Mr. Klaus Welte is a Dynamic Innovation and Business leader, experienced in complex medical device development, production and business development. He has a track record of success in finding desirable and feasible approaches always using a customer centric perspective as well all available technologies and proven success in building strong team cultures. Mr. Welte is known for balancing short term goals and long term strategic direction.

Ms. Meredith Whittaker is the Co-founder and Co-director of AI Now Institute. She is a Research Professor at New York University and Founder of Google’s Open Research group. Her research and advocacy focuses on the social implications of artificial intelligence and the tech industry responsible for it.

Ms. Iris Wieczorek studied Japanese Studies and Computer Science. In 2000, she joined as a researcher, the GIGA Institute for Asian Studies in Hamburg, Germany; from 2008 to 2012, she acted as founding director of the Japan Office of the German Research Foundation (DFG); subsequently, she founded IRIS Science Management Inc., a Tokyo-based consulting firm working for Japanese and European research institutions.

Ms. Carrie D. Wolinetz, PhD is the Acting Chief of Staff, as well as the Associate Director for Science Policy and Director of the Office of Science Policy (OSP) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). As leader of OSP, she advises the NIH Director on science policy matters of significance to the agency, the research community, and the public, on a wide range of issues.

Mr. John Womersley is Director-General of the European Spallation Source, a multidisciplinary research facility now under construction in Lund, Sweden, which will be the world's most powerful centre for neutron scattering when it starts operation. He also chairs the ERIC forum which represents 21 pan-European research infrastructures in fields going from social sciences to life sciences and physics.

Mr. Jan Wouters is Full Professor of International Law and International Organizations, Jean Monnet Chair ad personam, Director Leuven Centre for Global Governance Studies, President International Policy Council KU Leuven. Adjunct Professor Columbia University, Visiting Professor College of Europe, LUISS, Paris2, SciencesPo. Publications on international, EU law and global governance. Coordinator, RECONNECT Project.

Mr. Gu Xingfa received his master's and PhD degrees from Paris 7 University in 1988 and 1991, respectively, in the field of Physical Remote Sensing. He is professor for the Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences. He is the chief designer of the application system of the GaoFen(High Resolution in Chinese) Earth Observation System (hereinafter referred to as the GF Project).

Mr. Yousef Yousef, EIC Advisory Board Member and CEO of LG Sonic, is an innovator with a strong vision on environmental technologies driven by big data. Mr. Yousef’s passion lies with green scaleups - from developing solutions to coaching innovative SMEs. His belief is that Europe's value proposition is highest in deep tech and sustainability, which will let Europe take the lead in the global economy.

Mr. Anthony Zacharzewski is the President of the Democratic Society, an international non-profit association that works in 20 countries across Europe to create and operate democratic initiatives, civic participation and new models of governance.

Ms. Ruta Zarnauskaite is a Head of Unit in the Directorate Generate for Research and Innovation of the European Commission and is responsible for Horizon Europe Associations. Before joining the Research & Innovation family in 2020, she spent 15 years in the Directorate General for Trade as trade negotiator. She holds Law degrees from Maastricht University (LL.M) and the Law University of Lithuania (LLB).

Mr. Unai Zorriqueta has over 20 years of experience accelerating innovative business and early stage ventures. He is the founding partner of Hasten Ventures, venture building firm specialised in science and technology. Mr. Zorriqueta has core expertise linked with business development, technology transfer, funding and M&A, especially in sector with a high industrial component.