Nasser Bakr Al-Kahtani holds a Master degree from the University of Miami, USA. Mr. Al Kahtani worked in the Institute of Public Administration as a Training Faculty Member from 1985-1992, then as a Coordinator of Programs Section in the same institute from 1992-1995. He joined AGFUND in 1995 and was assigned as the Director of HRH President’s Office until 1998. In 1998, he was appointed as the Executive Director of AGFUND. Mr. Al Kahtani is currently heading an AGFUND team to establish the “Bank For the Poor” in Arab countries, in addition to his membership in many other committees in the region.

DR. BAYDAS is a leading expert in the field of development finance with 20 years of research and practical experience focusing on the establishment and management of NGOs and sustainable microfinance institutions. Today, she is the Executive Director of Emkan, a leading Lebanese NGO managing the microfinance portfolio as well as economic development projects all over Lebanon. Additionally, she is a founding partner and board member of the Development Innovations Group where she served as the Senior Vice President and Managing Director for five years. Previously, she established and served as the Director/General Manager of AMEEN sal, one of the leading microfinance organizations in Lebanon, where she pioneered partnerships between CHF International and three leading commercial banks and managed a portfolio turnover exceeding $30 Million. Moreover, Dr. Baydas served as the Associate Director for CHF International’s Office of Development Finance and Director for the CHF Training Center. She is a recognized specialist in microfinance market assessments, with extensive research and applied experience in examining the provision of financial and non-financial services to the working poor. She possesses strong skills and expertise in operational management of financial institutions, evaluation of microfinance organizations, econometrics, and policy analysis. Dr. Baydas previously served as a Professional Researcher and Lecturer at the University of California, Davis, and has been a lecturer at the Boulder Microfinance Training Program since 2005. She has presented at numerous microfinance seminars and conferences to scholars, policy makers and practitioners, and has several professional publications. Dr. Baydas has working experience in over 40 countries, in several regions around the world, particularly in Africa and the Middle East, as well as in Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America.

Ms. Mayada is a Senior Microfinance Specialist at CGAP heading the Donors and Investors Team. With CGAP, Ms. El-Zoghbi manages a team of microfinance specialists who work closely with donors and investors on aid effectiveness in microfinance. Prior to joining CGAP, she was a partner at Banyan Global, a development consulting firm with offices in New York and Washington. Ms. El-Zoghbi has over 15 years of microfinance experience managing MFIs, providing technical assistance and training, as well as advising funders. Ms. El-Zoghbi has broad experience in numerous regions including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Ms. El-Zoghbi has a Master’s degree in International Affairs from Columbia University and a Bachelor in Business from the University of Minnesota. She is bi-lingual in English and Arabic.

Mr. Dardari is the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of Syria From 2005 to present. He worked as the Head of State Planning Commission in Syria From December 2003, and as the Resident Representative Assistant “United Nation Development Program in Syria” from 2001 until 2003. He also worked as the Head of trade Promotion department, Arab Trade Financing Program/ Arab Monetary Fund:: from 1997 until 2002, and as a National Director for the United Nation Development Program: from 1993 until 1997, and as an Economic Consultant for the Syrian European Business Center: between 1996 and 2002. Mr. Dardari is also a famous Lecturer in "IT and Development" in the information faculty in Damascus University, International Economic Relations in Alshareqah University, Management Theory in Economy Faculty in Damascus University, International Relations in the Higher Institute for Political Sciences in Syria, international Media in the Media department in Literature Faculty in Damascus University and also he is a Board Member of the EMBA program in the Higher Institute for Business Administration in Syria

Julia established a fast growing career in Banking, especially in setting up retail businesses in developing markets. She has international banking experience in retail and retail credit risk in Africa & the Middle East, being based out of Egypt and South Africa. After nine years in the banking sector, Julia moved to microfinance and is currently the General Manager of Grameen-Jameel Pan Arab Microfinance ltd based in Dubai. Julia has worked in eight countries in the Arab world, from Yemen to Morocco providing financial and non-financial support to microfinance institutions to help alleviate poverty in the Arab world.