Conference Speakers
Keynote Speaker
Prof. Dr. Larissa-Margareta Batrancea
Professor at the Babes-Bolyai University Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Topic
Business Sustainability: Bridging and Shaping Financial Performance and Market Value
Larissa Batrancea is Professor Dr. in Finance at Babes-Bolyai University, Department of Business, Cluj-Napoca (Romania). She holds: a BA and an MA in Economics, a BSc and an MSc in Mathematics, a PhD in Economics, all from Babeş-Bolyai University, a Post doctoral fellowship in Economics from the Romanian Academy of Sciences and a Habilitation in Finance. Having a strong interest in examining the financial brain from an outward and inward perspective, she obtained an MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience, “with Merit”, from the University of York (United Kingdom). Her academic record comprises: 146 scientific articles and book reviews (published in top-tier outlets such as Journal of Economic Psychology, Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Financial Innovation, PLoS ONE); 50 books and book chapters as author, editor and translator; 52 research grants as PI or member; over 60 prizes, medals and distinctions; over 100 talks as keynote, invited speaker and conference delegate. She is editor and referee for more than 45 journals. Larissa Batrancea was Invited Researcher and Visiting Professor at the University of Vienna (Austria), Mackenzie Presbyterian University (Brazil), University of Brescia (Italy), Universidad de las Américas Puebla (Mexico), Universidade Portucalense (Portugal). She coordinated projects and events with academics from 134 universities, institutes and organisations worldwide. She acts as evaluator, referee and member in different national and international organisations, societies, associations, committees, councils and juries, such as: QS World University Rankings, Society for the Advancement of Behavioral Economics (SABE), International Association for Research in Economic Psychology (IAREP), Eurasia Business and Economics Society (EBES), The Innovation in Politics Awards (Austria), European Capital of Democracy (Austria), External Monitoring Committee for the Research Unit REMIT (Portugal), Romanian Society of Economic and Financial Analysis, Romanian Association of Financial and Banking Analysts, Romanian Register of Experts of the National Council for the Attestation of University Titles, Diplomas and Certificates (CNATDCU), Romanian Executive Unit for the Financing of Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation (UEFISCDI). In 2022 and 2023, she was listed among the World’s Top 2% Scientists across All Scientific Fields and in the Own Scientific Field, in the prestigious Scopus (Elsevier) ranking compiled by Stanford University.
Prof. Dr. Stefán B. Gunnlaugsson
Dr. Stefán B. Gunnlaugsson is a professor at the University of Akureyri, specializing in fisheries economics and financial markets. His research focuses on the Icelandic fishing industry, sustainability, and economic policy. With experience in banking and at sea on a freezing trawler, he brings practical insights to his work. He teaches finance-related courses and contributes to research on fisheries management and economic development, offering perspectives on resource management and financial systems in policy and academia.
Prof Dr. Sanjay Gupta
Dr. Sanjay Gupta is a Professor of Accounting at Valdosta State University. His primary teaching interests are in the areas of managerial accounting and primary research interests are in the areas of retirement planning, quality control, business ethics and accounting education. He has published in some of the leading academic journals and has won numerous college and university wide teaching awards. He also serves as the Faculty Advisor for the IMA Chapter.
Mr. Busisani Sibiya
Mr. Busisani Sibiya is a senior lecturer at the University of Johannesburg and a qualified Chartered Accountant. He has recently submitted his PhD for assessment. His research interests focus on integrating tax and social sciences. In addition to his academic contributions, he is a co-author of the accounting textbook Fundamentals of Financial Accounting, which is used in three different universities. Through his teaching and research, he plays a significant role in bridging the gap between financial accounting and broader societal issues, contributing to the development of interdisciplinary approaches in accounting education.
Mr. Andrian Gaju
Andrian Gaju holds an MBA from the Prague University of Economics and Business and is currently pursuing his DBA at the same institution. As CEO of a BNPL (Buy Now Pay Later) company, he focuses on financial innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable business practices in emerging markets.
Past Speakers
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Begum Otken
Associate Professor of Management at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, USA
Topic
AI: A Magical Wand. Implications for Companies
Begum Otken is an Associate Professor of Management. She holds a PhD in Organizational Behavior from Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkiye. She taught Organizational Behavior, Management, Research Methods, and Leadership classes in different countries in Europe. Currently, she is working as a Lecturer of Management at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, USA and teaching Principles of Management and International Business classes. She has many publications in national and international journals about leadership, culture, employee attitudes, and degrowth and co-authored a book about employer branding.
Ms. Abigail Acheampong
Abigail Acheampong is an account officer personnel and entrepreneur with a passion for driving business growth and innovation. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration (Accounting option) from the University of Education, Winneba-Ghana, and currently works at Ghana Publishing Company Limited as an Assistant Accountant. As an astute entrepreneur, she is also the sole distributor of Martin Lion's range of perfumes on the Ghanaian market. Abigail is a strong advocate for gender equality and women's empowerment. Her areas of interest border around business planning, corporate strategies, business leadership, strategic cost management, and enhancing feminism.
Mr. Huzaifa Mohammed Adam Harameen
Adam Harameen obtained his B.Sc in Chemical engineering at University of Khartoum in 2018. He was awarded Turkish government scholarship to pursue M.Sc studies at Kocaeli University in 2019. Specialized in materials for electrochemical systems and E-waste recycling, currently, he is working as R&D in the same aforementioned area.
Ms. Beatrice Yeboah Gyimah
Beatrice Yeboah Gyimah is an HR personnel and entrepreneur with a passion for driving business growth and innovation. She holds a BSC in Business Administration (Human Resource Management option) from Central University, Ghana. Beatrice is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Novelty Oasis Enterprise, a fully indigenous Ghanaian business entity. She has successfully led the entity to achieve significant revenue growth and its flagship product Birch Reed Diffusers is widely recognized as the leading diffuser brand in the Ghanaian market. With her vast expertise in Human Relations and Entrepreneurship, Beatrice brings a unique perspective and expertise which she intends to share at conference. Her research areas of interest include business planning and strategies, marketing and branding, business leadership and management, customer care, and time management.
Ms. Fosuaa Boakye Yiadom
Fosuaa Boakye Yiadom is a human resource professional with a passion for fostering a positive workplace culture and facilitating employee development. She is a holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), in addition to a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Management Studies from Kumasi Technical University. She is currently the General Manager in charge of Administration at Novelty Oasis Enterprise. Fosuaa is passionate about curating memorable experiences in diverse spaces with high impact.
Ms. Gracephine Anum
Gracephine Anum is a security analyst, intelligence officer, and entrepreneur. She holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Central University in addition to a master's degree in Public Administration (MPA) from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Gracephine’s keen analytical skills and ability to identify emerging trends and potential security issues have made her an invaluable asset in the field. She has also worked on various intelligence projects, utilizing her strong research and critical thinking abilities to provide actionable insights. Her research interests revolve around women in business, women's empowerment, social entrepreneurship, and policies promoting gender equality. Miss Anum has conducted extensive research in these areas, aiming to identify barriers faced by women in the business world and develop strategies to enhance their opportunities and success. She actively advocates for gender equality and women's empowerment, utilizing her expertise and knowledge to drive positive change.
Prof. Dr. Cristina Fernandes
Assistant Professor w/Habilitation at the University of Beira Interior (UBI), Portugal
Topic
Interlinking institutions, entrepreneurship and economic performance
She is Assistant Professor w/Habilitation at the University of Beira Interior (UBI), Portugal. She holds a PhD in Management from the University of Beira Interior. She is researcher center NECE – Center for Studies in Business Sciences at the University of Beira Interior and at Centre for Corporate Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Loughborough University, UK. She is part of the editorial board of Management Decision; has several dozen scientific articles published in international journals including: Journal of Technology Transfer; Journal of Knowledge Management; R&D Management and Journal of Business Research. Actively participates in scientific meetings and international conferences on these topics, having been distinguished several times with awards for best article. Has participation in several international projects.
Dr. Ioannis Thanos
Dr Ioannis Thanos is Assistant Professor of Management at the Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB). He holds a BSc in Business Administration from the AUEB, an MSc in Marketing and Strategy from the University of Warwick, UK, and a PhD from the AUEB. He has won several teaching and research awards (e.g.,, Journal of Strategy and Management best paper award).
Dr. Andrea Payaro
Degree in Management Information Systems; Ph.D. and post doctoral specialization in business management at the University of Padua. Consultant certified Master Management Level by ELA (European Logistics Association). In 2019 he received by Confindustria the logistician of the year. Lecturer in business schools (Neoma, Cuoa, Politecnico di Milano) and faculty member of Italian Trade Agency (Ministry of economic development). Since 2000 he has developed management consultancy in supply chain management.
Prof. Felix Amoah
Professor Felix Amoah holds a doctoral degree in marketing. He is an associate professor and head of department (HoD) in the department of marketing management at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa. Prof. Amoah has supervised several PhD and Masters’ studies to completion. His research interests include experience marketing, digital marketing, and consumer behavior. In 2019, Prof. Amoah received the emerging researcher of the year award in the faculty of business and economic sciences at Nelson Mandela University.
Mr. Adrián Csizmadia
Adrián Csizmadia is a PhD student at the Doctoral School of Management and Organizational Science at the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Prior to that he completed a Master's degree in Finance at the University of Kaposvár (Hungary). His research interests is the spatial analysis of factors affecting income situation. He won third place twice with my research at the National Scientific Students’ Associations Conference (in 2019 and 2021) in Hungary.
Dr. Francisco do Adro
Francisco do Adro has a degree in Literature and Lusophone Civilizations (Université Michel de Montaigne Bordeaux III, France), a Master in International Trade and Management (Institut d’Administration des Entreprises, Université Montesquieu Bordeaux IV, France), and a PhD in Management (Universidade da Beira Interior, Portugal). His research area focuses on the non-profit sector (leadership, management, innovation, entrepreneurship, market orientation and performance). After having worked in the public, private and social sectors in France, Spain and Portugal for more than 20 years, he is currently coordinator at UBI of the alliance of European Universities UNITA Universitas Montium since 2020.
Prof. DIMITRIOS M. MIHAIL
DIMITRIOS M. MIHAIL is Professor, the Administrator of the Master program in HRM, and the Head of the HRM Lab at the University of Macedonia, Thessalonki, Greece. He holds a PhD in Economics. Department of Economics, The Graduate Faculty, New School for Social Research, New York, USA. His current research focuses on human resources management systems, and High Performance Work Systems.
Prof. Dr. Cristina Fernandes
Prof. Dr. Cristina Fernandes She is Assistant Professor w/Habilitation at the University of Beira Interior (UBI), Portugal. She holds a PhD in Management from the University of Beira Interior. She is researcher at the NECE – Research Centre for Studies in Business Sciences at the University of Beira Interior and Centre for Corporate Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Loughborough University, UK. She is part of the editorial board of Management Decision; has several dozen scientific articles published in international journals including: Journal of Technology Transfer; Journal of Knowledge Management; R&D Management and Journal of Business Research. Actively participates in scientific meetings and international conferences on these topics, having been distinguished several times with awards for best article. Has participation in several international projects.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Hoan
"Nguyen Thi Thu Hoan is a university lecturer at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, a think-tank of Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She graduated from Indiana University, Bloomington, United States in 2013. Her research interests include international economics, economic diplomacy, international development, and international business."