Leadership & Partners
The people and organisations shaping WIL's shared mandate, regional legitimacy and long-term impact.
Leadership
Founder & EU Lead
Sustainable Global Impact
Strategist, evaluator, and international development leader with more than two decades of experience advancing governance, socio-economic development, institutional transformation, and sustainable development across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
LinkedIn
Founder & GCC Lead
Vibrant Work
Transformation strategist, executive leader, and ecosystem builder with more than 22 years of experience across financial services, technology, education, government, and entrepreneurship.
LinkedInAdvisory Group Members
Advisory Group Member profiles - coming soon
Founding Network Members
An invitation-only network of senior leaders from government, business, diplomacy, academia, and international organizations supporting the vision and development of WIL EU–GCC
FOUNDING MEMBER
Joanna is a capital markets, investor relations, and corporate foreign affairs executive with over two decades of experience advancing institutional investment, sustainable finance, and cross-border value creation across Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the Americas. She specialises in bridging capital markets, economic diplomacy, and strategic partnerships between Europe and the GCC.
LinkedIn
FOUNDING MEMBER
Senior Genetic Consultant with over two decades of experience in Saudi Arabia’s healthcare ecosystem, specializing in genetic screening for complex and consanguineous populations. Founder of Generation Health, developing AI solutions for healthcare. Dr. Mariam is also a professional artist and founder of the non-profit Saudi Signatures.
LinkedIn
FOUNDING MEMBER
A strategy, governance and risk executive with more than 25 years of international experience across banking, energy, sovereign investment and transformation. Having held GRC leadership roles with JP Morgan, Standard Chartered, Saudi Aramco and PIF, she has advised senior leaders on governance, enterprise risk and organizational transformation. Today, as a Founding Member of La Boutique Executive KSA, she contributes to developing executive education and advisory services for the hospitality, tourism and entertainment sectors.
LinkedIn
FOUNDING MEMBER
With over twenty years of experience, Dr. Haya has made significant contributions to the field of maternal mental health, women's empowerment and leadership in healthcare in Saudi Arabia. Through her academic work, clinical practice, and advisory roles, she addresses overlooked issues such as postpartum mental health and its influence on motherhood, while helping shape national frameworks and policy on mental health, family stability and wellness.
LinkedIn
FOUNDING MEMBER
An experienced executive and business leader with senior leadership roles as President & CEO of multiple international companies across industries, including construction, energy, telecom and technology. She combines corporate leadership with extensive engagement in economic and regulatory dialogue, driving growth, innovation and long-term value.
LinkedIn
FOUNDING MEMBER
Founder and technology leader working across law, innovation and entrepreneurship. Founder & CEO of Lenks.ai and Founder & Chief Innovation Officer at InnovationX. Her work has been recognized by MCIT, Georgetown University, the Atlantic Council, STC, InspireU and Misk Spark. She is also passionate about mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs through Misk Launchpad, Code Lab and Playbook.
LinkedIn
FOUNDING MEMBER
Annette Bak Kirby is driven by her purpose of growing collaborative leaders who act as stewards of people and planet. She has lived and worked in the GCC for 7 years and is committed to building stronger bridges between the GCC and Europe. She previously led McKinsey’s leadership and culture practice across the Middle East and Nordics. She served as a globally elected board member of Aberkyn within McKinsey. She is an active board member of Halorefine and Haloderma - two Denmark green technology companies, Senior Advisor to BoardIntelligence, and a Boardroom ExecutiveCoach with INSEAD.
LinkedIn
FOUNDING MEMBER
A futurist, psychologist, entrepreneur, and international thought impact leader dedicated to shaping a more sustainable, healthier, and human-centered future. She is CEO of Sustain Plus, GetYourWings and Lavivee, Founder of VYBE Future, President of the Club of Budapest Germany, Patron of UN World Cleanup Day, and a member of the Club of Rome, UN Women Germany, Atlantik-Brücke, and the UN Ocean Decade Committee Germany. A TEDx speaker, journalist, publisher, and TV/radio host, she has authored more than 55 books and 500 articles. Recognized by Forbes as a “Superwoman” and by HypoVereinsbank as one of Germany’s outstanding entrepreneurs, she has received over 60 international awards.
LinkedIn
FOUNDING MEMBER
A business leader dedicated to advancing entrepreneurship and strengthening transatlantic ties between the United States and Europe. As President and CEO of the New York City-based Polish & American Women Entrepreneurs Association, she builds networks connecting entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders to support business growth and collaboration. Agata created and led initiatives that bring together business communities across the U.S. and Europe, fostering innovation, leadership, and economic cooperation. Drawing on her professional experience in the Middle East, Agata has developed a strong understanding of the region's business environment and a lasting interest in strengthening cooperation between the regions. Her work also includes advancing dialogue and cooperation related to EU relations and Poland while fostering stronger partnerships among entrepreneurs and leaders across continents.
LinkedInPartners and Supporters
Institutions and organisations contributing to the development of WIL EU–GCC and supporting its strategic dialogue, cross-regional cooperation and impact initiatives across Europe and the Gulf.