early-stage ecosystems across Brazil and Germany. She focuses on digital finance, innovation, and digital currencies, and regularly moderates and speaks at leading international conferences, including the Crypto Assets Conference, Digital Euro Conference, Brussels Blockchain Week, Nordic Blockchain Conference, Warsaw Finance Week, and London Blockchain Conference.
Founder, Valorial, Germany
Founder, Valorial, Germany
Dorothee Georg is the Founder of Valorial, an AI governance advisory firm specializing in EU AI Act compliance. Valorial assesses whether AI systems meet EU regulatory requirements, covering governance architecture, Fundamental Rights Impact Assessments under Article 27, bias audits, and trainings. Dorothee brings 20 years of environmental and social risk management experience across 30+ countries and various years of AI assessments and automations. Her work applies international safeguard methodologies to AI governance, connecting development finance practice with EU regulation on algorithmic bias, equity, and fundamental rights. Dorothee holds the CFA Certificate in ESG Investing, has published with the World Bank, UN, and OECD, and has lived and worked in Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa.
Founder, AIGO-OS, Germany
Founder, AIGO-OS, Germany
Ernest Aduwenye is an AI Governance and information security professional working at the intersection of risk, regulation, and real-world AI implementation in complex, high-stakes environments. His focus is not on what AI governance should be, but on how it operates in practice. With experience in information security, regulatory compliance, and risk management, he designs governance approaches that move beyond policies and assessments into enforceable control mechanisms within AI systems. He is the Founder of the AI Governance Operating System (AIGO-OS), a model that embeds accountability, control gates, and auditability directly into AI execution. His work addresses one of the core challenges in AI today: ensuring that increasingly autonomous systems remain governed, explainable, and aligned with human oversight in real time.
Head of the...
Head of the Open Finance Ecosystem and Financial Innovations Development Division, National Bank of Georgia, Georgia
I am the Head of the Open Finance Ecosystem and Financial Innovations Development Division at the National Bank of Georgia, where I lead strategic initiatives shaping Georgia’s Fintech and digital finance landscape. With over 15 years of experience in banking — spanning both commercial banking and central bank roles — I bring a balanced perspective that combines market realities with regulatory vision. My work focuses on developing open banking and open finance frameworks, advancing regulatory innovation, and fostering effective collaboration between regulators, financial institutions, Fintechs, and technology providers. I oversee regulatory sandbox and Innovations Office, supporting startups, digital banks, and incumbent institutions in bringing responsible, scalable innovation to market. I have been closely involved in building the country’s open banking infrastructure, supervising credit information bureaus, and contributing to the development of the national credit registry. I also support digital banking models, API ecosystem development, and exploratory work on emerging technologies.
Executive Director /...
Executive Director / Founder CFA – Climate Frontier Advocacy LBG, Germany
Dr. John-Baptist Naah is an Applied AI Engineer and Postdoctoral Researcher specializing in Responsible AI, AI Governance, and regulatory-aligned AI deployment. His expertise includes EU AI Act compliance, AI risk management, and trustworthy AI systems, with hands-on experience developing machine learning, NLP, and LLM-powered solutions in Python. With an interdisciplinary research background spanning sustainability, socio-ecological systems, and innovation policy, he brings a practical perspective on how AI can be scaled responsibly across high-impact sectors, including finance and regulated industries. Dr. Naah is also a Founder, PeopleCert certified, and actively contributes to public discourse on emerging technologies through research, stakeholder engagement, and media commentary.
AI Governance Expert...
AI Governance Expert & Architect, AIGN OS, Germany
Patrick Upmann is an AI Governance Expert and the Architect of AIGN OS – the Operating System for Responsible AI Governance. He is internationally recognized as a thought leader, standard setter, and scientific architect in AI Governance, with multiple DOI-registered publications on systemic AI governance, decision accountability, and regulatory implementation. His work focuses on one critical question: How organisations — particularly in regulated environments such as financial services — can not only use AI, but understand, document, and defend AI-driven decisions under real regulatory, audit, and liability pressure. With AIGN OS, he introduced a governance architecture that transforms AI governance from principles into operational infrastructure — enabling board-level accountability, auditability, and global regulatory alignment (including EU AI Act, ISO/IEC 42001, NIST AI RMF, and OECD principles).Patrick advises boards, executives, and financial institutions globally and is a frequent speaker on AI governance, liability, and systemic risk. He defines the shift from explainability to decision defensibility in AI-driven systems.
Chief Commercial Officer...
Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Consorsbank, BNP Paribas, Germany
Tino Benker Schwuchow is Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Consorsbank at BNP Paribas Personal Investors, where he also serves as a member of the Executive Committee. The business unit of BNP Paribas Personal Investors comprises several prominent brands, including Consorsbank, DAB BNP Paribas, and BNP Paribas Wealth Management Private Banking. He is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Innovation, Technology & Global Strategic Management at Durham University in collaboration with emlyon business school. Mr Benker Schwuchow joined BNP Paribas in 2015 as Head of Human Resources Germany at BNP Paribas Real Estate. He subsequently assumed broader responsibilities as Head of Human Resources Germany and Austria at BNP Paribas Corporate & Institutional Banking. In 2020, he was appointed Chief People Officer for Germany and Austria, and in 2021 became a member of the Group Management Board of BNP Paribas in Germany. His early career includes service in the German Federal Armed Forces, where he served as a Mountain Infantryman and Human Resources Advisor with the 23rd Mountain Infantry Brigade from 2003 to 2008. After completing his military service, he transitioned into the financial sector, holding senior human resources roles at Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (2009–2012) and subsequently at JPMorgan Chase & Co., where he served as Senior Human Resources Business Partner from 2012 to 2015. Mr Benker Schwuchow began his professional career with vocational training as a commercial associate, followed by advanced professional qualifications, including a Bachelor Professional in Human Resources awarded by the German Chamber of Industry and CommerceK). He also holds a Master’s degree in Finance, Technology & Innovation from Durham University and EBS University of Business and Law.
Supervisory Board Member,...
Supervisory Board Member, ClearBank, Germany
Carola Theresia Paschola is a seasoned Non-Executive Director and Board Chair with deep governance experience across financial services, insurance, FinTech, digital assets and technology, underpinned by an early career in strategy consulting and international leadership roles at American Express, Domestic & General, Vivendi and Dell. She currently serves as Supervisory Board Member of ClearBank Europe NV in Amsterdam, Chair of the Board of DFV Deutsche Familienversicherung AG in Frankfurt, and Supervisory Board Member of Melanion Digital in Paris, bringing particular expertise in regulated transformation, digital innovation and risk-aware oversight. She is a Harvard Business School MBA and Computer Science & Business graduate of TU Darmstadt.
Specialist IT Governance...
Specialist IT Governance & Regulatory (ITSS), ABN AMRO Bank N.V., Germany
Onur Kücük is a Specialist in IT Governance & Regulatory at Bethmann Bank (ABN AMRO), where he focuses on the interplay between regulatory requirements and IT transformation within the banking sector. He currently leads the QA/Testing workstream within a large-scale IT integration program, ensuring alignment with frameworks such as DORA and MaRisk. His professional trajectory reflects a deliberate progression from corporate banking into corporate governance and information security, culminating in his current focus on IT regulatory frameworks. Building on this foundation, Onur has developed a perspective that brings together business, regulatory and technological considerations in a coherent and well-structured manner. His work is defined by a pragmatic and disciplined approach, translating complex regulatory frameworks into implementable solutions while maintaining a clear alignment with operational realities. He is particularly engaged in areas such as audit management, third-party risk and IT governance. Onur holds an MBA with a specialization in risk management and is certified in information security, MaRisk compliance and outsourcing governance
Senior Expert Digital...
Senior Expert Digital Currencies, DZ BANK AG, Germany
Maximilian works 25+ years for DZ BANK AG as Senior Expert Digital Currencies. His focus is the Commercial Bank Money Token (CBMT), bringing commercial bank money into the DLT-based business processes of corporates.
Senior Payments Strategist,...
Senior Payments Strategist, German Savings Banks Association (DSGV), Germany
Anja Finke is a senior payments strategist with around 15 years of experience across management consulting and the payments industry. In her current role at the German Savings Banks Association (DSGV), she focuses on emerging payments topics, particularly account-to-account solutions, instant payments, and the European payments initiative EPI/Wero. Before joining DSGV, she worked in management consulting advising financial institutions on strategy, innovation, and digital transformation. She later spent over five years at Mastercard in account management, business development, and fintech-related roles, gaining extensive experience working with banks, fintechs, and innovative market participants.
General Counsel &...
General Counsel & BaaS Executive, SWK Bank, Germany
Thomas Kowohl is General Counsel and BaaS Executive at a German online consumer bank. He is responsible for legal, regulatory and commercial strategy, with a particular focus on Banking-as-a-Service, embedded finance and regulated lending structures. Thomas combines deep regulatory expertise with hands-on experience in scaling BaaS and digital lending models.
Director, FS Consulting...
Director, FS Consulting | Credit Risk & AI, PwC, Germany
Dr. Christian Bélorgey is Director, FS Consulting | Credit Risk & AI at PwC. He advises banks across Europe on the regulatory compliant optimization of credit processes, particularly through digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI). With more than 25 years of experience in the credit business, he has shared his perspectives as a speaker at numerous national and international conferences..
Head of Corporate...
Head of Corporate Payments DSGV - German Savings Banks and Giro Association, Germany
Manfred Richels has been with the German Savings Banks Association (DSGV) for a year, where he is responsible for strategy and product development in payment transactions for corporate clients and all topics related to digital money and digital assets. He is also responsible for the API strategy of the Savings Banks Finance Group. Furthermore, he represents the European Payments Council in the ECB's Digital Euro Rulebook Development Working Group. Previously, he spent over 20 years at UniCredit in various management positions within the payments sector.
Senior Manager, PwC...
Senior Manager, PwC & Board President, EWPN, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Merima Mahmutović is a Senior Manager for Strategy, Transformation, and Technology Consulting for Southeastern Europe at PwC. She leads major transformation projects in the financial sector, designing innovative solutions and enhancing business models through collaboration with leading international and domestic banks, fintech companies, and payment institutions. Her work places a strong focus on developing and implementing modern platform services: including open banking and SEPA payment systems, that help financial institutions build competitive and future-ready digital ecosystems. Merima also brings over 12 years of experience in the banking industry. Throughout her career, she has held a variety of roles from SME sales and product development for small businesses to serving as Director of the Banking Support Division in the major European Banking groups. She has also worked in a large IT company, where she was responsible for developing business with financial sector clients in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Beyond her professional work, Merima is deeply engaged in community and industry development. She serves as Chair of the Executive Board of the European Women Payments Network (EWPN), one of the leading European association based in the Netherlands. She is also a member of the Advisory Board of the eCommerce Association in Bosnia and Herzegovina and a member of the Banking and Finance Committee at AmCham. Born in Sarajevo, Merima holds two master's degrees — one in Banking and Insurance, and another in Information Systems Management, a program developed in cooperation with Microsoft. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Digital Innovation, further demonstrating her dedication to continuous learning, professional growth, and the advancement of the financial technology landscape.
AI Implementation Strategist...
AI Implementation Strategist & Digital Consultant, DB Systel GmbH, Germany
I work at the intersection of finance, technology, and AI, with experience in banking and business roles. I focus on making complex technologies accessible to non-technical professionals, helping them understand and apply AI in real-world business contexts. I’m currently building in this space, combining AI, communication, and personal branding.
Practice Lead/Director, GarantiBank...
Practice Lead/Director, GarantiBank International NV, Netherlands
Zafer Ergezen is a seasoned banking executive with 20+ years of experience in business support, risk monitoring, credits, and client services. At GarantiBank International NV, he leads one of the bank’s largest departments, overseeing CDD, KYC, onboarding, fraud prevention, and TDD. He has driven major transformations, including RPA, AI-based compliance solutions, and digital ID verification systems, while ensuring strong regulatory compliance. A recognized leader, Zafer is known for building high-performing teams and aligning operations with strategic goals. He is also a frequent speaker and commentator on KYC/AML, compliance, and financial markets, with expertise as a Commodity Market Expert and Economist.
Chief Regulatory Officer...
Chief Regulatory Officer & General Counsel, AllUnity, Germany
Alpay Soytürk is Chief Regulatory Officer and General Counsel at AllUnity, where he leads the legal and compliance functions and serves as the primary point of contact for supervisory authorities. His work focuses on legal strategy, regulatory compliance and the management of legal risks, particularly in relation to the issuance of e money tokens and the implementation of MiCAR. Previously, he served as Chief Regulatory Officer at Spectrum Markets, overseeing risk, compliance and regulatory affairs across multiple jurisdictions. He also spent several years at Deutsche Börse Group and Börse Stuttgart, where he gained extensive experience in market structure, regulatory strategy and the regulation of market data. His regulatory expertise covers key EU frameworks including MiFID II and MiFIR, IFR, CRR and CRD, DORA, PSD, EMD, ZAG and MiCAR, with a strong track record in navigating complex requirements in highly regulated environments.
CEO & Founder,...
CEO & Founder, TESOBE & Open Bank Project, Germany
Pioneering Open Banking since 2010, Simon is the CEO of TESOBE and Founder of the Open Bank Project, the open-source API platform for banks. Simon studied electronic engineering in Manchester where he focused on real-time programming and digital systems - and he subsequently worked as a software developer, architect, sysadmin, DBA, and CTO on numerous web / mobile platforms. Always keen to explore emerging technologies, Simon is also a composer and enjoys interdisciplinary creative collaborations. He is a keen supporter of open source, believing it is a force for social good. Simon was a technical lead on the UK open banking standards design group and has since advised banks and regulators across the globe
Associate Director, fscom,...
Associate Director, fscom, UK
Stuart Smith is an Associate Director at fscom, specializing in financial crime, AML, and regulatory compliance across the UK and EU payments landscape. He leads AML, IT security, and governance audits for payments, e-money, and digital asset firms across multiple jurisdictions. He previously headed Transaction Monitoring, Fraud, and Screening functions for a large Electronic Money Institution, overseeing operations across both the UK and EU. He also served as Deputy MLRO for four years, where he played a key role in designing and implementing robust financial crime control frameworks, including oversight of agents and distributors. With deep expertise in financial crime prevention, Stuart has extensive experience building and scaling operational teams across onboarding, monitoring, and complaints, including offshore delivery models. He has worked closely with regulators in the UK, Netherlands, Ireland, and Guernsey, and supported a successful EMI license application with the Dutch Central Bank (DNB). He also brings industry collaboration experience, having served as Chair of an NCA SAR working group, contributing to strengthening financial crime reporting standards and practices.
Executive Director GPL...
Executive Director GPL Banks EMEA, Wells Fargo, Germany
Thomas Ohler is a Senior FI Treasury Management Consultant and Executive Director at Wells Fargo Bank International UC, based in Frankfurt. He advises financial institutions across EMEA on global payments, cash & clearing, and liquidity solutions, with a particular focus on Southern Europe, Germany & Austria. With over 20 years of international banking experience, Thomas has held senior transactional banking and financial institution sales roles at Wells Fargo, UniCredit, Deutsche Bank, BBVA, and Commerzbank. His career spans Europe and Latin America, including leadership positions in Frankfurt, Munich, and São-Paulo, covering cash management, clearing, deposits, trade finance, and FI relationship management. Thomas brings deep expertise in correspondent banking, cross border liquidity structures, and institutional client coverage, combining strategic perspective with hands on market experience across mature and emerging markets.
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Senior Solutions Architect...
Senior Solutions Architect - GFS Payments, Global Financial Services, Amazon Web Services (AWS), UK
Swaminathan “Mac” Mahalingam is an accomplished enterprise architect with extensive experience across retail and investment banking, having delivered over 60 projects across 8+ countries in the UK and Europe. He has held key roles including Senior Technology Architect, Integration Architect, and Managing Technical Architect, leading architecture, design, development, and strategic transformation initiatives. Known for his strong problem-solving skills and innovative approach, Mac combines deep technical expertise with forward-thinking architectural concepts. He is also a recognized thought leader, sharing insights through blogs and articles on evolving business and technology trends, and is an effective communicator across C-level, managerial, and technical audiences. His previous experience includes Finastra, FIS, Lloyds Bank, Standard Bank, and Sun Microsystems (now Oracle).
Team Lead...
Team Lead AML/AFC Controls & Testing Solaris SE, Germany
Dr. Victoria Ojo-Adewuyi is a financial crime risk and compliance professional with experience leading Anti-Financial Crime controls, testing, and assurance functions within regulated banking and fintech environments. She specialises in AML, fraud prevention, regulatory compliance, risk assessment, and financial crime investigations, with a strong track record of strengthening control frameworks and enhancing organisational resilience against evolving financial crime threats. As a Lead for AFC Controls & Testing, Victoria has successfully partnered with senior stakeholders, Audit teams, and regulators to assess control effectiveness, drive remediation initiatives, and embed robust non-financial risk management practices across complex organisations. Victoria holds a PhD in Law and is passionate about advancing industry best practices in financial crime compliance, governance, and risk management.
Founder and...
Founder and Managing Director, Trust EU Affairs, Belgium
Based in Brussels since 2003, Monica is the owner and managing director of TrustEuAffairs. TrustEuAffairs advises its clients since 2013 on Eu legislative relevant initiatives, with a focus on payment systems and digital payments, including crypto assets. Monica has previously been Senior Manager for EU Relations and Regulatory Affairs in the Legal Department of Visa for more than ten years, being responsible for the relations with the European Institutions as well as with various national regulators. Monica holds a Master's Degree in Economics, European Law oriented, from L.U.I.S.S.-Guido Carli University in Rome, Italy.
Head of Payments...
Head of Payments & Operations, FIB Frankfurt International Bank AG, Germany
Experienced leader in Payments and Banking Operations with a proven track record of managing international teams and delivering complex regulatory and payment initiatives. At FIB Frankfurt International Bank AG, Raisin Bank, Fidor Bank, and PPRO, I have built modern payment infrastructures, driven process automation, and successfully implemented key regulatory frameworks such as PSD2, DORA, and ISO 20022. I combine technical expertise, operational excellence, and strategic leadership to advance innovation, efficiency, and compliance in digital banking and FinTech environments.
Managing Director |...
Managing Director | Digital Assets Markets, DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale, Germany
Viktor Banh studied Business Administration at the University of Paderborn and has been with DekaBank since 2009. Within the Capital Markets division, he is responsible for digital asset transactions and supports savings banks, issuers, and investors in the implementation of digital capital market products. Previously, he worked as Business Manager for the Capital Markets and Treasury divisions, where he gained extensive product and process expertise. Since 2018, he has been supporting DekaBank’s blockchain initiatives and their implementation in specific capital markets transactions – including, for example, Siemens €300 Mio. digital bond and Berlin Hyp’s first blockchain-based Pfandbrief.
Founder, ArtComply, Germany
Founder, ArtComply, Germany
Dagmar has more than 30 years of experience in the international financial sector, specializing in Anti-Financial Crime (AFC), AML/CTF, sanctions compliance, regulatory transformation, and risk governance across complex cross-border financial environments. Her work focuses on balancing regulatory expectations with sustainable business growth, operational resilience, and trusted client relationships. Throughout her career, she has held senior compliance, risk, and advisory roles at major international institutions including BNY Mellon, Deutsche Börse AG, Commerzbank AG, and Erste Group Bank AG. She has led and supported regional and global initiatives covering AML risk frameworks, transaction monitoring, sanctions compliance, correspondent banking governance, fraud prevention, and regulatory transformation programs across EMEA and CEE markets. Dagmar holds a degree in Business Administration and is a Certified Compliance Professional (Frankfurt School of Finance & Management). She has contributed as a speaker to industry conferences and expert panels and participated in international working groups including Anti Financial Crime Alliance (AFCA), the International Securities Services Association (ISSA) and the SWIFT KYC Registry Working Group. She is the founder of ArtComply, a Frankfurt-based boutique consultancy specializing in AML, Anti-Financial Crime, and Risk Governance for the finance, art, and culture sectors.
Senior VP– Global...
Senior VP– Global Business Governance, Risk and Control Lead, Merchant Solutions, Deutsche Bank, Germany
Dinto Jose is a Senior VP at Merchant Solutions business at Deutsche Bank with over 15 years of experience across global banking, fintech, and payments. Based in Frankfurt, he specializes in merchant acquiring, payment risk, financial crime risk, sanctions, AML, fraud prevention, and payment governance within complex EU regulatory environments. He has led strategic risk and payment initiatives across global acquiring and payment ecosystems, fintech partnerships, and AI-driven financial crime programs, with a strong focus on scalable risk frameworks, regulatory readiness, operational resilience, and digital payments transformation.
Head of Industry...
Head of Industry Issues and Cooperation Initiatives & Head of Communications, Euro Banking Association (EBA), Germany
Annick Moes is Head of Industry Issues, Cooperation Initiatives and Communications at the Euro Banking Association (EBA), the largest cross-sectoral network of payment practitioners pursuing a pan-European vision. She is responsible for the EBA’s market practices and regulatory guidance stream, which provides the European payments ecosystem with a pan-European perspective and practical support. Annick has been working in European payments for over 20 years.
Chief Revenue Officer,...
Chief Revenue Officer, Atrya, Germany
Besart Shala is Chief Revenue Officer at Atrya, Europe’s first regulated on-chain payment infrastructure. He brings over a decade of experience in corporate banking, cross-border payments, FX, and fintech, having spent 11+ years at Commerzbank before joining iBanFirst, where he led business development and the German market. At Atrya, Besart focuses on scaling regulated on-chain payments, enabling real-time cross-border settlement, programmable B2B payments, and AI-driven agentic payments through compliant, MiCAR-regulated infrastructure.
Product Manager Instant...
Product Manager Instant Payments, Deutsche Bank, Germany
Nora Oshana is a Product Manager for Instant Payments at Deutsche Bank, where she serves as a Senior Product Manager within the Global Instant Payments Team, with responsibility for SEPA Instant Payments. Her expertise covers European payment market regulations and innovations, with an end-to-end product focus spanning technology, client experience, payment and settlement processing, and liquidity management. Nora also focuses on cross-border and international payments, including OLO and interlinkage, helping shape the development of efficient and connected instant payment solutions across Europe.
AI Lead, Cognita...
AI Lead, Cognita Reply, Germany
Eslam Shoaala is an AI Lead at Cognita Reply (an OpenAI Service Partner) in Munich, building production agentic AI systems for enterprise clients in financial services and beyond. He is also completing an MBA at Frankfurt School, researching enterprise AI adoption in regulated industries.
Co-Founder, ID-Bound, Israel
Co-Founder, ID-Bound, Israel
Dr. Eli Talmor is the Co-Founder of ID-Bound, a technology developer of the innovative TRIO Ecosystem for Institutional-grade Public Blockchain, free from Financial Crime. Dr. Talmor is a serial entrepreneur, technologist, inventor, investor, and scholar. He created multiple new ventures in various fields, authored numerous publications and conference presentations, and co-invented numerous patents.
Chairman of the...
Chairman of the Board, Magnetiq Bank, Latvia
Jakub Wieclaw is a financial and banking technology professional with more than 15 years of experience in developing and implementing innovative FinTech solutions and facilitating strategic business development in the European region. Prior to joining Magnetiq Bank, J. Wieclaw previously worked for Aion Bank S.A. and Vodeno Sp. z o.o. where, as Business Development Director, he managed projects in the Northern and Central European regions with a focus on Banking-as-a-Service solutions. Under his leadership, several important projects were implemented, working with companies such as PayPo, InPost, ZEN and others, ensuring the development and implementation of payment, lending and digital banking solutions. J. Wieclaw is an expert in financial product development. One of his most notable achievements is the launch of the first fully mobile bank in Belgium. His expertise in digital transformation has helped transform traditional banks into modern neobanks, driving innovation and customer satisfaction.
Managing Partner-Regulatory, Finsys...
Managing Partner-Regulatory, Finsys Consulting, Belgium
Elizaveta Palaznik is Managing Partner, Regulatory at Finsys Consulting, advising financial institutions, insurers, and digital asset firms on regulatory transformation across Europe. Her expertise spans financial markets, governance, operational resilience, and European financial regulation, including MiCA and DORA. She supports executive teams in navigating regulatory change and delivering transformation initiatives that strengthen compliance, resilience, and governance.
CEO, Finsys Consulting...
CEO, Finsys Consulting SARL, Luxembourg
Jetmira Mata is CEO of Finsys Consulting, a Luxembourg-based advisory firm focused on digital transformation, artificial intelligence and innovation in financial services. She has more than 15 years of experience across finance, technology and business transformation. She helps financial institutions implement digital strategies and improve operational performance. She works closely with banking leaders, European institutions and technology providers to strengthen collaboration across the financial ecosystem and support the successful adoption of new technologies.
Manager Embedded Finance,...
Manager Embedded Finance, PwC, Germany
Christiaan Eijberts is a Manager for Embedded Finance at PwC Germany and an expert in Open Banking and Open Finance. He brings over ten years of national and international experience in financial services consulting, specializing in transformation projects that strengthen regulatory compliance while unlocking new revenue potential. Thanks to his extensive audit background, he has a keen eye for what it truly takes to be compliant. His work focuses on Open Finance (FiDA), Open Banking (PSD3/PSR), Embedded Finance, Digital Payments Regulation, Payment Security, and KYC-related topics. Among his most notable engagements, Christiaan supported the preliminary study and preparation of an industry-wide national Open Finance scheme, analyzing the market, technological feasibility, and business case while deriving a strategic roadmap. Bridging the regulatory, business, and technical dimensions of financial services, Christiaan advises institutions across banking, insurance, fintech, technology, merchants and the public sector on building future-ready digital payment service solutions.
Head of Financial...
Head of Financial Services Solutions Architecture, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Germany
Pilar has more than 20 years of experience in technology for regulated industries. After more than a decade working on the development and validation of automotive safety relevant functions and autonomous driving, she joined AWS as Manager of Solutions Architecture for regulated industries. Passionate about product development, innovation and cloud native architectures, Pilar specializes in supporting financial institutions to make their vision turn to reality. Her expertise includes change management, enterprise transformation for IT and validation in regulated environments.
Founder and CEO,...
Founder and CEO, Mintra AML, Netherlands
Chana Agarunov is the Founder and CEO of Mintra AML and a financial crime leader with experience across Big Four consulting firms and Tier 1 banks. She works at the intersection of regulation, data, and technology, helping financial institutions build stronger AML programmes and bridge the gap between regulatory expectations and operational reality.
Founder & Managing...
Founder & Managing Director, Mintra AML, Netherlands
Ronan Mohammed is the Founder and Managing Director of Mintra AML with over 12 years of experience across banking, from customer-facing roles to strategic functions supporting senior management. Ronan is passionate about helping financial institutions strengthen AML governance and build scalable, technology-driven operating models.
Senior Product Marketing...
Senior Product Marketing Manager, TransferGo, UK
Bamiyo Awonusi is a product and growth marketing leader with 9+ years of experience across fintech, payments, technology and financial services in EMEA and APAC. She specialises in bringing complex financial products to market, building high-performing acquisition engines, and developing go-to-market strategies for high-growth markets. At TransferGo, Bamiyo led the go-to-market strategy for the company’s debut Visa debit card, from product concept and partnership through to full-funnel launch, contributing to significant growth across the UK and European customer base. She also expanded the company’s reach into new EMEA corridors, building scalable acquisition and product marketing strategies around diverse customer needs. Previously at Africa Prudential Plc, she built the product marketing function from the ground up and led the launch of multiple fintech products, significantly expanding the company’s digital product portfolio and generating substantial incremental revenue. Bamiyo brings a cross-functional perspective spanning product, marketing and growth, with particular expertise in navigating the regulatory, cultural and consumer complexities of financial services across emerging and established markets.
Co-Founder & CEO,...
Co-Founder & CEO, TokenForge GmbH, Germany
With more than 10 years of experience in company building, blockchain consulting, and venture scaling, Moritz Stumpf combines strategic vision with technical expertise. As co-founder and CEO of tokenforge, he is responsible for the strategic development and positioning of the company within the European financial market, driving the adoption of compliant digital asset infrastructures.
Head of Big...
Head of Big Data Advanced Analytics, Commerzbank AG, Managing Director, EuroDaT GmbH, Germany
Dirk Thomas is a graduate physicist and engineer. He is at Big Data Advanced Analytics/Commerzbank AG also responsible for co-operations and innovations, especially in the public cloud context, including digital products for corporate clients. He has several years of experience in risk systems, models, and data science. Furthermore, he was setting up the European Cloud User Coalition (ECUC) and acts today as one of the moderators.
Founder & CEO,...
Founder & CEO, Hypermine, Germany
With over a decade of experience collaborating with governments, global regulators, and enterprise leaders to deploy resilient security infrastructure, Irfan brings deep domain expertise across cybersecurity, PKI, and next-generation identity frameworks. His background spans network security, cryptographic protocols, and secure hardware, shaped by pivotal security roles at global technology leaders including Thales, Cisco, and Citrix. Today, Irfan serves as the Founder & CEO of Hypermine, the deep-tech venture behind Hypersign—a modular Digital Trust and verifiable credential platform. Engineered to address the evolving requirements of eIDAS 2.0, the EU Digital Identity (EUDI) Wallet, and global data privacy regulations, Hypermine delivers plug-and-play trust infrastructure that enables fintechs, payment networks, and institutions to execute high-assurance verification, Strong Customer Authentication (SCA), and privacy-preserving compliance.
Principal Consultant, FICO,...
Principal Consultant, FICO, Germany
Dr Ulrich Wiesner is Principal Consultant at FICO, where he applies data analytics and AI to operational decision strategies across the credit lifecycle. With more than 25 years of experience implementing decision technology, he has a proven track record advising banks and lenders on credit risk and decisioning. Ulrich holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Stuttgart.
Head of Portfolio...
Head of Portfolio & Strategy for Identity Security, Telekom Security, Germany
Aldo Izard Gosch is an international thought leader and strategic expert for digital identity, trust services, and cybersecurity at Deutsche Telekom Security. He drives the global positioning of sovereign identity at the intersection of technology, regulation, and market strategy. His expertise spans IAM, PKI, electronic signatures and securing digital business models in the age of AI. Aldo advises enterprises and public institutions worldwide on building scalable, trustworthy digital strategies.
Head of Banking...
Head of Banking & VP Solutions, Skaleet, France
Luis Miguel Escudeiro is a banking and financial technology executive with more than 20 years of experience across major banking groups, consulting firms, and software publishers. He currently serves as Head of Banking and VP Solutions at Skaleet, where he combines strategic leadership with deep expertise in banking technology, product strategy, and client solutions. At Skaleet, Luis leads the strategic development of the Banking vertical, shaping its vision, market positioning, and product direction while driving collaboration across product, technology, and delivery teams. As VP Solutions, he also leads Solution Consulting, working closely with financial institutions across EMEA on transformation programs, RFI/RFP processes, solution design, demonstrations, and strategic advisory. Throughout his career, Luis has worked at the intersection of banking, lending, technology, and business transformation, supporting more than 40 financial institutions and contributing to solutions managing over 10 million accounts. His experience spans core banking, lending and leasing, structured finance, digital banking, and SaaS platforms, with a particular focus on helping financial institutions move from legacy technology to more agile, configurable, and API-first operating models. Before joining Skaleet, Luis held senior roles at Linedata, Natixis, and Mainsys, where he led product strategy, complex banking technology programs, structured finance initiatives, and large-scale solution deployments across international teams. He holds a Master’s degree in Finance from Université Paris Dauphine, complemented by a background in econometrics and quantitative economics.
Principal Solutions Engineer,...
Principal Solutions Engineer, Ping Identity, UK
Rob is a Senior Technical Architect for Ping Identity in EMEA and also the representative to the Ping Identity CTO Office. Rob holds a BSc (Computer Science) degree from Pretoria University and has nearly 20 years experience in identity and access management. He has worked on complex implementation projects in the UK, USA, Europe and South Africa. His current area of focus is on applying industry standards like OpenID Connect and OAuth 2.0 to enable businesses to interoperate and securely expose data and API's.
Founder & CEO,...
Founder & CEO, Sriven, UK
Sashidhar Bacchu is a FinTech technology leader with deep expertise in enterprise integration, data platforms, and AI enablement across highly regulated financial services environments. He works with FinTech organisations to address the foundational challenges that determine whether AI initiatives succeed or fail, including data fragmentation, system integration, and operational resilience. With hands-on experience designing and delivering integration-led architectures, Sashi helps FinTech leaders move from data silos to connected, AI-ready platforms that support real-time decisioning, regulatory compliance, and scalable innovation. His work focuses on aligning AI strategy with robust data and integration foundations to deliver measurable business value. At Sriven, Sashi advises clients on building future-proof FinTech ecosystems that enable trusted AI adoption, intelligent automation, and sustainable growth.
Director Growth and...
Director Growth and Partnerships DACH, finperks GmbH, Germany
With over five years of experience in fintech and bank partnerships, Lea is Director Growth & Partnerships DACH at finperks. Previously at Paysafe and viafintech, she managed and launched partnerships with banks including Deutsche Bank, ING DiBa, DKB, comdirect and C24 Bank.
Managing Director, Gutmark,...
Managing Director, Gutmark, Radtke & Company, Germany
Hans Radtke is an independent banking consultant and programme manager with more than three decades in financial services, running risk, compliance and payments initiatives, and he has been applying AI in banking since the early days of machine learning. He is managing director of the consultancy Gutmark, Radtke & Company, and co-founder of flankr, a Frankfurt-based start-up building sovereign, auditable agentic AI for project and programme management in regulated industries.
Partner, Strateco GmbH,...
Partner, Strateco GmbH, Germany
Hartmut T. Renz is Partner, Regulatory, Risk & Compliance Advisory at STRATECO GmbH, Germany. He has extensive experience in regulatory, compliance, AML, risk management and capital markets law, having held senior roles at Citigroup, LBBW, Helaba, DZ Bank and other leading financial institutions. He has advised banks and financial institutions on compliance governance, AML, capital markets regulation, outsourcing, data protection and risk management. Hartmut is also a lecturer at the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management and other European universities, and regularly speaks and publishes on regulatory, risk, compliance and AML topics. He is a founding member of the Frankfurt Compliance Circle and BDCO Federal Association of German Compliance Officers, and holds a law degree from Heidelberg University.
Founder Agentic Commerce...
Founder Agentic Commerce CoE, PwC Deutschland, Germany
Xiaojing Zhao is an AI Transformation Strategist specializing in financial services, helping organizations turn AI innovation into measurable business impact. With background in computer science and as a hands-on practitioner, she works at the intersection of business strategy and AI technology, shaping AI-enabled operating models and scaling adoption from experimentation to enterprise-wide execution.
Business Change Manager,...
Business Change Manager, ING, Netherlands
Atefeh Naderkhani is a finance and governance strategist with over 13 years of experience driving transformation across leading institutions including ING, Rabobank, and Capgemini. She is currently a PhD candidate in Finance at VU Amsterdam, where her research explores the frontiers of shareholder activism, sustainable finance, and algorithmic governance. Her work sits at the intersection of innovation, corporate strategy, and financial regulation. Atefeh designs advanced governance models addressing ESG data integrity, DeFi risk, and regulatory arbitrage, while advising C-suite leaders and boards on digital transformation, compliance, and long-term sustainability strategy. She actively contributes to public-private policy dialogues, working across multi-stakeholder platforms to shape the future of financial systems, sustainability, and responsible technology adoption. Recognized among the Global 200 Women Power Leaders 2025, Atefeh brings a strong voice to global discussions on sustainable finance, governance, and the evolution of digital markets.
Fixed Income COO...
Fixed Income COO Continental Europe, Morgan Stanley, Germany
Markus Wirth, CFA, is a senior banking executive with more than 20 years of experience across risk, capital, transformation and front-office management. Most recently, he served as COO of the Fixed Income Division at Morgan Stanley Europe SE, alongside senior leadership roles in prudential risk and capital. His current focus is on how financial institutions can adopt AI effectively, combining business value and operating-model change with robust governance, risk management and regulatory control.
Senior Manager, Deloitte,...
Senior Manager, Deloitte, Germany
Niklas Lammers is a Senior Manager at Deloitte with over a decade of experience in Identity & Access Management (IAM), Digital Trust, and Privacy. He specializes in helping organizations strengthen digital identity, security, and trust.
Director and Head...
Director and Head of Customer & People Advisory, EY Consulting GmbH, Germany
Lukas Wolf is Director and Head of Customer & People Advisory Germany within EY’s EMEIA Financial Services practice. Together with his team, he helps banks and insurers transform how they engage customers and enable their people, connecting customer experience, sales and service, digital business models, organizational design and change. His work ranges from end-to-end transformation and AI-driven change to Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), which is reshaping how customers discover, evaluate and choose financial brands. His focus is on turning strategic ambition into measurable outcomes by bringing together business, technology, organization and people.
Co-Founder, Liberin Technologies...
Co-Founder, Liberin Technologies Pvt Ltd, India
P Govind Raj is Co-Founder and Director of Engineering at Liberin Technologies, with nearly two decades of experience in IT, software engineering, research, and technology leadership. He spent nine years at CDAC before leading product and research teams at Xvidia Technologies, where he helped develop a cloud-native video broadcasting platform adopted by major telecom companies. He holds an M.S. (Research) from IIT Delhi and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. focused on applying formal methods to the Internet of Things (IoT). At Liberin Technologies, he leads engineering teams and drives the company’s technology strategy and innovation.
Chief of Staff,...
Chief of Staff, Liberland, Czech Republic
Petr Krovina brings expertise in monetary economics and statistics tied to 21st-century nation-building. He has been serving as head of operations in Liberland, the newest European country, for seven years. His main focus is to create a blockchain-based economy that provides a trustless, bureaucracy-free environment with no single point of failure—showcasing one of the directions other countries could follow to increase productivity and transparency in their own economic systems and to foster the values of freedom that embody one of the founding principles of our society.
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07–08 October 2026 | Frankfurt, Germany
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