Pearl Uzokwe, is a results oriented and impact driven executive with over 20 years of global leadership experience across the Global North and South. Currently, she serves as Director for Africa Forward at Catalyst Now (Formerly Catalyst 2030), leading efforts to support social innovators and entrepreneurs in achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals across Africa. Previously, Pearl was the Director of Sahara Foundation and Director of Governance and Sustainability at Sahara Group, where she spearheaded initiatives across 19 countries, focusing on corporate sustainability, international development, and governance.

A qualified solicitor and Chartered Secretary, Pearl has worked with major firms and international organizations, including Crown Agents UK, advising on development funds such as the Private Infrastructure Development Group and the International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIM). Her career reflects a strong commitment to international development, legal expertise, and driving private sector involvement in poverty alleviation and sustainability.

Pearl also serves on several boards dedicated to advancing the UN SDGs, including the Malala Fund and the Private Sector Advisory Group, furthering her impact on global education and sustainable development.

Christine Lins, works as Executive Director of GWNET, the Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition, which aims at empowering women in the sustainable energy sector. GWNET has more than 4.600 members from 150+ countries. Furthermore, she is Member of the Board of Directors of ISES, the International Solar Energy Society. From July 2011 until March 2018, Christine Lins acted as Executive Secretary of REN21, the Renewable Energy Policy Network of the 21st Century, headquartered at UNEP, the United Nations Environment Programme in Paris/France. Between 2001 and 2011, Ms. Lins served as Secretary General of the European Renewable Energy Council. Previously, she worked in a regional energy agency in Austria promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. Ms. Lins holds a master’s degree in international economics and applied languages. She has more than 25 years of working experience in the field of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency.

Oneyka Cindy Ojogbo, is an award-winning international attorney and Deputy Managing Partner at CLG, one of Africa’s leading professional service firms. As the youngest partner at the firm, she has carved a formidable reputation as a legal powerhouse, specializing in complex energy transactions, regulatory affairs, and strategic advisory. Dual-qualified in Nigeria and New York, Oneyka Cindy leads a team of over 50+ lawyers across about 10 jurisdictions in Africa, ensuring seamless legal solutions for multinational corporations, governments, and investors shaping Africa’s energy future.

Beyond her legal practice, Oneyka Cindy is a distinguished leader in policy and advocacy. She serves as an Advisory Board Member of the African Energy Chamber's Regulatory Affairs Committee, where she champions regulatory excellence and investment-friendly frameworks for Africa’s energy markets. Additionally, as Co-Chairperson of the African Women in Business Energy Network (AWBEN), she is a leading advocate for gender inclusion, actively empowering women to take leadership roles in the sector.

Her exceptional contributions to law and energy have earned her global recognition, including the Private Practice Rising Star Award at the African Legal Awards. A sought-after thought leader, Oneyka Cindy regularly advises on high-stakes energy projects, leveraging her cutting-edge expertise to drive business growth, investment security, and sustainable development.
With an unwavering commitment to excellence, Oneyka Cindy is not just shaping Africa’s energy landscape—she is inspiring the next generation of leaders, breaking barriers for women in law and business, and driving meaningful transformation across industries.

Louise Woods, serves as Co-Head of International Disputes – Europe. She is ranked in the Legal 500 UK in the field of International Arbitration, where she has been described by sources as “an excellent lawyer who is very sharp and easily accessible”, and “in a word, brilliant”.

In recent years, Louise’s practice has increasingly focused on international energy disputes, in particular oil and gas disputes across both Africa and Latin America. Louise has significant experience in arbitration and litigation of high value, complex international commercial disputes and investor-state arbitration. She also has extensive experience of dealing with fraud and corruption allegations and investigations in the context of large scale, complex international arbitration and litigation.

She represents clients across a wide range of industry sectors, including energy, banking and financial services, construction, infrastructure, technology and real estate development.

Louise also works in support of greater diversity in international arbitration. She recently served as President of ArbitralWomen, a global nonprofit that works to support and promote women in international dispute resolution, through networking, mentoring and profile-raising opportunities. Louise is a regular speaker at international arbitration conferences.

Latifat Folashade Yusuff, is the Regional Director for the Africa Chapter of the Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN), where she leads initiatives to foster collaboration, knowledge exchange, and professional development among energy negotiators across the continent.

With over 22 years of legal experience in the oil and gas industry, Latifat currently serves as Head, Commercial Law at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, where she provides strategic legal guidance on complex energy transactions, regulatory compliance, and commercial negotiations. She is also a CEDR UK Accredited Mediator, demonstrating her expertise in dispute resolution within the energy sector.

Beyond her corporate role, Latifat is committed to mentorship and leadership development for professionals in the energy industry, actively championing initiatives that empower young professionals, including women. She is a contributing author to Globe Law and Business, UK, where she shares insights on the evolving global energy landscape.

Latifat is passionate about driving impactful conversations on sustainability, leadership and opportunities in the energy sector, making her an influential voice in shaping the industry’s future.

Nelia Daniel Dias, was promoted to the Senior Vice Chair of the Oil and Gas Committee at the International Bar Association (IBA) in January 2025 until December 2026. In 2021 Nelia was nominated one of the 100 Outstanding Female Executives in the African Region in Oil and Gas by African Shapers. In 2023 Nelia has been appointed AIEN Africa Chapter Alternate Director and in 2019 was nominated AIEN Angola Country Rep.. Nelia is the President of a nonprofit organization based in Lisbon created in 1998 called Nuno Xavier Association (following her father’s name). Nelia is the author of 23 books one being the book on civil liability of judges published in 2004 amongst other articles written. In 2023 Nelia was appointed Head of Legal Africa being responsible for legal operations in 54 countries for international SOS and based in Mauritius islands and is still providing legal support. Worked previously in Baker Hughes as Geomarket Counsel that oversighted the whole SSA Region  from July 2017 until July 2023. Started working in Oil & Gas Legal in Chevron in January 2009. Worked first as Senior Counsel and Senior Contracts Advisor for six years until May 2015. in July 2015 Nelia joined GE- GLS, a General Electric minority Joint Venture, as JV Senior Counsel progressed to Senior Counsel- Commercia. 

Mother of 3 with 22-, 20- and 15-years old, all studying in the UK, Nelia has a Law Degree in Civil Law from Lusíada University of Lisbon, since 1995. She is a Lawyer registered with the Portuguese Bar Association (July 1995), Angola (2009) and Sao Tome (2017). Worked as a full time Lawyer in Lisbon from October 1995 until April 2007. Nelia has a post-Graduation in Communications Law, taken at Law School at Coimbra Law Faculty (1998), an LLM Course in Oil and Gas at Universidade Agostinho Neto in Luanda (2009), and a Master Decree in Civil Law from Lisbon Law University (Contracts) since 2000. She has completed online the Supply Chain certificate issued by the Arizona State University (2013). Nelia graduated from Oxford University (Said Business School) in Global Business (October 2018). Nelia speaks fluently Portuguese, English, and French. She also speaks Spanish and German on an elementary level.  Since 2018 every year and for a whole week Nelia teaches Environmental Law in the Oil and Gas Context at the Agostinho Neto University in Angola. Nelia was, at night, a part-time Law teacher at the Catholic University College since April 2007 teaching Civil Procedure Law until June 2023. Used to be a temporary trainee at the Portuguese Bar Association (2005-2006) and a permanent trainee Angolan Bar Association since October 2007 until 2015. Currenctçy studying on line to take the IAPP certificate on Data Privacy. 

Kristina Kasibayo, is a seasoned legal and compliance professional with over 17 years of experience in the petroleum sector, specializing in regulatory compliance, contract negotiation, and corporate governance. She currently serves as the Head of Compliance and Ag. Head of Contracts and Negotiations at the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), where she leads compliance initiatives, develops regulatory frameworks, negotiates contracts, and ensures adherence to national and international legal standards.

Previously, she served as Senior Legal Officer – Compliance at UNOC, playing a key role in shaping compliance strategies, regulatory engagement, and contract management. Prior to UNOC, Kristina was a Legal & Compliance Advisor at Tullow Uganda Operations Pty Ltd and an Oil & Gas Consultant at Kampala Associated Advocates (KAA), providing legal and regulatory advisory services to industry stakeholders.

Kristina holds a Masters in Energy Law and Policy (LLM) from the University of Dundee and an International Master of Arts in International Anti-Corruption Compliance and Collective Action from the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA). She is an active member of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN) as well as a member of the International Bar Association (IBA) and the Uganda Chamber of Mines and Petroleum (UCMP).