Past AFNBP Speakers
AFNBP has brought together key stakeholders from across the African and international nuclear supply chain over the recent years.

Dr. Eng. Joseph Njoroge, CBS
Principal Secretary
Ministry of Energy

Dr. Eng. Joseph Njoroge, CBS
Principal Secretary
Ministry of Energy
Kenya

Ezra Odondi Odhiambo
Chairperson
Nuclear Power and Energy Agency

Ezra Odondi Odhiambo
Chairperson
Nuclear Power and Energy Agency
Kenya

H.E. Hon. Joseph Cudjoe
Deputy Minister of Energy
Ministry of Energy
Hon Joseph Cudjoe is a Deputy Minister of Energy, responsible for Finance and Infrastructure. He is also a Member of Parliament for Effia Constituency. Hon. Cudjoe served as a member of the select committee of Mines and Energy in the 6 th Parliament of Ghana and the Vice Chairman of the same committee in the current Parliament.
Prior to his political career, Hon Cudjoe was the Investment Manager of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) for eight and a half years. Before joining COCOBOD, Hon Joseph Cudjoe worked as a Senior Consultant with SEM International Associates. Earlier he had worked as the Financial Analysis and Planning Manager at the Ghana branch office of ENO International, LLC, (a U.S based finance, investments and pre-financed procurements company) where he gained hands-on experience in reviewing business plans, development of new businesses, financial planning and analysis, investment appraisals, modelling of financial decisions, credit and credit risk management, and financial projections.
Hon. Cudjoe, has to his credit, the development of the pricing formula for the Government of Ghana Index Linked Bonds (GGILBs) during the government’s domestic debt restructuring in 2001 when N.P.P came into power to meet excessive debt level. From 2003 until he veered into politics, Hon Cudjoe was an instructor at the Ghana Stock Exchange and delivered training in corporate finance and investment analysis.
His professional experience spans industrial training, financial investment management consultancy, and data analysis, an experience that he built through the lecturing of Financial and Investment Management, Quantitative Techniques, Statistics, and Production and Operations Management. Besides work experience in academia, finance and investment management practise, Hon Cudjoe is an Entrepreneur and a Businessman.
Hon. Cudjoe holds BSc. Mathematics and MBA Finance degrees from University of Science and Technology, and the University of Ghana respectively, after pursuing his secondary education at Fijai Secondary School. He has value added qualifications in education, industrial training and accountancy.

H.E. Hon. Joseph Cudjoe
Deputy Minister of Energy
Ministry of Energy
Ghana

Dr. Rita Baranwal
Assistant Secretary of Nuclear Energy
US Department of Energy
USA
Dr. Rita Baranwal serves as the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Nuclear Energy in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Dr. Baranwal leads the office’s efforts to promote research and development (R&D) on existing and advanced nuclear technologies that sustain the existing U.S. fleet of nuclear reactors, enable the deployment of advanced nuclear energy systems, and enhance the U.S.A’s global commercial nuclear energy competitiveness. Prior to her current role, Dr. Baranwal directed the Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) initiative at Idaho National Laboratory. She was responsible for providing the nuclear industry and other stakeholders access to DOE’s state-of-the-art R&D expertise, capabilities, and infrastructure to achieve faster and cost-effective development, demonstration, and ultimate deployment of innovative nuclear energy technologies. Under her leadership, GAIN positively impacted over 120 companies.
Before joining the U.S. Department of Energy, Dr. Baranwal served as Director of Technology Development & Application at Westinghouse. There, she led the creation and development of game- changing technologies and managed characterization and hot cell laboratories. Her previous positions at Westinghouse included director of Core Engineering and manager of Materials and Fuel Rod Design. Prior to joining Westinghouse, she was a manager in Materials Technology at Bechtel Bettis, Inc. where she led and conducted R&D in advanced nuclear fuel materials for US Naval Reactors. Dr. Baranwal has served on Advisory Boards for MIT’s Materials Research Laboratory and UC Berkeley’s Nuclear Engineering Department, and also was adjunct faculty at the University of South Carolina’s nuclear engineering graduate program. Dr. Baranwal is a past Chairman of the Executive Committee of the American Nuclear Society’s (ANS) Materials Science and Technology Division. Dr. Baranwal has a bachelor’s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in materials science and engineering and a master’s degree and Ph.D. in the same discipline from the University of Michigan.

Dr. Rita Baranwal
Assistant Secretary of Nuclear Energy
US Department of Energy
USA

Shaukat Abdulrazak
Director, Africa
International Atomic Energy Agency
Austria
Shaukat Abdulrazak is the Director for the Division for Africa, in the Department of Technical Cooperation, at the International Atomic Energy Agency. Under his supervision, he facilitates IAEA technical cooperation support to 45 countries in Africa.
Before joining the IAEA, Shaukat worked as CEO, Kenya National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation. He has over 20 years working experience as Professor and administrator at University, Chairman and member of National and International boards including; chair, African Technology Policy Studies, member of the Kenya National Economic Social Council, Commissioner of the African Commission on Nuclear Energy and Governor of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology.
Shaukat is a Fellow of The World Academy of Sciences, the African Academy of Sciences, Japan Society for the Promotion of Sciences. He has published over 120 papers in international journals, scientific conferences and symposia proceedings. He has been an Editorial Board member and reviewer of several International refereed journals. His Undergraduate studies were at Egerton University, Kenya, his MSc and PhD from the University of Aberdeen, UK and his Post Doctorate from Shimane University, Japan.

Shaukat Abdulrazak
Director, Africa
International Atomic Energy Agency
Austria

Eng. Collins Gordon Juma, MBS
Chief Executive Officer
Nuclear Power and Energy Agency, Kenya
Eng. Collins Juma is the CEO of Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA). He was a Council Member and a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya. He is also a registered Consulting Engineer with Engineers Board of Kenya and has worked in the energy sector for over 20 years, including stints at Kenya Power and KENGEN. He is currently pursuing a PHD in Operations Management from the University of Nairobi. His in-depth and extensive experience working in the energy sector and being part of the team that pioneered the introduction of nuclear electricity generation in Kenya since 2010 will be critical as Kenya plans to set up its first nuclear power plant with a capacity of 1000MW by 2027. This is expected to rise to a total of 4000MW by 2035 making nuclear electricity a key component of the country’s energy mix and an enabler to realization of vision 2030 through provision of affordable, reliable and clean electricity to all.

Eng. Collins Gordon Juma, MBS
Chief Executive Officer
Nuclear Power and Energy Agency
Kenya

Amb. Joseph Youssoufou Bamba
Permanent Representative (former) to the IAEA & UN
Government of Côte d’Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire
Amb. Youssoufou Joseph Bamba is the former Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Côte d’Ivoire to the United Nations in New York and to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Austria. He’s currently retired and held the position of chairman of the board of directors within NESDA (Network for Environment and Sustainable Development in Africa. He’s also a consultant at the Global Center for Responsibility to Protect (R2P).
In his long professional career Mr. Bamba was ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire to the United Kingdom, the United States, Ethiopia, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. he was Minister for International Cooperation.
Mr. Bamba attended the University of Abidjan from which he earned a Master of Arts in Economics. He then attended the Institut International d’Administration Publique (IIAP), Paris, France.

Amb. Joseph Youssoufou Bamba
Permanent Representative (former) to the IAEA & UN
Government of Côte d’Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire

Prof. KunMo Chung
Distinguished Endowed Professor
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
South Korea
Dr. KunMo Chung served twice as Minister of Science and Technology in the South Korean government. Professor Chung also served as President and CEO of the Korean Academy of Science and Technology. Dr. Chung was formerly President of Korea Power Engineering Company and served as Chairman and CEO of the Korea Science and Engineering Foundation. Dr. Chung also served as Senior Advisor to Korea Electric Power Corporation, one of the leading utilities companies in the world. Internationally, Dr. Chung held posts as President of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency of the United Nations, Vice Chairman of the World Energy Council, and Chairman of the International Nuclear Energy Academy. For these services and contributions, he had received many honors and awards.
As an educator, Dr. Chung has been Professor of Energy Engineering and Policy at MIT, Polytechnic Institute of New York, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Ajou University, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne and George Mason University. Dr. Chung is credited with the establishment of KAIST, which has become one of the leading science and engineering universities. He wrote the original proposal to establish KAIST and served as KAIST’s Founding Provost. He also contributed heavily in the establishment of Korea Institute of Advanced Study, Korea International Nuclear Graduate School, Korea Institute for Advanced Engineering and the Pacific Nuclear Council.
Dr. Chung is also internationally acclaimed for his innovations in designs of electric power generation plants and for his studies and implementation of science and technology policy instruments. The Korea Power Engineering Company, which he headed in the 1980s, has become one of the leading engineering companies in the world. The Korea Standardized Nuclear Power Plant Design, which is known as APR nuclear power stations, was initiated, developed, and implemented under his leadership. Dr. Chung holds the basic patents of Transportable Barge-Mounted Power Generation Plant. He has been an international advisor to the UAE Nuclear Power Project.
Dr. Chung is currently a Fellow of the American Nuclear Society, Fellow of the Korean Academy of Science and Technology, Foreign Member of the Swedish Royal Academy of Applied Science and Engineering, Foreign Member of the U.S. The National Academy of Engineering, and a Fellow of the International Nuclear Energy Academy. He is a co-founder of the International Risk Governance Council (IRGC) in Geneva. He served as the founding president of Korea Society of Energy Engineering and Korea Society of Risk Governance. He also serves as a member of the Kenyan National Economic and Social Council. Dr. Chung was elected as Lifetime Leader of the Korean Christian Laity Council. He served twenty years as Chairman of the Korean Habitat for Humanity and has been Founding Chairman of the Rise-up-Korea Movement

Prof. KunMo Chung
Distinguished Endowed Professor
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
South Korea

Julián Gadano
Deputy Secretary of Nuclear Energy
Ministry of Treasury
Argentina
Julián Gadano is the Deputy Secretary of Nuclear Energy, for the Ministry of Treasury in Argentina, appointed in December 2015 when the new Administration took office.
Previously, he was a member of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority’s Directory, an independent body in charge of regulating nuclear safety. Where he was in charge of international issues (such as nonproliferation and international security) in interaction with the Foreign Ministry, the National Atomic Energy Commission and agencies in other countries. He has been working in the nuclear sector for the past 10 years. He is a Sociologist from the Universidad de Buenos Aires. He is currently taking Master’s and Ph.D. studies in Political Science at Universidad Torcuato Di Tella.
He has a large trajectory in education. He is a professor for Undergraduate and Graduate programs in Universidad de San Andrés. He is an author of several papers on nuclear cooperation, non-proliferation and issues related with technological developments.

Julián Gadano
Deputy Secretary of Nuclear Energy
Ministry of Treasury
Argentina

Dr. Akisophel Kisolo
Chairperson
Atomic Energy Council
Uganda
Dr Akisophel Kisolo was appointed pioneer Chairperson of the Uganda Atomic Energy Council (UAEC) in 2008. With the support of Government of Uganda and IAEA, he helped nurture UAEC into a competent national regulator in Africa region. He holds a PhD in Nuclear Physics (Makerere University, 2003) and a MSc. in Radiation Physics (University of St. Andrews, UK; 1985). From 1985 to date, he has undertaken many responsibilities as an academic, researcher and team leader in nuclear and radiation physics at Makerere University.
Dr Kisolo is a member of the Steering Committee of the Forum of Nuclear Regulatory Bodies in Africa (FNRBA) representing Eastern Africa Region. He has worked with IAEA as Consultant, trainer and national project counterpart on several IAEA projects in peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology.

Dr. Akisophel Kisolo
Chairperson
Atomic Energy Council
Uganda

Prof. I. J. Kwame Aboh
Director General (former)
Nuclear Regulatory Authority
Ghana

Prof. I. J. Kwame Aboh
Director General (former)
Nuclear Regulatory Authority
Ghana

Yau-Idris
Acting Director General
Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority
Dr. Yau Idris is the Acting Director-General and CEO of Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA). He’s also Secretary of the Forum of Nuclear Regulatory Bodies in Africa (FNRBA), and African Regional Coordinator of the IAEA overseeing the Technical Working Group on Education, Training and Knowledge Management.
Dr. Idris is the first Nigerian to be engaged by the IAEA (in 2010) as consultant/lecturer at IAEA African Regional Training course for regulators on authorization and inspection of radiation sources for the Africa region. He is the Leader of the NNRA Team that successfully licensed one of the biggest radiological facilities on the continent of Africa, the 300,000 Curie (upgradeable to 1,000,000 Ci) Gamma Irradiation Facility (GIF) located at Nuclear Technology Centre, Abuja, Nigeria in 2006. Dr. Idris was able to successfully increase the number of facilities licensed by NRRA from 207 in 2007 when he took over as the head of Authorization and Enforcement Department to 813 facilities in 2014.

Dr Yau Idris
Acting Director General
Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority
Nigeria

Wisdom Ahiataku-Togobo
Director, Renewable & Alternative Energies
Ministry of Energy
Ghana
Mr. Wisdom Ahiataku-Togobo has a Bachelor of Science in Physic and Mathematics, University of Ghana; Master of Science in Renewable Energy, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Post-graduate Diploma in Economics (Investment Appraisal and Risk Management), Queens University, Kingston, Canada.
Wisdom started his career in the renewable energy sector in 1989 and has over the years developed his skills and capacity in the development and implementation of various renewable energy programmes for rural energy access. He was very instrumental in the development and passage of Ghana’s Renewable Energy Act, 2011 (Act 832).
Before his current appointment in 2010 as the Director for Renewable and Nuclear Energy at the Ministry of Energy, Wisdom worked on the Ghana Energy Development and Access Project (GEDAP, supported by the World Bank) as a Renewable Energy Expert. Prior to this, he was the project Coordinator for the UNDP Household Energy Programme implemented by the Energy Commission from 2006 to 2008
He is currently the National Focal Point for the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) based in Abu Dhabi, UAE and also the National Focal Point of the International Solar Alliance ISA based in New Delhi, India. Mr. Ahiataku-Togobo is a founding member of the Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability at the University of Energy and natural resources, Sunyani.
He is also a Board Member of the Ghana Nuclear Energy Institute, as well as a member of the Advisory Board of the African Nuclear Business Platform. He has a number of publications, articles and reports on clean energy and sustainable development to his credit.

Wisdom Ahiataku-Togobo
Director, Renewable & Alternative Energies
Ministry of Energy
Ghana

Dr. Reuben Katebe
National Coordinator
Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organisation
Zambia
Dr. Katebe is a Chemical Engineer, he has 30 years of experience working for the National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research as a Research Scientist and Head of Nuclear Energy Applications and Analytical Services Department. Currently, seconded to the Ministry of Higher Education as a National Coordinator for the Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organization (NEPIO) in Zambia.

Dr. Reuben Katebe
National Coordinator
Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organisation
Zambia

Prof. Benjamin Nyarko
Director General Ghana Atomic Energy Commission
Ghana
Benjamin Nyarko holds a Ph.D degree in Physics from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana/Dalhousie University, Canada through an IAEA “Sandwich Programme. He won an Award of Excellence in Leadership in 2014 for his advancement and leadership in nuclear science and application.
He is the Lead person in Ghana’s Nuclear Energy infrastructure development. He has also served as an expert in Research Reactor Safety and utilization and on nuclear power.
He has been the Director General of Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) and National Liaison Officer for Ghana to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) since 2012. He was Director of National Research Institute in GAEC from September 2007 to June 2011 and Deputy Director General of GAEC from June 2011 to March 2012. During February 2007 to August 2007, he was the Head of Department of Nuclear Engineering and Materials Sciences at Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC). He is a research scientist since 1994 and has been the professor of applied nuclear physics at the University of Ghana since 2008.
In addition he has also played important roles in other organizations such as a Vice President of Ghana Institute of Physicists; President of Ghana Nuclear Society; member of the International Committee on Activation Analysis; a fellow of Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences. Currently, Chairman of African Regional Co-operative Agreement for Research, Development and Training related to Nuclear Science and Technology (AFRA/2018-2019) and Commissioner of African Commission On Nuclear Energy (AFCONE).

Prof. Benjamin Nyarko
Director General
Ghana Atomic Energy Commission
Ghana

Prof. Matthew Agu
Commissioner
Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission
Nigeria
Prof. Agu is a Commissioner, Nuclear power plant Development within Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission. He’s also head of Department; Dean of Faculty; Director Academic Planning, Dean of Postgraduate School at the university. He earned a PhD in Nuclear Instrumentation and Measurement with a specialisation on Nuclear Reactor Instrumentation.

Prof. Matthew Agu
Commissioner
Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission
Nigeria

Chisha Mutale
Director, Communications & Marketing
Zambia Atomic Energy Corporation
Zambia
Chisha Mutale, Director for Communications and Marketing at the Zambia Atomic Energy Agency, holds a Master’s Degree in Communication for Development and a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication from the University of Zambia as well as a Diploma in Journalism, Public Relations and Advertising from Evelyn Hone College in Zambia.
Work experience includes working for Zambia Information services (ZIS) from 2001 to 2014, as a video editor, Studio Manager, TV Producer, Senior Research Officer and Executive Producer. Currently working for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services as the Chief Press and Public Relations Officer from 2014 to 2018 and seconded to ZAMATOM as the Director for Communications and Marketing. Ms. Mutale’s role at ZAMATOM is to enhance awareness and public acceptance on the nuclear energy programme which requires extensive engagement of stakeholders at various levels of society.

Chisha Mutale
Director, Communications & Marketing
Zambia Atomic Energy Corporation
Zambia

Simon Mdoe
Head Information Technology and Technical Services
Tanzania Atomic EnergyCommission
Tanzania
Simon Mdoe is Senior Nuclear Research Officer and head of unit at Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission.
Simon has been working with Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission for the past 30 years. Involved in various nuclear related activities including Nuclear instrumentation, nuclear electronics ,pre-feasibility for research reactors, irradiation processes facility, project management, nuclear knowledge management, ICT, Radioactive waste management and energy planning models.

Simon Mdoe
Head Information Technology and Technical Services
Tanzania Atomic Energy
Commission
Tanzania

Daouda Djibo Takoubakoye
Secretary-General & Director, Nuclear Electricity
High Authority for Atomic Energy
Niger
Graduated in Nuclear Programme Management and Nuclear Physics, Djibo is the Secretary-General of Nigerien Atomic Energy High Authority (HANEA) and Director of Nuclear Electricity Department. At this end he is in charge of the national nuclear energy programme implementation of his country. He successfully conducted in April 2018 the phase I INIR mission of the Programme
Before coming to HANEA in 2014, Djibo was Director-General of the Mining and Environmental Laboratory (SAHEL LABO) where he was in charge of administrative and technical implementation of ISO 17025 quality management system. Also from 2004, he managed for five years the dosimetry and gamma spectrometry laboratories of National Center of Radiation Protection (CNRP).

Daouda Djibo Takoubakoyes
Secretary-General & Director, Nuclear Electricity
High Authority for Atomic Energy
Niger

Sarah Nafuna Mudoko
Head, Nuclear Energy Unit
Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development
Uganda
Ms Sarah Nafuna Mudoko is a graduate of Industrial Chemistry of Makerere University and has served in various capacities in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, since 2005. Sarah’s career in nuclear energy sub sector started after completing her Master of Laws in International and Comparative Nuclear Law and Policy of the University of Dundee, United Kingdom and subsequent deployment to the Nuclear Energy Unit. Ms Nafuna spearheaded the development of the Nuclear Power Roadmap Development Strategy which identified key infrastructure issues that must be addressed before launching the first nuclear power plant in Uganda. She also led the team that conducted and concluded the pre feasibility studies a 2000MW nuclear power project in Uganda.
Furthermore she has trained and built a team of young professionals both in the Ministry of Energy and the Atomic Energy Council of Uganda. This training has given visibility to the work being done in the atomic energy sub-Sector.
She actively participated in promoting nuclear power infrastructure development to attract the right investors and financing through conferences and exhibitions and holding discussion with potential investors and financiers. This process has resulted in many potential investors and financiers expressing interests in developing the first nuclear power plant in Uganda.
Ms. Nafuna has coordinated technical cooperation programme between GoU and IAEA including the establishment of a new Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine Centre at Uganda Cancer Institute. Sarah is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Uganda Cancer Institute since March 2019. She is currently the Head, Nuclear Energy Unit, National Liaison Officer – IAEA – TC and Project Manager, Nuclear Power Infrastructure Development Project in the Directorate of Energy Resources Development in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Uganda.

Sarah Nafuna Mudoko
Head, Nuclear Energy Unit
Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development
Uganda

Winnie Ndubai
Director, Strategy & Planning
Nuclear Power and Energy Agency
Kenya
Winfred Ndubai is a Finance and Economics professional with 17 years’ experience in Kenya’s power sector. She has previously worked with Kenya’s largest power generating utility, the Kenya Electricity Generating Company, where her tasks focused on business development and strategic planning. She has also been involved in preparation of the country’s power sector medium and long term strategies as well as the assessment of the implementation of these studies.
Winfred currently works for Kenya’s NEPIO, the Nuclear Power & Energy Agency (NuPEA) in the position of Director, Strategy & Planning. For the past four years, she has headed the Technical department at the Agency where she has been involved in overseeing the preparation of technical studies for Kenya’s nuclear power programme including the pre-feasibility study, electric grid study, site selection studies, 15-year strategic plan and overseeing the development of policies and strategies for various aspects of the NPP among other activities. She was also very instrumental in the successful implementation of Kenya’s Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) Mission. Winfred is also a member of the Task Force for the implementation of the Energy Act, 2019 that is coordinating smooth implementation of the new energy law. She continues to actively participate in the development of the infrastructure framework for Kenya’s nuclear power programme.

Winnie Ndubai
Director, Strategy & Planning
Nuclear Power and Energy Agency
Kenya

Robert Nyamvumba
Director of Energy
Ministry of Infrastructure
Rwanda
Robert NYAMVUMBA, is a holder of BSc. Electrical Engineering from Kigali Institute for Science and Technology (KIST) currently Chairman of Board of Directors/Rwanda Energy Group and Energy Division Manager at the Ministry of Infrastructure, Rwanda.
He has worked in different managerial positions as the Manager of National Electricity Control Center for the State Utility/ELECTROGAZ, Deputy Director General of Energy Water and Sanitation Authority (EWSA Ltd) and former Managing Director of Energy Development Corporation (EDCL) the subsidiary company for Rwanda Energy Group (REG Ltd).
He has more than 12 years of work experience in the energy sector dealing with Energy Policy and Strategies, Utility Management, Energy projects development, negotiating Power Purchase Agreements in different technologies (Peat, Methane Gas, Hydro, and Solar) with Independent Power Producers.
Other Responsibilities include National Liaison Officer of IAEA and Steering Committee Member of Rwanda National Commission for UNESCO – CNRU.

Robert Nyamvumba
Director of Energy
Ministry of Infrastructure
Rwanda

Dr. Derik Wolvaardt
Nuclear Engineering Specialist
Lesedi Nuclear Services
South Africa
Dr. Wolvaardt holds B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Tennessee in the United States and a Ph. D. in Applied Mathematics from the University of Cape Town. He has 30 years of experience in the nuclear power generation industry. He started his career with Eskom in 1987 as a Probabilistic Safety Assessment specialist for a period of 6 years. He was employed by Westinghouse for over 17 years in various technical commercial and managerial roles. He spent 5 years in Brussels and during this period specialized in severe accident management and developed the methodology for severe accident management for shutdown states for light water reactors. While in South Africa, he fulfilled various technical and project management roles for the Koeberg Probabilistic Safety Assessment, the Koeberg Severe Accident Management Guidance and the design and installation of a large number of plant safety upgrades for the Koeberg CP-1 Alignment Project. Subsequently, he was the customer account manager, engineering manager and Managing Director of the local Westinghouse entity. He is currently the Nuclear Engineering Specialist for Lesedi Nuclear Services.

Dr. Derik Wolvaardt
Nuclear Engineering Specialist
Lesedi Nuclear Services
South Africa

Eric Ingersoll
Chief Strategy Officer
Energy Options Network
USA
Eric Ingersoll is a strategic advisor and entrepreneur with deep experience in the commercialization of new energy technology. He has negotiated strategic partnerships and investments with oil companies and utilities in the US, UK, Europe, China and Japan. He has also been an interim leader or paid strategic advisor to over 30 startups, many in the energy industry.
Working for private foundations, such as the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, the MacArthur Foundation, The Surdna Foundation, and others, as well as innovative programs at the World Bank, the IFC, the US Department of Energy, NREL, USEPA, the California Energy Commission and the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust, Eric has led the way with innovative business approaches to policy challenges. Some of these ‘firsts’ include value chain based industry design of PV distribution for the developing world, securitization of solar debt, solution-oriented venture capital for sustainable forest products from the rainforest, organizing the US Sustainable Forest Products Buyers Group, and building the first organization of renewable energy power marketers.
Because of his unique strategic vision, focus on addressing climate change, and experience developing/ commercializing new technologies, he was a participant on the National Commission on Energy Policy and was recently honored at the White House as a Champion of Change in Renewable Energy.

Eric Ingersoll
Chief Strategy Officer
Energy Options Network
USA

Gaopalelwe Santswere
President
African Young Generation in Nuclear
South Africa
Mr Gaopalelwe Santswere is a Nuclear Physicist with many years’ experience of Nuclear Regulation and Licensing working for Department of Energy, Eskom and now Necsa (South African Nuclear Energy Corporation). He is a Professional Natural Scientist registered with the South African Council for Natural and Scientific Professions (SACNASP). He holds a Master Degree in Applied Radiation Science from North West University Mafikeng Campus, and currently working toward PhD in Nuclear Technology Leadership with North West University.
He is the Executive Chairperson of South African Young Nuclear Professional Society (SAYNPS), which is an affiliate to International Nuclear Youth Congress (IYNC) and Acting President of the Nuclear Industry Association of South Africa (NIASA). He is the President of the newly established African Young Generation in Nuclear (AYGN), a Board of Director for IYNC and a Chairperson of South African Radiation Protection Association (SARPA).

Gaopalelwe Santswere
President
African Young Generation in Nuclear
South Africa

David-Blee
President and CEO
United States Nuclear Industry Council
USA
David Blee serves as the president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Nuclear Industry Council, the leading business consortium advocate for nuclear energy and the promotion of the American supply chain globally. The Council represents more than 80 companies comprising the “Who’s Who” of nuclear energy across a broad mix of the U.S. supply chain, including key mover utilities, technology innovators, architects, engineers and constructors, manufacturers, suppliers, and services companies.
Blee was appointed in 2016 to a third term on the Civil Nuclear Trade Advisory Committee (CINTAC) by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. He serves as the chairman of the CINTAC’s Subcommittee on Advocacy. Blee’s public service also includes appointments as a U.S. principal deputy assistant secretary of energy, director of public affairs for the Department of Energy and as a Congressional chief of staff.
Blee’s private-sector experience encompasses assignments as group executive vice-president for NAC International, where he directed U.S. and international business development as well as the NAC Worldwide Consulting Group. He is a former senior vice-president for Robinson, Lake, Lerer and Montgomery, a WallStreet-headquartered strategic communications firm.

David Blee
President and CEO
United States Nuclear Industry Council
USA

Dmitry Shornikov
Former CEO, Central & Southern Africa
Rosatom
Russia
Dmitry joined Rosatom Central and Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd as Chief Executive Officer in December 2017.
He was responsible for business development and investment management for a number of private equity institutions, focused on extractive minerals in Africa. Mr. Shornikov holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree (with distinction) from the University of Oxford, UK.

Dmitry Shornikov
Former CEO, Central & Southern Africa
Rosatom
Russia

Abbas Jalaly Jafary
VP, New Nuclear Project, Development
EDF
France
Mr. Jafary started his career working in operational then managerial positions in the AREVA Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing plant of La Hague in France.
After having been involved in international activities in the Fuel Back-End Business Group, in 2008 Mr. Jafary joined the AREVA’s Headquarter, Corporate International Division as the Chief Representative in charge of the Development for Mediterranean region, Turkey& and central Asia.
In 2017 Mr. Jafary joined EDF as a Vice President in charge of New Nuclear Projects Development in several countries. Mr. Jafary is graduated in Mechanical & Refrigeration Engineering from Naval School.

Abbas Jalaly Jafary
VP, New Nuclear Project Development
EDF
France

Lenka Kollar
Director, Strategy & External Relations
NuScale Power
USA
Lenka Kollar is the Director of Strategy & External Relations at NuScale Power where she is working to bring NuScale’s small modular reactor to market through business development and engagement in the clean energy sector.
Previously, Ms. Kollar was an Associate Communication Officer at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) where she worked on external and internal communication for the IAEA Department of Nuclear Energy. Prior to that, she consulted with public and private sector organizations on nuclear energy policy, public communications, and marketing strategy, along with writing an informational blog called Nuclear Undone. Ms. Kollar also served as a technical associate in non-proliferation policy at the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration and at Argonne National Laboratory.
Ms. Kollar obtained her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, where she focused her Master’s research on
international safeguards of used nuclear fuel. She received her Master of Business Administration (MBA) from INSEAD in France, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates.

Lenka Kollar
Director, Strategy & External Relations
NuScale Power
USA

Vincent Zabielski
Senior Lawyer
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman
USA
Vincent Zabielski focuses on international nuclear energy matters, including providing strategic advice related to new-build EPC contracts, power purchase agreements, operation and maintenance, fuel supply chain, liability issues, and export controls.
Prior to joining Pillsbury, Vincent was Senior Nuclear Counsel for the UAE nuclear new build program, where he was responsible for integration of nuclear licensing strategy with the largest-ever public financing of a public works project. During this time, he led negotiations regarding a highly complex nuclear fuels procurement strategy involving multiple supplier nations, bilateral agreements and IAEA commitments. In addition to managing a USD 20 billion Prime Contract for almost four years, Vincent developed and implemented an export controls program for the UAE Barakah nuclear project, negotiated support services contracts and developed a licensable business structure capable of attracting commercial debt investors.
Vincent also served as associate general counsel-nuclear at Public Service Enterprise Group in New Jersey, advising the operators and owners of the Salem/Hope Creek Generating Stations regarding all aspects of nuclear operations. In this role, Vincent was responsible for all commercial contracts and routinely served as the legal interface with regulators.
Prior to becoming a lawyer, Vincent was an engineering manager at a large nuclear facility in the United States. He has particular experience in crafting integrated solutions for new-build projects that leverage his legal, business, and engineering experience to deliver maximum value for the client.

Vincent Zabielski
Senior Lawyer
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman
USA

Yuliang Huang
Regional Director of Africa
CZEC
China National Nuclear Corporation
China
Mr. Huang Yuliang is currently the Regional Director of Africa for China Zhongyuan Engineering Corporation (CZEC). CZEC is a subsidiary of China National Nuclear Corporation. Prior to his current role, he was Deputy General Manager with ZXJOY INVEST, Chief Representative in Tunisia for ZTE Corporation, Deputy General Manager of AILONG SARL GABON and a Senior Staff of West Africa & Africa Department with China’s Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economical Cooperation. Mr. Huang holds a B.A. French, Beijing Foreign Studies University, China.

Huang Yuliang
Regional Director of Africa
CZEC, China National Nuclear Corporation
China

Alexander Superfin
President, Nuclear Power
Worley
USA
Alexander has nearly 40 years of global experience in the energy and infrastructure sectors, managing large projects in the United States, Russia, Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Caucasus and Turkey. Along with a diverse technical and commercial background, Alexander brings an expertise of international nuclear project development and management.
Prior to joining Worley as President of Nuclear Power, Alexander served in a variety of leadership roles at Rosatom group of companies. This included the role of CEO of Akkuyu Nuclear, responsible for development and initial phase of implementation of a $20bn 4,800 MW NPP project in Turkey.
Prior to joining Rosatom, Alexander held senior positions at Russian power sector construction companies, overseeing the execution of various power generation projects. Earlier in his career, Alexander worked for 17 years for Bechtel Group in engineering, business development and project management. Alexander holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Moscow Power Engineering Institute.

Alexander Superfin
President, Nuclear Power
Worley
USA

Helen Cook
Principal
GNE Advisory
Australia
Helen Cook is the Principal of GNE Advisory, a law practice dedicated to all aspects of the civil nuclear sector. Helen is a nuclear energy lawyer specialising in projects and transactions in the civil nuclear sector. She got expertise advising on both the structuring and establishment of the legal and regulatory infrastructure for civilian nuclear power programmes, as well as the strategic development and negotiation of commercial contracts for new nuclear power plants, including procurement, construction and financing.
Helen has Advised on nuclear projects and transactions around the world and represented governments, owner/developers, reactor vendors, equipment suppliers, export credit agencies, regulatory authorities, fuel suppliers, uranium traders and hedge funds on nuclear energy matters. She is the author of the comprehensive legal text book, The Law of Nuclear Energy published by Sweet & Maxwell, (Second Edition, March 2018), recently reviewed in the International Energy Law Journal by Tim Stone CBE, Chair of the Nuclear Industry Association of the UK.
Helen is recognised by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as a nuclear law expert. Legal expert on IAEA missions to Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Jordan, Egypt, Costa Rica and Poland. Featured in the 2017 issue of the IAEA Bulletin “showcasing the achievements and perspectives of eight exceptional women in the nuclear field”. Helen is the former Chairperson of the Law Working Group of the World Nuclear Association (September 2016-June 2018) and Vice Chairperson (September 2014-September 2016).

Helen Cook
Principal
GNE Advisory
Australia

Michael Chatlani
VP, Business Development (Power Systems and Simulation)
L3 MAPPS Inc.
(subsidiary of L3Harris Technologies)
Canada
Michael assumed responsibility for L3Harris’ Power Systems and Simulation sales in 1996. Michael, and his team, grew sales and market presence, establishing the company as the world leader in the delivery of nuclear power plant simulators.
The Company, under Michael’s leadership, also provides early learning technologies to support the effective development of nuclear personnel and more recently introduced immersive 3D visualization technology for planning, plant design and training applications.
He is supported by sales professionals, a proposal development team and several sales representatives globally.
Prior to 1996, Michael held various positions in project management leading both energy management and power plant simulator projects. Michael holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) degree from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada.

Michael Chatlani
VP, Business Development (Power Systems and Simulation
L3 MAPPS Inc. (subsidiary of L3Harris Technologies)
Canada

Tom Jones
Vice President International, Business Development
Assystem
UK
Tom Jones is Vice President of International Business Development at international engineering company, Assystem, and has held this position since 2018. He is committed to driving Assystem’s business goals within the nuclear industry and securing the UK’s requirements for energy production that will enable the country to meet its capacity needs in the immediate and long-term future.
Tom has supported the UK Government’s nuclear ambitions, serving as chair of the Nuclear Industry Council’s Trade and Investment group from 2013-2016, in ensuring UK companies are able to capture domestic and international opportunities while attracting foreign investment to the UK. He was involved in drafting the Government’s Nuclear Industrial Strategy, which was published in March 2013. He has been a board member of the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board, a trustee of Cumbria Community Foundation and has chaired various industry-focused organisations to help develop nuclear capabilities across the supply chain. Tom’s work has been instrumental in the development of strong and trusted relationships between governments, regulators, academic institutions, utility companies and organisations within supply chain organisations around the world.
Prior to joining Assystem, Tom founded a corporate advisory and consultancy business, TJ Advisors, in 2017, and provided strategic advice to Rolls-Royce in helping the company launch its small modular reactor programme in the UK and seek potential international customers. He was also an executive Director for NuGeneration (nuclear new build project development company), leading the transformation of the organisation into a project delivery-focused business. As vice president for strategy and business development for Amec Foster Wheeler (multinational engineering consultancy) from 2008-2017, Tom led the development of the global nuclear strategy and secured more than £1billion of contracts in joint ventures and partnerships around the globe.
Tom has nearly two decades’ experience in the nuclear, oil and gas, petrochemical and pharmaceutical sectors; he holds a degree in engineering and an MBA from Warwick Business School.

Tom Jones
Vice President International, Business Development
Assystem
UK

Jeffrey Merrifield
Partner, Energy Section Leader
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman
USA
The honorable Jeffrey Merrifield, a formal presidential appointee to the Nuclear Regulatory Commision, is passionate about identifying strategic and legal solutions for major energy and environmental issues. The leader of Pillsbury’s energy practice, Jeff utilizes the wide range of experience he has gained over the last 30 years, having worked as an attorney in the US Senate and as a senior executive at the largest power engineering and construction company in the United States – in addition to his time on the NRC – to bring his clients a unique perspective on strategic problem-solving. Jeff’s well-received media and public speaking capabilities also provide a significant resource for the advocacy of common-sense and cost-effective solutions

Jeffrey Merrifield
Partner, Energy Section Leader
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman
USA

Célestin Piette
Innovation Manager
Tractebel Engie
Belgium
Célestin Piette serves as Innovation Manager at Tractebel Engie. He’s also a board member of International Youth Nuclear Society. Célestin Holds a Master degree from Solvay Business School. He’s Management Master Thesis was about “Economic and financial analysis of a Lead Small Modular Reactor (SMR) in regards of future energy challenges (Capital Expenses >1000M).”

Célestin Piette
Innovation Manager
Tractebel Engie
Belgium

David Sledzik
Senior Vice President – Sales
GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy
USA
As the Senior Vice President of Sales & Commercial Operations, David is responsible for the sales, commercial operations and business development for all of GE Hitachi’s nuclear plant offerings. In addition, David has overall responsibility to manage the business partnership between GE and Hitachi.
Prior to his current role, David served as the Vice President of Product Management and International Nuclear Plant Projects, where he was responsible for product development, strategy and cost for all nuclear plant offerings, along with project management responsibilities for key customer contracts and opportunities. Prior to joining the Nuclear Plant Projects team in 2010, David worked for 6 years in Global Nuclear Fuel (GNF), GE’s joint venture with Hitachi and Toshiba, as the Vice President of Customer Projects, Commercial Operations and Marketing, delivering fuel and engineering services to the worldwide BWR fleet. David has over 33 years of service with GE, and held many diverse assignments in manufacturing, supply chain, sourcing and operations for GE Energy, GE Aviation, & GE Lighting. David is a 3-term member of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Civilian Nuclear Trade Advisory Committee (CINTAC), was the chairman, from 2015-2017, for the World Nuclear Association’s task force on Nuclear New Build Lesson-learning, and holds a bachelor’s of science degree in mechanical engineering from
Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

David Sledzik
Senior Vice President – Sales
GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy
USA

Kirsty Gogan
Global Director
Energy for Humanity
UK
Kirsty Gogan, MSc. FRSA is founder and Global Director of Energy for Humanity (EFH) an environmental NGO focused on large scale deep decarbonisation and energy access. EFH led a delegation of the world’s most highly regarded climate scientists to Paris COP21 in order to make the case for nuclear to be recognised as a vital part of the clean energy mix. EFH was subsequently shortlisted for the Business Green Leaders “Green NGO of the Year” Award in 2016. At COP23, EFH published a new report on European Climate Leadership 2017 and presented a new study on Decarbonizing Cities with Advanced Nuclear. EFH jointly launched the Clean Energy Ministerial Flexible Nuclear Campaign in May 2019, supported by the Canadian, US, and UK governments and in partnership with US-based NGOs Energy Options Network and ClearPath Foundation. Kirsty is also the managing partner of LucidCatalyst Ltd, a consultancy specialising in climate and energy, and recently commissioned by the UK Energy Technologies Institute to produce the widely-cited Nuclear Cost Drivers Study.
Kirsty is regularly invited as an expert speaker on science communication, nuclear competitiveness and innovation to high profile events around the world. She has 20 years’ experience as a senior advisor to industry, nonprofits and Government, including at 10 Downing St, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, and the Department of Energy and Climate Change, where she ran the national public consultation on nuclear new build, reviewed the national communications response to Fukushima and revised national guidance for civil nuclear emergency planning and response. Kirsty is also a member of the UK Government’s Nuclear Innovation Research and Advisory Board (NIRAB) and chairs the cost-reduction working group.

Kirsty Gogan
Global Director
Energy for Humanity
UK

Donald Hoffman
President & CEO
Excel Services Corporation
USA
Mr. Hoffman founded EXCEL Services Corporation in 1985 to provide specialized professional services to nuclear utilities in licensing and regulatory support. For more than three decades, EXCEL has become recognized as a premier worldwide supplier of enforcing operations and technical regulatory support services.
Mr. Hoffman is very active in the nuclear industry and is a Fellow and Past President of the American Nuclear Society. Prior to starting EXCEL, Mr. Hoffman served in the US Nuclear Submarine Navy as a senior reactor operator and engineering officer and as a Manager and lead reviewer at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission reviewing License Applications and Technical Specifications.

Donald Hoffman
President & CEO
Excel Services Corporation
USA