Leadership AI Europe

Antonis Gkekas is a senior leader in CRM and marketing technology at Deutsche Kreditbank AG (DKB), where he drives data-driven transformation and the responsible adoption of AI across customer, operational, and governance domains. His work focuses on integrating automation and AI into enterprise workflows, strengthening data quality and lineage, and preparing institutions for emerging regulatory requirements such as the EU AI Act. With a background spanning customer intelligence, digital operating models, and cross-functional transformation programs, Antonis brings a pragmatic perspective on how financial institutions can operationalize responsible AI, enhance oversight structures, and balance innovation with regulatory expectations.

Anton Kornilov is a global payments executive and advisor with over two decades of leadership experience at Mastercard and American Express, where he worked across cross-border, account-to-account, cards, and instant payment models in Europe and global markets. He now runs his own advisory practice, Kernel Acumen, supporting banks, PSPs and fintechs on payments commercialisation, regulatory change and operating-model evolution.
Throughout his career, Anton has worked at the intersection of strategy, regulation and commercial execution, helping organisations translate policy and market change into practical payment propositions and scalable operating models. Alongside his work in payments, he is a Board Director at Volleyball England and an active coach, bringing a strong belief that payments, like sport, are a team effort — reliant on trust, clear roles, interoperability and coordination across many participants.

Professor Karen Elliott is Chair/Full Professor in Finance & Fintech at the University of Birmingham Business School and Leads the Responsible AI Hub for FS: Sustainability. She has been named as ‘Standout #35 Women in FinTech Powerlist by Innovate Finance’ for Policy and Governance 2019/2020/2021, judge in 2023 and voted by Santander as in the top 50 women in UK Finance, 2025. In addition, is an Advisory Board member to Incuto, Saible and other fintechs tackling the digital divide. Karen co-leads Agency, UKFin Network+, Stratlib (with Fintech Stratiphy) and INFINITY projects (£12m EPSRC/UKRI/Research England) to optimise trustworthy, sustainable, responsible, and ethical AI. She serves as a mentor on the FCA’s Supercharger Nvidia Sandbox, a High-Ambassador for Women in Digital Finance for GESDC, and is a founding member of the Corporate Digital Responsibility Network, the IEEE Global Initiative Planet Positive, The Payments Association and sits on APPGs for Fair Banking, Cryptocurrencies and Regulation. Karen seeks a balance between academia and practice towards an equitable digital society.

Experienced network leader and analyst in financial services and IT.
Focus on strategy, innovation and development with strong combination of innovation theory and practice including an industrial PhD in collaborative innovation. Practised event moderator with large Danish and International network in the Fintech Area
Background in economics (master in economics and e-mba) and experience in financial services, digitization and IT.