Get to know our confirmed Keynote & Featured Speakers
Keynote Speakers
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Robert F. Engle
NYU Stern
Robert Engle is a Nobel Laureate in Economics (2003), recognized for developing the ARCH framework, a cornerstone in modeling time-varying volatility in financial markets.
A leading expert in time series analysis, his work has profoundly shaped asset pricing, risk management, and financial econometrics, with contributions including ARCH extensions, cointegration, ACD, CAViaR, and DCC models.
He is Co-Director of the NYU Stern Volatility and Risk Institute and Co-Founding President of the Society for Financial Econometrics (SoFiE).
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John Elkington
Volans
John Elkington is widely regarded as the “Godfather of sustainability” and a pioneer of the global sustainability movement, with over 50 years of experience advising businesses and institutions worldwide. As Founder of Volans, a think-tank and advisory firm focused on sustainability, he continues to shape strategies that advance sustainable and regenerative capitalism today.
He is best known for coining the concept that has become the cornerstone of modern business: the Triple Bottom Line (People, Planet, Profit). Throughout his career, he has helped launch and develop major initiatives such as the Global Reporting Initiative, the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes, and The B Team.
A leading voice in sustainability, John has addressed more than 1,000 conferences globally and is the author or co-author of 20 influential books, including Green Swans: The Coming Boom in Regenerative Capitalism (2020).
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Christine Schliesser
Zurich University
Christine Schliesser is a Senior Lecturer in Systematic Theology and Ethics at Zurich University, as well as the Director of Studies at the Center for Faith & Society at Fribourg University and a Research Fellow in Historical Trauma and Transformation at Stellenbosch University.
Her work focuses on the role of religion in the public sphere, particularly in relation to sustainable development, peace, and reconciliation. She is an established author, including On the Significance of Religion for the SDGs. An Introduction (Routledge), and co-editor of the interreligious book series Religion Matters (Routledge).
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Cameron Hepburn
Battcock Professor, University of Oxford
Cameron Hepburn is an Environmental Economist, being the Battcock Professor of Environmental Economics at the University of Oxford and Director of the Economics of Sustainability Programme at the Oxford Martin School. His research spans energy, climate, and environmental challenges across disciplines including economics, engineering, law, and public policy.
Cameron also advises governments, financial institutions, and investors on climate and energy transition, and is an active entrepreneur and investor in sustainability ventures.
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Humberto Delgado Rosa
Former Director for Natural Capital, European Commission
Humberto is a senior figure in European environmental policy, having served as Director for Natural Capital (Biodiversity) at the European Commission’s DG Environment from 2015 to 2025.
He previously held leadership roles in DG Climate Action, focusing on adaptation and low-carbon technologies, and brings extensive experience in international policy on biodiversity and climate change.
Earlier in his career, he served as Portugal’s Secretary of State for the Environment and as advisor on environmental affairs to the Prime Minister. He holds a PhD in Evolutionary Biology.
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Kfir Godrich
Founder of mAIndfulness
mAIndfulness is a think tank and venture platform at the intersection of AI, quantum, fintech, and digital infrastructure, backing the ideas and technologies that define what comes next. Through mAIndfulness, Kfir advises and invests in companies building in AI, quantum, data, cybersecurity, alternative energy, and the evolving architecture of financial markets — bringing an operator's lens from decades of scaling technology at global institutions.
Previously, he spent 12 years at BlackRock as Chief Innovation Officer, Global Head of Technology and Enterprise Services, CISO, and Global Head of Data and AI.
His career spans C4ISR, data centers, alternative energy, fintech, cyber, and ML/AI. He designed the world's first private SONET system, patented modular data centers deployed at hyperscale, developed alternative energy solutions for the Pentagon and Navy, oversaw the design of roughly 75% of the world's Tier 4 data centers, and integrated over 100 AI solutions into financial services workflows.
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Ricardo Rio
Economist
Former Mayor of Braga
Ricardo is an economist and public policy leader with extensive experience in economic development, innovation, sustainability, and regional governance.
He served as Mayor of Braga from 2013 to 2025, leading the city to international recognition for innovation, sustainability, and urban development. During his mandate, Braga strengthened its position as a European hub for technology, entrepreneurship, and smart city initiatives.
Alongside his public service career, he has worked as a consultant, lecturer, and trainer in areas including financial management, regional development, European funds, corporate responsibility, and strategic planning. He has collaborated with academic institutions, public entities, and private organizations across Portugal.
He currently serves as Head of EMEA and Strategic Partnerships at the Global Enabling Sustainability Initiative (GeSI), contributing to international discussions on sustainability, digital transformation, and economic innovation. He holds a degree in Economics from the University of Porto. -
Giulia Lombardi
Philea, Philanthropy Europe Association
Giulia Lombardi is a senior leader at Philea, where she coordinates the European Environmental Funders Group (EEFG) and the European Foundations for Sustainable Food and Agriculture (EFSAF), advancing collaboration among philanthropic organizations on climate, sustainability, and food systems. She brings experience across philanthropy, academia, and public policy, having previously worked on climate initiatives at the Polytechnic University of Turin, external relations at the Barilla Center for Food and Nutrition, and EU-funded projects focused on European policy and lifelong learning.
Confirmed Industry Leaders
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Alice Khouri
Head of Legal, Helexia Portugal
Moderator
Alice is Head of Legal at Helexia Portugal and a specialist in energy transition, sustainability, and energy law, with over 12 years of experience combining legal practice, regulation, and ESG strategy. She is also founder of Women in ESG Portugal, a member of the Operational Council of the Center for Sustainable Finance at Católica-Lisbon SBE, and a PhD candidate in Law and Economics at the University of Lisbon.
July 1: Externality Markets, Biodiversity, Corp Accountability and Policy (Roundtable)
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Ana Barbosa
Sustainability Manager, IKEA Portugal
Ana is Sustainability Manager at IKEA Portugal, where she leads the company’s environmental and social sustainability agenda, focusing on reducing operational impact and promoting more sustainable ways of living in line with IKEA’s global commitments. She joined IKEA in 2001 and has held roles across supply chain, product quality, and retail operations in several international markets before taking on sustainability leadership in Portugal in 2017.
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Angela Lucas
Partner, Systemic Sphere
Angela is an Advisor at the Center for Responsible Business and Leadership, contributing to sustainable development and ESG practices, particularly through the Observatory of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Portuguese companies. She is also Executive Partner at Systemic Sphere and Co-Founder of the LAND Fund, with over a decade of experience in environmental law across legal practice, the European Commission, and the Portuguese Government, including as advisor to the Minister for the Environment and Climate Action.
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António Baldaque da Silva
Executive Director, Center for Sustainable Finance at Católica-Lisbon SBE
António is the Executive Director of the Center for Sustainable Finance and Associate Professor of Finance (Adjunct) at Universidade Católica Portuguesa, focusing on sustainable finance, portfolio management, and risk. He previously spent 20 years on Wall Street, including eight years as Managing Director at BlackRock, where he led global teams in portfolio management and sustainable investing. He holds a PhD in Economics from Northwestern University and has published extensively on quantitative portfolio management and risk, presenting his research at institutions such as the European Central Bank and MIT.
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António Carlos Rodrigues
CEO, Grupo Casais
António is CEO of Grupo Casais, a leading construction company operating in 18 countries with nearly 7,500 employees. With more than three decades at the company, he has held leadership roles across technical, commercial, and executive areas, helping drive growth and innovation in industrialised construction. He holds a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Minho, completed executive education at Harvard Business School and MIT, and was named Construction Personality of the Year in 2022.
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António Miguel Bento
Professor of Public Policy and Economics, University of Southern California
Research Associate, National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)
António Miguel Bento is a world-leading scholar in environmental, energy, transportation, and urban economics. His research quantifies the costs, benefits, and distributional effects of climate, energy, and transportation policy — from mitigation to adaptation — with recent work on shielding households and firms from the energy crisis without slowing decarbonization. He has contributed to the IPCC and the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, is a regular consultant to the World Bank, and served as a European Climate Pact Ambassador. He holds a PhD from the University of Maryland and a degree in Economics from Nova SBE.
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Assunção Loureiro
Co-Founder, Biodiversity Links
Moderator
Assunção is a strategic leader working at the intersection of business, sustainability, and communication, with more than 20 years of experience across corporate and impact-driven organizations. She has led initiatives combining business growth with measurable environmental impact, including founding SeaTheFuture and contributing to sustainable business models at the Oceanário de Lisboa and Beta-i. She is currently co-founder of Biodiversity Links, where she connects companies with biodiversity and restoration projects while supporting private sector action on climate change and nature loss.
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Bernardo Goarmon
Group Chief Financial Officer, Lightsource bp
Bernardo is Group Chief Financial Officer and Board Member at Lightsource bp, one of the world’s major solar energy producers. Based in London, his international career spans Europe and the United States, with nearly two decades of experience in the energy sector, including senior leadership roles such as CFO at EDP Renewables North America. He also serves as President of the Portugal–US Chamber of Commerce and has completed executive education at Harvard Business School, Wharton School, London Business School, and Darden School of Business.
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Bob D'Haeseleer
City Advisor for EU Cities Mission, ICLEI
Moderator
Bob is one of NetZeroCities' City Advisors, employed by ICLEI. As a former Deputy Mayor of Eeklo he is a generalist who brings in on the ground practical expertise on spatial planning, housing and energy. As a MSc in Geography and MSc in Energy Politics Bob likes to challenge and be challenged on how cities can make a difference in these fields and how energy landscapes shape the context for democracy. Bob is Board member of the Flemish federation of Energy cooperatives and the democratic support model he was responsible for setting up allowed the construction of 22 windturbines without NIMBY lawsuits in his hometown. Through direct participation and an lease-lending scheme for vulnerable households these turbines now protect his city against rising energy prices. The scheme won the EU Social Innovation award in 2023.
July 2: Advancing Local Climate Pacts: Climate Champions League
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Christian Heller
CEO, Value Balancing Alliance e.V.
Vice President, BASF SE
Moderator
Christian is CEO of the Value Balancing Alliance and Vice President at BASF, where he focuses on integrating sustainability into business strategy and financial decision-making. He also co-chairs the Sustainable Finance Committee to the Federal Government of Germany and works with international standard setters, policymakers, academia, and civil society to advance sustainability at scale. Previously, he led BASF’s Value-to-Society program and held roles across communications, sustainability, and human resources, and holds a Master’s degree in Philosophy with studies in philosophy, macroeconomics, psychology, and politics.
July 1: Externality Markets, Biodiversity, Corp Accountability and Policy (Roundtable)
June 30: Fast Changing Business Environment (Roundtable) — Moderator
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Cristina Melo Antunes
Head of Sustainability at Banco Santander Portugal
Moderator
Cristina is Head of Sustainability at Santander Portugal, where she leads the bank’s sustainability and ESG agenda following a long career across investment banking, treasury, credit markets, corporate finance, and risk management. She also serves as a non-executive board member of Fundação Santander Portugal and Santander Totta Seguros. She holds a degree in Economics and an MBA in Finance from Universidade Católica Portuguesa.
July 1:Sustainable Finance Opportunities and Pitfalls (Roundtable)
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Dina Rato
Invited Professor at Católica-Lisbon SBE Executive Education
Moderator
Dina is an Invited Professor at Católica-Lisbon SBE Executive Education, where she designs and delivers executive programmes on ESG governance, sustainable finance, climate risk, and value creation, translating complex regulatory frameworks into board-level decision-making tools. She is also a PhD candidate at ISEG – Lisbon School of Economics & Management, researching ESG metrics and their impact on corporate performance. With over 20 years of international experience, she has held senior roles at KPMG, Deloitte, and TMF Group, advising multinational organizations and financial institutions on governance, risk, ESG, and compliance.
July 2: Corporate Innovation in Urban Climate Transitions - Case Studies
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Ed Horton
Asset Manager, DRC Savills Investment Management
Natural Capital Investment specialist, Savills UK
Ed is an Asset Manager at DRC Savills Investment Management and a Natural Capital Investment specialist at Savills UK, with over a decade of experience in regenerative agriculture and sustainable land management. He is also Managing Partner at SS Horton & Sons, where he has led award-winning regenerative agriculture initiatives focused on biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable food production. He holds an MBA in Farm Business Management from the Royal Agricultural University.
July 1: Externality Markets, Biodiversity, Corp Accountability and Policy (Roundtable)
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Eduardo Jorge Mota Vasconcelos
Purchasing Director, Fromageries Bel Portugal
Eduardo is Purchasing Director at Fromageries Bel Portugal (Groupe Bel), with over 30 years of experience in the dairy industry, supply chain management, and sustainable agricultural operations in the Azores. Since joining the company in 1996, he has held roles including Industrial Controller and Director of Supply and Milk Collection, leading initiatives focused on operational efficiency, producer engagement, and sustainable dairy sourcing, including the “Leite de Vacas Felizes” program. He holds a degree in Business Organization and Management from the University of the Azores.
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Elena Simion
CapaCITIES Coordinator
Elena is an International Projects Expert at UEFISCDI, with over a decade of experience in international cooperation, innovation policy, and research funding. She currently coordinates the Horizon Europe CapaCITIES project, leading a consortium of more than 70 partners across Europe to support the implementation of the EU Mission for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities. She is also involved in Romania’s M100 Mirror Mission Cities Hub, contributing to urban sustainability and climate transition initiatives.
July 2: Unlocking Municipal Climate Investment (Roundtable)
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Filipa Pantaleão
Executive Director, BCSD Portugal
Moderator
Filipa is Executive Director of BCSD Portugal and an environmental engineer with over 20 years of experience in the waste, energy, and infrastructure sectors. She has worked across Europe, Africa, Latin America, and Asia in technical, operational, and management roles within the Mota-Engil Group, and has led sustainability strategies in waste management focused on carbon neutrality and environmental performance, including board roles within the EGF Group. She holds a degree in Environmental Engineering from NOVA University Lisbon and an MBA from Católica-Lisbon SBE.
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Filipa Pires de Almeida
Executive Director, Center for Responsible Business and Leadership
Filipa is Executive Director of the Center for Responsible Business and Leadership, focusing on strategy, international business, and integrating the SDGs into corporate strategy to drive long-term value creation. She is active in executive education and academic teaching in business, strategy, and sustainability, and is completing a PhD at Rotterdam School of Management on strategy and sustainability, with training in Shared Value from Harvard Business School. Previously, she worked at Deloitte, served as an economic policy advisor at the European Parliament, and contributed to the social entrepreneurship ecosystem at IES-Social Business School.
June 30: Fireside talks - Responsible Leadership in an uncertain world
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Filipe Santos
Dean, Católica-Lisbon SBE
Filipe is Dean of Católica-Lisbon SBE and Full Professor of Social Entrepreneurship, holding the Alfredo da Silva Chair in Entrepreneurship, with research focused on social innovation, impact investing, and business model innovation. He previously spent over a decade at INSEAD, where he led the Entrepreneurship Centre and founded the Social Entrepreneurship Initiative, and he remains a Visiting Professor. A leading figure in the impact ecosystem, he co-founded IES-Social Business School and Maze, was founding President of Portugal Inovação Social, and is currently President of the European Venture Philanthropy Association (EVPA).
June 30, July 1 and July 2: Dialogue and Burning Questions; Opening Session July 1;Closing Remarks July 2
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Hugo Rodriguez Garcia
CEO and Technical Director, AMETLAM
Hugo is a Forestry Engineer and CEO of AMETLAM, specializing in territorial planning and management, with expertise in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and LIDAR technology. He has over 15 years of experience across forestry, environmental, and hydraulic engineering projects, having managed and advised on more than 17,000 hectares of private forest in Galicia, including wildfire prevention, firefighting campaigns, and biomass management for electricity generation companies, combining technical expertise with environmental sustainability.
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Inês Rocha de Gouveia
President, Fundação Santander Portugal
Inês is President of Fundação Santander Portugal, where she leads the bank’s social impact strategy across education, employability, and entrepreneurship, strengthening the connection between academia, society, and the financial sector. With over 30 years of experience across banking, telecommunications, and consumer goods in Portugal and Brazil, she has held senior leadership roles at Santander since 2007, focusing in recent years on purpose-driven initiatives, notably through Santander Universidades.
June 30: Católica-Santander Award - Innovation for Sustainability
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Isabel Capeloa Gil
Rector, Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Isabel is Rector of Universidade Católica Portuguesa and Full Professor of Culture Studies, with a distinguished academic career in literature, culture, and interdisciplinary studies. She previously served as Dean of the Faculty of Human Sciences and is the founder of the Lisbon Consortium and the Research Centre for Communication and Culture, where she leads international doctoral programmes. She has held visiting positions at universities across Europe, the United States, and Brazil, and is an Honorary Fellow of the University of London.
June 30: Opening Session
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João Crispim
Head of Corporate ESG, Grupo Casais
João is a senior executive and engineer currently serving as Head of Corporate ESG at Grupo Casais, where he works on sustainability strategy, reporting, and innovation. He also holds leadership roles across the sustainability ecosystem, including President of Coopérnico and BUILT CoLAB, and is a board member of GRACE – Empresas Responsáveis, contributing to energy transition and industrial decarbonisation initiatives. His career spans energy infrastructure, procurement, and strategy roles at REN, General Electric, and the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change, and he holds an Electrical Engineering degree from Instituto Superior Técnico and an MBA from The Lisbon MBA.
July 2: Corporate Innovation in Urban Climate Transitions - Case Studies
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João Manuel Esteves
Secretary of State for the Environment
João is Portugal’s Secretary of State for the Environment, a position he has held since June 2025. He previously served as Mayor of Arcos de Valdevez and chaired both the Co-Management Commission and Strategic Council of the Peneda-Gerês National Park. Holding degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science and a Master’s in Business Management, he has also served on the board of ADAM – Águas do Alto Minho and taught at Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo and Instituto Politécnico do Cávado e do Ave.
July 2: Opening Session
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João Mestre
Head of Sustainability, Fidelidade
João is a senior executive in the insurance sector, currently leading Sustainability at Fidelidade, where he defines and implements the group’s sustainability strategy across all geographies. He previously led Corporate Strategy and Business Development at Fidelidade and was a consultant at Boston Consulting Group, working across financial services and international markets. He holds a Master’s in Industrial Engineering and Management from Instituto Superior Técnico and executive education in sustainability from INSEAD and the University of Cambridge.
June 30: Sustainable Finance Opportunities and Pitfalls (Roundtable)
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Jorge Alcobia
CEO, Faya Foundation
Jorge is CEO of the Faya Foundation, where he leads an innovative “Natural Dividend” model linking biodiversity preservation with economic and social development in Príncipe Island (a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve). He has held CEO, CFO, and Partner roles across organisations including Multicert, SIBS, Roland Berger, and Accenture, with extensive experience in strategy and international business transformation. He is also a member of the Fiscal Board of Banco Alimentar Contra a Fome and holds an MBA from INDEG-ISCTE and executive education from Harvard Business School and AESE.
July 1: The Learning Curve of Nature-Positive Execution (Roundtable)
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José da Silva Almeida
ESG & SHEQ Global Director, Mota-Engil
José is Sustainability and SHEQ Director at Mota-Engil, with over 15 years of international experience in construction, infrastructure, and industrial operations across Europe, Africa, and emerging markets. He leads corporate sustainability and SHEQ systems across the group, with a focus on operational excellence, industrialization, and large-scale infrastructure delivery. He holds a degree in Civil Engineering, an MBA from Católica-Lisbon SBE, and executive education in sustainability and sustainable finance from the University of Cambridge and Nova SBE.
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José Luís Moreira da Silva
CEO, Esporão
José is CEO of Esporão, one of Portugal’s leading wine producers, following previous leadership roles as Chief Winemaker and Operating Officer. With over 20 years of experience in the wine industry, he has worked across renowned organizations including Sogrape, Duorum, and Quinta dos Murças, combining expertise in winemaking, viticulture, and operations. He studied Microbiology at Universidade Católica Portuguesa and holds advanced qualifications in oenology, wines and spirits, and executive management.
July 1: Externality Markets, Biodiversity, Corp Accountability and Policy (Roundtable)
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Julio Lumbreras
Coordinator, CitiES2030
Julio is a Full Professor and chemical and environmental engineer who previously served on the European Commission’s Mission Board for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, contributing to sustainability transitions in cities and higher education institutions. He holds a PhD in Air Quality from the Technical University of Madrid and a Master’s in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School, and his work bridges academia, policy, and international collaboration in urban air quality, climate change, and sustainable development.
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Laura Palmeiro
Chief Sustainable Finance Officer, L’Oréal
Laura is Chief Sustainable Finance Officer at L’Oréal, where she leads the integration of sustainability into financial strategy at a global level. She brings over two decades of experience at the intersection of finance and sustainability, including senior roles at Danone and as Senior Advisor to the UN Global Compact. Her work focuses on aligning financial performance with environmental and social impact, advancing sustainability metrics, reporting frameworks, and long-term value creation across multinational organizations.
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Mafalda Sarmento
Head of Sustainability and Impact, Católica-Lisbon SBE
Mafalda is Head of Sustainability and Impact at Católica-Lisbon SBE, Executive Director of the Pacto para a Gestão da Água em Portugal, and a researcher and consultant at the Center for Responsible Business and Leadership. With extensive experience in social innovation, sustainability, and impact strategy, she has trained and mentored thousands of social entrepreneurs across Europe and Africa and co-founded Positive Benefits, a consultancy focused on sustainability and positive impact. Her work spans ESG, social innovation, water management, entrepreneurship, and responsible leadership across corporations, public institutions, universities, and nonprofits.
July 1: The Learning Curve of Nature-Positive Execution (Roundtable) - Moderator
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Manuel de Brito
Board Member, SL Benfica (SAD)
Vice-President, Sport Lisboa e BenficaManuel is a senior executive and board member with extensive experience in banking, investment, and corporate governance, currently serving as Vice-President of Sport Lisboa e Benfica and Board Member of Benfica SAD. He has led the development of Benfica’s first integrated sustainability strategy, aligning environmental, social, and governance initiatives under a unified framework. With a background in private banking at institutions such as Citibank and Banco Espírito Santo, he brings strong expertise in financial management, governance, and strategic leadership.
July 2: Advancing Local Climate Pacts: Climate Champions League
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Manuela Álvares
Councillor for Public Works and Environment, Câmara Municipal de Matosinhos
Manuela is Councillor for Public Works and Environment at the Municipality of Matosinhos and President of Matosinhos Habit, and also serves as Executive Administrator at Domus Social, with extensive experience across environment, health, quality, and safety. She has a strong background in ISO 9001 (Lead Auditor) and Joint Commission International accreditation, combining technical expertise with leadership in public institutions, and she contributes to postgraduate education in health and quality.
July 2: Opening Session
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Maria João Rodrigues
Executive Coordinator, Cidades pelo Clima
ModeratorMaria is Executive Coordinator of Cidades pelo Clima, a national initiative supporting Portuguese municipalities in achieving climate neutrality by 2030 through Climate City Contracts and coordinated stakeholder engagement. She holds a PhD in Engineering and Industrial Management from Instituto Superior Técnico (including studies at Carnegie Mellon University) and has worked across public policy, research, and sustainable energy roles at ADENE, Lisboa E-Nova, and as an advisor to the Portuguese government on energy and climate.
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Mariana Pereira da Silva
Head of Sustainability, Sonae MC
Mariana is Head of Sustainability at Sonae MC, where she leads the company’s sustainability strategy and initiatives across environmental, social, and governance priorities. With a background in organizational psychology, she has built her career in sustainability, corporate responsibility, project management, and leadership development, including roles at Sonae and WIN World. She has also completed executive education in sustainability and management at Yale University and CATÓLICA-LISBON.
July 1: Externality Markets, Biodiversity, Corp Accountability and Policy (Roundtable)
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Mark Hume
Managing Director and Portfolio Manager, Energy and Natural Resources, BlackRock
Mark is a Managing Director and Portfolio Manager at BlackRock, specializing in the energy sector and co-managing the Natural Resources team’s all-cap energy strategies, including the BGF World Energy Fund. He holds an MEng in Petroleum Engineering from Heriot-Watt University and a BSc in Mathematics from the University of Edinburgh, with experience across institutions including Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Credit Suisse, J.P. Morgan, and Wood Mackenzie in energy equities across traditional and emerging markets.
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Matiss Paegle
Investment Director, BaltCap
Matiss is an investment professional at BaltCap Infrastructure Fund, bringing extensive experience across corporate finance, executive leadership, and investment management in sectors such as aviation, energy, and private equity, with a focus on infrastructure assets, including renewable energy, and holds an MBA from the Stockholm School of Economics.
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Miguel Almeida
President, Municipal Recovery Fund
An economist with over 25 years of experience in public finance, local government management, and sustainable development, he has been President of the Municipal Support Fund (FAM) since 2014, leading the financial recovery of Portuguese municipalities. He is also Coordinator and lecturer of the Postgraduate Course in Strategic Municipal Governance at ISEG Executive Education, Chair of Technical Committee 217 on Sustainable Finance (responsible for the Portuguese version of ISO 32210), and a member of the committee drafting the new Local Finance Law. He is a PhD candidate in Sustainability and Development and has authored and co-authored several publications on local finance and sustainability.
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Miguel Rangel
Area Manager for Smart Infrastructure – Buildings, Siemens Portugal
Miguel Rangel is Area Manager for Buildings at Siemens Portugal, where he leads the Smart Infrastructure – Buildings business, focusing on autonomous, energy-efficient, and human-centric building solutions. With over 15 years of experience in technology, digital transformation, and operations, he has held several global leadership roles at Siemens, including Global Head of Business Technology and Analytics, leading international teams across Europe, Africa, and beyond. He holds degrees in Computer Science from the University of Lisbon and a postgraduate qualification in Management and Business from ISEG – Lisbon School of Economics & Management.
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Natália Alencar
Head of Sustainability at Banco Português de Fomento
Natália is Head of Sustainability at Banco Português de Fomento, with experience across sustainable finance, ESG, circular economy, and climate innovation. She previously worked at Capgemini, BCSD Portugal, and Building Global Innovators, leading projects focused on sustainability strategy, corporate collaboration, and regenerative business models. She holds master’s degrees in Environmental Assessment and Management and in Water and Coastal Management from European universities, alongside a specialization in Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainability, and Reputation.
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Nuno Gaspar Oliveira
CEO, NBI - Natural Business Intelligence
Nuno is the Managing Partner and CEO of Natural Business Intelligence (NBI), a biologist specialized in ecology with extensive experience in sustainability, biodiversity, and ecosystem services, combining leadership in consultancy with academic roles as a lecturer in sustainability management and advisory positions in international initiatives, including collaborations with WWF and contributions to major environmental projects, supported by postgraduate training in geography, spatial planning, and strategic management.
July 1: Closing Remarks
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Olga Kordas
Program Manager, Viable Cities
Olga is an Associate Professor in Sustainable Urban Development at KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Director of Viable Cities, Sweden’s national strategic innovation programme for smart and climate-neutral cities. Her research focuses on urban data analytics, energy transition, digitalization, electrification, and citizen engagement as drivers of sustainable urban development. She leads the Urban Analytics and Transitions research group and works at the intersection of research, innovation policy, and city transformation.
June 2: Unlocking Municipal Climate Investment (Roundtable)
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Paulo Ferrão
Chair of the Mission Board on Climate Neutral and Smart Cities, European Commission
Paulo has held several prominent leadership roles, including President of the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, and has been actively involved in European sustainability initiatives, notably as Chair of the European Commission’s Mission Board for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities. He is a Full Professor at Instituto Superior Técnico and a leading expert in sustainable energy systems, industrial ecology, and urban sustainability, with a PhD in Mechanical Engineering focused on the transition to low-carbon and resource-efficient economies.
July 2: Closing Remarks
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Pedro Ávila
Operational Sustainability Director, REN
A professional with more than 25 years of experience in the energy sector, Pedro Ávila has held positions at the three largest energy companies in Portugal and currently serves as Director of Innovation and Operational Sustainability at REN. He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from FEUP and a postgraduate qualification in Geographic Information Systems from IST, complemented by executive education including an MBA from Porto Business School, the Advanced Management Program at AESE, and the OWP program at IMD. Throughout his career, he has led energy projects in gas and electricity across Portugal and Spain, and he currently serves as Vice-President of the Portuguese Energy Association, President of CIGRE Portugal, and member of the General and Supervisory Board of ISQ.
July 1: The Learning Curve of Nature-Positive Execution (Roundtable)
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Pedro Franco
Assistant Professor (Adjunct) at NOVA SBE and a postdoctoral researcher in Integral Human Development at the Portuguese Catholic University Institute of Political Studies
Pedro Franco is an Assistant Professor (Adjunct) at NOVA SBE and a postdoctoral researcher in Integral Human Development at the Portuguese Catholic University Institute of Political Studies. He completed his Ph.D. in Literary Theory in between the University of Lisbon and the University of Chicago. His work lies at the intersection of philosophical and applied ethics, literary theory and political theory. He has worked in the publishing field, in the development sector, and is the author of Uma defesa da virtude: A ética, a vida moderna e as artes (2026).
July 1: Conversation with Christine Schliesser
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Rui Lopo
CEO, CARRIS
Rui is CEO of CARRIS, the public company responsible for Lisbon’s bus and tram network, and plays a central role in the transition towards more sustainable public transport. He previously served as Board Member at Transportes Metropolitanos de Lisboa (TML), with responsibility for Carris Metropolitana operations, innovation, and intelligent transport systems, overseeing large-scale metropolitan mobility services. With experience across municipal government, transport operations, and the telecommunications sector, he has a strong track record in managing complex systems, leading large operational networks, and driving transformation in urban mobility and infrastructure.
July 2: Corporate Innovation in Urban Climate Transitions - Case Studies
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Rui Pimenta
CEO, Porto Energy Agency (AdEPorto) and Vice-President, FEDARENE
Rui is CEO of the Porto Energy Agency (AdEPorto), Vice-President of FEDARENE, where he oversees Renewable Energy Communities, and a board member of RNAE. An electrical engineer, he has experience in solar photovoltaic and wind energy projects from both technical and financial perspectives, as well as in designing management and operational models. He has supported municipalities in Northern Portugal with Climate Action Plans, carbon neutrality strategies, and energy efficiency projects in public buildings and street lighting, and has also contributed to the development of energy communities, self-consumption systems, and initiatives to address energy poverty, in alignment with the Cities Mission and national decarbonisation goals.
July 2: Corporate Innovation in Urban Climate Transitions - Case Studies
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Sílvia Barata
Head of Country, BP Portugal
Vice President, Mobility and Convenience Iberia
Sílvia is Head of Country for BP Portugal and Vice President Mobility and Convenience Iberia, leading operations, retail strategy, and energy transition initiatives across the region. With over 30 years at BP, she has held leadership roles across finance, operations, pricing, and portfolio management at national and Iberian levels, and was the first woman to lead BP Portugal.June 30: Fireside Talks - Responsible Leadership in an Uncertain World
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Tomé Pedroso
Advisor to the Board, Fidelidade, and Co-leader, Fidelidade Impact Center for Climate Change
Board Director at Multi Health
Tomé Pedroso is Advisor to the Board of Fidelidade and Board Director at Multi Health, with more than three decades of experience in insurance, risk management, and corporate leadership. He has held senior executive roles across Fidelidade, Seguradoras Unidas, La Positiva Seguros (Peru), and several industry associations, contributing to the development of health, non-life, and catastrophic risk insurance. He holds degrees in Economics and Actuarial Sciences, as well as an MBA from INSEAD.
July 1: Externality Markets, Biodiversity, Corp Accountability and Policy (Roundtable)
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Soojin Lee
Head of Sustainable Finance Solutions, Bloomberg LP
Soojin is the Head of Sustainable Finance Solutions at Bloomberg LP, where she leads the strategy for data, analytics, and product integration across Bloomberg’s sustainable finance offering. She is focused on helping financial professionals identify, assess and act on sustainability risks and opportunities to make more informed investment decisions in a complex, evolving market.
Over her 20-year career at Bloomberg, Soojin has held a range of leadership positions across Hong Kong, New York, and London, developing expertise at the intersection of financial markets, technology, and client engagement. She is currently based in London.
Soojin holds a Master’s degree in Global Finance from New York University’s Stern School of Business.
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Teresa Santos
Sustainability Manager, FC Porto
Teresa is the Sustainability Manager at FC Porto, where she has worked since 2007, leading the football club’s sustainability strategy and initiatives. With a background in quality and environmental management, she has a key role in implementing sustainability practices and coordinating international projects, while representing the club in UEFA and Liga Portugal. She holds a degree in Chemical Engineering and a postgraduate qualification in Quality, Environment, and Safety Management.
July 2: Advancing Local Climate Pacts: Climate Champions League
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Vasco Anjos
Councillor for Environment, Energy and Sustainability of Lisboa Municipality
Vasco is currently a Lisbon City Councillor, with responsibilities including Administrative Reform and Modernisation, Information Systems, Transparency and Anti-Corruption, Audit, Sustainability, Environment, Energy, and Climate Action. His career spans management consulting, finance, and the sports and leisure industry, including leadership roles at Ritz Carlton Penha Longa, Avoguis Golf Global Solutions, and the Portuguese Golf Course Owners Association. He holds an Executive MBA from AESE/IESE and executive education in strategy, governance, marketing, and data science.
July 2: Closing Remarks
World renowned Academic Speakers:
Accounting - June 29th
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Aaron Yoon
University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R China
Aaron Yoon is a Professor whose research focuses on ESG measurement and its integration into portfolio decision-making, shaping how investors incorporate ESG information according to the Financial Times. His award-winning work is widely cited in major media outlets, and he holds a PhD from Harvard with prior industry experience at Credit Suisse.
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Ane Tamayo
London School of Economics, UK
Ane Tamayo is Professor of Accounting at the London School of Economics, specializing in financial reporting and disclosure, corporate governance, and corporate social responsibility. She teaches Topics in Accounting Research and works at the intersection of accounting, financial intermediaries, and asset pricing.
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Khrystyna Bochkay
University of Miami, USA
Khrystyna Bochkay is an Associate Professor of Accounting at the University of Miami and an Academic Advisor to the International Sustainability Standards Board at the IFRS Foundation. Her research focuses on financial and sustainability reporting, investor behavior, and AI, with publications in top accounting journals.
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Mirko Heinle
Wharton University of Pennsylvania, USA
Mirko Heinle is a faculty member at the Wharton School, where he teaches Managerial Accounting in the undergraduate program. His research focuses on accounting disclosure in capital markets, regulation, and internal capital allocation, with current work on risk disclosure and regulatory uniformity.
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Nemit Shroff
MIT Sloan School of Management, USA
Nemit Shroff is the School of Management Distinguished Professor and Professor of Accounting at MIT Sloan, specializing in accounting disclosure and its effects on corporate financing and investment. His award-winning research on disclosure regulation has been published in leading accounting and finance journals, and he holds a PhD from the University of Michigan.
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Thorsten Sellhorn
LMU Munich School of Management, Germany
Thorsten Sellhorn is Full Professor of Accounting at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, with prior professorships at WHU and visiting positions at institutions including Harvard Business School. His research focuses on international financial reporting and accounting regulation, and he holds a PhD and Habilitation from Ruhr-Universität Bochum.
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Gaia Melloni
HEC Lausanne
Discussant
Gaia Melloni is an Associate Professor in Accounting and Control at HEC Lausanne, University of Lausanne, whose interdisciplinary research explores corporate sustainability and the integration of ESG factors into corporate reporting, supported by international publications, competitive research funding, and advisory work with institutions such as the European Parliament and the United Nations, following an academic path that includes a Ph.D. in Economics and Management and appointments at leading European universities.
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Ilia Dichev
Emory University
Discussant
Ilia Dichev is a Professor of Accounting at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, whose influential research—published in leading journals such as The Accounting Review, Journal of Finance, and American Economic Review—has earned top honors in the field and widespread recognition in major media outlets, building on a distinguished academic career that includes faculty leadership at the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in Accounting from the University of Washington.
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Jody Grewal
University of Toronto
Discussant
Jody Grewal is an Assistant Professor of Accounting at the University of Toronto Mississauga, with a cross-appointment at the Rotman School of Management, whose research explores the capital market and real effects of financial and sustainability disclosures, with work published in leading journals such as Management Science and featured in major outlets like The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg, building on a doctorate from Harvard Business School and a professional background as a Chartered Professional Accountant.
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Naomi Soderstrom
University of Melbourne
Discussant
Naomi Soderstrom is a Professor of Managerial Accounting at the University of Melbourne and a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia, whose research focuses on sustainability and management accounting, with extensive publications in leading journals and a distinguished academic career that includes editorial leadership roles, global visiting appointments, and prior faculty positions at the University of Washington and the University of Colorado.
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Rachel S. Yoon
Boston University
Discussant
Rachel S. Yoon is an Assistant Professor of Accounting at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business, whose research focuses on corporate disclosures, taxation, and auditing, with work presented at leading conferences and recognized through prestigious fellowships, following a Ph.D. in Management from MIT Sloan and prior academic training in accounting and economics at Seoul National University.
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Tim Baldenius
Columbia Business School
Discussant
Tim Baldenius is a Professor at Columbia Business School, where he teaches performance measurement and doctoral seminars in managerial accounting and contract theory, and conducts widely published research on managerial accounting, corporate governance, and performance evaluation, following a distinguished academic career that includes faculty and leadership roles at NYU Stern and academic training in business administration and accounting from the University of Hamburg and the University of Vienna.
Finance - June 30th
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Diana Bonfim
European Central Bank and Católica-Lisbon SBE
Diana Bonfim is a Research Adviser at the European Central Bank and a visiting professor at Católica Lisbon SBE, holding a PhD in Economics from the University of Groningen. Her research focuses on banking, corporate finance, and monetary policy, and she is co-editor of the International Journal of Central Banking with publications in top journals like Journal of Financial Economics.
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Ioannis Branikas
University of Oregon
Ioannis Branikas is an Assistant Professor of Finance at the University of Oregon’s Lundquist College of Business, with a PhD in Economics from Princeton University. His research spans corporate finance, sustainability, and household finance, with publications on portfolio choice and ESG topics.
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Jan Starmans
Stockholm School of Economics
Jan Starmans is an Associate Professor of Finance at the Stockholm School of Economics, holding a PhD in Finance from London Business School. His research focuses on sustainable and corporate finance, and he teaches Sustainable Finance and Theoretical Corporate Finance.
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Karl Lins
University of Utah
Karl V. Lins is the Spencer Fox Eccles Chair in Banking and Professor of Finance at the University of Utah, specializing in corporate governance, capital markets, and corporate sustainability. He is an award-winning researcher with publications in top finance journals and extensive executive teaching experience at global institutions including London Business School and INSEAD.
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Sam Hartzmark
Boston College
Samuel M. Hartzmark is a Professor of Finance at Boston College’s Carroll School of Management, specializing in asset pricing and behavioral finance. His award-winning research has been published in top journals and featured in major media outlets, and he holds a PhD from USC, an MBA from Chicago Booth, and a BA in Mathematics and Economics from Emory University.
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Zacharias Sautner
University of Zurich
Zacharias Sautner is Professor of Sustainable Finance at the University of Zurich and Senior Chair at the Swiss Finance Institute, researching ESG topics like climate change and biodiversity. His work, widely cited and published in top journals, informs policymakers and investors, and he serves as Associate Editor for leading finance journals and Director of the European Finance Association.
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Christoph Schiller
Ohio State University, USA
Discussant
Christoph Schiller is an Assistant Professor of Finance at The Ohio State University, with a PhD from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. His research in empirical corporate finance focuses on supply chains, sustainable finance, and social media, with publications in top journals such as the Journal of Finance and Review of Financial Studies.
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Mathias Kruttli
Indiana University
Discussant
Mathias Kruttli is an Assistant Professor of Finance at the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, whose work spans climate finance, asset pricing, and financial intermediation, drawing on prior experience as a principal economist at the Federal Reserve and a background in investment banking and strategy consulting, with academic training from the University of Oxford, NYU, and the University of Zurich.
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Melissa Prado
NOVA SBE
Discussant
Melissa Porras Prado is a Full Professor of Finance at Nova School of Business and Economics, whose research examines how market frictions shape institutional investor behavior and asset prices, with work published in top journals such as the Journal of Finance, Journal of Financial Economics, and Review of Financial Studies and presented at leading international conferences including the WFA, AFA, and EFA.
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Pedro Matos
University of Virginia
Discussant
Pedro Matos is a distinguished finance professor at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, whose globally recognized research on institutional investors has influenced policymakers and appeared in leading publications, complemented by an award-winning academic career spanning top institutions such as Universidade Nova de Lisboa and INSEAD.
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Tuomas Tomunen
Boston College
Discussant
Tuomas Tomunen is an Assistant Professor of Finance at Boston College’s Carroll School of Management, whose research spans asset pricing, financial intermediation, insurance markets, and climate finance, with a focus on how financial markets can help mitigate the societal impacts of climate change, and holds a Ph.D. in Finance from Columbia Business School.
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Yiding Ma
Technical University of Denmark
Discussant
Yiding Ma is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), working within the Division for Climate and Energy Policy, where her research focuses on the intersection of technology, economics, and sustainable energy systems.
