Peter van der Hijden is an independent higher education strategy adviser and policy influencer based in Brussels. He worked for the European Commission for 23 years in the fields of education, transport, research and innovation. At the Directorate-General for Education and Culture, he served as Head of Sector for Higher Education Policy. At the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, he contributed to the Human Resources Strategy for the European Research Area.

Peter played a central role in the development of the Erasmus programme, the Bologna Process and the EU Modernisation Agenda for universities. He studied law at Maastricht University in the Netherlands, where he began his career as Vice-Registrar of the University Council and Policy Officer for Education and Research.

In 2025, University World News and six other journals published his article on the future of Erasmus+, entitled “Could Europe Achieve Higher Impact with a Lighter Touch?”

Johan Roos is an internationally recognized strategist, author, educator, and advisor specializing in leadership, strategy, and the impact of artificial intelligence on organizations.

A co-inventor of LEGO® Serious Play®, he has held senior leadership positions at leading international business schools, including Hult International Business School, Copenhagen Business School, and the Stockholm School of Economics. Today, he advises executives and boards around the world on navigating AI-driven transformation.

His latest book, Human Magic: Leading with Wisdom in an Age of Algorithms, explores how leaders can combine human judgment, creativity, and wisdom with the power of AI to build resilient, future-ready organizations.

Eileen McAuliffe serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Thought Leadership Officer, and Managing Director, EMEA at AACSB. As a key member of the executive team, she leads global thought leadership initiatives, positioning AACSB as the foremost voice in business education. In her role, she champions the quality, relevance, and societal impact of business schools worldwide, while also overseeing strategic direction and operations across the EMEA region to ensure strong engagement and support for AACSB members.

Prior to joining AACSB, McAuliffe was Pro Vice-Chancellor (Global) and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business, Law, and Social Sciences at Birmingham City University. There, she played a central role in advancing the university’s 2030 and Beyond Strategy, aligning international initiatives with institutional goals. As Executive Dean, she led a faculty of 400 and a student body of 12,000, managing an annual budget of approximately £100 million.

McAuliffe also brings a wealth of industry experience, having held executive tax advisory roles at ConocoPhillips in the oil sector. She earned her PhD in 2017 and was appointed Professor of International Taxation in 2020. In addition to her academic and professional leadership, she actively contributes to global policy as a member of the United Nations Platform for the Collaboration on Tax, and is a former member of the AACSB Board of Directors.