SPEAKERS

Professor, PhD, FRGS, FCMI, FRSA Founder, Chairperson and CEO, eWorldwide Group.

Professor Abbasi has been successfully creating strategies, frameworks and initiatives that disrupt, integrate and reform policies and systems to drive sustainable inclusive digital transformation, leveraging innovative technologies, along with driving ethical standardisation for prevailing technologies, data privacy, trust, and cybersecurity for Governments, development agencies and private sector.

She has researched and published several papers highlighting the importance to understand the unknown risks and unethical challenges from Artificial Intelligence Systems (AIS) and is actively working with the IEEE and think tanks to develop a series of global standards, ethical AI frameworks, and guidelines for governance, transparency, accountability, explainability, and algorithmic biased, and policy papers.

Leveraging her global experience as the former Senior Vice President and Chief Quality Officer for Lucent Technologies, with over 40 years' experience in the fields of technology, innovation, and people-centric design, she is an advisory board member for several international organizations advocating and contributing for international collaborations, inclusive policies, industry standards, and guidelines to enable sustainable digital transformation, ethical AI, the metaverse, IoT, and resilient cyberspace. 

Day 1 / 10:45 AM - 11:25 AM

CONFERENCE 1

 THE POWER OF AI, HOW PREPARED ARE WE? 

Chairman and Founder interCaribbean Airways

Lyndon Gardiner, the Founder and Chairman of interCaribbean Airways, has a long and accomplished career in the aviation industry. Raised in Bottle Creek, North Caicos (Turks and Caicos Islands), Gardiner’s passion for aviation was deeply rooted in his childhood, with his eldest brother, Manville ‘Donnie’ Gardiner, who was an air traffic controller and pilot, serving as a major influence in his life.

Over the course of its 32-year history, interCaribbean Airways has grown to become the largest privately-owned airline in the Caribbean. It operates a fleet of 20 plus airplanes to and from 28 cities in 17 countries across the Caribbean.

Mr. Gardiner is also the founder and Chairman of InterIsland Aviation Services Group, whose companies include interCaribbean Airways, Caribbean Aviation Maintenance Services, Provo Air Center, and Flight Support Ltd.

Gardiner’s journey is a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and perseverance. His vision for interCaribbean Airways has been to connect the Caribbean islands by providing a stronger Caribbean-wide travel network, which he has achieved, and on which he continues to expand.

Mr Gardiner is also a philanthropist who enjoys mentoring young people, and avails himself of opportunities to give back to the region that has given him so much.

Day 1 / 11:25 AM - 12:00 PM

CONFERENCE 2

 THE STORY OF INTERCARIBBEAN AIRWAYS

Professor of Atmospheric Science at the University of Reading

Dr Paul Williams was educated in physics to PhD level at Oxford and is now Professor of Atmospheric Science at the University of Reading. He is a world-leading expert on aviation turbulence, being the scientist who discovered that turbulence is increasing because of climate change. He has published two books and over 70 papers in leading scientific journals.

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Physics and the Royal Meteorological Society. He is a consultant to Guinness World Records on extreme atmospheric events. He is a frequent expert commentator for major broadcasting networks including the BBC, CNN, The Discovery Channel, and The Weather Channel, and he has been quoted on the front page of the New York Times.

Day 1 / 12:00 PM - 12:35 PM

CONFERENCE 3

 AIR TURBULANCE & CLIMATE CHANGE. HOW BAD CAN IT GET? 

President, Airbus Latin America and Caribbean

Arturo Barreira was appointed President of Airbus Latin America and Caribbean Region in July 2018, bringing more than 25 years of global aviation leadership experience to the post. In this capacity, Arturo is responsible for all Airbus’ commercial activities and customer relations in over 40 countries, for the three Airbus divisions, Commercial Aircraft, Defence and Space and Helicopters.

As a leading member of the Latin America and Caribbean Sales Team that has booked record-breaking orders for the last 10 years, Barreira has driven the success of Airbus’ regional commercial aviation sales division, cementing its place as the market leader in the region. In 2012, Arturo was appointed Vice President of Sales for Latin America and the Caribbean, responsible for building relationships with potential customers, generating and tracking purchase orders and placement of aircraft with local airlines in the region. He previously held the position of Regional Sales Director since 2005.

A native of Madrid, Spain, Arturo received a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Aeronáuticos de la Universidad Politécnica and a master’s degree in business administration from ICADE Instituto de Postgrado de la Universidad Pontifícia Comillas.

Arturo began his career in 1996 at the airport operator AENA (Spanish Airports and Air Navigation) in the area of Corporate Development. A year later he joined Airbus as Customer Marketing Manager for Western Europe. In 2002 he became Senior Financial Risk Manager. From 2003 to 2005 he took over as Marketing Director for Airbus in the Middle East. 

Arturo continues to grow in his career and has attended various air transport courses at Cranfield University in London and IATA Learning Center in Geneva. Arturo is married and has a daughter. He speaks fluent Spanish, English, French and Portuguese. In his spare time he enjoys skiing, playing golf and soccer, and loves to travel and read.  

Day 1 / 2:00 PM - 2:35 PM

CONFERENCE 4

AVIATION OUTLOOK IN LATIN AMERICA

PhD / Boeing 787 Airline Pilot / Research Scientist at the University of Washington.

She leads a research team reimagining risk management for the aviation industry, where emotional intelligence, psychological safety, and ethical AI converge to create stronger, more adaptive teams. Her work empowers professionals in high-stakes environments to thrive, not just perform.

With two decades of global flying experience, Kimberly knows that safety isn’t just about procedures; it’s about people. She brings together insights from the flight deck and her doctoral research to shape a new, behavioral science–driven approach to human factors training. 

Her work includes designing the first human performance platform that turns Crew Resource Management theory into real-world team practice. Central to Kimberly’s work is a co-design philosophy. By building with pilots and safety professionals, her research brings human factors to life - rooted in experience, designed for impact.

Kimberly was honored to receive her company’s Trailblazer Award in recognition of her leadership in using technology to support and empower women in aviation. And, in 2025, she completed leadership training at Harvard as the recipient of the Women in Aviation Harvard Leadership scholarship.

Outside the flight deck and lab, she’s passionate about literacy and mental wellbeing for children displaced by conflict through her work on the board of the not-for-profit organization, Rise Up and Read. Kimberly also serves on the Human Performance Excellence Council at CAE, is an Honorary Fellow at the University of Melbourne and a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

In her presentation, “Human Factors Reimagined: A Behavioral Science Approach to Building Resilient Teams”Kimberly brings research to life - showing how the science of teamwork and communication translates into safer, stronger performance. She introduces an interactive tool that turns theory into action, helping crews apply human performance and CRM principles in real time. Grounded in behavioral science and human factors, her work reveals how ethical AI can reimagine safety culture - enhancing connection, adaptability, and wellbeing across the aviation ecosystem. 

Day 1 / 4:20 PM - 5:10 PM

CONFERENCE 5

HUMAN FACTORS REIMAGINED. "AT THE CENTRE OF AVIATION´S COMPLEX SYSTEMS, ARE PEOPLE" 

President of the Latino Professionals in Aerospace (LPA)

Captain A320.

She is an Airbus A320 Captain and Line Check Pilot for a major U.S. legacy carrier, with nearly three decades of experience in aviation in operations, flight training, and leadership. She currently serves as President of Latino Professionals in Aerospace (LPA), a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing Latino representation and inclusion across the different careers available in aerospace.

Claudia’s aviation journey began in 1995 at a small low cost carrier, where she worked in reservations and crew scheduling before becoming a flight attendant with a legacy carrier in 1997. Her long held passion for flight led her to begin pilot training towards the end of 2000. Following the events of September 11, 2001, her flight school closed, forcing her to rebuild her path in aviation, an experience that impacted and shaped her understanding of resilience and perseverance.

As a leader, mentor, and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Claudia was honored in 2025 with the Inspirational Role Model Award by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for her commitment to fostering belonging and equitable opportunity in the aviation industry. She also testified in 2021 before the 117th U.S. Congress on the importance of building a more inclusive and sustainable aviation workforce.

In her presentation, “Supporting Change and Building Resiliency in the  Aviation Workforce,” Claudia shares lessons from her journey and highlights how organizations can strengthen resiliency and performance through inclusion. Drawing on current team diversity research, including the work of Dr. Kimberly Perkins on resilience and psychological safety, she connects the dots between diverse teams, improved safety outcomes, and long-term organizational success.

Through her work with LPA, Claudia continues to champion mentorship, community, and inclusive leadership as essential to a resilient and innovative global aviation industry. 

Day 2 / 10:10 AM - 10:55 AM

CONFERENCE 6

 INCLUSIVITY DRIVES PERFORMANCE AND RESILIENCE

CEO South African Red Cross Air Mercy Service (AMS)

Farhaad Haffejee is the CEO of the South African Red Cross Air Mercy Service (AMS), a non-profit aero-medical organisation dedicated to providing lifesaving air ambulance, rescue, and rural health outreach services across South Africa. He brings over 22 years of institutional knowledge and leadership experience to the role, having previously served as AMS’ Corporate Development Manager. 

Originally trained as an Optometrist, Farhaad holds academic qualifications that include a Master of Public Health (MPH) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) through Henley Business School, University of Reading (UK). His multidisciplinary academic and professional background underpins his leadership of AMS through shifting healthcare landscapes and operational challenges.

Having worked extensively in eyecare as well as in academia and research for various international aid agencies with a public health interest, he has also lectured in the Department of Optometry at the University of KwaZulu - Natal as well as at the School of Public Health at the University of the Western Cape.

Farhaad is an experienced business leader with a wealth of knowledge in business management, systems rethinking, people development, aviation, and aero-medical operations. Under his leadership, the AMS has focused on embracing new technologies, digitisation, fleet modernisation, and expanding its reach to South Africa’s most marginalised and rural communities. He is a strong advocate for health as a basic human right and has been instrumental in navigating the organisation through challenges such as funding resource constraints and operational shifts following the Covid-19 pandemic.

As CEO, Farhaad has emphasised strengthening partnerships, embracing technology, expanding access to equitable healthcare, and the development of future professionals in both aviation and  healthcare – especially for underserved populations. He continues to advocate for sustainable funding and innovation, ensuring AMS remains resilient and impactful in its mission to save lives and improve  health outcomes across South Africa.

Day 2 / 10:55 AM - 11:30 AM

CONFERENCE 7

 RESILIENCE IN EMERGENCY SERVICE OPERATIONS 

Manager, Aerosucre S.A, MRO Xtreme S.A.S.

Board of Directors.

César Montenegro is a political scientist and specialist in Aeronautical and Aerospace Management with over two decades of professional experience in aeronautical supply chain and logistics management. He also has more than seven years of executive leadership experience in the cargo airline sector, where he has made strategic contributions to the direction and management of Aerosucre S.A. His expertise lies in procurement strategy, aircraft maintenance management, and operational governance, integrating regulatory compliance with efficiency-oriented decision-making.

Day 2 / 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM

CONFERENCE 8

RESILIENCE IN CARGO AIRLINE OPERATIONS 

Chief Commercial Officer, Price Forbes

Cyber Risks Specialist 

William assumed the role of Chief Commerical Officer for Price Forbes. He has over 20 years of experience as a broker and client advocate and is recognized as a market-leading expert in aviation cyber insurance, representing some of the world’s foremost airlines. 

Day 2 / 4:45 PM - 5:15 PM

CONFERENCE 9

CRITICAL CYBER RISKS FACING THE AVIATION INDUSTRY