moderator

Mohamed Amer

CEO El Gouna

---

Orascom Development

Mohamed Amer joined Orascom Development in May 2022 as the CEO of El Gouna, one of Orascom Development’s fully integrated, sustainable towns in the Red Sea, Egypt. With his extensive executive experience in managing complex organizations across multiple geographies and achieving stellar results, Amer is taking El Gouna into a new chapter of the town’s iconic and successful journey. He is responsible for steering El Gouna’s master-planned community to ensure its Real Estate, Hotels and Town Management operations come together to provide a world-class customer experience for living, staying, working and well-being. Additionally, Amer works closely with Orascom Development leadership to ensure that its flagship, El Gouna, is a pivotal contributor to the company’s ambition to become the international benchmark for developing successful, integrated destinations. Previously, Amer was with Xerox for 22 years, where he built an impressive career path. Most recently, Amer was VP and Regional General Manager at Xerox Middle East and Africa based in Uxbridge, UK. Before that, he was responsible for managing the region’s operations, business and profitability growth and overall strategy development and execution across all 85 countries. Prior the aforementioned roles, Amer was Regional General Manager for Xerox Distributor Group in Miami, Florida, United States, and responsible for 34 countries in the Caribbean, Central America and South America. He began his career in Alexandria, Egypt, in 1999 and held several management and leadership roles in Xerox Distributor Group, Middle East and Africa Operations, and Xerox in Egypt. Mohamed holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Alexandria University in Egypt. About EL Gouna: El Gouna, is one of Orascom Development’s fully integrated towns and is the most prominent destination nestled on the Red Sea. The Town is a multicultural community for over 25,000 residents and a regional hub for international arts, culture and sports events with more than 9,000 delivered residential units, 18 hotels with approximately 3,000 hotel rooms, schools, a sports club, a hospital, three marinas, two world-class golf courses, a culture & conference center, and an array of restaurants and services.

moderator

Anas Bukhash

Entrepreneur x Speaker

---

Bukhash Brothers Co.

Interviewer, serial entrepreneur, and mentor are all titles that follow Anas Bukhash. Provocative with a purpose, Anas has been acknowledged for his ability to spot trends, uncover hidden opportunities, and for the courage to take on risks. In 2014, with the explosion of social media in the region, Anas was the 1st in the UAE to start an influencer marketing agency by founding Bukhash Brothers, which has grown to become a renowned digital marketing agency that builds brands and escalates its digital growth. Four years later, Anas launched #ABtalks; a celebrity talk shows that discovers the human behind the title. A YouTube show, with 3 seasons currently streaming on Netflix, that consistently challenges the status quo and brings humanity to the forefront. Today, #ABtalks is the #1 show of its kind in the MENA region, with over 1 million subscribers, 1 billion YouTube impressions, and 14 million hours of watch time. His other entrepreneurship ventures include – CHALK, the first unisex hair salon of its kind empowering men and women to express themselves, and Not (So) Guilty, an F&B concept that offers sentimental Emirati favorites with a twist. Anas's work has been recognized globally by a diverse audience, including features in publications such as Forbes Middle East, Entrepreneur Magazine, Esquire, VOGUE, GQ, and more. Currently boasting over 1 million followers on Instagram, from the youth across the world, celebrities, ministers, business professionals, and key opinion leaders, he leverages his platform to provoke thought and a change for the better. Through his lectures and TEDx talks, Anas inspires.

moderator

Dr. Rascha Ragheb

Executive Director

---

National Training Academy of Egypt and World Youth Forum

Dr. Rascha Ragheb, is the Executive Director of the National Training Academy of Egypt (NTA) since 2018. NTA was established in August 2017 in accordance to a Presidential Decree, its Board of trustees is chaired by His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El- Sisi. NTA was founded to be the catalyst and intellectual stimulant and incubator for transformative advancement of human development through providing innovative multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary solutions. Dr. Ragheb is the Executive Director of the World Youth Forum (WYF) since 2018. The WYF was a response from His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to an initiative presented by a group of Egyptian youth while The National Youth Conference in 2017. WYF first edition was in Sharm El-Sheikh in November 2017, it engaged youth globally in an enriching set-up, allowing them to exchange views and recommend initiatives to decisionmakers and influential figures. WYF is an initiative that is made by the youth for a better tomorrow to the world.

moderator

Dr. Ashraf Sobhy

Minister of Youth and Sports and Head of the Executive Office of the Council of Arab Youth and Sports Ministers

---

Dr. Ashraf Sobhy is the Minister of Youth and Sports and Head of the Executive Office of the Council of Arab Youth and Sports Ministers. He was elected in 2023 as President of the African University Sports Confederation. He is also a member of the foundation council of the International Anti-Doping Agency, He worked as Assistant to the Minister of Youth and Sports and Director of the Cairo Stadium Authority. He was also Head of the Marketing Sector & investment in Zamalek Club and a member of the Board of Directors of the Egyptian Football Association. Dr. Ashraf worked in the UAE as the executive director of the Baniyas Club. And he is a professor of sports management at the Faculty of Sports Education at Helwan University and holds a PhD in sports management from Ottawa University in Canada.

moderator

Talal AL-Ajmi

Founder and CEO

---

Vi Markets

Talal Al Ajmi is a young Kuwaiti entrepreneur, his passion towards financial markets and trading made him become one of the well-known figures in this field both in Kuwait and the Middle East. He graduated from the university of Philadelphia with a bachelor’s degree in information technology, however, he had always seen himself as an entrepreneur and a business man.He started his journey of success at an early stage during his academic years in university, where he managed couple of small family businesses with his cousins and brothers, then when he came back to Kuwait, he wanted to pursue his dream and work at an investment company to gain more knowledge. After he had worked couple of years in this field he got inspired to move forward and build his empire. He held various positions in several financial companies and eventually included his career as a financial broker in order to launch a new career as an entrepreneur.His ambition had no boundaries, and he believed that through education anything is possible.So, in 2010 he founded and established Version International Markets in Kuwait and currently hold the position of CEO and a board member at One Financial Markets (the main partner) . VI Markets provide the investors in Kuwait a tailored online trading service, partnered with One Financial Markets, which was established in London 2007. One Financial Markets is regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and offers global presence with local expertise through its wholly owned and affiliated offices throughout the Middle East, Europe, South America and Central and South East Asia.Of course, the journey was full of obstacles and challenges, like any other business. Talal faced countless difficulties, the main one was to secure capital as a start off, and then raising society awareness through educating them on how to trade in international markets.His goal has been to promote sustainable development via education, he established VI Markets in a modest building with few employees, knowing that this field faced fierce competition from different existing companies he still managed to move forward and build it step by step. His main focus was to educate the people in Kuwait who are interested in trading and then let them start their own journey by managing their portfolios.Social media served him well but differently as he managed to attract a huge base of existing and newly traders in Kuwait and the Middle east, through sharing with them his daily trades and educating them on how to manage their portfolios. This allowed him to become closer to the audience interested and supported his success.Because he believed that through education anything is possible, he had always wanted to start an initiative that served the women in Kuwait and the Middle east; knowing that they shared the same desire to enter the financial markets but were shy to open up during workshops done by the company. So, the idea of Yasmeen came up. Yasmeen is a forum exclusively for womendesigned to support female empowerment in business and the world of financial investment through bespoke educational services and outstanding personal support, tailored training and trading solutions that supports growth and pursue commercial and educational goals.Talal changed the concept of trading within this market through providing them with the right education (workshops and seminars) and obtaining the FCA licenses, that insured credibility and professionalism. His clear and consistent vision has paved the way with continuous success and allowed him to obtain high market share in Kuwait and the Middle East along with gaining the best partner in the Middle East for the well-known trading company One Financial Markets.

moderator

Leila Serhan

Senior Vice President & Group Country Manager – NALP

---

Visa

Leila Serhan currently serves as Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager for the North Africa, Levant and Pakistan (NALP) region – a region which serves 15 countries from five regional offices. In this role, Leila and her team are focused on driving Visa’s business growth in the region with key clients and partners from financial institutions, partners, and government in support of Visa’s mission to help individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive. In support of national digitization agendas, Leila and her team are committed to making Visa a partner of choice, while unlocking growth opportunities for new and existing clients and partners across the NALP region. Leila brings more than two decades experience of leadership positions, including 20 years gained at Microsoft prior to joining Visa where she led Microsoft’s public sector business across the Gulf region, and previously served as General Manager for its operations across North Africa, East Med and Pakistan. She has held roles spanning country management, finance and marketing and has driven public and private sector digital transformation initiatives in finance, government and education. Leila is the co-chair of the Visa Women Network in the CEMEA region and a strong advocate for women’s empowerment, and currently serving as President for the Women in IT Association in Lebanon. She is also an active Business Angel supporting startups in the region to realize their potential. Leila holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the American University of Beirut.

moderator

Amira Sajwani

Founder & CEO

---

PRYPCO

An entrepreneur, a businesswoman, a daughter, a sister, a wife and a mother, Amira Sajwani is the epitome of today’s spirited young Emirati woman. She is the Managing Director of Sales & Development at DAMAC Properties as well as the founder & CEO of PRYPCO. In her role with DAMAC Properties, the flagship arm of the Group, Amira oversees the 360-degree development of properties to ensure product values are maximised including but not limiting to design, construction, sales, marketing and analytics. A key focus of Amira’s responsibilities include overseeing the operations of DAMAC’s network of direct and independent sales agents both locally and internationally, as well as the development of agent programmes and initiatives which strengthens partnerships, and empowers agents with the tools they need to sell more effectively. With PRYPCO, Amira has helped create an opportunity to empower the real-estate ecosystem with knowledge and information to make it simple for people to own and manage their real estate transactions in the UAE. In 2023, Amira Sajwani launched “Amali”. Amali creates concept luxury villas all with a high degree of customisability to suit your exacting needs. Meticulously curated by a team of hand-picked international designers and architects, each unit is a unique masterpiece, ensuring that no two residences are ever alike. She is a graduate of both University College London (UCL) and London School of Economics (LSE). Amira is also known to be a passionate advocate for women in business and access to education.

moderator

Dr. Mohammed M. Jamjoom

Co-founder, Juleb and Head of Operations

---

Jamjoom Pharma

Dr. Mohammed M. Jamjoom, a distinguished contributor in the pharmaceutical sector, holds a PhD in Pharmaceutical Economics and currently spearheads operations at Jamjoom Pharma, a leading pharmaceutical company in Saudi Arabia. He is also a co-founder of Juleb, showcasing his entrepreneurial acumen and commitment to innovation in healthcare. Dr. Jamjoom's extensive research delves into critical areas of pricing, regulations, and consumer behavior, contributing valuable insights to the pharmaceutical industry. His expertise in these domains is not only academic but also practical, influencing policies and practices within his professional endeavors. In his role with Juleb, Dr. Jamjoom further emphasizes his ability to navigate and innovate within the complex pharmaceutical landscape. His foresight in recognizing and addressing emerging trends in the industry underscores his dedication to advancing pharmaceutical care. As one of the youngest experts in his field in Saudi Arabia, Dr. Jamjoom is renowned for challenging the status quo and driving excellence. His contributions extend beyond corporate achievements, significantly impacting the broader pharmaceutical sector in alignment with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.

moderator

Al Walid Hallani

---

moderator

Evlin Abdullah-Khalifa

Miss Universe Bahrain 2022

---

Evlin Abdullah Khalifa is Miss Universe Bahrain 2022. She made headlines during the Miss Universe competition with her strong message of ‘Equality’ during the swimsuit round segment of the competition where she stood out wearing a pink burkini. The 24-year-old Russian-Bahraini model was crowned Miss Universe Bahrain in September and competed in the 71st Miss Universe pageant last 14 January 2023, which took place in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. She calls Riffa, Bahrain home – and is very close with her family.Born to a Russian mother and Bahraini father, Evlin Abdullah-Khalifa grew up in the Kingdom’s second-largest city, Riffa. She is a trained pianist and Taekwondo artist. She graduated from 5 different schools: music, dancing, modeling, taekwondo and comprehensive. Evlin is passionate about education in different ways. She’s working to raise awareness for various charities and initiatives. She closely works with Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft charity that works to raise funds so children around the world can have their clelt-palettes and lips corrected with reconstructive surgery. During her reign, she visited the Philippines to work with the Philippine Red Cross and Philippine General Hospital to create awareness about education in kids and access to free medicine for pediatric patients. She believes that it’s never late to study. After graduation from the university (bachelor’s degree of finance and banking) she continued her education through online classes by consistently improving her Arabic and English skills and studying psychology through the books. Evlin believes in the power of education and it should be provided and accesible for everyone.

moderator

Jeffrey Henseler

Founder & CEO

---

Passport Legacy & Property Legacy

Jeffrey Henseler is the visionary Founder and CEO of Passport Legacy, which since its establishment in 2018, has been redefining the landscape of investment migration services. Offering personalized citizenship solutions to over a thousand clients globally, Jeffrey's strategic foresight has steered the firm into uncharted territories of success. In his pursuit to diversify and enhance the firm's service offerings, Jeffrey introduced Property Legacy, a subsidiary real estate firm that presents clients with exceptional property listings worldwide. The innovative twist is that these real estate investments are intricately tied to opportunities for securing permanent residency or citizenship, aligning with the client's investment and lifestyle aspirations. At the core of Passport Legacy's success is Jeffrey Henseler, whose leadership is anchored in mutual trust, engaging communication, and a culture that respects creative input. With his extensive experience in major financial centers around the globe, and fluency in English and German, Jeffrey has cemented his status as a trusted leader whose operational excellence ensures the highest standards of professionalism and discretion across both ventures.

moderator

Mohamed Algawish

Co-Founder & CEO

---

iSchool

Mohamed Algawish, an electrical and electronics engineer, studied entrepreneurship and business management at Kelley School of Business - Indiana University. previously worked as a business growth consultant, where he helped startups in raising $5.85M+ in funding and generating $7.63M+ in revenue. Co-Founder & CEO of iSchool, the MENA's #1 online coding platform for students aged 6 to 18 years old, offering 1:1 live coding classes in artificial intelligence, data science, game development, VR, and AR, with over 15,000 graduates in 12 countries helping them to start a technology-based career, freelancing, or even launching their own startups. Recognitions: • WSA United Nations Quality Education Impact Award Winner 2023. • Forbes MENA 30 Under 30 list 2022. • Impact Master Class Speaker at Websummit 2022. • GITEX GLOBAL Speaker in a panel titled “ Corporate ventures Vs Venture Capitals ” 2022. • Technesummit Speaker in a panel titled “ Social Media Education Tactics ” 2022. • 1st Place Winner in the AIM UAE startup pitching competition 2022. • EdTech Leadership Award by EdTechDigest 2022. • HSBC C3 Impact Accelerator Winner 2022. • Global Startup Awards Northen Africa Founder of The Year 2021. • Selected in HolonIQ’s Top 50 Best Edtech startups in the MENA and North Africa 2021. • Websummit Speaker in a talk titled “ Future of Education ” 2021. • Bett Show London Edtech Speaker in a talk titled “ Raising the next tech leaders ” 2021. • Entrepreneurship Social Media Influencer with 2.5M+ Followers.

moderator

Amr Kawashti

Cofounder & Managing Partner

---

IN YOUR SHOE

Amr Kawashti is an Egyptian Entrepreneur with an experience in areas within Fashion, Growth Hacking & Ecommerce. While earning his BSc. in Engineering at the German University in Cairo (GUC), Amr cofounded In Your Shoe in 2018 with Ezz his partner as a direct to consumer streetwear brand with a mission of allowing new generations to express themselves through fashion. Amr believes that the idea of being from the same generation & speaking the same language as their customers is the main reason why In Your Shoe is recognized as one of the top leading homegrown brands in the region. In Your Shoe was also recognized as The Fashion Brand of The Year in 2022 by Egypt's Entrepreneur Awards.

moderator

Hadeer Shalaby

Cofounder and CEO

---

Freeziana

Hadeer Shalaby is a serial entrepreneur whose passion is always to empower women and youth to have a steady and sustainable source of income, especially in rural, marginalized, and deprived areas. That's why she established her company, Feeziana . Freeziana company focused on the creative industries sector, and offers a range of integrated services through various products and its subsidiary companies, such as Crafty Workshop and Green Fashion, among others. Hadeer aspires to build a comprehensive ecosystem for the creative industries sector in the region through her companies. She places women and youth empowerment, providing opportunities, and employment at the forefront of her priorities. Her ultimate goal is for this sector to become a significant source of national income for countries across the entire region. Freeziana has provided training to over 200,000 women in collaboration with 30 international and governmental agencies and 150 local partners, such as CARE Egypt, UN Women, UNDP, and Oxfam. Freeziana has obtained $1.4 million in grants and equity investment. She has achieved numerous personal accomplishments. The latest of these is being listed in Forbes Middle East's "Top 30 Under 30" list.

moderator

Ezz Tarek

Co-founder & Managing Partner

---

IN YOUR SHOE

Ezz Tarek, born on April 12, 1994, is an awarded creative and entrepreneur with a passion for building brand identities. As the Co-founder and Managing Partner at IN YOUR SHOE, Ezz has played an important role in shaping the company's vision and success. In 2018, Ezz co-founded IN YOUR SHOE with a mission to empower the new generations to express themselves through fashion. Ezz's creative expertise and keen eye for design have established IN YOUR SHOE as an outstanding fashion brand. His ability to capture international trends while adding a distinct touch has resonated with a wide audience, earning the brand a dedicated following.

moderator

Ali Makki

Group CEO

---

Kilimanjaro Energy

Makki leads Kilimanjaro Energy, which currently has 5 GW of prospective projects, including the development of two photovoltaic projects in South Africa. The first is a 100 MW PV venture, and the second is a 150 MW PV facility. Makki also cofounded Rotaract Bur Dubai, where he engages in initiatives focused on environmental conservation. He is also involved in projects like the Coral Reef Restoration Project for COP28 and the Mangrove Tree Planting Project in the U.A.E.

moderator

Dahlia Hassan

Innovation and Research Specialist

---

Siemens Healthineers

Dahlia Hassan: Innovation and research specialist at Siemens Healthineers With a passion for leveraging technology to address healthcare challenges, Dahlia a visionary biomedical engineer achieving a Masters from Johns Hopkins, has been eagerly working towards transforming healthcare in underserved populations in developing and war-torn countries. Her project, 'Bloom,' a one-size-fits-all prosthetic leg system made of plastic water bottle caps reinforced with glass and 3D printed into a solution built for underserved populations in developing and war torn countries, stands as a testament to her commitment to providing accessible solutions. Together with the Siemens Healthineers Innovation Think Tank, Dahlia actively engages with governments, hospitals, and universities to build innovation, research, and entrepreneurial capacity in the Middle East and Africa. This includes the "Little Innovators" program, held at the 57357 Children's Cancer Hospital in Egypt, a patient-centric innovation capacity-building program which allowed pediatric patients to identify their pain points and collaboratively brainstorm solutions. These creative ideas are later made into small business opportunities, providing the young innovators with a platform to contribute to the community. She bridges the transformative power of biomedical engineering with the profound impact that collaborative innovation may have on the lives of populations facing adversity. Her dedication to build a sustainable and inclusive healthcare ecosystems is shines light on the hope of a brighter and healthier future.

moderator

Yasmina Zaytoun

Miss Lebanon

---

Zaytoun is the Miss Universe Lebanon 2022 and Miss World Lebanon 2023. She has used her platform to advocate for greater access to education and health services for young women in Lebanon and established her own mentorship program to help young women. Zaytoun is an ambassador for the Lebanese Food Bank and the Children's Cancer Center of Lebanon. She has recently undertaken a three-week tour of the U.S. to raise funds for the Lebanese Food Bank and advocate for greater international support for Lebanon at the UN.

moderator

Patrick Sawaya

Founder

---

Patrick Sawaya Photography

moderator

Jad Hobeika

Co-creative Director

---

Maison Georges Hobeika

Hobeika joined Maison Georges Hobeika in 2019 and was officially announced as Co-Creative Director alongside his father, Georges Hobeika, in June 2022. His first collection for the maison was the Couture Fall/Winter 2019-2020. His second was in 2021, when the maison launched its first official ready-to-wear SS22 collection through a virtual runway show. Maison Georges Hobeika has dressed celebrities, including Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Lady Gaga, Heidi Klum, Ashley Graham, Cardi B, Alessandra Ambrosio, Rita Ora, and Jennifer Lopez.

moderator

Rashwan Hammady

CEO, Retail Banking &Financial Inclusion

---

Commercial International Bank – Egypt (CIB)

Rashwan is currently CEO of Retail Banking since August 2022. Previously Head of Retail segments & Products at (CIB) since March 2020. His key responsibilities were including leading the development and execution of segments, product propositions, sales and channel strategies for both consumer and SME customers. Prior to this he was the Head of Business Banking and Payment Acceptance at (CIB) for more than 7 years and the Head of Strategic Planning for 3 years before that. Rashwan started his banking career at Commercial International Bank (CIB) in 2004 in finance. He earned his MBA from The University of Chicago-Booth School of Business in 2018, and the industry leading Credit Course in 2006 from CIB.

moderator

Mirna Arif

Country Manager

---

Microsoft Egypt

Set with a profound commitment to Egypt, Mirna Arif brings more than 20 years of experience with multinational organizations and public sector entities across Europe, the Middle East and Africa into the position of Microsoft Egypt General Manager. Equipped with a strong belief in empathy-based management and in youth training, the first woman to assume this prestigious role is leading the nation’s technological movement towards digital transformation. To assert Microsoft Egypt’s competitive edge in the country’s tech industry, Arif is expanding the company’s digital footprint across public and private organizations to accelerate their conversion towards a digital economy. Prior to being appointed as Microsoft Egypt GM in 2020, Arif held the position of Surface Business Group Director for Middle East and Africa at Microsoft based in Dubai. From 2017 to 2019, Arif held the title of Regional Director for Digital Transformation at GE Oil & Gas where she directed the digital transformation strategy in North Africa and Turkey. Prior to that, she was the regional Manager for Rosemount Group Middle East at Emerson Automation Solutions. In 2015, Arif was appointed as Assistant Minister for Investment and International Cooperation at the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, advising on the development and implementation of the petroleum sector strategy. Preceding that, Arif spent the first 12 years of her career in Schlumberger, where she assumed various leadership roles covering different international markets, including Global Marketing Manager, spearheading worldwide marketing strategies for the software and the marine acquisition segments. Outside of Microsoft, Mirna sits on the Board of Directors of Banque Misr, the Board of Directors of Rameda Pharma, the Board of Directors of Egypt Chamber of Information Technology, the Supreme Advisory Board of Al Nas Hospital, and the Advisory Board of UNICEF Gen-U Egypt (Shabab Balad). She is also the Co-Chair of the Digital Transformation Committee at The American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt (Amcham Egypt). Arif holds a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the American University in Cairo Egypt, and a Bachelor of Science (BSC) in computer science from the same university.

moderator

Yara Yassin

Co-Founder

---

Up-fuse

Yara Yassin co-founded Up-fuse in 2015. Yara’s goal with Up-fuse was not just to create an eco-conscious brand that raises environmental awareness. Along with recycling more than a million plastic bags, over 160,000 tires and 1300 plus water bottles, Up-fuse also works with local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) across Egypt and supports more than 80 artisanal women from Cairo by creating jobs for them in the community for a better life. Yara’s passion for green economy, social empowerment and product design are her everyday fuel for taking risks, failing, learning, achieving and not being afraid to start over again. The entrepreneur has represented women from the Middle East in Several World Bank Events and continues to set an example for others with her many achievements as per below: She was awarded by the UN Environment. She won first place at the WeMENA competition, a business contest designed by the World Bank to support and boost female entrepreneurship in the region.

moderator

Ahmed Hanafi

Founder

---

TLT Concepts

Through immense passion, skill and bespoke love for Hospitality, Ahmed Hanafi founded TLT Concepts in Spring 2014 along with spouse; Chef Mirette Aly. Both determined to change the course of hospitality in Egypt, they have contributed in cultivating and refining the service sector by creating a diversified contemporary portfolio of several brands serving a market with sophisticated tastes and dynamic preferences. Over the course of 10 years, Ahmed Hanafi has successfully established numerous projects across Egypt, and currently expanding overseas, from the dining restaurants and bars, a renowned beach club, a high-end boutique hotel, retail concept stores and several real-estate ventures that are currently coming to life. Hanafi’s projects also include a series of profitable events, from exclusive corporate events and music festivals to brand collaboration events and seasonal celebrations. Prior to founding TLT Concepts, in 2006, Ahmed Hanafi was a managing partner in Katameya for Restaurant Management, a restaurant management company owning multiple of upscale-casual dining outlets across Egypt. Hanafi’s vision is built on the notion of redefining hospitality and entertainment by offering the market a profound platform, delivering luxurious and hospitable experiences for the selected clientele.

moderator

Farah Tukan

Director of Public Policy for Middle East, Africa, Turkey, South Asia, and Pakistan

---

TikTok

Farah is currently leading the Government Relations and Public Policy function at TikTok in the Middle East, Africa, Turkey, South Asia, and Pakistan. She has almost two decades of experience working in/with public, private sectors and international organizations across tech policy, socioeconomic market research & intelligence, strategic planning, policy analysis & development, sector & competitiveness analysis, monitoring & evaluation, program & project management as well as building relationship & strategic alliances. Prior to her current role she was the Head of UAE Public Sector and Government Alliance Partner at LinkedIn after a long span in the Public Sector– mainly at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Executive Council of Dubai. She was also a part of the Dubai Government team responsible for updating the Emirate’s strategic plan for 2021 (Dubai Plan 2021), which was launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai in December 2014. Earlier, as a consultant, Farah also carried out various economic development assignments for clients like USAID- SABEQ, World Bank, UNIFEM among others. Farah holds a Master of Science degree in Development Administration and Planning from the University College of London and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Jordan.

moderator

Zeina Makki

Lebanese Filmmaker and Actress

---

Storyteller

Zenia Makki bio - Zeina Makki is a highly accomplished Lebanese actress, celebrated for her versatility and captivating performances. Born and raised in Kuwait, Zeina embarked on a remarkable journey that led her to become a prominent figure in the Lebanese entertainment industry. Her passion for the arts and her unwavering determination to pursue her dreams have defined her career. Zeina Makki's artistic journey began in 2008 when she relocated to Lebanon to pursue her higher education. She enrolled in the esteemed Communication Arts program, specializing in scriptwriting and directing. Her studies provided her with a solid foundation in the technical aspects of filmmaking and storytelling, setting the stage for her future success. In 2011, Zeina achieved critical acclaim and international recognition for her documentary "Bent not Broken," which chronicled her personal journey with Scoliosis. The thought-provoking film earned her the prestigious Best Short Documentary award at the renowned Monaco Film Festival. Through her work, Zeina not only showcased her talent as a filmmaker but also demonstrated her courage and resilience in the face of adversity. Beyond her acting prowess, Zeina Makki is known for her unwavering dedication to her craft and her commitment to raising awareness about important social issues. She utilizes her platform to shed light on topics close to her heart, seeking to inspire and empower others through her work.

moderator

Menna elKiey

Lyricist, Writer and Creative Director

---

Menna elKiey is a lyricist, writer and creative director. She started her career in advertising back in 2011. Years later she quit corporate life to start her freelance career in songwriting, which has been her passion since then and until today. She is now known for her pop cultural lyrics which span across Egypt and the Middle East. Throughout her journey, she has specialized in the art of song writing with its all-different types from commercials, movies and series to music albums. Some of her heard songs would be El yoom el helw dah, el Ghaza raya’a, Ekhteyaraty, sayrina ya donia and Beraha ya sheekha.

moderator

Luma Fawaz

CEO

---

Oasis500

Luma Fawaz is one of the Middle East’s most influential leaders in early-stage business acceleration, investment, and fund management. Last year, she was named by Forbes as one of the region’s Top 100 Power Businesswomen. She is a 2022 Eisenhower Fellow. She is the CEO of Oasis500, the pre-seed and seed fund investor and accelerator based in Amman, Jordan. The company has nurtured a wide range of technology and media companies from inception to investment readiness and beyond. Under her leadership, Oasis500 has been the most active investor and catalyst in building Jordan’s start-up ecosystem. Luma brings two decades of experience investing in and mentoring high-potential entrepreneurs. She has overseen over 180 early-stage deals and worked with more than 2,500 entrepreneurs. Beyond pre-seed and seed funding, Oasis500’s signature acceleration process consists of helping startups develop products, sharpen business models, receive coaching and gain access to a growing network of experts spanning industries. Luma is a staunch advocate of enabling women entrepreneurs to raise capital, develop relationships with investors and suppliers, and pursue the resources necessary to overcome systemic barriers to company building.

moderator

Ali Abulhasan

Co-Founder & CEO

---

Tap Payments

Ali founded Tap Payments in 2013 to solve the deep-rooted online payment problems in the MENA region. He started his career in payments in the oil & gas sector and then further developed his passion for payments while working with banks & financial institutions. Later, he got more involved with the telecom industry, which helped him become consumer-centric & technology-driven with innovative forms of payment experiences. As the CEO of Tap Payments, he has played a significant role in disrupting the fintech industry within the region. Tap unified the fragmented payment landscape in the region by developing a single API to access all the payment methods that consumers highly adopt within the region. Tap enabled organizations to accept & collect online payments with an API that has standardized local and international payment schemes, gateways, and switches from the complex integrations of the pre-Tap era, which took weeks & months, to the post-Tap era of hours and days. Today, Tap serves over one hundred thousand businesses of all sizes, from small home businesses all the way to large corporations across various industries such as Retail, Food, Insurance, Airlines, Telecom, and many others, with an automated merchant onboarding flow.

moderator

Sabrina Mouhieddine

CEO & Founder

---

Lili Blanc

Every woman deserves to have it all - confidence, inspiration, and glamour - and Sabrina Mouhieddine is here to make sure of it. Born and raised in Lebanon, Sabrina has been in Dubai for over 10 years, and at the age of 30, she decided to take her experience and create Lili Blanc, a brand that celebrates classic pieces with a modern twist for every woman. As the founder and creative director of Liliblanc, Sabrina is driven by her everyday challenges, thoughts, accomplishments, dreams, and the success stories of all women. From the moment her father told her “You can do anything you set your mind to”, Mouhieddine was determined to turn her passion into reality. With her father’s encouragement and guidance, she followed her dreams and started her fashion brand, Lili Blanc. His words of wisdom have been her source of inspiration, strength, and motivation, and she is proud of what she has achieved today.

moderator

Mohanad Hattab

Comedian Influencer

---

Mohanad Hattab is a renowned comedian whose comedic prowess has captivated audiences worldwide, particularly on the Instagram platform. With a charismatic and unique sense of humor, Mohanad has become a household name in the comedy scene. Born with a natural talent for making people laugh, Mohanad's journey to comedic stardom began at a young age. His relatable humor and witty observations on everyday life have resonated with a diverse audience, earning him a legion of devoted followers on Instagram. Mohanad's comedic style is characterized by his sharp wit, impeccable timing, and a keen ability to find humor in the mundane. Whether he's poking fun at the quirks of modern life or sharing hilarious anecdotes from his own experiences, Mohanad's comedy is both refreshing and relatable.

moderator

Bassel ElTokhy

Group Chief Operations Officer

---

Valu

Bassel was part of the Dean’s List of Honors when he graduated in 2010 from the American University in Cairo where he majored in Mechanical Engineering & minored in Business Administration. His first job was in Procter & Gamble (P&G) was Distributor Operations Finance Manager where he managed a $600M business at the time. He then transitioned into a Commercial Finance Manager role where he was responsible for the Baby Care, Feminine Care, Shave Care, Oral Care & Batteries business in Egypt & the Levant countries where he was responsible for all commercial financial aspects for the business. After spending 4 years in Egypt’s P&G office as part of the Near East organization, Bassel went to P&G’s E-IMEA HQ office in Geneva as the India, Middle East & Africa (IMEA) for Baby Care Product Supply Finance where he was responsible for the full supply chain which included 5 plants in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, South Africa & India. After 2 years in Geneva, Bassel moved one last time with P&G to their regional office in Dubai where he was responsible for IMEA Skin Care & E-IMEA Personal Care business which operated in 13 countries. In 2018, Bassel joined Uber Eats as their first full time employee in Egypt. After helping the team launch the business in Egypt, Bassel led the operations for two years and was responsible for Courier, Eater, Restaurant & Marketplace operations. Bassel then joined Amazon’s Ultra Fast Grocery team based out of London and led the 3rd party grocery business which operated in the UK, France, Italy, Spain & Germany. He then joined Minly, the first passion economy start-up in the region which raised $3.5M of seed funding from leading regional VCs (4DX, B&Y and Global Ventures), as a late co-founder, Chief Operations Officer and interim Chief Commercial Officer.

moderator

Youssef Shokeir

Chief Strategy and Financial Officer

---

Kaf

Youssef Shokeir, an actuary by training, joined Kaf in 2021 with both in-house insurance and consultancy experience as Chief Strategy and Financial Officer. Prior to joining Kaf, he was an insurance consultant at WTW Germany serving a multitude of EMEA markets. He also led several strategic expansions during his time at AXA Insurance London and Egypt. In addition, he serves as a part-time professor and board member of actuarial science at the AUC. Youssef holds an actuarial science Fellowship from the IFoA, an MSc in Actuarial Management from Bayes Business School and BSc in Actuarial Science from the AUC.

moderator

Mohamed FakhrElDin

Senior Product Manager

---

EFG Hermes ONE

Mohamed FakhrElDin has over 9 years of experience in the telecommunication industry through assuming various roles at Vodafone Egypt in the areas of HR, Program Management, Market Analysis and Sales. Fakhr also oversaw business development operations for the mobile money product, leading all B2B business and integrations for VF Cash. Moving to an important milestone further, Fakhr assumed the Chief Operations Officer role at Paynas exploiting his experience to develop the product enhancement, sales, operations and business development teams towards boosting Paynas growth. Furthermore, Fakhr led the Partnerships for Lucky key Merchants then the Business Development for Connect in Lucky financial taking care of expansion of the product to MSMEs for various used cases along with Lucky One Card Expansion for their beneficiaries. Building on the past 13 years of experience, Fakhr is now leading the Business Development function at EFG holding where he will take care of introducing new partnerships & alliances with entities to compliment our products on both consumer and corporate levels. Fakhr has conducted assessment centers various entities alike Coca Cola, SC Johnson,, ElAraby, Astrazeneca & Organon. He also delivered CBI trainings for CIB, Samsung Distributors, Banque Misr. Fakhr conducted Project Management training for AUC students (TL program), Communication Skills training for non-commercial teams at Vodafone, and completed several consultancy projects. Fakhr has also delivered extensive commercial training related to the E-shop experience and the functions around it for Jawwal Telecom. Educational Background Fakhr holds a Bachelor of Information Technology from the Faculty of Computers and Information at Cairo University. He is a SHL Certified Trainer and Vodafone Certified Trainer. Industries: • Partnerships & BD • Commercial Operations • Telecommunication • Education • E-commerce • Financial Services

moderator

Samer Johnny Jamal

Strategic Partner Manager

---

Meta

Samer is the Strategic Partner Manager at Meta, specializing in celebrity, public figure, music, and comedy partnerships. With a rich 5+ year tenure at Meta, he spearheaded the launch of multiple strategic Instagram products like Reels in the MENA and Turkey regions. He was pivotal in rolling out now-beloved innovations like Instagram's collaborative tools, expanding IG Live, and key safety features in the region. Prior to Meta, Samer was a key figure at Platinum Records, MBC Group's music label, where he led artist marketing and sponsorships. He worked with top artists such as Kadim Al Saher, Melhem Zein, Nancy Ajram, and Mohammed Assaf, and was instrumental in developing image strategies and music launches for MBC talent show graduates, including The Voice and Arab Idol. Samer's extensive experience in the media and entertainment industry includes a 6-year tenure at Rotana Media Group, where he managed advertising revenue for the group's entertainment bouquet. He also spent three years at Arab Radio & Television, managing their sports channels and overseeing broadcasts of major FIFA tournaments and leagues.

moderator

Sherif Fayed

TV Host

---

Sherif Fayad, the acclaimed influencer hailing from Cairo, has left an indelible mark on the digital world and beyond. With an unerring focus on lifestyle, he has amassed a massive following that hangs on his every word and photograph. Notably, as a prominent TV host based in Dubai, he's become a household name, gracing screens with his charismatic presence. Sherif Fayad effortlessly bridges the cultural divide, captivating audiences with his captivating persona and unmissable insights into the world of luxury and living.

moderator

Aladdin ElAfifi

CEO of EFG Finance, EFG Holding Company

---

EFG Finance

Aladdin ElAfifi, CEO of EFG Finance, an EFG Holding Company – EFG Holding’s Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFI) platform. ElAfifi assumes the overall responsibility in leading EFG Finance, an EFG Holding Company - the Non-Bank Financial Institutions portfolio including leasing, factoring, microfinance, insurance, mortgage and payments and the addition of new services whether organically or through acquisitions. He is also a non-executive board member representing the majority shareholder for Valu and board member of EFG Corp-Solutions as well as board member of EFG Finance. With over 23 years of financial advisory and direct investment experience, ElAfifi recently co-founded the Cairo-based real estate investment management and advisory business, 46 Group. He was most recently Co-CEO of Pharos Holding where he overlooked securities brokerage, asset management and investment banking and advisory activities. He co-founded Egypt’s first nano-lending startup (Kashat) and worked on the funding and sponsoring of startups directly and through work with Startupbootcamp, co-manager of the first Egyptian fintech accelerator. Prior to joining Pharos, ElAfifi led the team managing Qalaa Holding’s investments in mining, mining industries, gold exploration and the waste management sector through the creation of Tawazon, a local and regional market leader in the field of solid waste (municipal and agricultural) management. He was also a senior member of the team that established Taqa Arabia, a full service energy (natural gas and electricity) distribution group and the initial team that worked to conceptualise, negotiate and sign the Framework Agreements for what would later become the Egyptian Refining Company (ERC), a USD 4.4 billion refinery. ElAfifi previously worked in London as investment banker at Goldman Sachs’s UK M&A and the Industrials and Natural Resources teams. He started his career at EFG Hermes Investment Banking. With both Goldman Sachs and EFG Hermes, he worked on a number of high-profile M&A and capital markets transactions across a multitude of sectors. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and holds an MBA from the Wharton School of Business with a concentration in Finance, Strategic and Entrepreneurial Management and is a recipient of the Joseph Wharton fellowship. He holds a BA in Economics with a minor in Business Administration from the American University in Cairo.

moderator

Ramy Radwan

TV Presenter

---

Moderator

Ramy started his career back in 2006. He is currently presenting one of the highly rated talk shows in Egypt. He interviewed most influential politicans and public figures in Egypt and MENA region including His Excellency President Abdel Fattah AlSisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt. Ramy was selected to MC several high end events and forums, attended by world leaders, as the World Economic Forum, the World Youth Forum, the only Egyptian moderator during the African summit 2019 and others. Ramy’s TV show is aired on one of the top viewed Egyptian TV channels. DMC is the leading channel within the United group that owns the main Egyptian TV channels (DMC, CBC, ONTV & AlHayah). The channels reach is more than 80 million, the remote areas and vulnerable communities are among the reach in Egypt and millions in the MENA region. Ramy also conducted interviews with celebrities from Egypt and worldwide. On an international and regional level, Ramy interviewed: · Rudy Giuliani, former US President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer, and former mayor of New York City. · Oscar FernandeZ, United Nations Assistant Secretary General for Peacebuilding Support · Ahmed Abu ElGheit, Arab League Secretary General · Ivan Surkos, Head of the European Union Delegation to Egypt · Francis Gurry, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) · Ghada Waly, Director of United Nations office of Drugs and crime (UNODC) · Joe Kaeser, former President and CEO of Siemens · Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group. · Michael Patrick Flanagan, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 5th district · Martin J. Golden, Former New York State Senate · Elizabeth Hurley, hollywood actress · Hilary Swank, hollywood actress · Adrien Brody, hollywood Actor

moderator

Ahmed Tarek

Co-CEO & Partner

---

Tarek Nour Group

Ahmed is the Co-CEO of Tarek Nour Holdings and servers on its board of directors. Before being named the Co-CEO in September 2020, Ahmed became a partner and was appointed to be the Group Managing Partner in January 2017, and he first joined the group in February 2000. Tarek Nour Holdings is comprised of 14 companies that operate in the fields of; advertising, media, production, experience marketing, digital, out-of-home, events, fairs management & broadcasting. Tarek Nour Holdings became part of Omnicom (one of the biggest communications groups in the world) in 2008. Ahmed started his career in early 2000 and currently has 22 years of experience. He also headed DDB Group Egypt (one of the top three advertising agencies in the world), as its Managing Director for 3 years. Prior to heading DDB Group Egypt, Ahmed operated in Sudan for 5 years, founding two companies; Tarek Nour Sudana & The Box for outdoors, that still lead the market to date. During his stay in Sudan, Ahmed was chosen, alongside 6 other members, to be part of MTN’s Global Brand Team, that was responsible for designing and implementing communications plans in 21 countries in Africa, Middle East & Europe. Recently Ahmed also co founded Tarek Nour Saudia Arabia as part of the the TN Group expansion in the region. Besides his role in leading the group, Ahmed is directly responsible to overlook the growth of Content, Properties, Events and International markets within the group. Across his career Ahmed has worked on more than 300 brands (local & International) and won a few international & regional awards. Ahmed has earned his bachelor degree of commerce, foreign trade & business administration from Helwan University in 1999 and attended several leadership & management programs by London School of Business, Harvard Business School & INSEAD.

moderator

Mohamed El Bassiouni

Co-Founder / Managing Director Tayarah

---

Moderator

An Egyptian construction engineer and entrepreneur, who launched Egypt’s first online content magazine with the intention of sparking happiness at a challenging time for the nation in 2011: what started off as Disalata, evolved into Tayarah World in 2016 to become Egypt’s first untraditional advertising boutique and veteran content hub that he co-founded and currently heads as Managing Director, where he continues to mindfully add value to brands and targeted audiences through innovative creative formats and optimized productions. Tayarah World has a portfolio of over 1000 online videos, three international creative awards, and collaborations with Egypt’s most acclaimed brands, agencies, and celebrities. Leveraging on his passion for storytelling and impacting people and societies, in 2022, Bassiouni embarked on his first hosting experience through an original round-table digital format, “Khatwetein Li Warra” - inspired by his late brother, Hisham El Bassiouni - aimed at inspiring aspiring Egyptian entrepreneurs by providing proof that dreams are attainable through showcasing the raw, humane, and authentic stories of some of the most acclaimed businessmen in different industries across the country acquiring over a million views for its first season. Bassiouni has an aptitude for scouting talent, both, on the corporate and creative levels, where he has a record of nurturing skills through training and creative incubation before directing them into areas of growth and sustainability: one such example is Ahmed El Ruby, a rising Egyptian singer, who with Tayarah originated “Sa2fa” – a song dedicated to the Gouna Film Festival, 2019, that gained over 10 million digital views. A father of two, Bassiouni parents his children by creating and holding a safe space for them to discover and pursue their rooted passions, where he desires for them to follow his footsteps in breaking traditional expectations through a growth mindset that seeks knowledge and embraces failure as constructive learning. Bassiouni’s vision is to continue to impact the region’s digital ecosystem by evolving and disrupting its content footprint leveraging on his creativity, resilience and organizational skills.

moderator

Hoda Mansour

Chief Operating Officer, Asia Pacific, Japan, Middle East & Africa, IFS

---

Moderator

Hoda Mansour is Chief Operating Officer for Asia Pacific, Japan, Middle East & Africa. Her appointment in September 2023 sees her leading the go-to-market functions and driving strategy, transformation and growth throughout the entire region. Hoda is a highly experienced executive acknowledged for delivering innovation and business value for customers. Prior to joining IFS, Hoda has worked for leading multinational software companies including SAP, Oracle & Microsoft in regional and global capacities, most recently leading SAP’s Business Process Transformation Practice across Southern Europe, Middle East & Africa. Before this, Hoda was the first female to be appointed in a Managing Director role by SAP across the whole of Middle East & Africa region. Forbes Middle East acknowledged Hoda’s leadership and impact on the business by recognizing her as one of 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen in 2023. This came on the back of her recognition by Forbes Middle East as one of Top 5 Women in Technology for 2022 & being on the Forbes Middle East Most Powerful Businesswomen list since 2018. In March 2023, she was appointed as Non-Executive Board Member of Commercial International Bank (CIB), was selected to Chair CIB’s Board Sustainability Committee and is a Member of the Operations & Technology Board Committee. She is a member of the Board Governors of the American Chamber of Commerce since June 2021 and served as Vice President & Board Member of the German Chamber between September 2020 and September 2022. Hoda holds a B.Sc. with Distinction & Honors in Engineering from Alexandria University in addition to Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) with Distinction from Maastricht School of Management.

moderator

Nikita Hegde

#ABtalks Show Manager

---

Bukhash Brothers

Nikita Hegde: Meet Nikita Hegde, the #ABtalks Show Manager with a career spanning 9+ years of bringing value to brands, people and their stories. Having left her mark at establishments such as the Oscars and Warner Bros., Nikita excels in project management, strategic planning, and the art of entertainment marketing and production. A passionate storyteller and executor, Nikita finds purpose in helping businesses and people achieve their goals.

moderator

Galawesh Wyatt

Director of Digital Marketing

---

Bukhash Brothers

Meet Galawesh Wyatt, Director of Digital Marketing at Bukhash Brothers. An accomplished marketer with 8+ years of experience, blends international insights from Sweden and Italy with a dynamic 5+ years in Dubai, UAE. Renowned for analytical prowess, she crafts impactful, data-driven campaigns spanning technology, consumer goods, and healthcare. Galawesh excels in understanding consumer behavior, driving increased brand awareness and engagement. Her dedication has earned recognition in her pursuit of helping businesses achieve marketing objectives on both national and international fronts.

moderator

Kareem Hassan

Executive Director

---

UN-ESCWA Technology Center for Development

Kareem Hassan is the Executive Director of the UN-ESCWA Technology Center for Development and the Coordinator of the Arab SMEs Summit. Before that, he was the Director of Youth and Innovation Program at the Global Institute for Water, Environment, and Health (Switzerland), and the Managing Director of BENAA Foundation (Egypt). Besides, he had an intensive academic career as a lecturer and researcher at Zewail University for Science and Technology (Egypt), King Saud University (Saudi Arabia), the University of Duisburg-Essen (Germany), the American University in Cairo (Egypt), and the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Switzerland). Kareem got his Bachelor of Agricultural Engineering at Ain Shams University (Egypt), Master of Environmental Engineering at the American University in Cairo, and Project Management Program for Sustainable Development at Cewas (Switzerland). Kareem has led more than 100 projects in the fields of Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Sustainable Development that have been implemented in 35 countries. In addition to leading four social enterprises and winning several international awards.

moderator

Noor Eid

Director of Creative Services

---

Bukhash Brothers

Meet Noor Eid, Director of Creative Services at Bukhash Brothers. A Palestinian born in the United States and currently residing in the UAE. With a humble background and genuine dedication to creative expression, Noor has honed over 7 years of experience in Branding, Design, and Social Media. Having played an integral role in bringing brands to life across diverse sectors such as F&B, Media, Business, Entertainment, Retail, Technology, and more. Committed to delivering impactful work, she strives to bridge the gap between purpose and design.

moderator

Norshek Fawzy

Co-Founder and CEO

---

Norshek

Norshek Fawzy is a lover of nature, a mother of two, and the Co-Founder and CEO of her ethically sourced, cruelty-free, low-waste, natural beauty products brand “Norshek”. A serial entrepreneur and previous Founder and CEO of The Boot Camp and Jumpsuit, Norshek dreams of saving the world - one kind act at a time - unless she’s busy helping save the planet and building an eco-conscious empire.

moderator

Ruwaida Abela Northen

Managing Director

---

JRN Consultancy

With over two decades of experience tucked under her belt, Ruwaida has become a veritable virtuoso in the realms of consumer marketing, corporate communications, and high-impact campaigns, not to mention her finesse in public and media relations. A polyglot, she speaks English, Arabic, and Maltese fluently and dabbles in Turkish. Ruwaida's odyssey began with the Corinthia Group in Libya, then she hopped over to Malta with Starwood, and further jetted to Bahrain with the Ritz-Carlton. From there, it was off to Qatar, where she worked her magic with Shangri-La Group. Climbing the corporate ladder with agility and determination, Ruwaida ultimately ascended to the role of Vice President for PR and Corporate Communications, shattering glass ceilings as the first Arab woman to hold such a position in the company’s history. In 2021, Ruwaida decided to chart her own course, establishing JRN Consultancy—a boutique agency specializing in luxury lifestyle, travel, and hospitality. With its headquarters nestled in the glitzy skyline of Dubai and representation in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, JRN embodies the spirit of a "journey." A fierce advocate for female empowerment, Ruwaida has built an all-women team, who, under her guidance, are conquering the world one luxury experience at a time.

moderator

Aysha Abdulmalek

Founder

---

Aisha Jewels

Aysha Abdulmalek started her brand Aisha Jewels in Bahrain in 2014 at the age of 17 and has already become one of the fastest-growing luxury brands in the Gulf Cooperation Council (“GCC”) region. It offers a wide range of ready-to-purchase and custom-made, high-end jewelry, designed by Aysha and crafted to the company’s high standards, by top goldsmiths in the world. The brand is known for its ultra-premium quality of everything that goes into its products, personalized shopping experience, and growing customer loyalty in the region. Aisha Jewels was the winner of the best student-run company in Bahrain in 2017 and represented the Kingdom in the same global competition in Frankfurt in 2018. Also, in 2018 Aisha Jewels was honoured by receiving the Kingdom’s Best Micro Company Award from HRH the Crown Prince. In 2022, Aysha Abdulmalek was chosen by the Ministry of commerce to represent the kingdom in Dubai Expo 2020 showcasing six inspirational entrepreneurs from the six GCC countries.

moderator

Deana Shaaban

Fashion Designer, Wellness Specialist and Experience Architect

---

Deana Shaaban is a designer, Wellness Specialist and Experience Architect. She is the Founder and Creative Director of the luxury design house DS, part of the founding team of Ignite, a fitness and wellness company. Deana is also the host of the online show and podcast, The You in Human as well as the founder and creative director of the sportswear brand Anatomy and the founder of an online wellness company for women, Transforming Into Me. She has dedicated her life’s work to guiding people to tap into their infinite potential through all the different industries she is a part of.

moderator

Mohamed Emara

CEO & Managing Director

---

Influence Communications

Mohamed is the CEO of Influence Communications Group since 2007, where he strategically led the expansion of the company locally and regionally. With his vision, the company was able to reach five subsidiaries, including Public Relations, Public Affairs, Events Management, Mention (a fully-fledged digital marketing and content creation agency), and 925 (an online platform magazine complemented by a professional and well-equipped studio). Mohamed's expertise includes more than 18 years of experience in the marketing communications and strategic digital public relations field. He started his career at Promo Seven Weber Shandwick-Qatar and moved to Cairo as a Senior Client Relations Manager. He then moved to British Petroleum for 2 years as a Communications and External Affairs Senior Advisor. Believing in the power of PR, Mohamed utilized the philosophy of turning PR science into a practical arm to shape public opinion and strengthen the market positioning of businesses. Throughout his business journey, he was able to shape the image of top multinational firms through his strategic advising input. His skills also include a certification to train senior executives and top CEOs in several strategic topics, in addition to public and media speaking. Mohamed graduated from Cairo University – Egypt, Faculty of Economics and Political Science (English Section) in 2001. He enrolled in an MBA program majoring in Marketing in 2010 at RITI (Maastricht School of Management). He also holds professional courses and trainings in Crisis Management and PR Advanced Techniques from the American University in Cairo (AUC) and Crisis Management course and Negotiation Skills course from VIRAK International-Switzerland.

moderator

Waleed Sadek

Founder & CEO

---

PaySky and Yalla Super App

Dr. Waleed Sadek is the visionary Founder & CEO of PaySky, a leading digital payment solutions provider established in 2017. Under his leadership, PaySky expanded to 18 countries and has forged groundbreaking partnerships with central banks, financial institutions, and telecom operators, introducing cutting-edge electronic payment across the Middle East and Africa. During his tenure at Visa, Dr. Sadek held key roles, including head of the Innovation and New Technologies Department for the Middle East and North Africa, and Manager of Visa Global Strategy for Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (CEMEA). With over two decades in financial services digitization, he's a serial entrepreneur, leading successful ventures like BITEL EMEA and Wind Technologies. In February 2022, Paysky made waves with the launch of "Yalla Super App" a groundbreaking initiative in collaboration with the Egyptian Post and Visa. The Yalla Card and app exceeded expectations, attracting over 1.5 million users and facilitating more than 8 million transactions, surpassing 7 billion Egyptian pounds within a year. Paysky is now expanding Yalla Super App and Card across the Middle East and Africa.

moderator

Ahmad AlZaini

Cofounder and CEO

---

Foodics

Ahmad Al-Zaini is the Co-Founder and CEO of FOODICS, the leading restaurant operations and financial management technology company in the MENA region, based in Saudi Arabia, which he co-founded in 2014. Under Ahmad’s leadership, Foodics has grown to be one of the most promising SaaS companies to emerge from the MENA region. He is also a board advisor and business consultant for several companies and an angel investor himself in several tech startups. Ahmad has also been recognized widely, as recipient of the prestigious Forbes Award for Entrepreneurs Shaping Saudi Arabia's Future and as a high-impact entrepreneur by Endeavor Global.

moderator

Adnane Ben Halima

Vice President of Public Relations, North, West, and Central Africa

---

Huawei

Adnane Ben Halima holds a degree in computer engineering, he began his professional career as a research and development engineer at ST-Microelectronics before joining Huawei Technologies in 2005 where he held several management positions in several countries, including Morocco as regional director of the wireless department, Tunisia as deputy general manager responsible for sales and strategy for Tunisia and Libya. Having worked in most of the countries of North, West and central Africa, Adnane Ben Halima has a very good knowledge of the region and has contributed to the design and implementation of several important projects in the region, including Senegal, Chad, Mali, Algeria, Morocco and Mauritania, which have enabled the strengthening of communications infrastructure in these countries and to offer various services such as fixed and mobile superfast broadband access. Indeed, he had the opportunity to pilot the launch of several new 3G, 4G, fixed broadband and cloud platforms networks in several countries as well as the launch of new telecom operators.

moderator

Mohamed Shelbaya

CEO

---

PepsiCo Egypt & North Africa

Mohamed Shelbaya is the CEO of PepsiCo North Africa, one of the world’s leading convenient food and beverages companies. The North Africa region is part of PepsiCo’s biggest and most important business sectors of the company AMESA (Africa, Middle East, South Asia). With his new position, Shelbaya is capitalizing on the business's ongoing success in Egypt and further developing and diversifying its portfolio into neighboring regions. Prior to his new position, Shelbaya was the CEO of PepsiCo Egypt for six years during which the company witnessed vast enrichment across untapped areas and its portfolio was expanded. PepsiCo products are enjoyed by more than one billion person a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. Product portfolio—including Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream—consists of many iconic brands. Shelbaya is a PepsiCo veteran with over 28 years of experience across Middle East and North Africa’s business models and markets. Since the start of his role in Egypt, Shelbaya took the business front to great milestones by exemplifying PepsiCo’s Faster, Stronger and Better strategy in the Egyptian market. He led the business to become Faster by winning in the marketplace, being more consumer-centric with unique campaigns like Mohamed Salah “Stay Thirsty” & “Chipsy Joy”, while accelerating investment for top line growth. In terms of Stronger, he led the digital transformation and go-to market strategy to have better customer visibility. While on the Better front, Shelbaya has been committed towards giving back to the community, keen on integrating purpose and sustainability into the business strategy, and doing even more for the planet and for the people. He has made great strides in PepsiCo Egypt’s CSR agenda and led a unique sustainability model that doesn’t only focus on supporting social initiatives but it relies to a great extent on enabling the overall industry. Shelbaya was able to do this through strong and diverse sustainability and innovation programs in line with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive), an end-to-end strategic business transformation with sustainability at the center of how PepsiCo will create growth and value by operating within planetary boundaries to drive positive action for the planet and people. He launched “Recycle for Tomorrow” one of the biggest waste management platforms in Egypt, “She Feeds the World” that aims to empower Egyptian female farmers, “She Works Wonders” that aims to increase female representation in male-dominated jobs, and finally “Egypt 2030 Hackathon” that empowers and enables young entrepreneurs, among other impact-driven initiatives. Prior to this, Shelbaya was the Vice President of MENA Snacks Category where he played a critical role in driving the snacks business growth and leading the MENA snacks innovation revenue to unprecedented levels. Shelbaya was also the General Manager, Egypt Snacks where he grew the business double-digit year-on-year, achieving break-through results on market share and equity metrics. Shelbaya has held a wide range of roles since joining the company back in 1994. He was the Vice President of PepsiCo’s bottling operations for Saudi Arabia and Yemen, and had previously served as Sales and Customer Development Director for the Middle East & Africa. He also held other leading positions in Marketing and Sales. Going back through his thread of success before joining PepsiCo, Shelbaya set off his career in advertising working for Saatchi & Saatchi in Egypt and the GCC.

moderator

Shereen Mitwally

Founder & CEO

---

Naqqe Technologies

Shereen is the founder and CEO of a groundbreaking telehealth platform - Naqqe. Shereen has spearheaded the development of a comprehensive ecosystem that connects patients with licensed therapists, coaches and counselors, all from the comfort and convenience of their own homes. Naqqe as a platform has revolutionized the delivery of mental healthcare, offering accessible, affordable, and confidential support to individuals worldwide. With her visionary leadership and passion for improving the well-being of individuals, she has emerged as a prominent figure in the field, transforming the way mental healthcare is accessed and delivered.

moderator

Zaina Khaled

Public Policy Programs Associate, Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey

---

TikTok

Zaina Khaled is the Public Policy Programs Associate, Middle East, North Africa, and Türkiye. Earlier, in TikTok was the Partnerships Lead for Emerging Vertical in MENA. She worked as well on setting up various media partnerships, entertainment projects and maintaining strong relationships with key media partners in the region. Zaina formerly served pre-TikTok as Projects Supervisor at Weyyak -Arabic OTT Platform- for Zee Entertainments, worked as Producer for MBC Group, and led various production campaigns for governmental entities in UAE Alongside the corporate works, Zaina is a professional public speaker, KeyNote Tedx Speaker & voice over/ Dubbing artist. She is a filmmaker too; her bachelor capstone short movie was screened at Cannes Film Festival 2017 and got nominated at Dubai Film Festival 2016 She holds Masters in Leadership & Innovation in Contemporary Media from the American University in Dubai (AUD) , and Bachelor Degree in Digital Production and Storytelling from AUD. She holds a certificate in Middle Eastern Studies. More personally, Zaina is Palestinian, born & raised in UAE. She is passionate about content & media innovations in all its forms whether it is TV, Film or digital. Always lost in cinema theatres, with her family, or listening to peoples inspirational stories. Her obsession with media came from her belief in the powerful positive impact that this tool can bring to make people better. "Working in TikTok is truly an enjoyable adventure.. Between discovering talents, growing creative communities, and exploring infinite opportunities"

moderator

Eman Yahia

Writer, Content Creator

---

moderator

Hend Rabie

Medical Intern, Artist, Content Creator

---

moderator

Shaimaa Hassan

WYF Mental Health Initiative Coordinator

---

moderator

Ali Khaled

Architect, Freelancer Photoshop Ambassador, Content Creator

---

moderator

Dr. Moustafa ElNaha

Psychiatrist, Consultant in psychiatry and drug treatment. Director, Sabeel Center for Psychiatry and Addiction. , Founder

---

School of Psychotherapy Preparation and Training

moderator

Nancy Bahmad

Journalist/Presenter

---

Forbes Middle East

Nancy Bahmad is a presenter and business strategist at Forbes Middle East. She has a passion for the intersection of fashion and business and has become a sought-after figure in both arenas. Nancy’s expertise in digital media and fashion marketing combines with her rich background in the television industry, making her a formidable force on the region’s fashion, business, and media landscapes. In front of the camera, Nancy has contributed to respected television channels including Rotana and Annahar and she frequently hosts shows, both online and on live TV, that delve into the latest trends and innovations. Over time, Nancy has had the privilege of sitting down with numerous international celebrities and public figures in the Middle East, resulting in impactful interviews that showcase her skills in leading candid and engaging conversations.

moderator

Ramia Farrage

Senior Presenter / Producer

---

Forbes Middle East

Ramia is a Senior Producer and Presenter at Forbes Middle East, as well as a Moderator with a long history of hosting a variety of public and private sector events. At Forbes, Ramia hosts the Daily Brief, an online twice daily show focusing on breaking business news. She also conducts interviews with international business and world leaders. From its launch in 2007 until 2021, Ramia led the Emirates News broadcast on Dubai One TV as the Presenter and News Bulletin Editor. Previous to her role at Emirates News, from 2002 to 2007, Ramia presented and produced the program Business Arabia, which aired internationally on CNBC. Ramia has interviewed several world leaders including General Pervez Musharraf, President of Pakistan, Mohammed Khatami, President of Iran, Gerhard Schroeder, Chancellor of Germany and Jimmy Carter, US President. She is a moderator at major events including the World Government Summit in Dubai, the Middle East Investment Forum, and the Forbes 30/50 Summit, to name a few. Ramia holds a MA in Global Diplomacy-International Relations from the University of London, SOAS, as well as a BA in Communications from the University of Winnipeg and an associate degree in Journalism from Red River College.

moderator

Sally Mousa

Senior Presenter

---

Forbes Middle East

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.

speaker

Dina Ayman

Serial Entrepreneur

---

Dina Ayman, Egyptian-American investor on AI Venture Capital Funds, leads Software Engineering programs at Microsoft Headquarters, and a Professor of Computer & Electrical Engineering at New Jersey Institute of Technology. Dina is a Forbes Under 30 Honoree for North America in Enterprise Technology and have received a Presidential Award from the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, H.E. Abdelfattah Elsisi for being one of the most influential world youth at the World Youth Forum. She has graduated with both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in the same year in Computer Engineering with honors. Dina is a strong advocate for Diversity & Inclusion and Women in Technology using her voice across the world speaking at conferences, TV shows, and on her platforms with millions around the world.

speaker

Khoubaib Kouas

YouTuber

---

Kouas is a YouTuber and travel enthusiast, having traveled to 47 countries across four continents. His YouTube channel has over 104.5 million views and 1.8 million subscribers, while he has 2.2 million followers on Instagram and 3.8 million followers on Facebook as of October 2023. He won a Best Tourism Content Creator Award on Facebook from the Arab Union for Tourist Media in 2023.

speaker

Dana Alsulaiman

Assistant Professor

---

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

Dana Alsulaiman is an Assistant Professor of Material Science and Bioengineering at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and the Principal Investigator of the BioMAD Lab, which focuses on developing advanced biomaterials and next-generation technologies for minimally-invasive disease diagnosis and personalized therapy. Her research includes advancements in encoded hydrogel microparticles, smart microneedles, as well as optical and electrochemical point-of-care biosensors. Dr Alsulaiman completed her undergraduate and Master’s degrees in Biomedical Engineering at Imperial College London in 2015 and was then granted the President’s PhD Scholarship to support her doctoral studies. In 2019, she moved to the USA to pursue a postdoctoral fellowship at MIT. Throughout her academic career, she received many prestigious awards including the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) Healthcare Technologies Award (2019), the MIT Innovator’s Under 35 Award (2021), and most recently the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Young Talent Award (2023). Her translational efforts have also received international recognition, earning her a top spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 (MENA) List for 2023. Outside of academia, Dr Alsulaiman strives to promote youth in STEM and foster international collaborations through her involvement in outreach programs, renowned youth forums, and international symposiums, most notably co-chairing the Precision Medicine session at the 2023 Arab-American Frontiers Symposium.

speaker

Ahmad Haffar

Managing Partner

---

Mindloop Studios

Haffar is known as “the voice of Dubai.” He has crafted music for 71 companies and recorded voiceovers for 100 brands, including more than 20 government brands. A school dropout, Haffar has been a partner in the audio production house “Mindloop Studios” since 2017. He also built an academy that teaches skills for creative media and partnered with STARZPLAY to develop his first comedy show.

speaker

Lama Aloraiman

Cofounder and COO

---

Ignition LLC

Ignition LLC is Kuwait's first space exploration research and development company. Aloraiman aims to build an analog habitat in Kuwait that simulates the Martian environment. At the age of 18, she became Kuwait’s national point of contact for the Space Generation Advisory Council and the national coordinator of the World Space Week Association in 2019. Aloraiman was granted an Emerging Space Leader Award by the International Astronautical Federation in 2022 and was named a space ambassador for Kuwait

speaker

Bader Shirah

Researcher, Founder and CEO

---

Nebula Research and Development

Shirah has published more than 160 papers in international peer-reviewed journals. He also released a book on space medicine in Arabic and led workshops to educate Saudi students and scientists about the emerging field of space medicine. Shirah founded Nebula Research & Development, a Saudi company specializing in space medicine research and development. He is currently conducting in-space research on the Saudi astronaut mission Ax-2 in order to better understand the effects of microgravity and radiation on the human body.

speaker

Galal Elbeshbishy

Cofounder and COO

---

Synapse Analytics

Elbeshbishy cofounded Synapse Analytics, which helps businesses embed AI and machine learning into their operations. Its flagship tool, Konan, allows financial institutions to manage their credit risk decisions. Between October 2022 and October 2023, the company processed more than $105 million in granted loans and roughly three times that amount in rejected or undisbursed loans. Synapse Analytics has over 50 clients, including P&G and Unilever, and has raised $2 million in funding.

speaker

Kareem Ayyad

Cofounder

---

Uktob.ai

Ayyad cofounded Uktob.ai, the startup behind AI assistant Faheem, which has over 250,000 registered users and 100,000 monthly active users. The company has raised $250,000 in pre-seed funding from Hustle Fund, Beyond Capital, and strategic angels in MENA. Its products used to be freemium, but it recently introduced subscriptions. Uktob.ai recently launched a web platform with Faheem Chrome Extension.

speaker

Keswin Suresh

Cofounder and COO

---

DarDoc

Suresh is the cofounder of DarDoc, a health-tech platform that offers primary, nursing, and social care services at home. It has been incubated and supported by Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health, Hub71, Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund, Flat6Labs U.A.E., and The Garage in Saudi Arabia. It has raised $1 million in seed funding from angel investors, Flat6Labs U.A.E., and family offices. Today, the platform has over 500 professionals and has served more than 7,000 patients across Abu Dhabi and Dubai, accumulating over 150,000 care hours.

speaker

Abdulrahman Qumsani

Cofounder

---

Mthmr

Mthmr is a personal finance management platform that helps MENA residents manage their savings. In August, the company raised $1.6 million in funding from Wa’ed Ventures, Dahran Trading Group, and Le Augure, alongside a group of supportive angel investors, bringing its total funding to $2 million to date. Qumsani also founded Gharsa, a non-profit organization in the environmental protection area, and has led environmental campaigns in collaboration with Emaar, The Economic City (EEC) and Saudi’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture.

speaker

Sanjeet Sahni

Cofounder

---

Swing Capital

Sahni co-founded Swing Capital in 2022, a venture capital firm that helps entrepreneurs in the sports, media, and lifestyle sectors by providing capital and industry expertise. With a fund of $20 million, it investment ticket size ranges between $250,000 and $1 million. Swing Capital has partnerships with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the Saudi Ministry of Sports, the Dubai Sports Council, SRJ Sports Investments, Monsha'at, and Qatar Sports Investments.

speaker

Diala Khashan

Cofounder

---

Vatrin

Vatrin is a social marketplace that allows small businesses to set up websites to facilitate online orders, manage inventory, and accept payments. It raised $500,000 in its first investment round from the Ibtikar Fund and an additional $250,000 from the World Bank as a co-investment matching grant. It operates in Palestine, Egypt, and Iraq, with over 12,000 SMEs on board. Vatrin has more than 60,000 app downloads. Before founding Vatrin, Khashan started her career working with NGOs such as UNRWA before working as a content manager at Palestinian startup Yamsafer.

speaker

Hasan Jaafar

Cofounder and COO

---

YY ReGen

Jaafar focuses on renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and water solutions through his venture, YY ReGen. The company has eight operational units, including the ReGen-R8 project, a portable solar power unit that can be rented to farmers to provide them with energy as a service, in addition to an IoT system for remote monitoring purposes. Through these units, YY ReGen reduces approximately 120 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

speaker

Hiba AlMasoud

Cofounder and Managing Partner

---

Sauce Capital

AlMasoud cofounded the food-tech startup Sauce Capital in 2020. It currently operates 17 kitchens and owns 40 food brands. Among their brands are Chic Flic, Bu Wagyu, BWL, Laffa, Sliced, and Egg Bun. Its app, CHEW, is a marketplace that allows customers to order from multiple restaurants in a single order with one rider and one delivery fee. With over 19,000 active users as of September 2023, Sauce Capital has secured funding through angel investors, government grants, institutional investment, and family and friends.

speaker

Mohamed Ehab, Omar Rezk

Cofounders

---

Entlaq

Ehab, Rezk, and Zaghloul cofounded Entlaq as an accelerator program and consultancy services firm. It launched its programs in January 2023 to focus on early-stage to pre-seed startups with two annual cohorts. Each cohort features a four to six-month acceleration program with an investment ticket of up to $50,000 per startup. Entlaq has also launched initiatives to support the Egyptian ecosystem through partnerships with the World Youth Forum, the UNDP, the International Labour Organization, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization. It provides consultancy services to companies, including Egypt’s Rabbit, Saudi’s Rasmal, and India’s Ninjacart, among others.

speaker

Dania Moussa

Scriptwriter, Director, and Author

---

Moussa is a scriptwriter, director, media consultant, and published author. From 2021 to October 2023, she worked as a Creative Content Development Manager at VIU MENA, a video streaming provider, where she reviewed, evaluated, selected, and developed original creative content for the platform. Her script, “Al-Yaquobya,” won the best screenplay prize at the International Original Narrative Students Film Festival in Dubai in 2014. Moussa also wrote, produced, and directed the second season of the podcast “Juha” for Finyal Media. She has been co-writing Podcast Abajora since 2017, an Arabic podcast on Emirates Airline.

speaker

Magdi Moussa

Cofounder

---

IMMRSV

Former college mates Moussa and El Abiad launched their innovation studio in Edtech and Fintech, IMMRSV, in 2017. Today, it leads edtech initiatives for brands such as Udacity, Meta, UNDP, the African Union, Misk Academy, ITIDA, and the Saudi Central Bank. Notable initiatives include One Million Arab Coders, which was led by the Dubai Future Foundation, Udacity, the Egypt FWD initiative with the Egyptian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and the Next Coders Initiative. IMMRSV is present in Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, the U.A.E., Oman, Nigeria, Kenya, Cameroon, Ghana, South Africa, and Pakistan.

speaker

Bassel Jalaleddine

Founder and Managing Partner

---

eFlow.ai

Jalaleddine helped 16,000 learners through the platform he founded. eFlow is an AI-powered conversational learning platform with an interactive chatbot, offering courses through social apps such as WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook Messenger, Microsoft Teams, and Slack. Through eFlow, courses are converted into short videos, images, and voice notes. eFlow aims to engage 20,000 learners by the end of 2023. It reaches learners across seven countries, including Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq, with the support of UNHCR, the Near East Foundation, and the Queen Rania Foundation.

speaker

Mohammad Zatara

Founder and CEO

---

Wajeez

Wajeez offers users audio and text summaries of non-fiction books in Arabic. Its library consists of over 3,500 book summaries, over 5,000 podcast episodes, and 108 novels. Having launched in December 2020, it began operations in early 2021 with offices in Amman and Riyadh. As of October 2023, it had over 6.5 million downloads and $7 million in funding, including $3 million in a pre-Series A round in 2021, led by STV, Shorooq Partners, Mawdoo3, and Wise Venture.

speaker

Abdelrazek Aly

Cofounder

---

Bonocle

Aly and Abdulzaher started Bonocle in 2015 after Aly had a car accident where he had to join a special needs center and interact with the blind community for the first time. Bonocle’s portable uni-cell braille device allows blind individuals to interpret the contents of any electronic device through the medium of braille. This allows them to play games with their sighted friends and family, both in-person and online, and study and read books. After connecting to a smartphone, Bonocle converts content on the screen to braille in real time. Bonocle had raised $1.1 million in funding from angel investors, NGOs, and government organizations as of October 2023.

speaker

Mustafa Abd Ellatif

Cofounder and CEO

---

EYouth

EYouth has more than 1.6 million learners, with over 350,000 successful jobs matched by its graduates. It has three main offices in Egypt, the U.A.E., and Saudi Arabia. It has programs in 14 countries and plans to expand its reach across MENA over the next five years. It has raised $2 million from VCs and angel investors.

speaker

Abdullah Al-Atrash

Cofounder

---

Natrify

Al-Atrash launched Natrify in 2020 to provide sustainable solutions for the bioplastic industry through biotechnology. After the commercial launch in 2022, Natrify acquired a licensee in the U.S. with a starting capacity of 1,000 tons a year to reach 70,000 tons a year by the fourth year of the contract. It is currently negotiating a license in Saudi Arabia, and two other licensees in the EU are in the pipeline. Natrify’s process enables it to enhance air quality by reducing an average of 2,450 tons of CO2 emissions for every ton of plastic production while not contributing to any microplastics.

speaker

Omar Emara

Cofounder and COO

---

FreshSource

FreshSource helps reduce food loss by managing the sourcing, distribution, and delivery of fresh produce. It also offers data analytics to help producers adjust their production plans. The company has generated over $200,000 in extra farmer income and claims its model leads to an average of 15% increase in producer's income and a 10% reduction in the business' costs. It has also partnered with the Central Bank of Egypt to pioneer agriculture loans for producers.

speaker

Alaa Afifi

Founder and CEO

---

Bekia

Afifi launched Bekia in 2017 to allow users to exchange their inorganic waste—such as cans, plastics, food, oil, and metal—for cash over a mobile wallet or bank account. It has recycled over 10,000 tons of waste and collected more than 10 million plastic bottles. It has secured investment from Flat6Labs, OFT Wadi, Catalyst Fund, and Core Vision.

speaker

Omer Badokhon

Cofounder and CEO

---

BioTreasure

BioTreasure is a social enterprise that develops small and decentralized biogas plants. Its system allows consumers to convert their organic waste into energy and organic fertilizers. Today, it has more than 40 users using its biogas systems daily. The company had provided more than 30,000 cubic meters of clean and renewable biogas, more than 30,000 hours of clean cooking gas, and more than 320 tons of high-quality biofertilizer as of October 2023.

speaker

Reine Metlej

Cofounder

---

BIOwayste

BIOwayste converts organic waste into cooking gas and biofertilizer. Its smaller restaurant-oriented machine can process seven tons of organic waste annually. It also offers scalable solutions with capacities of up to 50 tons per year. Metlej is also a startup trainer for accelerators and incubators in Lebanon and abroad for organizations such as INJAZ Lebanon and Nucleus Ventures. She was selected as a member of the Youth Advisory Board (YAB) for the European Commission Evaluation.

speaker

AbdelQader Al Saqqaf

U.A.E. Youth Delegate at the United Nations for 2022

---

Al Saqqaf is one of the U.A.E.’s youngest delegates to the UN, having engaged in over 70 global summits since 2016, including the World Government Summit. He advocated for the inclusion and empowerment of youth at institutional levels and within sustainable development policies and negotiated several resolutions in the General Assembly on Sustainability, Economic Affairs, and Social Development. On the topic of youth peace and security, he delivered recommendations to the member states and the UN-SG to introduce Youth Advisors to peacekeeping missions in Africa.

speaker

Abdulaziz Abdulmalek

Co-Founder and Creative Director

---

Aisha Jewels

Abdulaziz joined Aisha Jewels in 2018 supporting the rapid growth of the company started by Aisha Abdulmalek in 2014. From the years 2019 – 2022, he helped develop the back end of the business focusing on operations, account management, export, and building and training the team in addition to working on developing a clear strategy to produce professional marketing content for Aisha Jewels that focuses on conveying the company’s message to its clientele. The pandemic played a pivotal role in the company and due to its unique positioning in operating virtually it succeeded in growing by 100%. By 2022 the company began to take its current form, and the team grew to a 100% Bahraini team of 9 young Bahrainis who manage the company operations from its Aisha Jewels main office in the heart of Manama. Operations also expanded to offices in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

speaker

Maria Zavodskova

Founder

---

Pelican Buro

My name is Maria. Me and Pelican Buro began life in 2018 with a vision of super client oriented and personal touch, and now Pelican Buro has evolved into a travel club with lots of like-minded members. When I started Pelican Buro business, it was not supposed to be a bus,it was a hobby. As I ve been a consumer and I knew they way it should be. We never stop working, we definitely ensure that our members receive the very best service, support and inspiration. It’s what makes us the travel club for travel lovers. Which advice I would give to someone who’d like to start a travel business? Surround yourself with really smart people.

speaker

Stephanie Nour Prince

Partner

---

Nuwa Capital

Stephanie Nour Prince is partner at Nuwa Capital where she leads on Network, LP engagement and operations where she works closely with Nuwa’s Limited Partners and portfolio companies. Prior to Nuwa, Stephanie Nour was Wamda’s Director of Communications and Outreach, working on outreach and partnerships with multiple stakeholders in the MENA startup ecosystem. At Wamda, she focused on building the brand and community since joining in 2012, and led on programs such as the MIT Media Lab workshop Dubai, the American University of Beirut’s Reboot Beirut Hackathon, and the Crown Prince Court’s Minds on a Mission Design Thinking workshop among other programs and deal sourcing activities. She has a BS in Computer Science from the American University of Beirut.

speaker

Fadi Al Awami

Fintech Expert and SME Consultant

---

Fadi Al Awami is a senior specialist in the entrepreneurship and start-ups sector and has been working multiple roles in the last five years including Consultant at the World Bank Group and an SME consultant in the Saudi Advisory Center Office. Currently he is focusing on empowering Fintechs in the region and helping global Fintech to expand in our region. Fadi is also an active writer and a contributing editor in Forbes Middle East since May 2017, with more than 60 articles published in regional and global publications. He is a member of the Financial Committee of Asharqia Chamber (Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia Chamber), National Committee for Financial and Insurance Sector in the Federation of Saudi Chambers, and both Saudi-Qatari Business Council and Saudi-Omani Business Council.

speaker

Shams Aldeen

Founder & CEO

---

Dozzer Middle East

Born and raised in the vibrant city of Dubai, Shams has always had a passion for the world of business. His journey began with a solid foundation in marketing, having graduated from the University of Dubai with a bachelor's degree in the field. With a sharp mind for marketing, he quickly ascended to the position of marketing manager in multinational corporations. However, his entrepreneurial spirit beckoned him to create something truly transformative. In 2020, Shams founded Dozzer Middle East, an ambitious heavy equipment marketplace. In a short time, it evolved into the Middle East's fastest-growing platform, boasting listings not only in the UAE but also in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Egypt. In 2022, he ventured into the world of digital marketing, establishing Ranked Oman, which swiftly secured its place as one of the top 10 digital marketing agencies in Oman. Always on the lookout for new opportunities, Shams continues to redefine industries and seek fresh avenues for growth and innovation.

speaker

Maram Abadi

Vice President of the Young Arab Researchers Council

---

Arab Youth Center

Dr. Maram Abadi, presently serving as the Vice President of the Young Arab Researchers Council at the Arab Youth Center and in the capacity of Strategy and Planning Advisor at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), stands as an influential force in the realm of youth empowerment, research, and innovation. Dr. Abadi's professional journey includes her prior role as the Senior Special Projects Manager at The Red Sea Global, where she led the charge in pioneering numerous significant green initiatives. Her visionary leadership was instrumental in the resounding success of these initiatives. With a Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Engineering from KAUST, Dr. Abadi has made a lasting impact in her field, contributing research to distinguished journals, such as Nature Communication. Her exceptional contributions have garnered her esteemed accolades, notably the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Middle East Fellowship in 2017 and the Forbes Ignite Fellowship in 2021. Furthermore, she has been a prominent representative of Arab youth at the prestigious World Government Summit in both 2018 and 2022. Dr. Maram Abadi's career serves as a testament to her unwavering dedication to research, environmental science, and the empowerment of the next generation of Arab innovators.

speaker

Haneen Asfour

TEDx Speaker - Youth Advocate

---

Haneen Asfour is a dynamic force in the world of youth empowerment and community development. In 2019, she ignited her passion for change by founding a remarkable community organization, Level Up, that has since empowered countless youth. With unwavering dedication, Haneen has been a catalyst for positive social change, using her platform to inspire and uplift the next generation through social media, workshops, and her TEDx talk. Haneen's journey took a significant leap when she assumed the role of PR Manager at GMG. In this capacity, she's leveraged her strategic communication skills to amplify important messages, foster partnerships, and drive corporate social responsibility initiatives. Her visionary leadership has consistently bridged the gap between corporate objectives and social impact, leaving an indelible mark on GMG's reputation from the lense of Gen Z. Her unwavering commitment to youth empowerment and her outstanding achievements in the field of public relations make her an inspiring figure in both the corporate and social realms. Her story is one of purpose, passion, and unwavering dedication to making the world a better place for future generations. She is also currently assisting youngsters achieve their dream roles and careers through her startup, Level Up Careers.

speaker

Alaa AlZawawi

Serial Entrepreneur

---

Alaa AlZawawi is a dynamic and influential Saudi serial entrepreneur who has left an indelible mark across a spectrum of diverse industries. With an unwavering passion for entrepreneurship and brand development, she has emerged as a prominent figure, boasting an impressive portfolio spanning the realms of Food & Beverage, beauty & wellness, and technology. Alaa's commitment extends beyond her business pursuits. She is a tireless advocate for women's empowerment and business diversity, relentlessly shattering glass ceilings and amplifying the spirit of modern entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Her dedication to fostering a more inclusive and equitable business landscape is truly remarkable, as she strives to create opportunities and inspire countless aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly women, to follow in her footsteps. In the ever-evolving landscape of the Middle East's entrepreneurial ecosystem, Alaa AlZawawi stands as a beacon of inspiration and a force for positive change, embodying the ideals of innovation, diversity, and empowerment. She is currently the founder of Momos Saudi & Foul and Tamees, Co-Founder of Gift-It, and Partner at Zaaz.

speaker

Ahmed Zaki

SVP - Legal Affairs

---

Al Hamra Group LLC

Ahmed Zaki is a distinguished recognized legal expert with extensive proficiency in strategic planning, risk management, negotiation, and dispute resolution. His expertise spans corporate, commercial, civil, labour, and criminal laws in the Middle East. A frequent speaker at international conferences, Ahmed is dedicated to promoting legal education and awareness. Currently serving as General Counsel, Ahmed ensures strict compliance with regional regulations while orchestrating organizational functions, specializing in contracts related to property, retail, leisure, hospitality, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate restructuring. Ahmed mentors cross-functional legal teams to achieve core business objectives, fostering operational excellence. His adept problem-solving skills enable him to efficiently manage complex projects, providing astute solutions for legal and governance matters. With prior roles as a Judge in Egypt and a Public Prosecutor in Egypt and the UAE, Ahmed brings invaluable insights into the legal landscape and a deep understanding of the legal system and the challenges faced by businesses and individuals. Ahmed is committed to supporting businesses to achieve their goals through sound legal advice, earning trust as a key advisor to leading companies in the Middle East. Ahmed holds a Master's in Law from the prestigious Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport, and a Bachelor of Law from Alexandria University.

speaker

Sana Choyakh

Sales & Business Growth Manager

---

Lutron

Accomplished sales, marketing, and management professional, with an international 22-year track record in senior leadership roles, adept in shaping and executing data-powered growth initiatives and orchestrating impactful business transformations. Expert at Business-to-Business and Business-to-Consumer, with mastery of omnichannel marketing driving performance and business growth. A proven history of driving success for renowned global brands spanning the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. A passionate advocate for youth and female empowerment, served as a UN Women mentor, and part of Kili4Kids initiative, climbing summits to raise funds for children around the world Core Qualifications: • Strategic Vision • Data-driven decision making • Business Growth • ROI Focus • P&L management and budgeting • Brand Equity Building • Multi-Channel Marketing • Marketing Technology Proficiency • Market Expansion • Customer Relationship Management • Leadership and Team Management • Communication and Public Speaking • Storytelling • Agility • Entrepreneurial mindset • Multi-lingual: Arabic, French, English

speaker

Nargiza Akbekova

Founder & CEO

---

AI Group

Nargiza Akbekova started her business story in the jewelry industry in 2015. Being at the beginning of e-commerce presence in Central Asia, she built sales-focused strategies to set up several distribution channels, requiring only a minimal investment in resources from the brand's end. To date, her business development group with headquarters in Dubai served more than 115 000 clients across the globe. Being an award-winning young entrepreneur, Nargiza built up a business development group that includes marketing management advisory, business transformation, educational courses, event management, a private equity fund, IT solutions, and a content production house. Today AI Group is a fully packed business group that drives the expansion of international & local companies into the Middle East market. The company contributes to The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, with the most focus on goal #4 - Quality education.

speaker

Khaled Ghorab

Founder

---

Irtiqa International Consultancy

Recognized for blending business acumen with relationship-building, Khaled Ghorab stands out as a Business Coach from the Middle East who bridges execution prowess with the relational side of business. With over 14 years of experience as a Gender Intelligent Business & Executive Coach, Khaled has a track record of remarkable results, including saving companies $6.7M in just an hour of coaching and doubling revenues for businesses from 35 million in a year. Specializing in fostering strategic growth through relationships, Khaled's expertise lies in Gender Intelligence, Immunity to Change, and Gino Wickman's Traction methodologies. An award-winning coach, TEDx speaker, and author of "The Art of Winning People Over", Khaled has been featured on platforms like MBC TV, Dubai TV, and Abu Dhabi TV. Having spoken at events like the STEP Conference in Dubai and collaborated with UAE's top VC firm Shorooq Partners, Khaled believes that "any partnership is like a cup of coffee; what you put in it defines its taste", emphasizing the importance of nurturing business partnerships for sustained growth.

speaker

Gergana Abdulrahman

Co-Founder & CEO

---

WILD FABRIK

With over 15 years experience in startups, Gergana is a highly ambitious entrepreneur with a good eye for building strong brands. Naturally analytical yet creative, with a passion to drive others towards achieving their best potential. Her hands-on mentality gives her the ability to set up efficient business processes, build brands, products, and manage P&Ls. Apart from various independent consulting roles she takes on, she is currently the Co-founder and CEO for WILD FABRIK, a sustainable e-commerce marketplace changing the world of online retail with our planet in mind. Her goal is to find truth and build the narrative as she continues her journey towards making the region more sustainable.

speaker

Sarah Badr

WYF General Coordinator, and Egypt's Nominee for the UN Assistant

---

Secretary General for Youth Affairs

Sarah Badr currently serves as the General Coordinator of the World Youth Forum (WYF), a dynamic platform that empowers global youth to exchange perspectives and propose initiatives to influential policymakers and world leaders. Prior to this, she served as the official spokesperson of the WYF. In her role as spokesperson, Badr has been dedicated to advancing youth participation in sustainable development, peacebuilding, and policy and decision-making, the foundational pillars of the WYF. As a passionate youth activist, Sarah actively fosters dialogues and collaborations on pressing global issues, including migration, climate change, and sustainable development. Her involvement extends to her role as a Regional Facilitator with the United Nations Network on Migration, where she plays a pivotal role in supporting the implementation of the Global Compact for Migration. Additionally, she served for the UN Major Group for Children and Youth - Migration Platform where she eloquently represents the voices and interests of young people from the Middle East and Africa region in policy discussions and advocacy initiatives, particularly during the first GCM reviews in the Arab Region. Sarah Badr's dedication to youth and migration issues has earned her the prestigious appointment as an African Youth Migration Ambassador by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the African Union. In this capacity, she champions the critical role of youth in policy advocacy on migration matters. With a strong academic background, Sarah holds a master's degree in engineering and finance from Imperial College London, complemented by a diploma in Applied Geophysics and a bachelor's degree in Geoscience from Alexandria University. She is also a graduate of the Presidential Leadership Program in Egypt. Leveraging her extensive expertise as a Senior Expert in the Energy field, she serves as an innovation focal point for artificial intelligence (AI) projects at SLB, the global leader in technology solutions for the energy industry. Her technical proficiency and domain knowledge empower her to apply AI solutions that enhance the performance and efficiency of energy exploration and production operations. Driven by a steadfast commitment to leveraging science and technology to address the world's most pressing challenges, Sarah Badr is dedicated to creating opportunities and spaces for young voices and empowering the next generation of leaders and changemakers.

speaker

Mohammed Eliyan

CEO

---

SaVest

Eng. Mohamed Eliyan, co-founder at SaVest, a company based in Qatar. My educational background is in electrical engineering, but my interests have expanded to encompass technology and the Internet of Things (IoT). I have realized the immense impact of technological advancements on the world, and I constantly strive to be part of these pioneering transformations. My academic experience in electrical engineering significantly influenced my view of the technological world. Currently, I am pursuing a master's degree in business administration, aiming to bridge the gap between technology and business management. I firmly believe that the fusion of technical knowledge with a deep understanding of management is key to success in the modern world.

speaker

Marina El Khawand

Founder

---

Medonations NGO, Global Health Equity Leader

Marina El Khawand is a Global Health Equity Ambassador and the Founder of Medonations NGO, committed to providing free, equal, and equitable medical assistance across the nation. Her journey commenced at 18, in response to the Beirut explosion, when Medonations was launched. What began as a personal endeavor quickly evolved into a global NGO, a testament to Marina's visionary leadership. Her early engagement in humanitarian work, rooted in her Lebanese upbringing, laid a solid foundation. Marina's commitment continued through her school years, culminating in her association with several social service actions. These experiences collectively molded her into the woman, humanitarian, and Law graduate she is today at 22, catalyzing transformative global change and ardently advocating for equal health rights. In 2022, the construction of Medonations' Free Clinic in Beirut was initiated, equipped with state-of-the-art medical facilities. This year, the impact was extended internationally by registering Medonations France and establishing its first European headquarters to enhance support for Lebanon. Medonations has made a profound impact within Lebanon's borders, saving over 20,000 lives and covering the costs of more than 110 surgeries. In addition, Medonations launched 50 international medical collection points in over 50 countries across the globe. Her motto, "Anyone, anywhere, and at any stage of life has the potential to become a lifesaver, a catalyst for change, and a creator of hope," drives her unwavering commitment.

speaker

Hasan Alsoud

CEO

---

Tiptop

Hailing from Iraq, Hasan Alsoud, a visionary entrepreneur, boasts a prolific career in the tech realm. With an innate knack for innovation, Hasan Alsoud, at the age of 38, has already left an indelible mark on the entrepreneurial landscape. His journey commenced amidst the vibrant streets of Dubai, where he spent 15 formative years steeped in diverse cultures and a burgeoning tech scene. Embarking on his entrepreneurial voyage, he ventured into the tech domain, founding and successfully selling a groundbreaking startup. His trailblazing app, facilitating food and grocery delivery, revolutionized convenience and accessibility in the industry. His global odyssey led him through pivotal stops in 8 countries , each fostering a unique blend of experiences and insights. Now poised for another venture, this tenacious CEO is set to embark on a new entrepreneurial endeavor. Drawing from his diverse background and past triumphs, he seeks to channel his expertise and passion into launching a new startup, poised to redefine paradigms and drive innovation in the tech sphere once again.

speaker

Jad Al Fakhani

Co-founder & CEO

---

Beycom LLC

Jad, known as "Wolfofbey" on social media, is the founder of Beycom LLC, a company that focuses on eCommerce in the Middle East. Beycom LLC Launches, acquires, and invests in popular online eCommerce businesses in the region. Jad is also an Instagram business coach who has helped more than 70,000 people tap into the world of eCommerce entrepreneurship through his content and advice. He has launched the Wolfofbey online school, which has become the fastest-growing and highest-rated online business program in the Middle East with over 3,000 students in the first year. Other industries that he has tapped into vary from Food & beverage, Gaming, Virtual Reality and Health & beauty.

speaker

Dr. Randa Diab-Bahman, SFHEA

Sustainability Head

---

Kuwait Technical College WASD Member

Dr. Diab-Bahman is a Senior Lecturer with a research focus in social policy, social responsibility & reputation. She has authored four books which explore differences amongst cultures & their impact on business environments. She is also a newspaper columnist, with a dedicated column specializing in addressing the need for change towards sustainable development. She has recently received the prestigious ‘Sustainability Pioneer‘ award from the World Association for Sustainable Development WASD, as well as a ‘Pandemic Hero’ award from Kuwait’s Amiri Diwan for her academic & social efforts throughout the community.

speaker

Nourhan Maher Salem

Positive Psychology and Well-Being Coach

---

Nourhan Maher embarked on an inspirational professional journey, starting with an engineering degree and five adventurous years in the dynamic realm of O&G as a field engineer. Taking a leap of faith, she transitioned into IT, navigating diverse countries and corporate cultures in diverse leadership roles across EMEA. This enriching adventure shaped her continuous growth, leading her to become an ICF certified positive psychology coach. A catalyst for human development, Nourhan, guided by her character strengths—love, spirituality, creativity, curiosity, and social intelligence—empowers others on a transformative journey from survival to thriving. Her journey is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and the pursuit of one's true calling. Nourhan's story is a celebration of transformation and flourishing in every aspect of life. Get ready to be inspired as she brings a unique approach to Well-Being—an odyssey marked by purpose, impact, and continual growth.

speaker

Ingy Yousri Ismail

CEO and Founder

---

Flare PR

Ingy Yousri Ismail is the CEO and Founder of Flare PR, a boutique agency that specializes in fashion, luxury goods and lifestyle brands, she brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her clients. Prior to starting her agency, she worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Salvatore Ferragamo, Aquazzura, and Diesel after completing her studies at Polimoda. In 2016, Ingy founded Flare PR, driven by her desire to contribute to the growth of the fashion and lifestyle industry in the Middle East. Her agency empowers emerging brands by leveraging the skills and contacts she acquired throughout her career. Inspired by women’s prosperity, the team she created is full of driven career- oriented women who work diligently to make their clients shine brighter. Her strong connections and interpersonal skills have resulted in Flare PR’s collaborations between Middle Eastern and major international brands, such page1image57060112 as Azza Fahmy x Balmain and Okhtein x Balmain. The agency also coordinated the PR for some of the most iconic fashion and lifestyle events in the country, such as the Rami Kadi and Naeem Khan fashion shows as well as managing the first ever event to be held at the Grand Egyptian Museum for Kahhal looms to name a few. Her commitment to the industry extends beyond her work at FLARE PR. As a Fashion PR & Events mentor, Ingy shares her knowledge and experience with the next generation of fashionpreneurs and professionals.

speaker

Mohammed Bader

Co- Founder / CEO

---

Division International Engineering consultants

Mohammed Bader is a young Palestinian Entrepreneur, Engineer and Businessman. Graduated as a Civil Engineer and have MBA and PMP. Mohammed Bader stands at the helm of Division International Engineering Consultants, a leading engineering firm with a global footprint. With an extensive background in Engineering and Management, Bader has successfully translated technical expertise into a thriving business venture. Having embarked on the entrepreneurial journey, Bader co-founded Division, a dynamic engineering company that has rapidly expanded its presence across strategic locations, including UAE, Saudi Arabia and Palestine. Under his visionary leadership, the company has earned a reputation for excellence, delivering innovative and sustainable solutions in the field of Architecture, Interior Design and other Engineering Services. Bader's commitment to quality, coupled with a strategic approach to business, has propelled his Business to the forefront of the industry. His ability to navigate diverse markets and lead a multicultural team reflects a passion for creating impactful and lasting contributions to the engineering landscape. Beyond his professional pursuits, he is recognized for his dedication to Innovative Engineering. His forward-thinking mindset, coupled with a strong commitment to ethical business practices, continues to drive his Business to new heights. As a business luminary, Civil Engineer, and CEO, Bader exemplifies the intersection of technical acumen and entrepreneurial vision, inspiring a new era of innovation in the engineering sector.

speaker

Kish Jeane

Fashion Designer

---

Kish Jeane is a fashion designer who specializes in wearable art, Kish started as a visual artist specialized in painting and sculpting, he then merged his passion for art and fashion to create his wearable art brand, Kish has broken many records including the Guinness world record for the longest cape worn by Lebanese pop star Najwa Karam, and being the first Jordanian designer to showcase at New York Fashion Week. Kish has become one of the most promising fashion designers in Jordan. Kish Jeane the brand also focuses on sustainability, he has collaborated with chefs and created a couple of dresses from bio materials made from food waste as well as biodegradable materials.

speaker

Sultan Kayed

Founder and Head Chef

---

GOAT and LIT Pizzeria

Sultan Kayed, a thriving Emirati restaurateur and self-taught chef, has achieved remarkable success at the young age of 26. He has introduced two flourishing food concepts; GOAT, an indie burger joint, and an iconic name in Dubai, boasting two thriving locations and with plans to expand globally in 2024. LIT Pizzeria, initially as a pop-up during Ramadan, LIT Pizzeria is set to unveil its first permanent location in November 2023, and two more sites are set to open across the UAE in 2024. Sultan has not only immersed himself in the culinary world but has also become a respected industry leader. He is the face behind the renowned Sultan Eats (@sultan.eats) brand, where he takes his followers on a delicious journey across the UAE and beyond, offering insightful reviews of the dishes he encounters. Sultan consistently pushes the boundaries of creativity, embarking on an ongoing mission to experiment and astonish. His latest endeavour involves an Emoji Menu at GOAT, where dishes are exclusively presented through emojis, eliminating the necessity for written descriptions. His culinary talents have made him a sought-after collaborator for well-known brands, including Red Bull, Yamanote Atelier, SHE Burger, to name just a few.

Moderator

Saba Shamaa

YouTuber & Content Creator

---

Moderator

Sara Alwari

Content Creator

---

Moderator

Ghaith Marwan

Youtuber

---

Moderator

Rozzah

Content Creator

---

Moderator

Bana Elayyan

Content Creator

---

Moderator

Mohammad Alsabbagh

Content Creator

---

Moderator

Yasmeen AlMasri

Content Creator

---

Moderator

Moseb Jaber

Content Creator

---

Moderator

Frah Ashour

Content Creator

---

activities

Ignite

Themed workout Concept

---

Ignite is Egypt’s first performance training facility founded in 2014. Since our founding, our vision has been to help humans perform better no matter the level of athletics that they are at, whether they are a professional athlete or a fitness enthusiast. We believe a complete focus on health and wellness involves focus on physical, mental and emotional wellness. Ignite's vision has always been to be a beacon of hope and a space that guides our community to live happier, healthier, better quality lives and to give the chance to professional athletes to take their careers to a completely different level through science. Ignite Training Programs are designed and developed by the region’s top Performance Training Specialists and backed by the latest science, offering challenging experiences that demand everything you’ve got to move safer, smarter and always keep achieving your fitness and wellness goals.

activities

Upfuse

Workshop

---

activities

Lamiaa Mahmoud

Yoga Instructor

---

Lamiaa Mahmoud is a yoga instructor, a bodyworker and soundhealer. As she embarked on her own self healing journey, she studied and learned many modalities including Kundalini Yoga, Reiki, EFT, Inner Dance, Sound Healing and Kundalini Body Works. This never ending search and harnessing of education and experience led her to a creative sharing mission, where she combines different techniques to hold group space or one on one sessions with her community, in El Gouna, Red Sea and in Switzerland. These holistic techniques assist the body in its self-healing process, by reducing stress, and anxiety, while improving overall health, immunity and mindset. The main ideology behind this modality is that movement, breath and sound currents are used together to allow you to connect with yourself, release the body and mind from old traumas and replace them with pleasure and joy. Lamiaa insists on sharing tools and techniques to foster independence and freedom in her students, so they can be responsible for their own health and healing journey.

activities

Phlog

Photo Experience

---

activities

Toxik

Live graffiti show and workshop

---

Mohamed Shahin a.k.a Toxik is a graffiti artist born and raised in Maadi, Cairo. Toxik was one of the lead pioneers of the urban art movement in Egypt, turning his hometown into his own canvas after buying his first spray-can as an ambitious 13 year old. He drew his inspiration from the graffiti in the video games he played like Tony Hawk, NBA street and GTA to name a few. He started off recreating the pieces he saw in the games on paper, but he quickly took his art to the walls of his neighborhood, slowly spreading his name as a young artist. His first commissioned job was a collaboration with a local brand that was hosted by Virgin Megastores in 2014. At 19 years old it was only up from there for the rising star as he continued to collaborate with major corporations that lead to a 4 year ambassadorship for Montana Cans EG. Among these big names were Redbull, Virgin, Spotify, Adidas, Gold’s Gym, Harley Davidson JKT, Bose and many others. After securing himself a job in 2018 to fund his endeavors, Toxik decided to venture to Bandong in order to formally study pinstriping and airbrushing. By day he painted helmets and tanks for the HOGs (Harley Davidson Owners Group), and by night he painted graffiti all around Bandong. Waiting to attend Tropica Festival, which is one of the most important graffiti festivals in the world located on the shores of Bali, he stayed busy. Tropica to Toxik was a life changing experience, getting to meet and spend one on one time, face to face, painting with his favorite artists from all around the world. The festival was his one way ticket into the life he had been dreaming of, booking many commissioned jobs through the artists he met that day that fell in love with his style. Upon returning to Egypt, his life was never the same. Toxik then landed a sponsorship deal with leading MENA paint manufacturers Colortek, he then introduced his art into the fashion industry by styling multiple mega stars including Egyptian Pop star Mohamed Ramadan, and actors Ahmed Malek and Maged el Kedwany. This launched him into his own fashion design ventures and collaborations including Egyptian label Be-Indie which became a smash hit, selling out almost immediately. This led to the launch of his own concept store under his alias, Toxik, dropping everything from 1 of 1 items to merchandise. Toxik also became an integral part of the Egyptian Hip-Hop scene after he became the art director behind record label M-Town Mafia Records named after his hometown Maadi and founded by his childhood friends. It later became one of the leading record labels in the middle east breaking through with artists like ‘Husayn’ and ‘FL EX’, with him making appearances in multiple iconic music videos and later designing the labels merchandise as well. The journey is only just starting for Mohamed as graffiti reigns as the most influential art form in design and fashion right now. Toxik has become a house-hold name and he is planning on keeping this momentum, it’s only up from here for Toxik

activities

Ngd sketches

---

Nada is a self-taught visual artist who has worked her way into the world of art using vivid, abstract creations of floral shapes, lines, and circles. Her journey began with pen doodles that eventually grew into large-scale acrylic paintings, canvas works, and digital illustrations. She has collaborated with renowned brands such as Adidas, Azza Fahmy, Red Bull, Talabat, and Ovio, bringing her art to wider audiences through various activations and collaborations. Nada is passionate about sharing her love for art through workshops and painting experiences in Cairo. Her belief that "Everyone is an artist at heart" drives these gatherings, creating spaces where art and friends can gather and have a good time. Nada's style is a celebration of colors, inspired mainly by the beauty of nature – from greenery to florals and every color there is. Currently, Nada is focused on refining her techniques and growing an artists’ community further. She’s also hoping she can spread her art more by hopefully launching her own product-line soon.

activities

Mahmoud Abwahab

---

activities

Glow up by Alice

---

activities

Basel Elbagory

---

Basel Elbagory, 18-years-old professional Arabic calligrapher and a Mechanical Engineering student as well. Since I was 10, I was fascinated with the Arabic calligraphy art, I thought it was all about innate ability, then. Fortunately, five years later, I joined the Royal Arabic Calligraphy school to get my diploma in professional Arabic calligraphy art. I began to explore the secrets of that field which pushed me to learn how to digitalize my art pieces. Then, I began to show up in events and campaigns to draw names as a part of the advertising program for companies such as MUNs, Mall of Egypt , Vodafone and Elgouna. My pen granted my soul the liberty to relief, express and protest. I am passionate about experimenting new calligraphic and typographic techniques and giving workshops all under the umbrella of uncovering the beauty of the Arabic identity and catching people’s eyes to promote this elegant art. As time passes, I learn more about the field and how to turn an empty piece of paper or wall into a masterpiece that attracts eyes. I believe that art flourishing indicates the glory of a nation. I am looking forward to making use of my studies to establish a startup that offers modern home accessories and decorations using Arabic calligraphy, in future.