Wendela Rang, a former Economic Affairs Intern of UNCTAD New York, is invited to contribute to a book on SDG 8 "Decent Work and Economic Growth" which forms part of an initiative from the International Association of Universities (IAU) to document the role of research and academia in achieving the SDGs. Ms. Rang has a BA Politics and Philosophy from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, and resides in Stockholm, Sweden.
Jimmy Rantes has assumed the responsibility of the Vanuatu Director General for Trade and Commerce since 2021, after accumulating over 20 years of experience in Agriculture, Trade, and Development.
Prior to this, Mr. Rantes was appointed the Director of the Vanuatu Department of Industries. He holds a Master's of Research from the University of Sunshine Coast, with a special focus on Sustainable Development (Challenges between Policy and Practice). Mr. Rantes was also a former WTO intern at the Vanuatu Geneva Mission in 2015.
Among many achievements, some of the important reforms and developments led by Jimmy Rantes in recent years include being the focal point for the EIF Vanuatu programme (as DG) and spearheading several WTO-related key national policies. These include the development of the Vanuatu E-Commerce Strategy and Roadmap of 2022 and the Vanuatu Quality Infrastructure Policy (2024-2029).
As reflected in the Vanuatu Ministry of Trade and Commerce's overarching goal of ‘Promoting Sustainable and Inclusive Trade’, Mr. Jimmy Rantes aims to further this sectoral pursuit, with representation in key WTO and geopolitical reforms being a crucial aspect of it.
Dave Ranyard is the CEO of Dream Reality Interactive, that he set up in September 2016. The team, which is constantly growing, some of whom worked with Dave at Sony’s London Studio, has a rich history in developing VR, AR and mobile games.
Prior to Dream Reality Interactive, Dave was the Director of Sony’s London Studio, the home of multi-million selling game franchises SingStar, DanceStar, Wonderbook and PlayStationVR Worlds. Before heading up London Studio he was an Audio Manager, Creative Services Manager, Executive Producer on games SingStar and Wonderbook, and has also released a number of dance records.
Dave is also an active member of the game development industry, having held positions on the BAFTA Games Committee, the Game Developers Conference (San Francisco) and XRDC.
Milaika Capella Ras is a seasoned professional with 25 years of experience in the maritime industry. She currently works as General Manager of the Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA), in charge of managing the general affairs of the association, including the implementation of strategic initiatives for further development of the maritime sector in member territories. Previously, she served as Account Manager for the Curaçao Port Authority (CPA).
In addition to her executive career, Milaika served on several advisory boards and committees. She was a member of the Curaçao Airport Partners' Marketing & Promotion Committee, the Curaçao Tourist Board's Product Development and Marketing Team, and the Curaçao Tourist Board's Marketing Steering Committee, entrusted with the coordination of efforts to implement Curaçao's Tourism Masterplan.
Milaika served the Vice-Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Curinde N.V. (Curaçao Free zone). She chaired the Cruise Committee at CSA and was also on the CSA General Council.
Rosa Vivien Ratnawati, is Director-General of Solid Waste, Hazardous Waste, and Hazardous Substances Management at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia. She was the President of the COP-4 of the Minamata Convention, held in Bali on 21-25 March 2022.
She has extensive experience with various multilateral environmental agreements in carrying out her duties as Director-General, particularly in addressing solid waste, hazardous waste, and hazardous substances issues. She has actively participated as an Indonesian Focal Point in a number of multilateral environmental agreements, including the Basel Convention, Rotterdam Convention, Stockholm Convention, and Minamata Convention. During her tenure, she established Ministerial Regulation No. 75/2019 on the Roadmap of Waste Reduction by Producers.
She is also the Secretary of the Marine Litter Handling Coordination Team, which was formed in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 83/2018 on Marine Litter Handling.
Mariin Ratnik has served as Deputy Minister for Economic and Development Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia since 1 September 2022.
Ms. Ratnik has worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 2000 and has been ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Andorra, Algeria and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in Vienna. Between 2017 and 2019, Mariin Ratnik was the prime minister's foreign relations adviser at the Government Office.
She graduated from the University of Tartu with a degree in economics and she has studied international relations at the Estonian School of Diplomacy and the Humboldt University in Berlin.
Mr Hardin Ratshisusu is the Acting Deputy Commissioner and Acting Commissioner of the National Consumer Commission since 1 May 2024. He is also the Deputy Commissioner of the Competition Commission since 2016. He actively participates in international fora such as the OECD, BRICS, UNCTAD and ACF.
Mr Ratshisusu holds a BCom (Honours-Economics) from the University of Venda, a MCom (Economics) from the University of Witwatersrand and a Master of Business Leadership from the University of South Africa. He has completed the PURC/ World Bank Training Program on Utility Regulation and Strategy with the University of Florida as well as the Senor Executive Program for Africa with the Harvard Business School.
Lauren Rawlings is a Director in the Economic Growth practice at Palladium, a global firm implementing government and private initiatives to drive positive impact. Her client-facing responsibilities include program design, technical leadership, and strategic guidance in areas including economic inclusion and women’s empowerment.
She previously worked at the International Finance Corporation, driving IFC client development of business models more inclusive of women entrepreneurs and rural communities. She has integrated employee and community ownership and empowerment structures into large M&A and other investment transactions. She approaches her work as a connector and enabler, often serving as a thought partner to entrepreneurs, investors, financial intermediaries, and community organizations as they identify and shape opportunities to achieve their economic goals. She is committed to aligning the work of development agencies and DFIs with the aspirations of the people whose lives they aim to change.
Lauren was born in the US to American and Kittitian parents—and did three important early years of schooling in the Caribbean. She is a pan-Africanist and intersectional feminist.
Runa Ray is a Fashion Environmentalist and interdisciplinary designer, who uses fashion to educate and advocate for policy change.
Having worked extensively with sustainable development goals at the United Nations, her designs encompass nature based solutions. She specializes in circularity, revival of ancient indigenous techniques, design exploration and re-creation of bio materials from ocean invasive species.
As an educational member of the IUCN and the UN ocean decade, her prime focus lies in advocacy and design intelligence.