In the framework of his regular Trade Finance courses Prof. Rouben Indjikian is traditionally organising open lectures, by inviting speakers representing leading experts from industry, international organisations, academia.

The following lectures open for Webster Geneva Campus students and faculty, and those who will register online to join by Zoom, will take place on 9, 11 and 16 April 2024, from 08:45AM to 10:45.

1.       “Trade Finance Digitization: Current State and Prospects”, By Ari Aaltonen, 9 April, by Zoom

Ari Aaltonen, Co-Founder and CFO at LGR Global, brings 25+ years of digital transformation and international leadership from Oracle, Cognizant, and Capgemini. He's a seasoned entrepreneur and FinTech investor innovating in digital trade finance. At LGR, he developed a blockchain-based digital trade finance and global supply chain ecosystem. At Pharus, he's creating an AI-driven liquidity hub for commodity finance, narrowing the $2.6 trillion liquidity gap and enhancing food and energy security. Ari holds an MBA from Alliance Manchester Business School & Kelley School of Business, and a Doctor of Business Administration from The University of Manchester.

2.       “Trade finance techniques: commodities versus manufactures”, by Anton Zhukov, 11 April, by Zoom

Anton Zhukov is Group Treasury Manager in the energy transition sector at BayWa r.e. Group responsible for setting up global and regional financial solutions, including enhancing working capital, structuring trade and supply chain finance, aligning with the group's focus on renewable energy. He possesses over 10 years of experience in Trade & Commodity Finance, including origination, relationship management, structuring transactions, and risk management, focusing on agri, energy & metals, while working in banks in the Netherlands and Switzerland. Anton completed a Bachelor Degree on International Business and Management Studies from HAN University of Applied Sciences and holds Master of Science on Finance & Investment from Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University.

3.       “Bridging the trade finance gap: How development banks facilitate access to trade finance” by Dr Maria Mogilnaya, 16 April, Webster Geneva Campus or Zoom

Dr Maria Mogilnaya  is a seasoned trade finance advisor with a focus on facilitating trade in emerging economies and promoting digital solutions in trade and supply chain finance. Since January 2024, Maria has consulted on various projects, including advising CargoX, a Slovenian company specialising in electronic trade document exchange. At the EBRD from 2011 to 2022, Maria managed the award-winning Green Trade Facilitation Programme and oversaw trade finance business delivery across multiple regions. From 2022 to 2023, Maria led regional expansion and sustainability-linked product development at SupplierPlus, an Estonian fintech specialising in supply chain finance. Maria holds a PhD in Banking Law and Regulation from De Montfort University and a Diploma in Jurisprudence from Saint-Petersburg State University.

Those interested to attend please register by clicking here.