Name: Iternational Impact Forum
Price range: $

Dr. Othmar Karas

Former First Vice-President of the European Parliament

Dr. Othmar Karas is the former First Vice-President of the European Parliament and a prominent figure in European policymaking. He is a strong advocate for sustainability and climate action, frequently delivering keynote speeches at international conferences and policy forums. His insights are highly valued in discussions on the future of Europe and the global green transition.

Abdulaziz Alobaidli

COO Masdar

Abdulaziz Alobaidli currently serves as Chief Operating Officer at Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company), where he oversees the execution and operations of the company’s renewable energy portfolio, as well as its engineering, supply chain, and energy services.

Before rejoining Masdar, he led domestic power and water generation at TAQA, managing a portfolio of 22.4 gigawatts and more than 1,120 million imperial gallons per day.

Earlier in his career, Alobaidli was General Manager at Masdar’s subsidiary Shams Power Company from 2015 to 2018 and played a key role in landmark projects such as Shams 1 CSP, Noor Abu Dhabi PV, and Al Dhafra PV.

He holds a B.Sc in Mechanical Engineering from UAE University and an M.Sc in Energy Engineering (with specialization in power plant technology) from RWTH Aachen University, Germany.

Tim Nixdorff

CEO IIF

Tim Nixdorff is the CEO of the International Impact Forum (IIF), a global platform connecting leaders from business, finance, science, and policy to accelerate sustainable transformation.

Under his leadership, the IIF has evolved into a catalyst for collaboration — bridging ideas, investments, and innovations that drive measurable impact.

Tim’s work focuses on translating complex sustainability goals into actionable strategies. Through high-level forums, partnerships, and thought leadership, he creates dialogue that leads to tangible progress across sectors such as energy, water, finance, and health.

With a clear belief that transformation happens where purpose meets performance, Tim Nixdorff embodies the Forum’s mission: to turn global challenges into collective opportunities for a sustainable future.

Anahita Thoms

Partner, Baker McKenzie. Sustainability & Trade Expert

Anahita Thoms is a Partner at Baker McKenzie, where she leads the German International Trade Practice and serves as the Global Lead Sustainability Partner for the Industrials, Manufacturing & Transportation Industry Group. She is a recognized expert in sustainability, compliance, and international trade law, advising on complex regulatory issues and corporate governance. Anahita is a sought-after speaker at international conferences, sharing insights on sustainability, human rights, and ethical business practices. Her contributions have been acknowledged with numerous accolades, including being named one of the "100 Most Influential Women in German Business" by manager magazin and a "Young Global Leader" by the World Economic Forum.

Ole Nixdorff

CEO DN Group AG

Ole Nixdorff is the CEO of DN Group AG, a listed impact investment firm based in Frankfurt. Under his leadership, the company acts as an anchor investor in sustainable businesses and supports them in scaling through access to capital markets. His work bridges the worlds of finance, sustainability, and innovation, driving forward the transition to a purpose-driven economy. Ole is a frequent speaker on topics such as impact investing, ESG strategy, and the role of private capital in accelerating global transformation.

Solveig Andres Nicklos

Senior Advisor & Transformation Leader at Zayed University

Solveig Andres Nicklos is the Founder and Managing Director of X.0 Consulting, a boutique advisory firm that designs and delivers large-scale transformation strategies across education, government, and enterprise ecosystems in the GCC and beyond. Her work focuses on aligning human capital, institutional design, and innovation to accelerate national and organizational competitiveness in the era of AI and climate transition.
With over 25 years of executive experience including roles as CEO, COO, and Chief Transformation Officer. Solveig has led multi-billion-dollar reform and turnaround programs across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain. Her firm, X.0 Consulting, partners with governments, universities, and industry to bridge policy, finance, and talent development helping build the connective infrastructure for impact economies.

Costas Papaikonomou

Chief Investment Officer, Una Terra

Costas Papaikonomou is a serial entrepreneur and impact investor passionate about driving sustainable innovation.
He co-founded the global innovation agency Happen, later acquired by Accenture, and has advised leading consumer brands on growth and transformation.Today, he focuses on accelerating scalable solutions that combine environmental impact with strong business performance — fostering a future where sustainability and profitability go hand in hand.

Kelsey Warner

Gulf Reporter, Semafor

Kelsey Warner is a UAE-based journalist with nearly a decade of experience covering technology, finance, power dynamics, and innovation across the Gulf region. She was part of the launch team for Semafor Gulf and has reported on topics such as AI ambitions in Saudi Arabia and UAE investment expansions.

Prior to joining Semafor, she launched The Daily Circuit, which tracked deal flow across the Middle East, and served as Future Editor at The National. A graduate of the Columbia School of Journalism, she currently lives in Abu Dhabi with her family.

Prof. Dr. Holger Till

Professor at the Medical University of Graz

Prof. Dr. Holger Till is a renowned pediatric surgeon and professor at the Medical University of Graz, where he leads the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Surgery. He is internationally recognized for his contributions to minimally invasive surgery, pediatric oncology, and surgical innovation. As a leading voice in academic medicine, he actively promotes medical research, sustainability in healthcare, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Prof. Till frequently speaks at global medical and scientific conferences, sharing insights on the future of pediatric care and innovation in surgical practice.

Hiba Larsson

Investment Partner at Naia Trust

Hiba Larsson leads investment activities at Naia Trust, bringing over 18 years of international experience at the intersection of nature, entrepreneurship, and finance. She has lived and worked in Stockholm, London, Sydney, and Abu Dhabi, and previously held roles such as COO Middle East at Respira International, Investment Director at New Hope Group and UBS, and CEO of Bydand Ag Partners.

She also advises Tehanu, a platform promoting circular flows between nature and finance; serves on the UAE angel network FalconValley; and acts as a senior advisor to NatureFinance, a Swiss environmental NGO.

Under her leadership, Naia Trust invests strategically to catalyze ecological renewal and drive capital toward regenerative projects in harmony with nature’s cycles.

Vriko Yu

CEO Archireef

Vriko Yu is a marine conservation technologist and entrepreneur leading Archireef, a nature-tech company that restores coral ecosystems using 3D-printed reef tiles and pioneering marine biodiversity credit systems. She has over a decade of hands-on experience in coral restoration and co-invented Archireef’s flagship “reef tile” solution.

Under her leadership, Archireef aims to restore 125 hectares of marine ecosystems by 2030, deploying scalable nature-based solutions and forging a bridge between science and finance. Vriko also holds roles on environmental committees in Hong Kong (e.g. for WWF-HK and marine protected areas) and contributes to environmental policy and education efforts.

With a base in Hong Kong and operations expanding into Abu Dhabi, she embodies the vision of using technology, nature, and entrepreneurship to tackle climate challenges and restore underwater ecosystems globally.

Hanno Schädel

Save the Water

Hanno Schädel is a visionary entrepreneur and sustainability advocate with a deep commitment to environmental stewardship — particularly in the preservation and responsible use of water resources. As Managing Partner and Founder of IISII AG, he drives initiatives that align financial innovation with ecological responsibility, fostering measurable impact through sustainable investment frameworks.

With his forward-thinking mindset and passion for change, Hanno empowers organizations and investors to channel capital toward projects that protect natural ecosystems and create long-term value for both people and the planet.

Doran Binder

Owner & Founder Crag Spring Water

Doran Binder is a water entrepreneur and certified water sommelier who discovered the high-quality spring beneath the Crag Inn pub in England. He founded Crag Spring Water in Wildboarclough, bottling still and sparkling water in reusable glass bottles to minimize environmental impact.

Under his leadership, Crag emphasizes sustainability, local sourcing, and circular practices — collecting, washing, and reusing bottles to reduce plastic waste. Doran is known as the “Bearded Water Sommelier,” passionately educating audiences about the value of premium water and hydration.

Mohamed Mostafa Elbadawy

Executive Director, Risk and Compliance Khalifa University Enterprises Company

OCTOBER 21, 2025

Abu Dhabi Edition

A City Built for the Future

Tim Nixdorff

Dr. Othmar Karas

Anahita Thoms

Panel Discussion

Coffee Break & Networking

Ole Nixdorff

Mohamed Mostafa Elbadawy

Costas Papaikonomou

Panel Discussion

Lunch Break & Networking

Prof. Dr. Holger Till

Vriko Yu

Hanno Schädel

Panel Discussion

Coffee Break & Networking

Doran Binder

Tim Nixdorff

Closing IIF 25 Abu Dhabi Edition & Networking

ROSEWOOD

A place where visions come to life

Vienna

Monaco

Frankfurt am Main

Dr. Othmar Karas

Abdulaziz Alobaidli

Tim Nixdorff

Anahita Thoms

Ole Nixdorff

Solveig Andres Nicklos

Costas Papaikonomou

Kelsey Warner

Prof. Dr. Holger Till

Hiba Larsson

Vriko Yu

Hanno Schädel

Doran Binder

Mohamed Mostafa Elbadawy