The people steering AI Academy.

Christopher Hinn

Board Member

Accomplished international strategist, government advisor, and security executive with over 50 years of experience bridging U.S. and Middle Eastern interests across aviation, transportation, and counterterrorism. Appointed by President George W. Bush to the Senior Executive Service, he served as Deputy Assistant Administrator for International Programs at TSA and Senior Advisor for Middle Eastern Affairs at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Christopher Smith

Chairman of the Board

As a lifelong financier, Chris has had senior involvement in many IPOs and acquisitions globally. He studied accountancy and law as his foundation for corporate finance and continues to advise many Family Offices and UHNW individuals. Chris is passionate about the impact of AI being managed and educated correctly in these dynamic years.

Giovanni Tomaselli

Board Member · Head Chairman of AI Academy

Over 30 years of experience in Asia and now 10 years in the United States leading major technology companies. A product of a Harvard Business School Case Study around Entrepreneurship. Having led major development teams will allow Giovanni to keep humanity at the core of Artificial Intelligence and support the Fellowship of the AI Academy.

William "Bill" McMurry

Board Member

William "Bill" McMurry, Co-Founder and CEO of W1 Global, is a former FBI leader and expert in international corruption, transnational crime, and financial investigations. He led landmark cases including 1MDB and Odebrecht, and previously served as a U.S. Air Force officer and AFOSI Special Agent.

Karl Cramp

Trustee

A serial entrepreneur with 40+ years of experience across engineering, telecoms, financial services, and retail, Karl has founded and scaled national and online businesses while holding numerous board-level positions. He now mentors investment ventures across multiple industries, driven by a passion for ethical growth, innovation, and governance — creating lasting impact through education and investment.

Michael Mainelli

Trustee

Michael Mainelli is Chairman of Z/Yen Group and a former Lord Mayor of London. A scientist-turned-accountant, he has led major innovations in mapping, finance, and technology, including pioneering digital cartography projects. He has held senior roles across academia, government, and industry, published extensively, and remains active in civic, charitable, and professional organizations.

Tom Stevenson

Trustee

Tom provides strategic guidance on corporate governance, ethical technology adoption, and large-scale education market growth. He specializes in translating advanced technologies into accessible, socially responsible products that prioritize equity and student well-being. With extensive experience scaling mission-driven initiatives, Tom helps organizations develop impactful solutions that uphold strong ethical standards while delivering meaningful outcomes for learners and communities.

Alex Andjel

Advisory Board Member · Director, AI Academy London Limited

Director of AI Academy London Limited, the strategic hub for the academy's global expansion across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. From London, Alex leads partnerships across academia and investment communities, supports groundbreaking AI ventures, and positions the region as a leader in responsible AI innovation.

Eric Harr

Advisory Board Member

A serial entrepreneur, athlete, and philanthropist, he is Co-Founder and CEO of MAXIOM Labs, an AI-driven human optimization company, and of the Laudato Si' Challenge Foundation. A former CBS News correspondent and published author, he was ranked sixth globally as a professional triathlete and later set an Ironman world record, bringing a bold vision for human-centric AI.

Erik Bjontegard

Advisory Board Member

A Norwegian-American inventor and entrepreneur, he is a pioneer of Augmented Intelligence, championing AI that strengthens human capability rather than replacing it. Founder of Spark Compass, he has led collaborations with IBM, Apple, Samsung, Qualcomm, and Google. His work focuses on building responsible, real-world AI systems that improve how people live, work, move, and connect.

Fr. Philip Larrey, Ph.D.

Advisory Board Member

Fr. Philip Larrey is a Catholic priest, philosopher, and theologian working at the intersection of faith, science, and technology. A professor at Boston College and formerly chair of Logic and Epistemology at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome, he advises Vatican initiatives on ethics and artificial intelligence, is widely published, and speaks globally on AI, human dignity, and the future of humanity through research, teaching, dialogue, and public engagement.

Justine McInerney

Advisory Board Member

Founder of DSRPTR, Justine is a dynamic force at the intersection of film, AI, and Web3–5, driving global partnerships and bold innovation. An executive producer and trusted advisor to UHNW clients, family offices, and tech ventures, she shapes capital, strategy, and impact through joint ventures and storytelling. Through URYTaH, she delivers targeted humanitarian impact, while serving on the advisory boards of Vesperstone and 0dn.Ventures.

Kouji Kodera

Advisory Board Member

Kouji Kodera is a wireless industry veteran with 20+ years of leadership at Mitsubishi Electric, Sony Ericsson, HTC, and Motorola Mobility. He helped create iconic products including Moto Z, HTC One, Xperia, Walkman, and Cybershot phones. Now, as co-founder and CEO of i8 Labs, he is applying AI, computer vision, and smart sensor technology to build innovative, sustainable solutions.

Leslie Wolfson

Advisory Board Member

Board trustee and startup mentor with experience across entrepreneurship, technology, media, and investment. She supports founders, investors, and institutions through partnerships, growth strategy, and innovation in an AI-driven economy. At AI Academy, she would foster partnerships, support growth, expand industry engagement, mentor entrepreneurs, and connect AI education to the broader innovation ecosystem.

Michael Stevenson

Chairman of the Advisory Board

Michael Stevenson leads worldwide innovation in education policy and programs. Working with senior policy makers, thought leaders and experts, he has held international and national roles across government, industry and media. After leading global education at Cisco, he became the driving force behind education innovation at the OECD. The OECD Education for human flourishing framework, co-created with the world's best national education systems, was published in November 2025.

Peter Holden

Advisory Board Member

Founder & Managing Director of Dunworth Capital with over 25 years of experience in AI research, commercialization, and investment. A recognized advocate for human-centered AI, he advises innovative companies worldwide and supports initiatives focused on healthcare, ethics, mental health, and socially responsible technology. His work bridges AI innovation, business strategy, and meaningful global impact across industries and communities.

Sameh El-Shahat

Advisory Board Member

CEO of Verityv Analytics and a senior leader at China-i (Huayu), bringing deep expertise in AI, unstructured data, and financial risk innovation. Has pioneered AI-driven methods for transforming non-traditional risk signals into actionable investment intelligence, advised on over $30 billion in transactions, and brings global experience applying advanced data models to strategy, governance, and decision-making.

William Divine

Advisory Board Member

William Divine rose from ranch hand and roughneck to visionary energy entrepreneur, launching major oil ventures through self-taught expertise. He later pioneered clean-energy innovations, creating companies and charities that capture wasted flare gas and transform pollution into ultra-green power and valuable products, expanding his entrepreneurial impact to global environmental solutions.

Yasser Ibrahim

Advisory Board Member

Yasser is a globally experienced banking executive and strategic advisor with a strong focus on innovation, digital transformation, and the future of financial services. With leadership roles across major international institutions, he brings deep expertise in governance, cross-border strategy, and emerging business models. As an Advisory Board member, he helps shape AI Academy's vision at the intersection of technology and leadership.