FOUNDING PARTNER

Torstein is the founding partner at Vabo Ansari A/S, he is a nanoscientist and entrepreneur and has also worked in the Norwegian Special Forces.

He has a degree in nanotechnology from Norwegian University of Science and Technology and a masters degree in Entrepreneurship.

He is the co-founder of the Norwegian leadership development program Pinecone Leadership, working with leaders in Scandinavia, and a co-partner at the initiative Avyanna, working with sustainable value chains for trade and development - including in Afghanistan.

He is a certified yoga and meditation instructor, and an extreme sports adventurer.

In his work he implements tools from eastern and western philosophy, indigenous wisdom, geopolitics, evolutionary theory, change theory, growth theory, quantum mechanics, relativity theory, and energy dynamics.

FOUNDING PARTNER

Samina Vabo Ansari, is the founding partner at Vabo Ansari A/S and also the founding director of Avyanna, a platform with the aim to connect social entrepreneurs from the Middle East and Central Asia to Europe for sustainable growth and stability.

Ansari has a background in Cyber Security Law from the University of Oslo/Maastricht Law School and Diplomacy from SciencesPo Paris. She is fluent in English, Norwegian and Dari. Since 2014, Ansari has implemented large-scale social impact projects for North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the United Nations, the European Union, International Trade Center, Goldman Sachs and the World Bank in the US, Europe, and Central Asia with a focus on Human Security, Inclusive Economic Growth, DE&I, Cyber Security and Geopolitical Risk.

Also, she has lived and worked in Kabul, Afghanistan (2015-2021), and actively worked on inclusion in the peace process.

In her work she implements tools from, international law, political philosophy, cross-cultural understanding and theory of change.

COMMUNICATIONS & CONTENT

Elliott Memmi is experienced as an editor and writer for the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), Europe’s largest innovation network.

His specialty is turning complex issues like tech, sustainability, political movements, and geopolitics into writing that is digestible for both policy makers and broader audiences. And he has used these skills on behalf of the EU Commission, corporations, and pro-democratic and human rights organizations. His research and writing has been published by UNESCO, the EU, and an assortment of NGOs and media publications.

He has an educational background in political communications and international relations through Northeastern University and SciencesPo Paris, including a Masters in International PublicManagement.

In his work, he implements tools from political theory, international relations and diplomacy, history, literary and cultural analysis, rhetorical theory, and storytelling.