Meet our Strategic Decision-Makers

Guiding the Future of Leadership and Sustainability.

Natalia Czajkowska

Founding President

Natalia Czajkowska

Founding President

Natalia has a vast professional experience, managing educational institutions. Former Director of the European Academy of Diplomacy and Visegrad School of Political Studies under European Commition. Natalia holds a Master degree in Law from the University of Warsaw. She holds an MBA in international business development by ICEX-CECO, Madrid. She is an expert in this field, particularly in the education and training sector. She was the Country Manager for a Spanish educational company, The Training Concept, managing director at a consulting company and lawyer.

Email:natalia.czajkowska@sals.academy

Sertan Ayçiçek

Vice President

Sertan Ayçiçek

Vice President

Sertan Ayçiçek is a globally renowned business leader, visionary, and philanthropist, recognized for his leadership and strategic intelligence. With over 20 years of experience as a CEO in some of the world’s biggest holding companies, he has been honored four times with the “CEO of the Year” award, underscoring his influence and impact on the global stage.

Email:sertan.aycicek@sals.academy

Meet our International Advisory Board

Distinguished Global Experts Providing High-Level Insight and Guidance in Leadership, Sustainability, and Global Governance.

Kristian Flyvholm

Chair & CEO, Institute of Sovereign Investors, Former CEO of IFSWF, Ex-IMF and CIO at 3 CBs, 2022 Reserve Manager of the Year, Board Member, Business Angel, C-suite & Advisory Board

Kristian Flyvholm

Chair & CEO, Institute of Sovereign Investors, Former CEO of IFSWF, Ex-IMF and CIO at 3 CBs, 2022 Reserve Manager of the Year, Board Member, Business Angel, C-suite & Advisory Board

Minister Suzi Barbosa

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guinea-Bissau, Former Chair of the ECOWAS Minister's Council, Advisor for Africa Strategy 2025-2028 Government of Spain

Minister Suzi Barbosa

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guinea-Bissau, Former Chair of the ECOWAS Minister's Council, Advisor for Africa Strategy 2025-2028 Government of Spain

Minister Akwasi Opong-Fosu

Former Member of Parliament & Minister of State of the Republic of Ghana, Governance, Leadership & Public Policy Analyst, Africa Growth Advocate, Keynote Speaker

Minister Akwasi Opong-Fosu

Former Member of Parliament & Minister of State of the Republic of Ghana, Governance, Leadership & Public Policy Analyst, Africa Growth Advocate, Keynote Speaker

Serhat Akpınar

Founding Rector and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Girne American University (GAU) with a demonstrated history of working in the education management industry

Serhat Akpınar

Founding Rector and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Girne American University (GAU) with a demonstrated history of working in the education management industry

Ambassador Hatem Tageldin

Secretary General of the African Federation for Construction Contractors’ Associations (AFCCA), former Assistant Foreign Minister of Egypt and Chief of Protocol, former Ambassador of Egypt to Poland, India, Bhutan and Permanent Mission to the UN in New York

Ambassador Hatem Tageldin

Ambassador Charles Egenti

Member of the Global Union's Supervisory Council of Africa, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General Representative to the United Nations, UNEDUCH

Ambassador Charles Egenti

Member of the Global Union's Supervisory Council of Africa, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General Representative to the United Nations, UNEDUCH

Lt General Shokin Chauhan

Lieutenant General, Retired, at the Indian Army, Chief of Army Chair of Excellence at the center of Land Warfare Studies, Executive Council Member at Global Counter Terrorism Council

Lt General Shokin Chauhan

Lieutenant General, Retired, at the Indian Army, Chief of Army Chair of Excellence at the center of Land Warfare Studies, Executive Council Member at Global Counter Terrorism Council

Prof. Lilac A. AL-Safadi

President of Saudi Electronic University, Vice President at Microsoft Arabia, Member of the Board of Trustees at the Riyadh Economic Forum

Prof. Lilac A. AL-Safadi

President of Saudi Electronic University, Vice President at Microsoft Arabia, Member of the Board of Trustees at the Riyadh Economic Forum

Prof. Dr. Uğur Özgöker

Vice President, Head of International Relations at the Istanbul Arel University, Department at DMW- World Diplomats Union

Prof. Dr. Uğur Özgöker

Vice President, Head of International Relations at the Istanbul Arel University, Department at DMW- World Diplomats Union

Prof. Dr. Demir Bektić

Managing Director & Head of Multi Asset Solutions (and Deputy Global Head of Portfolio Management) at Commerzbank, Professor of Finance

Prof. Dr. Demir Bektić

Managing Director & Head of Multi Asset Solutions (and Deputy Global Head of Portfolio Management) at Commerzbank, Professor of Finance

Dr. Francisco Rojas Aravena

Rector of the University for Peace (UPEACE), Costa Rica

Dr. Francisco Rojas Aravena

Rector of the University for Peace (UPEACE), Costa Rica

Dr. Hassan El Ali

Governance, Innovation, Organizational Transformation, and Excellence Expert, Dean, Policy Advisor, Investment Analyst, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Optimus

Dr. Hassan El Ali

Governance, Innovation, Organizational Transformation, and Excellence Expert, Dean, Policy Advisor, Investment Analyst, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Optimus

Dr. Guan Seng Khoo

Academic Advisor, Advisory Board Member at the Singapore Economic Forum, Lecturer at the Singapore Management University

Dr. Guan Seng Khoo

Academic Advisor, Advisory Board Member at the Singapore Economic Forum, Lecturer at the Singapore Management University

Dr. Fode Ndiaye

President of the Centre d’Excellence pour le Leadership et le Management pour le Développement de l’Afrique (CELMAD), former UN Resident Coordinator for Rwanda

Dr. Fode Ndiaye

President of the Centre d’Excellence pour le Leadership et le Management pour le Développement de l’Afrique (CELMAD), former UN Resident Coordinator for Rwanda

Fodé Ndiaye (Ph.D.), a Senegalese national is currently the initiator and President of the Center of Excellence for Leadership and Management for Africa’s Development (CELMAD) (www.celmad.org), promoting a combined approach of contextualized and innovative leadership and management to transform Africa by and for its citizens. Dr. Ndiaye is an accomplished executive leader with over four decades of expertise spanning peace, development, finance and banking, and humanitarian sectors. He possesses strong capabilities in strategic planning, program management, communications, negotiations, partnerships and coalition-building, fundraising within multifaceted multicultural contexts. Highly regarded for his political insight and strategic approach, Dr. Ndiaye has founded and managed institutions, directing initiatives at local, regional, and global levels, including those aligned with the African Union 2063 and United Nations 2030 agendas. His leadership has generated substantive transformation in communities including rural settings, advancing youth and women’s participation, diversity and inclusion, job creation, humanitarian efforts, electoral processes, human rights, and governance. As a collaborative leader, Dr. Ndiaye motivates teams and partners, facilitates policy reform through high-level dialogue, and promotes innovations, performance, accountability, ethical standards, and inclusivity across diverse environments. He is an experienced speaker at international conferences and has published research and presentations on finance and rural development, financial inclusion, including authoring a book on decentralized financial services (Harmattan, Paris, 2009) and contributing a chapter to "les banquiers de l’émergence." Dr. Ndiaye holds an MPA and Mason Fellowship from Harvard Kennedy School, a Ph.D. in economics from Erasmus University, agronomist engineering diploma from ENSAT (France), certification in SME finance and public policy and management from Harvard Kennedy School, microfinance certification from Boulder/Colorado, and competitiveness training from HBS. He is fluent in French, English, and Wolof (native).

Shelli Brunswick

Visionary Thought Leader, Futurist, CEO, Founder, & Board Chair, Professional Speaker & Author, Space & Policy Advocate, Women of the Future Top 100, WBAF Senator for USA, Forbes Technology Council, TEDX, MBA

Shelli Brunswick

Xin Wang

Founder & President of Charigo Int'l Consulting Co., President of the Center for International Economic Cooperation

Xin Wang

Founder & President of Charigo Int'l Consulting Co., President of the Center for International Economic Cooperation

Akash Mehta

The World Bank, World Economic Forum, Environmental Expert

Akash Mehta

The World Bank, World Economic Forum, Environmental Expert

Meet our Global Operations Team

At the heart of our organization is a passionate team dedicated to fostering creativity, collaboration, and growth in different regions of the world.

Jialu Zuo

Project Manager I China

Jialu Zuo

Project Manager I China

I graduated from the dual Master’s program of Public Policy for UN SDGs, at Tsinghua University and Université de Genève, majoring in Innovation, Public Policy, and Sustainability. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Law in 2021, majoring in International Relations and Diplomacy, at Renmin University of China, where I focused on Chinese public diplomacy and cross cultural communication. As a Chinese national specializing in sustainability and climate policy analysis, I have a knack for Chinese public policy and market analysis, climate change, ESG, green finance, impact investing, international development, and broad sustainability-related topics. I have rich experiences working in different agencies and industries, including UN agencies, consulting firms, think tanks, media, NGOs in public-private partnerships, government departments, and internet and technology companies. I am skilled at research, presentation, communication, policy analysis, international affairs, problem-solving, and event organization. I am the lead author of two academic journal papers on climate change adaptation and international cooperation in climate governance. I am also the UNFCCC COP 27 youth delegate, as a global youth ambassador of the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate(GAUC). I am also the co-founder of the Net-zero Youth Association of Tsinghua University consisting of more than 600 members. I am currently working at China National Aviation Fuel Group(CNAF) in Beijing, working on Sustainable Aviation Fuel(SAF) and international engagement, aiming for achieving the green transition for the conventional oil and gas industry. I hope to be a bridge connecting China and the world, in the field of climate and sustainability.

Email:riana.andrianjafy@sals.academy

Riana Andrianjafy

Project Manager I Indian Ocean

Riana Andrianjafy

Project Manager I Indian Ocean

Riana is a Consultant in Multilateral Diplomacy and Strategic Partnerships, with expertise in climate change, ESG, and trade policy, intergovernmental negotiation, stakeholder engagement, and international cooperation. He is an advocate for sustainable development, multilateral dialogue, and concrete action for people and the planet, working to inspire hope and tangible outcomes for future generations. Riana holds a Master’s degree in Development Studies and Diplomacy from the University for Peace in Costa Rica (UN-mandated), as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from the Glasgow Caledonian University, and the African Leadership University, Mauritius.

Email:riana.andrianjafy@sals.academy

Faith Langat

Project Manager I Kenya

Faith Langat

Project Manager I Kenya

Faith has extensive experience in cross-cultural communication, policy development, and project coordination. She represented the International Youth and Student Movement for the United Nations (ISMUN) at the 57th Human Rights Council Session in Geneva, where she advocated for human rights and racial justice, collaborated with diplomats and NGOs, and contributed to key discussions on global development. With a Master’s degree in Public and Cultural Diplomacy from the University of Siena and a strong background in international relations, diplomacy, and strategic development, she brings a global perspective to her work. Her passion for sustainability and leadership drives her research, aiming to support innovative solutions that promote sustainable development across Africa and the world. Committed to fostering international collaboration and empowering communities, Faith strives to contribute meaningful insights and strategic recommendations that align with the Academy’s mission.

Email:faith.langat@sals.academy

Kiruthika Vadivu Swarnamaheswaran

Project Manager I South India & Sri Lanka

Kiruthika Vadivu Swarnamaheswaran

Project Manager I South India & Sri Lanka

Kiruthika Vadivu Swarnamaheswaran is the Project Manager for India and Sri Lanka at the Swiss Academy for Leadership and Sustainability (SALS). She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Mathematics, and Electronics from Mount Carmel College, affiliated with Bangalore University; an MBA from the University of Toledo, USA; and an MSc in Environmental Technology and International Affairs jointly awarded by the Technical University of Vienna and the Vienna School of International Studies. Her multidisciplinary academic background demonstrates a strong commitment to integrating science, policy, and management to address contemporary sustainability challenges. Kiruthika’s areas of interest include environmental policy, corporate social responsibility, ESG frameworks, and environmental security. Looking ahead, she aims to drive innovative research and collaborative practice that reinforce the global alignment between sustainable development and international cooperation.

Email:kiruthika.vadivu.swarnamaheswaran@sals.academy

Xavier Fan

Project Manager I China

Xavier Fan

Project Manager I China

Xavier brings extensive experience in international organizations, with a professional background that includes roles at the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). His expertise spans strategic communications, program coordination, and stakeholder engagement, with a strong focus on cross-cultural collaboration and multilingual outreach. He has contributed to initiatives in sustainable development, digital transformation, and global advocacy, demonstrating a capacity to align project goals with organizational missions. Xavier holds a Master’s degree in Sustainable Societies and Social Change from the University of Geneva and a Bachelor’s degree in French from Beijing Foreign Studies University. His diverse skill set includes internal communication strategy, digital platform management, and workshop facilitation.

Email:xavier.fan@sals.academy

Meet our Media Team

Our Media Team is engaged with the contact with Press.

Emmy Ali

Media Director

Emmy Ali

Media Director

Emmy is a dedicated Program Advisor and Web Designer who blends creativity and strategy to support SALS’ mission of empowering communities through education and innovation. With a strong background in UI/UX design and web development, she focuses on creating user-friendly digital experiences that communicate impact and inspire engagement. Passionate about design that drives purpose, Emmy combines her technical skills in Figma, React.js, and Next.js with a deep understanding of user needs to bring clarity and beauty to every project. Her empathetic and collaborative approach helps bridge design, technology, and social good.

Email:emmy.ali@sals.academy

Meet our Program Consultants

Our Program Consultants are committed to empowering individuals and driving impactful initiatives.

Nwabisa Kondile

Program Consultant

Nwabisa Kondile

Program Consultant

Nwabisa Kondile is a sustainability enthusiast with growing experience in project support, communication, grant writing, and strategic partnerships. Her academic work centers on Education for Sustainable Development and amplifying youth-focused initiatives. During her SALS internship, she aims to contribute to impactful events, research, and storytelling that promote leadership and sustainability across diverse communities.

Email:crisfer.padour@sals.academy

Adhitheya Jyothi Saravanan

Program Consultant

Adhitheya Jyothi Saravanan

Program Consultant

Adhitheya Jyothi Saravanan is a Master’s student in European and International Governance at the University of Geneva, with a background in Economics and experience in policy research, multilateral cooperation, and sustainable development. As a UNDP Student Ambassador, he contributed to global youth engagement, alongside research experience at the Madras Institute of Development Studies and civic-participation work with Thinainilavaasigal in India. He has also gained exposure to freight forwarding and logistics through an internship at Sealink International, supported humanitarian relief efforts with Blue Umbrella Foundation, and completed youth military training with the Indian National Cadet Corps. He is committed to leading collaborative and sustainable solutions in global governance, and aims to drive innovative research and collaborative practice that reinforce the global alignment between sustainable development and international cooperation.

Email:crisfer.padour@sals.academy

Kalkidan Tilaye

Program Consultant

Kalkidan Tilaye

Program Consultant

Kalkidan Tilaye is an international relations graduate with experience across diplomacy, education, training and human rights. She has worked with the Permanent Mission of Cyprus to the United Nations in Geneva, where she contributed to Human Rights Council sessions, drafted official reports and supported organizational planning. Her professional background also includes roles with the World Federation of United Nations Associations, Cultural Diversity for Peace and similar NGOs. She has supported the development of training programs, coordinated events, facilitated workshops and created communications materials for global audiences. Kalkidan holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from the Geneva School of Diplomacy and a Bachelor’s degree in Global Studies and International Relations from New Generation University College in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In addition, she has participated in human rights-focused programs with UNHCR, OHCHR and has contributed to community, initiatives in environmental sustainability, youth engagement and humanitarian fundraising.

Email:Kalkidan.Tilaye@sals.academy

Jasmine Waccher

Program Consultant

Jasmine Waccher

Program Consultant

Jasmine Waccher is an Italian international relations professional with a strong academic and practical background in environmental governance and multilateral cooperation. She graduated from the University of Geneva with a Master’s degree in European Studies, after completing a Bachelor’s in International and Diplomatic Sciences at the University of Trieste. Her work focuses on the intersection of sustainability, international policy, and risk governance. During her experience with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), she contributed to major policy and research initiatives on industrial safety, Natech risk prevention, climate-related hazards, and early warning systems. Her academic background includes research on EU chemical regulation, with a thesis on PFAS legislation and case law, which strengthened her expertise in environmental law and European regulatory frameworks. Fluent in Italian, English, and French— with additional knowledge of Spanish—she is committed to advancing sustainability, resilience, and leadership education in international contexts.

Email:jasmine.waccher@sals.academy

Chrisfer Padour

Program Consultant

Chrisfer Padour

Program Consultant

I am a marketing professional holding a Master's degree in Sustainability Management from SUMAS Business School in Switzerland. My expertise lies in campaign performance analysis, strategic planning, and content development. During my graduate studies, I contributed to various sustainability initiatives and projects. My professional background spans marketing, finance, and customer service across Hong Kong and the Philippines. I leverage technical proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and Canva alongside strong organizational and analytical skills to execute marketing strategies that effectively merge business objectives with sustainable practices.

Email:crisfer.padour@sals.academy

Benoît Sand'Homme

Program Consultant

Benoît Sand'Homme

Program Consultant

I am Benoît Sand’Homme, equipped with a Master’s degree in International Management from FGV EAESP in Brazil and NUS in Singapore, and a Double Bachelor’s degree in International Management and Economics from NEOMA Business School and UIBE in China. My experience spans various sectors, including marketing, business development, and operations coordination. I was an Intern in Business Development Facilitator at Giris, I drove sales strategies and prospect new customers in the AI industry. I had a proven track record in managing CRM systems, optimizing marketing campaigns, and coordinating logistics, whether at Nordic Unique Travels in Finland or enhancing customer engagement at Danone. I am passionate about fostering collaboration and developing talent, actively engaging with teams to empower colleagues. My commitment to excellence, adaptability, and strategic vision positions me as a valuable asset ready to make a significant impact in the global marketplace.

Email:benoit.sand.homme@sals.academy

Meet our Strategic Decision-Makers

Guiding the Future of Leadership and Sustainability.

Meet our International Advisory Board

Distinguished Global Experts Providing High-Level Insight and Guidance in Leadership, Sustainability, and Global Governance.

Meet our Global Operations Team

At the heart of our organization is a passionate team dedicated to fostering creativity, collaboration, and growth in different regions of the world.

Meet our Media Team

Our Media Team is engaged with the contact with Press.

Meet our Program Consultants

Our Program Consultants are committed to empowering individuals and driving impactful initiatives.

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