Ahmed Osman is the Managing Director of GEN Egypt and is a Project Management Strategy Advisor for several Government and Private organizations in Egypt. He is also the CEO is of a Project and Facility Management firm in Egypt - CHROME. The company currently manages a construction portfolio exceeding 1 billion US Dollars. Moreover, CHROME established the first training academy in Egypt focusing on upgrading the skills of construction professionals. Notable projects Chrome has managed in Egypt include the development of IL Monte Galala Project with over 8000 residential and hotel units as well as the headquarters of Microsoft in Egypt and various residential and hotel projects.
Prior to that he was the Area Manager for North Africa for Projacs International, a leading Project and Construction Management firm in the Middle East. He is also a Past Chairman of the International Council for Small Business (ICSB), the world’s oldest and largest nonprofit organization devoted to small businesses internationally. He was the first Arab and African elected to this position since ICSB’s establishment in 1955 and the youngest Chairman to date. ICSB is the platform that distributes new knowledge and information on small business management and entrepreneurial development. ICSB is the originator of the United Nations’ Resolution to create an International Name Day dedicated to Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises on June 27 (MSMEs Day). He was also the editor of the Global MSME Report for 2019. He is also the founder and creator of the ICSB Knowledge Hubs.
He holds both a Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering with Honors and a Masters Degree in Highway Management and Engineering from The University of Birmingham, UK and is a certified Project Management Professional from The Project Management Institute, USA. He also holds a Certificate in Innovation from abandon College, USA.
Analia Lourdes Pastran is the co-chair of the World Urban Campaign of UN-Habitat and the founder of Smartly, Social Entrepreneurship on the SDGs, Buenos Aires 1260, Argentina. She is a tenure professor of transnational policy and political communication at the Catholic University of La Plata, La Plata, Argentina. She is also a board member of the International Council for Small Business (ICSB). Pastran has a BA in political science and international relations from the Catholic University of La Plata and an MBA in urban economics from the Torcuato Di Tella University, Buenos Aires (thesis in progress).
Dr. Ayman El Tarabishy is the deputy chair of the Department of Management and a teaching professor of management at the George Washington University School of Business. His expertise involves entrepreneurship and creative, innovative, humane-focused practices. In addition, Dr. El Tarabishy is the president & CEO of the International Council for Small Business (ICSB), the oldest and largest non-profit organization devoted to advancing small business research and practices. The council is a coalition of more than 23 knowledge hubs represented in over 150 countries.
Dr. El Tarabishy is an award-winning author and teacher. In 2022, he was awarded the "Outstanding Accelerated Master of Business Administration Faculty Award." In 2021, the “Outstanding Online & Healthcare Master of Business Administration Faculty" award, which was voted on entirely by students. The George Washington University New Venture Competition awarded Dr. El Tarabishy the "Most Influential Faculty" award in 2019. Dr. El Tarabishy also developed the first social entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity courses offered to MBA and undergraduate students.
Remembered as one of his most outstanding achievements, Dr. El Tarabishy played a central role in creating and promoting the United Nations Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) Day. Recognized by the United Nations and the Permanent Mission of Argentina to the United Nations, this Name Day is designated on specific dates to mark particular events or topics to consciously and actively promote the organization's objectives. With his novel idea, Dr. El Tarabishy managed to work closely with the Permanent Mission of Argentina to propose a resolution to dedicate a United Nations International Name Day to MSMEs. Approved by the United Nations General Assembly, the proposal was presented by the Permanent Mission of Argentina and 54 countries; thus, 5.5 billion people acted as co-signers of this resolution.
From that day forward, June 27th has been recognized as the official UN MSME Day.
Dr. El Tarabishy created and managed the Global Entrepreneurship Research and Policy Conference (GWOctober.org), an international conference hosted by George Washington University. This conference combines the latest and most cutting-edge entrepreneurial research with the most pressing and vital intra- and international policies for promoting entrepreneurship and MSMEs. The conference’s modern intersections have brought the conference to high standings regarding global development.
Dr. El Tarabishy is the editor-in-chief of the Journal for Small Business Management (JSBM). JSBM aims to publish scholarly research articles in small business management and entrepreneurship. JSBM has an impact factor of 4.544 and is circulated in over 130 countries worldwide.
Dr. El Tarabishy previously worked for the World Bank’s Corporate Strategy Group. He assisted in developing and managing their technological strategy for the Developmental Marketplace Program. This program set out to identify and support the creation of cutting-edge solutions to the world’s most pressing social and economic concerns. The Global Development Marketplace competition has granted over the US $125 million awards to 650 winning proposals.
While assisting the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Dr. El Tarabishy aided in developing effective methods to engage in business in Egypt. As a result, his created program, aimed to promote social development and trade, was adopted by the most critical U.S. delegation mission to Egypt.
Continuing to consult and conduct executive training for several national and international organizations, Dr. El Tarabishy’s clients include the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank, and the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB).
Emmanuel Moges is the Director of ICSB Student Academy and Senior Project Manager at the International Council for Small Business. He is also an accomplished Analyst II at FedTech, where responsibilities include program coordination for the Department of Homeland Security Start Up Studio and the Army Research Labs Internal Innovation Program, focusing on deep tech innovation.
Professor George Tanewski is the outgoing director and research leader of the IPA-Deakin SME Research Centre and a Professor of Accounting in the Department of Accounting, Deakin Business School. George’s research interests are focused on SMEs and private unlisted firms, including ownership structure issues, governance, innovation, productivity, financing and the well-being and mental health of small business owners as well as the sustainability of SMEs, while his teaching interests are mainly in the areas of research methods, quantitative methods, financial reporting, governance, and financial statement analysis.
George’s research via the SME Research Centre plays a key role in informing government policy in boosting the long-term viability and productivity of Australia’s small business sector. As a direct result of the applied research undertaken by the SME Research Centre, particularly through recommendations made in the 2015 and 2018 Australian Small Business White Papers, the Australian federal government announced in November 2018 the creation of a $2 billion Australian Business Securitisation (Growth) Fund, which provides access to finance for SMEs.
In addition to George’s interest in SMEs, his research on accounting disclosure matters related to large private firms’ financial reporting has played a key role in influencing standard setting policy and regulation with respect to Australia’s differential reporting regime. As a direct consequence of this research showing that the quality of financial statements provided by large proprietary companies in the form of Special Purpose Financial Reports (SPFRs) is low, thereby highlighting an alarming lack of transparency in SPFRs produced by private entities, the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) removed the option of preparing SPFRs by large proprietary companies from July 2021.
In partnership with other Deakin University researchers across different disciplines, George received a $2.24 million grant from the Commonwealth Government’s 2021-22 budget in October 2020 and a $1.137 million grant from the prestigious National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) in December 2019 to evaluate a potentially high-impact intervention strategy to help upskill accountants to deliver mental health first aid to their small-medium enterprise (SME) clients, who are particularly vulnerable to mental health and financial stress issues. The Commonwealth Government funded project, called Counting on U, primarily builds on the NHMRC project, which is partnered with Beyond Blue, WorkSafe Victoria, the Institute for Public Accountants (IPA) and MHFA Australia.
The NHMRC project was focused on scientifically evaluating via a Randomised Control Trial (RCT) the efficacy of using accountants who are business advisors to SME owner clients via CPD training as an intervention strategy to protecting the mental health of both accountants and SME owners. The Commonwealth Government grant specifically funded the rollout of a sector-wide accountant CPD program that was delivered online via Australia’s three accounting professional bodies (i.e., IPA, CAANZ, CPA Australia) to upskill accountants to provide mental health first aid to their small-medium enterprise (SME) clients. Counting on U also offers an important avenue for the early identification, management or prevention of various mental health conditions.
George has also made several submissions to various Commonwealth Parliamentary and Senate Inquiries. A notable submission was made in August 2023 to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services: Inquiry into Ethics and Professional Accountability: Structural Challenges in the Audit, Assurance and Consultancy Industry. The submission led the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services to invite George to appear at a public hearing at Parliament House in Canberra on 20th November 2023. After the hearing, the Committee invited George to provide further commentary on three independent reports on audit firm culture. The reports assisted the Committee in 2024 to formulate recommendations and changes to be made to the audit industry. The above-mentioned submission was primarily informed through George’s applied research work for the AASB to examine application of the reporting entity concept and adoption of special purpose financial reporting (SPFR) by large proprietary companies in Australia not operating in the capital markets (unlisted private entities) and not-for-profit organisations.
George has published over 80 research papers in a number of leading academic journals including Auditing: A Journal of Practice and Theory, Abacus, The Australian Journal of Management, Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Accounting and Finance, The Journal of Business, Finance and Accounting, The British Accounting Review, Journal of Business Venturing, Family Business Review, Journal of Small Business Management and Small Business Economics. George also provides peer reviews for a number of leading academic journals.
James Palmer MEM, CompIEAust, EngExec Founder, Space Centre Australia
As the founder of Space Centre Australia, James has over 20 years’ experience as a Chartered Engineering Executive Leader.
James began his career as a submariner in the Royal Australian Navy.
During this time, he gained extensive experience in engineering vehicles to withstand hostile conditions, both deep underwater and in space.
As CEO and Owner of Space Centre Australia, James specialises in project management, engineering, environmental science, land management, and of course, space systems. James’ educational achievements include a Master of Philosophy from the Queensland University of Technology, a Master of Business Administration from the University of South Australia, and a Master of Engineering Management from Southern Cross University.
Jeffrey Alves, Managing Editor, Journal of the International Council for Small Business (JICSB), Allan P. Kirby, Jr. Distinguished Professor of Free Enterprise & Entrepreneurship and Dean Emeritus, Wilkes University
Joon Oh, is an Eminent Scholar Professor of United Nations studies at Kyung Hee University in Seoul, Korea and the Chair of Save the Children Korea. Previously he was Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the UN in New York from 2013 to 2016, concurrently serving as the 71st President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). He received a Master’s degree in International Policy Studies from Stanford University in 1991.
Dr. Jungho Suh is a teaching assistant professor of management at the George Washington University School of Business (GWSB). Dr. Suh also serves as a project director of the Korean Management Institute. Prior to joining GWSB, he was an assistant professor at the Surrey International Institute, University of Surrey’s Global Campus. His areas of expertise include evidence-based entrepreneurship (EBE), strategic human resource management, service management, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), sustainability and ESG reporting in the travel industry, digital platforms in the service industry, and gastronomy tourism.
As Dr. Suh hones in on evidence-based approaches to empirical research, he fosters a virtuous cycle of learning by connecting his research, teaching, and faculty outreach. As a result of his commitment to evidence-based approaches to sharing knowledge, his insights based on his empirical research were featured in various platforms, including digital reports, op-eds, and television interviews. Notable collaborations include the Washington Post, CNN, Skift, International Business Times Washington Examiner, and major TV news outlets such as NBC, ABC, and Fox, emphasizing managerial strategies for service recovery and insights on organizational behavior within the travel sector. In addition, Dr. Suh’s role as Managing Editor for the JICSB and Editor for SAGE Open amplifies GW’s academic rigor globally, fostering scholarly discourse and innovation in business education.
Dr. Suh teaches undergraduate, MHRM, and MBA courses in management and entrepreneurship. In his teaching, Dr. Suh is guided by the principle that authentic learning comes from reflecting on experience, a concept eloquently captured by John Dewey when he said, "we do not learn from experience... we learn from reflecting on experience." This philosophy underpins Dr. Suh’s dual approach to education: building a vibrant learning community and advocating for evidence-based management. By fostering an environment where students engage deeply with their experiences and the evidence before them, Dr. Suh aims to cultivate critical thinking, collaboration, and a commitment to informed decision-making. In this way, his teaching prepares students for their future careers and thoughtful, reflective living.
Dr. Suh has a passion for scholarly inquiry and has maintained an active research profile. His investigative efforts have yielded multiple publications, reflecting a robust engagement with academic research. This scholarly work enhances pedagogical practices and enriches his teaching methodology, providing tangible benefits to educators and students alike.
He has been involved in a number of consulting projects funded by or in collaboration with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, the Korea Tourism Organization, the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Oakland County, Michigan, Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board, and Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska.
Katia Passerini, Ph.D. is the, Incoming President of Gonzaga University. Prior to that appointment Dr. Passerini served as Provost and Executive Vice President. In her role as Provost, she led the Academic Affairs areas of the University. Activities include strategic, operational, and resource planning for the University Schools and Colleges, in alignment with the University Strategic plan and in collaborations with the Deans and key university stakeholders. She was responsible for academic resources management, faculty hiring, development, and professional success; academic programs quality; research and innovation activities; academic policies and processes; partnership development locally, nationally, and internationally.
Ki-Chan Kim, Ph.D, is a professor of management at the Catholic University of Korea and the international chancellor at the President University. He is also the chair of the International Council for Small Business (ICSB).
He teaches various MBA tracks, including Humane Entrepreneurship, Platform Strategy, and Korea Management (K-Management). He has served as Vice-Chancellor of Catholic University of Korea and before that, as the Dean of the Business School.
Over the years, he has advised numerous startups, SMEs, and more established enterprises such as Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motors. He continues to guide these companies towards achieving a sustainable business model and ecosystems. He strongly believes that with the right humane partnership model, a business can attract the most qualified workers, thereby bringing longevity to the industry.
Norris Krueger, PhD is a Scholar, Speaker, Writer, Educator, and ... Agent Provocateur!
He is active in both the entrepreneurial and economic development world and in academe:
Serving Entrepreneurs: Co-Organizer for the Idaho Startup Weekend, an Entrepreneur in Residence at the Allegiance Corporate Solutions, Regional Coordinator for Idaho in the Global Entrepreneurship Week, and currently Lead organizer for 1 Million Cups Boise, under the banner of Entrepreneurship Northwest (2006-present).
Serving Academe: Director at Large for the International Council for Small Business (and member of ICSBs Online Learning Excellence) and twice an elected officer in the Academy of Management. Norris chairs the Global Scholar Development Committee.
Research Leadership: Formerly, External Fellow for the Max Planck Institute for Economics and now Senior Research Fellow for the School for Advanced Studies for University of Phoenix (since 2014). Norris is currently Senior Subject Matter Expect at OECD/EU HE Innovate and Entrepreneurship360 (since 2012).
Rico Baldegger is an accomplished entrepreneur, professor of Entrepreneurship, Strategy, and Innovation at Sawyer Business School, Suffolk University in Boston, USA, and President of the Swiss Sustainability Foundation's board of trustees. He holds a Master's in Business and Economics from the University of St. Gallen and a Ph.D. in SME and entrepreneurship from the University of Fribourg, bringing deep expertise in entrepreneurship and innovation.
Professor Baldegger's extensive professional experience, including leadership roles in human resources, IT, and branding, and his entrepreneurial ventures in Europe and the US, highlight his versatility and broad expertise. His tenure as the CEO of a management consultancy and his current service on several boards of directors and as business angel further underscore his leadership in the field. His prolific authorship, with over a hundred publications including several best-selling books, is a testament to his thought leadership. His latest book on the Future of Business Schools, a best-seller, is a significant contribution to the field. His research, which focuses on entrepreneurs' innovation processes, the internationalization of start-ups and SMEs, new venture creation, and growth management, further demonstrates his influence in the business landscape.
Professor Baldegger is known for his strategic thinking and ability to innovate within global contexts. He regularly delivers lectures and keynotes across Europe, the USA, Singapore, and Australia, sharing insights on strategic innovation and global business trends. He has spoken multiple times at the United Nations for Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) Day, particularly addressing the connection between MSMEs and sustainability. His contributions underscore his commitment to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises worldwide, emphasizing the importance of strategic thinking and innovation in achieving sustainable development goals.
In addition to his other achievements, Professor Baldegger has successfully shepherded the School of Management Fribourg through the extensive accreditation process of AACSB (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business).
Rita Grant is an Associate Professor in the School of Accounting and teaches financial and international accounting. Her research interests include international reporting, entrepreneurship and family-owned business. She also serves on the ICSB Board of Directors.
Professor Veena Sahajwalla is an internationally recognised materials scientist, engineer, and inventor revolutionising recycling science. She is renowned for pioneering the high temperature transformation of waste in the production of a new generation of ‘green materials’ at the UNSW Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) Centre, where she is Founding Director. Professor Veena is the inventor of polymer injection technology, known as green steel, an eco-friendly process for using recycled tyres in steel production. In 2018, Professor Veena launched the world's first e-waste MICROfactorieTM and in 2019 she launched her plastics and Green Ceramics MICROfactoriesTM, a recycling technology breakthrough. Veena is the director of the ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hub for ‘microrecycling’, and is the Leader of the national Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub. In 2021, Professor Veena featured in the ABC’s Australian Story and she was named the 2022 NSW Australian of the Year in recognition of her work. She was also awarded the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE) Clunies Ross Innovation Award. In 2023, Professor Veena was awarded the Engineering Australia Chemical College Chemical Engineer Achievement Award and the Good Design 2023 Women in Design Award. In 2025, Professor Veena was awarded the ‘Office of the Order of Australia’ (AO) for distinguished service to science, sustainable materials research and technology and waste management on Australia Day.
Skye Blanks serves as the Chief Operations Officer for the International Council for Small Business (ICSB), and is the acting Director of the Knowledge Hubs (KHubs) project, which are institutions or networks, dedicated to capture, share and exchange development experiences with national and international partners in order to accelerate development for micro-small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Skye is a double alumnus of the George Washington University Presidential Fellowship program and holds an MBA with a certification in Financial Management from The George Washington School of Business. He also holds a BA in International Affairs with a concentration in International Development from The George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs. Before dedicating his work towards the ICSB, Skye worked abroad as a Research Fellow for the Barcelona-based NGO, Asociación Bienestar y Desarrollo. Skye also served as a Treasury Scholar, working in the US Department of Treasury’s Office of Development Results and Accountability, within the Office of International Affairs, where he helped to analyze international economic development policies and review country strategies, projects, and evaluations for the Multilateral Development Banks.
Head of advocacy and professional standards at Institute of Public Accountants, Incoming Chair of the International Council for Small Business, Host of the 2025 ICSB World Congress
Prior to joining IPA, Vicki was a practicing lawyer specialising in commercial litigation, working in Australia and overseas. She currently holds an unrestricted practicing certificate offering pro bono services. Vicki’s career in economic and public policy started with Federal Treasury in the financial system and business tax divisions. Vicki is a director of the International Council for Small Business and has held directorships with start ups, fintechs and NFPs. She holds a Bachelor of Jurisprudence, Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Arts, Master of Business Administration (International Business) and a Diploma of Financial Planning.
At the IPA, Vicki leads the team responsible for advocacy, policy, government relations, strategic communications, media, publications, technical resources, disciplinary, compliance and co-regulation.
The Honorable Dr. Winslow Sargeant is the Senior Advisor for Globalization and Head of Capital Markets for Genaesis. In this role, Dr. Sargeant syndicates opportunities with capital partners – both domestically and internationally – facilitating optimized valuations and deal structures. Dr. Sargeant co-founded Aanetcom, a computer-circuit design company, and participated in numerous private equity and venture capital funds in both limited and managing partner capacities. In addition to his business and investing experience, Dr. Sargeant is a Kauffman Fellow, a Trustee for Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), a Trustee at Northeastern University, Trustee for the Morgridge Institute for Research, and founding board member of First Women’s Bank (FWB). He is on the boards of Hylux, Circlein.app, and Druxal.com.Dr. Sargeant was appointed by President Obama as Chief Counsel for Advocacy at the Small Business Administration (SBA) in 2010 and unanimously confirmed by the US Senate in 2011. In 2021, he became the Chairman of the International Council for Small Business (ICSB). He is a graduate of Northeastern University (BS), Iowa State University (MS), and the University of Wisconsin (Ph.D.).
