Magdalena Konig. Voted one of the Most Visionary General Counsels to Watch in 2024 by CIO Look, Magdalena is an award-winning General Counsel, international keynote speaker, panelist and business strategist.
With a background as an experienced technology lawyer, her career expands over several industries including energy and automotive, with an expert specialism in advanced technologies. She confidently holds a seat at the C-Suite table, manages Boards and advises on advanced technology development and deployment, protecting innovation and data.
She is passionate about AI for good and human centric technology, with a qualification in AI Ethics, Regulation and Compliance from the University of Oxford, Said Business School. She speaks regularly on local and international stages on Responsible AI, AI ethics, regulation and governance and is a thought leader on the new "power couple" AI and energy. She is an active member of the DIFC’s Regulation 10 Committee, the International Advisory Council of the ADGM Dispute Resolution Heading Centre and works with the Fast Company Middle East as a part of its Impact Council 2025 initiative.
Magdalena has significant experience in stakeholder management, leading teams and legal, compliance and governance operations, guiding businesses and providing strategic advice. She brings a unique perspective, gained from her experience as an elite competitive bodybuilder, empowering individuals she works with to unleash untapped potential.
Magdalena acts as a mentor for the Law Society, UK, JIIPCC Mentorship and Internship Program (mentoring students and young professionals across Africa in AI, FinTech and IP) and Abu Dhabi SME HUB. She also contributes to leading academic studies and papers on technology ethics, governance and compliance.
Prior to joining Sirius Magdalena Konig was a key member of AIQ’s executive leadership team. She led the team that brought AIQ into fruition, drawing on her vast international experience as an advisor to public and private organizations. As the General Counsel at AIQ, she was responsible for the oversight of the Legal, Governance and Compliance functions. AIQ is a disruptive advanced technology pioneer that is leveraging AI to solve complex challenges in the Energy Sector, power digital transformation and accelerate energy transition; forging towards a more sustainable future. Established as a joint venture between ADNOC and Presight, the company drives homegrown Abu Dhabi innovation and creates real possibilities with AI in line with the UAE’s ambition to become a leading global AI hub.
Vanessa Medina, Senior Legal Counsel, Masdar
Vanessa Medina is Senior Legal Counsel at Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company and one of the world’s leading developers of utility-scale clean energy and green hydrogen projects. She leads legal support for complex, first-of-a-kind renewable and hydrogen developments across multiple jurisdictions, advising on project structuring, risk allocation, contracting strategy, and delivery across the full project lifecycle.
Vanessa has over 15 years’ experience advising on large-scale infrastructure, energy, and construction projects in Europe, the Middle East, and emerging markets. Prior to joining Masdar, she held senior legal roles in-house with Vision Invest and in private practice with Freshfields, where she was recognised by Chambers UK as an “Associate to Watch”, with clients noting her strength in the practical application of EPC contracting and her solutions-focused approach.
In her current role, Vanessa works closely with commercial, technical, and investment teams on the delivery of next-generation renewable and hydrogen projects, supporting energy transition strategies aligned with national decarbonisation goals and global climate commitments. She brings a pragmatic, delivery-driven perspective to the legal and commercial challenges facing large-scale renewable deployment, particularly in rapidly evolving regulatory and geopolitical environments.
Alongside her transactional practice, Vanessa has significant advisory and contentious experience in delay, disruption, and dispute resolution strategy. She is a co-author of Sweet & Maxwell’s Dealing with Delay and Disruption on Construction Contracts and has published on the energy transition and project delivery through the Major Projects Association and the Society of Construction Law.
Vanessa has a longstanding commitment to pro bono work, including advocacy for victims of human trafficking, and was recognized by IPFA as an inspirational woman in the infrastructure sector for challenging bias and supporting diversity and inclusion.
Charlotte Stevens is a Partner at Freshfields, bringing over 18 years of legal expertise and a distinguished track record in the Middle East. Based in Freshfields’ Abu Dhabi office for the past 13 years, Charlotte is widely recognized for advising major government-owned institutions—including regional sovereign wealth funds and leading corporates—on complex cross-border M&A, co-investments, joint ventures and strategic alliances, with a particular focus on the energy and infrastructure sectors.
Charlotte’s reputation for excellence is reflected in industry accolades, having been named “Up and Coming” for Corporate/M&A by Chambers and a “Rising Star Partner” for M&A by IFLR1000.