Archives: team-member

Elena Overchuk is a seasoned finance professional with over 20 years of international experience, currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Kyndryl, an IBM spin-off. With an MBA from the University of Warwick’s Warwick Business School, she brings a strong strategic vision and technical expertise in financial practices. Throughout her career, Elena has excelled in leading global finance and operational excellence initiatives, particularly in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) and Central/Eastern Europe (CEE) markets. Her leadership has been pivotal in transforming businesses, achieving significant cost reductions, and driving compliance across diverse regions. Fluent in multiple languages, including English, French, German, Spanish, and Russian, Elena is known for her exceptional communication skills and ability to build strong relationships. She is passionate about mentoring future leaders and advocating for women in finance, emphasizing the importance of innovation and high values in achieving success. In her role at Kyndryl, Elena has successfully managed projects that resulted in zero compliance allegations for the first time in a decade and a remarkable reduction in cost overruns. Her commitment to excellence has earned her recognition as a key driver of profitability and growth within the organization. Elena’s journey reflects her dedication to fostering a culture of progress and collaboration, making her a respected leader in the finance community.

Dr. Nilay Ranjan Singh is a seasoned banking professional with over two decades of extensive experience in various domains of finance, including credit, syndication, international banking, and risk management. Currently serving as the CEO of the State Bank of India at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), he plays a pivotal role in bridging financial services between India and the UAE. Dr. Singh’s educational background includes a Master of Science in Analytical Chemistry from Banaras Hindu University and a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Communication. His diverse skill set encompasses leadership development, human resource management, and financial planning. Passionate about community service, Dr. Singh believes in the importance of financial literacy and the role of banks in societal development. He actively promotes initiatives that encourage saving and investing, emphasizing the bank’s commitment to serving not just customers but society at large. In addition to his professional achievements, Dr. Singh is an author, leadership coach, and artist, showcasing his multifaceted talents as a painter and writer. With a strong belief in the philosophy of “वसुधैव कुटुंबकम” (the whole world is a family), he strives to foster connections that contribute to the greater good. Dr. Singh is well-regarded in the banking community and continues to inspire others through his leadership and dedication to excellence in customer service.

Tariq Alsuwaidi is a proficient Economic Expert at the UAE Ministry of Economy. With over a decade of experience, he has progressed from field surveys to high-level economic analysis, shaping strategies that align with the nation’s economic policies. His role involves critical data analysis and providing insights that drive important policy decisions. Tariq has been key in fostering collaboration between domestic and international organizations, contributing to the UAE’s economic goals. His expertise ensures that strategic initiatives are well-supported and effectively implemented, strengthening economic development.

Dr. Lata Rani is working as an Associate Professor and Program Anchor in the Department of Banking, Financial Servicesand Insurance at Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University-New Delhi. She has done Ph.D. from Indira Gandhi NationalOpen University, New Delhi with distinction in the Course Work, M.Phil. from Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra; Masterof Commerce from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, with Distinction. She is UGC-JRF-NET Qualified. She has donemany courses from various International Universities from Coursera like Course on Financial Markets from Yale University,Portfolio and Risk Management from University of Geneva, Understanding Financial Statements from University of Illinoisat Urbana-Champaign, Understanding Research Methods from University of London to name a few. She has done a course onFinancial Accounting from Harvard University. She has Strong academic background with sufficient extra-curricular exposure; she has 15 years of experience of Teaching,Research, Administration, Training and consultancy. She has contributed widely in research from conceptual framework toanalysis of different financial research topics. She has been awarded best teacher awards for many years and holds goodknowledge of Research Methodology. She is a permanent member of All India Commerce Association. Dr. Lata Rani has been a reviewer and technical member for Technical Program Committee for “2021 and 2022 continuouslyfor The 9th as well as 10th International Conference on Business, Management and Governance ICBMG-2021, organized byThe University of Western Australia. She is also a member of the Advisory Committee of the World Research Society. Shehas delivered many talks at an academic and industry level. She has been appreciated for her academic career by differentinstitutions at national and international level. Integrity, Leadership, Teamwork, Productivity, Dependability, Communication,Work ethic, Organizational skills, Collaboration are few words that describe her.

Shujat Siddiqui is an experienced cybersecurity expert with a demonstrated history of working in the finance industry. He is skilled in operations management, sales, communications, business development, and team building. He held positions as Head of Information Technology at Perfect Timing Technologies, Specialist at HCLTech, and Sr. Practitioner at IBM, where he gained expertise in application support and major incident management. Siddiqui holds certifications including the IBM Design Thinking Practitioner and AMCAT Certified Proficiency in English. He is based in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India, and has over 500 LinkedIn connections.

Dr. Hamza Naim, Assistant Professor, DSEU Dwarka, has a very diverse experience in the financial markets and is passionate about the field of research in the financial sector. He has published research papers in reputed journals and there is a long way to go. As a B. Tech graduate from Aligarh Muslim University in Electrical Engineering, he has also played his part in the solar energy sector by the accomplishment of 5 solar sites in different parts of India of capacity up to 1GW. Apart from the energy sector, he also has experience in the financial sector as an investor and a stock trader on an individual basis. After the completion of B. Tech, he also holds an MBA in Finance and PhD degree in the area of Corporate Governance (Finance) from Aligarh Muslim University.

Areiel Wolanow is the Managing Director of Finserv Experts, a boutique consultancy which focuses on emerging technology business models. Areiel has advised UK Parliament on AI and blockchain; his clients include central banks, financial regulators, and finance ministries around the world. He has contributed to research for the World Economic Forum, World Trade Organization, and Lloyd’s of London, as well as presenting on emerging technologies for financial inclusion at the G20 and serving as a guest lecturer for Cambridge and Zhejiang universities. Last year, Areiel was engaged by Google to develop the AI risk training for their own go-to-market team and by global law firm CMS to help design their AI risk assessment service offering. Finserv Experts is a small independent consultancy which focuses on emerging technology business models. Our clients range from central banks like Thailand and Saudia Arabia, to government bodies like UK Parliament and the Lithuanian Ministry of Finance, to global enterprises like Google, Lloyd’s of London, and Deutsche Telekom, all the way to early-stage startups Like Finexos UK or SeaGreen Singapore.

Bonface is a Johannesburg based Malawian entrepreneur and senior executive within Telecommunications, Fintech and digital transformation sectors. Comprehensive Africa experience with extensive experience of dealing with US, European and Middle Eastern investors. Proven track record of successfully managing big MNOs (Celtel (now Airtel), Zain, Globacom and Cell C) and later a Fintech organisation. Bonface is a Chartered Accountant and a Fellow of the Chartered Association of Accountants (FCCA). Bonface is the Founder and CEO of Malcel PLC, a solutions based digital network provider and the third mobile Operator in Malawi which has just been licensed and is due to start operations in 2025.

Ahsan Abdullah work over 12 years of extensive experience in Advisory, Assurance, Accounting, and Investment Advisory across India and the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council), I have cultivated a diverse skill set tailored to serve corporates and individuals of varying scales. As a certified Management Accountant accredited by the Australian CMA Institute, coupled with a Master’s in Business Administration specializing in Finance Risk Management, I bring a robust foundation of knowledge and expertise to my professional endeavors. Additionally, I have successfully completed the Accounting Technician program from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, as well as Intermediate studies from the Institute of Cost Accountants of India. Complementing these achievements, I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from the esteemed University of Calicut. Throughout my career, I have demonstrated a commitment to delivering high-quality financial solutions and strategic insights to my clients. My multifaceted background equips me to navigate complex financial landscapes and provide tailored recommendations that drive sustainable growth and success. I am passionate about leveraging my expertise to support organizations and individuals in achieving their financial objectives and maximizing their potential. With a dedication to continuous learning and staying abreast of industry trends, I am poised to deliver exceptional results and add value to any team or project I undertake.

Nameer Khan is the Chairman of the Mena Fintech Association and the Founder of FILS. With a background in business from Cambridge Judge Business School, Nameer is dedicated to pioneering sustainability in e-commerce. Through strategic partnerships and a commitment to eco-consciousness, he is driving industries towards responsible commerce and carbon neutrality. Stay tuned as Nameer continues to lead the digital payments revolution, blending economic growth with environmental stewardship for a greener future.