Antonio is a global finance expert with over 20 years of experience in banking, capital markets, public finance, and risk management. In the Treasury of the World Bank, he led the engagement with clients in 20+ countries in Latin America, North Africa and Eastern Europe, providing advisory and execution services in risk and liability management. He managed technical teams to build capacity and implement financial strategies, and led the structuring of $20 billion in capital markets transactions to manage the clients’ exposure to interest rate, foreign currency, petroleum price, and natural disaster risks. Before Treasury, he was Director of the World Bank's Loan Services Group, managing the operations of the Bank's $350 billion portfolio of loans and guarantees. Antonio earned a Masters of Science in Finance from the George Washington University and a Masters in Economics (Development Banking) from American University.

John is a development finance specialist with 23 years of global experience at the World Bank. His areas of expertise include banking, financial risk management, and capital markets. As Lead Financial Officer in the World Bank Treasury Department, John led expert teams responsible for delivering an integrated package of customized banking and financial risk management products, as well as advisory services, to World Bank clients. Engagements ranged from strategy to capacity building and implementation. He has served clients in Europe, Central and East Asia, the Pacific, and Africa. Earlier in his career, John delivered numerous seminars in the World Bank and in borrower countries on the proper use of the World Bank’s financial products and services for managing financial risks. John also served (2001 – 2004) as Special Assistant to World Bank President James D. Wolfensohn. In recognition of his work, John received twice — in 1998 and 2004 — a World Bank Award for Excellence. Before joining the World Bank, John worked in investment banking in London, and in consulting in New York. He holds an MBA degree from Columbia University and a Law degree from the University of Athens, Greece.

Mr. Ricardo Mena has a Cornell University Master of Laws and is Bachelor of Legal and Social Sciences of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Admitted as lawyer in Chile and in the State of New York, United States of America, Ricardo Mena has a vast experience advising companies in cross-border transactions and in the drafting and negotiation of complex agreements, in operations such as mergers, acquisitions, financing agreements and, in general, in the planning, drafting and negotiation of civil and commercial agreements. Ricardo Mena has advised or provides legal counsel to Chilean and US companies in numerous fields of industry, such as software development and distribution companies, energy companies, stockbrokers and insurance corporations.

Andres leads the research activities related to identifying strategic opportunities, key partnerships, market trends, and the competitive landscape. He is responsible for crafting the communications and digital strategy to build up the firm’s presence. Andres has been involved in many projects in the private and public sectors in Peru and the USA. As a Consultant for the Ministry of Education of Peru, he designed research-based policy solutions to improve public administration efficiency nationwide. Additionally, he was part of the Telefonica Foundation in Peru, where he led the content strategy and coordination of its Education and Technology projects. Andres holds a Master of Public Policy from American University’s School of Public Affairs and a Bachelor's degree in Communications from the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru.

Alphonse Ibi Kouagou is a seasoned executive and a development finance professional with over three decades of experience in diverse regions including Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Asia. His background features 22 years with the World Bank Group, including recent prominent roles such as Executive Director, serving on the World Bank Group's Executive Board, where he represented 23 African countries and 18 years working in IFC, the private sector arm of the World Bank, in various roles. He has extensive experience working in emerging markets in portfolio management, structuring corporate and project finance investments in various sectors, especially in the infrastructure space as well as venture capital and private equity funds. Alphonse is adept at building and leveraging strategic relationships with private sector clients and high-level government officials. He has worked extensively across emerging markets around the globe, which has honed his technical and interpersonal skills, enabling effective communication with varied audiences, including with public officials. His core competencies include investment in infrastructure and natural resources, portfolio and relationship management, business development in emerging markets, and executive board representation. Currently, through Ibi International Finance Ventures, he provides investment advisory and consulting services, focusing on structuring projects with a keen eye on social, environmental, and governance (ESG) aspects, and aiding startups in accessing risk capital. Mr. Kouagou holds an MBA from the University of Maryland with a concentration in finance and entrepreneurship, and he is a USA Certified Public Accountant (CPA). His leadership abilities and extensive knowledge in development finance make him a key contributor to economic development initiatives in Africa and a strategic advisor in the investment community and governments.