Events

Sofia Hammoucha is the Global head of Trade and Working Capital at Standard Chartered Bank, based in Singapore. Prior to this role, Sofia was the head of risk for Transaction Banking. Before joining SCB in July 2022, Sofia spent 22 years in BNP Paribas in multi-cultural environment across several roles with responsibilities in Risk management, internal audit, business development & strategy, leadership and change management in Europe and Asia Pacific. Her most recent position was the head of Transaction Banking business for ASEAN, based in Singapore, leading a team of 70 cash management and trade finance specialists across sales, implementation, clients servicing and product development. In 2020, the Asset magazine named Sofia “Transaction Banker of the year” in Asia Pacific, recognizing her relentless search for the best solutions for clients in South-East Asia and beyond.

Dr. Tom James is a globally recognized authority in commodity and energy markets, financial services, and fintech innovation. A pioneering fund manager, published author, and space tech entrepreneur, he has spent over 35 years shaping international trade, investment strategies, and risk management. With extensive board experience, including leadership roles in public companies, Dr. James continues to drive transformation and innovation at the intersection of technology, finance, and global trade in order to help reshape markets, unlock new opportunities, and drive global economic growth. Innovation in Commodity Markets & Trade Digitization In 1998, Dr. James revolutionized commodity trading by designing and launching the first online, digital ID-secured trading platform for commodity swaps, enhancing trade security and global access.As Co-Founder & Chief Architect of TradeFlow Capital, he spearheaded the creation of the world’s first AI-powered, digital supply chain fund, dedicated to solving the SME commodity trade finance gap. Since 2016, TradeFlow has facilitated billions in global trade, unlocking growth for SMEs worldwide.

Greg Kavanaugh is a managing director and head of Global Liquidity Investment Solutions and Revenue Management for Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Transaction Services. Kavanaugh joined Bank of America in May of 2007 to lead the Treasury Services Revenue Management group and added Global Liquidity responsibilities in early 2008. Before joining the firm, Kavanaugh was head of Liquidity and Investment Products, Commercial Client Solutions for JPMorgan Chase.

Sopnendu Mohanty is the Co-Founder and Group CEO of the Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), a global advisory and investment firm. At GFTN, he leads innovative strategies that drive development and transformation in the financial sector through four operating arms: Forums, Advisory, Platform, and Capital. He served the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) as its first Chief Fintech Officer for nearly a decade, establishing Singapore on the global map as a leading center for innovation in the financial sector and a dynamic hub for fintech development. He continues to advise MAS on technology and innovation. He currently serves on several boards, including the board of A*STAR, Singapore’s leading public sector agency dedicated to advancing scientific discovery and technological innovation. Before his leadership role in the public sector, he spent nearly two decades at Citigroup. He is credited with developing many public goods, including the notable PayNow, Singapore’s digital public infrastructure for payments. He conceptualized the globally well-known Singapore Fintech Festival and its global network of forums; today, the GFTN forum is the world’s largest convenor of tech, policymakers, and the financial sector community. Mr. Mohanty has co-authored several patented works in digital finance and received numerous industry accolades. He advises governments and various institutions on policies and implementation strategies for innovation, infrastructure, and ecosystem development in the financial sector.

Craig Weeks is the Senior Vice President – Trade for the Bankers Association for Finance and Trade (BAFT). Craig is also a Transaction Banking subject matter expert for Fitch Learning and an Executive Practicum Adviser of the Supply Chain Resource Cooperative of North Carolina State University. Craig served as SVP and Manager of the International Banking Group of US Bank as well as serving at Citibank and JPMorgan as Global Trade Sales Head for both institutions. Craig worked for Continental Grain Company, in New York, as Assistant Treasurer for Bank Relations, and in Geneva, Switzerland as Trade Finance Risk Manager. Craig has a Masters of International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management (Glendale, AZ) and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dickinson College, (Carlisle, PA) where he is an Emeritus Trustee. Craig also studied at the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (Medellin, Colombia). Craig was a board member and former Chair of the Bankers Association for Finance and Trade (BAFT). Craig is a Disaster Services volunteer for the American Red Cross Serving Western North Carolina and an avid hiker and golfer. He and his wife Lorraine reside in Weaverville, NC USA.