Andrea Barschdorf-Hager is the Chief Executive Director of CARE Austria, overseeing 65 projects in 25 countries in 2023. Since taking on the role in 2009, she has led the organization to become the leading Austrian NGO in international development and humanitarian aid. She also hosts the „CARE in Action“ podcast, is a board member of the Austrian Institute for International Affairs, and actively participates in the International Gender Champions network. Her leadership and contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including the BAWAG P.S.K. Women’s Award in 2015.
Gerfried Stocker – Co-CEO & Artistic Director of Ars Electronica Linz, Austria
Gerfried Stocker is a media artist and engineer for communication technology, serving as Co-CEO and Artistic Director of Ars Electronica since 1995. Under his leadership, he developed the exhibition strategies and established the Ars Electronica Futurelab, driving innovation and research in media art. Gerfried has overseen significant expansions and revamps, including the Ars Electronica Center’s contents and interior design in 2019, and the growth of the Ars Electronica Festival. He also consults on creativity and innovation management and lectures at international conferences and universities. In 2019, he was honored with an honorary doctorate from Aalto University, Finland.
Judith Okonkwo – CEO and owner of Imísí, Lagos & Advisory Board Member XR Women
Judith Okonkwo is a Technology Expert and Business Psychologist with extensive experience across Africa, Asia, and Europe. She is the founder of Imísí 3D, a Lagos-based creation lab advancing the African ecosystem for extended reality technologies (AR/VR/MR), and the founder of AR/VR Africa, which hosts significant XR events across the continent. Judith currently serves on the Advisory Board of XR Women and as an Industry Expert for the OECD Global Forum on Technology (Immersive Technologies). A Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, she also advises startups, not-for-profits, and SMEs on emerging technologies. Judith is the creator of the Oriki Coaching Model™, co-founder of We Will Lead Africa, and a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council for the Metaverse, passionately working on the adaptation of immersive technologies for education, healthcare, and storytelling.
Oscar Ekponimo – CEO and Founder of Gallery of Code, Co-Founder of Chowberry Inc. Abuja, Nigeria
Oscar Ekponimo is the Founder and CEO of Gallery of Code, Nigeria, and the Founder of Chowberry Inc., a pioneering technology-driven social enterprise that has distributed over 1.6 million meals in six years by reducing food waste and improving food access. Recognized as one of Time Magazine’s 10 Next Generation Leaders and a recipient of the Rolex Award for Enterprise, Oscar was also named a Young Pioneer at Harvard Medical by the World Frontiers Forum. He established Africa’s first multidisciplinary design lab in collaboration with Ars Electronica and serves on the advisory board for Digital Communities at Ars Electronica. With a strong focus on sustainability and the intersection of arts and technology, he has also been a jury member for MIT Solve and the STARTS Prize.
Sumka Bučan – Country Director CARE Balkans
Sumka Bučan is an experienced Regional Director with a demonstrated history of working in the international affairs industry, currently leading CARE Balkans. She spearheads transformative initiatives like the „Future For Youth“ project, formerly known as the Young Men Initiative, showcasing her skills in nonprofit organizations, budgeting, business planning, international relations, and proposal writing. Sumka’s strategic leadership and commitment to youth empowerment drive impactful programs that foster positive change across the region.
Omar García – DEVCO Partnership Coordinator at CARE International, Brussels
Omar García is currently the DEVCO Partnership Coordinator at CARE International, where he has over four years of experience working on strategic engagement with EU Development Cooperation (INTPA, formerly DEVCO). His role focuses on coordination, capacity-building, and positioning CARE International and its Country Offices to effectively access EU development funding. Prior to this, Omar held various roles that equipped him with deep expertise in international development. His experience and dedication make him a key contributor in the humanitarian and development sector.
Balla Sidibe – Regional Director for West Africa
Balla Sidibe is the Regional Director for West Africa at CARE International, with over twenty years of experience in development, humanitarian relief, and the private sector across Africa. His career includes senior roles at ExxonMobil, AED (now FHI 360), and Plan International, where he served as Country Director in Mali. Balla’s deep connection with CARE spans 15 years, during which he has held key positions such as Chief of Party in Sierra Leone, Assistant Country Director, Country Director in Côte d’Ivoire, and Managing Deputy Regional Director for the Mano River region. He most recently served as CARE’s Country Director in Mali. He holds a Master’s degree in Law from the University of Siena, Italy, and a postgraduate degree in Business and Tax Law from the University of Auvergne Clermont-Ferrand 1, France.
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Ketevan Khachidze – CEO CARE Caucasus
Ketevan Khachidze is the CEO of CARE Caucasus, with over 20 years of experience in social development, including 15 years in international development and 7 years in journalism and media development. Her expertise spans community mobilization, participatory budgeting, youth engagement, governance, and social accountability, with a strong focus on empowering women and girls. Before CARE, she founded Orbeliani, an online platform promoting community-driven positive change, and served as Editor-in-Chief at The Georgian Times. Khachidze holds an MA in Governance and Development from the University of Sussex, UK, and a social science master’s from Tbilisi State University. She is also an alumna of the LEADxChange International Accelerator – Georgia.
Reshma Aziz Khan – Leadership Coach; Speaker based in Nairobi, Kenya
Reshma Aziz Khan is a Certified Executive Coach and Leadership Coach with over a decade of experience in the non-profit sector. She has led team strategy, organizational development, and transformation initiatives across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and North America. As a Global Facilitator and Virtual Facilitation Expert, Reshma excels in leadership programming, particularly for women. Her strong background in communications and leadership development, combined with her ability to navigate cross-cultural engagements, empowers her to help clients achieve personal and career transformations, set up social impact enterprises, and step up to authentic, high-performance leadership. Fluent in French, Reshma connects elements and concepts for joint success, aiding diverse clients in finding clarity and fulfillment in their life goals.
Christian Hellinger – Managing Partner & Creative Director at Wien Nord Serviceplan, Vienna, Austria
Christian Hellinger is Managing Partner and Creative Director at Wien Nord Serviceplan, where he leads innovative creative strategies and campaigns for the agency. Wien Nord Serviceplan, formed from the merger of Wien Nord and Serviceplan Group Austria, offers a unique range of services in the Austrian market from its base in Vienna’s 6th district. Thanks to Christian’s leadership and the pro bono work of his company, the CARE brand has seen immense growth in Austria. Each year, Christian and his team develop new campaigns for CARE Austria, leading to significant recognition; CARE Austria’s campaigns have won several awards annually since this partnership began. Christian has been a dedicated partner to CARE for years, even accompanying CARE Austria to one of its projects in Thailand in 2023. His commitment to socially responsible initiatives continues to set Wien Nord Serviceplan apart as a leader in the creative industry.
Jean-Pierre Chhang – CEO of Sphere Agency, Bangkok, Thailand
Jean-Pierre Chhang is the Founder and CEO of Sphere Agency, where he leads innovative digital marketing and communication strategies for global clients. With over two decades of experience in media, advertising, and technology, he has a proven track record in delivering transformative solutions that enhance brand visibility and engagement. In addition to his role at Sphere Agency, Jean-Pierre is a seasoned Web Application Developer, Database Administrator, and Project Manager, specializing in client/server and relational database design using SQL Server. His career is distinguished by a commitment to excellence, brand development, and a deep understanding of the evolving digital landscape.
Jerry Tuan – Chief Information Officer, CARE USA
Jerry Tuan is the Chief Information Officer at CARE, where he brings vision, leadership, and innovation to enhance the organization’s technology systems and capabilities. With over 15 years of experience in senior IT leadership roles, Jerry has a distinguished background in managing complex technology portfolios and driving transformation. At the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), he led a major modernization of their systems and earned a place on IDG’s 2021 Best Places to Work in IT. His previous roles include leadership positions at Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Hilton Worldwide, and Marriott International. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, he and his family are actively involved in volunteer work with the PEACH Foundation and Tzu Chi Foundation.
Richard Stengel – Co-Chair of the CARE Board of Directors; journalist, author, political analyst
Richard Stengel is a distinguished journalist, author, and board member at CARE, where he has served since 2017. He also works as a Political Analyst for MSNBC, offering expert commentary on political and international affairs. Richard’s notable career includes his role as Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs and his tenure as managing editor of Time magazine. He is the author of several influential books, including Mandela’s Way: Lessons on Life, Love, and Courage and Information Wars: How We Lost the Global Battle Against Disinformation & What We Can Do About It, which explores the impact of misinformation on global politics.
