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SPEAKERS & MODERATORS

Speakers

Sponsored by:

Elliott Rayner

Fractional Head of Storytelling, OWOW

Helping product and marketing teams turn complex products into clear, compelling product narratives.

He spent over a decade building products in the sports industry at Adidas and ASICS before leading marketing teams in tech at Babbel and ARION.

The research and frameworks he developed along the way now power his book, The Story Engine, and his workshops, helping teams discover, define and deliver product narratives that their whole company can tell and their customers actually believe.

Erin Brockovich

Consumer Advocate and Environmental Activist

American consumer advocate, environmental activist, and legal clerk whose relentless pursuit of justice transformed her into one of the world's most recognized environmental campaigners. She first gained national attention in the early 1990s when she helped build the landmark case against the Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) over the contamination of groundwater in Hinkley, California. The historic lawsuit resulted in a $333 million settlement—the largest of its kind in U.S. history at the time—and inspired the Academy Award-winning film Erin Brockovich, starring Julia Roberts.

Born on June 22, 1960, in Lawrence, Brockovich built her career not through formal legal training, but through determination, investigative skill, and an unwavering commitment to communities affected by environmental contamination. Over the past three decades, she has become a leading voice on issues ranging from water pollution and toxic exposure to corporate accountability and public health.

Beyond her legal and advocacy work, Brockovich is a bestselling author, television host, and founder of Brockovich Research & Consulting. She has advised law firms and grassroots organizations worldwide, helping communities confront environmental hazards and demand accountability from powerful institutions. From the water crisis in Hinkley to more recent environmental disasters, Brockovich continues to champion the rights of ordinary people, earning a reputation as one of the most influential environmental activists of her generation.

Julie Berthelsen

Ward-winning Greenlandic - Danish Singer - Speaker & Cultural Ambassador

with over 20 years of experience. Known from her breakthrough in Popstars Denmark and a long-standing music career, she engages audiences across cultures through music, storytelling, and reflection.

Growing up between Greenlandic and Danish cultures, Julie brings a personal perspective on identity, belonging, and cultural encounters. She is an advocate for inclusivity and serves as ambassador for organisations including Save the Children Denmark and The Children’s Aid Foundation working to create positive impact for children, families, and communities.

Through her work, Julie invites audiences into a reflective and hopeful space where music, creativity, and shared human experience can build bridges across cultures.

Sponsored by:

Kaye Chon

Dean, Chair Professor, and Walter and Wendy Kwok Family Foundation.

Professor in International Hospitality Management of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

A frequent speaker at international conferences, Dean Chon has published over 200 papers in international journals and professional publications and has authored or edited 12 books. One of his co-authored books, Welcome to Hospitality has been adopted as a textbook in more than 100 hospitality education programmes world-wide. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing and the Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research.

In 2011, Dean Chon received the Ulysses Prize from the United Nations World Tourism Organization. The Ulysses Prize, known as the “Nobel Prize in Tourism,” is annually presented to one scholar in the world for his or her lifetime contributions in creating new knowledge in tourism.

Natalia Bayona

Executive Director, United Nations Tourism (UN Tourism)

Natalia is the Executive Director of UN Tourism and the youngest person ever to hold the position. She leads global initiatives linking tourism with innovation, education, investment, and sustainable economic development.

Recognized by Forbes, Bloomberg, and the World Economic Forum, she is considered one of the most influential Latin American leaders worldwide.

Since joining UN Tourism in 2018, she has launched pioneering programs supporting entrepreneurship, digital education, and tourism investment across more than 100 countries. She founded the UN Tourism Online Academy, reaching over 50,000 students globally through partnerships with leading universities.

Natalia holds an Executive MBA from IE University and has taught and spoken at institutions including Harvard, MIT, and Cornell.

Nellie Swart

Professor, Director Executive Education - Graduate School of Business Leadership

Professor of Tourism at the University of South Africa (UNISA) and Chair of Tourism Educators South Africa. A respected academic, researcher, and industry leader, she holds a Doctorate in Commerce (Leadership, Performance and Change) and is a Certified Meetings Professional (CMP).

With more than 70 publications and several influential book contributions, Prof. Swart is recognised for advancing tourism education, sustainable development, and leadership across Africa and beyond. Her work has earned numerous accolades, including recognition among the Top 40 Women in MICE, the 100 Most Powerful People in African Hospitality, and the Top 5 Women in Leadership in Africa, as well as the 2025 AAXO ROAR Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Industry.

An internationally sought-after keynote speaker, mentor, and advisor, Prof. Swart is passionate about developing future tourism leaders, promoting gender equity, and driving innovation and sustainable growth in the tourism and events sectors.

Oliver Wykes

COO Wind Europe

Oliver Wykes, COO at WindEurope and President-Elect at the AC Forum. WindEurope is the voice of the European wind energy industry. It represents the whole value chain of wind energy across Europe with more than 600 members. Prior to WindEurope, Oliver worked as a management consultant in various sectors. 

Ploy Thirapongphaiboon

APAC Food Systems Partnerships Associate Director

Nantaporn Thirapongphaiboon (Ploy) joined GFN in May 2024 as the APAC Food Systems Partnerships Associate Director and is based in Bangkok, Thailand.

She is a seasoned professional in partnership engagement and marketing communications with a strong background in the food industry and a passion for food system transformation.

Throughout her career, Ploy has worked with a diverse range of stakeholders, including farmers, chefs, businesspersons, and consumers, within the sustainable food supply chain. Her extensive experience has underscored her expertise in fostering collaboration along the food supply chain to create meaningful impacts.

Before joining The Global FoodBanking Network, Ploy served as the Senior Outreach Manager at Scholars of Sustenance, Thailand’s first-ever food rescue foundation, for nearly four years. Leading the Outreach department, she spearheaded impactful collaborations across public, private, and academic sectors. Notably, she brought the National Food Bank initiative to the government’s attention, influencing food donation policy recommendations and achieving fundraising goals to sustain food rescue operations.

Ploy’s interest in reducing food waste and improving food security began in 2017 while pursuing her master’s in Social Entrepreneurship at Goldsmiths, University of London. During this time, she volunteered with a local food charity, Food Cycle gaining firsthand experience in food rescue and cooking for the homeless. She continued her journey during a gap year in the Netherlands in 2019, working as a circular cook at Instock, the first restaurant to turn surplus food into casual fine dining meals.

Additionally, Ploy is a certified Natural Chef from the College of Naturopathic Medicine in London, where she gained knowledge about the health properties of good food and the environmental impact of human consumption. She is committed to ensuring That good food is accessible to everyone.


Simone Bianco

Assistant Professor of Strategic Management at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University's School of Hotel and Tourism Management

His research focuses on startups, competitive dynamics, and strategic positioning within the hospitality and tourism sectors, with first-author publications in all leading journals in the field. Before entering academia, Simone spent several years in operational and management roles across hotels, restaurants, and industry associations in both Europe and the United States. He holds a PhD from Virginia Tech, an MSc from the University of Delaware, and a BA from the University of Pisa.

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