Exclusive Interview Archives

The Visionary Behind Designer Water: John Thompson’s Journey For Building Business With Purpose

In the evolving water industry, where health and wellness trends are constantly shifting, few names resonate as strongly as John Thompson, Founder & CEO of Designer Water. With a passion for promoting wellness and a keen sense of entrepreneurship, Thompson has built a thriving business, making a remarkable impact on the communities it serves. Thompson’s own personal struggle with constant illness enabled him to identify the benefits of alkaline water and transform his life. This experience pushed him to build Designer Water to educate others about healthy choices and offer premium water products.

Empowering Health and Opportunity

John founded Designer Water in 2013 with a profound belief: better health and the dignity that comes with it should be accessible to all, not just a privileged few. He believed that hydration is a small daily choice that has a significant impact on overall well-being. Designer Water is more than just a premium water; it is a platform that combines high-quality hydration with a community distribution model. This innovative approach empowers ordinary South Africans to build a business, creating opportunities for growth and personal development.

Building Trust and Overcoming Challenges

Thompson faced significant challenges, including educating consumers about the benefits of Alkaline water and building trust in the brand. To overcome these challenges, Designer Water adopted a transparent process and maintained consistent quality. The company also tackled the challenge of last-mile distribution in South Africa’s diverse geography by building a tiered network with Master Distributors and Waterpreneurs. This model enabled the product to reach deep into communities, beyond traditional storefronts. To make premium hydration more accessible, Designer Water launched PureSafe, a value-conscious bottled water that maintains the highest industry safety and quality standards. Through these challenges, Thompson stuck to core principles: tell the truth, do not cut corners, and design the business so partners win together.

Cultivating Accountability and Innovation

Thompson builds an ideal culture by prioritizing character in his hiring process and providing ongoing training for skills development. Every team member is responsible for a metric they can influence, fostering ownership and accountability. The company maintains tight feedback loops through daily factory huddles and weekly check-ins with Master Distributors. Thompson recognizes real performance with specifics. He also prioritizes his own learning, reading extensively, and working with a selected group of coaches to continually improve. By setting clear expectations and providing support, Thompson empowers his team to take ownership and drive improvement.

Daily Rituals for Resilience and Clarity

Thompson starts mornings with a run, which he finds to be an ideal time for thinking and reflection. With his schedule permitting, he also incorporates golf practice into his routines. Thompson prioritizes meditation and prayer, aiming to begin each day without his phone. His breakfast is always clean and aligned with his DNA results and blood work. Thompson keeps his evenings slower; he reads, takes Tranquil Mind, does a short meditation, and does his best to avoid TV after 9 pm. These guardrails keep him steady in volatile weeks.

Guiding Lesson: The Power of Character

For Thompson, one guiding principle has stood the test of time: character compounds. He believes that while strategies change and markets shift, the person you are under pressure ultimately decides the long-term outcome. Thompson strives to keep promises, be candid even when it is tough, and work with people who share the same values.

The Key Differentiators

Designer Water distinguishes itself through its commitment to product integrity. The company focuses on repeatability, ensuring every bottle delivers a clean and consistent taste. It is also dedicated to responsible packaging design. The company is moving toward premium, label-light packaging with lighter PET to reduce waste while keeping a quality look and feel.

Unlike many brands that focus solely on securing shelf space, Designer Water invests in shared success through its inclusive distribution model. By empowering local entrepreneurs with margin and practical know-how, the company creates opportunities for growth and development.

Measuring Success: Remarkable Growth

Designer Water has made significant strides in its journey, marked by notable milestones. The company established a network of 177 Master Distributors and bulk buyers. In the past three years, Designer Water has sold more than 49 million bottles and expanded its reach with over 300 new Waterpreneurs joining every month.

Training never stops here. Thompson and his team actively lead training sessions. The company has already introduced dashboards for Master Distributors and is now exploring simple, privacy-safe tools for Waterpreneurs. Designer Water is exporting its products in several countries, including Namibia, Angola, Lesotho, and Eswatini, with intermittent shipments to Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Dubai.

For Thompson, the most rewarding part of this journey is seeing lives change. He has witnessed Waterpreneurs start their business as a side income and end up leading teams, paying school fees, and becoming anchors in their communities.

Future Vision: Five-Year Outlook

Designer Water aims to grow with discipline. The company will work to maintain its premium positioning while leveraging PureSafe to reach more consumers. It is also considering introducing a sparkling water line.

Designer Water is further committed to improving packaging and operations, using lighter materials and clear design, and maintaining visibility for Master Distributors. The company also plans to pilot simple scorecards for Waterpreneurs.

Evolving Consumer Demands

Consumers are seeking functional products without sugar with simple, trustworthy science. Fair pricing has also become a key consideration. According to Thompson’s observations, brands that earn trust through proof and consistency are likely to succeed in this evolving market. Designer Water’s dual-brand strategy is designed to meet these changing demands

Innovating Hospitality, Igniting Change The Thomas Dubaere’s Story

Thomas Dubaere, CEO of Accor Americas, is a seasoned hospitality professional and trailblazer with over two decades of expertise. He is renowned for revolutionizing the hospitality industry with his innovative approach, dynamic leadership, and strategic expertise in making every guest and employee feel valued and inspired. Under Thomas Dubaere’s guidance, Accor Americas is poised for remarkable growth, focused on strengthening its leading brands, introducing new concepts, and harnessing technology for a better guest experience.

A Lifelong Passion for Hospitality

Thomas Dubaere’s journey in hospitality began with a love for people. He believes the industry is about creating meaningful experiences and about enabling others to grow. From his early role at Novotel Bruges to leading Accor across the Americas, his passion has remained centered on people. Over time, it has evolved into a mission: combining business performance with human connection, ensuring that every guest and every employee feels seen, valued, and inspired.

A Leadership Style Shaped by Cultural Experiences

Thomas Dubaere’s leadership style has been influenced by his experience, living and working across Europe and the Americas. His team in Belgium, the UK, and Brazil has shown him that cultural differences are not barriers but sources of richness. He has learned to lead with empathy, respect, and adaptability, recognising the unique dynamics of each culture. This cross-cultural experience has enabled him to navigate complex environments and build strong relationships, essential for effective leadership in a global organization.

Core Values Guiding Leadership

Thomas Dubaere’s leadership at Accor is guided by three core values: respect, authenticity, and curiosity. He prioritizes respect for every culture, identity, and perspective, fostering an inclusive environment. Authenticity is key, as he strives to be transparent and approachable, building trust with his teams. Curiosity drives him to remain open to new ideas, trends, and perspectives, ensuring innovation and growth. These values are essential in hospitality, where people are at the heart of the business, empowering teams to innovate and guests to feel genuinely cared for.

Accor’s Strategy in the Americas A Tailored Approach

Accor’s strategy in the Americas differs from other regions, such as Europe or Asia-Pacific, due to the region’s incredible diversity. The company’s approach focuses on strengthening and expanding its leading brands while introducing new concepts that respond to evolving guest expectations. Agility is key, enabling Accor to adapt strategies to each market’s unique needs while maintaining operational excellence. In South America, Accor combines world-class hospitality with the region’s characteristic warmth and friendliness, delivering a distinctive guest experience that blends international standards with local charm.

Empowering Innovation and a Guest-centric Culture

Thomas Dubaere fosters innovation and a guest-centric culture by empowering Accor’s teams. Innovation is driven by employees who interact with guests daily, not just by headquarters. Through Accor’s corporate university, thousands of employees are trained annually on digitalization, sustainability, and service excellence. This structured approach is complemented by encouraging creativity and diversity of thought, ensuring that innovation is both structured and human-centered.

Revolutionizing the Guest Experience with Technology

Technology is transforming the guest experience at Accor properties, making it more seamless, intuitive, and personalized. AI and smart systems enable Accor to anticipate guest’ needs and tailor their stay in real time. AI-powered tools can suggest room upgrades or tailor packages based on guest preferences. Self-check-in kiosks and mobile solutions provide speed and autonomy, allowing staff to focus on delivering genuine human hospitality. By leveraging technology, Accor creates a more efficient and personalized experience, setting a new standard in hospitality.

Enhancing Hotel Operations and Personalization

Digital tools, AI, and data analytics play a crucial role in enhancing hotel operations and personalization. These technologies act as tireless colleagues, turning data into actionable intelligence that enables hotels to make precise decisions. Predictive maintenance safeguards the guest experience, reducing operational risks, while dynamic pricing ensures competitiveness by adjusting rates in real time. AI-driven personalization identifies guest pain points, converting reviews and feedback into practical improvements that boost satisfaction.

Leveraging Technology for Sustainability and Efficiency

Accor is harnessing technology to drive sustainability and efficiency. The company’s GAIA 2.0 platform, used across its hotels in the Americas, captures precise data on energy, water, and emissions. This enables effective carbon-reduction strategies. In waste management, technology facilitates targeted decarbonization initiatives. A notable example is the pilot project at the GREEM restaurant at Novotel São Paulo Morumbi, where AI calculates the carbon footprint of each dish. The AI assesses the lifecycle of each ingredient and translates this into five color-coded labels displayed on the menu. This empowers guests to make more sustainable dining choices and equips chefs to create environmentally friendly recipes. These tools demonstrate that technology doesn’t just drive efficiency, it turns ESG commitments into tangible, transparent action.

The Future: Balancing Human Touch and Digital Innovation

Thomas Dubaere believes the future of hospitality lies in synergy between technology and people. By automating repetitive and complex tasks, teams can focus on creating meaningful connections. The most advanced AI is valuable only when it amplifies the warmth of human hospitality. This balance will involve using digital innovation to elevate efficiency, personalization, and sustainability, while preserving the authenticity, empathy, and cultural richness that define true hospitality.

A Vision for Growth with Purpose

Thomas Dubaere’s long-term vision for Accor is to maintain its leadership in Brazil while expanding across the wider Americas. Accor aims to tap into the potential of secondary cities and emerging destinations, making its hotels true gastronomy and experience hubs that reflect local culture. By leveraging technology, efficiency, and sustainability, Accor will continue to engage customers through its comprehensive loyalty ecosystem. The future of hospitality in the Americas is envisioned as growth with purpose, driven by innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability.

Creating a Legacy in Hospitality

Thomas Dubaere hopes to create a legacy that proves hospitality can grow responsibly, without losing its soul. He aims to scale while staying human, leveraging technology to empower people and prioritizing sustainability and diversity. His goal is to leave behind a culture where these values are core to the company’s operations. If Accor is remembered as a leader in redefining hospitality to be more authentic, more conscious, and more connected, Thomas Dubaere will have made a lasting impact.

“We believe the future of hospitality is not about choosing between technology and people, it’s about synergy. Automation takes care of the repetitive and complex tasks, allowing our teams to focus on creating meaningful connections.”

Clifford Thomas Rowley: An Athlete-Turned-Entrepreneur Dedicated to Tackle Dehydration

Clifford Thomas Rowley is an inspiring leader, a visionary, and an avid sports enthusiast. Currently serving as the Founder and CEO of HydraPatch® U.S.A. Corporation, Clifford leads the company with a focus on helping sustain athletes throughout the game while managing their hydration levels. Before founding HydraPatch®, Clifford held roles at several renowned firms including Monmouth University and the New York Yankees. With a proven track record of success, Clifford is well-known for his strategic mindset and dedication to mentoring and helping individuals grow both personally and professionally. His expertise in the business field continues to drive Clifford’s growth and success in the industry.

Driven by his personal experience as an athlete and the challenges of dehydration, Clifford set out to address the global issue of dehydration. . “As a former Soccer State Champion, I always experienced dehydration symptoms on and off the field. I was never able to find a product that assisted in managing my hydration throughout my extensive training, gameplay, etc.,” he recalls.

Recognizing the opportunity to solve this global problem, Clifford developed an innovative transdermal patch, HydraPatch®, to replenish electrolytes and supply essential nutrients directly to the body. . Clifford’s sole vision behind HydraPatch® was to bypass the digestive tract process and provide a less invasive and convenient process for consumers worldwide.

A Tale of Determination and Success

Clifford earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Sport Management from the esteemed University of Massachusetts at Amherst, which is known to be the leading Institution in Sport Management in the United States, and later a Master of Arts degree in Corporate and Public Communications from Monmouth University. He began his professional journey with the New York Yankees front office, where he focused on corporate partnerships and marketing. This role helped him gain necessary insights into high-level brand deals and wellness, which ultimately sparked his interest in creating products that benefit athletes and assist in battling dehydration symptoms on and off the field.

The Key Inspiration Behind HydraPatch®

Clifford ventured onto his entrepreneurial path with his original product, “U-ADE,” the world’s first sport-specific performance drink. Although he found fulfillment in entrepreneurship, Clifford aspired to create something more innovative than a new sports drink. The idea for his next venture came to him while watching a New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden. He noticed that the players were drinking sports drinks or water during timeouts (nothing out of the ordinary) but suddenly realized that they would eventually lose nutrients through sweat during the game. This insight led him to create HydraPatch® a solution designed to sustain athletes throughout the game by managing their hydration levels.

Unique Strategies to Attract and Retain Top Talent

Clifford and his team believe in authenticity when communicating with anyone, be it a customer, distributor, investor, or prospective employee. They ensure that people understand who they are and the goals they want to accomplish, which generates a sense of excitement among all the stakeholders after discussions.

The Development Process at HydraPatch®

The R&D process for HydraPatch® was fraught with challenges due to its groundbreaking nature. Developing a novel concept, that had never been done before, presented numerous challenges for Clifford and his team. Despite these difficulties, Clifford believes that the 4+ years development phase was extremely crucial, allowing him to perfect the product and enter the market at the perfect time.

“Key milestones included finding a suitable Board-Certified medical professional with a concentration involving electrolytes and kidney function, formulating an effective product, and finalizing the regulatory pathway to market. Once the design of the HydraPatch® was developed, the next significant phase involved human testing. Testers from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, all of whom had suffered from some sort of dehydration ailment, reported positive experiences with the HydraPatch®, confirming its unique potential,” he remembers.

Staying Ahead of Industry Trends

Adaptability and innovation lie at the center of HydraPatch’s ethos. Clifford and his team are always listening to their customers and allowing the data to show what is successful among the customer base. Clifford has always believed that the best products solve problems in a convenient and different way, and not only does HydraPatch® solve a worldwide issue like dehydration, but it does so more simply and efficiently.

“We will continue to pair effective solutions while keeping efficiency and convenience as we develop our brand,” Clifford affirms.

Overcoming the Hurdles Along the Way

Navigating the intricacies of the corporate world often presents challenges. For Clifford, education is the biggest challenge due to the novel nature of HydraPatch®. “We have teamed up with brand influencers, posted organic social media content, and continue to market and build relationships with key distributors,” Clifford acknowledges.

These strategies have proven to be extremely crucial in raising awareness and educating the larger public about the unique benefits and advantages of HydraPatch®. So, despite all these challenges, Clifford still remains committed to ensuring that people understand the value of HydraPatch® and its innovative solutions.

The Future Outlook

Clifford believes that the skin will be a pathway to many other opportunities to aid the body. The transdermal market will continue to grow, and Clifford plans to be at the forefront of this market. He and his team have created other SKUs that will eventually hit the market to assist customers around the world.

Clifford envisions HydraPatch® being available around the globe and becoming a household brand name. He states, “Our future is marked by ambitious growth and innovation, but, most importantly, my future plan will be focused on staying true to our mission and providing people with a wellness solution to combat dehydration while allowing our customers to live smarter each day.”

Axel D’Addario: Empowering Businesses and Accelerating Growth with Innovative Solutions

Axel D’Addario is a seasoned corporate innovator, entrepreneur, and author. At the age of 18 years, he embarked on his professional journey in real estate. Over the past nine years, he has excelled in innovation, creativity, and sustainability, consistently creating value, driving growth, and delivering cutting-edge solutions.

Currently, Axel serves as the Chief Strategy Officer of HydraPatch®, a unique brand offering transdermal products designed to deliver essential nutrients directly to the bloodstream to solve global dehydration issues. Additionally, as a partner at NXT Level Holdings, Axel plays a key role in guiding companies through every stage of their business journey, from ideation to exit.

The Career Trajectory

Axel has an impressive track record of exploring business environments at a young age. He started his first company in the real estate industry in 2015 and fell in love with the idea of creating his own destiny. In 2019, Axel met Clifford Rowley, founder and CEO of HydraPatch®, who was just beginning the R&D process for the brand’s innovative product. Over the next 4+ years, the team faced numerous challenges in bringing the novel product to market, testing their patience and perseverance. Now as they approach one full year in the market, HydraPatch® is highly valued by endurance and performance athletes at the highest levels of professional and collegiate sport, along with youth and amateur athletes, construction workers, package handlers and drivers, and everyday consumers.

Axel’s Leadership Philosophy Over the Years

Axel’s leadership style has always revolved around “leading by example.” Building trust through actions has been crucial in gaining the confidence of his fellow executives and the team. Axel has a hands-on approach to getting the job done, and his leadership style has evolved to emphasize the significance of understanding people and social dynamics for success.

Strategies to Build and Maintain a High-Performing Team

Axel has built a small but dedicated team of versatile professionals who strive to be flexible and nimble and always make instant change. As the team leader, Axel constantly evaluates each division of the business to identify opportunities for enhanced efficiency, ensuring that the team can keep pace with its rapid growth.

The Inception Story Behind HydraPatch®

Clifford Rowley, founder and CEO, came up with the idea for the HydraPatch® after spending over two decades in professional and collegiate sports and also establishing another isotonic performance brand. Recognizing that dehydration is a global issue and traditional methods of nutrient replenishment often fall short, Rowley created HydraPatch® to address this gap. It offers up to 8 hours of continuous nutrient delivery, supporting wellness before, during, and after activity, and even while sleeping.

Committed to Excellence

As an executive team, Axel and other key executives maintain very high standards. They successfully made 33 different revisions of the product over more than 4 years during their R&D phase, and every change was crucial to creating a unique product with a 99.6% consumer approval rate. Their hard work, sacrifice, and determination allowed them to overcome various barriers, leading to overwhelming success and positive feedback.

“We look forward to continuing this path of incredible growth and are blessed to be at the helm of such a market-moving innovation,” pinpoints Axel.

The Significant Contribution to Social Impact

Human trafficking is a heinous act of violence, and upon learning about the details, Axel felt compelled to take action. So, he founded the Support Our Survivors Campaign, which quickly gained momentum and raised over $250,000 for survivors. It also established partnerships with several anti-human trafficking organizations. For Axel, participating in initiatives that drive social impact is extremely important as it allows him to focus on what’s truly important: people and relationships.

Regarding HydraPatch®’s contributions to social impact, Axel states: “The feedback we have been receiving from the success of the HydraPatch® has not only been related to the success of endurance and performance athletes (e.g., faster race times/PRs, performing longer, etc.), we’ve heard from people who feel they can combat symptoms of their chronic ailments, diseases, and disorders while wearing the HydraPatch® daily.” “It’s the “thank you” from all of our customers that keeps us going,” Axel emphasizes.

Corporate Social Responsibility at HydraPatch®

Corporate social responsibility has been a significant part of HydraPatch® as the brand continues to grow its novel, direct-to-the-bloodstream product line. The team always aims to improve everyone’s wellness experience with the brand and looks forward to striving towards continued, sustainable growth with a vision to provide hydration and recover benefits globally.

The Newest Trends: At a Glance

Axel believes that for the past two decades, America has been on a trend toward better health and wellness, as well as stronger signs of awareness amongst everyday consumers when making daily health and wellness choices. Transdermal technology has been around for thousands of years and is continuing to grow globally. These are a few emerging trends that hold significant promise for the future.

Forging Futures with a Distinctive Approach

Looking ahead, Axel remains committed to HydraPatch®’s long-term vision and aspirations. In the next 3–5 years, the company’s strategic priorities include scaling its business to become a household name and global brand while continuing to strive towards customer excellence and improving the consumer journey.

Jeff Kushner: An Eminent Business Leader, Industry Veteran, and Marketing Expert

His inside story narrates the inspiring and triumphant journey of an accomplished marketing and business leader, Jeff Kushner, the CMO of Allgress, Inc.

Jeff Kushner is a visionary hands-on leader focused on business development, market expansion and go-to-market leadership. Throughout his professional journey, Jeff has nurtured his business and marketing expertise by working for various visionary national and international IT technology focused firms. With every engagement, Jeff quickly rises to the new challenges, upholding the company’s vision, and mission, aligning goals with a market strategy to drive positive business outcomes. His experience extends to IT risk management, compliance, and SaaS development, showcasing a dynamic ability to adapt to diverse markets and drive substantial business outcomes.

In the pivotal role of Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at Allgress, Jeff shapes global marketing strategy, positioning, branding, and market communications. Prior to joining Allgress, Jeff worked for top firms like BindView (now Symantec), BMC Software, and Sun Microsystems (now Oracle), in addition to consulting for numerous companies. Throughout this journey, Jeff drives substantial increases in revenue and market penetration. His accomplishments in the areas of advancement of risk management, compliance, and SaaS development contributed significantly to adoption.

The Tale of Jeff’s Inspiring Journey: At a Glance

Many years ago, Jeff Kushner started his career as a technical practitioner. He moved into Marketing Management and then became a Chief Product Officer. He participated in direct and channel business development for leading high-tech businesses. Ultimately, Jeff’s drive and success led him to the role of Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). This journey evolved through his passion for technology and dedication to positive, value-driven business focused customer outcomes. In every organization, he did this by addressing the most pervasive IT challenges and risk reduction solutions with decision-making shareholders and top-level management in a language they understand from both a business and technical perspective.

Jeff has taken a customer-centric approach throughout his career, interacting directly with the sales organization, account managers, and customers. Jeff focuses on hearing firsthand about their business and technological challenges, operational pain points, and how the organization can drive value and a positive business outcome for the customer. For Jeff, it is critical to hear their journey to spearhead the creation of actionable marketing collateral to support the sales process, deliver key value points and and a total product understanding in order to maintain the interest of the buyer and the approver. A marketing leader must deliver information about product solutions and services for the challenge at hand and the scope of preliminary considerations that may evolve over time.

“To gain the trust of customers or potential clients in sharing their time or contact details, it’s important to establish a fair exchange of contact details for valuable information. This means providing them with useful guidance that quickly helps them grasp complex industry topics, making it easier for them to stay informed,” Says, Jeff Kushner, CMO of Allgress

Allgress: At a Glance

Allgress is a multi-award-winning, internationally recognized supplier of cutting-edge integrated Compliance, IT Security, Risk Management and GRC solutions that help businesses achieve their risk in less time and complexity. With the help of Allgress’s solutions, companies can handle IT risk assessment, monitoring, reporting, and remediation procedures more efficiently to get the answers they need quickly so they know where they stand. With Allgress’s technology, clients consistently achieve a faster time-to-value without the need for a large team of consultants, in contrast to competing with alternatives.

The Key Inspiration Behind Jeff’s Career Path

Jeff Kushner has worked full-time around his passion for technology, the high-tech industry, and, more specifically, IT Operations, Cloud Security and Risk Management. Jeff has played a key role in developing and promoting products into industry-leading solutions as a consultant and member of advisory boards. Through his success in developing and promoting best-in-class products and solutions, he is sought after by CEOs or other senior executives. He has been drawn to and has remained in the IT cloud security and risk management space because of his passion and the need for those solutions.

The Upcoming Trends

Multiple planes of hyper-connectivity driven by cloud computing, process automation, trust architectures, and applied and generative artificial intelligence (AI) all contribute to the technology landscape’s ongoing evolution. Marketing automation incorporating artificial intelligence, natural language processing, chatbots, and deeper integration of social media platforms in how people engage and consume products and solutions, along with crowdsourcing, are creating a new landscape that requires new approaches and ways of addressing what is effective, not overbearing and delivers across a global audience.

Various levels of hyper-connectivity, propelled by cloud computing, process automation, trust architectures and artificial intelligence (AI), are shaping the continuous evolution of the technology landscape. In this changing environment, automation, including artificial intelligence (AI), chatbots, and enhanced integration of platforms, is transforming how people interact with and consume products and solutions. Adding no-code platforms further contributes to this shift, necessitating fresh approaches to ensure effectiveness without confusion.

Jeff shared his thoughts on how to be resilient in a demanding and changing market, saying, “First and foremost, concentrate on being proactive, on being positioned to react quickly as unforeseen events emerge. Secondly, develop the versatility necessary to adjust to modifications in consumer purchasing patterns, global influences, and market fluctuations. Position to execute quickly, pose to jump, and be prepared to embrace what comes at you.”

Fostering Innovation and Creativity at the Workplace

A company’s growth is driven by its employees and corporate culture. The companies team must generate fresh, exciting concepts and approaches that drive the organization to reach for the stars. Additionally, with today’s generation of globally and socially aware and engaged people, the concepts and approaches must incorporate a sense of responsibility and global awareness. With the amazing variety of backgrounds, experiences, social awareness found in today’s workforce, it is a great opportunity to build and grow a trend-breaking and success-driven team.

No matter his role or position, Jeff assures that he will always focus on collaborating with product development, sales, customer service, and other teams to avoid groups working in isolation. In engaging at all levels and across all teams, Jeff continues to develop total team chemistry that drives everyone to achieve great things. Jeff is known for organizing brainstorming meetings with every member of the teams regularly so that everyone can present novel concepts, emerging technology, or trends they’ve seen. Through Jeff’s focus on total team inclusion and active participation and input, his teams maintain a customer-centric focus, confidently pushing boundaries and driving to deliver the best products and solutions.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are top priorities here. They believe everyone should be equally involved in and supported in all workplace areas, regardless of who they are or what they do for the company. I think this is an overused cliché that is better shown and delivered through the action of practicing it every day.

Definition of Success

According to Jeff, “Success is continuing to contribute to help deliver and market innovative leading solutions to the market that help protect companies from risks arising from cyber-security-related incidents.”

The Future Outlooks

Allgress has a roadmap for exploring new methods, processes, and technology to advance automation and AI to deliver IT Risk Management solutions that can be deployed and provide insights quicker than previously. In addition to helping Allgress be a market leader, Jeff will continue exploring being on additional advisory boards, speaking at industry events, and interacting with other marketing leaders to share best practices.

Words to Convey by the Visionary…

Never give up, even when the odds are against you. When others say you can’t or won’t succeed, keep pushing progress forward. Build the dream and drive to success!

Proscovia Nabbanja: The Leading Lady Behind UNOC, Empowering the Growth and Sustainable Development of Uganda’s Petroleum Industry

The narrative here is to bring your attention to Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) – a venture that strives to drive sustainable growth in the oil and gas sector by promoting national involvement and forging strategic alliances. At the forefront of this, we have highlighted the tale of Proscovia Nabbanja’s crucial roles in shaping Uganda’s petroleum sector and establishing the nation as a major player in the world energy landscape.

In the key position of CEO at UNOC, Proscovia is responsible for executing the company’s corporate strategy and plans, overseeing the business facets of state participation throughout the petroleum value chain, encompassing upstream, refining, transportation, and storage, and discovering fresh, profitable ventures. She started off working for the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development as a geologist. In academics, she earned a Master of Science in Petroleum Geoscience from the prestigious Imperial College of Science, Technology, and Medicine in London, a Bachelor of Science in Geology and Chemistry from Makerere University, and a Master of Business Administration from the Imperial College Business School in London.

To gain a better understanding of how she contributes to alleviating Uganda’s energy scenario, we conducted a one-on-one virtual interview with Proscovia Nabbanja. Based on the conversation, we crafted this exclusive story, which will shed light on her innovative ideas and her distinctive leadership approaches that take the company to the next level.

What Inspired Proscovia to Join the Uganda National Oil Company?

Proscovia, the magnificent woman, has always had a strong interest in Uganda’s oil and gas resources. She played a significant role in forming Uganda’s petroleum industry for the past 23 years. She began her career in the field as a geologist and worked her way up to become the head of the Technical Division in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development’s Petroleum Exploration and Production Department. In this role, she experienced projects through all stages of development, from inception to maturity, and investment-ready projects with detailed development strategies and plans.

Joining the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) was a natural progression for her. She was inspired by the company’s vision—to be an innovative and profitable oil and gas company that operates across the entire petroleum value chain for the benefit of all Ugandans—to position Uganda as a significant player in the local and global energy landscape.

Being part of a business that has a footprint across the entire petroleum value chain, from the reservoir to the consumer, was an opportunity to deliver value and a positive impact on her country. They have shown their commitment to helping Uganda’s economy change by investing in the infrastructure related to oil and gas along the whole petroleum value chain. Her main motivation for joining UNOC was this objective and the opportunity to positively influence Uganda’s energy sector.

Overcoming the Hurdles Along the Way

Proscovia has observed that business leaders grapple with several challenges, some of which are as follows:

An uncertain business environment due to changes in the global landscape.
Technological advancements demand that corporations keep pace and harness these innovations to ensure growth.
Besides, the constantly changing regulatory environment adds another layer of difficulty. Having dedicated employees to keep an eye on these changes is essential, as is ensuring compliance while managing these transitions. The consequences of non-compliance are getting worse.
Managing the expectations of stakeholders, ranging from shareholders, business partners, civil society, and the local communities where they operate, All these stakeholders have varied expectations, and aligning these expectations requires communication.
Recruiting and keeping talent present difficulties as well, particularly when the industry’s need for talent changes.
Last but not least, as sustainability becomes more and more of a worldwide priority, businesses like UNOC are under more and more pressure to embrace eco-friendly policies and work toward a sustainable future. The imperatives of social-economic transformation must be addressed while managing them.

Some potential solutions to these problems are listed below.

Leaders need to ensure that the strategies are agile and adaptable.
It is important to review the organization’s mission from time to time to ensure it continues to serve the goals of all of its stakeholders.
A culture of ongoing exposure to and learning from the newest industry trends is necessary for the growth and retention of talent.
Investing in research and development allows businesses to stay at the forefront of the latest technologies.
Collaborations with other industry players to provide fresh perspectives and solutions.
Establishing transparent channels of communication with all parties involved will ensure agreement and anticipate issues.

The Key Takeaways: Directly from Proscovia’s Mouth

Incorporating emerging technologies into the operations and client services of UNOC has offered a wealth of insights. One of the primary lessons is the importance of embracing change. Every new technological advancement, while promising, needs to be meticulously evaluated for its relevance to our specific operational needs. every technological decision is weighed against its value proposition. With the digital revolution, the sanctity of data has become paramount, underscoring the criticality of robust cybersecurity measures.

The rapid evolution of the technology landscape requires staying updated with the latest developments, ensuring adaptability to technological changes. An innovative approach approach guides our choices, focused on flexibility and scalability to address current and future needs.

Lastly, fostering a collaborative working environment at UNOC has proven great. Adopting the culture of One UNOC, where no staff is left behind, we have unlocked innovative solutions that drive efficiency and growth, ensuring that our technology, systems, and business processes align seamlessly with our vision.

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Issues

UNOC acknowledges the rising importance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors in the current corporate environment. Their commitment lies in reducing their carbon footprint and making sure that the production activities are conducted with the utmost care for the environment. Thus, when designing projects, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations are prioritized. This includes investing funds in greener technology, cutting back on waste, and keeping an eye on and minimizing any environmental dangers related to business operations.

UNOC launched an Alliance for Climate Resilience program that brings technical, financial, cultural, religious, local government, and development partners under one umbrella to define and implement nature-based solutions to address the impacts of climate change.

In the same spirit, they led the creation of a forum for women working in the energy and extractive industries, which they introduced in May 2023 in an effort to bring together women who directly experience the effects of these sectors.

The Futuristic Outlook

For UNOC, this journey has been marked by remarkable growth and expansion. Further, Proscovia envisions a dual role for UNOC. As a responsible producer of oil and gas, the company’s first goal is to optimize operations by making sure they are effective, considerate of the environment, and in line with industry best practices. Secondly, they diversify their energy portfolio to look forward to the future while simultaneously maximizing the value of their oil and gas assets.

Pearls of Wisdom by the Inspiring Lady

You need to have the right mindset, attitude, and mentality. It’s important to have faith in your own abilities and insights.
You must be steadfast and dedicated, taking on obstacles head-on and not giving up until you achieve them.
Clarity and direction are always available when you ask seasoned professional coaches and mentors for advice.
Be the mentor; support your team to be a better version of themselves. Use your voice to push boundaries and support other women.

The Inspirational Journey of Mike Kavanagh: A Tale of Efforts and Achievements

One of the foremost contractors in Hong Kong, incorporated in 2000, S&Techs is a globally recognized brand reckoned for its dedicated professional service and successful project delivery thanks to the wise guidance of its visionary leaders. Mr. Mike Kavanagh is the COO of the establishment and emphasizes customer-centricity and transparency. Mr. Kavanagh, a licensed quantity surveyor with more than 30 years of experience in the construction sector, is recognized as a visionary luminary who has held several managerial positions with the StructureTone Organization in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific Region. prior to senior roles with S & techs.

As a proactive professional, Mike has been shifting the tides and collaborating closely with clients and consultants to ensure the teams have the tools and expertise to provide top-notch service.

With a proven track record of building successful businesses from scratch and positioning them as market leaders, Mike is perceived as a guiding light to modern-day entrepreneurs who look up to him for inspiration and business wisdom. His extensive experience working with multinational clients enables him to understand their unique requirements, making him a trusted partner in the Asia-Pacific region.

Mike Kavanagh’s Success Journey: From Quantity Surveyor to the Company COO

He began his career as a Chartered Quantity Surveyor in the fit-out and refurbishment industry in the early 1980s in New York City after emigrating to the US from Ireland. Working for the sizable construction firm Structure Tone, he eventually moved into management positions, running the business’s office in Washington, DC, for six years after staring in estimating and rising to head of purchasing for the corporation in New York. Mike spent much time working outside of Washington, DC, including in Baltimore, Charlotte, Philadelphia, and, of course, the city itself.

The leadership team encouraged the aspiring executive to move to London to take a position as the commercial director of the London office as the business started to grow in Europe. From that point on, he worked with offices throughout Europe, including Paris, Milan, Madrid, Frankfurt, and Dublin, as the regional development director. His achievement of this key milestone allowed him to gain crucial experience working with people from many cultures and nations.

They began receiving queries about projects in Hong Kong at that time, which ultimately resulted in the opening of the office there 23 years ago. He helped the business flourish in the region by serving as a director on the board of the organization as a result of his involvement in Asia. He moved to Hong Kong in 2010 and has been there ever since.

Since then, Mike Kavanagh and his business partner, CEO Nobuo Shigemitsu have acquired ownership of the company and are concentrating on two distinct business sectors. The first is the industrial manufacturing sector, which entails planning and erecting factories, logistics centres and R&D centres in mainland China lead by Nobuo Shigemitsu. The other is the company’s interior fit-out and renovation division, which covers the entire APAC region. Mike Kavanagh is in charge of this department of the company, which currently has several offices spread out around the area.

“Throughout my journey, I’ve learned many impactful lessons, including the importance of adapting to different cultures, the value of taking risks and making big leaps, and the necessity of being open to new opportunities. I believe these lessons have been critical to my success, and I look forward to continuing to learn and grow as a professional”, the magnificent man shared.

Highlights: Key Driving Force

Client Service: Putting the customer’s needs first has been a recurring theme throughout Mike’s career, and it has assisted him in developing a reputation for competence in the field. Mike has gained his client’s trust and respect by offering great service and producing work of the highest caliber.

Excellence: The inspiring leader is dedicated to producing the best outcomes on each project and has a high regard for excellence. Additionally, he stands out in a competitive business due to his focus on quality and attention to detail.

Partnering: Understanding the value of enduring partnerships with customers, vendors, and other stakeholders. The visionary leader has produced excellent results on even the most challenging projects by collaborating and encouraging open communication.

Relationship Building: Recognize that successful connections are the foundation of the construction industry. You have put much effort into cultivating enduring bonds with your customers, staff, and other stakeholders, which has played a role in your long-term success.

Integrity: Always act professionally and with the utmost integrity. You are known as a respected leader in the sector thanks to your dedication to moral business conduct.

Enthusiasm: Take a positive outlook and an enthusiastic approach to every project. Mr. Kavanagh’s infectious enthusiasm and dedication to his work have motivated the team to remarkable success.

Technology Innovation: Another significant driving force is the constant search for new methods to use technology to enhance processes and provide clients with better results. Mr. Kavanagh has been able to stay up-to-date with the most recent technological developments by embracing innovation and staying ahead of the curve.

Defeating the Obstacles

As always, the challenges are adapting to differing market conditions, which include budget and schedule challenges, as well as continuously being ahead of the curve in terms of delivery and service excellence.

Purpose-Driven: Mission and Vision

Their mission is to deliver great construction services to clients that exceed their expectations. The team is dedicated to providing top-notch work, creative solutions, and prompt project completion. They are guided in all facets of their work by their principles of customer service, excellence, collaboration, connection development, integrity, excitement, and technological innovation.

Their vision is to become the top construction company in the sector by offering clients unmatched quality and service. They strive hard to develop strong bonds with their clients that are founded on mutual respect, trust, and understanding. The degree to which their customers are happy and the volume of repeat business they get each year indicate their success.

Five Years Down the Line

Looking ahead, Mr. Kavanagh’s visionary perspective entails a future where the focus would be on enhancing and building more solid industry expertise as well as expanding the company’s reach to at least three additional APAC locations.

An Inspiring Message to Budding Entrepreneurs from the Desk of the COO

Adopting an attitude of ownership can help you develop a sense of responsibility and a deeper understanding of management. Furthermore, do not hesitate to seek out senior management in the company for mentoring and guidance. Building strong relationships is another key factor in the growth of any business. This can help expand your company’s reach and develop new local and international business opportunities.

Going the extra mile for your clients is another crucial element. It’s also important to gain diverse experience across different parts of the business to understand how the business works and help you develop a diverse set of skills. Finally, continue to learn and educate yourself. Investing in your personal development will help you stay ahead of the curve and advance your career.

Gary Lam: The Aspiring Tech Leader at Livi Bank Limited, Making the Banking Experience Seamless, Secure and Convenient

Businesses always look to develop a bleeding edge, ‘silver bullets’, or reinvent the wheel. Ventures that succeed in their endeavors often have a diversity of success factors, with dynamic leadership being one of them. livi bank has undeniably carved a niche for itself with its spectacular breakthroughs as one of the pioneers in the digital banking space. livi is the first bank to introduce the revolutionary livi PayLater (“Buy Now, Pay Later”) to Hong Kong and is gaining popularity among its customers. It also introduced the Mochi NFT artwork collectible, an innovative way to show appreciation to supportive customers.

As Hong Kong’s leading lifestyle-driven virtual bank, livi bank aims to provide customers with a unique, fresh, and different banking experience anytime and anywhere that complements their everyday lives. The bank is dedicated to promoting financial inclusion by introducing new financing and insurance products that serve customers’ needs both in their personal and business lives and by providing financial options for Hong Kong’s SMEs.

Gary Lam: a Tech Leader Aspires to Bring Positive Changes

It is remarkable that livi has undergone exceptional developments and provided distinctive values to those on the ground. Mr. Gary Lam, livi bank’s Chief Technology Officer, is one of the leaders behind these projects. Gary’s incredible career spans more than 20 years, and throughout that time, he has worked on several financial technology initiatives and led sizable IT teams across the Asia-Pacific region.

Gary made changes to the bank’s IT infrastructure and digital offerings, with an emphasis on improving the customer experience. His leadership approach involves empowering his team to cultivate a climate of trust and responsibility and supporting their professional growth. He values forging close bonds with his team members, hearing their thoughts, and working together to accomplish common goals. Through encouraging innovation and nurturing growth, Gary has been a successful leader who fosters a happy and productive atmosphere for his team. Gary started his career with Microsoft as an Associate Consultant after graduating with a degree in computer engineering. He gained valuable expertise working on several key projects. Later, he moved into the banking and insurance sectors, where he restructured several major banks using agile approaches. He contributed to offering WeChat banking for corporate clients, developing blockchain-powered trade finance systems and global trade tracking applications.

Before joining livi as Chief Technology Officer, Gary was Morgan Stanley’s Executive Director and Head of Digital and Platform Architecture for the Private Wealth Management business. Prior to that, he worked for major banks like HSBC and JP Morgan as Head of Program Management and led Agile Transformation in the APAC region.

The Open Workplace Culture Driven by Creativity and Innovation

At livi bank, Gary introduced an agile business model called Formula One (Fast, First, and Fearless) and an open culture that values diversity of thought and experimentation to inspire creativity and innovation while upholding a positive work environment.

By establishing a top-down vision and objective and encouraging the team to propose solutions, Gary empowered the team to succeed in their work. Within a year, livi bank’s IT team offered SME business banking, established an insurance gateway, and completed the retail banking journey .

The team has been encouraged to challenge the status quo in order to provide innovative solutions, and thus, they have significantly shortened the time to market, especially for delivering new products and services.

livi has a strong and dedicated team with extensive experience in finance and banking, as well as in the technology, commercial, and consumer sectors. The agile work methodology introduced by Gary leverages cross-functional teams to create a rapid and flexible customer – driven work environment.

Outstanding technology capabilities are fundamental to livi. The bank has built a strong digital platform with the flexibility to scale and is creating enhanced data capabilities that will act as drivers for the business. livi’s digital capabilities enable speed to market, personalized products and services, resource optimization, and a robust risk and governance infrastructure that can support customers.

livi bank has continually developed innovative solutions that systematically address customers’ pain points. One of the issues the financial sector is dealing with is the lack of useable data, which makes it challenging to efficiently provide customers with customized solutions like alternative data financing, precision marketing, and other specialized services.

To address these challenges, financial institutions like livi bank can expand their services and increase their accessibility to a larger variety of customers by utilizing technical solutions to reduce the marginal cost of each transaction. As a result, it may be simpler to monetize investments in financial inclusion through cost reduction and efficiency improvements.

The Business-centric Technologist: Making a Positive Impact in Fintech

Gary aspires to be a pioneering leader in the fintech sector, a business-focused technologist, and someone who drives digital transformation and develops cutting-edge technologies that enhance the consumer experience. He is recognized for his tenacity, business-centric approach to technology, and capacity to unite a diverse team to accomplish shared objectives.

Gary is dedicated to advancing innovation and enhancing the customer experience. He aims to continue advancing innovation at livi bank, expands the bank’s offerings and reach and takes part in the continuous transformation of the fintech sector in the coming years. To contribute to the long-term, sustainable economic growth of Hong Kong, he and the livi team are passionate about introducing GBA services. Gary intends to share cutting-edge ideas with nearby markets to advance the goal of becoming a global developer.

In addition to his professional achievements, he is committed to giving back to the community wherever possible and improving the lives of others. He will continue to lead the team to support Hong Kong’s community, advance the digital banking strategy and give underbanked customers access to high-quality services at competitive prices.

“By capitalizing the strategic location of Hong Kong and the talents of our local workforce, we aim to scale up digital banking opportunities to provide our customers with a seamless, enjoyable, and convenient banking experience.” Gary Lam

Sigurd Fristad: Pioneering Excellence in Digital Transformation

With a remarkable track record spanning more than three decades, Sigurd Fristad has navigated the complex IT landscape, leaving a mark as both as a seasoned line manager and a proficient program & project manager. His journey began with what would later become Accenture, where he ascended to the esteemed position of an international partner.

What sets Sigurd apart from others is his extensive experience and understanding of the challenges in managing complex transformation processes. He is well aware of the struggles associated with manual, reactive approaches reliant on fragmented transformation from various sources and individuals. So, in 2020, Sigurd and Cristoph Reuter co-founded Qlorem, which provides companies with an instant, insightful, collaborative way of scoping, planning, and executing projects, taking proactive actions, and averting problems before they even occur.

“I have felt the pain myself trying to manage the transformation complexity manually and reactively based on hardly available information from different systems and people. Me and my co-founder Christoph Reuter decided to ease the pain, so we founded Qlorem. Qlorem is Latin and stands for Quality and Value creation,”– he explains

About Qlorem

Founded in 2020, Qlorem helps companies globally manage projects more intelligently. Qlorem has launched a nextgeneration Project Intelligence Platform that provides an instant, insightful, collaborative way of scoping, planning, and executing your projects so companies can take proactive actions and avert problems before they occur.

Qlorem’s unique Project Intelligence Platform connects project management processes to the actual change using a Dynamic Digital Twin of an Organization, integrations to the company eco-system, 60+ Key Performance Indicators, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence.

The Problem Solver

Sigurd Fristad is more than just an experienced professional; he is a relentless problem-solver. In every facet of his work, Sigurd’s unwavering commitment revolves around the belief that there’s always a better way, and he’s determined to find it.

One of his defining characteristics is his analytical and fact based approach to challenges. Sigurd doesn’t rely on intuition alone; he compiles data and evidence to support his proposals for improvements and innovations. This systematic approach ensures the soundness of his ideas and fosters trust and confidence among his colleagues and peers.

Sigurd also brings an unmatched energy and passion to everything he undertakes. For him, it’s not only about solving problems; it’s about doing so with outstanding commitment and dedication.

“My passion is to create new products or services, and it gives both energy to introducing new technology which can help drive transformational changes for clients. My mission all my professional life has been to help clients become more successful,”- Sigurd says.

It’s All About Diversity

Sigurd embraces the diversity of the human race. He believes that companies can not thrive if they can’t embrace the human race’s diversity. Under his leadership, Qlorem actively promotes an inclusive environment where all are treated with respect and equality.

Furthermore, Sigurd also tackles gender pay inequality head-on. He firmly believes that actual progress can only be achieved when employees are compensated based on their work, not on their gender. Qlorem’s reward system is designed to reflect this belief, and each team member’s contributions determine their compensation regardless of gender.

Digital Transformation is Not Easy

Sigurd recognizes that the digital transformation landscape is full of challenges, and 65% of all digital transformation projects fail. Every year, companies invest more than $1 Trillion in digital transformation projects, among which $650 Billion goes to waste.

There are several reasons for this, one of which is the huge resistance in organizations towards change. Another critical factor contributing to the high failure rate is the decision-making within organizations and companies. Many companies still rely on old, archaic, fragmented, static project and product information scattered across stand-alone systems, spreadsheets, and sticky notes. While many things have changed, the way of work has hardly changed over the last decades.

“I would like to see more people being more positive to change and adopting new technology. There is too much: “This is the way we always have done it” and there are too few early adopters. Of course, we need to balance the usage of AI, but the evolution will not stop, it needs to be managed,”– explains Sigurd.

Future Roadmap

Sigurd aspires to witness a world where projects, on a global scale, are managed with greater intelligence and efficiency, ideally by using Qlorem’s Project Intelligence platform.

“I would really like to see global projects managed more intelligently, preferably by using Qlorem’s Project Intelligence platform. Then I can spend more time with my wife and grandchildren, which can be expected from my four grown-up children,”– he concludes.

Cem Congar’s Ambitious Voyage In Maritime And International Law

Cem CONGAR, the esteemed founder of Congar Law Ltd, earned his law degree from Istanbul University in 2006. As a distinguished member of the Istanbul Bar Association, he has consistently demonstrated commitment and integrity in his legal practice. His professional journey commenced with the founding of Congar Law Firm in Istanbul and later expanded with the establishment of Congar Law Ltd and Doris Consultancy LLP in London. Notably, he interned under a respected professor, a distinguished lecturer, and the former Dean of Commercial Law at the Istanbul University Faculty of Law.

Throughout his career, Mr. CONGAR has provided expert services as inhouse lawyer to esteemed institutions, including the Antalya Coast Guard Command, Ceynak Logistics & Samsunport Harbour, and the notable AXA Sigorta General Directorate.

His expertise encompasses maritime, air, and land transportation law, insurance law, energy law, international arbitration, and litigation. As a respected thought leader, Mr. CONGAR frequently contributes to industry publications and has authored thirteen books. His insights are regularly sought after, leading him to speak at numerous venues including universities, professional associations, chambers of commerce, and international symposiums.

Beyond the courtroom, Mr. CONGAR is deeply engaged in the legal community. He played a foundational role in establishing several professional associations and is the proud founding president of the Young Maritime Lawyers Association of Turkey. Additionally, he is an esteemed member of the European Lawyers Association.

This year, Mr. CONGAR will augment his legal pursuits by undertaking doctoral studies in maritime law in London, aiming to deepen his specialization and foster his academic progression in the discipline.

Establishing Congar Law Firm

In 2017, Cem parted ways with AXA Insurance and established his boutique, Congar Law Firm. Over the past three years, Cem and his team have proudly operated as Congar Law Firm in Istanbul and Congar Law Company in London. The boutique law firm’s dedicated team of 35 professionals delivers legal and industry-specific consulting services.

“Our firms are boutique in nature, with specializations in maritime law, insurance law, international arbitration, transportation law, corporate law, and commercial contracts. In addition, while these areas remain our core strengths, we also serve clients in niche domains like international employment law and domestic relations.”– he explains.

A notable aspect of Congar Law Firm is its multilingual proficiency; virtually all of its lawyers are adept in multiple languages, which has proven invaluable globally. Congar’s affiliations with numerous international professional associations further bolster the firm’s reach, enabling swift resolutions to its clients’ legal disputes across various countries through collaborative efforts.

“What sets us apart is our innate ability to ‘speak’ our clients’ language. Our primary clientele, which consists of transportation firms, seafarers, and insurers, benefits from our deep understanding of their industry’s nuances and terminology. This deep-rooted knowledge equips us to identify solutions with greater efficiency and precision,”– states Cem.

“Without this specialized understanding, lawyers might find themselves navigating a labyrinth of legal research or, worse, providing advice that isn’t congruent with practical industry operations. It’s this expertise that instills confidence in our clients, making their interactions with us smooth and trustful.”

A Steadfast Leader

Cem pioneered the concept of a voluntary training organization in Turkey. Typically, lawyers expect some remuneration for training. However, recognizing the initial stage of the Turkish Maritime Law, Cem embarked on a mission to elevate its status. Since then, he has provided hundreds of free trainings at institutions, bar associations, chambers of commerce, and sectoral associations.

That’s not all; Cem’s commitment to sharing knowledge is further exemplified by his monthly columns in a well-known sectoral magazine. He also founded the Young Maritime Lawyers Association of Turkey to mentor the next generation of lawyers. In 2012, Cem helped establish the Transport and Logistics Commission at the Istanbul Bar Association and became its Founding Vice President. Cem’s engagement with European legal circles soon saw him participating in various European Union legal studies and later contributing articles to the European Union’s annual law journal following his involvement with the European Lawyers Association meeting this year.

“2023 has been a whirlwind, marked by my travels to 18 countries. These journeys facilitated meaningful exchanges with law and bar associations and ambassadors. My insights into Turkish and International Law were well-received, leading to publications in Greece, Germany, Azerbaijan, and England. Collaborative efforts saw us interviewing lawyers across 25 countries, enriching the perspective of young Turkish legal professionals,”- he explains.

Promoting the Culture of Unity and Acceptance

Cem has consistently strived to embody and promote inclusivity. His affiliation with the International Rotary and Lions Clubs since 2007 enriched him with a culture of acceptance and unity.

“Turkey, in its essence, is a tapestry of diverse ethnicities, nationalities, and beliefs. At our office, we resonate with this ethos, welcoming everyone with open arms and fostering an environment of mutual respect and cooperation,”– he explains.

During his tenure as the president of the Rotary Club, Cem started the tradition of celebrating religious festivals from all faiths and named that initiative “Let’s Recognize Our Differences.” This noble endeavor not only bridged gaps between communities but also helped Cem earn the “Young People Making a Difference Award” from the USA, a testament to his unwavering commitment to building bridges and fostering a more inclusive society.

Making the Industry a Better Place

Cem feels with all the technological leaps; legal professionals need continuous learning and education. He firmly believes that continuous education is essential to keep pace with the ever-evolving landscape of the law. As technology reshapes industries, legal practitioners must adapt and expand their knowledge base to provide the best counsel to their clients. Like many others, the legal profession is not immune to the transformative power of technology, and staying informed and educated is paramount to staying on top of it.

On the other hand, he feels the planet’s escalating environmental crisis underscores the urgency for more robust environmental legislation and enforcement. This global issue demands local solutions, with nations collectively tightening environmental statutes.

Also, with a more interconnected world, increased collaboration is needed to confront international crimes and facilitate commercial dispute resolutions. Furthermore, Cem strongly believes that the arc of law must bend towards safeguarding individual and community rights. He feels it’s not enough for the law to be static; instead, it must evolve to address society’s changing needs and concerns. This means strongly emphasizing pillars like gender equality, minority rights, and other pivotal societal matters. The law should remain a dynamic instrument of justice and equity, constantly adapting to uphold the principles of fairness and inclusivity in an ever-changing world.

The Future Roadmap

Over the next half-decade, Cem is dedicated to carving a distinct niche in the fields of Maritime Law and International Law within Turkey. While of paramount importance, these sectors have traditionally been overshadowed by other branches of law, and Cem sees this as an opportunity to bring these areas to the forefront and elevate their significance in the legal landscape of his country.

“It’s my fervent belief that despite the challenges, we possess the tenacity and expertise to hold our own against attorneys from countries with more entrenched legal frameworks in these areas,”- he explains.

Above all, Cem’s ultimate ambition is to make a mark as a Turkish lawyer in a nation like England—a country that has, for centuries, not only been a cornerstone in maritime affairs but also a formidable force in shaping maritime law.