Archives: team-member

Simon Hardie is an Editor & Digital Innovation Catalyst with expertise in Insight & Content Strategy, and Venture Ecosystems. He is based in London, England, United Kingdom. With a strong following of 5,861 and over 500 connections, Simon is a prominent figure in his field. He is currently active in roles such as Consultant, Partnerships Specialist, Business Development Manager, Insights Director, and Content Editor. Simon’s areas of specialization include global financial services and innovation content, as well as thought leadership. He serves as a content manager & innovation ecosystem advisor for digital ecosystems in MENA and fast growth markets. Simon is also the founder of the Global Fintech Index. His current projects involve global trade and investment program development for the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, content strategy for a leading African fintech provider, supervising fintech research programs across EMEA and Nordic regions, and preparing a report on the link between fintech and financial inclusion for Newsweek. Simon’s expertise lies in content & campaign design, insight & analytics, corporate identity, positioning, scale-up acceleration, innovation thought leadership strategy, and content development.

Sasidhar Thumuluri is MD & CEO Sub-K IMPACT Solutions Ltd and has more than two decades of financial inclusion and capital markets experience in 20+ countries. He started his professional journey at BASIX, an Indian financial inclusion pioneer, and went on to pursue a career on global platform in impact investments, business strategy and technical advisory at MicroVest Capital Management, Habitat for Humanity International andInternational Financial Corporation, before rejoining BASIX group to run Sub-K which facilitates access to financial services for the underbanked by leveraging the power of technology and hyperlocal distribution network. He serves on the board of Business Correspondents Federation of India, Fintech Task Force of MFIN and advisory board for Center for Analytical Finance of Indian School of Business. Sasi has earned two masters’ degrees from Princeton University and Indian Institute of Forest Management and bachelor’s from Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University. He has also completed Accelerated Development Program from Chicago Booth School of Business and SEED Transformation Program from Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Rami Al Karmi is Exec Chairman @ Ab(new)normal Disruptors , Exponential Growth Mindset & Business Models Innovation using (AI, Blockchain, DeFi) in; FinTech, EdTech, Islamic Finance & Future of Work | VC | TEDx & Keynote Speaker Rami Al Karmi is a distinguished futurist, investor, executive coach, advisor, and innovation strategist. He is the Executive Chairman of Ab(new)normal Ventures – a Venture Capital & Corporate Innovation Studio founded by Rami to focus on AI, Blockchain, DeFi, and Web3-based Digital Twin Exponential Business Model Ventures in FinTech, EdTech, and the Future of Work. Rami is also the author of the forthcoming book “AB(NEW)NORMAL – How to Evolve Your Mindset and Business Out of Hunger Games!” [ISBN 978-1-7361597-0-5]. Rami also serves as a Professor of Practice in Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Director of the Online Learning Center OLC@HTU at Al Hussein Technical University (HTU). As a sought-after speaker, he travels extensively to discuss breakthrough technologies, cross-industry innovation, and lean exponential business models. Rami previously held the position of Senior Vice President and Group Chief Innovation Officer at Jordan Ahli Bank, and Founding CEO of Ahli FinTech. He made history as the 1st person to be approved by the Central Bank of Jordan for a C-level Chief Innovation Officer role in a bank. During his tenure, he co-founded AnaMeen.me, the first AI & Blockchain-based customer identity verification platform (eKYC-as-a-service) in the Arab world. Rami is a TEDx Speaker and Innovation X speaker at NASA’s cross-industry innovation summit. He is also a mentor at Outlier Ventures and Unreasonable Future, and serves on numerous boards, including the Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI), Fintech Galaxy, Al Raed Arabi School, and Think Barter Network (TBN). Rami founded his 1st startup at the age of 19, he holds an Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Jordan, and completed the Venture Capital Executive Program at HAAS UC Berkeley, and “The Leading for the future”, and “The Leading, Organizing for Action” Executive Programs at Harvard Kennedy School, and the Senior Executive Program at UC San Diego, and is an Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) Certified code of ethics Practitioner. Rami is a passionate advocate of First Principle Thinking, Exponential Organizations (ExO), and Lean Startup movements and is a regular judge, mentor & keynote speaker at the region’s main innovation, entrepreneurship & technology events. He designed and produced a number of events and interventions in this space, including the Ab(new)normal Talks Series, Startups Screwupedia, Master JEDI Pitching, LeanStartupProgram, and his popular innovation/futurist talks on the future of various industries.

Ahmed Abdelazim Alpajy is a dedicated Strategic Advisor, CFO, and Financial Services professional with expertise in FP&A, Fund Raising, and Financial Risk Management. Currently associated with Tamweel Aloula in Al Khobar, Eastern, Saudi Arabia, Ahmed brings extensive experience and knowledge to his role. Having studied at The University of Manchester, Ahmed’s educational background complements his practical skills in financial management. With over 1,929 followers and a network of 500+ connections, he has a strong presence within his professional community. Ahmed’s strategic insights and financial acumen make him a valuable asset in guiding organizations towards success. His passion for creating sustainable financial strategies and managing risks effectively sets him apart in the field. By combining his academic achievements with hands-on experience, Ahmed consistently delivers results and drives growth. Throughout his career, Ahmed Abdelazim Alpajy has demonstrated a commitment to excellence in financial leadership and a track record of achieving organizational objectives. His blend of skills, experience, and network make him a trusted professional in the financial services industry.

Paula Tavangar Chief Investment Officer, Injaz Capital is a seasoned entrepreneur and respected leader in the Fintech, Blockchain, and Quantitative Finance sectors. With a wealth of experience and a proven track record, Paula has taken on the role of Partner and Chief Investment Officer at Injaz Capital – External Asset Management. Previously, Paula made significant contributions to SwissBorg Ventures, where she leveraged her deep knowledge of blockchain technologies and venture capital to lead investments and drive deal sourcing. Prior to this, she co-founded Genesis Capital LATAM in 2018, where she played a pivotal role in developing a crucial algorithmic trading strategy. Paula’s commitment to innovation also led her to co-found Wethaq, an Islamic Fintech startup, in 2022, dedicated to issuing Sukuks (Islamic bonds) on the distributed ledger. Beyond her ventures, Paula actively engages with the World Business Angels Forum (WBAF) Global Startup Committee, where she represented the WBAF as a commissioner in the United Arab Emirates. Paula holds a B.A. in International Finance and an MSc diploma in Financial Engineering, specializing in Automated Trading Systems.

With over 25 years of experience in executive search, board development, and international growth, Dr. Nairouz Bader is the CEO of Envision Partnership, a certified woman-owned business enterprise that operates in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. She specializes in recruiting top talent for board of directors, chairmen, chief executive officers, and other senior leadership roles, using her vast network and market expertise. Dr. Bader is an active board director at the Canadian Business Council of Dubai and the Northern Emirates, as well as the head of CBC events and the COP28 head of CBC Dubai Connect Group. She dedicates her efforts to fostering trade and investment opportunities between Canada and the UAE. Additionally, she holds the title of OOE (Official Osec Expert) for human resources, certified by OSEC, Switzerland, and is a council member of the AESC Asia Pacific Council, representing the executive search industry in the region. Her mission is to inspire and empower leaders to reach their full potential and make a positive impact. Dr. Nairouz Bader is a respected figure in the field, known for her dedication to excellence and her commitment to driving growth and success for her clients and partners.

Shelli Ryan founded The CX Blockchain Institute to implement blockchain in the customer experience (CX) industry. Prior to founding the Institute, in 1996 Shelli Ryan founded Ad Hoc Communication Resources, an on-demand marketing services firm serving the technology sector, providing critical growth strategies in the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific; and overseeing all aspects of the firm’s global expansion and operations with leadership over a network of 200 global consultants. Prior to founding Ad Hoc, Shelli managed hundreds of go-to market product and service launches of electronic banking software in 69 countries. Shelli was one of 100 women-owned businesswomen honored to participate in the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, TUCK-WBENC Executive Education Program sponsored by IBM. In 2009, Shelli was one of the youngest executives in her field to be inducted into the College of Fellows of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). Shelli earned her Master of Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma. She also earned a Bachelor of Science with Professional Honors in Human Resource Management and an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Information Technology.

Rohit Agarwal, a co-founder at Sora Finance, is a professional based in San Francisco, California, United States. With a background in finance and management from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, Rohit brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role. He is known for his focus on building and hiring at Sora Finance, a testament to his dedication to growing and developing the organization. With 4,767 followers and over 500 connections, Rohit’s network reflects his influence and standing within the industry. Dedicated to fostering connections and collaboration, Rohit encourages individuals to reach out and connect if they share mutual interests or goals. His commitment to building a successful and thriving company is evident in his proactive approach to networking and recruitment. For anyone looking to engage with Rohit or explore potential opportunities within the realm of finance and management, connecting with him could lead to valuable insights and possibilities.

Michelle Bothe is a driven professional with a wealth of experience in the insurance and technology sectors. As the CEO of Finsure & Faroe, she is a respected figure in the industry, known for her expertise in insurtech and consulting. Michelle is not only a problem solver but also a tech stack architect, serial entrepreneur, and software builder. Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, Michelle is passionate about driving innovation where insurance and technology intersect. At Finsure, she leads a team dedicated to simplifying complex processes for MGAs/MGUs of all sizes. Michelle excels at navigating the tech landscape, whether it involves policy migrations, accounts receivables, or developing custom marketplaces and data warehouses to help insurers thrive in the digital era. Innovation is at the core of Michelle’s work at Finsure, reflected in Faroe, their groundbreaking SaaS solution designed to streamline insurance operations. Beyond financial clarity and automated policy servicing, Michelle is committed to making life easier for her clients. With a focus on policy administration systems and payments, Michelle is known for her expertise and collaborative approach. She is dedicated to finding optimal solutions for the unique challenges faced at the intersection of technology and insurance. Michelle’s ultimate goal is to pave the way for a brighter, more accessible future by addressing complex issues at the crossroads of tech and insurance.

As a senior product marketer at Q2, Debbie Smart serves as the voice of the modern banking customer and the evolving financial services industry. With more than 40 years of banking and treasury management experience, Debbie works to deeply understand Q2’s existing and desired customers, leveraging market research and competitive intelligence to forge new partnerships and influence product capabilities across Q2’s business product suite. Prior to joining Q2, Debbie served in multiple senior management roles in the financial services industry where she guided product development, payments innovation and more. She also spent many years at an FI managing the treasury management department and operations for electronic payments. Throughout Debbie’s career in financial services, she has been a featured speaker at numerous industry-wide conferences and has served on multiple boards, councils and task forces. In her free time, Debbie is an avid scuba diver and traveler.