Distinguished Global Leaders Unite to Advance Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy
WBAF — The International Chamber of Arts (ICA) is proud to announce its Global Board of Directors, bringing together an exceptional group of internationally respected leaders from government, culture, business, diplomacy, academia, philanthropy, and the creative industries. The Board reflects ICA’s commitment to fostering artistic excellence, strengthening cultural diplomacy, and advancing sustainable growth across the global creative economy.
Operating under the motto “Where Artistic Brilliance Meets Capital,” the International Chamber of Arts is associated with the World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF), an affiliated partner of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), chaired by Queen Máxima of the Netherlands. ICA serves as a global platform connecting artists, collectors, museums, galleries, auction houses, cultural institutions, investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to strengthen the role of arts and culture in economic development and international cooperation.
The newly announced Board brings together an exceptional group of internationally respected leaders representing Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, North America, and Latin America. This globally representative leadership structure reflects ICA’s commitment to fostering cross-cultural collaboration, encouraging artistic innovation, and ensuring that diverse perspectives help shape the future of the world’s creative industries.
Baybars Altuntaş, Executive Chairman of the World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF), said:
“The International Chamber of Arts has been established to create meaningful connections between the worlds of art, entrepreneurship, investment, and diplomacy. We are honored that such an extraordinary group of internationally respected leaders has accepted the responsibility of guiding ICA during this important founding period. Their collective experience will help position arts and culture as powerful drivers of innovation, economic growth, financial inclusion, and international understanding.”
Manos Ioannidis, Chairman of the International Chamber of Arts, added:
“Art has always been humanity’s universal language. Our Board brings together leaders whose experience spans public service, cultural leadership, business, economics, philanthropy, and international cooperation. Together, we will work to strengthen cultural diplomacy, support artists worldwide, and create new opportunities for collaboration across borders.”
International Chamber of Arts (ICA) – Board of Directors (Listed in Alphabetical Order by Country Represented)
Chair
- Manos Ioannidis (Greece) – Chairman, International Chamber of Arts
Secretary General
- Balkız İnal (Türkiye) – Global Thought Leader in Arts and Culture
Board Members
Bahrain
- Khalid Rashid Al Zayani – Honorary Chairman, Alzayani Investments Group of Companies
European Union
- Rudy Aernoudt – Senior Economist, European Commission
France
- Marie-Christine Oghly – Vice Chair, ICC World Chambers Federation
Ghana
- Ibrahim Mohammad Awal – Former Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture (2017–2022)
Mexico
- Martha Delgado Peralta – Former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs (2018–2023)
Singapore
- Inderjit Singh – Former Member of Parliament (1996–2015)
South Africa
- Princess Swati Dlamini Mandela – Granddaughter of Nelson Mandela
Türkiye
- Özgül Özkan Yavuz – Former Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism (2019–2023)
United States
- Shelli Brunswick – Former Member, U.S. Air Force
The establishment of this distinguished Founding Board marks a significant milestone in ICA’s global development. By bringing together visionary leaders from multiple continents and disciplines, ICA aims to promote cultural diplomacy, encourage investment in the creative industries, support emerging and established artists, and strengthen international cooperation through the universal language of art.
As ICA continues to expand its global presence, it welcomes artists, museum directors, gallery owners, collectors, auction houses, curators, academics, philanthropists, policymakers, and cultural institutions from around the world to join this growing international community dedicated to advancing creativity, innovation, and cross-cultural dialogue.
About the International Chamber of Arts (ICA)
The International Chamber of Arts (ICA) is a global initiative associated with the World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF), an affiliated partner of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI). Guided by the vision “Where Artistic Brilliance Meets Capital,” ICA promotes international collaboration among the worlds of arts, culture, entrepreneurship, investment, and public policy. Through its global network, ICA advances cultural diplomacy, empowers the creative industries, and fosters sustainable economic development by strengthening the connection between artistic excellence and global opportunity.
For more information:
www.wbaforum.org/arts
