Her Highness Sheikha Dr Shamma bint Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan is a leading advocate for culture, education and national identity. Passionate about women’s empowerment and advancement, she champions their contributions to national development. A scholar of history, philosophy and social thought, Her Highness aspires to seamlessly blend economic, social and cultural development, thereby reinforcing the UAE’s global stature. Through strategic partnerships with leading educational and cultural institutions, she has spearheaded initiatives that embody her steadfast belief that culture, thought, and knowledge are the beating heart of sustainable development.

As Saudi Arabia’s first Minister of Tourism, he is responsible for opening the Kingdom to international tourism and realizing the sector’s full social and economic potential. His Excellency is the Chairman of several boards including the Tourism Development Council, Saudi Tourism Authority, the Tourism Development Fund, Saudi Fund for Development, and the Saudi Red Sea Authority. His Excellency serves as a Board Member of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), NEOM, the National Development Fund and the Red Sea Global. He is also Secretary General of Diriyah Gate Development Authority and Jeddah Central Development Company, Event Investment Fund, and Secretary General of Al Diriyah Company Limited.

As Minister of Tourism, His Excellency was amongst the leading figures of the government framework guiding the Saudi’s Vision 2030, and currently Chairs the Quality of Life Program. During his tenure as Minister of Tourism, His Excellency has been one of the most influential driving forces in the Kingdom today, with his work spanning across Saudi Arabia’s most critical industrial sectors, including the military complex, foreign direct investment, and commerce. Most recently, he led elements of the National Transformation Program 2020.

Prior to joining the Ministry of Tourism, His Excellency served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority, Minister of Health, and Advisor to HRH the Crown Prince at the Royal Court and advisor to the Minister of Defense. He established private Investment banking at Riyadh Bank and was also the Founder of Jadwa Investment Company, Founder of the Islamic Banking (Amanah) – SABB Bank and Advisor to the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers.

His Excellency has over 30 years of experience in investment and financial services, during which he established, managed, and restructured multiple private sector and government entities. He is known for his ability to drive institutional transformation to achieve long-term strategic objectives. His Excellency holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from King Saud University, KSA, and a Diploma in Wealth Management from Dalhousie University, Canada, and a Certified Financial Advisor.

His Excellency Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa is a member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and the
Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT). H.E. oversees the development
of Abu Dhabi’s master plan, which includes infrastructure, construction, transport, real estate, and
municipal services. H.E. also leads the Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure Centre (ADPIC).
H.E. holds various other positions, including Chairman of Etihad Aviation Group, Abu Dhabi Housing
Authority (ADHA), and the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA). He is also the Vice-Chairman
of the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).
Furthermore, H.E. sits on the Board of Directors of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Smart
and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC), Etihad Rail, and Abu Dhabi Transport Company (ADTC).
Prior to his current position, H.E. was Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development
(ADDED), the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of UEMedical, and an integral member of
the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) for several years.
H.E. graduated with an MBA from London Business School, and has completed various executive
programmes from global institutions, among them MIT Sloan and Harvard Business School.

Dr. Mohamed 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, Managing Director of the National Data Center 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 United Arab Emirates ranked #1 in the Global Cybersecurity Index 2024. He 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 has played 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 being 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. Al 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 and cochairs the Information Sharing Committee in the White House Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI), a coalition of 37 international partners. His contributions to accelerate the cyber security maturity of the Nation and foster a vibrant cyber security ecosystem in the UAE have been recognized in multiple forums, including the (ISC)² Government Professional Award for EMEA, Cyber Security Excellence Awards

Sheikh Dr. Majid Sultan Al Qassimi qualified as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Saint Istvan University in Budapest, Hungary. He started his work as a veterinarian in the zoo and conservation field and moved into an administration role in 2013 as a Director to oversee the Terrestrial Biodiversity and conservation activities at the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi. From 2015 to 2021 he was the Chief Veterinary Officer of the UAE and Advisor to 2 Ministers regarding all things Food and Agriculture, at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, UAE.

His work as a policy maker brought him to the center of Food Security, Sustainability and Biodiversity for the UAE and the Arab world, looking to create clear direction for the UAE and the Middle East on how technology, sustainable agriculture and traditional practices can create a food production revolution in the region. After Developing the Food Diversification strategy for the UAE with the Food and Agriculture Organization, Sh. Dr. Majid has the ability to see both a holistic “all of country” approach to Food Security, as well as dive down into specific technical subjects to navigate challenges and opportunities. He sits on multiple boards of Accreditation Authorities, UAE Food Safety Committee, and on multiple other Food, Animal and Agriculture Boards.

He is a founding partner at SOMA MATER where he continues to develop Food Security and Sustainability strategies and solutions for private sector and governments. He has a keen interest in engaging the youth to further career choices in STEM subjects, and as one of the first veterinarians from his country, he plays a vital role in supporting
veterinary education and awareness, through public speaking, advising the university curriculum.

Her Excellency Lujaina Mohsin Darwish is a distinguished Omani business leader, diplomat, and advocate for inclusive socio-economic development. As Chairperson of Infrastructure, Technology, Industrial & Consumer Solutions (ITICS) at Mohsin Haider Darwish LLC, she spearheads a diversified portfolio of businesses driving innovation and growth across multiple sectors critical to Oman’s development.
A graduate in English Literature from Sultan Qaboos University, Her Excellency began her professional career as a lecturer before joining the family business. With a strong foundation in academia and deep-rooted values inherited from her late father and founder of the group, Mohsin Haider Darwish, she has led ITICS with a clear vision: to modernize, diversify, and contribute meaningfully to Oman’s future.
Under her leadership, ITICS has transformed into a forward-thinking brand that delivers cutting-edge solutions in infrastructure, advanced technology, industrial products, and high-end consumer offerings. The division is recognized for its strategic partnerships with global brands, commitment to operational excellence, and emphasis on sustainability. ITICS continues to play a vital role in supporting national goals aligned with Oman Vision 2040 by promoting technological advancement, job creation, and industry growth.
In January 2025, Her Excellency was appointed Honorary Consul of the Republic of South Africa in the Sultanate of Oman, further underscoring her diplomatic prominence. She made history as one of the few women elected to the Consultative Council (Majlis A’Shura), representing the Wilayat of Muscat, and later served in the State Council (Majlis A’Dawla) from 2015 to October 2023 by Royal Decree.
Beyond business and governance, Her Excellency is a committed advocate for women's empowerment, youth development, and inclusive leadership. She is a Board Member of the Arab International Women’s Forum (AIWF) and has actively participated in regional and global platforms addressing women and youth issues. Her work reflects a long-standing commitment to creating opportunities and breaking barriers for the next generation of Omani leaders.
Her contributions to sports development especially women’s sports are equally significant. She has served as a Board Member of the Oman Olympic Committee and the Oman Football Association, where she has helped establish long-term frameworks to support and promote women’s participation in athletics.
Recently, she was appointed CEO of the Board of Directors of the Arab Federation for Sports Marketing and Investment Association (ASMIA), operating under the Economic Council of the Arab League. Since February 2024, she has also been serving as President of the Arab Women Labor Affairs Committee, further amplifying her leadership role in regional social and economic forums.
Her Excellency is also Honorary Chairperson of the Oman-China, Oman-India, and Oman-Turkey Friendship Associations, and a member of the Oman-Kuwait Friendship Association, reinforcing her commitment to fostering international cooperation and cultural diplomacy.
Her outstanding leadership has earned her regional and global recognition. She was ranked 5th on Forbes' 2025 list of the “10 Strongest Women in Family-Owned Businesses in the Middle East”, after securing the 6th position in 2024. Additionally, she was featured in Forbes Middle East’s “Top 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen”, ranking 28th in 2023, 23rd in 2022, and 34th in 2020. She holds the distinction of being the first Omani to receive a Fellowship from the Royal Society of Arts (UK) in recognition of her contributions to sustainable development.
Her accolades also include the Successful Leading Woman Award at the iSuccess Festival in Cannes (2024), the Diamond Executive’s Award and Leadership Medal from the Harvard Business Council (2020), and the Women of the Year Award at the International Business Stevie Awards the same year.
A philanthropist at heart, H.E. Lujaina Mohsin Darwish remains deeply committed to community service and social development. Her work is guided by compassion, integrity, and a genuine desire to improve lives particularly those of underprivileged communities. She continues to inspire as a role model for women, youth, and aspiring leaders, both in Oman and across the region.

Her Excellency Marwa Al Mansoori advances cross-sector collaboration that turns policy ambition into execution—supporting decarbonization, competitiveness, and future-ready infrastructure, while accelerating the responsible adoption of AI to enhance decision-making, productivity, and resilience across critical sectors. Her work sits at the intersection of government, industry, and investment, translating national priorities into scalable initiatives with measurable economic and societal impact.

In her role at Siemens, Marwa leads transformative programs across energy efficiency, digital and smart infrastructure, smart cities, digital transformation, and mobility, with a clear objective: to structure and enable public–private partnerships that accelerate delivery of national priorities. She supports policy-to delivery pathways that strengthen resilience, productivity, and future readiness, and champions initiatives aligned with the UAE industrial agenda—primarily driven by Operation 300bn—which aims to position the nation as a leading industrial power by doubling the sector’s GDP contribution by 2031. She also advances AI enabled solutions—from decision intelligence and predictive operations to responsible AI governance—accelerating digital readiness and operational excellence across public and private ecosystems.

Previously, as Director of Strategic Sustainability Initiatives at SkyPower Global, Marwa helped shape clean energy and industrial decarbonization initiatives across emerging markets. Her work included structuring renewable energy programs and a mining decarbonization framework designed to reduce carbon emissions
across the MENA region, aligned with the UAE 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. She also contributed to the development of long-term power and infrastructure partnerships that supported economic growth, energy security, and scalable market development.

Alongside her corporate leadership, Marwa is an entrepreneur and social impact advocate whose entrepreneurial journey reflects an enduring commitment to innovation, economic empowerment, and global development. She has founded four ventures spanning health tech, consumer platforms, professional services, and advisory-led models—each designed to bridge market gaps and create long-term value. Her work emphasizes institution-building, capability transfer, and cross-border collaboration, strengthening the UAE’s knowledge economy, accelerating digital adoption, and enabling international partnerships. Beyond commercial outcomes, she has consistently aligned her ventures with humanitarian values and sustainability goals, using entrepreneurship as a platform to empower communities and drive meaningful progress at both national and global scale. Her contributions have been recognized internationally, including being named to Forbes Middle East’s 30 Under 30, underscoring her role as a credible partner to both government and industry—consistently aligning public priorities with private-sector capabilities to deliver tangible, scalable outcomes.

She serves on the Board of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council, the Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award, and the Abu Dhabi School of Management, contributing to policy and regulatory dialogue, the advancement of private-sector competitiveness, and accelerated digital readiness at national and international levels.

Moira Forbes is the Executive Vice President of Forbes, one of the world’s largest media brands, where she is responsible for driving new business initiatives across the company’s diverse media platforms and branding Forbes events worldwide. Today, Forbes, which is synonymous with “success” in almost every country around the world, engages 140 million people across every platform every month – the most in its 108-year history. 
 
Moira also serves as the President and Publisher of ForbesWomen, a multi-media content channel dedicated to successful women in business and leadership which she founded in 2007. Moira oversees Forbes’ annual list of the World’s Most Powerful Women and the annual Power Women’s Summit which she launched in 2013.

Across Forbes’ global editorial platforms, Moira convenes preeminent thought leaders for timely perspective and analysis around today’s most critical issues. She hosts "Success with Moira Forbes," a Forbes interview series spotlighting dynamic changemakers and industry innovators as well as “The Takeaway,” a new Forbes simulcast series featuring how top minds are navigating  these defining times and explores what’s ahead within their respective arenas.
 
Moira is a Governing Trustee of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and serves on the Board of Trustees for the St. Andrews School. She currently lives in New York City with her two sons.

Kelsey Grammer is an Emmy-winning actor, producer, and director with a career spanning over three decades in television, film, and theatre. He has earned six Emmy Awards, three Golden Globes, a SAG Award, and 18 Emmy nominations. Grammer is globally known for his iconic portrayal of Dr. Frasier Crane, a role he played across Cheers, Frasier, and Wings for over 20 years
 
Grammer's film credits include notable roles in Avengers: Doomsday, Jesus Revolution, Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, and X-Men: The Last Stand, as well as a standout voice role as Sideshow Bob on The Simpsons since 1990, for which he won an Emmy in 2006. His other voice work includes Toy Story 2, Anastasia, and Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans. Grammer's television roles include Dr. Death, The Last Tycoon, Boss (for which he won a Golden Globe), Partners and most recently two seasons of Frasier for Paramount+.
 
On stage, Grammer's impressive career includes a Tony nomination for his role in La Cage aux Folles on Broadway and a return to London’s West End in Man of La Mancha. He also starred in Candide with L.A. Opera and participated in a live performance of Beauty and the Beast at the Hollywood Bowl. In his early career he received acclaim for his off-Broadway theatre, and roles in Macbeth, Othello, and My Fair Lady.
 
A seasoned producer, Grammer founded Grammnet NH Productions, which produced hits like Medium and The Game. He is also behind the Frasier reboot, the Phat Tuesdays docuseries, and the 2024 The Game revival. 
 
 
Grammer was born in the U.S. Virgin Islands and raised in New Jersey and Florida. He currently divides his time between Los Angeles and New York.

Ali Al Gebely is a visionary leader with over 20 years of experience across diversified industries, recognized for his strategic acumen and innovative approach to business. As a steward of his family legacy business, which has been pivotal in the energy sector for the past 43 years, Ali has driven growth and transformation across key areas such as real estate, energy, technology, and more. Among his notable achievements is spearheading Al Fanar Gas Group, Abu Dhabi’s largest LPG distributor. Under his leadership, the company secured ADNOC’s first city gas infrastructure EPC contract as part of the Abu Dhabi 2030 plan. Over the course of his tenure, Al Fanar has successfully completed over 1,500 projects, including developments on Yas Island, Al Reem Island, Saadiyat Island, and other iconic landmarks. In addition to his role at Al Fanar, Ali served as Managing Director of a diverse conglomerate spanning eight sectors, including investments, real estate, technology, energy, hospitality, healthcare, financial services, tourism, and alternative investments. Currently, he channels his entrepreneurial spirit and expertise as the Founder and Chairman of Al Gebely Holding and ONE Development. ONE Development’s latest flagship project, Laguna Residence, exemplifies Ali’s forward-thinking vision in redefining modern living. Located in Dubai's City of Arabia, Laguna Residence is a landmark twintower development. Designed to be the region's first fully AI-integrated residential community, the project integrates smart home automation and AI-driven services for enhanced convenience and sustainability. Featuring approximately 1,600 units with panoramic views of the UAE's largest podiumlevel lagoon and the Dubai skyline. Building on his expertise in real estate and AI-driven concepts, ONE Development is now setting new benchmarks in the industry with the recent launch of Do Hotels, a dynamic joint-venture hospitality concept under the ONE/AD banner in partnership with the entertainment legend, Amr Diab. Do Hotels is set to disrupt the hospitality industry across the region as the first musical themed residence and hotel planned as a fusion of bold design, wellness, evocative music and AI. More than just a hospitality concept, it represents a significant step in support of the UAE’s Tourism Strategy 2031 and the broader ambitions of the countries it operates in, contributing to local and regional industry progress while boosting economic growth by attracting increased investment. By leading such ambitious projects, Ali Al Gebely demonstrates his dedication to pushing the boundaries of modern living, integrating cutting-edge technology to create unparalleled residential experiences. Ali holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Middlesex University, London, and dual Bachelor’s Degrees in International Business Administration. His leadership philosophy revolves around turning vision into actionable goals and cultivating a highperformance culture. He emphasizes accountability, and empowerment fostering an environment that encourages continuous learning and innovation. His belief in collective purpose and team ownership fuels creativity, enabling his organization to consistently push boundaries and deliver real projects that sets new industry benchmarks. He leads with transparency, integrity, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence, ensuring his ventures stay true to their values while exceeding stakeholder expectations.

Bassam Al Mannai isAssistant Secretary-General for the Centre for Future Foresight and National Visions at the National Planning Council, where heleads Qatar’s national foresight agenda and oversees the development of long -horizon visions that guide the country’s strateg ic direction. He is responsible forembedding foresight, anticipatory governance, and future -readiness across government, ensuring that policy desig n and execution remain aligned with Qatar’s long -term national priorities. In this role, hedrives strategic visioning, horizon scanning, and risk preparedness, supporting government entities in identify ing emerging trends, managing systemic risks, andtranslating future insights into actionable policy choices. He also plays a central role in shaping Qatar’s next National Vision, while strengthening evidence -based policymaking, behavioral insights, and government-wide capabilities for long -term planning and deli vry. His work ensurescoherence between national objectives, sectoral strategies, and long -term development outcomes. With nearly two decades of experience across government and state -owned enterprises, Al Mannai brings deep expertise in economic monitoring, fiscal analysis, and the delivery of complex national initiatives. His background spans master planning, real estate portfolio manageme nt, policy formulation, and legislative reform, with hands -on leadership of major capital projects. Known for cross-government coordination and executional discipline, he has a strong track record inturning national strategies into implementable programs and driving system -level reform. His work is guided by a commitment to sustainable growth, effective governance, and the advancement of Qatar’s national in

Adeeb Ahamed is the Managing Director of LuLu Financial Holdings, a leading financial services
company operating across GCC, India & APAC regions, driving innovation in cross-border payments
and digital financial solutions. He also leads Twenty14 Holdings, an investment firm with a diverse
portfolio in luxury hospitality.
A prominent thought leader, he actively contributes to global economic discourse through platforms
like the World Economic Forum, shaping conversations on financial inclusion and the future of
fintech. He occupies several leadership positions, including Chair of FICCI's Middle East Council
and Board Member of the UAE International Investors Council.

Mohammed Alghanim is Chief Executive Officer of the Hamad S. Alghanim & Sons Group, a family-owned business based out of Kuwait that operates in engineering, procurement, and construction. For 55 years the group has designed, built, and operated multifaceted projects in areas of oil, water, energy, and housing across the Middle East region. Prior to assuming his current position, Al-Ghanim served as political communications manager in the Technical and Advisory Unit of the Office of His Highness the Prime Minister of Kuwait. Socially, Alghanim has a strong record of youth and public activism. He previously served as the Arab region coordinator for the Global Youth ACTION Network, a founding member of the inaugural United Nations Population Fund Youth Advisory Panel (the first for any U.N. Agency), and a youth representative to the founding board of the Mentor Arabia Foundation. In 2022, he was named a “Young Global Leader” by the World Economic Forum and was also invited to join the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development’s Advisory Board for the Blue Dot Network, a U.S.-Japan-France initiative to spearhead an international program for good governance in public infrastructure spending. He is also a member of the board of directors at the Kuo Sharper Center for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship at MIT, and the Arab Gulf Studies Institute in Washington, DC.
Alghanim holds a BA in political science from Tufts University and an MA in political science and a high diploma in Arabic studies from the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies at Georgetown University.

Ali is an accomplished entrepreneur and visionary leader. He has extensive track record of founding multiple businesses in Dubai integrating the full real estate value chain, from development, sales and marketing, community management, construction, hospitality, and now a real estate auction house. Ali has been featured in Forbes as one of Dubais leading real estate owners and operators in the region. His business interests include: Aqua Properties, Tumbi Hotels, ATCon construction, Highrise management, Boli Auction, to name a few and he continues his legacy of success, driven by his passion for quality, innovation, and client satisfaction. His strategic vision and operational expertise have positioned his companies as leaders in their respective sectors, making him a key figure in Dubai’s business landscape. Aqua Properties is an award winning developer with over 2000 units under construction now, with a porofilio in excess of a billion dollars. Ali remains committed to excellence, continually innovating to expand his ventures and contribute to the the growth of the industry. Ali holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical & Computer Engineering (Honors) from the University of Texas at Austin.

Captain Pradeep Singh is a globally renowned entrepreneur, visionary leader, and philanthropist. His career spans three decades, with impactful contributions to the shipping, real estate, and technology sectors. With an extraordinary ability to identify and capitalize on high-potential opportunities, Captain Singh has established a portfolio of successful ventures, solidifying his place among the most influential business figures not only in the Middle East but Globally.

Adele Trombetta is a globally recognized, transformational leader driving AI-powered innovation, large-scale business transformation, and future-proofing enterprises. Named one of Forbes' 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen of 2025, she is known for fostering a culture of continuous growth, innovation, and results-driven execution in the technology sector. As Senior Vice President & General Manager of CX, EMEA, Adele leads 6,000+ professionals, 120,000 customers, and 41,000 partners, delivering AI-driven automation, digital transformation, and world-class customer experience solutions.

Her focus on execution and innovation has positioned her team as an industry benchmark in customer success, AI adoption, and sustainable technology solutions. Before her current role, Adele led Cisco’s Advanced Service Delivery organization for EMEA, overseeing regional strategy, P&L, delivery excellence, workforce transformation, and cross-country collaboration. She previously held executive leadership roles at IBM and DXC Consulting, leading multi-billion-dollar P&L portfolios and global transformation initiatives.

With 25+ years in tech, Adele is a Certified Management Consultant (CMA) with AI certification, bringing deep technical expertise, business acumen, and strategic foresight. She holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II and an MBA from Henley Business School. A two-time patent holder in security technology, she continues to drive cutting-edge innovation. Adele also serves on the advisory boards of government and industry associations, shaping global policies and AI-driven strategies that define the future of digital transformation.

A passionate advocate for diversity, sustainability, and women in technology, Adele spearheaded The Opportunity Platform, providing life-changing apprenticeship opportunities for displaced individuals across EMEA. As Global CX Lead for Sustainability and Global CX Sponsor for Diversity, she champions decarbonization through technology and actively works to attract, mentor, and empower women in the tech industry, ensuring greater representation and leadership opportunities.

A sought-after speaker and thought leader, Adele is a regular guest at global panels and conferences, contributing insights on AI, leadership, sustainability, talent development, and women in business. Fluent in Italian and English, she continues to drive the evolution of business and leadership in the AI era.

Amira Sajwani is a leading Emirati businesswoman who serves as the Managing Director at DAMAC Properties, Founder and CEO of PRYPCO, and Co-founder and COO of Amali Properties. She is recognized as an innovative leader shaping the future of the real estate industry in the region and serves as a judge on Shark Tank Dubai.

Dr Saeeda Jaffar serves as Managing Director for Circle Middle East & Africa, where she leads the region to advance Circle’s vision of creating global economic prosperity through the frictionless exchange of value.

Drawing on deep experience scaling financial ecosystems across the region, Dr Jaffar partners with financial institutions, enterprises, fintechs, and regulators to accelerate the adoption of secure, programmable digital currency infrastructure across payments, treasury, and cross-border flows.

With over 20 years of leadership experience, Dr Jaffar is known for translating complex strategic challenges into practical, scalable outcomes. She has worked across the Middle East, Europe, and the United States on strategy, transformation, M&A, and performance initiatives, with deep specialization in financial services, including banks, private equity firms, sovereign wealth funds, government institutions, and family-owned businesses.

Prior to joining Circle, Dr Jaffar served as Senior Vice President at Visa in the GCC and held leadership roles at McKinsey & Company, Bain & Company, and Alvarez & Marsal.

Dr Jaffar currently serves as a Member of the Board of Trustees at Kuwait University, a Board Advisor to Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center, and a Member of the Advisory Council of the Dubai International Chamber. She previously served as a non-executive board member of United Arab Bank. Her leadership has been recognized by Forbes Middle East’s 100 Most Powerful Women list (2023–2025), along with honors from Arabian Business, Gulf Business, Economy Middle East, and Fast Company.
Dr Jaffar is an Emirati national and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from Boston University, where she was valedictorian, as well as a Master’s degree and Doctorate in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Fouad Darwish is the distinguished CEO & Managing Director of Palms Sports PJSC, a publicly traded company on ADX. Having taken on this leadership role in early 2015, he directs the company with over 25 years of extensive managerial and strategic experience gained across the banking and financial sectors.

Concurrently, Mr. Darwish holds a number of prominent leadership positions and directorships. He serves as President of UAE Warriors MMA FC and Chairman of Al Qudra Sports Management. His directorships include Palms Sports and Exceed Holding for Sports. Additionally, he is Group CEO of Securiguard, Yas Physiotherapy, Resilience Response Security Technology, and Neuronso AI Technology. He also serves as Executive Director of Al Rabeeh Academy and Al Rabeeh School, and VC of the Institute for Art & Culture.

Prior to his current executive roles, Mr. Darwish held significant positions including Senior Vice President – Head of Brokerage at Global Investment House K.S.C.C. (2010-2015) and Head of Institutional Sales and Customer Services at Abu Dhabi Financial Services Company (2006-2010). His career also features a tenure at the Central Bank of the UAE (2004-2006), and recognition as a key financial and economic analyst for Al Arabiya news channel.

Brad Staples is an internationally recognized expert on the geopolitical forces shaping markets. As chief executive officer, he leads the firm’s business and more than 1200 employees who are based in more than 30 markets around the world. Brad has spent decades building APCO’s business and developing client service teams around the world, having previously served as president international and chair of global development. Brad first joined APCO in 1996, where he helped lead the firm’s European business in Brussels before going on to head the EMEA region. Throughout his career at APCO, he has devised and conducted reputation and communication programs for multinational companies and interest groups across a broad range of industries and policy areas. He has developed public affairs campaigns and led investment promotion, information and reputation assignments for numerous corporations, governments, and political leaders.Bra d also built APCO’s global antitrust and competition practice. Working in close collaboration with leading law firms and investment banks, he has managed global client M&A and antitrust communication campaigns and has assisted multinational companies from many industry and service sectors in achieving their communication objectives around major cases. Prior to joining APCO, Brad worked in a consultancy in London and was managing director of an EU affairs consultancy in Brussels. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Government. A British-Italian national, he speaks Italian and French.

Paula Yacoubian is a Lebanese lawmaker, reformist activist, and former journalist of Armenian descent. A leading voice for accountability and women’s empowerment, she is among the most prominent independent figures in Lebanese politics. Before entering parliament, she built a distinguished media career as one of Lebanon’s most recognized television journalists, known for her fearless political interviews and critique of corruption.
Elected to parliament in 2018 representing Beirut and re-elected in 2022, Yacoubian has advanced key legislative reforms on sexual harassment, whistleblower protection, transparency, environmental protection, and gender equality, including advocating for a women’s quota in electoral law. Her work has received international recognition, notably the Officer of the Order of the Crown awarded by King Philippe of Belgium in 2017.

Khadija Al Bastaki is the Senior Vice President of Dubai Design District (d3), a global business hub for design, art and creativity which is part of TECOM Group PJSC. She joined d3’s leadership team in 2019, developing and launching a series of strategic cultural and commercial initiatives to nurture and amplify local and regional homegrown creative talent as well as attract global direct foreign investment into Dubai’s design and creative sector. The d3 ecosystem, which this year marks a decade of creative excellence, provides state-of-the-art infrastructure to meet the needs of more than 1,100 customers and 20,000 creative professionals. It plays a leading role in contributing to the creative economy of Dubai, the UAE and the wider region.

Under Khadija’s leadership, d3 played a leading role in co-founding Dubai Fashion Week, the region’s definitive fashion showcase. d3 is also a key strategic partner for Dubai Design Week, the region’s largest creative festival, and Downtown Design.  Furthermore, the district is home to Sole DXB, a lifestyle and youth culture showcase.

In the past year Khadija has secured partnerships with Fuorisalone.it and Brera Design District, two keystone entities of Milan Design Week, and the Milan-based Isola Design Group, renowned for providing visibility and opportunities to global independent designers, design studios, and brands.  Isola Design Group opened its first-ever regional headquarters in d3, and under Khadija’s leadership, d3 co-launched with them the innovative Design Next, a first-of-its-kind exhibition on the circular economy.  She has also forged partnerships with Vogue Business and the Milano Durini Design Association, all aimed at further elevating the profile of Dubai’s creative ecosystem in key international markets.

Khadija’s achievements at d3 have earned her numerous notable awards and listings. She was selected among Arabian Business’ 50 Inspiring Women Leaders 2024, Forbes Middle East’s Fashion Innovators 2024, Forbes Middle East’s Top 100 Most Powerful Businesswoman 2024.  She also won Entrepreneur Middle East’s Outstanding Contribution to Business Award 2024 and the Editor’s Choice Award at the Emirates Woman Awards 2024. In 2023, Khadija earned a spot alongside global fashion industry mavens and luminaries in the prestigious Business of Fashion (BoF) 500 Class of 2023. The BoF 500 is the definitive index of people shaping today’s global fashion industry. She was also Gulf Business’s Businesswoman of the Year in 2021 and included in its Top Business Influencers for 2024.

In 2024, Khadija was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Dubai Women Establishment (DWE), formed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to empower Emirati women to become key contributors to the nation’s progress. Khadija is also a member of Media Diplomacy and Communication for the Government of Dubai Media Office. In addition, she is a certified Director by the Mudara Institute of Directors and has completed the Women on International Boards Programme with the Institute of Directors in London, Europe's largest membership organisation for directors and other business leaders.

Prior to her position at d3, Khadija undertook roles in the wider TECOM Group with Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City and Dubai Production City.  Before that, she worked with Economic Zones World, Jebel Ali Free Zone and DP World. Khadija holds a Master’s in Business Administration and Strategic Management from the Higher Colleges of Technology in Abu Dhabi, and a Bachelor’s in Software Engineering Technology from the Higher Colleges of Technology in Dubai.

Ebru Özdemir graduated from TED Ankara College and earned a BS degree in Civil Engineering at Boğaziçi
University, followed by an MBA in International Business and Finance from Fordham University. In her
extensive leadership roles, Ms. Özdemir serves on the Board of Directors at the Foreign Economic Relations
Board of Türkiye (DEİK), where she is also Chairwoman of the Türkiye-Spain Business Council and an
Executive Board Member of the Türkiye-US Business Council (TAİK), a member of the Turkish Industry and
Business Association (TÜSİAD), the World Economic Forum (WEF) and Endeavor Türkiye. She is also
Chairperson for WEF's Engineering and Construction Industry Group.
Ms. Özdemir held notable international roles, including representing Türkiye at the Working Party on
Public-Private Partnerships of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE PPP) until
2022. She is among Founding Members of the 30% Club Türkiye and Board Member at the Women in
Technology Association (WTECH), as well as the TOBB Women Entrepreneurs and the International
Women Forum (IWF) Türkiye. Her advisory positions include the Board of Trustees of Boğaziçi University,
Vodafone Foundation Advisory Board, Ankara Bilim University Advisory Board and Darüşşafaka Society
High Advisory Board.
Internationally, Özdemir serves on the International Advisory Board of the Atlantic Council, the leading
global think tank, and the Board of Visitors of MD Anderson Cancer Center. She is also a ‘Friend of Road
Safety’ of the international group, the United Nations Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety.
She serves as a Board Member of the Turkish Tennis Federation.
Under her leadership, the Limak Foundation has launched significant national and international initiatives,
such as the Engineer Girls of Türkiye, Global Engineer Girls and the Limak Philharmonic Orchestra, focusing
on social impact, education and cultural development.

Derek Nicholson is the Chief Strategy & Investor Relations Officer at Alpha Dhabi Holding PJSC, one of fastest growing Abu Dhabi-based investment holding companies, with more than 250 businesses spread across healthcare, renewable energy, petrochemical and other industries as well as real estate, construction and hospitality.

In his role, Derek oversees the strategic planning and execution of the company's investment portfolio, ensuring its alignment with long-term objectives and shareholder value creation. With almost three decades of leadership roles across industries such as investment, energy, oil and gas, real estate, wealth management, healthcare, hospitality and construction, Derek has a proven track record of global expertise, and a deep understanding of maximising shareholder returns through strategic investments.

Derek's leadership journey includes roles in strategy and finance in both public and private groups, including Barclays and Standard Life Investments (now ABRDN). He has over 13 years of experience in the Middle East and an extensive knowledge and expertise in capital markets both regionally and internationally.

A chartered accountant by qualification, Derek has completed executive programmes at Harvard and INSEAD, focusing on business strategy, finance, change management and effective communication. His broad network of advisors in banking, consulting, and business advisory sectors provides valuable external insights for driving business growth.

Klaus Fiala is the editor-in-chief of Forbes Swiss and co-publisher of Forbes Austria. He studied Economics in Vienna and Madrid before beginning his career as a financial journalist at the Austrian Press Agency (APA). He joined Forbes in Vienna in 2015, became Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Austria in 2018 and moved to Zurich in 2024.

Hilde Tonne is chair of Arup Group Limited Board, having previously served as a non-executive director to the Arup Group Board Arup and as a member of our audit and risk committees.

She was most recently the CEO of Statnett, the Transmission System Operator of Norway. Prior to that she was Executive Director and Chief Innovation Officer with Ramboll Group, and Non-Executive Chair of the Research Council of Norway and Hafslund, a Norwegian Energy utility. Hilde has gained diverse leadership experience in the energy and infrastructure markets, including iNED positions at Vattenfall, Statkraft and Danske Bank. Her international experience includes working from Thailand for several years as Executive Director for Asia at Telenor Group, a leading international telecommunications company.