Abdullah Haron is the Deputy Secretary-General of the Islamic Financial Services Board a prominent international standard-setting body of regulatory and supervisory authorities with interest in ensuring the soundness and stability of the Islamic financial services industry – defined broadly to include banking, capital market and insurance. A distinguished financial expert, Abdullah has over three decades of experience in financial regulation, risk management, and Islamic finance, with a career spanning the International Monetary Fund, the Central Bank of the UAE, Bank Negara Malaysia, and the IFSB. As a Senior Financial Sector Expert at the IMF, Abdullah managed technical assistance initiatives and oversaw the implementation of Financial Sector Stability Reviews (FSSR) follow-up for selected member countries. He participated i the Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP), Article IV surveillance, and played a key role in shaping the IMF’s approach to Islamic banking activities. Prior to the IMF, he was a reviewer in the Banking Supervision Department at the Central Bank of the UAE, where he helped establish the Higher Shariah Authority and integrate Islamic finance into the national prudential framework. From 2003 to 2013, he was the Assistant Secretary-General of the IFSB, where he played a key role in developing the organisation’s pioneering regulatory standards and leading global initiatives in Islamic finance regulation. His career began at BNM in 1991, followed by leadership roles in market risk management at Maybank, Standard Chartered Malaysia, and the Arab-Malaysian Merchant Bank in Malaysia. He holds an MBA from Ohio University and a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and Science (Actuarial Science) from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Mohamad Ali Iqbal Abdul Khalid was appointed Assistant Governor on 1 June 2024. As Assistant Governor, Iqbal will oversee the Investment, Market Operations and Development, Treasury Risk and Infrastructure and Foreign Exchange Policy departments. Iqbal joined BNM in 2002. He has served in various departments in BNM, including the Investment Operations and Financial Market Department, the Governor’s Office, the International Department and as Chief Representative at both Bank Negara Malaysia Representative Offices in New York and London. Iqbal holds a Master of Business Administration from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Master of Science in Wealth Management from Singapore Management University and a Master of Engineering from the University of Durham, United Kingdom. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder and a Chartered Banker (CB) from the Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers (AICB).

Abdulkader Thomas is the President and CEO of SHAPE for Economic Consulting operating as SHAPE Knowledge Services, Kuwait. Abdulkader has over 30 years of diversified financial services experience. Abdulkader’s background includes capital markets, real estate finance and trade finance. He has served in various international banks and dealt with regulatory approval for Islamic products in different countries, consulting for and training financial institutions, regulators and businesses about Islamic finance.

Along with his team at SHAPE, Abdulkader works on projects that include launching de novo Islamic banks and Islamic banking windows, funds, Sukuk, regulations, policies and procedures including Shariah policies, Shariah compliance, product development and structuring.

Abdulkader is a Member of the International Advisory Committee for Islamic Capital Markets at the Securities Commission of Malaysia.
A graduate of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in International Trade, Abdulkader earned a Bachelor of Arts degree (Honors) in Arabic and Islamic studies from the University of Chicago.

Abdulkader is a frequent speaker on Islamic financial and banking matters. He has co-authored or edited several works in the field including ‘Structuring Islamic Financial Transactions’ with Stella Cox and Bryan Kraty (London: Euromoney, 2005) among others.

Abdulla Al Hammadi serves as an Assistant Vice President with Moody’s Financial Institutions Group. He is based in Dubai, where he oversees a portfolio of bank credit ratings across the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries, with a particular emphasis on Islamic financial institutions. Abdulla joined Moody’s in 2024. Prior to his tenure at Moody’s, Abdulla was an Associate Director at Fitch Ratings, covering financial institution ratings in the Middle East. Before Fitch Ratings, he was with the Central Bank of Bahrain, handling prudential supervision for wholesale banks. Abdulla is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and earned a First-Class Honours degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Bahrain. He authored a book titled “Principles of Financial planning, Investment & Trading” aimed at providing comprehensive overview on passive style investment portfolio.

Alan Tan is the Group Chief Economist at Affin Bank Berhad, a post he has held since 2008. His main responsibilities are to provide thematic reports on global and the country’s macroeconomic economy, with detailed analysis and forecasting, as well as regular presentations on the Malaysian economy for institutional clients and senior management.  He is frequently quoted in national newspapers and publications, as well as frequently invited speaker at forums and conferences in Malaysia.  He started his career as an economist with RHB Research Institute Sdn Bhd from 1991 to 1998.  From 1999 to 2007, Alan worked as a Research Manager at Pengurusan Danaharta Nasional Bhd, the country’s national asset management company, and later at Prokhas Sdn Bhd, a company wholly owned by the Ministry of Finance, Malaysia. Alan has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (BBA) and Master’s degree in Economics (MA) from the University of Memphis, US.

Alisher Djumanov has over 30 years of experience in international advisory, investment banking, venture capital, private equity, and investment management. He is the founder and Managing Partner of AD Wealth, a family office investment firm focused on global emerging and frontier markets. Prior to this, Alisher held senior positions at institutions like Credit Suisse First Boston, Lazard, Renaissance Capital, Strategy& PwC, and EY. His global experience working and studying in over 25 countries spans Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Alisher graduated from Columbia University with Master of International Affairs and obtained his MBA from Oxford University.

Prof. Dr. Aznan Hasan is highly active in the advisory and structuring of various Islamic financial products, including banking, capital market, and Takaful products. Additionally, he offers advisory services in Islamic wealth management, Waqf, and Zakat. He received his first degree in Shariah from the University of al-Azhar and went on to complete his Master’s degree in Shariah with distinction from Cairo University. He then obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Wales, Lampeter, United Kingdom. Prof. Dr. Aznan Hasan is also an Eminent Scholar at the IIUM Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance. Currently, Prof. Dr. Aznan serves as the Chairman of the Shariah Advisory Council at the Securities Commission, Chairman of the Shariah Advisory Board of PHB Asset Management Berhad, and Chairman of the Shariah Committee at Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad. He is a Shariah Board Member for the Islamic Development Bank and a Member of the Shariah Council for the AAOIFI in Bahrain. Prof. Dr. Aznan is also a member of the Higher Shariah Authority at the Central Bank of the UAE, as well as a Member of the Global Shariah Advisory Board at Standard Chartered Bank in Dubai. Additionally, he serves as Chairman of the Shariah Advisory Board at Barclays Capital (DIFC) and holds positions on the Shariah Advisory Boards of ABSA Islamic Bank (South Africa), FNB Bank (South Africa), European International Islamic Bank in London, Yasaar Limited (London), Khalij Islamic (London), Cordoba Capital (Dubai), Amanah Raya Berhad, Amanah Raya Investment Bank Labuan, and the Employee Provident Fund. Furthermore, Prof. Dr. Aznan serves as a Shariah consultant for Maybank Investment Bank. He is a registered Shariah Advisor for the Islamic Unit Trust Scheme and Islamic Securities (Sukuk) with the Securities Commission of Malaysia. He is also a member of the Shariah Supervisory Board and Investment Committee at the Waqf Foundation, a corporate entity established by the government to oversee the application of Waqf in Malaysia, along with other financial institutions and corporate bodies both locally and internationally.

Banjaran Surya Indrastomo is a prominent Indonesian academic and economist specialising in Islamic economics and finance. He currently serves as the Chief Economist at PT Bank Syariah Indonesia Tbk, the country’s largest Islamic bank, where he leads strategic research and policy development initiatives. In academia, Banjaran is a lecturer and senior researcher in the Islamic Economics program at the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Indonesia. With a strong academic foundation, including a Ph.D. in Islamic Economics and Finance and M.A. in Islamic Finance from Durham University, Banjaran possesses in-depth knowledge of various issues in Islamic economics and finance. Beyond academia and banking sector, Banjaran has contributed to policy development as a Vice Chairman the Indonesia Islamic Economy Board, a division of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN). His multifaceted roles in academia, banking, and policy advisory position him as a key figure in shaping the future of Islamic economy and finance in Indonesia, and made him in the list of Fortune Indonesia 40 Under 40 for the year of 2025.

Bilal Parvaiz started his career with Standard Chartered in 2010 as part of the Group Islamic Banking team based in United Arab Emirates, where he was responsible for the Bank’s Structured Trade and Transaction Banking business across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and South Asian markets.
He joined Standard Chartered Saadiq Malaysia in 2014 and led the Islamic Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) team, driving regional coverage across the ASEAN markets including Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore and Indonesia.

Bilal was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Saadiq Malaysia on 15 March 2024 and is now steering the Bank’s Islamic banking business in Malaysia to greater heights by strengthening Saadiq’s leading position in the Islamic banking arena.

Bilal has played an instrumental role in originating landmark transactions across the GCC, South Asia and ASEAN, including market firsts such as the world’s first ESG Islamic Collateralised Commodity Murabahah transaction and Sustainable Islamic Supplier Finance. Bilal most notably spearheaded the Halal360 initiative, a key proposition that aims to expand the Halal eco-system globally.

Bilal was also the Country Champion for Sustainable Finance and represented the Bank in multiple sustainability initiatives including Value Based Intermediation (VBI) and Joint Committee on Climate Change (JC3). He also jointly led the Value Based Impact Assessment Framework (VBIAF) for the Renewable Energy sector. Owing to his expertise in Islamic Finance – the Halal economy and Sustainable Finance, he is often invited to share his views at various industry forums.

Bilal holds an MBA and professional qualifications in Sustainable Finance from Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, has undertaken the Sustainability Leadership Programme at the University of Cambridge and the Global Banking Leadership program at Bayes Business School London. He is also an Associate Member of Chartered Institute of Islamic Finance Professionals (CIIF).

Dafinah Ahmed Hilmi holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Accounting and Financial Management from University of Essex, UK and has an MBA from the Alliance Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, UK. She is a Certified Expert in Sustainable Finance by the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Islamic Finance Professionals (CIIF) since 2019. Dafinah was appointed as the CEO of HLISB on the 6th June 2023. She brings with her over two decades of conventional and Islamic banking experience and has previously held leadership roles across various areas of banking including her last role as Head and Director of Commercial Banking at HSBC Amanah Malaysia. For the past 19 years, Dafinah has been with HSBC, covering roles in Global Banking and Markets, Global Trade and Receivable Finance as well as managing Shariah Compliant Commercial Banking Products and Solutions. Prior to HSBC, she started her career in United Overseas Bank (Malaysia).

Elias is a Partner in Trowers & Hamlins’ International Banking and Finance Department. He has a broad range of experience both in the conventional and Islamic finance spheres. He has significant experience in representing the full spectrum of stakeholders on a range of banking and finance transactions including project and real estate financing as well as capital market issuances.

Faris Lodin is the founder of AxeHoldings and Delos Capital, where he serves as principal and chief investment officer, respectively. AxeHoldings is an investment firm focused on building, acquiring, and scaling ventures across financial services, technology, infrastructure, and traditional businesses. Delos Capital operates as a hedge fund specialising in asymmetric yield and high-conviction strategies across credit, equity, and special situations. Faris’s recent work includes co-investments with sovereign funds and partnerships with state-owned enterprises across Asia. He is actively involved in structuring capital solutions in deep tech, green finance, security, and infrastructure, particularly in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. He is a graduate of the University of Cambridge, and a member of both the CISI and ICAEW. He sits on the boards of educational institutions and serves on the Council of Advisors at the Harvard Business Review.

Dr Hamim Syahrum Ahmad Mokhtar is currently Lead Specialist, Capacity Development at the IFSB. His role includes leading and guiding strategic development policies of social finance, microfinance and green finance. Previously, he was the Deputy Director in the Financial Surveillance Department and Islamic Banking & Takaful Department.

Dr Hamim was also involved in a number of working groups and taskforces established by the IFSB including the following groups: Capital Adequacy Standards (Sukuk Securitization and Real Estate), Governance of Islamic Collective Investment Scheme, Guides on Islamic Deposit Insurance and Guidance Notes in the Determination of Alpha in Capital Adequacy Ratio.

Dr Hamim holds a degree in Accounting with Honors, an MBA and a PhD in Islamic Banking and Finance. He has published and presented several papers at both domestic and international conferences, including a paper on the efficiency and competition of Islamic banking in Malaysia which was accorded the ‘Highly Commended Award’ by award-winning international Journal Emerald Literati Network. He is also a Chartered Accountant of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants and a Chartered Banker. He received the central bank’s Excellent Individual Performance Awards in 2009.

Imran Nurginias Ibrahim is the Chief Economist at Bank Islam, with over 25 years of experience in economics, capital markets and foreign exchange research. He began his career in 1993 in banking and finance, serving in international, retail, corporate and foreign exchange roles before transitioning into research. Imran has held key positions across several leading financial institutions including Equity Economist at MIDF Investment Bank, Global Currency Strategist at Kuwait Finance House Global Research and FX Treasury Researcher at AmInvestment Bank. Since 2015, he has led Economic Research at BIMB Securities and taken on the role of Chief Economist for both Bank Islam and BIMB Securities, providing thought leadership on economic outlook, policy developments and market strategy. He holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of New England, Australia, and is a Certified Islamic Finance Executive (CIFE) from the Ethica Institute of Islamic Finance, Dubai. He completed his Master’s in Comparative Financial Studies at Universiti Islam Malaysia, where he is currently pursuing a PhD in Comparative Finance. Imran is widely regarded for his expertise in both conventional and Islamic finance, offering in-depth analysis on global and domestic economic trends.

Imran has extensive experience in various fields such as investment banking, consultancy, government and corporate. He graduated from City University, UK with a degree in Mathematics in Finance and Economics, and gained his MBA from Asia School of Business. Imran started his career at a Malaysian public listed company before joining a locally renowned consultancy firm. In 2007, he oversaw the development of the logistics sector in the Iskandar Regional Development Authority. Since joining MBSB Investment Bank (formerly known as MIDF Amanah Investment Bank Bhd), he has gained experience in the equities market particularly in the transportation, telecommunication, and technology sectors. In 2013, he was seconded to the Ministry of Finance as Special Officer to the Minister of Finance II, where he then became the Senior Private Secretary. He rejoined MBSB Investment Bank in 2016 and has been its Head of Research since 2020.

Imrish Singh focuses on FSI ISVs and brings in the field collaboration to drive adoption of Red Hat’s emerging products portfolio. He has been working in the Asia Pacific region for over 20 years and leverages his experience of managing large accounts and selling complex solutions to bring in the collaboration with Red Hat’s FSI Ecosystem Partners. His areas of focus are payments, core modernization and customer experience.

Dr Jane Chang is Malaysia’s first Accredited Social Value Practitioner (Level 3). As a scholar of cognitive entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship education, she is passionate about innovation for social impact. Her work on entrepreneurial mindset and cognition has assisted individuals worldwide, including in deprived areas of London, the interior of Borneo and the scholars of world-class nations, into a space of community learning for a value creation mindset. She was a finalist for the Reimagine Education Award at Wharton Business School (the most innovative curriculum design). She co-founded one of Malaysia’s first social value and impact management quality setters, providing a unique social value and impact framework with international accreditation to manage social value and impact. A leader who incorporates social innovation and practical entrepreneurship education in everything she does, Jane brings together an impressive eclectic mix of skills and experience as an ecosystem builder.

Jessica Tan is Principal, Fixed Income Indices at S&P Dow Jones Indices (S&P DJI). With a key focus on Asia Pacific indices and clients, Jessica drives the development and management of index products, ensuring their strategic planning, implementation and long-term success. Prior to joining the product management team, Jessica led the Asian indices client services team to provide the highest level of service to index clients. She later transitioned to the global research & design team, conducting market analysis and developing new index products before combining her expertise in client management and product development in the product management role. Jessica graduated from Singapore Institute of Management with a Bachelor of Science in banking and finance under the University of London programme.

Max Freeman is a seasoned entrepreneur with expertise in Web1 and Web3 technologies. He founded Toner.com Group in 1999, scaling it from a dorm room start-up into a multinational business generating over $100 million in revenue without external funding.

As the creator of the EPIC Blockchain Protocol (2017-2023), Max developed a pioneering Layer 1 blockchain to drive mass adoption. He later founded Epic Economy Amplifier (2022) and Epicenter Labs (2024) to expand and commercialize the EPIC Blockchain ecosystem.

A Stanford University alumnus with a background in Computer Science and Business, Max is now based in Dubai, UAE, focused on building transformative, accessible technologies for global impact.

Dr Mohamed Damak is a Senior Director of Financial Services at S&P Global Ratings, covering financial institutions in the Middle East and Africa. He is also the Global Head of Islamic Finance at the rating agency, leading a global team of Islamic finance analysts.

Dr Mohamed has worked for S&P Global Ratings from 2006 to 2010, covering conventional and Islamic financial institutions in MENA. He then worked as a Principal Credit Risk Officer for the African Development Bank in Tunis before rejoining S&P Global Ratings.

Holding a PhD in Finance and a Master’s degree in Money, Banking and Finance from Universite Paris-Pantheon-Assas, Dr Mohamed also has a Master’s degree in Financial Institutions Management from Ecole Superieure de Commerce de Tunis.

Mohammad Parekh is the Founder and CEO of MRP Premier Group, a leading real estate advisory firm based in London. He also serves as the CEO and Founder of Akhlaq Capital, a Shariah compliant real estate fund. Mohammed has over 17 years of experience in the real estate industry, specializing in investment and development acquisition, project management and affordable housing. He holds a BSc in Geography with Business and an MSc in International Real Estate and Planning from University College London. Under Mohammed’s leadership, MRP Premier Group advises a diverse clientele, including private and public sector organizations, on a wide range of real estate projects. The firm has a strong focus on inward investment into the UK and outbound investment for its global network of high-net-worth individuals, primarily from the Middle East and Far East. Mohammed founded Akhlaq Capital to provide ethical and Shariah compliant investment opportunities in the real estate market. Akhlaq Capital focuses on generating income and capital growth through strategic investment in real estate assets and select development opportunities in key markets such as London, Jakarta, Abu Dhabi and Kuala Lumpur.

Nitish Bhojnagarwala is an Associate Managing Director with Moody’s Financial Institutions Group. Based in Dubai, Nitish covers a portfolio of large conventional as well as Islamic financial institutions in the Middle East, Africa and Turkiye. Nitish joined Moody’s in 2011, and has led Sukuk roundtables and conducted workshops on Banking and Islamic Finance at various conferences in the Middle East, Europe and Asia. Nitish has also authored several research pieces, with a focus on regional banking, credit issues and issuer-in-depths for conventional as well as Islamic banks. Prior to joining Moody’s, Nitish spent five years at Tamweel in the Treasury function. He has also worked for KPMG in the UAE, where he covered financial institutions. Nitish holds an MBA from S P Jain Institute of Management & Research, with a major in Finance (Investment Banking).

Dr Irwani is Professor in Laws and Shariah at the Department of Finance, KENMS, Visiting Professor at Faculty of Law, UIS and AIF Certified Assessor and Trainer. Previously, she was the Chairman of the Shariah Advisory Board Standard Chartered Saadiq Bank Malaysia (2008-2017), Deputy Chairman of the Shariah Advisory Board of AmMetlife Takaful (2012-2022), Shariah Committee Member at Affin Islamic Bank Malaysia (2018-2022), Research Fellow at ISRA (2012-2013) focusing in Takaful Research, Visiting Professor at UMK and Shariah Consultant for ARSA Shariah Advisory Services. She has served the Association of Shariah Advisors in Islamic Finance Malaysia (ASAS) and IIUM Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance as a Board Member since its establishment and was very instrumental in founding the International Council of Islamic Finance Educators. She holds an LL.B, LL.B (Shariah) and Master of Comparative Laws (MCL) from the International Islamic University Malaysia as well as a PhD in Islamic Banking and Finance from Loughborough University-Markfield Institute of Higher Education, UK.

She has been involved in the development of modules and conducted training by Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance Malaysia, Centre of Research and Training, Redmoney, ASAS, ICIFE and IPTA/IPTS in areas related to legal and Shariah issues in Islamic financial products, Shariah governance, regulatory framework of Islamic finance and Takaful. She was directly involved in the legal working committee for the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism together with the Association of Islamic Banks of Malaysia with respect to the legal reforms.

Given her involvement and contribution to Islamic finance education, research and consultancy, she was listed among the World’s 50 Most Influential Women in Islamic Business and Finance 2017 & 2018. Since 2019, she has been listed as the Top 50 Most Influential Women in Islamic Finance and received the WOMANi Academica 2022 and Significanca 2023 awards by the Cambridge International Financial Advisory.

Oliver Agha is Managing Partner of Agha & Co and a Professional Associate at Outer Temple Chambers. U.S.-qualified, he formerly led Islamic finance at the world’s largest law firm and headed the Projects practice at Clifford Chance’s Saudi affiliate. He began his legal career at Fulbright & Jaworski in the U.S. Agha was the first Western-trained lawyer appointed to an AAOIFI board and is widely regarded as a foremost authority on Islamic finance enforcement and reform. His incisive writing has made The Islamic Legal Opinion column in IFN essential reading for regulators, investors, and scholars navigating a field clouded by form-over-substance mimicry.

Rafiza Ghazali is the CEO of KAF Digital Bank, the Islamic digital banking entity of the consortium led by KAF Investment Bank. Prior to joining KAF Investment Bank, Rafiza was group CEO of Cradle Fund, where she collaborated closely with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and the Ministry of Finance, tasked with supporting and developing Malaysian start-ups and tech entrepreneurs. Rafiza’s wealth of experience in innovation and the digital economy makes her uniquely positioned to drive the digital bank’s value proposition of providing a conducive open-banking platform-based ecosystem to customers and partners. Rafiza’s academic career includes a Bachelor of Science Economics in Accounting and Finance degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment, majoring in Corporate Finance, from the Securities Institute of Australia. She is a fellow member of the Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand, and holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Strategy and Innovation from the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford.

Professor Dr Rusni Hassan is an esteemed leader in Islamic finance, notably serving as Dean at the IIUM Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance. Her distinguished career is marked by a profound influence on academic, regulatory and practical aspects of Islamic finance globally. Her leadership extends beyond finance to influential positions in Shariah advisory councils and boards of directors for various organizations, reflecting her versatile expertise and commitment to integrating Islamic principles in broader economic practices.

A prolific author, she has contributed over a hundred scholarly articles and numerous seminal books that have significantly shaped the legal and regulatory landscape of Islamic finance worldwide.

A passionate academician, she has mentored countless students and young professionals, emphasizing the importance of ethical practices and the integration of Islamic values in business and finance and nurturing the next generation of Islamic finance professionals and fostering a well-rounded and principled financial leadership.

Her works and contribution to Islamic Finance has been internationally recognized by the Government of Maldives when she was awarded the National-Recognition for Outstanding Contribution of Females to Develop and Sustain Islamic Finance Industry in Maldives in 2018.

Her career is a testament to unwavering dedication as murabbi to excellence in Islamic finance. Her achievements span academic contributions, regulatory enhancements and influential leadership, making her invaluable to the global Islamic finance community and an inspiring leader whose work continues to impact the academia and industry profoundly.

Sherif Elmansy is a dynamic Banking Solutions Products Director with over 21 years of extensive experience in the banking software industry. He has a deep passion for creating and implementing innovative software products that not only optimize operations but also significantly boost organizational sales. Sherif’s expertise spans across digital banking, both front-end and back-end while his strategic leadership has been instrumental in driving the success of core banking products throughout their entire lifecycle.

In his current role since the beginning of 2024, Sherif oversees the entire product line for core banking and digital banking solutions at International Turnkey Systems (ITS). His responsibilities range from strategic planning to managing tactical activities that ensure the products meet market demands and customer needs.

Sherif’s career began in 2001 with a strong foundation in commerce, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Ain Shams University, Egypt. His early roles at the Commercial International Bank of Egypt provided him with valuable insights into customer service and financial operations, which have continued to inform his approach to product management.

Joining ITS in 2004 as a Software Developer, Sherif quickly advanced to roles such as Banking Functional Consultant and Senior Functional Consultant, leading critical projects across the Middle East, Far East and North Africa. As a Senior Product Manager from 2013 to 2023, he led the development of the next-generation ETHIX Core Banking Product, working with cross-functional teams to define product vision, strategy and intellectual property management. Under his leadership, the ETHIX solutions have been successfully installed in over 56 reputable banks across the Middle East, Far East and North Africa.

Committed to continuous professional development, Sherif holds several prestigious certifications, including Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Business Analyst Professional (CBAP), and Certified Islamic Finance Expert (CIFE). His educational background and extensive professional training ensure that he remains at the forefront of industry trends and best practices.

Sherif Elmansy’s career, spanning over two decades, is marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence, innovation and leadership. His contributions have not only advanced the organizations he has served but have also set new benchmarks in the banking software industry.

Vineeta Tan is Managing Editor and Director of REDmoney Group, one of the world’s longest-running Islamic finance media houses. Vineeta oversees REDmoney Group’s stable of products including Islamic Finance news, IFN Fintech and Islamic Sustainable Finance & Investment. With over a decade of experience in the journalism and publishing industry, Vineeta specializes in ethical and Islamic finance as well as fintech reporting and analysis covering regions including the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe. As managing editor of IFN, Vineeta leads the editorial direction and business development of IFN and its sister publications in addition to authoring reports, producing podcasts and conducting video interviews. She has interviewed senior industry players, key stakeholders and senior dignitaries including the finance/economic ministers of the Ivory Coast, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Vineeta is a regular on the international conference circuit as both a moderator and speaker. She has an MBA and is trained in Journalism and Sociology. Vineeta also holds the Islamic Finance Qualification awarded by the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investments, UK.

Waseem Yusaf is a seasoned business and technology leader with over 25 years of international experience driving large-scale digital transformation, sales, and professional services across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. Currently serving as Senior Vice President – ASEAN at Systems Limited, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the company’s growth and partnerships across the region, helping banks and enterprises embrace next-generation cloud and digital technologies. Waseem has led multi-hundred-million-dollar businesses and diverse global teams, combining visionary strategy with practical execution. He is known for driving adoption of cloud, AI/ML, IoT, and 5G while building trusted, high-performing organizations. Prior to joining Systems Limited, Waseem held senior leadership roles at leading global organizations including MATRIXX Software, Circles.Life, and Nokia, where he spearheaded international market launches, complex SaaS sales engagements, and large-scale services portfolios. Notably, he led Circles.Life’s expansion into Australia, Taiwan, and Indonesia, driving operational excellence and 5G readiness across multiple markets. At Nokia, he managed a €400 million annual business across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, delivering growth in challenging environments and introducing new digital operating models. Waseem is passionate about mentoring future leaders and enabling innovation that creates meaningful societal impact. His career reflects a commitment to combining technology with people-centric leadership to drive sustainable growth.

Wong Foong Hin is a seasoned banking technology expert with over 25 years of experience in the banking sector, specialising in the core banking space. Based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, he has led core banking implementations across Europe and Asia and played a key role in banking solutions consulting across the Asia Pacific, covering retail, corporate, and commercial banking domains. He holds an MBA from Durham University in the United Kingdom, is a Certified Practising Accountant with CPA Australia, and earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Queensland in Australia.

Dr Ayaz Ismail is the director of wholesale banking at CIMB Islamic in Malaysia, where he covers Islamic investment banking transactions. He has been involved in various ground-breaking and award-winning ringgit and non-ringgit Sukuk offerings. Prior to joining CIMB Islamic, he was with Malaysian multinational conglomerate Sime Darby, carrying out various roles in the CEO’s Office, as well as legal, strategy and communications functions of the group.

Dr Ayaz completed his PhD in Islamic finance at INCEIF University, Malaysia. He graduated with an MBA in financial studies from the University of Nottingham in the UK as a Chevening scholar, and also holds a Bbachelor of Laws (Hons) degree from the same university. He is a Chartered Professional in Islamic Finance charterholder and a grand councilor of the Chartered Institute of Islamic Finance Professionals.

Elias is a Partner in Trowers & Hamlins’ International Banking and Finance Department. He has a broad range of experience both in the conventional and Islamic finance spheres. He has significant experience in representing the full spectrum of stakeholders on a range of banking and finance transactions including project and real estate financing as well as capital market issuances.

Yoon Jun Jie is the CEO and Founder of Capsphere, Malaysia’s first Asset Based P2P Financing and Investment platform registered with Securities Commission Malaysia. He started Capsphere to support local SME’s and to enable communities to take part in their growth. Previously, he was Vice-President in the Southeast Asia Global Corporate Banking team at Bank of America. He has gained experience in facilitating debt financing, advising on cash management and treasury solutions for global corporations and financial institutions.

He has completed the Professional Credit Certification from the Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers. His education includes an MPhil in Economics from University of Cambridge and a BSc in Statistics, Economics and Finance from University College London.

Dr. Marjan Muhammad is the Deputy President Research at ISRA Institute, INCEIF University. In her current capacity, she oversees different portfolios including research and innovation, research management, assessment and publication, research commercialization, and Islamic finance online database (I-FIKR) developed by ISRA. She was previously the Director of Research Affairs Department at ISRA from 2013-2017. She is currently a member of the Shariah Advisory Council of Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) effective from 1 November 2019 and a member of the Shariah Advisory Council of Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) effective from 1 July 2023. Prior to that, she was a member of Shariah Committee at a few local Islamic banks. At the international level, she sits on the Advisory Committee of Experts of Lotus Bank Limited and Shariah Supervisory Board of Lotus Capital Limited, both are based in Nigeria. Marjan obtained her bachelor’s degree in Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Heritage (Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh) from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and graduated from her master’s and PhD degrees at the same university.

Dr Mahbubi hails from Indonesia and holds a PhD in Islamic Banking and Finance from the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM). He obtained his Master’s degree in Islamic Finance from the International Center for Education in Islamic Finance (INCEIF), and Bachelor’s degree in Islamic Finance from Tazkia Institute, Bogor, Indonesia.

Dr Mahbubi currently holds the position of Islamic Finance Expert at the Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (BDCB) and is a registered Shariah adviser with the Securities Commission Malaysia. Dr Mahbubi also holds international recognition as Member of the Curriculum Review Committee at the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI), Bahrain. He is also Chairman of Sidogiri Islamic Institute; Director of Shariah, AIFA Consulting; Member of Board Shariah Committee, CIMB Islamic Bank; Member of Shariah Committee, FWD Takaful Sdn Bhd; and Shariah Advisor of Dar al-Muraja’ah al-Shar’iyyah, Bahrain.

Previously, he was the Chairman of Shariah Committee, Affin Islamic Bank Berhad; on the Board of Directors for ZICO Shariah Advisory; and former Head of Economics, Finance, Awqaf and Zakat at the International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS Malaysia). He was also a researcher at the International Shariah Research Academy for Islamic Finance (ISRA) Malaysia.