Dr. Khalid bin Adnan Al-Burikan serves as the Deputy Minister of Health for Investment and the General Supervisor of the Private Sector Participation Program. He brings over 15 years of professional experience in developing health policies and strategies, strengthening public-private partnerships, and leading national initiatives related to health investment, pharmaceutical industries, and biotechnology—all in alignment with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
Dr Riyad Alghamdi is the Acting CEO of the Saudi Public Health Authority (PHA) and Lead for the Public Health & Health Security Pillars under the Health Sector Transformation Program (HSTP). He holds an MPH from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and is a Saudi Board‑certified specialist in Preventive Medicine. Previously, as Deputy CEO of PHA, he led the National Health Security Strategy, supervised the national COVID‑19 response plan, and played a pivotal role in transforming the former SCDC into the Saudi Public Health Authority, including legal and governance reforms. Dr Alghamdi has deep expertise in strategic planning, public health law, and emergency preparedness. He currently represents Saudi Arabia on the WHO Standing Committee on Health Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response (SCHEPPR).
Prof. Ahmed Bin Hamdan Aljedai is Vice Chairman and Managing Director of SPIMACO, one of Saudi Arabia's leading pharmaceutical manufacturers. Previously, he served as Assistant Deputy Minister for Therapeutic Affairs at the Ministry of Health. With leadership experience spanning government, academia, and the pharmaceutical industry, he has played a key role in advancing pharmaceutical localisation, strengthening biopharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities, and fostering strategic partnerships that support Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. His work focuses on advancing the Kingdom's biotechnology ecosystem by enabling innovation, developing national capabilities, and building international partnerships that accelerate sustainable growth.
Professor Peter Goadsby is one of the world’s leading neurologists and neuroscientists, widely recognized for his pioneering research into the mechanisms of migraine and cluster headache. His work has fundamentally advanced the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of primary headache disorders, directly influencing clinical practice and improving patient outcomes worldwide. At KAUST, Professor Goadsby serves as Senior Associate to the President, where he contributes to strengthening the University’s role in advancing translational research and building collaborations that extend from laboratory discovery to healthcare systems in Saudi Arabia and beyond. His appointment underscores the Kingdom’s growing international stature in science, medicine, and innovation.
Dr Tarek Hosni is the Chief Executive Officer of Jamjoom Pharmaceuticals Factory Co., one of the Middle East’s most prominent pharmaceutical manufacturers. A natural visionary leader with unique coaching and transformational abilities, Dr Hosni is widely recognized for his phenomenal track record in business turnarounds and strategic leadership across global markets. With over 39 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Dr Hosni has spent more than 27 years in senior commercial and general management roles, including 15 years of distinguished executive leadership at multinational corporations. Between 2009 and 2018, he held several senior executive positions at Pfizer, serving as Regional President and leading multiple business segments, Consumer Health, Nutrition, and Pharmaceuticals across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, managing portfolios valued between $400 million and $1.3 billion.
Prof. Selwa A.F. Al-Hazzaa is a pioneering Saudi physician, scientist, and technology entrepreneur recognised for her transformative contributions to ophthalmology, artificial intelligence, and women's empowerment in Saudi Arabia. She founded SDM in 2019 after earning her Master of Science in Medical Management and Artificial Intelligence from the University of Southern California. Under her leadership, SDM became the first company in the region to utilize advanced automated retinal image analysis for the early diagnosis of chronic diseases through AI-driven healthcare solutions, with its growth incubated and accelerated by MCIT, KACST, The Garage, KAUST, the Saudi FDA, NTDP, SNIH, and RDIA.
Beyond technology and medicine, Prof. Al-Hazzaa has played a historic role in advancing women's leadership in Saudi Arabia. She was the only female physician to serve as attending ophthalmologist to the late King Fahad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and in 2013, by Royal Decree, she was appointed as one of the first female members of the Al-Shura parliamentary Council marking a historic milestone in the inclusion and empowerment of women within Saudi Arabia’s formal advisory body.
Dr Abdulrahman Ibrahim Al Shaya is Chairman of Collaboration & Partnerships at the King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), where he leads national and international deal-making across biotechnology investment, cross-border R&D partnerships, and strategic alliances with global institutions, investors, and industry leaders. He also serves as Scientific Advisor to the Saudi Food & Drug Authority and sits on the Ministry of Investment’s National Biotechnology Deal Flow Committee, positioning him at the center of Saudi Arabia’s biotech investment and regulatory landscape. His portfolio includes structuring the Saudi–Japanese Biotechnology Fund and advancing R&D partnerships with global life sciences institutions and investors. He holds an MBA from Texas Tech University and completed postgraduate training through Harvard-affiliated programs at Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School, bringing a strategy and investment lens to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 health and biotech ecosystem ambitions.
Ismail's distinguished career spans over 25 years in senior management roles, with a decade dedicated to strategic planning, operational efficiency, business development, and manufacturing in the pharmaceutical sector across diverse regions and therapeutic domains. Currently serving as the CEO of Tabuk Pharmaceuticals, Ismail previously held the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Pharma sector within the Saudi Chemical Holding Group (SCCH). His leadership extends to roles as chairman and board director of the Care Supply Chain, a joint venture with a prestigious German company. Prior to his current roles, Ismail made significant contributions as the Country President for the Gulf Cooperation Council & Pakistan cluster at AstraZeneca, and as the Country Manager for Saudi Arabia at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). Ismail's impact on the Saudi Pharmaceutical industry is evident through his leadership in the private sector sub-committee at the National Committee for Pharmaceutical Industries (NCPI) and as Vice Chairman of the Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (RPCC). He has played a pivotal role in advocacy projects and shaping health policy issues in Saudi Arabia.
Faisal Abdulhadi is the Regional Director at Austrade, leading Australia’s engagement across the Middle East and Africa in the education and healthcare sectors. He works closely with governments, healthcare providers, investors, and industry leaders to facilitate strategic partnerships, investment, and market entry initiatives that strengthen healthcare systems and drive innovation. With more than 15 years of international experience spanning Canada, USA, France, South Korea, and the Middle East, Faisal has led cross-border collaborations involving digital health, medical technology, life sciences, education, and public-private partnerships. He has supported organisations in expanding internationally while helping regional stakeholders access world-class expertise and innovation.
Eng. Muayad Simbawa is the Managing Director of Nemetschek Arabia, a leading software provider for the architecture, engineering, and construction industries. With over 18 years of experience, he spearheads digital transformation, sustainable development, and the adoption of openBIM across the GCC region. Under his leadership, Nemetschek Arabia has secured strategic partnerships and built a high-performing regional team. He has a strong track record of scaling businesses and optimizing go-to-market strategies from previous senior roles at global technology companies, including Siemens, General Electric, and SAP. Eng. Muayad also serves on the board of buildingSMART Saudi Arabia, helping advance open standards and collaboration within the industry.
Dr Mohammad Abouammoh, MD, MBA, SBOG, is Senior Director of Medical Oncology & Hematology at Eli Lilly Saudi Arabia. A gynecologist by training, he leads oncology and hematology medical strategy in the Kingdom and previously headed the function across the Middle East and Türkiye — working at the intersection of clinical evidence, regulatory strategy, and access to bring new cancer medicines to patients in the region.
Dr. Yassin Alhamad is Director of Medical Affairs at Hevolution Foundation, where he leads medical strategy, scientific due diligence, and investment evaluation to advance healthy longevity initiatives. Working closely with executive leadership, he provides strategic recommendations on healthcare investments, partnerships, and clinical innovation. With over 16 years of leadership experience spanning healthcare operations, clinical governance, hospital management, and healthcare transformation, Dr. Alhamad previously served as Hospital Director and Medical Director of a 400-bed tertiary hospital in Riyadh, leading large-scale transformation programs, digital health implementation, and quality improvement initiatives aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. A physician by training and consultant in Internal Medicine and Nephrology, Dr. Alhamad combines clinical expertise with business and financial acumen, holding an MBA, a Master of Finance, and having passed the CFA Level I examination. He is also an active investor with a strong interest in healthcare innovation and longevity. His work focuses on bridging science, healthcare investment, and strategic partnerships to accelerate innovation and improve healthy longevity outcomes.
Nada Hassan is Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer of Nuxera AI, a Saudi-based healthcare AI company focused on transforming clinical workflows and healthcare delivery through Arabic-first artificial intelligence. With extensive experience across healthcare, digital health, commercial strategy, and business transformation in the MENA region, she has led the commercialization and adoption of innovative healthcare technologies across public and private healthcare organizations. She holds an MBA from Edinburgh Business School and has completed Executive Education in AI in Healthcare at Harvard Medical School.
Yosr Hamza is an award-winning bilingual senior legal leader, public policy expert, and founder of Yusr | يُسْر, a care ecosystem app connecting people and families with the services, professionals, information, and support they need across their care journeys, from disability and complex care to elderly care. With 15+ years of experience advising multinational organisations across the Middle East and Emerging Markets, Yosr works at the intersection of technology, regulation, policy, governance, and business. She has advised regional and global leadership teams navigating growth, transformation, and regulatory change across complex, multi-jurisdictional markets. Yusr | يُسْر, grew from Yosr’s own experience navigating a complex care journey as a caregiver. Today, she is focused on addressing the fragmentation families experience across care systems and building a more connected, accessible, and human-centred care ecosystem across the region.
Dr Paul Setlak, PharmD, MBA, is the Founder and CEO of Al-Ghaf Dynamics, a GCC-based company providing healthcare strategy, services, digital innovation solutions and implementation support for organisations across the Middle East and those globally seeking entry into the region. He brings more than 20 years of leadership experience spanning the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, digital health, public health emergency response and clinical care spaces across the Middle East, the United States, and Europe. His work encompasses healthcare strategy, medical communications, market access, real-world evidence and health economics, population health, education, and cross-border healthcare partnerships. Dr Setlak also hosts Health Majlis, a weekly podcast platform featuring conversations with leaders shaping the future of healthcare and innovation across the Middle East, and serves as a Mentor with the Saudi Biotechnology Accelerator. His work is centred on translating evidence, innovation and collaboration into stronger health systems, improved access and better patient outcomes.
Rehan Ahmed is the Acting CEO of Arabio, one of Saudi Arabia’s pioneering vaccine and biopharmaceutical manufacturing companies. He leads Arabio’s strategy to expand local pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities, strengthen vaccine security, and build strategic partnerships with leading global biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. With extensive executive experience spanning healthcare, finance, strategy and business development, Rehan has played a key role in developing partnerships aimed at bringing advanced technologies, innovative products and localized manufacturing capabilities to Saudi Arabia and the wider region. His current focus is on positioning Arabio as a strategic platform for vaccine and biopharmaceutical manufacturing in the Kingdom, supporting Saudi Arabia’s ambition to strengthen healthcare resilience, localize critical pharmaceutical capabilities and establish itself as a leading regional life-sciences hub. Rehan holds a Global MBA and is a Fellow of CIMA (UK), a Fellow of CPA Australia, and a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA).
Sally is a senior presenter and keynote speaker who has interviewed many of the world’s most influential change-makers across every field over the last two decades. She regularly speaks on transformation, leadership, communication, women's empowerment, and intercultural dialogue. From Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal to Nobel Laureates like Kailash Satyarthi, Hollywood superstars like Steve Harvey, Olympic medallists like Ibtihaj Muhammad, visionaries like Dr Jane Goodall, top coaches and authors like Robin Sharma and Jay Shetty, amongst many others, Sally has a gift for telling the stories of those who have made a global impact, revealing deeper insights that others miss. As an Arab-Australian, Sally is passionate about powerful stories that explore diverse narratives and are part of conversations driving change worldwide.
Budour Al Mousa is a Senior Presenter and Producer at Forbes Middle East, where she covers business, economics, investment, technology, and leadership across the Middle East.
She has conducted interviews with ministers, policymakers, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and senior executives from some of the region’s leading organizations, delivering in-depth conversations on the trends shaping the future of business and economic development.
Alongside her work in media, Al Mousa lectures in Public Speaking and Presentation Skills at Moscow State University. Her expertise spans broadcast journalism, executive interviews, event moderation, and strategic business storytelling, making her a trusted voice in conversations at the intersection of business, policy, and innovation.
Jayda is a content producer at Forbes Middle East; her experience ranges from writing and editing to video production across radio and television. As a member of the multimedia team, Jayda has conducted many interviews with experts in various fields and frequently covers macroeconomic, tech, and energy news. Jayda holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from Monash University and is currently pursuing her Masters in TV & Digital Journalism at the American University in Cairo.
As the Women Editor and Researcher at Forbes Middle East, Layan oversees a few lists and rankings and helps in creating the rest. She also writes for the cover of the printed monthly magazine of Forbes Middle East and hosts and produces The Under 30 Chit-Chat, a podcast dedicated to highlighting our 30 Under 30 listers who are shaping the future of the region. Layan holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from The American University of Sharjah and has interviewed top decision-makers and some of the most important business leaders of the MENA region for print and video. She has also moderated and hosted several events across the region.
A high-level conversation on how investment, life sciences innovation, and strategic partnerships are unlocking new growth opportunities and positioning Saudi Arabia among the world's most dynamic healthcare markets.
Explore how public-sector leadership, industrial capability, and strategic collaboration are strengthening healthcare performance, expanding capacity, and positioning the Kingdom among the world's leading healthcare markets.
A leadership dialogue on how investors, healthcare leaders, and public-sector stakeholders are leveraging partnerships to unlock new growth opportunities, scale innovation, strengthen healthcare capacity, and position the Kingdom as a leading healthcare investment destination.
Explore how leading private healthcare providers are expanding capacity, enhancing operational excellence, and attracting investment while strengthening confidence in the Kingdom's emergence as a leading healthcare market.
Delve into how investors, institutions, and research leaders are funding breakthrough science, accelerating commercialisation, and strengthening the foundations of a globally competitive health and life sciences ecosystem.
Leadership insights on how AI, robotics, automation, and digital infrastructure are enhancing clinical decision-making, optimising care delivery, and improving outcomes across the healthcare continuum.
An exclusive leadership conversation on how changing models of drug development, strategic partnerships, and global biopharma capabilities are reshaping the journey from scientific discovery to commercialisation and opening new opportunities across emerging healthcare markets.
Explore how genomics, biotechnology, advanced therapeutics, precision diagnostics, and longevity science are accelerating the shift toward earlier intervention, targeted treatments, and more personalised approaches to health.
Understand how localisation, advanced manufacturing, resilient supply chains, and strategic partnerships are expanding pharmaceutical capabilities and strengthening the Kingdom's position as a regional pharmaceutical hub.
Leadership perspectives on how talent, clinical excellence, and patient-centred care are strengthening healthcare quality, elevating outcomes, and reinforcing the Kingdom's standing among leading healthcare systems.
Leadership insights on how interoperable health data, secure digital ecosystems, and virtual care models are expanding access, strengthening care coordination, and enhancing patient outcomes.
Explore how prevention, digital innovation, education, and leadership are embedding wellbeing into everyday life to create healthier, more resilient communities.
Leadership insights on how interoperable health data, secure digital ecosystems, and virtual care models are expanding access, strengthening care coordination, and enhancing patient outcomes.
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From dunes that form a timeless space of beauty to a city rich in history, culture and wonder, Riyadh effortlessly blends an ancient past with a scintillating present. Discover Saudi Arabia’s capital from an elevated perspective, where the JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh that rises above it all lets you reset and warm the soul in all the soothing spaces that surround you.

Forbes Middle East is a licensee of Forbes Media and extends the Forbes brand of journalism across the Arab world. Forbes Middle East’s distinctive editorial style attracts a readership of Arab leaders, entrepreneurs, C-level executives, government officials and investors united by a belief in the spirit of free enterprise and entrepreneurial values.Across the region, Forbes Middle East sets the pace for preemptive business journalism. By uncovering trends and anticipating opportunities in the regional marketplace, each monthly issue brings top executives the information critical to their success – in both Arabic and English language editions. The magazine researches and publishes original rankings, based on methodologies set by Forbes Media.
Forbes Middle East is a licensee of Forbes Media and extends the Forbes brand of journalism across the Arab world. Forbes Middle East’s distinctive editorial style attracts a readership of Arab leaders, entrepreneurs, C-level executives, government officials and investors united by a belief in the spirit of free enterprise and entrepreneurial values.Across the region, Forbes Middle East sets the pace for preemptive business journalism. By uncovering trends and anticipating opportunities in the regional marketplace, each monthly issue brings top executives the information critical to their success – in both Arabic and English language editions. The magazine researches and publishes original rankings, based on methodologies set by Forbes Media.