Governor
Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), Republic of Kazakhstan
Designation: Governor
Company: Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), Republic of Kazakhstan
Mr. Renat Bekturov, ex-Director and CEO of AIX. Previously held a position of the Head of Asset management development department of AIFC Authority. He has over 16 years of experience in financial services industry.
Prior to joining AIFC Authority he was head of Treasury at the National Investment Corporation of the National Bank of Kazakhstan.
Mr. Bekturov also worked at the Development Bank of Kazakhstan and was involved in number of the landmark debt capital market transactions, such as first Sukuk issue in CIS region. Renat holds MSc degree in Banking and Finance with Distinction from University of Leicester and is a CFA Charter holder.
Chief AI Officer
Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MOEI), UAE
Designation: Chief AI Officer
Company: Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MOEI), UAE
Eng. Mozah Alnuaimi is an Emirati engineering expert specializing in sustainable energy and infrastructure at the UAE Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure (MOEI), where she also serves as Chief AI Officer for strategic implementation, leading the Ministry’s transition from the AI expert phase to the transformative phase. She is the Technical Co-Chair of the Global Cooling Pledge, supporting international efforts on sustainable cooling. She holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from United Arab Emirates University and a master’s degree in engineering management from the University of Wollongong in Dubai. With 17 years of federal leadership, she has pioneered first-of-kind national programs in green transportation and sustainable cooling and contributes to national policy through federal committees on circular economy and the water-energy-food nexus. Her recognitions include the UAE Innovates Award (2025) and the ENOC Women in Energy Award (2024).
Chief AI Officer
Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
Designation: Chief AI Officer
Company: Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
Omran AlShamsi is the Chief AI Officer at the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, leading the integration of artificial intelligence into national labour systems. With 14 years of experience spanning public sector innovation, digital transformation, and data strategy, he has driven major initiatives in workforce planning, data governance, and systems development. He is focused on harnessing AI to enhance efficiency, support evidence-based policymaking, and advance more resilient and future-ready government systems.
Chief AI Officer
Abu Dhabi Tamm
Designation: Chief AI Officer
Company: Abu Dhabi Tamm
Joseph Nadi is a senior technology leader specializing in large-scale transformation through Data and AI. He is currently the Chief AI & Technology Officer at TAMM, leading the evolution of Abu Dhabi’s government services platform into an AI-native, agentic ecosystem that is redefining how citizens, residents, and businesses interact with government services.
He has held senior leadership roles across government and industry, including at Core42 as Chief Delivery Officer, and previously as Chief Data Architect for the Abu Dhabi Government. Earlier in his career, Joseph held senior roles at Microsoft, Oracle, Avanade (Accenture), and KPMG, and he holds an MBA with honors from IE Business School.
Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer
UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA)
Designation: Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer
Company: UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA)
Ahmed Khalifa Al Houqani is the Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer at the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, leading AI strategy, governance, and adoption across the Authority. His work spans responsible and agentic AI, aviation operations, air traffic management, government services, safety, and enterprise transformation. With a background in IT leadership, cybersecurity, and digital transformation, he focuses on translating emerging technologies into practical capabilities that improve operational performance, enhance services, and establish the foundations for AI-enabled aviation and government.
Chief Digital and Marketing Officer
L'Oreal Middle East
Designation: Chief Digital and Marketing Officer
Company: L'Oreal Middle East
Olfa Messaoudi is the Chief Digital and Marketing Officer of L'Oréal Middle East. With 20 years of experience, Olfa exudes a wealth of knowledge within digital and marketing transformation. She has
worked alongside global brands and agencies across the US, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
In her current position, Olfa leads all aspects of L’Oréal’s marketing efforts in the GCC, including business strategy, digital, media, e-commerce, platforms, services, market intelligence and consumer insights.
Olfa joined the L’Oréal Group in 2010 as the Global Digital Manager for Lancôme, where she oversaw the
digital transformation of the brand including 360 activations, e-commerce, and customer relationship
management.
In 2014, Olfa moved to Dubai to join the L’Oréal Middle East Luxe Division as the Regional Head of
Digital. She played a key role in the acceleration of e-commerce within the region and had an immense
influence in the digital front where she led the luxury transformation. Olfa also took part in media
upskilling and hackathons with L’Oréal’s partners and brand animations.
In 2017, Olfa returned to Paris as the Global Vice President of digital, E-commerce and customer
relationship management for YSL Beauty. She has significantly contributed to the acceleration and
growth of E-commerce of the brand. Olfa also enhanced YSL Beauty online to offline consumer
experience through services and beauty tech roll out with a strong upgrade of online animations.
Prior to her current role, Olfa joined the SAPMENA Luxe Management Committee in 2021 in Singapore
as the Chief Consumer Experience Officer. Apart from playing an instrumental role in enhancing the
online to offline consumer journey, Olfa set the foundation for the customer relationship management
transformation. She also implemented new frameworks that fostered seamless consumer experience
across media and e-boutique.
Olfa is a French Tunisian national and holds a Master’s degree in E-commerce with a specialty in
Marketing from Université Paris XII. She is fluent in French, English and Arabic.
Chairwoman, Harvard Business School Middle East and North Africa Advisory Board (HBS MENAAB)
Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI)
Designation: Chairwoman, Harvard Business School Middle East and North Africa Advisory Board (HBS MENAAB)
Company: Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI)
Raja Al Mazrouei is an accomplished business leader with extensive experience spanning finance, technology, innovation, banking, trade finance, and corporate governance. Recognized as one of the UAE’s pioneering female leaders in technology and financial
services, she has played a significant role in advancing innovation, digital transformation, and economic development across the region. She currently serves as Chairwoman of the Harvard Business School Middle East and North Africa Advisory Board (HBS MENAAB) and is widely
regarded as a leading advocate for innovation, entrepreneurship, and women’s leadership.
Raja currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI), the UAE Federal Export Credit Company, where she leads the organization’s strategic vision and growth agenda. Under her leadership, ECI continues to enhance its role in supporting the
UAE’s non-oil exports, strengthening national competitiveness, enabling sustainable trade, and accelerating the digital transformation of export credit and trade finance solutions. Since her appointment in 2022, she has driven initiatives that reinforce ECI’s contribution to the UAE’s economic diversification and global trade ambitions.
Prior to joining ECI, Raja held senior executive positions at several leading organizations, including Higher Colleges of Technology, Dubai Holding, National Bonds Corporation, and Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). She is particularly recognized for her tenure as
Executive Vice President of DIFC FinTech Hive, where she played an instrumental role in establishing one of the Middle East’s most successful and influential fintech ecosystems, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship across the financial services sector.
Raja holds an MBA in Global Leadership and Management from the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU). Throughout her career, she has pursued executive education and leadership development programs at globally renowned institutions, including Harvard
Business School, London Business School, University of California at Berkeley, Singularity University, Said Business School at University of Oxford, and Hawkamah Institute for Corporate Governance.
Beyond her executive responsibilities, Raja serves on the boards of several prestigious organizations, including Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government, Al Ansari Financial Services, Zand Digital Bank, Al Masraf Bank, and Ittihad International Investments. Through
these roles, she contributes to shaping governance, financial innovation, and economic growth across multiple sectors.
Raja’s leadership and achievements have been recognized through numerous regional and international accolades. She was named among Forbes Middle East’s “Top 100 CEOs in the Middle East” and “100 Most Powerful Businesswomen” and has been recognized by Arabian Business as one of the “50 Inspiring Business Leaders” and “Women of Influence in the Arab World.” She was also listed among the “50 Most Influential Women in Middle East Finance” by Dow Jones. More recently, she was recognized among Forbes Middle East’s “100 Most Powerful Businesswomen 2025” and received the “Woman of the Year (Leadership) Gold Award” at the Citywealth Powerwomen Awards International 2025. Raja was also recognized by Favikon as one of LinkedIn’s leading creators in the Insurance & Insurtech category in the UAE. With a relentless commitment to innovation, leadership excellence, and sustainable economic growth, Raja Al Mazrouei continues to shape the future of trade finance, technology, and business leadership in the UAE and beyond.
Chief Executive Officer
KfW Capital
Designation: Chief Executive Officer
Company: KfW Capital
Dr. Jörg Goschin is a recognised leader in the Private Markets arena, distinguished by an international track record that spans principal investment, executive leadership, venture building, and government advisory. He brings a powerful combination of strategic and operational insight, supported by a well-established network across industry and policy circles in Germany and Europe.
As CEO of KfW Capital since its founding in 2018, Jörg has built and shaped one of Europe’s most influential investors in venture capital funds and direct co-investments. Under his leadership, KfW Capital has become a cornerstone of the German and European VC ecosystem, driving innovation and early-stage financing at scale. Prior to this, he held senior roles at leading global institutions, including Partner at The Blackstone Group in London, Managing Director at Cerberus Capital, and Member of the Management Committee at BNP Paribas in Frankfurt. He began his career at The Boston Consulting Group and Metzler Bank.
Jörg holds a PhD in Finance and a dual degree in Electrical Engineering and Economics, grounding his financial expertise in deep technological understanding.
About KfW Capital
KfW Capital, the dedicated equity investment arm of Germany’s state-owned KfW Group, is a cornerstone institutional investor in the European VC and Growth Equity landscape. Since its establishment in 2018, it has committed over €2.9 billion to more than 150 international venture capital funds, building a substantial and influential market presence.
Building on its track record, KfW Capital launched a benchmark €1 billion growth fund-of-funds in 2023, attracting significant commitments from top-tier institutional investors and leading single family offices. In 2025, the organisation further expanded its mandate with a new €1 billion direct co investment programme, enabling it to invest directly in innovative, later-stage technology companies alongside private fund managers from its existing portfolio.
Beyond its investment activities, KfW Capital plays a pivotal role in strengthening the broader venture ecosystem. Through the KfW Capital VC Academy in Berlin and its role as a strategic advisor to the German government, it actively shapes the future of the German and European VC landscape and drives technological innovation.
Chief Innovation Officer & Director of Strategic and Future Department
Ministry of Justice UAE
Designation: Chief Innovation Officer & Director of Strategic and Future Department
Company: Ministry of Justice UAE
Dr Abdalla Sulaiman Alhammadi is the Chief Executive Officer for Innovation at the UAE Ministry of Justice. He leads national initiatives that leverage artificial intelligence, data and advanced technologies to enhance judicial services, improve access to justice, and support evidence-based decision-making. He also oversees the implementation of the Ministry’s transformational programmes and innovative projects, drawing on more than 23 years of experience in government excellence, strategy and organisational innovation, during which he has led major government projects and large-scale transformation initiatives.
Ambassador
Women in AI, UAE Government
Designation: Ambassador
Company: Women in AI, UAE Government
I lead the UAE’s national AI and data strategy as Chief AI Officer and Director of Investment Data Department at the Ministry of Investment, I architect data and AI strategies that position the UAE as a global investment destination.
My journey in pioneering the UAE’s data landscape spans over a decade across pivotal government entities. At the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), I led the charge in embedding a data-driven culture that elevated Dubai’s smart city ambitions. I developed comprehensive AI ethics frameworks, data governance programs, and deployed cutting-edge technologies that empowered leaders with predictive analytics and real-time intelligence directly impacting urban mobility, infrastructure planning, and the daily lives of millions.
Before that, as Head of Smart Data at the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center (FCSC), I digitally transformed statistical operations and played a founding role in establishing the UN Global Platform for Big Data and Data Science in the MENA region. I championed initiatives that democratized data through the UAE Open Data Portal (bayanat.ae) and the Emirates Data Network, laying the groundwork for a national ecosystem built on transparency, accessibility, and innovation.
Beyond my government roles, I’m deeply committed to advancing the global conversation on responsible AI and data science. As the youngest member of the United Nations Committee of Experts in Big Data and Data Science, Head of Analytics and AI for Women in AI UAE Chapter, and member of the Open Data Institute and ISI Committee for Women in Statistics, I advocate for frameworks that ensure technology serves humanity equitably.
I believe data isn’t just about numbers it’s about unlocking potential, driving progress, and building a smarter, more connected future for everyone. Whether it’s through policy, partnership, or pioneering new approaches to analytics, I’m committed to ensuring the UAE remains at the forefront of the global data revolution.
Open to speaking engagements, advisory opportunities, and partnerships that advance ethical AI and data-driven transformation in the public sector.
Chief Information Officer
Tabby
Designation: Chief Information Officer
Company: Tabby
Yahya Aloyoni is the Chief Information Officer at Tabby, one of the MENA region’s largest fintech platforms, where he owns the company’s internal technology and IT operations across Saudi Arabia. Before Tabby, Yahya was a Software Engineering Expert at the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, and spent close to four years at SDAIA, the Saudi Data and AI Authority, moving from software engineer to Frontend Team Lead and then Development Department Manager. Earlier he co-founded MedChains, a healthcare technology venture, and taught as an instructional assistant at General Assembly. Based in Riyadh, he has built and led engineering teams across Saudi Arabia’s public sector, national AI programmes, and now one of the region’s fastest-growing fintechs.
Spiritual Leader
Head of BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi
Designation: Spiritual Leader
Company: Head of BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi
Pujya Brahmavihari Swami (Swami Brahmaviharidas) leads the BAPS Hindu Mandir project in Abu Dhabi, the first traditional stone temple in the Middle East, serving as a powerful symbol of cultural harmony and interfaith collaboration. He is also responsible for international relations at BAPS, steering the organization’s global outreach through its devotional, humanitarian, and spiritual initiatives.
Under his guidance, the temple has become a beacon of peace and unity, frequented by leaders and dignitaries from both the UAE and India. Notably, Swami Brahmaviharidas has held bilateral conversations with key figures such as Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister, emphasizing shared values of coexistence and dialogue
The mandir’s inauguration itself was a landmark diplomatic moment: it was inaugurated by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi alongside Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahyan, UAE’s Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, and was further endorsed with land granted by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, underscoring the high-level support for the temple’s mission.
Director data and ai
Crunchbase
Designation: Director data and ai
Company: Crunchbase
Group Chief Transformation Officer
Apparel Group
Designation: Group Chief Transformation Officer
Company: Apparel Group
Krishnan “Krish” Gopi is the Group Chief Transformation Officer at Apparel Group, UAE, where he leads enterprise-wide transformation to build AI-powered, future-ready organizations, operating at the intersection of business transformation and technology leadership. With over two decades of global experience, he has driven large-scale digital and AI-led transformations across Fortune 100 companies, global banks, conglomerates, and public sector entities, bringing deep expertise in both transformation strategy and enterprise technology execution. An entrepreneur at heart, Krish has built and exited multiple ventures, including a SaaS firm backed by private equity, and has created over $600M in technology IP spanning super apps and enterprise AI platforms. He holds U.S. AI patents pending and continues to push the frontiers of deep-tech innovation. An MIT alumnus and certified board director, he advises governments and investors, mentors startups, and contributes to global initiatives including the UN Pact of the Future and UNESCO’s SDG4 Council.
Chief Data Officer
GB Corp
Designation: Chief Data Officer
Company: GB Corp
Dr. Bishoy Sawiris is a results-driven Chief Data Officer with over 15 years of experience leading transformative data initiatives across technology, AI, and business strategy. With a PhD and DBA in Big Data and AI, he seamlessly blends strategic leadership with technical expertise to foster innovation and deliver measurable business value.
He has successfully guided organizations in leveraging advanced data and AI technologies to optimize operations, enhance business models, and drive sustainable growth. His approach centers on aligning data and AI strategies with business objectives, promoting change, and cultivating a culture of continuous improvement.
As a passionate leader, Dr. Sawiris is dedicated to building high-performance teams that harness data as a strategic asset to tackle complex challenges. He believes in creating scalable solutions that not only meet current needs but also position organizations for long-term success and competitive advantage.
In addition to his leadership role, he teaches at the university level, shaping the next generation of data professionals and demonstrating how AI can transform various industries.
Director of AI Enablement & Innovation
Etihad
Designation: Director of AI Enablement & Innovation
Company: Etihad
Over 16 years I’ve moved from network engineering to running enterprise AI strategy, across aviation, ports and government. The through-line has been the same: taking emerging technology out of the lab and getting it into production in large, regulated organisations, where it either holds up or it doesn’t.
At Etihad I built the AI Operating Model, governance, intake, prioritisation, delivery and value realisation, covering Commercial, Operations, Engineering, Finance, HR and Customer Experience. I lead four teams across AI delivery, agentic AI and automation, innovation, and cross-functional enablement, and I advise the C-suite on where AI investment actually pays back.
Before Etihad I led AI and emerging technology at DP World, where a project I led won the UAE AI Award from the UAE Government, and where I built an AI-powered computer vision analytics tool for logistics operations.
I work closely with Anthropic, AWS and Microsoft on platform rollout, and with regional universities on building the AI talent pipeline.
Outside work I build things, robotics, agents, MCP tooling, mostly to stay honest about what these systems can and can’t actually do.
Always happy to talk to people working on enterprise AI in the region.
Founding Partner
SteelSky Ventures
Designation: Founding Partner
Company: SteelSky Ventures
Maria D. Toler is the Founding and Managing Partner of SteelSky Ventures, a $100 million venture capital fund transforming healthcare through AI-driven technology investments. SteelSky backs bold, scalable innovations that improve access, care, and outcomes across the healthcare ecosystem.
The fund’s limited partners include influential institutions such as Eli Lilly, Bank of America, J.P. Morgan, Henry Ford Health, WellStar Health System, and Blue Shield of California.
SteelSky’s portfolio, now valued at over $7 billion, features category leaders like Zipline, an autonomous drone delivery platform expanding access to prescription medicines and supplies, and MIDI Health, the leading virtual clinic for women aged 40 and older.
A trailblazer in venture capital and health innovation, Maria is a sought-after voice on building inclusive markets and funding the next generation of healthcare disruptors. She has spoken at forums including the Milken Institute, Aspen Institute, and the American Hospital Association. In 2024, she advised the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research and was featured on The Today Show.
Her leadership has earned recognition such as the NYU Stern Alumni Changemaker Award, Forbes’ Top VCs to Watch, the 2025 Health Equity Leader of the Year by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, and the prestigious Eisenhower Fellowship.
Maria holds a B.S. in Information Systems from Wake Forest University and an MBA in Finance and Entrepreneurship from NYU Stern. She serves on high-impact boards including the Yale Center for Health and Innovation, MassChallenge, and the National Patient Advocate Foundation.
Chief technology officer
Snoonu
Designation: Chief technology officer
Company: Snoonu
Nikita is the Chief Technology Officer at Snoonu, the fastest-growing technology company in Qatar. He has over 10 years of experience in software development and leadership roles across the Banking and Telecommunication sectors. He holds a master’s degree in Information Security and has completed advanced studies at MIT. Nikita is currently pursuing an Executive MBA at HEC Paris.
He was recognized by Fast Company Middle East as one of the Top 50 AI Leaders in the MENA region. A passionate advocate for AI, cybersecurity, and technology leadership, Nikita regularly speaks at international and regional events including Web Summit Qatar, AWS Summit Dubai, World AI Summit, and various innovation forums in Qatar.
Always eager to share insights and foster collaboration, Nikita is committed to shaping the future of tech in the region.
Co-Founder and President
Insilico Medicine
Designation: Co-Founder and President
Company: Insilico Medicine
Alex Aliper, PhD, is the President of Insilico Medicine. He pioneered the application of AI in multi-omics data for drug discovery and drug repurposing, generative chemistry and generative biology and put an AI-designed drug into human clinical trials. He built a team of over 100 AI engineers that developed state-of-the-art software products for target discovery, small molecule generation and clinical trial outcome prediction, and he has published over 50 peer-reviewed publications. He was recognised as “Top 100 AI Leaders in Drug Discovery and Advanced Healthcare” by Deep Knowledge Analytics. In 2020, Endpoint News selected Alex Aliper as the top 20 under 40 biotechnology executives globally.
Founder and Managing Director
Atlas Ventures
Designation: Founder and Managing Director
Company: Atlas Ventures
Max is Founder and Managing Director at Atlas Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund based in Singapore. Atlas Ventures backs ambitious founders at the earliest stages of their entrepreneurial journey. The fund primarily focuses on Southeast Asian startups in fast-growing, largely overlooked industries.
Max has led investments in 30+ companies, including Group IB (one of the global leaders in providing high-fidelity threat intelligence and anti-fraud solutions), Tier One (the first esports and gaming talent agency in SEA), Mighty Bear (a Singapore-based studio building the next generation of Web3 games), HealthifyMe (India’s largest health and fitness app), Workmate (Southeast Asia’s largest online staffing platform for the blue collar workforce), Right-Hand Cybersecurity (leading cyberawareness provider in APAC), etc.
Prior to joining Atlas Ventures, Max spent five years as an investor at Frontier Ventures, a US$50M early-stage venture fund focused on startups with strong network effects globally. He helped spearhead investments into a number of leading players in various spaces and geographies, including ivi.ru (largest “over the top” online video company in the Eastern Europe), Profi (leading online services marketplace company in the Eastern Europe), Chope.com (biggest restaurant reservation platform in SEA), Expert360.com (largest online marketplace for professional consultants in APAC) and Frontier Car Group (one of the largest online used car platforms in SEA, LatAm and Africa).
Max holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Burgundy School of Business.
Group Chief Information & Digital Officer
Ali & Sons Group
Designation: Group Chief Information & Digital Officer
Company: Ali & Sons Group
Shumon A. Zaman is an award-winning technology executive and AI strategist with two decades of experience turning emerging technology into tangible business value. As Group CIO and ExCom Member at Ali & Sons – one of the UAE’s largest conglomerates – he architects AI-driven strategies that deliver measurable commercial outcomes across multiple industries. Ranked the #1 CIO in the Middle East at the IDC CIO50 Awards and educated at MIT, Shumon brings rare boardroom credibility to the future of AI in enterprise.
Group Chief Information Officer
Al Ghurair Group, UAE
Designation: Group Chief Information Officer
Company: Al Ghurair Group, UAE
Mario Foster is a veteran IT executive with over 30 years of experience, including 15 years serving as Group CIO for leading conglomerates across the UAE and Saudi Arabia. As the Group Chief Information Officer at Al Ghurair Group, he is responsible for overseeing the Group’s digital strategy and IT governance across a wide-ranging portfolio that includes manufacturing, real estate, and investment sectors.
Mario has led numerous enterprise transformation programmes, including ERP implementations, AI-driven automation, and the deployment of comprehensive cybersecurity frameworks. His leadership style balances strategic foresight with practical execution, empowering individual business units to operate with autonomy while maintaining alignment with Group-level standards and risk controls.
Before joining Al Ghurair, Mario held Group CIO positions at Al Naboodah Group, Pan Gulf Holding, and Rawabi Holding. Earlier in his career, he worked with global technology leaders including Microsoft in Canada and RSA Security in Boston, USA — experiences that helped shape his international outlook and innovation-first mindset.
Mario is widely respected for his ability to align technology with business objectives, enhance operational efficiency, and drive innovation across complex, decentralised environments.
Founding Partner
Affirma Capital
Designation: Founding Partner
Company: Affirma Capital
Taimoor Labib is a global emerging market investor based in Dubai, UAE with approximately 30 years of direct private equity and investment banking experience (24 years private equity) working with leading international and regional financial institutions; deep relationships with family groups, regulators, limited partners, and sovereign wealth funds. Long successful track record includes creating four premier regional platforms and building teams and processes.
Since March 2010 to present, previously a Managing Director of Standard Chartered Private Equity and currently a Founding Partner of its spinoff firm, Affirma Capital, a leading independently owned global emerging market private equity firm with $4billion AUM. Prior to founding Affirma Capital in 2019, Taimoor was Head of Africa & Middle East Private Equity business for Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE) investing and overseeing an approximately $1.5 billion direct investment portfolio in leading companies across sectors throughout Africa and the Middle East and has sat on approximately 15 Boards throughout his career including: Al Jazeera Poultry, Copperbelt Energy Corporation, Eaton Towers, FINE Hygienic Holding (Vice Chairman), Group Amana, GZ Industries Limited, Nerhadou International, Topaz Energy & Marine, Souq.com (observer), and Union Bank of Nigeria.
Previously he was also Head of Global Private Equity Portfolio Management (2013-2016) overseeing the overall global portfolio throughout Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Taimoor began his career with Bear Stearns investment banking in New York and The Carlyle Group in Washington D.C. He later joined EFG-Hermes in both Cairo and Riyadh and then Jadwa Investment in Riyadh where he established the private equity practice for the firm. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Carnegie Mellon University.
Chief Information Officer
Alpine Group
Designation: Chief Information Officer
Company: Alpine Group
Arun is an established Information Technology professional and a very well-known name in the IT Segment of the United Arab Emirates. His career in information Technology spans 5 decades out of which 3 decades in UAE.
Arun started his career back in India with the biggest industrial house Tata as a Cobol Programmer. He has worked in senior positions with big names like Essar Steel, Al Futtaim, Emaar, Emirates and now he is actively pursuing digital transformation advisory, as Technical advisor and Director with Finesse Global and CIO & Director with Alpine Creations.
His professional journey spans from Main frame computers to Client server to Cloud and now low code & no code era, Artificial Intelligence – Digital Transformation.
While remaining busy with all the above engagements, Arun remained active in professional circles and continued to participate in panel discussions, keynote speeches, coaching and counselling youngsters. Arun has won many professional awards in his career. He has also written a book on Digital Governance.
Director General of Administration and Facilities Management
Dubai Holding
Designation: Director General of Administration and Facilities Management
Company: Dubai Holding
Adel Miran is a strategic leader in administration, facilities management, and innovation, currently serving as Director of Administration and Facilities Management at Dubai Holding Real Estate. With extensive experience managing complex organizational environments, he plays a key role in driving operational excellence, smart infrastructure strategies, and future-ready enterprise systems within one of the UAE’s leading real estate developers.
Adel is also the Founder of Miranco Innovation & AI Consultancy, where he focuses on advancing the integration of artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and intelligent operational frameworks across industries. His work explores how AI, advanced analytics, and next-generation technologies can transform governance, asset management, and large-scale organizational ecosystems.
Recognized as a Legacy Maker and Visionary Leader of the Year by the Forttuna Global Excellence Awards, Adel contributes to global conversations on innovation and technology. He serves as an Expert Board Member at Universal Consulting Group in AI and Innovation and is a member of the AI Future Forum, where he engages with international leaders shaping the future of intelligent systems.
At this event will share insights on the evolving role of AI, intelligent infrastructure, and next-generation technologies in shaping the future of real estate, smart cities, and enterprise operations.
CEO
Geopolitical Institute
Designation: CEO
Company: Geopolitical Institute
Partner
MFV Partners, Singapore & Southeast Asia
Designation: Partner
Company: MFV Partners, Singapore & Southeast Asia
CEO of AI (SVP) - Advisor for the Chairman
Uzbek Industrial and Construction Bank" JSCB
Designation: CEO of AI (SVP) - Advisor for the Chairman
Company: Uzbek Industrial and Construction Bank" JSCB
Sergey Kozlov is the Advisor for the Chairman, CEO of AI at SQB Bank Uzbekistan, leading the Bank’s transition toward an AI-driven operating model. He is responsible for AI strategy, enterprise AI adoption, development of the Nova AI Platform, and the integration of AI into business processes, decision-making and employee workflows.
He has more than 25 years of experience in technology, transformation and management, including senior leadership roles at banking industry, Amadeus and Aeroflot. His background spans AI and machine learning, enterprise technology, infrastructure, product development and large-scale organizational transformation.
Director, Industrial Cybersecurity
Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)
Designation: Director, Industrial Cybersecurity
Company: Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)
Goran Novkovic, P.Eng., is a globally recognized leader in Industrial Intelligence and Industrial AI, with more than 25 years of experience securing and governing critical infrastructure across North America and the Gulf. He advises governments, cities, operators, insurers, and investors on building secure, intelligent, and resilient energy, electrification, and mobility ecosystems aligned with national visions. He currently serves as Director of Industrial Cybersecurity at the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).
Goran is also the inventor and patent holder of a pioneering system and methodology for real-time monitoring and correlation of operational, cyber, and engineering data across critical infrastructure environments – foundational to modern approaches to operational visibility, industrial intelligence, and operational resilience utilizing Industrial AI capabilities.
He is the founder of CEGENCE, a Gulf-focused initiative advancing AI-driven Industrial Intelligence that helps protect national infrastructure, public trust, and long-term capital investments.
Chief Researcher & Executive Director of the AI & Digital Science Research Center
Technology Innovation Institute (TII)
Designation: Chief Researcher & Executive Director of the AI & Digital Science Research Center
Company: Technology Innovation Institute (TII)
Dr. Hakim Hacid is the Chief Researcher of the Artificial Intelligence and Digital Science Research Center in Technology Innovation Institute (TII), a cutting-edge UAE-based scientific research center, leading the diverse efforts around LLM’s and Machine Learning. Prior to joining TII, he was an Associate Professor at Zayed University, a customer analytics head at Zain telecom, and a research department head at Bell Labs Research. He is a published author of many research articles in top journals conferences and holds several industrial patents to his credit. His research specialization includes machine learning, databases, natural language processing, security. He obtained his PhD in Data Mining/Databases and also a double master’s in Computer Sc (Master by Research & Professional Master) from University of Lyon, France.
Chief Investment Officer
Silver Bay Investments
Designation: Chief Investment Officer
Company: Silver Bay Investments
Jaspreet Randhawa brings over two decades of experience at the nexus of global financial services, capital markets, and technology, with a deep specialization in transforming innovation into high-performing investment strategies. She has led multi-asset portfolios across private equity, private credit, and strategic technology investments, with a sharp focus on long-term value creation and transformative growth.
Throughout her career, Jaspreet has held senior leadership roles at some of the world’s most respected financial institutions, including SunGard (FIS), Broadridge, Corvil, ICAP, and DTCC, where she played a pivotal role in shaping the evolution of capital markets infrastructure and financial technology. Her leadership has been instrumental in driving complex initiatives involving securities processing, post-trade modernization, market data optimization, and regulatory innovation.
Jaspreet’s investment acumen is rooted in her ability to build and scale global portfolios, structure sophisticated transactions, and identify asymmetric opportunities across diverse asset classes. She is known for navigating dynamic regulatory environments, scaling fintech and infrastructure platforms, and forging strategic cross-border partnerships that deliver sustained capital growth.
Managing Partner
Mintiply Capital
Designation: Managing Partner
Company: Mintiply Capital