Honourable Nate Glubish
Minister of Technology and Innovation, Government of Alberta, Canada
Honourable Nate Glubish, Minister of Technology and Innovation, Government of Alberta
Honourable Nate Glubish was first elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Strathcona-Sherwood Park on April 16, 2019 and re-elected on May 29, 2023.
Nate was also sworn in as Minister of Service Alberta in 2019 and as part of that role he led the Government of Alberta’s efforts to apply technology to deliver better, faster, and smarter services to Albertans.
In 2022, he was then sworn in to lead the newly created Ministry of Technology and Innovation. In his role there, a focus was put on attracting more investment in Alberta’s technology sector as well as ensuring every Albertan has access to reliable high-speed internet.
He spent most of his 15-year career before politics building and investing in Alberta technology companies as a venture capital investor. So, he’s passionate about how the tech sector can better the life of Albertans, bring innovation and tech capital to the province and explore new
John Nosta
Leading Innovation Theorist in Technology, AI & Medicine; Founder of NOSTALAB, NOSTALAB
John Nosta is not just a speaker; he's an intellectual journey guide at the nexus of technology, artificial intelligence, and humanity. With a commanding presence and a rich tapestry of insights, he captivates his audiences, transforming complex intersections of AI, machine learning, and medical science into actionable wisdom. John transcends the traditional keynote, offering a dynamic, TED-like experience that's both intimate and invigorating. He doesn't just decode the intricate language technology or the sophisticated algorithms of AI; he renders them accessible and relevant to everyday life and the broader imperatives of human progress.
In every discourse, John navigates the exhilarating path of exponential growth in AI and technology, illustrating not just how these advancements can enhance our professional and personal lives, but how they're fundamentally reshaping our approach to life itself. With John as the compass, audiences are not merely informed but are inspired to embrace the transformative potential of AI and LLMs, gearing up for a journey of expanded human potential and unprecedented innovation. It's more than a presentation; it's an invitation to be at the forefront of an extraordinary era where technology and medicine converge to redefine what it means to live and thrive.
Janet Adams
COO/ Board Director, SingularityNET / ASI
A disruptive tech advocate and decentralised AI expert with published works on Ethics and Regulation of AI. My leadership role at SingularityNET entails responsibility for technology, operations, marketing, investment, accounting and payments, strategic partnerships, business development, decentralisation and Deep Funding (SingularityNET's community driven crypto-accelerator programme).
Leading AI and Blockchain initiatives across multiple vertical markets including robotics, biotech, gaming and metaverse, media, DeFi, music and arts, I was with the team that launched the world’s first humanoid robot fronted band; the Jam Galaxy Band at NAMM festival in LA in June 2022. I am co-founder of Cogito Protocol, an algorithmic tracer-coin that is the missing piece in crypto-assets.
I am committed to a positive and beneficial Singularity for the benefit of all of humanity, and have a special love of African music and culture, with interest in education, sustainability and jobs in Africa. I am also passionate about diversity, inclusion and equality.
Other interests are Tai Chi, Chi Gung, yoga, meditation, and growing to contribute the most I possibly can in this lifetime.
Jeanie Fang
Director Data & AI, Crunchbase
Jeanie leads the Data Management organization at Crunchbase, where she drives the mission to democratize access to opportunity by delivering data that connects innovators. Her team is responsible for all the data featured on Crunchbase's platform. Outside of work, Jeanie is an avid traveler, having visited over 80 countries, and she is also a licensed realtor passionate about real estate. She’s always open to helping others with their real estate goals, whether buying, selling, or investing.
Georges De Moura
Group Vice President and CISO, EDGE Group
Georges De Moura serves as the Vice President of Information Security and CISO at EDGE Group, an Advanced Technology and Defence international conglomerate headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE. He has 20+ years’ experience in information technology and cybersecurity across multiple industries, including aerospace, defence, and Aviation. Prior to taking on his current role, he oversaw the Industry portfolio at the World Economic Forum’s Centre for Cybersecurity. Before joining the World Economic Forum, he was the global CISO at Etihad Aviation Group, where he directed the execution of a major holistic cybersecurity transformation program. He also headed the information technology and cybersecurity organizations for all USA entities at Thales Group. He also served as a member of the IBM Security Board of Advisors and the Airbus STAR Advisory Group.
Mohamed Al Kuwaiti
Head of Cyber Security Council, UAE Government
Dr. Al Kuwaiti was appointed by the Cabinet as the Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government since 2020. As the Head of Cyber Security, his mandate includes responsibilities as the Chairman of the UAE Cyber Security Council as well as Managing Director of the National Data Centre under the Supreme Council for National Security. As the Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government by investiture, Dr. Al Kuwaiti has legal authority over all aspects pertaining to securing the cyberspace for the entire Nation. In his current role, Dr. Al Kuwaiti is tasked with the responsibility of charting the cyber security strategy for the Nation that not only equips the UAE to enter the digital era with capabilities to deal with the new threat landscape exacerbated by the pandemic, but also ensures UAE’s leadership in cyber security globally; towards establishing the UAE as the world’s leading trusted digital hub and supporting the Nation’s digital transformation agenda and the digital future of all residents who made UAE their home. Towards that end, he leads the Council to outline an implementation plan to protect the UAE cyberspace through emerging technologies such as Cloud, Big Data and AI in a whole-of-government approach coordinating and orchestrating efforts between Emirates and government entities via a unified platform built and managed by the Council. Under Dr. Al Kuwaiti’s leadership, the UAE has advanced 42 positions in the ITU Global Cybersecurity Index, rising to the 5th place globally from 47th in the previous assessment. Dr. Al Kuwaiti has also led UAE to many firsts, including Guinness World Records for having the most users in a cyber capture the flag (CTF) competition, the largest bug bounty competition and the largest cyber drill; all initiatives that aim at capacity building in cyber security and improving the technical competencies of cyber security professionals and enthusiasts. More importantly, he has been instrumental in advocating for realizing the value of cyber security by demonstrating cyber security as a critical business enabler. Since 2021, Dr. Al Kuwaiti plays the role of an ambassador for collaboration between the government and cyber agencies, helping to bridge the discussion between the two major stakeholders in the digital economy. Under his chaperone, key public-private partnerships were established between the UAE Cyber Security Council and leading local and international cyber security organizations with the goal of making a positive contribution to the UAE cyber agenda and be a major force that will benefit the global cyber security industry. Additionally, bilateral agreements established with countries both within the region and across the world contributed towards mutual information sharing, capacity development and legal assistance aid treaties, all key outcomes as a result of the National Cyber Security Strategy that he has put in place to realize the vision of the UAE for the next 50 years. Underscoring the UAE’s leadership in cyber security on a global stage under Dr. Kuwaiti’s tutelage, UAE plays a pivotal role in the Arab Regional Cybersecurity Centre with UAE being elected as the Vice Chair of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Computer Emergency Response Team to respond to cyber emergencies during the 10th Regional Cybersecurity Week for Arab Countries and OIC Member States in 2022. UAE also co-chairs the Information Sharing Committee in the White House Counter Ransomware Initiative, a coalition of 37 international partners. His contributions to accelerate the cyber security maturity of the Nation and fostering a vibrant cyber security ecosystem in the UAE have been recognized in multiple forums, including the (ISC)² Government Professional Award for EMEA. Dr. Al Kuwaiti also sits on the Boards of the UAE Council for Digital Wellbeing, Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), Federal Geographic Information Center and is on the Advisory Committees of the College of Information Technology under United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) and Emirates ICT Innovation Center (EBTIC) under Khalifa University. Additionally, he is an Adjunct Professor under the Homeland Security Program at Rabdan Academy and a visiting lecturer on Cyber Security at universities such as Khalifa University and National Defense College in Abu Dhabi. Prior to his current appointments, Dr. Al Kuwaiti was with the National Electronic Security Authority in various appointments and capacity since 2013 where he was most recently the Executive Director of Government Operations managing National and International government relations. He had served as the Chief Technical Analyst at the Ministry of Interior where he had held other positions, such as Operations Director and CTO of the Counter Terrorism Center. Dr. Al Kuwaiti started his 20 year-long career as a Defense, Air, and Naval Military Attaché with the Embassy of The United Arab Emirates based in Washington, D.C. Dr. Al Kuwaiti has published numerous papers and keynoted at many conferences such as IEEE, RSA, Cyber Warfare Europe, Tele Strategies, ISS World MEA, IDEX, International Anti-Cyber Crimes Conference and Future War Summit. He is a highly sought after speaker internationally and has provided the main keynote address for more than 50 international, regional, and national cybersecurity events such as GITEX, GISEC and the World Government Summit, and has presented the UAE Cyber Security Framework at INTERPOL Global Cyberspace and Cybercrime Complex located in Singapore. Dr. Al Kuwaiti holds a Doctorate in Computer Engineering and Network Security from George Washington University in the U.S. and a master’s degree in Telecommunications and Computer Networks. He also holds a M.A. degree in International and Civil Security. Dr. Al Kuwaiti is an honorable member of the Society of Engineers, IEEE Society, Golden Key National Honor Society and Computer Society. His research interests are detecting, monitoring and responding to cyber warfare, network forensics, corporate governance & processes, and national cyber policy.
Dr. Dirk Jungnickel
SVP Enterprise & Analytics & Intelligence, Emirates Group
Dr Dirk Jungnickel heads up the Enterprise Data & Analytics function of Emirates Group, which is responsible for the group’s BI, data science and AI capabilities. Following an academic career and professorship in theoretical physics, with more than seven years of postdoctoral research, Dr Jungnickel has held senior executive positions across various industries and organizations in a private sector career spanning 24 years. His responsibilities have included BI and advanced analytics, data management and governance, IT architecture and implementation, project and programme management, and an associate partner role in a global management and strategy consulting firm.
John Lilic
Chief Executive Officer, Telos
A crypto-economic builder, seed investor, and product advisor, John’s journey includes helping to build Consensys , Polygon Labs, and now serving as a member of the Telos.
Lt. Col. Dr. Essa Almutawa
Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, Dubai Civil Defense
Lt. Colonel Dr. Essa Almutawa is the Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, the Head of Global Indicators for Fire Incidents, and the Director of the Department of Monitoring and Inspection at Dubai Civil Defense (DCD) in the United Arab Emirates. In his current position, Dr. Essa leads the development and implementation of strategic initiatives for the Department of Monitoring and Inspection at the DCD, ensuring that all safety protocols, inspection procedures, and regulatory practices comply with international and national standards of excellence and quality.
As Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, he has established a new strategic approach for AI integration within Dubai Civil Defense, focusing on fostering a culture that prioritizes and accelerates the adoption of AI technologies across the organization. Dr. Essa has an extensive background in proactive and progress monitoring, information security governance, and crisis management. He holds a Master's in Crisis and Disaster Management from the University of Modern Sciences and a Master's in Digital Governance and Innovation from the University of Central Lancashire. He also holds a Diploma in Leadership and Digital Transformation, as well as a Doctor of Business Administration and Leadership from the University of Gloucestershire.
Known for his strategic leadership, Dr Essa has been instrumental in driving innovation and excellence within Dubai Civil Defense, positioning the organisation at the forefront of safety and technological advancement in the region.
Awadh Almur
Chief AI Officer, Federal Authority of Nuclear Regulation
Awadh serves as the Chief AI Officer and HR Director at FANR, where he leads AI strategy and digital transformation efforts to advance regulatory excellence in the nuclear sector. His work centers on embedding an AI-driven culture, upskilling employees, and cultivating strategic partnerships to position FANR as a leader in innovation. With over 18 years of experience in HR and information security, Awadh is committed to building an inclusive and supportive workplace that prioritizes employee well-being, gender equality, and personal growth.
SAQR ALHEMEIRI
Chief Innovation Officer, Ministry of Health and Prevention - UAE
Saqr AlHemeiri, MBA, is the Chief Innovation Officer and Director for the Strategy and Future Department at the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) in the United Arab Emirates. In his current position, Saqr spearheads the formulation and execution of the Ministry’s strategy and its’ cascading of the healthcare sector at the national level, ensuring that MOHAP services and practices adhere by international and national quality and excellence standards. As Chief Innovation Officer, he has set a new strategic approach for innovation in the healthcare sector in the UAE focused on building a culture that nurtures and prioritizes innovation across the industry. His work in innovation has won the Ministry multiple awards in the field, including most recently the prestigious Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashed Excellence Award for Most Innovative Entity. Saqr has an extensive background in building and administering programs across all organizational levels in the private, semi-governmental and governmental sectors, spanning multiple industries including Airline, Utilities, Retail and Healthcare. He holds an Executive Masters in Business Administration from the University of Sharjah, and a Diploma in Government Innovation from the Mohamed Bin Rashed Government Centre for Government Innovation (in collaboration with Cambridge University), and is a graduate of the Executive Leaders program from the UAE Prime Minister Office (in collaboration with Said Business School – Oxford University). He has co-authored many articles on healthcare training, including on supporting critical emergency medicine nurses and critical emergency medicine trauma team simulation training programmes.
Dr. Hakim Hacid
Executive Director & Chief Researcher, TII - Technology Innovation Institute
Dr. Hakim Hacid is The Executive Director and the Chief Researcher of the AI Research Unit in the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), a cutting-edge UAE-based scientific research center. He is also an Honorary Professor at Macquarie University, Australia. Prior to joining TII, he was an Associate Professor at Zayed University and contributed to research in the areas of data analytics, information retrieval, and security. He was also the Chair of the Computing and Applied Technologies Department. Dr. Hacid is a published author of many research articles in top journals and conferences and holds several industrial patents to his credit. His research specialization includes databases, data mining and analytics, programming, web information systems, natural language processing, and security. Dr. Hakim Hacid obtained his PhD in Data Mining/Databases from the University of Lyon, France. He also earned a double master’s in Computer Science (Master by Research and Professional Master) from the same university.
Kenneth Lindegaard
Group CIO, Etihad Rail
Kenneth is a business-oriented international leader with a visionary approach to leveraging technology for business growth. Traditionally, IT has been a supplier of solutions to support company strategy, but Kenneth believes that in today’s digital world, the divide between business and IT must shift. IT should now be integrated into the company's strategy to stay competitive, requiring changes in how IT operates, organizes itself, and delivers value.
With a strong technical background in IT, combined with experience in Management Consulting and leadership roles at Carlsberg and IKEA, Kenneth is a disruptor of traditional IT thinking. He empowers cross-functional teams and transitions IT from a cost center to a strategic digital partner. His deep understanding of the value chain and functional drivers allows him to contribute to business success and growth.
Kenneth brings extensive experience from complex IT and change management projects in international companies across multiple geographic locations. He has a strong background in managing onshore, nearshore, and offshore resources, as well as shared service centers.
Passionate about leading digital transformations, Kenneth focuses on developing people and organizations to become modern and valuable.
Mohamed El Sabbagh
CTO, Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Mohammed is an innovative and results-driven Chief Technology Officer with over 20 years of experience leading the development and execution of advanced technical infrastructures and solutions. He has a proven track record in strategic management, stakeholder engagement, and delivering cost-effective technology strategies. Mohammed is adept at driving digital transformation, enhancing cybersecurity measures, and managing large-scale cloud migrations. He is recognized for building robust technology solutions, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and steering high-performance teams to achieve organizational goals. Additionally, Mohammed is experienced in finops and multicultural environments, with a strong focus on client-centricity and innovation.
Maitha Alnuaimi
GIS Center Department Director, Dubai Municipality
Ms. Maitha currently the director of the GIS Center department at Dubai Municipality, Maitha is Dubai’s first female Emirati drone pilot specialized in 3D mapping. She obtained her professional license as a drone pilot from the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority after going through intensive training. She graduated with distinction from the UAE University in 2012 with a bachelor's degree in Geographic Information System (GIS). And holding two master’s degrees in city science and big data and business analytics. In 2019, she graduated from the National Program of Artificial Intelligence and She has been chosen as one of the top 20 young individuals from emerging talents in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries for the year 2021, who are under the age of 35.
Kevin Ferguson
Senior Systems Technical Advisor, Center of Excellence & Development (CoE)
Kevin is a uniquely qualified person with over 40 years of combined military and business experience, amassing a breadth of experience in critical positions of military and corporate leadership, managing projects totaling over $3.1 Billion in the military and over $1.8 Billion in the commercial world. Kevin holds a Master of Science degree in Defence Technology specializing in space-borne electronics and Guided-Weapons systems design, a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Oceanography specializing in surface and sub-surface acoustics and has completed training from MIT for Artificial Intelligence (AI). While working with the UAE Military, Kevin developed training courses and taught over 165 personnel in AI and assisted in the development of AI Policy and Strategy as well as assessing, categorizing, and grouping AI needs from many of the UAE military organizations. He has worked on teams that designed AI control laws for automatically piloting severely damaged fighter aircraft, and was part of a 2005 team that was one of only five to initially complete the DARPA Grand Challenge for autonomous vehicle navigation. Kevin has also designed an unmanned surface vessel and an AI solution to support maritime monitoring and optimized interception using existing commercial space-based assets, land-based radar, open-source intelligence, and crowd sourcing. He is also an advisor to a startup developing an optical neuromorphic processor with “hot quantum” capabilities. Kevin is currently a Senior Technical Advisor and Director of Consulting in the UAE Military Centre of Excellence, covering a very wide variety of areas, including AI
Srinivasan Sampath
Group Chief Information Officer, First Abu Dhabi Bank
Srinivasan Sampath is currently the Group Chief Information Officer at First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB). Sampath has the responsibility for driving the Group’s Technology and Transformation Strategy to ensure that FAB is ready for the next generation of Digital Banking services. Sampath has more than 25+ years of experience in the banking industry. He has delivered several large integration programs in multiple regions. Specialized n creating business value, employee engagement and strengthening business relationships. In the recent years, Sampath has also been involved in leading digitization programs covering end to end digital customer experience and process automation. He was also involved in implementing the first cross-border blockchain remittance transaction between two major banks. Sampath has been a chairperson and member of several advisory boards. Sampath holds ACIB from Institute of Financial Services (UK) and BSC (Hons) from Manchester University (UK).
Dongjun Choi
Chief Customer Officer, RAKBANK
DONGJUN (DJ) CHOI joined RAKBANK in March of 2022 as Chief Customer Officer and is leading the Customer & Strategic Analytics function, which includes Group Strategy, Digital Transformation & Enterprise Program Management Office, Center of Excellence (CoE) for Advanced Analytics, Brand & Marketing, and Customer Excellence & Protection functions.
DJ has a diverse portfolio of experiences across financial services. In his 28+ years of international experience, DJ has managed teams in Asia-Pacific, Greater China, UK, Middle East and Africa, and the US. He joins us from AXA Asia where he was the Chief Strategy and Customer Officer of Asia & Chairman of China, accountable for all business functions and driving the growth of AXA’s strategic region. In his previous roles, DJ has held executive positions of MD Strategic Analytics CoE at Barclays UK, Chief Marketing Officer for International Markets at Cigna Corporation, and senior executive positions at Standard Chartered Bank in Dubai, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
DJ holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Northwestern University.
Tim Liverton
Chief Risk Officer, Wio Bank PJSC
A seasoned financial expert with over two decades of international banking experience, Tim Liverton
brings a wealth of knowledge in risk management to his role as Chief Risk Officer (CRO) at Wio Bank
PJSC.
As CRO, Tim is responsible for assessing and mitigating challenges associated with enterprise wide
risks . Tim plays an integral role in shaping mitigation approaches to enable the safe delivery of Wio’s
strategy. This includes protecting customers, ensuring financial resilience across credit and treasury
related risks as well as covering risks related to all aspects of Wio’s digital-first operations.
Most recently, Tim held the role of Chief Risk Officer at another UAE-based digital bank. Prior to
that, Tim had a 24-year career with the HSBC Group living and working in the Middle East, South Asia
and the US. His experience spans leadership roles in risk management, operations, and client services,
demonstrating his adaptability and breadth of expertise in international banking.
Tim holds a Master of Arts in French from the University of St Andrews. He has also completed the
Oxford Fintech Programme.
Wio is headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and jointly owned by ADQ, Alpha Dubai, e&, and First Abu
Dhabi Bank (FAB).
Somnath Sarkar
CISO, Mashreq Bank
Somnath is an IT and Information Security professional with 30+ years of experience across multiple geographies, diverse background in financial services.
In his CISO role with Mashreq, Somnath visualized the changing landscape of digital cyber-security and was instrumental in enabling disruptive technologies to grow in the evolving market place, introduced effective digital security, system designs and data and helped his organization to take calculated risks and transform as a market leader.
As CIO in VPBank FC, he led transformation programs for credit card & core banking, data analytics, contact centers, BPM & CRM, robotics, enterprise mobility & STP. Working with Big-4 consultants, he launched a digital banking platform, data governance processes and several COE across the country.
Previously, as Technology Head for Citigroup, Hong Kong, he pioneered smart banking architecture for retail, integrated solutions across e–channels, built new Data Centers and “follow-the-sun” helpdesk, & led IT virtualization saving millions of dollars. He drove several quality programs viz. ISO & Leeds certification for green Data Center.
Prior to Hong Kong, Somnath was with Citigroup, Singapore, where he managed IT finance, forecasting models, product-rate cards. He also served as Projects Head for core banking, infrastructure and integration of systems across countries.
Somnath’s formative years were in Citibank, India where he spent 15 years in Technology operations & Data Center. During this time, he expanded the customer touch points across the country and managed a global support unit to support 36 countries.
Somnath is an active speaker in CIO/ CISO seminars and is member of several computer societies, including sector level collaboration with multiple central banks in framing IT policies, frameworks and security roadmap for the BFSI sector.
Core Competencies: Strategic alignment of Technology with Business & Regulatory requirements, Cyber Defense Program Management, Regulatory & Compliance Frameworks – ISO 27001, PCI-DSS, ISO 20000 (ITIL), ISO 22301 (BCM), ISO 27019 (ICSS), Cloud Risk Management, Data Protection & Privacy Programs, Proficient in CMMI, DevSecOps, Agile framework, DevOps Tool chain, COBIT & ITIL, Architecting Network Security, Security & Risk based Audit Lifecycle Management including Tech-Audit & Standardization, Compliance Program Lifecycle Management, Third-Party Risk Management, IT Strategy & Enterprise Architecture and Business Continuity Management & DR.
Hussain Al Khalsan
Chief Information Security Officer, Zand
Hussain Al Khalsan joined Zand as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) in June 2019. In his role, he overseas and manages the Cyber Security Programme of Zand. He is a seasoned professional with 18 years of experience in IT Security, Information Security and Cyber Security purely in the banking and financial services industry.
Anshu Raja Sharma
Chief Transformation Technology Operations Officer, Africa Middle East, Standard Chartered
Anshu is a strategic leader adept at managing and transforming business, processes, technology, and people. With over 25 years of experience in premier investment banks and technology firms, she has successfully delivered strategy and execution of enterprise solutions, digital technology infrastructure, and data science across financial services and telecom domains.
Recognized as one of the top 10 influential data science leaders in 2017 by Analytics India Magazine, Anshu set up a high-performing data science unit for AIG in India. She co-authored a white paper with Manipal Global Education to develop custom education programs aimed at skilling and reskilling young talent in digital and data science technologies. Additionally, she co-authored the “Wiley Black Book of Exponential Technologies,” published in January 2019.
Anshu is a dedicated diversity champion, actively sponsoring gender diversity networks and LeanIn circles.
Andrea Danilla
Founder and Managing Partner, Global Millennial Capital Ltd
Andreea Danila is the Founder and General Partner at Global Millennial Capital Ltd. (GMC), an award-winning venture capital and private equity firm that pioneered a research-focused, thematic investing approach in collaboration with Harvard Business School. The award-winning firm invests in early-stage technology companies with the potential to lead and enable disruptive innovation, specifically focusing on blockchain technologies, decentralized finance, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing.
Andreea brings extensive experience in the mid-market merchant banking segment having previously worked for regional buy-out funds and international consulting firms where she advised sovereign wealth funds, financial sponsors, and family offices on capital agenda strategies and M&A opportunities. She holds an MBA from HULT International Business School and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Program for Leadership Development.
Andreea is a member of the Private Equity Women International Network, an initiative that connects the most influential 500 women in alternative investments globally, and a partner of Global Private Capital Association, the leading institutional investor partnership in emerging markets.
She holds a Masters in Finance (MFin) from Hult International Business School and is a graduate of Harvard Business School Program for Leadership Development (PLD)
Paul Potgieter
Director Technology & Platforms, NEOM
Paul is a proven executive and growth leader with over 20 years of specialized experience in technology, managing financial performance and scaling operations for high-growth technology companies across multiple geographic markets. He has held board executive and executive director roles, including representing the board of NTT, the third-largest telecommunication company globally and a Global System Integrator recognized in Gartner's Magic Quadrant for Cloud and System Integration services.
As a digital builder, Paul has successfully led engineering teams to develop robust digital infrastructure, software, and platforms. He is also an experienced operator, having served as a Profit and Loss (P&L) owner with direct accountability for managing multi-regional P&L exceeding $500 million USD.
In addition to his operational leadership, Paul is a trusted mentor and coach, guiding organizations and leadership teams through various organizational cycles. He is also actively involved in investment and governance roles, serving as the Chairman of the South African Business Council, where he shapes government and private partnerships to enhance trade relations in the UAE. As an investor and board member in multiple early-stage tech businesses, Paul continues to drive strategic growth and foster innovation across the technology landscape.
Michael Stockdale
Group head of supply chain & logistics, Red Sea Global
Michael is currently the Group Head of Supply Chain and Logistics at Red Sea Global, one of the leading giga projects in Saudi Arabia, following a 35-year career in the global logistics and supply chain industry, including a 10-year role as CEO of B2C Logistics Consulting, a specialist supply chain strategy and management consulting organisation.
Michael has extensive experience and expertise in the GCC environments; developing commercial strategies, high performing teams, excellence in business capability, superior financial results, and world class logistics facilities.
Michael has worked extensively with large private and government organisations across the GCC, such as Abu Dhabi Ports, Emirates Transport, Al Futtaim, Al Faisaliah and the Savola Group, and with 3PLs such as Tibbett & Britten and Exel, driving sustained growth for the organisations, and consistently delivering better-than-market financial results.
Holding a Master’s Degree from the University of Cumbria and currently completing a PhD in Sustainable Supply Chain Management, Michael is also an experienced faculty member at several UK Universities and a regular speaker at industry conferences.
Tareque Choudhury
Vice President - Technology, Dubai Airports
Tareque Choudhury leads the technology function at Dubai Airports, overseeing technological advancements to ensure a safe, secure, and seamless travel experience at the world’s busiest international airport. With over 20 years of experience, Tareque has consistently driven business value through digital and operational transformations within the technology industry. Before joining Dubai Airports, he held senior roles at prominent organisations across North America, Europe, and the Middle East, where he delivered impactful digital programmes that revolutionised business operations.
Angad Singh
Global Digital & Technology Director - Emerging Technology, Aramex
Angad is the Global Director of Innovation at Aramex, where he spearheads the development and launch of new products and revenue streams, shaping the future of logistics and supply chain. He oversees core innovation, product and program management, sustainability initiatives, process excellence, and the franchise business. With an MBA from London Business School and over 13 years of experience spanning supply chain, e-commerce product management, commercial management, operations, and logistics, Angad is driven by a passion for creating value and impact through innovation and technology.
He has successfully scaled Aramex’s ground operations across the GCC and Levant, managing over 120 million parcels annually and generating over $1 billion in revenue. Angad has also launched and incubated pioneering products, including autonomous vehicles, PUDO, franchising models, sustainability programs, crowdsourcing, big data, AI, the Redlabs incubator, and asset-light models. Beyond Aramex, he is an active investor and advisor to over 30 disruptive startups across industries such as blockchain, aviation, e-commerce, healthcare, and social impact. Angad’s mission is to transform the logistics industry and empower the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators.
Dr. Mohammed Al Redha
Director - Health Informatics & Smart Health, Dubai Health Authority
Dr. Al Redha is a graduate and postgraduate of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and holds a Masters Degree (MSc) in Healthcare Management. He Chairs the Emirates Health Informatics Society, a scientific and educational platform dedicated for promoting excellence in Heath Informatics within the Emirates Medical Association. He is the Director of Health Informatics and Smart Health Department at the Dubai Health Authority. In 2016, he also established the DHA’s Accelerator Office within Dubai Future Foundation. Dr. Mohammad was a Research Fellow in Clinical Informatics at the Division of Clinical Informatics, Harvard Medical School in Boston (2008-2009). Prior to joining the field of informatics, Dr. Mohammad was the Chief Operating Officer at Rashid Hospital – a 600 bed trauma facility serving Dubai since 1973. He is also a member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Program for Leadership Development Programme and was a Fellow at the Dubai School of Government.
Veneeth Purushothaman
Group Chief Information Officer, Aster DM Healthcare
Veneeth has over two decades of experience in leading technology enablement and transformation across Retail, Education and Healthcare sectors. Prior to joining Aster DM Healthcare, he was the CIO of Fortis Healthcare. An ISB-Kellogg School of Management Alumni and a certified Healthcare CIO (CIOH) and a board member and joint secretary at CHIME India Chapter.
He is a CIO – Hall of Fame honoree and was conferred the Images Most Admired CIO of the year – Retail in 2015 by the Images Retail Organization. He is also awarded India’s Top 50 CIO’s by CIO Associations of India.
Atif Albraiki
CDO, Dubai Health
Mr. Al Braiki isthe Chief Digital Officer of Dubai Health. He leads technology and digital health practice, including enterprise architecture, digital applications and information systems, data platform, IT infrastructure, and cybersecurity.
Prior to joining Dubai Health Mr. Al Braiki was the CEO of Abu Dhabi Health Data Services LLC where he played an instrumental part in the establishment and implementation of Malaffi, the Abu Dhabi Health Information Exchange (HIE). Under his leadership, Malaffi became known as one of the fastest rolled-out HIEs globally and the first platform of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa. Prior to joining Malaffi, Mr. Al Braiki was the Director of Strategic Projects at Injazat Data Systems. He was responsible for developing and incubating strategic Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects with key government clients. During this time, he undertook the role of General Manager of Hassantuk, a fire and life safety PPP between the Ministry of Interior and Injazat.
His contribution to transforming the healthcare sector was recognized with several international and regional awards. In 2021, Mr. Al Braiki was selected as a HIMSS Future50 Health IT Leader and in 2022, he was awarded a HIMSS22 Changemaker in Health Award as one of six global leaders recognized for inspiring senior healthcare executives and rigorously challenging the status quo in their journey to build a brighter health future. In April 2022, Mr. Al Braiki was part of the Forbes Middle East Top 50 Healthcare Leaders, featuring the innovation-driven pioneers of the Middle East's largest and most impactful healthcare organizations.
Mr. Al Braiki holds a Master of Computer Engineering and a Bachelor of Computer Engineering and Information Management and Technology from Syracuse University, New York.
Dr. Sara AlShaya
Data and Statistics Department Director, Emirates Health Services
As the Data and Statistics Department Director at Emirates Health Services, Dr. Sara is passionately committed to leading transformative projects that align with the UAE's vision of innovation and exceptional healthcare and strive to exceed expectations. Dr. Sara’ leadership has been pivotal in successfully implementing cutting-edge initiatives, which have significantly advanced and set a benchmark for others. Her pioneering efforts in integrating artificial intelligence in healthcare have resulted in groundbreaking AI models that notably enhance care services provided, with over 20 implemented projects ranging from carbon reduction within EHS facilities to creating a new standard and metric to measure surgical performance and many more in the plan. These innovations have markedly optimized operational efficiencies and elevated patient care standards, setting new benchmarks within the industry.
Dr. Sara’ dedication and these initiatives have not gone unnoticed, earning her prestigious accolades such as the AI Innovation in Healthcare award and recognition for Leadership in AI and Analytics, among many more. These awards are a testament to Dr. Sara’ regional and global impact. As a speaker at major international forums, She has proudly represented Emirates Health Services while showcasing her contributions to advancing medical technology and analytics. This dual representation underscores her unwavering commitment to fostering a legacy of innovation that resonates across the global healthcare landscape, consistently pushing the boundaries to achieve and surpass the ambitious healthcare objectives set forth by the UAE.
Shijin Prasad
Director of Information Communication Technology, Cure Medical Centers
Dr. Shijin Prasad is a dynamic and influential IT leader with over 20 years of diverse experience across healthcare, hospitality, trading, real estate, engineering consultancy, recruitment, and IT software sectors. With over 13 years in healthcare technology, he has successfully leveraged technology to drive organizational growth, performance, profitability, and quality outcomes. Known for fostering innovation, enhancing IT operations, and executing strategic initiatives, Dr. Shijin is skilled in utilizing emerging technologies such as AI and RPA to streamline processes and elevate service delivery. His advanced degrees and certifications underscore his expertise in both technical and managerial IT domains, with notable achievements in AI implementations within healthcare. As a change agent, he has spearheaded various transformative technology projects, using data-driven insights and business intelligence to implement impactful strategies. He also brings substantial experience in developing greenfield healthcare centers and currently oversees technology-driven business transformation.
In his current role, Dr. Shijin is leading an advanced AI project to build a state-of-the-art healthcare omnichannel platform integrating CRM and telemedicine solutions. This initiative leverages AI to predict health risks and estimate costs based on demographic and lifestyle information, showcasing his strong analytical and strategic skills in addressing business challenges. As the Director of Information Technology at Cure Medical Centers, Dr. Shijin’s deep understanding of technology trends enables him to lead innovative IT initiatives that enhance organizational effectiveness and drive meaningful change.
Dr. Salah El Rai
Consultant Radiologist | Head of Radiology Department, Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Center, DHCC, Dubai, UAE
Dr. Salah El Rai is a distinguished consultant and interventional radiologist with over 16 years of expertise in diagnostic imaging, recognized for integrating advanced AI technologies into clinical practice. As Head of the Radiology Department at Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Center in Dubai, he has been at the forefront of leveraging AI to optimize radiology workflows, enhance diagnostic precision, and improve patient outcomes across modalities such as MRI, CT, and ultrasound.
Dr. Salah holds a PhD in diagnostic and therapeutic neuroradiology from Paris VI University, along with specialized certifications in neurovascular, breast, and fetal imaging. A prolific researcher and sought-after speaker, he is actively engaged with leading international radiology societies and focuses on the transformative role of AI in revolutionizing diagnostic imaging and advancing healthcare solutions.
Dana Haddad
Consultant Breast & Interventional Radiologist, American Hospital Dubai
Dr. Dana Haddad is an American Board Certified consultant breast radiologist, and lead at the American Hospital Satellite Clinic in Al Barsha. She underwent subspeciality training in breast and oncologic imaging from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, and is proficient in all facets of breast imaging including mammography, contrast-enhanced mammography, ultrasound, MRI, and tomography, in addition to procedures guided by these modalities. She completed a PhD in the field of cancer imaging and therapy. Dr. Haddad's research focused on the engineering of recombinant vaccinia viruses that not only target cancer but also enable noninvasive imaging. More recently, she has been focused on improving value-based imaging with the aim of enhancing the impact of breast screening, especially for high risk populations. Her research has been published in several peer-reviewed journals and presented during multiple national and international conferences. Dr. Haddad has completed courses in the business side of radiology through the Radiology Leadership Institute, affiliated with Harvard Business School. She serves as a peer reviewer for multiple leading international scientific journals and on several radiologic committees including the Society of Breast Imaging and Radiological Society of North America. Dr. Dana is passionate about Women’s Health and preventative care.
Ram Kumar
Chief Data & Analytics Officer, Cigna
Ram Kumar is the Chief Data and Analytics Officer of Cigna’s International Markets where he is responsible for driving data and analytics strategy and its execution for 35+ countries covering The Americas, EMEA, and Asia Pacific. He also the Head of Cigna Health Solutions India, COE for Cigna.
Ram has over 35+ years’ experience in industry and has held many executive roles namely, as CEO, CTO, CIO, Senior Consultant and as Chief Architect for global organizations and has managed teams in over 40 countries.
Ram commenced has over 28 years of solid background in Information Technology coupled with over 24 years’ experience in data strategy and execution. He has a strong basic and applied R&D background in AI and Machine learning and was actively involved in this field between 1986 and 2005, and has worked closely with some of the fathers/pioneers in this field. His first big data based advanced analytics/ML project was in 1992 for a large government organization in Australia. Ram served as a member of the Data Research Advisory Board of MIT Sloan School from 2016-2019. He spent over 16 years building open data standards under OASIS, a Global Standards Body and his standards have been implemented globally and notably by Google Maps.
Ram has published over 150 articles and is a regularly invited keynote speaker in conferences globally and has spoken extensively in about 400 industry events globally. Ram is recipient of several IT and Data related awards globally. His work has been published as chapters in books as global best practices. Ram serves as the advisor and executive committee member of MIT CDOIQ Symposium, the world’s biggest data event, as Member of the Global Editorial Board of the CDO Magazine and as the CDO Ambassador for Singapore, an initiative of CDO Magazine, MIT CDOIQ and Institute of CDOs.
Ram holds a Master's degree in Computer Science and Engineering and a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering with Artificial Intelligence as the major in both.
Dr. Adhari Alzaabi
Assistant Professor, Sultan Qaboos University's College of Medicine and Health Sciences
Dr. Adhari is an MD-PhD Assistant Professor at Sultan Qaboos University's College of Medicine and Health Sciences. She earned her PhD in cancer prevention from Brigham Young University in the USA and was awarded a prestigious Fellowship in Molecular and Behavioral Cancer Prevention by the National Cancer Institute, USA in 2018.
Her areas of expertise encompass cancer prevention, the integration of artificial intelligence in healthcare, and innovation in healthcare. Dr. Adhari has been honored with several awards:
Dr. Adhari has contributed comprehensive chapters to seminal publications, including the first book on AI in cancer care and another on the patient-doctor relationship in the Gulf region in the era of AI. She played a pivotal role in revising colorectal cancer management guidelines for the MENA region.
Her research team received the Best Poster Award at the European Society of Medical Oncology conference in Singapore 2021. Additionally, she was awarded the Best Presentation Award at the several national and international conferences in 2021,2022, 2023.
Adhari is leading a research group on innovation and AI application in healthcare in Oman. Her expertise is widely recognized, leading to invitations to present her groundbreaking research at international conferences
Alexis Jean Baptiste
Chief Data & Analytics Officer, LÓreal
Alexis is leading L'Oréal's data and analytics division in the Middle East, focusing on transforming the global beauty industry through strategic analytics and AI/ML initiatives. At the intersection of business expertise, technology, and creativity, his team consults across divisions to optimize performance and foster innovation. With a deep understanding of machine learning, they have developed solutions that enhance customer experiences and drive business growth.
Geeta Raghuvanshi
Chief Technology & Data Officer - Blue, Al Futtaim
As an accomplished Chief Technology and Data Officer with over 20 years of experience, I have a proven track record of driving innovation and delivering strategic impact at the intersection of technology and data. My expertise spans leading-edge technologies and data-driven strategies, empowering organizations to achieve their digital transformation goals.
Ilaria Buonpane
Director CX, Talabat
Ilaria is a results-driven and pioneering senior-level Marketing Strategist and Customer Experience Professional with a distinguished track record of delivering high-level results through customer experience transformation, omnichannel marketing, and brand strategy across the start-up tech and fashion/luxury retail industries. With over 15 years of experience, she has been recognized for launching various omnichannel capabilities—such as Clienteling, Voice of the Customer, OMS, CRM, and more—resulting in company-wide customer obsession, increased sales and profits, enhanced customer retention and acquisition, and guaranteed customer loyalty.
Her expertise spans human-centered experience design, customer operations management, customer relationship management (CRM), customer analytics intelligence and research, customer retention and loyalty, and digital transformation. Ilaria thrives in building new initiatives from the ground up, while re-examining established processes for improvement. Known for her collaborative spirit, she works seamlessly across departments and takes pride in building cohesive, high-performing teams. A strong advocate of positively energizing leadership and empathy, Ilaria is also a dedicated supporter of diversity and inclusion, bringing a holistic approach to every project she undertakes.
Mohamad Charafeddine
Vice President of Product, Careem
Mohamad Charafeddine is the Vice President of Data & AI at Careem, where he leads efforts to leverage AI for delivering competitive value from data. His work includes personalizing discovery and search experiences across the Everything App, optimizing marketplace efficiency and pricing, and using Generative AI to drive innovation and create new experiences.
Prior to joining Careem, Mohamad was part of the Core ML team at Meta in Menlo Park, where he focused on classifying all ad content across Facebook and Instagram. He also led the Applied AI R&D lab at Samsung, where he developed the first large-scale applied Reinforcement Learning and Deep Learning AI enterprise platform. Under his leadership, the lab produced several patents and co-published with OpenAI, as well as at top AI conferences such as NeurIPS, ICML, and CVPR.
Mohamad holds an MBA from UC Berkeley Haas School of Business and a PhD in engineering from Stanford University, where his research earned an IEEE Best Paper Award. He is passionate about AI, technology, and the VC space in the MENAP region, with a focus on driving economic empowerment and GDP growth.
Ahmed Khabeer
CEO & MD, Tafaseel BPO
Ahmed Khbeer, Managing Partner and Group CEO, leads the largest BPO in the UAE, bringing a wealth of experience to his role as a prominent business leader in the industry.
Renowned for his goal-oriented approach, Ahmed Khbeer identifies business challenges, devises strategic plans, establishes operations from the ground up, instigates transformative change, and executes effective business strategies. His expertise extends to driving revenue growth, expanding market share, and enhancing profitability in demanding business environments. Additionally, he excels in building and leading high-performance teams, ensuring customer satisfaction, and consistently achieving organizational goals.
Proven track record and adept manager with a strong work ethic and unwavering integrity. Successfully navigates complex business challenges in overseeing a diverse portfolio of ventures.
