Speakers
Robert Murgatroyd
Rob Murgatroyd is an influential American social media personality now living in Florence, Italy.
His journey took a transformative turn when his wife remarked, “I like you better in Italy.” This pivotal moment inspired Rob and his family to move to Florence in search of a more meaningful and balanced life.
Rob’s content focuses on the valuable lessons he’s learning from Italians about achieving balance in all areas of life. Through his engaging social media presence, he shares insights on living harmoniously and finding fulfillment, drawing from the rich cultural wisdom of Italian living. Rob’s story is a testament to the profound impact of embracing new cultural values and prioritizing a well-rounded, fulfilling lifestyle.
Esther Stanhope
Esther Stanhope is a distinguished international speaker and award-winning author, recognized in London’s business community as “The Impact Guru,” a title coined by Deloitte.
With a robust background as a former live BBC producer, Esther has transitioned her expertise into empowering professionals to enhance their visibility and impact in the workplace. Her services are highly sought after by FTSE 100 firms, leveraging her unique broadcasting skills to translate seamlessly into the business world.
Esther specializes in helping individuals amplify their voices, elevate their visibility beyond mere technical proficiency, and advance their careers. Her extensive experience includes over 20 years of working with high-profile talent, including interviews with notable figures such as George Clooney and Madonna.
Through her guidance, professionals learn to assert themselves, gain recognition as thought leaders, and achieve career promotions. Esther’s strategic insights and practical tips are designed to foster a compelling presence and drive professional growth.
Ian Speirs
Ian Speirs is a passionate campaigner for men’s issues and what it means to be a man in the modern world. He is a strong advocate for gender equality, diversity and inclusion; believing that true progress will only be achieved when all voices are heard and valued. As the Director of Global Man Club and the co-founder of the Investors Club, Ian is dedicated to supporting men in their personal and professional lives, fostering an inclusive environment that promotes understanding and respect across genders.
Prior to starting Global Man, Ian was part of one of the world’s leading financial services firms and held positions across the Corporate & Investment Bank and Asset Management. He has extensive experience driving the change agenda across the organisation including working within industry consortia to start up new companies.
Over 26 years at JP Morgan, Ian held various roles with an initial focus on OTC Derivatives across the Credit, and Equities asset classes, covering the front and middle office line functions, client relationship management, and both incremental and large-scale change programmes. Subsequently, he focused on industry initiatives, including covering responses to financial reform legislation and the build-out of supporting market infrastructure. This involved working on industry conference platforms, sitting on boards of market infrastructure start-ups, and representing the industry to regulators.
Most recently, Ian drove industry strategic market infrastructure initiatives and helped start up a number of new financial technology companies as well as helping to drive operations automation, streamlining, and outsourcing for the firm. Additionally, Ian was a member of the Diversity Council within JP Morgan’s Corporate and Investment Bank, advocating for greater inclusivity, representation and awareness across the organisation.
Beyond his professional achievements, Ian loves to sail, regularly competes in yacht races in and around the Solent off the south coast of England, he is an avid wine enthusiast who focuses on pairing wine and food and continues to focus on his own personal development.
Aisling Cannaunghton
Co-founder & Sustainability Solutionist, Cyd Connects
Aisling Connaughton is a co-founder of Cyd Connects, a women-led sustainability consultancy helping business become a force for good.
Cyd Connects is a participant of the UN Global Compact and specialises in accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals via B Corp and sustainability roadmaps that make navigating the journey fun and inspiring.
Now is the time for every business to become a force for good. Through Cyd Connects, Aisling turns social and environmental responsibility into competitive business advantage.
As a guest lecturer at London Business School, Goldsmiths University, andEADA Barcelona, Aisling’s skill is in taking what can seem like a dry and overwhelming subject like sustainability, and making it simple, innovative and fun.
Aisling’s 18-year global career in PR spans sustainability, marketing, and communications. She has worked for Huawei Technologies holding posts in Shenzhen and San Francisco.
Aisling began her career in the beauty industry, working for L’Oreal, Aveda and Clarins before taking the Global Head of PR role with leading sustainable British brand Liz Earle Beauty Co.
Aisling is a proud member of the University of Cambridge Wo+Men Leadership Centre. She has a Masters in Social Entrepreneurship from Goldsmiths University of London and received a scholarship to the Cambridge JudgeBusiness School Rising Women Leaders Programme.
In her role as a certified B Leader, Aisling is working to raise awareness of how the B Corp framework can act as a catalyst for better business and accelerate the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Dr Yasmine Saad
Dr. Yasmine Saad is an award-winning NYC psychologist and 2x international best-selling author. Known as “The Wise Psychologist” and honored by Forbes alongside figures like Tony Robbins, Dr. Saad is celebrated for her Inner Message Approach™️. This transformative method helps individuals decode thoughts and emotions to overcome negative patterns and unlock their true potential. USA Today described her as a “visionary”: “Dr. Yasmine Saad is redefining how we understand the human mind, combining wisdom and revolutionary techniques. Her unique approach transcends conventional boundaries, making her one of the leading figures enriching the world of psychology today. “
As the founder of Madison Park Psychological Services, Dr. Saad heads an elite team of the top 5% of psychologists, offering specialized holistic care to a multicultural clientele, blending ancient Eastern wisdom to address modern Western challenges.
As an internationally acclaimed speaker, she has shared stages with icons like Deepak Chopra, Dr. Shefali, Les Brown, and others. Her groundbreaking insights have been featured in 100+ media outlets, including CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, BBC, Fox, and more, solidifying her reputation as a leading psychology and personal development authority.
Elia Nichols
Elia Nichols is a stage, tv and film actress and a public speaking and communication coach. Elia uses her theatre education and acting experience to help her clients cultivate their speaking and presentation skills, fine-tune their professional appeal, and transform their interpersonal skills.
Elia is the lead public speaking coach for a variety of companies and institutions from all over the world and has served as a TEDx Speaker Coach twice—for TEDxFiesole and TEDxOltrarno.
Elia is a Professor of Presentational Speaking at Syracuse University in Florence, Italy, where she resides, and has been a Professor in Public Speaking, Body Language and Communication techniques at the University of Texas at Austin, the European University Institute, and the European School of Economics.
Elia has a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre from Tulane University and a Master’s degree in Acting from the University of Texas at Austin. As an actress, Elia has had lead, supporting, and guest star roles in multiple Netflix, Sky, and RAI television shows and films. She is also one of the two co-founders of F.E.S.T.A. Theatre Company and has produced and acted in many of its productions.
Andrea Maggiani
Andrea Maggiani is a distinguished entrepreneur and economist specializing in climate finance. As the founder of Italy’s first startup focused on climate change mitigation and the carbon market, Andrea has pioneered efforts to address one of the most pressing issues of our time.
With over 15 years of experience in climate technology, he has collaborated with leading Italian companies, influencing C-suite executives to reassess their business models and establish clear pathways toward achieving net-zero emissions.
Andrea has actively participated in numerous initiatives and projects in emerging markets, dedicated to facilitating access to carbon finance and implementing carbon market mechanisms.
A recognized innovator in the climate tech industry, he also mentors and invests in emerging startups, empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs in the sustainability sector.
Massimiliano Giuseppe Falcone - phD
Massimiliano is an Economist, with a Ph.D. in the field of
Neuroscience and Psychology of Communication.
Communication strategist at the World Bank Group, –
Connect4Climate since the launch of the SDGs (2015), over the
past 25 years Massimiliano has had the privilege to work on a broad array of projects dedicated
to improving understanding and collaboration between diverse stakeholders.
Since 2019 Massimiliano supports Earthday.org, implementing a partnership between
international organizations and the civil society to tackle climate change.
After 8 years in Reuters, from 2005 to 2007, Massimiliano worked as a strategic advisor for the
World Bank in Communication for Development projects; in 2007 moved to China, focusing on
building innovative partnerships with organizations and leaders in both the public and private
sectors in Italy, Europe, Americas and the Far East (based between Italy and Shanghai).
As from 2005, he also joined the academic world as a professor of Public Affairs and
International Marketing and Communication, teaching at and collaborating with Italian
universities in Milan and as a visiting professor in Groningen, Holland, and NYC.
He is an adjunct professor of communication at the International University of Languages and
Media (IULM) and a postdoctoral research in Communication
Patrizia Marin
Journalist and chairman of Marco Polo Experience, an agency in strategic communications, public affairs, marketing and media relations, with twenty years of experience in business internationalization, communication, media relations, mapping of the decision makers and community of interests’ relations.
She has been advisor to the Italian Presidency of the Council of Ministers for Communication, Publishing and Information. In the logistics and infrastructure sectors, she has been Head of Communications for the Venice Port Authority; Media Relations Consultant for Aeroporti di Roma; International pr advisor for Atlantia while Vice-President at FBC.
Patrizia is contract professor in Leadership and International Relations at the IULM University and has a degree in Law and International Political Science.
SIR Prof. Dr. Gabriele Pao-Pei Andreoli
Sir Andreoli is a distinguished academic and humanitarian leader with a multidisciplinary and impactful career. President of the Institute for Advance Studies and Cooperation and founder of the World Changers Summit, a network of enlightened minds coming together at the Pontifical Academy of Science in Vatican City. He is associated with various prestigious institutions, including “Anania Shirakatsi” University of International Relations, the “Consorzio Universitario Humanitas” where he holds a position as professor, and the Catholic University of New Spain in Miami, USA, where he fulfills roles as a researcher and honorary professor. Additionally, he is an academician of social sciences at IASS in Florida, USA and a fellow of the American Society of Diplomacy and Political Science.
Founder of “Evolutionary Biohacking,” Sir Andreoli stands at the forefront of combining technology, artificial intelligence, and nutritional science with regenerative medicine. As an MD his innovative contributions in this realm are indicative of his broader dedication to promoting human health and well-being.ng human health and well-being.
