Victoria Forum Casablanca Round
17-18 February 2025

Saul Klein was a Professor of International Business in the Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria (Canada), where he served as Dean from 2012 to 2023.

Born in Zimbabwe, Saul has had a broad-ranging career spanning developing, developed and transition countries. He holds a BA in Economics from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Israel) and MBA and PhD degrees from the University of Toronto (Canada). From 1996 to 2001, before joining the Gustavson School, he was the SA Breweries Professor of Marketing and International Business at the Wits Business School (South Africa).  Previously, he was a Senior Fellow in Marketing at the National University of Singapore.  He has also held full-time appointments at Wake Forest University and Northeastern University in the United States, and has been a visiting professor at Melbourne Business School (Australia).

Thami GHORFI is President of ESCA School of Management, (an African leading Business School based in Casablanca, Morocco) where he teaches communication strategy and change management. Prof. Thami Ghorfi has developed an expertise on management practices in Morocco and the Maghreb region, in entrepreneurship and change management.

He is advisor to several organizations in the strategic fields, multicultural human resources management and leading change.

Isabelle Valois (B.A. avec spécialisation [développement international], Université de Toronto, 1992) a commencé sa carrière internationale en Colombie et au Malawi. Au Malawi, elle a été associée de programme au sein de l’UNICEF Malawi par l’intermédiaire d’Entraide universitaire mondiale du Canada. Elle a ensuite travaillé dans le secteur non gouvernemental et a siégé à divers conseils d’administration. En 2004, elle s’est jointe à l’Agence canadienne de développement international, où elle a occupé plusieurs postes au sein des directions générales du Moyen-Orient et de l’Afrique du Nord, dont celui de chef des opérations, Moyen-Orient, de 2006 à 2008. De 2009 à 2011, Mme Valois a occupé le poste de conseillère (coopération au développement) pour l’Iraq à l’ambassade en Jordanie et en Iraq. Pendant cette période, elle a également été directrice du Fonds régional pour les droits de la personne et la consolidation de la paix (de 2008 à 2010). De 2011 à 2016, elle a travaillé comme conseillère (coopération au développement) à l’ambassade au Maroc. À l’administration centrale, elle a été directrice de la Direction des citoyens du monde. Plus récemment, elle a été ambassadrice en Uruguay (de 2021 à 2023).

Ava Hill, whose traditional name is Iohahatie, was born on the Six Nations Reserve and is a Mohawk, Wolf Clan. Ava was the Elected Chief of the 56th and 57th Six Nations Elected Council. Prior to holding the Office of the Elected Chief, Ava was a Councillor for District Two for three terms, a total of nine years. After serving for fifteen years as a member of the Six Nations Elected Council, Ava did not seek re-election in 2019.

During her tenure as Chief, Ava represented the Chiefs in Ontario on the Ontario Provincial Cabinet Committee on Poverty Reduction and Social Inclusion up until June 2018.

n the 80s and 90s, Ava spent time working with the Chiefs in Ontario as the Executive Director of the Chiefs in Ontario Office and also at the Assembly of First Nations as the Executive Assistant to the National Chief. Subsequent to her work at the AFN, Ava was the Executive Assistant to the Co-Chair of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples.

Arkebe Oqubay, PhD, is Senior Research Associate at wiiw. He is a Senior Minister and Special Adviser to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia and has been at the centre of policymaking for over thirty years. Dr. Arkebe is a Professor of Practice at University of Johannesburg, and visiting professor to Sciences Po (Paris) and NTU (Singapore). He is an ODI Distinguished Fellow at Overseas Development Institute (a global think tank based in London), UNU-WIDER Honorary Research Fellow, and a research associate at the Centre of African Studies in the University of London. He is the founder of Policy, Research, and Dialogue for Africa which focuses on leading research on Africa and development economics.

Jalloul Ayed (arabe : جلول عياد), né le 6 février 1951 à Khniss, est un banquier, homme politique et compositeur1 tunisien. Il est ministre des Finances de janvier à décembre 2011 au sein du gouvernement d'union nationale de Mohamed Ghannouchi, qui suit la révolution, puis dans celui de Béji Caïd Essebsi.

Jalloul Ayed commence à travailler en tant que directeur général de la filiale tunisienne de la Citibank et directeur des opérations des filiales algérienne et libyenne1. Il devient vice-président de Citicorp en 1987 puis directeur général de Corporate Bank aux Émirats arabes unis en 19881. Il poursuit sa carrière dans les mêmes banques en tant qu'administrateur délégué de Citibank Maghreb à Casablanca (Maroc) et country corporate officer de Citicorp-Citibank au Maroc (1990-1995) puis, à partir de 1996, en tant que senior banker au bureau « division des financements pour l'Europe, l'Afrique et le Moyen-Orient » au sein de Citicorp International Ltd à Londres. Il est directeur général de la Corporate Bank à partir de 2004

Luís Filipe L. Tavares was born in Praia, Cape Verde, on August 25, 1965. He holds degrees in Economic Geography and Political Science from the University of Rouen (France, 1991). Mr. Tavares has had an extensive career in public service and diplomacy, including serving as First Deputy Mayor of Praia (1992), Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Cape Verde (2001), and Director General for Decentralization at the Ministry of Finance and Regional Development (2002). He has been a professor at the University Jean Piaget of Cape Verde since 2003. Mr. Tavares was awarded the title of "Chevalier de l'Ordre National du Mérite" by the President of France in 2008.

He was elected Vice-President of the Movement for Democracy (MpD) in 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2023, and has served as a Member of the National Assembly since 2016. Mr. Tavares was Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defense from 2016 to 2021. Since 2022, he has been an international consultant specializing in diplomacy, defense, peace, and security.

The first major time Mohamud introduced himself into the Somali political landscape was in 2017, when he ran to be President of Somalia, in which he did not succeed.

On 19 November 2020, Mohamud was appointed to become the new Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Somalia by then Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble,[3] and on 25 November was officially sworn in.[3] Three days later on 28 November, Mohamud took over the responsibilities of the job from his predecessor Ahmed Isse Awad.

As Minister, Mohamud was regarded as an "outspoken" political figure, conducting multiple meetings and talks with Somalia's allies, most notably including the African Union, China, Kenya, Kuwait, Qatar, Turkey, the United Nations, and the United States.

Professor Bukola Salami received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Windsor, Master of Nursing from the University of Toronto, and PhD in Nursing from the University of Toronto. In July 2023, she became a Professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine. In December 2023, she became Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Black and Racialized Peoples Health at the Cumming School of Medicine. She is also cross appointed to the Faculty of Nursing and she is also a member of the O’Brien Institute for Public Health. Previously, she held the rank of Full Professor in the Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta. She is the former Director of the Intersections of Gender Signature Area in the Office of the Vice President Research at the University of Alberta (September 2021 to March 2023). She co-lead the creation of the Institute for Intersectionality Studies at the University of Alberta.

Prof. Jaafar Heikel is a renowned epidemiologist, public health expert, and health economist. He currently serves as the Director of the Laboratory of Medical Evaluation and Health Economics at the International School of Public Health in Morocco and is the President of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the International University of Casablanca. He is also a researcher in Health Economics at Sorbonne Paris North University.

His expertise encompasses epidemiology, public health, and health economics. His expertise in infectious diseases, health economics, and public health makes him a sought-after consultant for international organizations like the WHO and the World Bank.

With a robust portfolio of over 235 scientific publications and communications, Prof. Heikel is a prolific contributor to the academic and medical communities.

Kenza Zerrou is a leading expert in innovative finance, specializing in the development of financial strategies and instruments that synchronize public and private capital to strengthen domestic funding initiatives. With a proven track record in designing and launching pioneering financing platforms, Kenza successfully established the first financial platform supporting Primary Health Care (PHC), bringing together multilateral development banks and the World Health Organization (WHO) to mobilize greater investments at the country level. This initiative leverages WHO’s expertise to enhance coordination, minimize fragmentation, and maximize impact.
At WHO, Kenza founded the Innovative Finance Unit, laying the groundwork for new financial instruments designed around key performance indicators (KPIs) and blended financing models. These efforts have enabled the creation of sustainable, results-driven funding mechanisms that optimize resources for global health priorities.
Beyond WHO, Kenza has extensive experience managing and overseeing cross-sectoral programs in collaboration with key international partners, including the OECD, ILO, EIB, EU, FAO, and OIE. A key driver of resource mobilization and strategic partnerships, she has played a pivotal role in securing funding for innovative finance projects spanning health, education, energy and employment.

Recognized for her ability to bridge policy and investment, Kenza has also led the organization of high-level policy dialogues, international conferences, and donor forums, advancing discussions and fundraising efforts in innovative finance. Her work continues to shape sustainable finance strategies that drive systemic impact at a global scale.

Dr. Saverio Stranges is currently Professor and Chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics within the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University in Canada. He holds cross-appointments as Professor in the Departments of Family Medicine and Medicine. At Western University, he is also Director of the Africa Institute. Dr. Stranges completed his medical education in 1996 (cum laude), and specialty training in Preventive and Public Health Medicine in 2000 at the University of Naples Federico II in Italy. He then completed the requirements for a PhD Program in Epidemiology and Environmental Health in the Department of Epidemiology & Environmental Health at the State University of New York at Buffalo in 2004. In 2005, Dr. Stranges began his academic career as an Assistant Professor at SUNY Buffalo. Thereafter, he was an Associate Clinical Professor of Cardiovascular Epidemiology in the Division of Health Sciences at the University of Warwick in the UK. Prior to his appointment at Western University, he worked as Scientific Director of the Department of Population Health within the Luxembourg Institute of Health.

Lahcen Haddad has been Minister of Tourism with the Government of Morocco between 2012 and 2016. As Minister, he has overseen the shift of Morocco towards becoming a leading destination in the Mediterranean, Africa and the Middle East and a reference country with regards to sustainable tourism. Before joining the Government in January 2012, Dr. Haddad worked as an international expert in strategic studies, democracy, governance and development, and as a certified expert in strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation, diversity and entrepreneurship.

A senior executive with more than 22 years of experience in various sectors of private and public business activity, from petroleum and gas, telecommunications, television and manufacturing.

Visionary and creative, with a positive attitude and firm commitment to excellence. High-sought for his expertise in organizational change management, António achieves best results with an open and entrepreneurial leadership style. He is highly effective in planning, negotiation and intercultural communication, as well as applies problem-solving techniques towards process management.

Dr. Balgis Osman Elasha is a Climate Change and Green Growth Expert with African Development Bank. Osman-Elasha’s work has received global attention. A lead author of the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports, she was among a select few to represent the group in 2007 in Oslo to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, next to Al Gore. The following year, she was awarded the UN’s Champions of the Earth Prize.

The US State Department invited her to the United States in 2008 to take part in a science diplomacy programme, where she gave lectures on climate change at several American universities. Balgis Osman Elasha holds a PhD in Forestry Science, Master in Environmental Science and a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) with honor in Forestry and Agricultural Science.

Melanie has a PhD in Educational Communication and Technology (Focus on Health Promotion), a Master’s Degree in Sociology (Focus on health )and a Bachelor’s Degree in Education (Nutrition and Human Ecology). Melanie N. Katsivo leads the effective implementation and embedding of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) tactics and strategies for the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. She oversees EDI related projects, provides guidance and advice on best practices and collaborates with a wide range of stakeholders to identify key areas of activity and build a commitment for change. Dr. Katsivo is also the Associate Director of Partnerships and Programs for the Africa Institute at Western University, a role that is complimentary and supportive to the EDID goals of the School. She is currently leading a Global Skills Opportunities project that is funded by Employment and Skills Development Canada, which will offer a foundational certificate in EDIDI (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Decolonization and Indigeneity) as well as international experiential learning opportunities, to 102 under-represented, equity –seeking undergraduate students in health professions programs at Western University and the University of Manitoba. Dr. Katsivo is engaged in several active research projects as a Member of the Western Center for Climate Change, Sustainable Livelihoods and Health, as well as of a Western Strategic Priority Project, titled Frugal Biomedical Innovations Program.

Elle est née à Tanger1. Elle obtient un diplôme d'ingénieur spécialisé en environnement et en développement territorial à l'École Mohammadia d'ingénieurs, ainsi qu'un diplôme en gestion des entreprises à l'Institut supérieur de commerce et d'administration des entreprises2 et un diplôme en gestion des ressources en eau de l'université Mohammed-V de Rabat

Elle est membre du conseil national du Mouvement populaire, un parti de droite d'idéologie berbériste. Elle est élue en juillet 2019 à la tête de l'Organisation de la femme harakie, la branche féminine du Mouvement populaire

Elle est aussi présidente d'une ONG, Connecting Group International, qui promeut l'égalité des chances et la parité, notamment dans les institutions et lieux de pouvoir

Le 9 octobre 2019, elle rejoint le gouvernement El Otmani II au poste de ministre de l'Aménagement du territoire national, de l'Urbanisme, de l'Habitat et de la Politique de la ville, succédant à Abdelahad Fassi Fihri. Fatima-Zahra Mansouri prend sa suite le 7 octobre 2021.

Rihab ABBA holds a Ph.D. in advertising speech from Hassan II University in Mohammedia, as well as a postgraduate diploma in French language and literature.
From 2001 to 2004, Dr Rihab ABBA worked as a program manager at the Afrique Challenge office for continuing education, then as general manager of Capermar, two subsidiaries in Morocco of the COGEFI Afrique group. She was head of the educational department at ESCA Ecole de Management Casablanca from 2004 to 2006.
Dr Rihab ABBA has been teaching communication and management courses since 1999. His areas of expertise are business communication, problem solving and complexity management.

In 2017, jointly with co-author Dr Zoulikha MAAROUFI, she received the award for the best case study in the TEMPUS PORFIRE project, a multi-country joint project funded by the European Union. The same year, Dr. Rihab ABBA received the prize for best innovation in education at ESCA Ecole de Management.

Dr Rihab ABBA is a faculty member and researcher at ESCA School of Management, where she is also in charge of the international business program.

This individual is not a direct affiliate of the Policy Center for the New South. They have contributed to one or more of our events, publications, or projects. Please contact the individual at their home institution.

Mr Abdou Souleye Diop is Partner of Mazars, a leading international audit, tax and advisory firm. He is the Managing Partner of Mazars in Morocco, member of the Board of Mazars in Africa and the Middle East and he is in charge of the Business Development of the Group in this region. Mr Diop has been practicing for over thirty years in advisory and audit across the african continent for governments, public interest companies or large corporates and international donors on strategic subjects, sector reforms or development policies. He also accompanies numerous moroccan companies in their development on the African continent such as banks, insurance companies, telecom companies, industrials, real estate companies… Mr Diop is the Chairman of the committee chair "Africa" of CGEM, the moroccan employers. He is in charge of strengthening economic relations between Morocco and its partners on the continent.

Driss Benomar has a diverse career spanning public administration, diplomacy, economic development, and business leadership. He served as Cabinet Advisor and Director of International Cooperation at Morocco’s Ministry of the Interior, representing Morocco in Homeland Security at the European Council. In 2014, he founded the Atlantis Center for Research and Geostrategic Studies, focusing on economic development, energy, and security. He chairs the Economic Intelligence Committee at the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) and the Moroccan-Singapore Business Council, fostering trade partnerships. He also coordinates the CGEM-ASEAN alliance, promoting economic links and opportunities between Morocco and Southeast Asia.

Mohamed Abdirizak is a former minister of foreign affairs in Somalia. He previously also served as Senior Advisor to two presidents. He is a member of the UN Central Emergency Response Fund advisory group.
As the Managing Director of the Platform for Political Dialogue and Accommodation in Somalia, Mohamed led an initiative that engaged with Somali leaders and the public to help formulate options for addressing outstanding constitutional questions.
As a country director for the National Democratic Institute (NDI), he led a team of experts who contributed to the efforts that ended the transitional period in Somalia by vigorously supporting and promoting the development and adoption of Somalia’s provisional constitution.
As a senior political advisor to the UN-SRSG for Somalia, Mohamed played an active role in the Djibouti peace process, helping facilitate an agreement that paved the way for the second Transitional Federal Government.
Mr. Abdirizak has a master’s in international relations from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).

Luís Filipe L. Tavares was born in Praia, Cape Verde, on August 25, 1965. He holds degrees in Economic Geography and Political Science from the University of Rouen (France, 1991). Mr. Tavares has had an extensive career in public service and diplomacy, including serving as First Deputy Mayor of Praia (1992), Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Cape Verde (2001), and Director General for Decentralization at the Ministry of Finance and Regional Development (2002). He has been a professor at the University Jean Piaget of Cape Verde since 2003. Mr. Tavares was awarded the title of "Chevalier de l'Ordre National du Mérite" by the President of France in 2008.

He was elected Vice-President of the Movement for Democracy (MpD) in 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2023, and has served as a Member of the National Assembly since 2016. Mr. Tavares was Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defense from 2016 to 2021. Since 2022, he has been an international consultant specializing in diplomacy, defense, peace, and security.

Saul Klein was a Professor of International Business in the Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria (Canada), where he served as Dean from 2012 to 2023.

Born in Zimbabwe, Saul has had a broad-ranging career spanning developing, developed and transition countries. He holds a BA in Economics from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Israel) and MBA and PhD degrees from the University of Toronto (Canada). From 1996 to 2001, before joining the Gustavson School, he was the SA Breweries Professor of Marketing and International Business at the Wits Business School (South Africa). Previously, he was a Senior Fellow in Marketing at the National University of Singapore. He has also held full-time appointments at Wake Forest University and Northeastern University in the United States, and has been a visiting professor at Melbourne Business School (Australia).