Speakers: Artificial Intelligence : Impact on Economies, Capital Markets and Organisations

GRAZIA BRUZZESE

Grazia Bruzzese is a PhD Candidate at the University of Luxembourg. Her research activity focuses on the interaction between the use of new technologies within investment funds in relation to the fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorism. She is a member of the editorial board of the Revue pénale luxembourgeoise, and has published, both in English and French, about European criminal law, especially in the area of anti-money laundering and economic and financial crimes.

MARIAROSARIA COMUNALE

Mariarosaria Comunale is an Economist at the International Monetary Fund currently in the European Department, previously in Research. Prior to that she was Principal Research Economist at the Bank of Lithuania. She also worked at the ECB and at the Oesterreichische Nationalbank. Her main area of research pertains to Applied International Macroeconomics, for analysis of macro-financial imbalances, Artificial Intelligence and regulation, innovation, monetary policy, and growth. She published her works in the Journal of International Money and Finance, Scottish Journal of Political Economy, Advances in Econometrics, among others. She holds a Ph.D. in Money and Finance from the University of Rome Tor Vergata, and she was visiting Ph.D. student at University of Cambridge and Trinity College Dublin.

Personal Webpage: https://sites.google.com/site/mariarosariacomunale/

JON DANIELSSON

Jón Daníelsson, Director of the Systemic Risk Centre and Professor of Finance at LSE. His research spans financial risk, systemic risk, financial regulation, and how economic policy affects prosperity or disaster. An authority on risk forecasting and optimal regulatory policies, Daníelsson has extensively published on topics like systemic risk, artificial intelligence, financial risk forecasting, and financial regulation. He authored three notable books, including the “The Illusion of Control,” recognized by the Financial Times as one of the best books of 2022.

JUHA HEIKKILA

Juha Heikkilä is Adviser for AI in the European Commission DG Connect, leading the EU international engagement in AI. He has long been involved in developing the Commission Artificial Intelligence and Robotics activities, previously leading a unit which was instrumental in developing the 2018 AI strategy, the Coordinated Plan on AI, the ecosystem of excellence of the White Paper on AI, and engaging with the High-Level Expert Group on AI. He oversaw a major funding programme on Robotics and AI, including the €700m Public-Private Partnership in Robotics, and was subsequently setting up the Public-Private Partnership in AI, Data and Robotics. Juha Heikkilä holds a PhD in Linguistics from the University of Cambridge.

JENS KREISEL

Jens Kreisel has been Rector of the University of Luxembourg since 2023, following his tenure as Vice-Rector for Research (2018-2022). A Physics Professor, he specializes in the interaction of physical properties and their technological applications. His international career across Germany, France, the UK, and Luxembourg has given him deep expertise in global systems and a passion for international collaboration. Jens is a strong proponent of interdisciplinary approaches to tackle today’s complex challenges, from digital transformation to climate change and inequality.

HELEN LU

Helen Lu is a Professor at Vlerick Business School, specialising in research at the intersection of accounting, finance, and machine learning. She applies AI techniques in research areas such as stock return predictability, valuation, ESG disclosure and executive succession. Her work has been featured in leading international journals including Journal of Accounting Research, Journal of Banking and Finance, the Journal of International Money and Finance and Economics Letters. Prior to academia, Helen was a Vice President at Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank, assisting Asia-Pacific companies with capital raising and cross-border M&A.

IRIS LUCAS

Iris Lucas, holding an engineering degree from the School of Electronics and Computer Science (ECE Paris, France), also earned a Ph.D. in Computational Finance from the University of Le Havre (France). Since January 2021, she has been serving as the Head of the Data Intelligence unit within the Data and Market Surveillance department at the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF).
Her academic journey, combining engineering and computational finance, laid the foundation for her career focused on leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance financial sector regulation and oversight. Over the years, she has gained an in-depth understanding of how to effectively apply AI technologies to support regulatory functions.
As the Head of the Data Intelligence unit, Iris leads efforts to identify practical use cases for AI within the financial regulatory domain and oversees the development and implementation of AI-based solutions to assist the AMF in its supervisory roles.

ISABELLE MATEOS Y LAGO

Isabelle Mateos y Lago is Group Chief Economist at BNP Paribas, with over 25 years of experience in international economics, finance and public policy. Isabelle began her career at Inspection Générale des Finances in France before joining the IMF, where she held key positions in the Asia, Europe and Strategy departments, the Executive Board and as advisor to IMF Management. From 2015 until 2024, she joined BlackRock in various roles, such as Chief Macro Investment Strategist at the firm’s Investment Institute, Global Head of the Official Institutions Group, Chief Markets Strategist in the Financial and Strategic Investors Group, member of the firm’s Geopolitical Risk Steering Committee. Isabelle is a Board member of Bruegel and associate fellow of the Center For Economic Policy Research. She holds degrees from Sciences Po Paris, Cambridge University (Economics) and is an alumna of Ecole Nationale d’Administration.

CLAUDE MARX

Claude Marx was appointed Director General of the CSSF by the government in February 2016. Claude is also a member of the Board of Supervisors of the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). Prior to that, Claude Marx was the CEO of Lombard International Assurance and Chairman of the Board of Lombard Intermediation Services S.A. Claude also worked for HSBC for 17 years and was Deputy CEO of its Private Banking Division. At the beginning of his career, Claude worked as a lawyer with a local firm that is now Allen & Overy, as well as at Arthur Andersen.
Claude holds a Master of Laws Degree from the University of Paris and a Master of Laws in International Business Law from the University of London. He was admitted to the Luxembourg bar as Avocat à la Cour in 1990.

LUBA PROTOPOPOVA

Luba Protopopova is the Chief Operating Officer at Cradle, a European software scale-up that uses generative AI to help scientists design and engineer therapeutic proteins and high-performing enzymes, on a mission to accelerate human and planetary health. Previously, she served as EVP Products & Strategy and Chief of Staff at RepRisk, a leading provider of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) data. Her prior experience also includes program management and innovation at WWF, a global environmental NGO, and strategy consulting with the Boston Consulting Group. Luba holds an MBA from Queen's University (Canada) and an LL.M. from McGill University (Canada).

HENNING SOLLER

Henning Soller is a Partner at McKinsey’s Frankfurt Office, leading the firm's global research on quantum technologies. He advises banks across Europe and the Middle East on large-scale IT and data transformations, helping them overcome legacy obstacles and drive digitalization. Henning focuses on IT strategy, architecture, and modernization programs, including core banking system transformations and cloud adoption. He also accelerates API programs for rapid innovation. Henning holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Heidelberg, as well as degrees in Mathematics, Physics, and Business Administration from the Universities of Heidelberg and FernUniversity in Hagen, and a master’s in Physics from the University of Oregon.

ANDREW SALMON

Director, Client & Digital Practice, Zurich
Andrew’s journey into AI began at age ten, programming ELIZA on a 32kb Acorn Electron. Now, at Alpha Financial Markets Consulting, he helps clients address issues at the intersection of people, investments, and technology, with a particular focus on distribution activities. He currently spends most of his time developing AI solutions that surprise and delight clients, while also improving productivity and reducing risk.
Andrew has 25 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Alpha, he spent nine years at Vontobel Asset Management as Managing Director, responsible for supporting distribution activities. He holds a master’s degree in Engineering Science from St John’s College, Oxford.

PIERRE GRAMEGNA

Managing Director

Pierre Gramegna is the Managing Director of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) since 1 December 2022 and CEO of the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) since 13 December 2022.
Mr Gramegna was Minister of Finance of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg and member of the ESM Board of Governors from December 2013 to January 2022.
In his eight years as Minister of Finance, Mr Gramegna rebalanced the national budget and ensured that Luxembourg fully complied with the EU Stability and Growth Pact. During his term, the country was rated AAA by all rating agencies.
Mr Gramegna also served as chairperson of the Ecofin Council in 2015 where he chaired the ministerial meetings and oversaw major directives on the automatic exchange of information and transparency.
In his capacity as Finance Minister, Mr Gramegna served as Governor to the International Monetary Fund and several multilateral development banks. In 2016, he was elected Chairman of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for one year.
In 2017, he set up the Luxembourg House of Financial Technology to promote fintech and the enhanced digitalisation of the financial centre.
Mr Gramegna is committed to issues related to climate change illustrated by his participation in the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 3 in Kyoto as spokesperson for the EU, COP 23 in Bonn and COP 25 in Madrid as finance minister) and initiatives taken in the field of sustainable finance, including the setting up of a climate finance platform with the European Investment Bank.
From September 2003 to December 2013, Mr Gramegna served as Director General of the Chamber of Commerce of Luxembourg. During that term, Mr Gramegna served for several years as Vice-President of Eurochambres and as Chairperson of Cargolux Airlines from 2004 to 2008 in addition to being a member of several boards, including the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and BGL BNP Paribas Luxembourg SA.
Mr Gramegna held a diplomatic career spanning from April 1983 to August 2003, holding various posts including:

Ambassador of Luxembourg in Japan, also accredited in South Korea, from 1996–2002;
Consul General of Luxembourg in San Francisco from 1993–1996;
Counsellor at the Embassy of Luxembourg in Paris from 1988–1992; and,
Secretary, First Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg from 1983–1988.

Mr Gramegna studied Law and Economics at the University of Paris II (Pantheon-Assas) where he graduated with a degree (Maîtrise) in civil law in 1981 and a degree (licence) in economics in 1982. He also holds a Master of Advanced Studies (DEA) in European Community Law and was awarded the title of Doctor Honoris Causa from the ESCP Business School in Paris and the Sacred Heart University of Luxembourg.

KALIN ANEV JANSE

Chief Financial Officer and Management Board Member

Kalin Anev Janse is the Chief Financial Officer and Member of the Management Board of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) and European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF). He is in charge of the Funding and Investor Relations division responsible for €300 billion of outstanding debt and the Investment and Treasury division investing the €80 billion ESM capital. Additionally, he is in charge of ALM & Financial Structuring overseeing the ESM and EFSF balance sheet.
Before taking on the CFO position, Mr Anev Janse was the Secretary General responsible for amongst others Corporate Governance, Shareholder relations, HR and Finance & Control, and IT & Operations running technology and facilities of the institution. He previously worked in strategy at the European Investment Bank in Luxembourg, corporate finance advisory at McKinsey & Company in the Netherlands and investment banking at JPMorgan in London. He held several political positions in the Netherlands.
Mr Anev Janse studied MSc. Business Administration at the Rotterdam School of Management and Wharton at the University of Pennsylvania. For his undergraduate degree, he studied Business Administration in Finance, Banking and Insurance at the Vrije University Amsterdam. He is Chair of the CFO Community of the World Economic Forum and Executive in Residence at IMD business school. He was a young global leader 2016 of the World Economic Forum.

NICOLA GIAMMARIOLI

Secretary General and Management Board Member

Nicola Giammarioli is Secretary General and a member of the Management Board of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM). He is in charge of Corporate Governance and Internal Policies, Policy Strategy and Institutional Relations and Communications.
Mr Giammarioli joined the EFSF/ESM in 2012 as Head of Strategy and Institutional Relations, responsible for implementing the ESM policy strategy, reviewing and developing ESM instruments, representing the ESM in European and international forums as well as managing relations with credit rating agencies. He also held the role of ESM country team coordinator for Greece between 2015 - 2019 and for Ireland in 2013 - 2014.
Prior to this, Mr. Giammarioli has been an International Monetary Fund (IMF) executive board member, an advisor of the minister, and a director in the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance. He has also held positions of economist and senior economist at the European Central Bank (ECB) in the Directorate General Economics.
Mr. Giammarioli graduated in economics at Bocconi University. He obtained a M.Sc. in quantitative development economics from the University of Warwick, and a Ph.D. in economics from the European University Institute. He has carried out postgraduate studies at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and written articles and economic publications on monetary and fiscal issues.

ROLF STRAUCH

Chief Economist and Management Board Member

Rolf Strauch is Chief Economist and Management Board Member at the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) and the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), which he joined in 2010. Mr Strauch is in charge of the divisions Economic and Market Analysis, Economic Risk Analysis, and Financial Sector and Market Analysis. Overall, he is responsible for economic and financial analysis and policies and the country monitoring work that the two rescue funds undertake. He represents the ESM in the international and European fora. Mr Strauch is also a member in advisory committees of several academic institutions.
Prior to this, Mr Strauch worked at the European Central Bank from 2000–2010 in the Directorate General Economics on fiscal, monetary, and structural policies. He also served previously as an economist at the Deutsche Bundesbank and as a researcher at both the University of Mannheim and the University of Bonn.
Mr Strauch holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Bonn. He is a fellow at the Center for European Integration Studies (ZEI) in Bonn.
He is the author of numerous articles, opeds, blogs posts and economic publications.

JOAO SOUSA GIÃO

General Counsel and Management Board Member

João Sousa Gião is the General Counsel of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM). His responsibilities include all legal matters arising from the work of the ESM and the European Financial Stability Facility. Mr Sousa Gião also supervises the Legal and Compliance department.
After starting his career in a private law firm, Mr Gião joined the European Financial Stability Facility (predecessor of the ESM) in 2011 and, as a member of the Legal division, was responsible for setting up many of the ESM’s processes and policies related to capital markets. From 2017 to 2020 he was a Management Board member of the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM). During the same period, at the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), he was an alternate member of the Board of Supervisors and of the Management Board and chaired the Supervisory Convergence Standing Committee and the Senior Supervisors Forum.
He returned to the ESM as Senior Advisor to the General Counsel, and between September 2022 and September 2023, was also Acting Head of the Legal and Procurement division.
Mr Gião studied law at Lisbon University’s Law School and obtained additional specialisation in management at IMD, Lausanne. He lectures at Coimbra University Law School (Financial Law Institute) and is a published author in the areas of securities law, company law, and corporate governance.

JOSSELIN HEBERT

Senior Business Strategy Officer at the European Stability Mechanism (ESM)

He coordinates efforts to deploy Digital Innovation, and in particular Artificial Intelligence, at the ESM and supports the institution’s management board and extended leadership team in the definition and implementation of the strategy.

Prior to that, Mr. Hebert was Senior Digital Innovation Officer at the ESM, where he designed and implemented the digital innovation strategy of the ESM, exploring how recent technologies may improve the ESM’s work and prepare it for the future. These technologies include artificial intelligence, blockchain, natural language understanding, natural language generation, and automation.

Before joining the ESM, he focused on digital innovation in retail and commercial banking in the private sector.

Mr Hebert holds an MSc in Engineering from Ecole CentraleSupelec, and the ICMA Fixed Income Certificate. He also holds a Lean Six Sigma practitioner and an UX-PM level 2 certificates.

SPEAKERS

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