Maiara Folly is a researcher at the department of international cooperation at the Igarapé Institute. Her research and publications focus on international peace and security, rising powers, including the BRICS grouping, as well as refugee and forced migration studies.

Maija Liuhto is an independent journalist based in Islamabad, Pakistan. Her work has appeared in the Atlantic, Al Jazeera English and Foreign Policy, among others.

Maimunah Mohd Sharif is the executive director of UN-Habitat. Sharif has re-positioned UN-Habitat as a thought leader in sustainable urbanization and as an agency that advocates for the implementation of the New Urban Agenda to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and the nationally determined contributions to the Paris Agreement. Prior to this appointment, Sharif was the mayor of the City Council of Penang Island, Malaysia. In 2011, she became the first woman to be appointed president of the Municipal Council of Seberang Perai.

Maira Caleffi is the chief of Breast Center at Moinhos de Vento Hospital in Porto Alegre, Brazil. In addition, Maira works as volunteer chair leader for City Cancer Challenge in her hometown, and the local leader of Integrated Cancer Control Initiative in Latin America. She holds a Ph.D. in Medicine from the University of London and a post-doctorate in Genetics and Cancer from Vanderbilt University, Nashville, USA. Maira is also the founder and volunteer president of FEMAMA and IMAMA.

Maisie Zheng is an 18-year-old completing a bachelor's degree at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Maisie is the U.K. representative for U.K.-ASEAN partnerships at the ASEAN Youth Organisation and sits at the head of the editorial board, as well as working on the communications team of Advocates for International Development. As an advocate for youth engagement, she is also a current member of the Common Futures Conversation platform at Chatham House, engaging with policymakers to help pioneer solutions to current global issues alongside other young people.

Maja Wisenberger works in Devex's Analytics team in Manila, assisting in expanding data content and analyzing global funding trends. She has a master's degree in Public Policy from China and she brings experience from UNOPS, UN Women and the nonprofit sector. Her main areas of interest are poverty alleviation, economic and gender equality, and Chinese philanthropy.

Karen is a former development analyst at Devex’s survey and advisory services team. Before Devex, Karen worked at several NGOs, where she conducted research, capacity building and policy advocacy on women’s human rights, and access to justice.

Makhtar Diop is the World Bank’s vice president for infrastructure. The infrastructure vice presidency comprises energy and extractives, transport, digital development as well as infrastructure finance, public- private partnerships, and guarantees. In this global role, he leads efforts to develop sustainable solutions in emerging economies.

Mal Warwick is a social entrepreneur, impact investor and writer. He has traveled extensively through the "global south," teaching fundraising and marketing to NGO executives from more than 100 countries. A former volunteer for the Peace Corps (Ecuador, 1965-69) and chair of Social Venture Network (2002-2006), he is the co-author with Paul Polak of "The Business Solution to Poverty: Designing Products and Services for Three Billion New Customers."

Mala Kumar is a global development professional with a focus on information and communication technologies as well as the author of the novel, "The Paths of Marriage." She has worked for several agencies of the United Nations, including the World Food Program and UNICEF. Mala is currently based in New York City.