Executive Director, Bernard van Leer Foundation Cecilia has over 20 years of experience managing social development policies and programmes. Prior to becoming the Executive Director of the Bernard van Leer Foundation, she was the Minister of Social Development of Ecuador from 2013 to 2016. She championed policies to improve the conditions of children, women and indigenous communities, including a cross-sectoral policy for ECD. Cecilia has also worked for several civil society organizations.

Chief Executive of Urbanice Malaysia Norliza Hashim is the Chief Executive of Urbanice Malaysia, a Centre of Excellence for Urban Well-being and Sustainability of Malaysia, under the Ministry of Housing and Local Government Malaysia. Norliza led the team of Local Secretariat for World Urban Forum 9 hosted by Malaysia in 2018 working alongside UN-Habitat to address the implementation of the New Urban Agenda. Town Planner, Principal and Founder of AJM Planning and Urban Design Group Sdn Bhd.

Vice-President and Chair of Learning through Play at the LEGO Foundation The LEGO Foundation strives to bring play and learning through play to children around the world by working to redefine play and re-imagine learning. Bo Stjerne spent 9 years building the research agenda and organizational expertise on children’s development, play and learning, and advising international organizations and government agencies on research implementation.

Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) Advisor and Child Participation Specialist, UNICEF Louise Thivant-Johannsen has been functioning as UNICEF’s CFCI Advisor since January 2016. Her main contributions have been in the promotion of the CFCI locally and globally. Ms Thivant-Johannsen guides and advises local governments and other stakeholders on implementing the CFCI as well as on strengthening the voice of children and young people in decision-making processes.

Cities and Real Estate Industry Lead, World Economic Forum Alice Charles leads the Cities workstream and the Real Estate Industry at the World Economic Forum. This includes the Global Future Council on Cities and Urbanization, the Real Estate Industry Action Group, the Systemic Efficiency Transitioning Energy & Buildings initiative, the production of all cities and real estate related content and events at World Economic Forum Summits (including Davos).

Executive Director, Global Resilient Cities Network As Executive Director of the Global Resilient Cities Network, Lauren oversees global efforts to strengthen cities in the face of the complex and interconnected challenges they face. Leading a team of professionals in London, Mexico City, New York, and Singapore in collaboration with Chief Resilience Officers in more than 40 countries, she drove the co-design process to launch Global Resilient Cities Network as an independent city-led network.