ROBERTA CALARESE
Roberta is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of GHAYA, an impact consultancy firm with a mission to inspire and transform leaders, governments and organisations to make positive enduring change in the world through leading with purpose.
Roberta is a strategic advisor with 25 years of diverse experience in leadership, financial services, investment banking, policy making, international relations, corporate and board governance, data protection, regulatory matters, real estate and family offices.
Roberta began her career as an investment banking lawyer with Goldman Sachs in London. She went on to hold senior legal positions at ABN Amro and Prudential Bache. Later, she became the Chief Legal Officer and Executive Committee member at Majid Al Futtaim, a top shopping mall, retail and leisure brand in the Middle East and North Africa. There, she played a key role in advancing the retail and real estate industries in the UAE and spearheaded the development of the company's first-ever female leadership empowerment program.
Roberta joined the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) in 2002, where she spent twelve years. During this time, she held various positions including Chief Legal Officer and Secretary General of DIFC Authority, Chairwoman of the Legislative Committee of the Board of Directors and Director Policy and Legal Services of the Dubai Financial Services Authority. She played an integral role in establishing the DIFC as a leading financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region by developing a comprehensive policy and legal framework. In recognition of her contributions, Roberta was voted Best Female Lawyer for the Middle East by the International Financial Law Review in 2013. She also received on behalf of the DIFC, the award for Best Government Initiative by the UK Society for the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners for the drafting of the first Trust Law in the Middle East.
As a seasoned and accredited board member, Roberta has served on the boards of several prestigious organsations, including the United Arab Emirates Tennis Federation, the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the UAE, Majid Al Futtaim Finance and Art Dubai where she served as Chairwoman.
Roberta holds an LLB from Warwick University and an LLM for University College London (UCL).
Roberta is a strategic advisor with 25 years of diverse experience in leadership, financial services, investment banking, policy making, international relations, corporate and board governance, data protection, regulatory matters, real estate and family offices.
Roberta began her career as an investment banking lawyer with Goldman Sachs in London. She went on to hold senior legal positions at ABN Amro and Prudential Bache. Later, she became the Chief Legal Officer and Executive Committee member at Majid Al Futtaim, a top shopping mall, retail and leisure brand in the Middle East and North Africa. There, she played a key role in advancing the retail and real estate industries in the UAE and spearheaded the development of the company's first-ever female leadership empowerment program.
Roberta joined the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) in 2002, where she spent twelve years. During this time, she held various positions including Chief Legal Officer and Secretary General of DIFC Authority, Chairwoman of the Legislative Committee of the Board of Directors and Director Policy and Legal Services of the Dubai Financial Services Authority. She played an integral role in establishing the DIFC as a leading financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region by developing a comprehensive policy and legal framework. In recognition of her contributions, Roberta was voted Best Female Lawyer for the Middle East by the International Financial Law Review in 2013. She also received on behalf of the DIFC, the award for Best Government Initiative by the UK Society for the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners for the drafting of the first Trust Law in the Middle East.
As a seasoned and accredited board member, Roberta has served on the boards of several prestigious organsations, including the United Arab Emirates Tennis Federation, the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the UAE, Majid Al Futtaim Finance and Art Dubai where she served as Chairwoman.
Roberta holds an LLB from Warwick University and an LLM for University College London (UCL).
SUSAN WALTON
Susan Walton is a seasoned finance and media executive with 20+ years institutional investment research franchises for top tier investment banks in London, New York and Hong Kong. As a C-suite senior, she has extensive expertise and a proven track record in managing successful operations in the finance industry.
Following her successful career in the City, Susan now specializes in offering strategic advisory services to high-growth, international companies in the media, technology and security sectors. She was the Founder and Executive Director of three niche media outlets, namely CapX, Reaction and UnHerd, which specialise in delivering geo-political, geo-economic and geo-financial content.
As a board member and senior advisor to top think-tanks, universities, charities and social enterprises, Susan has built an outstanding networks in Westminster and American political and business circles, particularly within the security and media sectors. Her notable advisory roles include GlobalStrat, Crown Agents, Evenstar Global and Evenstar Institute. Additionally, she is a senior member of several committees at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, where she provides strategic guidance and fosters development. She also collaborates extensively with private investment and family offices in both the US and UK.
Susan was educated at Harvard University, London Business School and University College London (UCL).
Following her successful career in the City, Susan now specializes in offering strategic advisory services to high-growth, international companies in the media, technology and security sectors. She was the Founder and Executive Director of three niche media outlets, namely CapX, Reaction and UnHerd, which specialise in delivering geo-political, geo-economic and geo-financial content.
As a board member and senior advisor to top think-tanks, universities, charities and social enterprises, Susan has built an outstanding networks in Westminster and American political and business circles, particularly within the security and media sectors. Her notable advisory roles include GlobalStrat, Crown Agents, Evenstar Global and Evenstar Institute. Additionally, she is a senior member of several committees at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, where she provides strategic guidance and fosters development. She also collaborates extensively with private investment and family offices in both the US and UK.
Susan was educated at Harvard University, London Business School and University College London (UCL).