Our Speakers

Peter Pettibone is an international arbitrator with substantial experience arbitrating commercial cross border cases in New York, Stockholm, Moscow and Kyiv. Previously, he served as a corporate partner for over 40 years in major international law firms, including 20 years as the managing partner of the Moscow offices of Lord Day & Lord Barrett Smith, Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler and Hogan & Hartson (now Hogan Lovells Cadwalder). Peter’s expertise lies in the following sectors:-  Construction, Engineering & Infrastructure  Commercial Dispute Resolution  Mergers, Acquisitions & Shareholder Disputes  Mediation Peter is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb) and the College of Commercial Arbitrators (CCA). He possesses a deep understanding of arbitration principles, practices and procedures in common law and civil law jurisdictions. He is also an accredited mediator by the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) and is listed on the mediator panels at the New York State Supreme Court (Commercial and Appellate Divisions) and the American Arbitration Association (AAA). Peter’s experience spans various roles in arbitration proceedings, including serving as tribunal chair, party-appointed arbitrator, sole arbitrator and emergency arbitrator. His approach emphasizes efficiency and cost-effectiveness, ensuring streamlined and effective arbitration proceedings for all parties involved. His record of successfully arbitrating complex international commercial cases, combined with his distinguished affiliations, efficient approach and adaptability to modern arbitration methods, make him a highly sought-after arbitrator in the international legal community.

Alvaro Acevedo Jr. has built his career at the intersection of international law, taxation, accounting, and cross-border business strategy. A leading international tax attorney, Certified Public Accountant, author, and trusted advisor, he counsels global entrepreneurs, investors, families, and privately held companies navigating the complexities of U.S. and international markets. Acevedo holds the exceptional distinction of being Board Certified by The Florida Bar in both Tax Law and International Law. He also earned an LL.M. in Taxation from Georgetown University and is admitted to practice before the United States Tax Court. As founder of Brickell Law Group P.A. and International CPA of Miami, he leads a multidisciplinary practice integrating legal, tax, accounting, and financial perspectives within a unified strategic framework. An international speaker and educator, Acevedo is the author of Anatomía del Trust Americano and Guía Práctica de Optimización Tributaria: De la estrategia más sencilla a la más compleja. Fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, he brings a distinctly global perspective to every engagement. His ability to translate complexity into actionable strategy has positioned him as a trusted advisor to clients whose businesses, investments, and legacies extend across borders

Astrid is an international lawyer (Solicitor in England & Wales and French juriste), fluent in English, French, and Spanish and a Non-Executive director. She brings more than 10 years of experience working in-house within technology, financial services and energy sectors. She specialises in commercial contracts, compliance and AI governance, with a focus on helping organisations manage legal risks while supporting their commercial priorities. Previously, she led a commercial contracts function at a global technology company and advised on cross-border compliance. Currently, she serves as a Legal Advisor at the Global Alliance for Artificial Intelligence, where she engages with policymakers on AI governance and cross-border harmonisation. Astrid is particularly interested in how AI and digitalisation are reshaping the legal profession. Her experience spans the UK, France and the Middle East and she mentors aspiring solicitors from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Moza Kudonu is an award-winning AI governance and data protection expert who helps organisations turn complex regulation into trusted, responsible innovation. Drawing on a multidisciplinary background spanning privacy, AI, forensic science and technology, she has advised governments, financial institutions, global law firms and multinational organisations across the Middle East, Europe, APAC and the US on privacy and AI governance programmes, regulatory transformation and data breach response. An IEEE-published researcher on AI governance, Moza received the Specialised Talent Award of the Year at the Global Ethical AI Congress 2026 and speaks regularly on AI regulation, including at IAPP KnowledgeNet on agentic AI. She holds the CIPP/E, is a OneTrust Fellow of Privacy Technology, and is completing an MSc in AI Management and Policy at Purdue University.

Ahmed Zaki is a Legal Architect and Governance Strategist with more than three decades of legal experience spanning judicial service, public prosecution, private practice, and senior executive legal leadership. His work focuses on designing legal and governance frameworks for complex organizations, high-value developments, cross-border investments, and strategically significant business initiatives. Ahmed most recently served as Group General Counsel and Senior Vice President – Legal Affairs of a leading UAE master developer, where he led the legal function across major real estate, hospitality, investment, and development portfolios. His executive experience encompasses corporate governance, complex commercial transactions, regulatory matters, dispute strategy, risk management, and the legal structuring of major projects. Prior to his corporate career, Ahmed served as both a Judge and a Public Prosecutor, providing him with a distinctive perspective that combines judicial reasoning, litigation strategy, regulatory understanding, and commercial decision-making. This multidisciplinary background has shaped his approach to legal leadership: anticipating disputes and regulatory challenges at the design stage, rather than addressing them only after they arise. Ahmed is a frequent international speaker and moderator on global litigation, strategic dispute management, corporate governance, AI and emerging technologies, legal innovation, and the evolving role of the General Counsel. He contributes regularly to discussions on how legal functions can move beyond traditional risk management to become strategic architects of organizational resilience and sustainable growth. His professional achievements have been recognized through multiple international accolades, including three General Counsel of the Year awards. He is particularly recognized for his ability to bridge law, governance, business strategy, and dispute management in complex and rapidly evolving environments.

Pooja is Head of In-House Legal & Compliance for the Middle East and APAC, leading senior legal and compliance recruitment for multinational and regional organisations across a broad range of sectors, including financial services, funds and asset management, life sciences, energy and infrastructure, aviation, telecommunications, media, technology, construction, and logistics. With over 15 years of recruitment experience across multiple jurisdictions, she has built a strong track record of advising clients on senior and strategic hires, including General Counsels, Heads of Legal, Regional Counsels, Senior Legal Counsels, Heads of Compliance, and other senior professionals across compliance and corporate affairs. Alongside her recruitment career, Pooja is a trained career coach and a member of the International Coaching Federation (Membership No. 0098982151).