I’m married and mother of 2 children and share my professional life with my husband. Since the age of 15 I knew I wanted to work in the communications industry and obtained my Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications and Public Relations from Boston University. In 1998 my husband and I founded the agency 3DComm, a boutique marketing, communications and events agency specializing in luxury brands and niche industries in the automotive, yachting and wellbeing industries. During my career I have dedicated my organizational and managerial skills to our video production side of the business and our weekly TV auto Show and to planning and managing global events for several automotive brands. Since a few years, after we opted out of video production, events have been part of my life as I love planning and managing but my knowledge and PR background has me as Consultant for communication strategy and media relations for luxury brands.

Over the last three decades Michel Bouquier, has built a matchless reputation for promoting luxury lifestyle around the world. His talent for advising and connecting opinion leaders is based on his unique experience in developing innovative solutions for luxury destinations and brands. Michel is currently a Senior Advisor to the Monaco Government Finance and Economy Department responsible for promoting the Principality’s attractiveness. He heads “Monaco Private Label”, a tailor made initiative designed for high profile international investors. Michel was President of the Monaco Tourism Board for nine years. He is now driving “Monaco Private Label”, a trusted circle of family businesses from around the world. During his tenure he launched many initiatives to promote Monaco as the destination of choice to Ultra High Net Worth Individuals around the globe. This role followed nearly a decade in the luxury hotel industry at the Forte Heritage Hotels Group in the UK and the Relais & Châteaux world-wide Association where he is credited with creating innovative strategies upon which was built an outstanding foundation for the group’s future international growth. Michel enjoys a long-standing reputation in Switzerland and in the USA where he headed the French Government Tourist Office in New York. He graduated from the Strasbourg School of Hotel Management and Tourism and obtained a Master degree and a postgraduate degree in Human Sciences at Lyon II University. Michel is honoured with the French National Order of Merit and the Principality of Monaco’s Saint Charles Order.

A C-level executive with 20+ years of experience with multi billion-dollar market leaders and FT Global 500 companies in luxury fashion, e-Commerce, real estate, entertainment, and hospitality. Passionate about innovation, education and startups, he is part of H-FARM. As an entrepreneur he has co-founded I-PLUS-E to enable the companies to implement the new human sustainable business models.

Rumble Romagnoli is the founder and President of Relevance, a strategic and creative digital agency specialised in profiling and targeting Ultra-High-Net-Worth-Individuals for the world's most exclusive brands and companies. Rumble has 25+ years of experience working in digital and has helped over 200 businesses - from international companies to start-ups - navigate their marketing approach. He excels in defining online strategies and concepts for exclusive and luxury brands through digital marketing, especially for superyachts, aviation, real estate, luxury travel, hotels and fashion. Rumble frequently gives talks at conferences like Digital Marketing World Forum, BrightonSEO and The Superyacht Marketing Forum. He is also an adjunct professor of Digital Marketing at the International University of Monaco.

Hauser & Wirth has expanded over the past 30 years to include outposts in Hong Kong, London, New York, Southampton, Los Angeles, Somerset, Menorca, Monaco, Zurich, Gstaad, and St. Moritz. The gallery represents over 90 artists and estates who have been instrumental in shaping its identity over the past quarter century, and who are the inspiration for Hauser & Wirth’s diverse range of activities that engage with art, education, conservation, and sustainability. Previously, Federica was the director of international art galleries in Mayfair and in Chelsea, London. She studied Art and Finance, Marketing and Strategy at Sotheby’s Institute of Art. Federica also holds a Master’s Degree in Culture, Policy and Management from City University London. She was a juror in the selection committee of the Accessible Art Fair at Bozar in Brussels, Art Rooms Fair London and Art Apartments contest in collaboration with the Estorick Museum Collection. She organised tours to members of the Bank of America Arts and Creative Club in national museums and International auction houses in London. Prior to moving to London, Federica worked as a full-time journalist and currently she collaborates with the art magazine Artribune covering International Art Fairs and reviewing significant exhibitions.

Olga Chabr Grillová is a Czech entrepreneur, developer and investor. She is mainly involved in the field of hospitality, real estate and technology. She was born in 1989 and graduated from the International University of Monaco. Since 2017, she has been the CEO of EMPIRENT, which deals not only with the sale of premium real estate, but also with short and long-term rentals, hospitality and development projects. Since 2021, she is co-founder of the femtech start up Leeaf, which is developing a system to share expertise and know-how in the field of reproductive medicine.

Olena Prykhodko is a managing partner of Modelex Education in Monaco, part of the Modelex Group of companies, with London-based Riviera Tutors. She is also a cofounder of the British School of Monaco, a private school planned to launch in September 2022. Prykhodko served as the Advisor to the Mayor of Kharkiv, Ukraine, in charge of international cooperation, where her service contributed to the creation of the Kharkiv Municipal Startup Center. In 2021 Olena was selected to feature in Forbes Monaco 30 under 30 list. She holds a Masters Degree in Corporate Law and a PhD in Constitutional Economics. She was National President of Junior Chamber International Monaco (Jeune Chambre Economique de Monaco), where she focused on promoting youth entrepreneurship and innovation in Monaco. She held the international oce of 2021 Junior Chamber Vice- President, serving on the JCI Board of Directors.

Followed her Fashion and Interior Design studies Gordana is actively working in fashion world since 1997; with more than 20 years of experience in design, production, marketing and sales management. From Stylist to head designer roles for international global companies including one based in Monaco, she created her company Gordana Design as well as cashmere brand “Golden Goat” which offers a collection of lifestyle products exclusively made in cashmere and other noble materials. Gordana Design label has also undertaken various other key projects such as creation of uniforms for luxury hotel brands as well as creating luxury magazines and catalogues and organising luxury fashion shows, styling of interiors to name few. Resort25 collection created together with her business partner is fruit of all creative passions and one important step into contributing to a more sustainable fashion industry.

Alessio Castello is a full-time professor of Management at the International University of Monaco, where his research focuses on innovation based alliances, entrepreneurship and new technologies for business. He is the former deputy director of the European campus of the Georgia Institute of Technology. Besides teaching in degree programs, Alessio has more than 15 years of experience designing, planning and delivering executive development programs for large multinational corporations such as Airbus, Schneider Electrics, and Daimler among others. He holds a Master in Physics from the University of Genoa – Italy, an MBA from EDHEC Business School and a PhD in Management. Alessio spent all his professional career at the crossroad between business and academia, thus learning how to combine the theoretical approach required by research and the pragmatic needs of the corporate world.

Simon is an active business angel. He works also as a Non Executive Director of different companies: SLB (Legal Firm), MadeInItaly Ventures (Digital Platform). He is a board advisor to Uniao Biotecnologia (Brazilian Heparin manufacturer).He helps start-ups grow, either investing or just providing mentorship and at the same time he is active in helping VC investors perform better. Ultimately he is on a mission to make the VC world more sustainable, promoting knowledge on the start-up ecosystem, as such, he recently published “27 counter-intuitive aspects of Angel Investing” (with all proceeds given to medical research of a rare neurological desease: PSP). He is also a promoter of Corporate Governance principles in non-quoted companies. Simon earned an executive MBA from SDA Bocconi, he lectures about start-up financing at Bocconi University and teaches entrepreneurship & business planning at the International University of Monaco. He is currently earning a degree in theology at IFTP (Nice).

Mag. Dr. Markus Schuller, MBA, MScFE is the founder and managing partner of Panthera Solutions Sarl, a leading applied behavioral finance specialist. As multiple award-winning behavioral design company in the Principality of Monaco, Panthera’s behavior-tech solutions support professional investors in competitively integrating human intelligence and artificial intelligence in an ethical and sustainable way. As adjunct professor, Markus teaches courses like “Asset Allocation & Applied Behavioral Finance“, "Risk Management & Applied Behavioral Finance”, “Investment Banking” and “Narrative Reporting” at renowned Master in Finance programs of the EDHEC Business School, the IE Business School and the International University of Monaco. Markus publishes in academic top journals (i.e. Journal of Portfolio Management), writes articles for professional journals (i.e. CFA Institute, OECD Insights, etc.) and holds keynotes at international investment conferences. As an investment banker, adjunct professor and author, Markus looks back at 20 rewarding years of trading, structuring, and managing standard and alternative investment products. Prior to founding Panthera Solutions, he worked in executive roles for a long/short equity hedge fund for which he developed the trading algorithm. Markus started his career working as equity trader, derivatives trader and macro analyst for different banks.

Padmaja Argade has a PhD in Business Sustainability from Kedge Business School, Bordeaux. She has a Master's in Management from Manchester Business School, UK and a Research Master's in Management & Innovation from the University of Côte d'Azur, France. In her teaching, she builds a student-centric approach when teaching topics such as sustainable development, entrepreneurship, CSR, and changing digital landscape. Her research focuses on the nexus of sustainable entrepreneurship, women in entrepreneurship and International CSR. She has been published in high-ranking management journals and presented at several academic conferences. In her research, Padmaja studies businesses that incorporate sustainability through innovation and organizing. In particular, she is interested in studying responsible forms of entrepreneurship (sustainable, social, environmental) that promote a positive impact on multiple levels.

Graduated in economics with Master in Business Administration, after 6 years spent into multinational companies as LANDI RENZO Spa and SHELL, Dario joined the WCMG GROUP, into the Italian branch named Advancing Trade Spa in 2005 as Sales and Marketing Director. Starting from January 2009 Dario has been appointed ad CEO of Groupe Abri/SOMECO in Monaco, with branches in Lyon and Paris. From March 2019 he is also Vice President of the Association of Italian entrepreneurs of Monaco and from December 2020 he is member of the board of directors of COMITES (representative body of the Italian community residing in Monaco) and head of the financial committee.

After pursuing entrepreneurship and building Papyrus Group investment funds (https://papyrus-group.com/), Robert decided to help KPMG Monaco build a startup campus and foster digital transition for the next generation of accountants.

Dr. Arik Röschke is associate professor for Entrepreneurship at the International University of Monaco, lecturer at the University of St. Gallen (Switzerland) and president of the Club Suisse de Monaco. He is also member of tbe board of directors of companies in asset management, agricultural investments, and healthcare in Switzerland and member of the advisory board of a single family office of a Monaco-based investor.

Dario Peirone is currently Associate Professor at the Department of Law and Director of the Startup Creation Lab, the entrepreneurial program for students, at Turin University. He is Coordinator of the Horizon 2020 Project on Entrepreneurial Summer Schools financed by the European Institute of Technology. From October 2020 he has been appointed as Chairman of the Board of the Regional Agency for Internationalization of the Piedmont Region. He wrote several papers for Italian and foreign journals (Industrial and Corporate Change, International Journal of Business and Economics, etc..) focusing on finance for firms’ technological innovation and on new governance systems in public and private enterprises.

Dr. Thomas Papanikolaou is Director and Principal Advisor at Neos Chronos, a UK-based advisory firm serving startup founders and senior executives of large multinationals. He specializes in strategy, business development, and sales growth. During his international career, he generated over £150 million in revenue for the companies he worked for. As an advisor/coach/mentor, Thomas has helped over 120 startups progress in their entrepreneurial journey. Currently, Thomas is Head Coach for MonacoTech, the Principality's Incubator, and Adjunct Professor at the International University of Monaco, where he teaches courses on entrepreneurship, disruptive innovation, and new business models. Thomas lives in Beausoleil, France, and travels to the UK and overseas to work with his clients.

Dr. Andrea Bookhagen is professor for marketing and sustainability at the fashion design department of HTW Berlin and a mentor for entrepreneurs at her university. She became a lecturer after working several years in consulting, innovation management and in global marketing. Her research focus is on sustainability and brand building in the fashion industry and beyond. She is one of the publishers of PraxisWissen – German Journal of Marketing. Andrea is a jury member since the very beginning of The Mark Challenge.

Professor Meidell is a director and full stack developer for web and mobile phone applications (lexigo.ch). He is a lecturer at HEG Geneva and a visiting lecturer at IMD, BSL and Seoul School of Integrated Sciences & Technologies with courses in investment, finance, statistics, programming, digitalization and machine learning. Since 2018, he is a judge and mentor with Masschallenge. Previous experience includes roles as entrepreneur in two early and one mid-stage startup in professional trading software (Trading Technologies SA), fund investment (heimdalfondene.no), and the consumer packaging industry (smartseal-closures.com). He has collected a total of 15mio EUR in funding for these companies from institutional and private investors and have done – if possible – all the errors possible on the way:) The first company was sold to a trading company and the two other companies are thriving well today. Dr. Meidell has a PhD in economics from the University of Lausanne and the Norwegian School of Economics (NHH). Earlier degrees include a Master in Econometrics and a Bachelor in Finance. As a part of his doctoral education, he was accepted and passed the Swiss National Bank’s Gerzensee one year PhD course in economics and econometrics for doctoral students (szgerzensee.ch). Other roles include several years as CFO (approved with Swiss Financial Authorities - FINMA) in the banking and investment industry. The first 12 years of his professional life was spent as a derivative market maker (high frequency, algorithmic trading) on several European and North American exchanges. Erik is fluent in German, French, English, Norwegian and Russian and is a supporter of sustainability initiatives. He believes in equality, resilience, integrity, and discipline. Further references can be found on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmeidell), on YouTube (https://youtu.be/SuEOesJQvW4), in this newspaper article on AI trading (https://e24.no/boers-og-finans/i/7la8m3/skal-vi-bygge-en-aksjerobot) and in this publication from the Norwegian School of Economics (https://www.nhh.no/nhh-bulletin/artikkelarkiv/eldre-saker/2016/juni/jan-erik-meidell/).

Matilde Bini studied Russian in Florence and pursued a Masters in Marketing at Bocconi University in Milan. At the start of her career, she took on the role of Eastern Europe Retail and Franchising Coordinator for luxury fashion brands. She was also a Merchandising Planner for the most renowned multinational luxury groups in the fashion field. Today, Matilde is a Retail Management and Merchandising Consultant. Her educational mission is to teach students all effective principles of Retail Merchandising through a technical approach focused on working practice.

Eleonora Cattaneo is Professor of Luxury Brand Management at César Ritz Colleges Switzerland and Director of Executive Education at Swiss Education Group. Her research interests focus on the management of iconic brands and luxury consumption. She has extensive consulting experience in a variety of industries including automotive, fashion and non-profit. Previously, she taught at SDA Bocconi and Regent's University London, and was visiting lecturer at Emlyon Business School and the Helsinki School of Economics.

Guido Mantovani (Milan, March 28th, 1965) graduates in Business Administration (major in Corporate Finance) at Bocconi University of Milan in the academic year 1989-90. He got his PhD in Business Administration in the Consortium managed by the same University. Since 2018 he is Distinguished Professor of Finance at IUM (Groupe INSEEC) with double affiliation in Corporate Finance and Banking at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice. His academic experience started in 1990 at Bocconi University as junior fellow researcher (later lecturer) in Corporate Finance and Corporate Risk Management. In 1998 he was appointed as Senior Professor of Corporate Finance at SDA-Bocconi School of Management. In 2001, he started to work at Ca’ Foscari University Venice. In 2009 he became Deputy-President for Lifelong and Executive Education and founded the Ca’ Foscari Challenge School becoming its first Dean (2011-2014). His international teaching experience spreads to ENI Corporate University (1992-2013), VSE University of Economics Prague (1997-99), Harvard University - Summer School (2006-11), FAU Universitaet Nurnberg (2012-14), Ecole de Management de Strasbourg (2012-17), where he also acted as President of the H.E.R.M.E.S. Universities Network until 2018. He publishes internationally on several topics such as contingent claim finance, corporate risk management, managerial and entrepreneurial finance. More recently he focuses more on the financial valuation of human competences, an integrated approach of financial rating and scoring for small and medium enterprises and the relationships between corporate governance and finance. His latest book “The Financial Value of Entrepreneurship” (Palgrave, 2017) has been recently presented at the FMA Applied Conference at the St. John’s University in Manhattan. He is the Scientific Director of the Teofilo Intato Institute, the global think-tank, and involved in different Academic bodies including the Scientific Board of the World Finance Conference and the Global Finance Conference, the chairing of the FMA European Conference 2015 and of the World Finance Conference 2014. He matches the academic activity with strong applied experience by acting as scientific advisor of several institution including the European Union, the Italian Confidustria and a huge number of European and Global Financial Intermediaries. As Senior Partner of SICRA-Group, the global consultancy, he also developed a strong professional background in financial advisory (at corporate, institutional and market levels) even inside wider management consulting projects, including managerial and financial accounting, legal and tax advisory, business planning, venture capital, private equity and corporate transactions. Last but not least, during 2021 he was appointed as “Ambassador de la destination de la Principautè de Monaco” associated to the Monegasque Consulate in Venice.

Born and raised in Rome, obtain a master degree in Statistic and Economics in 1985. Started his career in the FMCG sector, working at Colgate Palmolive in the marketing department, then moved to Pepsi Cola where he worked in Italy and US from 1988 till 1994 both in marketing and sales. From 1995 to 2000 worked in at Mattel Toys as sales director for Italy and at Bristol Mayers Squibb Italy where he served as CEO for the cosmetic division. In 2000 entered in the Luxury industry joining Bulgari where he initially served as Managing Director for Bulgari Italy and then as President of Bulgari US until 2015. In 2015 moved to Luxury fashion, working at Loro Piana for 2 years and after in Roberto Cavalli as commercial director and Vhernier as CEO. Active also in consulting luxury, fashion and F&B companies such as Pomellato, Capucci, SAID and others. Is currently working at Dolce&Gabbana as commercial director for the jewelry and watch category. Strong academic experience, teaching Luxury and Fashion marketing strategies in various universities in Italy, Asia and US. Since 2008 adjunct professor at LUISS University of Rome.

Dr. Julia Riedmeier is the module leader of the luxury Master's concentration at Munich Business School, an adjunct professor at the International University of Monaco, and the founder and managing director of her strategy consulting firm CODE LUXE. She supports luxury brands in deciphering their luxury brand code, elevating it to the next higher level, and in connecting key stakeholders – mainly in the automotive, jewelry & watches, and yachting industry.

Nationalities: Canadian and Swiss Professor Julien de Grandbois has taught ‘Entrepreneurship’ and ‘Entrepreneurial Context’ at BSL to Masters of International Business and Bachelors of Business Administration students. With extensive multi-continental backgrounds in corporate and academic cultures, Professor Julien de Grandbois launched start-ups and led business development ventures for a spectrum of industries and mandates. Professor de Grandbois also established several intrapreneurial start-ups and managed multinational firms in private banking, digital technologies and graduate education. He advised global brands in the fields of bio foods, pharma, sales & marketing, the environment, venture capital, scientific bursaries, internet applications and e-trading platforms. He designed a Master degree program for management executives. In Europe, he audited 495 universities on external relations and communication strategies. As Chairman of the Geneva Private Banking Reorganisation of Banking Operations, Julien de Grandbois served as UN panel moderator at Environmental Summits on Finance for Sustainable Technologies. As corporate advisor to a reputable global chain distributor, he acted as the intermediary on negotiations between senior management and unions. As European Education manager in corporate customer sales administration, he trained marketing specialists for the world’s largest information technology fair. With hands-on experience of the public and private sectors, Julien performed fundraising mediation projects, coached engineering start-ups, advised family businesses and global groups. He lectured and gained extensive media exposure on 5 continents in innovation & change management to ‘clean techs’. An enthusiastic 6th-year member of the First Jury at Monaco’s international business plan competition, he participated at Venture Lab promotion and coached young Swiss Start-Ups at EPFL Innovation Park. He was elected Municipal Councillor to 6 Legislatures in Geneva. He was President of the Public Works Commission, Vice-President of both Finance Commission and International Development Commission. BSL students appreciate Professor Julien de Grandbois’ passionate involvement, focus and know-how. He enjoys relating to young entrepreneurs that desire to enrich the world with their ideas. In times of innovation in technological industries and turbulence in political spheres, entrepreneurs are certainly the keys to solutions for economic, business managerial and international stabilisation endeavours.

Dr. Marko Majer is a business educator and marketing communications professional with over 30 years of international experience. He has founded one of the leading marketing communications agencies in Slovenia, working for several global blue-chip clients, and has received over 80 international awards for the creative and strategic work. Upon earning his PhD at IEDC he gradually moved into academia; nowadays he shares his knowledge and experience with MBA, graduate and undergraduate students at Business School Lausanne and other distinguished Swiss management schools.

Aminoff has founded several luxury brands and written several books about luxury. UHNWI Luxury Events offers luxury events. Luxury Sales Academy coaches luxury brands and individuals, and Lux Sales Lounge is a luxury brokerage.

Alessandro Brun has a PhD in Management Engineering, and is Full Professor at the School of Management of Politecnico di Milano. He is teacher of Quality Management, and Director of two Masters in Luxury Management at MIP Politecnico di Milano Graduate School of Management. He is a very prolific scientific author, having published - between 2000 and 2020 - more than 200 papers on scientific journals, books and book chapters. In particular, his publications on the topic of Luxury Supply Chain are widely quoted. His interest for the Fashion & Luxury Supply Chain was lately focused on the specific topic of Sustainability. He is the founder of the “Sustainable Luxury Academy”, a cultural initiative involving companies active on the challenges of Sustainability in the Luxury Fashion sector. Co-Founder and Artistic Director of the Milanese-based niche perfumery brand MASQUE Milano, he can apply the theories developed in his academic job to a real case.

Glyn Atwal is Associate Professor of Marketing at Burgundy School of Business (BSB), an international Graduate School of the French network of Grandes Ecoles. His teaching, research, and consultancy expertise focuses on marketing and strategy within the affluent and luxury space. He is co-author of Luxury Brands in China and India (Palgrave Macmillan) and a regualar contributor to Luxury Daily and Jing Daily. Prior to academia, Glyn worked in industry for Saatchi & Saatchi, Young & Rubicam, and Publicis.

Dr George Christodoulides is the Chalhoub Group Professor of Luxury Brand Management at the American University of Sharjah in the UAE. His research interests lie in the areas of luxury marketing and branding. He is Associate Editor of International Marketing Review. His research has attracted external funding from prestigious external bodies such as the ESRC and British Academy and has been published in journals such as Industrial Marketing Management, Journal of Business Research, European Journal of Marketing and Psychology & Marketing. He is an Honorary Academic Member of the Luxury Innovation Lab.

Bilal has considerable expertise in business development and project management, in areas such as healthcare, higher education and family businesses. He presently teaches at undergraduate and graduate levels at Les Roches Crans-Montana and is a part-time researcher in the Faculty of Brain Sciences of University College London.

Giovanni Luigi Bordone is currently teaching fashion business in Istituto Marangoni and in London College of Fashion, University of the Arts in London, where he is also a PhD researcher. He spent his professional life nearly entirely in between the UK and the Asia Pacific region where he set up and launched several companies. During his 15+ in Fashion, he covered several different roles in this industry, from production to marketing, from launching start ups to corporate roles in luxury conglomerates and this makes him one of the most well rounded experts in the field. As a keynote speaker, Giovanni has addressed more than 50 companies across 20+ countries and lectured in over 10 universities. His personal concept of style and vision has been recognized and appreciated by many institutions, including BBC, Al Jazeera, Elle China and many lifestyle blogs across the globe.

Eleonora is Shipyard Relationship Coordinator and Sales Broker for Burgess. She joined the company in 2015 and has more than 17 years’ experience in the luxury yachting industry. Eleonora grew up in Friuli Venezia-Giulia region in Italy and she is fluent in English, French, Italian and Spanish. She also speaks German and Russian. Her career started in a small brokerage company in Monaco with a corner office in Miami, which gave her experience in sales, charter, new construction and project management. Prior to joining Burgess, she also worked as a Charter Manager for Fraser Yachts in Monaco and has previous experience as Chief Commercial Officer for Europe and Russia for the superyacht supply company Sea Vision – Underwater Lights. Eleonora is also very active in the yachting community and aside her current job, she is also MYBA Board Member and a YPY Monaco, IYBA and ISS active member. In her spare time she also volunteers for UNGMDF – a NGO based at the UN HQs in New York.

Sébastien Clavé, was born and raised in France before moving in 2006 to Monaco. In 2005, after two years in the motor trade business working for Lamborghini and Ferrari, Sébastien decided it was time for a career change. He joined the Antibes Pershing and Ferretti yacht dealership as a sales broker. After only one year with the company, he was tasked with opening the Monaco branch, where he worked as the manager and sales broker from 2006 to 2018. In July 2018, Sébastien joined the Northrop & Johnson Monaco team. With more than 15 years in the yachting industry as a Sales Broker, Sébastien has worked with a multitude of clients, brokering deals, working on new construction projects, handling flag-state regulations and more. Sébastien joined YPY Monaco at the launch in 2013 and has been the General Secretary of the association for 5 years now.

Owner of Onboard Monaco, a consulting firm and Marketing Agency, she is also the author of the first textbook ever written about the superyacht industry. She teaches at The Yacht Club de Monaco and at IUM. Marcela has been the commercial director for ICON Yachts shipyard in the Netherlands and was also the founder and president of the Young Professionals in Yachting (YPI) Monaco. Alongside her professional work, Marcela is an influential social media figure in yachting. She has a passion for all things yachting and is known worldwide for being a trusted spokesperson for the yachting industry.

Having worked in yachting since 2004, engaging in a variety of sectors within the industry, Juan now focuses his expertise on yacht brokerage. Originally from Vigo, Spain, Juan was practically born into yacht brokerage and is our resident expert on the Latin American market as well as being the President of the Monaco YPY Association.

Born in Genova, I always had a strong connection with maritime sector since my young age. My father was working in the Port of Genova with merchant boats, cruises and yachts, and he took me with him quite often to discover those amazing boats inside or outside the Genova Port. I was absolutely fascinated by this world and I decided to continue my family tradition being associated to naval activities. After several experiences as project leader in marketing and communication, event management and business development, I started to work for different yachting companies in Monaco to finally join the Yacht Club de Monaco, with the new building inaugurated in 2014, and the project of creating a Cluster of Yachting in the Principality. For more than 10 years now, I’ve been working with crew, captains, owners and professionals to cover the complete range of activities around the yachting sector.

Gabriella is the founder of Yachting Ventures - the worlds' first startup accelerator for the leisure marine, yachting and superyachting industries. Yachting Ventures has now worked with +70 startups from over 20 countries, and has been featured in Forbes. Prior to Yachting Ventures, Gabriella was one of the first employees at SeedLegals - a high-growth tech startup in London backed by Index Ventures. At SeedLegals, she worked directly with founders, startup accelerators and investors to help automate the fundraising process. Gabriella has also worked as a charter broker for Camper & Nicholsons, and is currently a trainee solicitor with maritime law firm CJC in London. She also sits on the board of Young Professionals in Yachting (YPY) UK.

Paris Baloumis is Group Marketing Director of Oceanco—a world-leading builder of custom superyachts. Baloumis has held various positions at Oceanco. His 10+ years of experience at Oceanco have provided Baloumis with a profound insight into the company’s DNA and is well apprised of where Oceanco is headed in the future.

Business and Strategy Advisor, with twenty years of experience in cross-channel Marketing, Media & Communication, initially working for Broadcasters such as MTV and RAI and holding leading roles in Bipop Research (Digital Magics Group), FullSix, TheBlogTV and DigiTouch Group. Lecturer at NetComm Academy and Luiss Hub Masters.

Selvane Mohandas du Ménil, 43, is Managing Director of the International Association of Department Stores (IADS) since June 2020. He started his career in product and commercial-oriented positions at L’Oréal, Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint Laurent, Sonia Rykiel and most recently at Parfums D’Orsay as Deputy Director. Born in France with Indian origins, he graduated from HEC Paris, IFM Institut Français de la Mode (where he teaches Luxury Distribution) and is alumni of Science Po Paris. Author of research works on Luxury, he also contributes to the monthly fine art magazine Beaux Arts Magazine, for the fashion column.

Wife, mother of two fabulous kids and founder & CEO of Vermillion, a successful fashion private labeling company. Vermillion develops, designs, sources, and sells custom-made collections for an extensive customer base. We are proud to announce that we have just been selected again to execute the tender of the Education Nationale de Jeunesse & Sports de Monaco to manufacture and sell the daily uniforms of the four primary schools in Monaco. Since 2018 we are making these sustainably Europe! Our biggest challenge of the past, present and future is to make a change in the traditional concepts of the fashion industry to operate greener. I am convinced that it is not too late, and we can make change as single actions can have far-reaching effects.

Stephen has always been passionate about fashion and retail. Since childhood, he used to observe customers at his mother’s apparel store. His keyword is « passion ». Whatever you do in life, do it with passion. Since 5 years, he is the general manager of the Metropole Shopping in Monte-Carlo. Under his leadership, together with his team, the mall has instaured 26 new brands and 14 renovation projects till date. He has an infectious ambition and drive, which he clearly demonstrated within a keyrole at Ralph Lauren Europe for the last 9 years, where he held the position as senior director for all retail stores within the European continent, excluding UK and Italy. Working today in a historical, prestigious and renowned premises, within the principality of Monaco, he is more than happy to share his view and professional knowledge in the world of luxury retail in the 21st century.

Talents scouting / agent and brand developer of new contemporary, conceptual and avant-garde fashion designers. Maurizio Vela is a head-hunter of new creative designers (mostly best graduated at St. Martin in London). He helps these creative guys to build-up their brand (from the production network to the communication, catwalk and distribution and establishment) and then he sells them from his Showroom in Paris to the high-hand boutiques and dept. stores (example Selfridges, Dover St. Mkt in London, Antonioli Milan, L’eclaireur Paris, Tsum Moscow, Barney’s NYC, Isetan Jpn, Maxfield LA, H Lorenzo LA etc worldwide) during the Paris fashion weeks. The brands are Couture and Prêt à Porter (man and woman) and they’re strictly distributed from Paris only.

Graduated in Marketing and Communications, EMBA in Leadership (IMD Lausanne), EMBA in Art and Cultural Heritage Management, Annamaria worked in international advertising agencies (TBWA, BCommunications GGK, Attila & Co) as Strategic Planner and then continued her career in the world of fashion, lifestyle and luxury. Her managerial experiences include companies such as Trussardi and Ferragamo as Global Marketing and Communications Director, Superga and Value Retail as Chief Marketing & Communications Officer. She is currently CEO of TheBrandSitter, be spoke factory dedicated to the strategic development of high-end brands in international markets and founder of Angels4Women, the first group of business angels women born to support and develop female start-ups. She is engaged in the scouting, mentoring and training of young talents that she supports in their entrepreneurial paths with innovation, vision and coaching skills. In 2019 she was named by Startup Italia as one of the 100 women who are changing Italy (#unstoppablewomen), finalist as Business Angel of the Year and is the advisor of Women7 (G7) and W20 (G20), the civil society interest groups that aims to develop policy proposals on gender parity and empowerment for leaders of G7 and G20 member countries. She published the book “Il Lusso… Magia & Marketing. Presente e Futuro del superfluo indispensabile "(5 editions from 2005) and is scientific director of the Luxury & Fashion Management area for the Sole24 Ore Business School and visiting professor at the most qualified universities and schools in Italy and abroad (Boston, Tampa, Moscow, Geneva, Doha, Dubai).

Espace | Monochrome is a fashion & creative workshop, based on a concept of its founder Panagiotis Papandreou. His vision is to search & present up and coming brands from different parts of the world to selected international buyers. The portfolio includes brands that exhibit quality, innovation and style. Our commercial network comprises of high-end international multi-brand retailers, as well as specialty & department stores. Espace Monochrome has its headquarters in Monte Carlo and presents the collections at its Milan showroom. The company participates in international premium fashion trade shows and provides buying office services to selected buyers. Panagiotis Papandreou holds an MBA specializing in Fashion & Design Management from Bocconi University and a BSc in Business & Communication studies from Boston University. He has worked as a Senior Account Manager at Saatchi & Saatchi, Leo Burnett and DDB Needham, also as a product manager at Johnson & Johnson and as a Strategic & Marketing Consultant for luxury, fashion & design brands at intercorporate consulting in Milan, together with the director of Altagamma, Dr. Armando Branchini.