speakers

Nir Barkat is an entrepreneur, former Mayor of
Jerusalem, Minister of Economy and Industry, and
a Member of the Knesset from the Likud party.
Barkat holds a BA in computer science from the
Hebrew University of Jerusalem. While in
university, Barkat, together with several friends,
created one of the world’s first antivirus
technologies and went on to establish BRM, a
leading Israeli investment fund. Barkat is a founder and the first chairman of the board of
CheckPoint Technologies, an Israeli cyber security giant.
In 2001, he began his philanthropic activity with several educational and social ventures
focused on web-based education and high-tech entrepreneurship. Ventures founded by
Barkat include the Snunit Center for the Advancement of Web-Based Learning, which
integrates technology into education, and IVN (the Israel Venture Network) for nurturing
social businesses. Along with students from Jerusalem, he founded New Spirit, which
focuses on inspiring youth in Jerusalem.
Between 2003 and 2008, Barkat served as opposition chairman on the Jerusalem City
Council, after which he was elected mayor, remaining in that position for a decade. During
Barkat’s tenure, Jerusalem changed dramatically. Young people returned to the city, hi-tech
companies opened offices in the capital, visits of foreign and local tourists increased,
education and academia reassumed leadership, and national and international culture and
sporting events filled the city’s venues and streets. As a result of his efforts, Jerusalem
showed some of the most significant growth in the world in terms of tourism and the hi-tech
industry and was the leading Israeli city in new business openings.
In 2019, Barkat was elected to the Knesset from the high ranks of the Likud party. In 2022,
Barkat was appointed Minister of Economy and Industry of the State of Israel.
Barkat did his military service in the Paratroopers Corps. He was injured during an operation
in southern Lebanon, yet insisted afterward on returning to the army, becoming a platoon
commander in Battalion 890 and taking part in the First Lebanon War.
Barkat takes no salary for his public service beyond a token of one shekel annually.
Barkat is married to Beverly. He is the father of three daughters and a lifelong Jerusalemite.

Mr. Yossi Shelley, Director General of the Prime Minister’s Office

Yossi Shelley is the Director General of the Prime Minister’s Office. 

Between 2016 and 2021, he served as Israel’s Ambassador to Brazil. In 2010, he was the CEO of YSB – the Ya’acobi Brothers Group.

In 2002 he was appointed Chairman of the Postal Authority and Acting Director General of the Israel Post, and in 2004, he was officially appointed Director General of the Israel Post. In 1990 he joined the Be’er Sheva Municipality, where he held several positions, including Director of Asset Administration and Director of Human Resources, following which he was appointed Director General of Local Government Economic Services Ltd. (Mashcal), where he served until 1998.

In addition, over the years, Mr. Shelley has served on numerous boards of directors for public and private entities.

Attilio Fontana was born in Varese on 28 March 1952, father of three children – Maria Cristina, Giovanni and Marzia – criminal lawyer and owner of a law firm in Varese since 1980, he graduated in law in 1975 from the University of Milan. During his professional career he was conciliator of Induno Olona and Honorary Deputy Magistrate in Gavirate. From 2009 to 2017 he was a member of the Board of Directors and Deputy Vice President of Fiera Milano.

His political activity began with the Lega Nord Party, from 1995 to 1999 he was mayor of the municipality of Induno Olona; he then became regional councillor of Lombardy and President of the Regional Council from 2000 to 2005. Re-elected councillor in 2005, he was also confirmed as President of the Regional Council until 2006, when he ran for mayor of Varese. He was elected in the first round in 2006 and confirmed in 2011, in these years he also held the position of President of ANCI Lombardia (from 2009 to 2014).

In 2018 he was elected, for the center-right coalition, President of the Lombardy Region with 49.75% of the votes and confirmed in the regional elections of 12 and 13 February 2023, with 54.65% of the votes.

Young Tae Kim is the Secretary-General of the International Transport Forum (ITF). He was re-elected for a second term by the transport ministers of ITF member countries at their Annual Summit on 19 May 2022. He took office in his first term as Secretary-General in August 2017. Prior to his election as ITF Secretary-General, Dr Kim distinguished himself in the civil service of his native Korea, most recently serving as Director General in the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT). As Deputy Director-General from 2015, he was responsible for co-ordinating various transport policies including on autonomous vehicle, greenhouse gas reduction, urban transport, Intelligent Transport Systems and road safety, among others.

After joining the MOLIT in 1994 as Deputy Director for Urban Transport, Dr Kim also held several Deputy Director and Director positions with responsibility for housing welfare, integrated city development and overseas infrastructure construction. He was seconded to the Prime Minister’s Commission on Administrative Reform in 1996 and the Presidential Committee on Social Inclusion in 2005-2007. From 2010 to 2014, Dr Kim worked in Washington, D.C., as Counsellor for Construction, Transport and Maritime Affairs at the Korean Embassy.

Dr Kim earned his Master’s degrees in Public Policy from Seoul National University, Korea, and in Urban Studies from Paris University de Vincennes-Saint-Denis, France.

He also received his Doctorate degree in Political Sociology and Public Policy from the Institut d’Etudes Politiques (Sciences-Po), Paris, France

As Managing Director, Mike is responsible for shaping the strategic direction of InMotion Ventures, leading new deals and aligning fund activities with Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) transformation plans.

Mike joined InMotion from Chery Jaguar Land Rover, a Shanghai-based joint venture between JLR and Chinese car manufacturer Chery Automobile Co., where he was the Vice President of Finance. Prior to joining the OEM , he was Commercial Finance Director within the Global Brands division of Walgreens Boots Alliance, a cross-functional team responsible for launching new brands, products, and services in existing and new territories. He brings a wealth of experience enabling growth in multinational environments, and is well versed in managing the often complex relationship between large corporations and disruptive high-growth business units.

As Chief Mobility Officer for the state of Michigan, Justine leads the state’s Office of Future Mobility and Electrification in working across state government, academia, and private industry to enhance Michigan’s mobility ecosystem, including developing dynamic mobility and electrification policies and supporting the startup and scale-up of emerging mobility technologies and businesses. Justine plays a critical role in driving a first-of-its-kind partnership between the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Department of Labor and Opportunity, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, and the Governor’s Office.

Jim serves as Corporate President and is a member of the Board of Directors for HNTB Corporation, providing financial, policy, and legal advisory to transportation executives for strategic management of capital assets and infrastructure investment. With more than two decades of practice in national and international business and government, Jim guides clients in critical decision-making with his extensive experience working within and shaping regulatory and operational frameworks.

Specialties include innovative project delivery, intelligent transportation solutions, and deployment of data for systematic transformation. Jim’s unique depth of knowledge includes leveraging funding and financing tools such as private capital, municipal debt, and government financing to design and deliver large-scale and mission-critical projects. Jim is a recognized thought leader and a frequent speaker on present-day and future-looking infrastructure matters, including emerging trends and disruptive technologies, shifts in urban mobility, transit-oriented development, and innovative finance.

Prior to HNTB, Jim served as former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao’s Senior Advisor for Infrastructure, Acting Administrator for the Federal Highway Administration and Deputy General Counsel for the White House Office of Management and Budget.

Jim currently serves on the Board of Directors for ESS.

Mr. Conor Chia-hung Yang joined Ehang’s Board of Directors in December 2019 and as Ehang’s chief financial officer since September 2023. From 2007 to 2023, Mr. Yang served in several chief financial officer positions, including Tuniu Corporation (Nasdaq: TOUR), E-Commerce China Dangdang Inc., and AirMedia Group Inc. Mr. Yang was the chief executive officer of Rock Mobile Corporation from 2004 to 2007 and the chief financial officer of the Asia Pacific region for CellStar Asia Corporation from 1999 to 2004. Before that, Mr. Yang was a senior banker at Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C., Lehman Brothers Asia Limited, and Morgan Stanley Asia Limited from 1992 to 1999. Mr. Yang currently also serves as an independent director of I-Mab (Nasdaq: IMAB), iQIYI, Inc. (Nasdaq: IQ), Tongcheng Travel Holdings Limited (HKSE: 0780), UP Fintech Holding Ltd (Nasdaq: TIGR) and Smart Share Global Limited (Nasdaq: EM). Mr. Yang received his master’s degree in business administration from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Gregory Davis is President and CEO of Eviation Aircraft, a global manufacturer of all-electric aircraft. As a licensed commercial pilot and skilled engineer, Gregory brings an in-depth understanding and true passion for the industry to Eviation. 

Gregory has extensive experience in the aerospace industry with over 15 years of progressive leadership roles in aircraft production including manufacturing, engineering and quality in running the Twin Otter assembly plant. Prior to Eviation, Gregory served as Vice President of Customer Service and Product Support for Viking Air Limited, a global leader in utility aircraft services and manufacturer of Series 400 and Guardian 400 Twin Otter aircraft. Before that, he served in an engineering role at Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group, one of the largest privately owned and independent aerospace and defense companies. Under Gregory’s leadership, Eviation is building a new category of aircraft that challenges the limits of air travel and creates new market opportunities. 

Gregory holds a Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from Carleton University, and an MBA from the University of Calgary.

Dr Angelika Berger-Sodian is a business builder and entrepreneurial leader at the forefront of the global mobility revolution. Having served on several automotive / mobility leadership boards (including NIO and most recently B-ON), Angelika possesses extensive experience in designing and building businesses in a transformative way, scaling startups globally and crafting brand and equity stories internationally. Angelika is driven by a desire to develop ambitious organisations for the future, which not only is reflected in her leadership style, but also in her publications and key notes. Her deep experience within the Chinese entrepreneurial mobility ecosystem provides her with an additional unique perspective. Angelika is Austrian by passport and a global citizen by conviction. She is currently serving as CEO and Chairwoman of the Board at the “Portuguese Stealth Mode Mobility Startup” and lives in Lisbon, Portugal. 

The CEO of Ayalon Highway Company, in office as of 2022, is an architect by training and as a Brigadier General (Res.), Orly Stern previously held many positions in the IDF and the Ministry of Defense. Until 2020, she was the head of Construction Systems in the IDF and served as the deputy director of the Engineering and Construction Division in the Ministry of Defense. Among her duties in the IDF and the Ministry of Defense, she designed and managed projects amounting of billions of shekels as well as heading up the operations of several functional headquarter units in the IDF.

Baerte de Brey works at Stedin, a Dutch DSO. Responsible for analyzing the long-term effect of electric mobility on the electricity grids, Baerte helps build a sustainable business case around this transition. This includes vehicle2grids, solving regulatory barriers, and cyber security. He graduated from Leiden University in 2001 with a law degree and received an MBA from Nyenrode Business University in 2006. 

On behalf of Stedin, he is one of the executive board members of ElaadNL. ElaadNL is a collaboration of the Dutch DSO’s and the knowledge and innovation center in the (smart) charging infrastructure field. As an expert for the European Commission, he sometimes reviews collective European programs concerning EV interoperability and smart charging. In his spare time, he is vice-president of Avere, the European E-mobility association.

Benjamin Krieger has worked in EU policy and communications for the past 15 years, with positions in the European Parliament, as a consultant, and as part of the CLEPA team.

Mr. Krieger assumed the role of CLEPA Secretary General as of 1 September 2022. Working closely with the team, members, and key stakeholders, he aims to ensure that the EU policy community embrace the CLEPA vision to be the leading provider of innovative technologies and solutions for safe, sustainable and smart mobility around the world.

Preceding his role of Secretary General, Mr. Krieger led Government Affairs for CLEPA. Before joining CLEPA, he advised clients on public affairs and strategic communications, working across a broad range of topics at the intersection of industry, sustainability, digitalisation, and trade for businesses and associations across different sectors.

A journalist by training, Benjamin started his career in the European Parliament, first managing the office of a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and later becoming the spokesperson to a delegation of 12 MEPs.

Originally from Germany, Mr. Krieger speaks English, German and French.

Along with holding vast experience in leading several startups, Oren has managed large-scale multidisciplinary projects for major international companies. Oren held a senior position as a chief electronic engineer and head of the R&D department at Elop (a division of Elbit Systems) while managing dozens of projects such as missile tracking systems, thermal imaging systems, and laser systems.

Oren holds an M.Sc Magna Cum Lauda in Electrical Engineering, specializing in signal and video processing.

Eric Xu, Vice President of Xpeng Motors, responsible for Corporate Strategy, Finance and leading the
international business. Eric graduated from Tsinghua University with Master’s degree in Quantitative Economics. Before joining Xpeng, he worked for Mckinsey and China Resources Group, accumulated rich project
experience and management experience in various industries and fields. His rich and professional experience are now leading Xpeng international business Team to expand
global market.

Paul Wu is the founder and CEO of Carota.

Carota ’s vision is to become a core supplier of connected car services between China and the rest of the world, serving various IoV application scenarios of vehicles, remote diagnostic services before serial problems occur, audio-visual entertainment platform, map navigation platform, EV battery energy management platform, ADAS automatic driving service, etc., and engage the car payment service when time is ripe.

Paul is the founder of General Mobile and the co-founder of the MOX mobile accelerator, focusing on emerging new projects in related industries. Paul has served as CEO of Pocketnet Tech., a mobile digital content provider, and has also served MediaTek, Hon Hai Foxconn Technology Group and Hong Kong Hutchison Whampoa’s TOM Group.

Paul graduated from the Department of Agricultural Economics of Taiwan University and obtained an MBA degree from RSM Rotterdam Business School in the Netherlands.

Jessica Uguccioni joined UK Government’s Department for Transport in March 2023 in the joint policy unit responsible for self-driving vehicle technologies (the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, part of Claire Wren’s Future Transport Systems and Environment directorate). Her portfolio includes trials without a safety driver in the vehicle and supporting the implementation of the regulatory changes recommended in the Law Commissions’ Automated Vehicles report, for which she was the lead lawyer from 2018 to 2022. Before joining the civil service, she was a lecturer in Law at Durham University and an associate at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton in New York and London

Dr. Nikolai Ardey is the Executive Director of Group Innovation at Volkswagen Group. After 18 years at BMW in several positions in the Powertrain department, Nikolai joined Audi as Vice President of Powertrain development. Since 2020 Nikolai serves as the Executive Director of Group Innovation; the future research and innovation arm of the VW Group, supporting Group brands on sustainability, mobility, digital platforms, powertrain, and further innovation topics. Since 2018, Group Innovation plays an active role in the Israeli startup ecosystem through it’s local Innovaion hub- Konnect.

Broadcast journalist with over 15 years of wide-ranging experience, from the CBS Evening News, to GQ Magazine, The New York Times Magazine, i24NEWS, and PBS Newshour.

Nurit has hosted many high-profile Global summits & Events include AgriTech at ExpoDubai, the UBS Annual Global Lookahead, the Balkans Forum Against Antisemitism, the official March of the Living broadcast, defense and economy panels at the Herzliya Conference, and Germany’s Helmholtz Innovation Summit in Tel Aviv

I joined the UK Government’s Department for Transport in the summer of 2021 and joined with Hannah Newell in a director job-share. Together we led on Transport Day at COP, and in December 2021, established the new Future Transport Systems and Environment directorate with a mission to create a sustainable transport future.

I previously spent 13 years in HM Treasury working in a range of roles, but with an emphasis on supply-side policies and new organizations, including leading the cross-Whitehall project for supporting strategic companies in response to COVID and setting up the new UK Infrastructure Bank. I also spent three years at UKGI on secondment, sitting on the board of HM Land Registry and setting up the new Geospatial Commission.

Efe Erdem has been the Executive Director of MEXT Technology Center at MESS (Turkish Employers’ Association of Metal Industries) since December 2018. He led the establishment of the Technology Center from the concept phase to operationalization. The Center is focusing on the digital and green transformation of the industry by providing companies with a comprehensive up-skilling program, technical advisory services, access to a state-of-the-art Digital Factory, and an extensive ecosystem of partners including technology companies, universities, and start-ups.In addition, he is currently leading the ‘New Generation Industry’ Working Group at TÜSİAD (Turkish Industry & Business Association). He is also Mobility Advisory Board Member and Turcorn (Turkish Unicorn) 100 Program mentor.Prior to this, he was the Head of Innovation at Ford Otosan and led all company initiatives regarding corporate entrepreneurship and open innovation. In that capacity, he was also a member of the company’s Executive Committee. Previously, he held various roles in Product Development such as Commercial Vehicles Program Management and Powertrain Systems Integration in Turkey and the UK, as well as Manufacturing Engineering. He graduated from the Industrial Engineering Department of Boğaziçi University, Istanbul, and holds a Master’s degree in Management Sciences from the London School of Economics (LSE) where he attended as a Chevening Scholar.

Tim Weisenberger is Program Manager of Emerging Technologies at SAE International.  He leads SAE efforts in automotive cybersecurity and is integral to managing the SAE emerging technology portfolio including connectivity, automation, alternative fuels, and shared-use mobility.  Tim led the design and testing of the SAE EV Charging Public Key Infrastructure Platform and is poised to launch an industry consortium to implement and manage the SAE EVPKI platform across industry.

Tim is a thought leader and innovator in the mobility industry with over 35 years of professional experience in the private, government, and non-profit sectors.  He holds an MPA from Harvard Kennedy School of Government, an MBA from University of Illinois at Chicago, and a BS in Electrical Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology

 Nimrod Nehushtan is responsible for Mobileye’s strategic planning and initiatives, business objectives and development, as well as advanced development projects. In addition, as REM co-general manager, he is responsible for defining the productization of Road Experience Management™ (REM) for OEM customers, leading REM product, delivery, and business engagements to optimize Mobileye’s mapping solutions and services and maximize their reach in the ADAS and AV markets. Prior to joining Mobileye, Nehushtan worked as an engineer at Israel Aerospace Industries.

Nehushtan received a bachelor’s degree cum laude in mechanical engineering from Tel Aviv University.

Dr. Sudhir Mehta is a serial entrepreneur & a columnist in addition to being the chairman & managing director of Pinnacle Industries, India’s leading automotive products and specialty vehicles company. He is also the Founder of EKA Mobility, a commercial electric vehicle & technology company. He has started & successfully led several ventures. His group of companies employs over 3000 people globally. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Depauw University, USA & an MBA from the University of Chicago, USA. He is also the Member of the Managing Committee, Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini (RMP) & Advisor of the Nation First Policy Research Centre (NFPRC). Additionally, he served as the Past Chairman of CII Western Region & is the Immediate Past President of MCCIA.

Stefan Lutz is CEO of BMW Technology Office in Israel since Oct. 2022. 

The Technology Office is part of the Open Innovation team and the BMW Startup Garage (BSG) of the BMW Group. The BSG was launched in 2015 In Germany, became international soon after and is established since 2019 also in Tel Aviv. We are searching for innovations and partners in the Israeli industry which could be of interest to be integrated in our products and services.

Stefan Lutz has a strong background in the automotive industry and is working for more than 2 decades within BMW pursuing several positions. From 2018 until September 2022 he was working in Tokyo, Japan as Head of Technology Office in the area of Open Innovation looking for new technologies and processes.

Before moving to Japan, he was Head of Center Information Display based in Munich, Germany and formerly for 2 years in Beijing, China. In this position he was many years responsible for development and release of displays components for all BMW brands (BMW, MINI, Rolls Royce). He also formerly worked in the vehicle project management being responsible for the interior appearance process. Furthermore, he was manager for interior surface materials covering all materials which come in sight or contact with customers (leather, textiles, plastics, paint, metal, wood, etc.).

Stefan Lutz has great interest in searching and developing ideas and innovations in collaboration with partners in a reliable and trustful environment. Supporting or coaching young companies like startups to get on board with a big international player is one of his key focuses.

Born in south Germany (close to the French city Strasbourg), but living for more than 24 years in Munich, he enjoys travelling, some golf and skiing in his leisure time. He is married and has two kids.