2013 Keynote Speaker
Farah Pandith
Special Representative
U.S. Department of State
Farah Pandith was appointed the first-ever Special Representative to Muslim Communities in June 2009 by then-Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Under the leadership of Secretary John Kerry, the Office of the Special Representative continues to be responsible for executing a vision for engagement with Muslims around the world based on a people-to-people and organizational level. In the years since her swearing in, Special Representative Pandith has traveled to more than 80 countries and launched youth-focused initiatives including Generation Change, Viral Peace and Hours Against Hate (a campaign that was a partner with the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.) She is also a key architect of the Women in Public Service Project. In January 2013 she was awarded the Secretary's Distinguished Honor Award which is given for "exceptionally outstanding service to the agencies of the U.S. Government resulting in achievements of marked national or international significance." She reports directly to the Secretary of State. [Read More]
2013 Honoree
Chiann Bao
Secretary-General
Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre
Ms. Bao is the Secretary-General of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC). As Secretary-General, she functions as the chief executive of the HKIAC and oversees the administration of arbitrations, mediations, adjudications and other forms of dispute resolution proceedings at the HKIAC. [Read More]
