In this session, leaders from global finance and development discuss how artificial intelligence and tokenization are starting to reshape financial services. The conversation explores what it will take to move from experimentation to real adoption, from better data and stronger governance to clearer choices about where these tools can deliver value. Watch for a grounded view of the opportunities and trade-offs, from large financial institutions to underserved markets.
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Cristina Pieretti is a General Manager at Moody’s, where she oversees the Digital Insights Operating Unit, having responsibility for the digital delivery of Moody’s research and insights, primarily through Moodys.com. Previously she led Moody’s Commercial Real Estate Data and Analytics business, being responsible for the integration of REIS, Moody’s first acquisition of a publicly listed company. Before this, Cristina was driving efforts in Moody’s Accelerator to identify and develop new business opportunities, with a special focus in AI and machine learning. She was also responsible for evolving the company’s innovation processes. Cristina joined Moody's in 2008, and held product management roles in the structured finance and credit risk measurement businesses. Prior to joining Moody's, Cristina worked in banking, where she participated in multiple transactions in Latin America.
Cristina holds a Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, as well as an MBA. She is also a CFA charterholder.
Ryno Byleveldt is the Investment Portfolio Management Advisor at the United Nations Capital Development Fund. A South African national, he brings extensive experience in investment project execution, corporate strategy, financial audit, and portfolio management. Ryno is a Chartered Accountant (South Africa), a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter-holder, and holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Bradford in the United Kingdom.
In his role, and working under the oversight of UNCDF’s Chief Financial Officer, Ryno provides oversight and support for the effective deployment of UNCDF’s investment portfolio, which includes loans, guarantees, and investment grants. He ensures systematic enforcement of processes and tools for loan and guarantee operations and supervises portfolio performance, including impact monitoring and measurement activities. Ryno’s responsibilities include establishing an efficient portfolio management system integrated with operational units, overseeing performance, ensuring accurate data recording, compiling and analyzing financial instrument data, and ensuring compliance with UNCDF’s policies and regulatory requirements.
Before joining UNCDF, Ryno held roles at PROPARCO (AFD Group) and the European Investment Bank (EIB), where he executed investment projects exceeding $500 million across Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean. He also worked at the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) as a strategist, supporting strategic planning, financial forecasting, and corporate performance tracking, and at KPMG as a financial auditor for private and public institutions in South Africa.
Conan French is currently Director in the Digital Finance Department at the Institute of International Finance, a research and advocacy organization for the global financial services industry with 400 members from 60 countries. His work focuses on innovation and technology in financial services including topics such as digital assets—central bank digital currencies (CBDC), blockchain, tokenization, and ledger technologies—cloud computing, artificial intelligence and machine learning applications, payments innovation, and digital identity. He initially joined the IIF as Senior Technology Advisor in 2015 to expand the institute’s work on fintech innovations through research, events, and industry engagement.
Conan has focused on innovations in finance from both the private and public sector throughout his career. As a Partner at OpenRevolution and OnGo, he launched several mobile payment ventures using new technologies for mobile money, alternative credit, and loyalty. Previously, he headed an office of microfinance, regulatory reform and business development experts at USAID providing direction to a global program active in 82 countries. While there, he created public private partnerships with banks using structured facilities and credit guarantees for a 43x leverage of public funds into private sector lending to microfinance institutions. Conan’s earlier experience included work at the Department of State, US Treasury Department, and for the Governor of Massachusetts. While at USAID, he was the US Representative on the Council of Governors for the World Bank’s CGAP.
Conan earned his MBA from Georgetown University and his BA in history and economics from Dickinson College.
