People

Martin Medek has been Česká spořitelna's Head of Open Banking since 2017. His main task is to define and execute position of the bank in this emerging field of opportunities and beyond banking business models. He graduated from Chapman University in California and spent last 7 years in banking industry working for Erste Group and its subsidiaries in Central and Eastern Europe. He has professional experience from various fields of banking, as risk management, data management, implementation of new regulations, and also corporate banking.

Studied economics in Vienna, from 1972-1983 Assistant at the Communal Scientific Documentation Centre, then from 1983 with the Österreichischer Sparkassenverband, and since retirement in 2011 also in the Corporate Archives of the Erste Group, most recently in the sector of Public Relations and the History of the Sparkassen, the Savings Funds. Paleczny has published commemorative publications and numerous contributions and articles in Savings Funds media, in particular for the history of savings funds and savings banks in Austria. In recognition of this, in 2010 he was honored by the Federal President with the title of Professor.

Studium der Volkswirtschaft in Wien, von 1972-1983 Assistent am Kommunalwissenschaftlichen Dokumentationszentrum, dann seit 1983 im Österreichischen Sparkassenverband und seit seiner Pensionierung 2011 auch im Corporate Archives der Erste Group, zuletzt im Bereich der Öffentlichkeitsarbeit und der Sparkassengeschichte. Paleczny publizierte Sparkassen-Festschriften und zahlreiche Beiträge und Artikel in Sparkassenmedien vor allem zur Geschichte der österreichischen Sparkassen. Dafür erhielt er 2010 vom Bundespräsidenten den Titel Professor verliehen.

Zeliha Sayar is research assistant at the Yildiz Technical University. Her research fields are History of economics, history of finance, history of banks. She graduated with a thesis on "The role of State Banks in the process of Economic Development in Turkey.

Dr. Ajay Bhushan Pandey is the Chief Executive Officer of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and has been steering the Aadhaar project in India since its beginning in 2010. Over the last seven years, he has closely worked with central and state governments, banks, oil companies and other stake holders to enable use of Aadhaar platform in programs such as Direct Benefit Transfers, financial inclusion, and E-governance. Dr. Pandey has played a key role in drafting of the Aadhaar Act in 2016 as well as its regulations for implementation.
He is an officer of the Indian Administrative Service, having over 33 years of experience in various positions within the Government of India.
Dr. Pandey is a graduate of Electrical Engineering from IIT Kanpur. In 1998, he joined the University of Minnesota, where he obtained his MS and PhD degrees in Computer Science. In 2009, he was awarded the Distinguished Leadership Award for Internationals by the University of Minnesota for his outstanding leadership accomplishments in his professional career.

Dr. Ajay Bhushan Pandey es el Director General de la Autoridad de Identificación Única de la India (UIDAI) y dirige el proyecto de identificación biométrica Aadhaar de la India desde que arrancó en 2010. En los últimos siete años, ha trabajado en estrecha colaboración con las administraciones central y estatales de la India, bancos, compañías petroleras y otras partes implicadas para facilitar el uso de la plataforma Aadhaar en programas como Direct Benefit Transfers [transferencias directas de subvenciones], inclusión financiera y administración electrónica. Ha participado de manera destacada en la redacción de la Ley Aadhaar en 2016 así como sus reglamentos de adopción.
Es funcionario de la administración pública india con más de 33 años de experiencia en distintos cargos en el gobierno del país.
Dr. Pandey se graduó en Ingeniería Eléctrica por el Instituto Tecnológico de Kanpur. En 1998 se incorporó a la Universidad de Minnesota, donde obtuvo su licenciatura y doctorado en Ciencias de la Información. En 2009 recibió el premio de liderazgo Distinguished Leadership Award para antiguos alumnos internacionales de la Universidad de Minnesota por sus destacados logros en materia de liderazgo en su carrera profesional.

Dr. Ajay Bhushan Pandey ist Chief Executive Officer der Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) und leitet das Aadhaar-Projekt in Indien seit seiner Einführung 2010. Während der letzten sieben Jahre bemühte er sich in enger Zusammenarbeit mit der Zentralregierung und den Regierungen der Bundesstaaten sowie Banken, Ölgesellschaften und anderen Beteiligten darum, die Nutzung der Aadhaar-Plattform in Programmen wie Direct Benefit Transfer, zur finanziellen Inklusion und E-Governance zu ermöglichen. Dr. Pandey spielte 2016 eine Schlüsselrolle bei der Erstellung des Aadhaar-Gesetzes sowie dessen Vorschriften und Umsetzung.

Er ist ein leitender Angestellter des Indian Administrative Service mit über 33 Jahren Erfahrung in verschiedenen Positionen innerhalb der indischen Regierung.

Dr. Pandey verfügt über einen Abschluss in Elektrotechnik des IIT Kanpur. 1998 ging er an die Universität Minnesota, wo er einen MS und PhD-Abschluss in Informatik erhielt. 2009 wurde er von der Universität Minnesota für seine herausragenden Leadership-Leistungen während seiner Karriere mit dem Distinguished Leadership Award for Internationals ausgezeichnet.

Dr. Ajay Bhushan Pandey est directeur général de l’Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). Il pilote le projet Aadhaar en Inde depuis ses débuts en 2010. Ces sept dernières années, il a étroitement collaboré avec le gouvernement fédéral, des gouvernements d’État, des banques, des sociétés pétrolières et d’autres acteurs pour permettre l’utilisation de la plateforme Aadhaar dans des programmes portant, entre autres, sur les transferts monétaires directs, l’inclusion financière et la e-gouvernance. Dr. Pandey a joué un rôle clé dans l’élaboration de la loi Aadhaar en 2016 et de ses règles de mise en œuvre.
Membre de l’Indian Administrative Service, il possède plus de 33 ans d’expérience à divers postes au sein du gouvernement indien.
Dr. Pandey est diplômé de l’IIT Kanpur en ingénierie électrique. En 1998, il est entré à l’université du Minnesota où il a obtenu un master et un doctorat de sciences informatiques. En 2009, il a été récompensé du Distinguished Leadership Award for Internationals par l’université du Minnesota pour son leadership exemplaire durant sa carrière professionnelle.

Mr Abdullah Saqib is currently spearheading Viamo’s efforts in Pakistan and Bangladesh as Country Manager focused on helping international nonprofits strengthen their interventions by leveraging mobile technology.
In his previous role at Acumen, he focused on developing global investment strategies across Latin America, Africa and South Asia to enhance poverty alleviation outcomes by addressing issues concerning productivity, income volatility and climate change.
During his tenure at Telenor Pakistan, Abdullah designed and launched innovative value-driven information and financial services for rural masses across health, education and agriculture sectors. His work in mobile agriculture received global recognition and convinced the organization to set up a dedicated department focused on initiatives for Pakistan’s agricultural ecosystem.
He is a firm believer of knowledge sharing and has served as a mentor at the MIT D-Lab for enhancement of investment readiness of startups ranging from diverse backgrounds (Latin America and Africa) and focus areas (FinTech, Education, Health, Energy, etc.). Moreover, he has also supported Duke University in curriculum design for social enterprises around the world.

Dr. Abongeh Tunyi (Tunyi) is an Assistant professor (Lecturer) in Finance at the University of Sheffield. He holds a Master of Finance (MFin) with distinction and a PhD in Finance & Accounting (both from the University of Glasgow). His research interest spans corporate finance (particularly, M&As) and market-based accounting. Some of his recent research works have been published in reputable international journals such as the Journal of Business Finance and Accounting, International Review of Financial Analysis and Journal of International Management. He also regularly reviews research papers for different journals.

Afke Schaart is the Vice President Europe for GSMA. Before joining GSMA in February 2015 Afke led the EU Institutional Relations Team of Microsoft in Brussels responsible for Microsoft’s engagement with the EU Institutions, Council of Europe and the OECD. Before joining Microsoft Afke served as a Member of Parliament in the Netherlands and was the spokesperson for Economic Affairs and Innovation, Technology and ICT for the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). Prior to that she was responsible for KPN's policy interests and governmental affairs in Europe. She started her professional life at Shell and has studied Political Sciences with a specialization in International Relations in Amsterdam. Afke Schaart was also a Council Member of the Municipality of Wassenaar (the Netherlands) for the VVD. She has been a board member of ECP-EPN, platform for public-private cooperation in the information society and a board member of the European Internet Foundation (EIF). She is a current board member of the E-Society Platform and a member of the Women in Leadership (WiL) organisation.

Agustín Márquez Dorsch is a Senior Telecommunications Engineer, with a Masters in Economics and Business Management from IESE. He began his professional career at Banco de Bilbao. In 1990 he directed the creation of the Securities Clearing and Settlement Service, of which he was General Manager. He is currently Deputy General Manager of Cecabank, managing payment services, electronic banking, outsourcing, business intelligence and systems. He was President of the European Banking Standardization Committee (ECBS) for 5 years. He is Managing Director of EURO 6000 and MasterCajas, adviser to MasterCard Europe, Trionis, Eufiserv Payments and LICO Corporation.

Aimée Suárez is a Senior Advisor for the Latin American and the Caribbean region in the Department of International and Institutional Relations of WSBI. Previously, she was Advisor to the Managing Director of WSBI-ESBG. Prior to joining WSBI, Aimée was Coordinator at the European Parliamentary Forum for Financial Services (EPFSF). She was also Legal Adviser Trainee of the European Banking Federation (FBE). Aimée holds a Master's Degree in Responsible Banking from the Institute of Stock Market Studies (Spain) in collaboration with the London School of Economics (LSE) and WSBI, an LLM in International Law with International Relations from the University of Kent, the Brussels School of International Studies , and a law degree from the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) in the Dominican Republic.

Aimée Suárez es Senior Advisor para la región de América Latina y el Caribe en el Departamento de Relaciones Internacionales e Institucionales de WSBI. Anteriormente, fue Asesora del Director General de WSBI-ESBG de 2012-2013. Antes de unirse a WSBI, Aimée fue Coordinadora en el Foro Parlamentario Europeo de Servicios Financieros (EPFSF). También fue Legal Adviser Trainee de la Federación Bancaria Europea (FBE). Aimée tiene un Master en Banca Responsable del Instituto de Estudios Bursátiles (España) en colaboración con la London School of Economics (LSE) y WSBI, un LLM en Derecho Internacional con Relaciones Internacionales de la Universidad de Kent, la Escuela de Bruselas de Estudios Internacionales, y una licenciatura en Derecho de la Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) en República Dominicana.