[Student Invitation] Annual Gala Dinner with Ajay Banga

Ajay Banga is the 14th President of the World Bank Group. He started his five-year term on June 2, 2023, with a mandate to transform the 80‑year‑old institution into a faster, more efficient, and more impactful partner in development.

Prior to joining the World Bank, Ajay was Vice Chairman at General Atlantic and, before that, President and CEO of Mastercard. There, he led a global workforce of nearly 24,000 and made financial inclusion a core part of the company's strategy. He also founded the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth to advance equitable and sustainable economic opportunity.

Ajay's leadership extends beyond the private sector. He served as Chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce (2020–2022) and has held board roles with the American Red Cross, Kraft Foods, and Dow Inc. He is also a co‑founder of the Cyber Readiness Institute. His contributions have earned wide recognition, including the Singapore Public Service Star award (2022), the Padma Shri from the President of India (2016), the Foreign Policy Association Medal (2012), and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

Ronnie C. Chan is the Honorary Chair of Hang Lung Group Limited and its subsidiary Hang Lung Properties Limited, both publicly listed in Hong Kong. Hang Lung expanded into mainland China in 1992, developing, owning and managing world-class commercial complexes in key tier one and tier two cities. In 1986, Mr. Chan co-founded Morningside, a diversified investment group engaged in private equity and venture capital investments in North America, Asia, and Europe. 

He founded and chairs the China Heritage Fund and is a cofounding Director of The Forbidden City Cultural Heritage Conservation Foundation in Beijing. Mr. Chan is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Chair Emeritus of the Asia Society and Chairman of its Hong Kong Center, and Co-Founder and Chairman of the Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society. 

He serves or has served on the governing or advisory bodies of several think tanks and universities, including: Peterson Institute for International Economics, World Economic Forum, East-West Center, Pacific Council on International Policy, Eisenhower Fellowships, The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation, University of Southern California, Indian School of Business, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Yale University, Tsinghua University, and Fudan University.