Sanford R. (Sandy) Climan is CEO of Entertainment Media Ventures, Inc. Founded in 1999. EMV is active in media investment and strategic advisory work, with a particular focus on innovative technologies and entities currently impacting the traditional boundaries of business, media, and entertainment. He is an investor, producer and considered a media visionary. Throughout his career, Mr. Climan has held senior management positions in the media and entertainment industry.

He previously served on the senior management team at Creative Artists Agency and was the co-founder of CAA’s corporate practice. Sandy has held senior executive roles across the entertainment industry, including Corporate Executive Vice President and President of Worldwide Business Development for Universal Studios, executive positions in production and distribution for MGM, and as the first CEO of 3D filmmaking pioneer 3ality Digital.

His productions include “U2 3D,” the first digital live-action 3D film, and “The Aviator,” for which he was awarded a Golden Globe and a British Academy Award. He has been an active venture investor and advisor, and has served as a bridge between Hollywood, Silicon Valley, the financial industry, and global corporations. He serves on several charitable boards, including the UCLA School of Theatre Film & Television and the American Cinematheque.

Mr. Climan holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School, a Master of Science degree in Health Policy and Management from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from Harvard College.

Achal Khanna is the CEO of SHRM in India, Asia Pacific & MENA region. SHRM is the world’s largest professional association devoted to human resource & people management. With 340,000+ members in 183 countries, it is the world’s largest HR professional association, impacting the lives of 362 million workers every day.

Achal is responsible for building SHRM APAC & MENA brand, expanding its business, and developing professional relationships with government agencies as well as other HR and business associations.

Dedicated to promoting women’s empowerment, improving work culture, and nurturing leadership development, she works closely with individuals and organizations to advocate for inclusive workplaces where everyone can thrive and contribute meaningfully. Recognized with the prestigious “Best Women Executive in India” award, she continuously strives to push boundaries and overcome challenges.

With over three decades of proven leadership, she has consistently demonstrated the ability to navigate complex business landscapes with clarity and finesse. As Managing Director of Kelly India Operations, she led high-impact strategic initiatives with precision and purpose. During her tenure as Vice President at GE, she championed business growth and innovation through transformative strategies. As Country Manager at Polaroid India, she spearheaded market expansion, reinforcing the brand’s presence in a competitive landscape. Her earlier roles at DuPont, ITC, and the Cosmo Group have further enriched her perspective, providing her with deep, cross-industry insights that continue to shape her holistic and future-focused leadership style.

She is a member of SHRM’s global executive team and also serves as an independent director on the boards of select public and private companies in India.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and a Master’s in English Literature, along with an MBA from New Delhi. Additionally, she has completed the Management Development Program (MDP) at IIM Ahmedabad.

Lars N. Minns is currently the Chief HR Officer for Mercedes-Benz, North America with responsibility for the US and Canada serving the organization since March 2015. He currently leads the organization in designing, implementing, and executing HR strategies that directly align with the company’s strategic objectives for the Sales, Marketing, and Distribution of Passenger Cars, Vans and parts in the United States and Canada. Under his leadership, the organization is undergoing one of the largest transformations in the automotive industry in its pursuit to be the most desired electric luxury brand in North America.

Prior to joining Mercedes-Benz, he served as the Sr. Mgr. of Talent Acquisition for The Home Depot’s At Home Services commonly referred to as the “Do it For Me” business. He led his team in executing talent acquisition strategies for the company’s fastest growing business segment.

Lars spent 10 years with The Home Depot and served in roles of increasing responsibility. Most notably serving as the Sr. Mgr. of Talent Management for Operations, Services, Finance, and IT. He supported all facets of Talent Management helping those business areas in several large-scale transformational efforts aimed at increasing overall operational efficiencies.

Prior to The Home Depot, Lars held various roles in IT consulting sales and recruiting during the .com and Y2K eras.

He is a member of the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank’s Human Capital Advisory Council, Leadership Atlanta and a Board of Trustee of Mount Vernon Presbyterian School.

Lars earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Hampton University in Hampton, VA. 

A native of Nassau, Bahamas, he and his wife, Moya reside in Sandy Springs, GA with their three children. 

Michael Fraccaro is a Mastercard Fellow, responsible for advocating for advancements in human capital; deepening industry partnerships to drive our collective commitments to culture and people; and strengthening Mastercard’s position as an employer of choice. Previously, Michael served as the chief people officer at Mastercard for nine years, a period of transformational growth that saw the company more than double its workforce. Michael will formally retire from Mastercard at the end of 2025.

During Michael’s tenure as chief people officer, he was responsible for all human resources functions globally. His dynamic team oversaw cultural transformation, including the launch of The Mastercard Way values, the integration of more than a dozen acquisitions, and the global launch of an AI-driven growth and development platform. He built a leadership system to ensure breadth and depth of talent for short and long-term succession planning and was integral to the Mastercard CEO transition in 2021. He oversaw a comprehensive location strategy with the launch of Tech Hubs in high-growth markets such as India, Ireland and Canada. His leadership has helped forge numerous recognitions for the brand, including “most valued to work for.” In this role, he was a member of the company’s executive leadership team and management committee, and an active participant with the Mastercard Board of Directors.

Prior to Mastercard, Michael spent 10+ years at HSBC in various senior HR leadership roles in Australia and regional headquarters in Hong Kong. He also held senior HR positions in the financial service industry in the Middle East and Australia.

Michael holds a Master of Applied Science, Communication Management from the University of Technology, Sydney, and a Bachelor of Education from the Australian Catholic University. He also has accreditation in change management from the Australian Graduate School of Management and attended leadership programs at Duke Fuqua and INSEAD.

Michael serves as Chair of the Board of the Young People’s Chorus of New York City and is on the Board of the HR Policy Association.

Nader Haffar is the former Chairman and CEO of KPMG LG in the UAE and Oman and Chairman of KPMG Middle East, South Asia and Caspin Countries (MESAC).  A seasoned business leader and a Board Member on selected local and global Boards. Served on the Dubai International Chamber, Chaired KPMG MESAC Board, Best Buddies Afvisory Committee, and Board members of Primus Partners Consulting. With over 35 years of experience in Professional Services and Management Consulting global, regional and local spanning across the world,   Nader brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role as the Co-Founder and Chairman of VALYOO Holding. His career has been defined by his ability to drive transformative change and foster a culture of excellence in the organizations he has led.

Most recently, Nader served as the Chairman and CEO of a leading Big 4 professional services firm in the Lower Gulf region. During Nader As Chairman and CEO, he played a pivotal role in shaping the firm’s growth and success. Guided by core values of integrity and excellence, Nader implemented strategic initiatives that propelled the organization forward. His focus on fostering employee well-being, corporate social responsibility, and building strong partnerships contributed to the firm’s positive impact.

Under Nader’s leadership, the firm witnessed a transformation in its Audit practice, with significant investments made to enhance quality and deliver exceptional service to clients. Integrity remained at the heart of everything the firm did, and Nader’s commitment to building trust and eminence solidified its position as a trusted advisor to clients.

Nader’s vision extended beyond immediate success. He recognized the importance of the private sector’s role in environmental protection and sustainability. Through strategic initiatives, Nader implemented energy-efficient practices, contributing to reduced energy and water consumption.

Passionate about fostering gender equality, Nader championed initiatives to promote women’s representation in leadership and board roles. He prioritized creating an inclusive and diverse workplace, where women had equal opportunities for growth and advancement.

In addition to his professional achievements, Nader is a dedicated philanthropist, actively engaging in corporate social responsibility activities. He believes in giving back to society and has participated in initiatives that contribute to the betterment of communities.

In his rare moments of leisure, Nader finds solace in his passion for music and enjoys pursuing his personal and sports interests.

With his vast experience, visionary leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence, Nader Haffar continues to drive VALYOO Holding forward, ensuring the company’s success and making a positive impact on the investment landscape.