David Havas
Head of Industrial Data & AI
MOL Group
Senior Data Leader with proven track record in driving digital transformation through data solutions and cloud architecture expertise. Successfully built and developed high-performing data teams that delivered impactful results across sales, production, and finance functions. Created robust data products and implemented comprehensive data governance frameworks, ensuring data access, quality, and lineage. Extensive hands-on experience with architecture, cloud platform deployments, migration, budgeting, product management, and delivery. Demonstrated success in creating and scaling ML products and actively engaged in the genAI journey from concept to enterprise-wide adoption, ensuring guarded AI solutions
Prashant Soni
Technology strategist – Concept development and Technology
Aker BP
Prashant Soni has over 15 years of experience in Oil and Gas sector covering both technical and commercial aspect among other business strategy development and key customer management. He has a Master of Technology degree in ‘Offshore Technology’ along with a PhD in ‘Hydrodynamics of Slender structures’. He has held several management positions in the past and at present contributing to the technology agenda of the company. Thereby assisting in accelerating innovation efforts at Aker BP.
Ahmed Al Saleh
Head of Process Control & IT Engineering Unit
Aramco
Ahmed is a distinguished OT cybersecurity influencer currently leading the Process Control & IT engineering unit in Saudi Aramco Gas operations. He is equipped with 18 years of expertise in safeguarding critical infrastructures, developing and managing information security management systems (ISMS), and a proven track in enhancing cybersecurity GRC & operation controls. He is also the Digital Transformation lead in his organization with demonstrated excellence in technology deployment and digital maturity.
Ahmed Holds a bachelor’s degree in MIS from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) and a master’s degree in cybersecurity from Georgia Institute of Technology. He also has multiple recognized cybersecurity certifications.
Ahmed is a firm believer in the power and importance of knowledge sharing and volunteerism as he is a member of Information Security Association – Hemaya. He is also a passionate speaker with participation in multiple international summits and conferences.
Mohamed Ali Saafi, PhD
Senior R&D Scientist
Aramco
Dr. Mohamed Ali Saafi is a Senior Research Scientist at Aramco, specializing in transportation decarbonization and energy systems modelling. With a Ph.D. from the Illinois Institute of Technology, Dr. Saafi’s academic work focused on advanced optimization methods for improves energy dynamics projections, culminating in a doctoral thesis that laid the groundwork for scalable solutions in sustainable mobility and energy transition planning.
Over the course of his career, Dr. Saafi has authored 13 peer-reviewed publications that span topics including energy systems modeling, transportation network analysis, and pathways to decarbonization including synthetic fuels production cost optimization.
At Aramco, Dr. Saafi leads the development of in-house optimization tools to support the company’s long-term sustainability and energy diversification goals. He is actively involved in multidisciplinary collaborations that leverage simulation, optimization, and scenario analysis to investigate infrastructure investment and policy development in the context of the global energy transition.
Vicente Bielza Galindo
Remote Assets Operations
Repsol Renewables
Vicente Bielza is responsible for remote operation (control centre and OT) at Repsol Renovables. He is an industrial engineer specializing in electrotechnical engineering and postgraduate degrees in Renewable Energies and Business Administration with more than 20 years of experience in the renewable energy sector focused in their digitalization and automation. He has participated in the development and implementation of remote operation of renewable energy (photovoltaic, batteries, onshore and offshore wind) in the United States, Brazil, Chile and Europe.
Nick Giannakakis
Chief Executive Officer
Motor Oil
Mr Nikos Giannakakis holds an MBA in Industrial Systems Administration & BA in Faculty of Physics.
He is an Alumni of the International Institute for Management Development – IMD with 18year experience in Information Technology Executive positions on recognizable Multinational Organizations.
Was included in the list of the top 100 Chief Information Officers for the year 2024.
Leading global teams in region of Digital Innovation and Product Management.
Pioneer of the setup of Global AI Centers of Excellence in Organizations as British American Tobacco and Motor Oil Hellas.
Davis Havas
Head of Industrial Data & AI
MOL Group
Senior Data Leader with proven track record in driving digital transformation through data solutions and cloud architecture expertise. Successfully built and developed high-performing data teams that delivered impactful results across sales, production, and finance functions. Created robust data products and implemented comprehensive data governance frameworks, ensuring data access, quality, and lineage. Extensive hands-on experience with architecture, cloud platform deployments, migration, budgeting, product management, and delivery. Demonstrated success in creating and scaling ML products and actively engaged in the genAI journey from concept to enterprise-wide adoption, ensuring guarded AI solutions
Stefan Hoppe
President & Managing Director
OPC Foundation
Stefan Hoppe is the OPC Foundation President since end 2018 coordinating the OPC expansion into the Internet of Things & Industrie4.0.
Stefan has been the Global Vice President since 2014 and the President of the OPC Europe organization since 2010 being the catalyst for initiating liaisons with other industrial consortiums that has resulted in OPC working groups developing companion specifications for the organizations respective information models.
Stefan Hoppe studied electrical engineering at the Technical University of Dortmund, Germany. Since 1995 he has worked for BECKHOFF Automation, starting as a software developer later as a lead Product Manager with focus on PC based Automation, connectivity, and embedded software products.
Bárbara Pereira
Head of Operational Technology Cyber Resilience
Galp
Bárbara Pereira is the Head of OT Cyber Resilience at Galp, where she is leading the strategy and execution of cybersecurity initiatives to protect critical operational technologies (OT) in the Galp. With over eight years of experience in cybersecurity — from Cybersecurity Operations to OT Cybersecurity leadership — she has been instrumental in advancing resilience across complex, high-stake critical environments.
Bárbara’s expertise lies in securing the intersection of IT and OT systems, building defense strategies against emerging threats, and enabling business continuity through robust cyber risk management and in partnership with the relevant stakeholders from the different business units.
Markus Pettersen
Platform Architect
Aker BP
Markus holds an MSc in Data Science from the University of Stavanger and has been working in the Oil & Gas industry since 2020. As a Data Engineer he has had a strong focus on real-time and near real-time data ingestion. Currently, Markus serves as a Platform Architect at Aker BP, where he is responsible for the end-to-end architecture of one of the company’s digital platforms. By enabling efficient, scalable, and high-quality data flows, Markus plays a key role in supporting Aker BP’s digital transformation efforts.
Halen Rodrigues
Industrial ICT and IoT Domain Enterprise Architect
Petrobras
Halen Rodrigues is Domain Architecture Leader for IoT Systems at Petrobras, where he leads the development of scalable IoT architectures to enhance operational efficiency across industrial environments. Since joining Petrobras in 2009, he has held key roles in systems analysis, automation, offshore telecommunications, and IT operations.
With a background in Computer Science and specialisations in Control and Instrumentation Engineering from UCL, Halen also holds an MBA in Project Management and a Master’s in Business Management. His expertise lies in bridging IT and OT to deliver integrated, real-time solutions that support Petrobras’s digital transformation goals.
Folakemi Sanusi
NMA IT Programme Manager
Chevron NMA
Folakemi Sanusi is a results-driven data leader with over two decades of experience designing and implementing enterprise data strategies across Nigeria, the USA, and the UK. Currently serving as an IT Program Manager at Chevron, Folakemi is recognized as a Distinguished Engineer in Information Management for her contributions to data architecture and governance within highly regulated, complex environments.
Her expertise spans data governance, cloud platforms, business intelligence, and AI/ML-driven analytics. She has led the development of scalable data frameworks and process automation strategies that drive digital transformation and operational efficiency. Folakemi is also a strong advocate for data literacy and culture change—empowering organizations to make faster, smarter, data-informed decisions.
Throughout her career, she has successfully aligned data initiatives with business priorities, enhanced cross-functional collaboration, and delivered measurable business value. As a respected subject matter expert, Folakemi provides both technical leadership and strategic direction to executive stakeholders and delivery teams alike.
She is deeply committed to improving data quality, accessibility, and security to unlock insights that fuel sustainable growth in the oil and gas industry.
Sofia Silvestre
AI Lead
Galp
Sofia holds a Master’s in Biomedical Engineering, complemented by academic formation in Business Intelligence and Data Science. With eight years of experience in the Data and AI field, she now leads the AI Delivery team at Galp, driving innovation and impact through artificial intelligence. Passionate about technology, its transformative potential and meaningful value in people’s lives.
Sónia Sousa
Data Scientist
Galp
Sónia holds a BSc and an MSc in Biomedical Engineering with a specialization in Clinical Informatics and Bioinformatics from the University of Coimbra. Since 2023, she has been working as a Data Scientist at Galp within the Data & AI Delivery team, contributing to major projects focused on delivering time series forecasting models. Her interests include descriptive analytics, deep learning and model interpretability, with scientific articles published on the latter.