People

Melba Palhazy

MELBA set up Equator Connect to create a platform for cross-cultural learning, collaboration and social innovation connecting people and projects across the globe to address sustainability challenges, offering consulting in areas of strategy and programme development, stakeholder engagement and cross sectoral partnerships. Melba is a graduate of SOAS, University of London, and has worked on high profile projects with government organizations, cultural institutions, corporations and not-for-profit sector, e.g. The V&A, Comic Relief, Stratford Rising, London Legacy Development Corporation, Deutsche Bank and Bahrain International Design Week. Melba sat on the 'Commission for a Sustainable London 2012' for three years, reporting to the Olympic Board. Responsible for the Community Regeneration, Sport and Healthy Living Portfolio; she provided expert advice at a strategic level on different aspects of sustainability of the 2012 Olympic Games. Melba has developed and project managed ambitious creative projects, such the Blue Train Project, in partnership with the V&A museum in London. She is also a member of 'Stratford Rising' - a strategic arts and culture consortium working to ensure a lasting Olympic Legacy. Melba carried the Olympic Torch in the London Borough of Havering. Melba is a life-long supporter of women's personal development and their contribution to society. She is currently a Cherie Blair Foundation Mentor, coaching entrepreneurs on the 'Women in Business' Programme. She advises on Sustainable Regeneration, Stakeholder Engagement and Legacy Strategy for London 2012 Olympic Games, Capital Governorate Bahrain, and the forthcoming 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Ben Hanley

BEN is a UK based art advisor and curator with over 20 years experience working in the UK and international art markets. Ben has a background in advising private clients on acquisitions and de-accessions as well as providing clear strategic investment advice within the fine art sector. A graduate of Trinity College Dublin and the Courtauld Institute of Art London, Ben has developed specialist-level knowledge in Old Masters, Impressionist, Modern and Post War & Contemporary art. In addition to this Ben has extensive project management experience having curated and produced over 100 art projects spanning highly complex multi-venue festivals to smaller bespoke events. He has worked with governmental, institutional and commercial partners including the National Gallery, V&A, the Serpentine Gallery, the Courtauld Institute, Christie's, Sotheby’s and the Russian Ministry of Culture.

Jackie Sarafopoulos

JACKIE is an independent art consultant and curator who has more than 20 years project management experience within the visual arts sector working charitable, voluntary, community, commercial and cultural organizations. Her remit is to secure funding from government, private, community and charity funders to enable collaborative projects with local, national and international artists on multi-disciplinary site-specific projects that engage new audiences and involve participants. Her specialist knowledge includes arts education, curation, interpretation, promotion of artists/artists estates and commercial sales. Previous clients include British Airways, American Airlines, V&A, LOCOG, Sky MLA and Open-City. She is a Trustee and Art Executor at the Dannatt Estate for the George Dannatt Trust.

Partners

Beyond Brands

With years of experience in developing new products and services for blue chip firms including: Astra Zeneca, BAE, BAT, BT, Danone, Coca-Cola, Unilever, and P&G, Beyond Brands know what it takes to bring new business to market.

www.beyondbrandsme.com
Tribe of Doris

Tribe of Doris is a Not-for Profit Company, and its purpose is to bring together people from different cultures and celebrate the diversity and promote community learning.

www.tribeofdoris.co.uk

TalentFreeFlow

Built on the foundation of pioneering change movements TFF aims to be a force for fostering adventure, entrepreneurship and self-reliance of the individual in the global community.

www.talentfreeflow.com
Ekotopfilm - Environmental Film Festival

Established in 1973, Ekotopfilm is a unique international sustainability festival. A highly respected event, the festival, with its educational programme, engages celebrities and personalities active in the field of sustainable development, but also ministries, Embassies, NGOs, schools and the wider public. Over the years they worked with over 5000 partners in 58 countries including UNO, UNEP, UNESCO and other multinational organizations.