Recent discussions at the World Economic Forum in Davos have highlighted the challenges banks are facing in the current global macroeconomic and geopolitical landscape. Global regulators are increasingly focusing on and inviting banks and market participants to remain vigilant about emerging geopolitical tensions and risks. These risks, when combined with the dangers of fragmentation, could significantly impact various aspects, including the economy, inflation, monetary policy, and business models.

This event will delve into the pertinent geopolitical risks and explore strategies for navigating them. It aims to provide concrete examples and best practices that may be relevant for both bank executives and non-executive board members.

Speakers:

Alessandro Profumo | former CEO of Unicredit and Leonardo. 

Geoffrey Okamoto | Managing Director at Goldman Sachs in New York City.

Belén Romana | Non-Executive Director at Santander Group.

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Alessandro Profumo is an international CEO with over 30 years of experience, leading complex organisations and driving successful transformations across both banking and industrial sectors. Alessandro was until recently the CEO of Leonardo (2017-2023). Leonardo is a leading player in the global Aerospace, Defense & Security sector. Before this, Alessandro led a distinguished career in the financial services industry, including positions at Unicredit where he was CEO from 1997 to 2010. He has also been President of the Aerospace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (2020 – 2023), Chairman of the European Banking Federation (2009-2011), Chairman of Monte dei Paschi di Siena Bank (2012-2015), President of the International Monetary Conference (2006-2012), and non-Executive Director of Eni (2015 – 2017) and Mediobanca (2003-2007).

Geoffrey Okamoto is a managing director at Goldman Sachs in New York City. He leads the firm’s efforts on international public policy, coordinating cross-jurisdictional issues and engaging with global policymakers. Geoffrey also assists clients on matters involving global economic, geopolitical, and financial developments. Previously, Geoffrey served as First Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), managing relationships with G-7 and G-20 nations, and overseeing institutional strategy, lending policies and risk management. He also oversaw economic surveillance and use of IMF resources by large economies, as well as the IMF's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the IMF, Geoffrey served as Acting Under Secretary of the U.S. Treasury for International Affairs and Acting Assistant Secretary for International Finance, where he oversaw global markets, economic coordination, trade negotiations, and participation in the Financial Stability Board. Geoffrey also assisted several governments in financing their reform programs. Earlier, Geoffrey was on the senior staff of the Senate Banking Committee and the House Financial Services Committee. He was also a consultant for KPMG serving financial sector clients. Geoffrey is a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, a member of the Economic Club of New York, and a member of the Bretton Woods Committee. He also sits on the Dean’s Advisory Council for the College of Business Administration at Cal Poly Pomona. Geoffrey previously served as Chairman of the Alumni Board for Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy and was an Atlantick-Brücke Young Leader.

Belén Romana is a Non-Executive Director at Santander Group, where she chairs the Board Risk Committee and is also a member of the Audit Committee, as well as the Executive, the Nominations and the Technology Committees. She is also a non-executive member of the board at SIX AG, where she chairs the Nominations Committee, as well as Bolsas y Mercados Españoles and Werfen SA. She is also the chair of SDX (Swiss Digital Exchange). She is a member of the advisory board at Artá Capital and is the academic director of the Leadership Hub at IE.