WASHINGTON – BAFT, the leading global financial services association for international transaction banking, today announced the graduates of its Future Leaders program class of 2023. The program – now completing its eighth year – recognizes upcoming leaders in the global transaction banking industry. The Future Leader graduates were honored at an in-person ceremony in San Francisco on May 2 as part of BAFT’s 2023 Global Annual Meeting.
Nominated by their respective institutions, the class of 2023 included 38 individuals from 20 countries across six continents representing a variety of disciplines within transaction banking. This year’s group was divided into five project teams to address current industry issues and priorities including developing a hub banking concept, banking in the metaverse, sustainability, fraud in trade finance, and a future of transaction banking business model.
“Congratulations to the 2023 graduating class of Future Leaders,” said Tod Burwell, president and CEO, BAFT. “We are grateful for your impactful work and know that you will continue to drive the transaction banking industry forward through your leadership.”
BAFT congratulates the following graduates from the class of 2023:
- Adriana Seidl, Deutsche Bank AG
- Adrien Laniau, Société Générale
- Ahmad Muhaisen, Arab Bank
- Ambar Mardikar, Scotiabank
- Amresh Jagessar, ING Bank N.V.
- Anathi Mkhize, ABSA CIB
- Anna Ries, UniCredit S.p.A.
- Beatrice Cheng, Standard Chartered
- Celina Andrioti, JP Morgan
- Charlotte Fryer, JP Morgan
- Colin Allshouse, Bank of America
- Dipika Surana, Bank of America
- Elcin Onat, Citibank
- Haitham Hassan, African Export-Import bank
- Ines Weibel, UBS Switzerland AG
- Jason Haley, BMO Capital Markets
- Johnny Chung, BNY Mellon
- Jorge Gomez, BNY Mellon
- Marko Motika, StoneX
- Maxwell Chesky, MUFG
- Melinda Jih, HSBC
- Mouloud Bouaziz, Credit Agricole CIB
- Natalie Patura, PNC Bank NA
- Natasa Pudic, ING Bank N.V.
- Neslihan Gökmen, Danske Bank
- Nicholas Lewis, Barclays
- Paolina Stoilova, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA)
- Pia Reyes, American International Group (AIG)
- Rebecca Connor, PNC Bank NA
- Sabri Riache, Deutsche Bank AG
- Samer Mansour, Housing Bank for Trade and Finance
- Sarah Zedar, KeyBank National Association
- Sue Ellen Hearn, Royal Bank of Canada
- Swati Shahani, Barclays
- Tebogo Phosiwa, Rand Merchant Bank
- Weaam Muaddi, Arab Bank
- Yasemin Ozcan, BNP Paribas SA
- Zachary Byrne, Deloitte
For more information on the Future Leaders program, including eligibility requirements, timing, and access to the project team research papers, please visit BAFT.org. The application submissions for the class of 2024 will start in late summer/early fall.
About BAFT
BAFT, the leading global financial services association for international transaction banking, helps bridge solutions across financial institutions, service providers and the regulatory community that promote sound financial practices enabling innovation, efficiency, and commercial growth. BAFT engages on a wide range of topics affecting transaction banking, including trade finance, payments, and compliance. The association website is www.baft.org.
