H.E. Mohammed Bin Taliah is the Chief of Government Services of the United Arab Emirates Government, where he oversees improving government services and implementing programs to ensure providing high-quality services through the Emirates Government Service Excellence Program (EGSEP), which aims to raise the efficiency of government services and improve customer experience. He also oversees other programs including the Global Star Rating System, Khadamati system, and the GovTech Prize, an annual global award aiming to encourage government entities and students to develop innovative government services solutions on mobile applications.

Dr. Hamedifar initiated and led the project to develop the first full-cycle biosimilar candidate in the region back in 2002, a co-development project between Fraunhofer Institute and CinnaGen, the successful outcome of this project paved the way to establish the advanced biopharmaceutical infrastructure in the region. Since then, CinnaGen has become a major player in biopharmaceutical era, focusing on large scale manufacturing of biosimilars with world-class quality. CinnaGen provides life-saving treatments through a diverse range of products for conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), cancer, respiratory illnesses, and various rare diseases.

In his role as CEO, Geoffrey Alphonso brings a wealth of experience in strategic thinking with over 25 years of experience implementing business transformations in the North American, Australian, and Middle Eastern markets. Prior to joining Alef Education, Geoffrey was General Manager and Head of PMO/Solutions for Pearson Education’s Middle East and Africa business practice for over nine years, where he grew and led a cross-functional team to drive Pearson’s digital strategy with a combined portfolio of over $30 million across both the K-12 and higher education markets. Before Pearson Education, Geoffrey held senior leadership positions across the EdTech, telecommunications, and finance sectors in Toronto, Canada, and Brisbane, Australia. Geoffrey is an avid enthusiast for the use of technology in education. He also sits on the board of THAKI — a non-governmental organization that provides digital education products and services to underprivileged children in the MENA region. Geoffrey is a member of the elite Forbes Technology Council, an exclusive community of world-class CIOs, CTOs, and technology leaders. He holds an MBA from London Business School.

Mr. Ayman Mokhtar is a global recognized executive, known for advancing innovative approaches that enable healthcare sectors to provide access to quality medications and innovative health solutions to all. With more than twenty years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Mr. Mokhtar is an executive with a broad international experience having held strategic positions within multinational companies and lead regional operations covering Europe, Eurasia, the Middle East and Africa. He is currently the Regional President for Viatris, leading its operations in the Middle East, North Africa and Eurasia Region. Viatris is the global healthcare company formed in November 2020 through the combination of Mylan and Upjohn, a legacy division of Pfizer. Viatris empowers people to live healthier at every stage of life. Viatris portfolio comprises more than 1,400 approved molecules across a wide range of therapeutic areas, spanning both non-communicable and infectious diseases. As a business leader having served in multiple multinational companies across territories and regions (Sanofi, Pfizer, Upjohn , Viatris), Mr. Mokhtar has a passion for improving patient access to medications through innovative approaches, connecting stakeholders on common goals and driving meaningful partnerships. He is also a seasoned strategist, driving growth, business development and return on investment. He focuses in his management approach on enabling efficient working environments. He is also the mentor of senior leaders and a global champion of diversity and inclusion and wellbeing in the workplace. Mr. Mokhtar is leading in the representation of the private healthcare sector with government entities and takes an active role in advocating for the policies and initiatives that would drive a sustainable environment for innovation and growth and optimize healthcare services and healthcare delivery in the Region. He is a board member of leading trade and academia associations, [such as US-UAE business council, the US-Kuwait Business council, the American Chamber of Abu Dhabi, and the Harvard Business School GCC Club]. He has been able to forge several public private partnerships in research, awareness, patient access across the region, notably with the Ministry of Health in the UAE, the NYU Abu Dhabi, Emirates Airlines and many others.

Mansoor Al Sayegh is an accomplished Group CEO and Managing Director with over a decade of leadership experience in the UAE. As Group Chief Executive Officer at Al Sayegh Group, Mansoor has been instrumental in formulating high-quality business strategies and leading a high-performing managerial team to achieve both short-term and long-term goals and objectives. With a strong emphasis on employee engagement and operational excellence, Mansoor ensures all business activities align with the company’s overarching mission and vision. In addition to his role at Al Sayegh Group, Mansoor serves as the Vice Chairman of Aram Group, a role that further highlights his leadership skills and commitment to driving business excellence. At Aram Group, Mansoor collaborates closely with the executive team to shape the company’s strategic direction and ensure its continued growth in the competitive market. Furthermore, as President of the Abu Dhabi Youth Business Council (ADYBC), under the umbrella of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Mansoor brings his extensive private sector experience to enhance the Council’s initiatives. By nurturing and championing the aspirations of young individuals and entrepreneurs, the Council increases their involvement in the business community, thereby fortifying the local economy through innovative projects that align with Abu Dhabi’s economic strategies.

Katralnada oversees Binghatti’s operations and portfolio of projects. Her vision was to place Binghatti on a global and international platform. In doing so, Katralnada has transformed Binghatti’s strategies by diversifying the group’s capital and investment, including the listing of Binghatti’s inaugural Sukuk on London Stock Exchange and NASDAQ Dubai. As an engineer by background, Katralnada holds a Bachelor of Science, in Industrial Engineering from the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York.

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.

Emon Shakoor is a Saudi neuroscience researcher turned venture capitalist and entrepreneur, renowned for her groundbreaking contributions to the intersection of technology, inclusion and venture capital. As the founder and CEO of Blossom Accelerator, Saudi Arabia's first tech-inclusion accelerator, she is reshaping the landscape for startups by championing inclusive innovation and strategic investments. Emon serves as a Venture Partner at Oryx Fund and is an influential angel investor, advisor as well as on the opportunity committee at Oqal, the largest angel investment group across the GCC. Her impactful work has earned her recognition as one of nine transformative Saudi women in entrepreneurship and a key driver of change, acknowledged by NEOM.

Dr. Nashwa Al Ruwaini holds the esteemed positions of CEO and Board Member at Pyramedia Group, distinguishing herself as a formidable figure in the Arab business landscape with her extensive experience in the media industry. Throughout her illustrious career, Dr. Al Ruwaini has been celebrated for her exceptional contributions to media and business excellence, earning her recognition as a leading figure in these fields. As the Founder and CEO of Pyramedia Group, Dr. Al Ruwaini oversees a dynamic portfolio of enterprises, including Pyramedia Media Production and Consultancy, alongside businesses focused on financial investments, advertising, healthcare and beauty, freight and shipping, retail, and artificial intelligence. Further exemplifying her commitment to societal betterment, she established the Nashwa Foundation, a charitable organization devoted to philanthropic endeavors throughout the Arab world.

Ahmed Roushdy is the founder and CEO of RoMinds Group, a production house and media agency working across Egypt, UAE, KSA, Oman and Bahrain. Established in 2010, RoMinds offers media production, events, branding and marketing services, delivering creative, impactful projects across a variety of industries. Ahmed's work is rooted in success through partnership and embracing reinvention. He is driven by uncovering possibilities where others see challenges, ultimately delivering transformative results.

Rabih Fakhreddine has enriched the culinary, entertainment and nightlife industry in the Middle East with his creative and out of the box ideas. Born in Lebanon, Rabih graduated from the American University of Beirut in 2006 with a Business Marketing degree. Following graduation, he started his career within the FMCG industry at Transmed (Procter& Gamble), before moving to British American Tobacco (BAT) where he was assigned several managerial positions for the Levant region. A visionary at heart, with a passion for creating new experiences and concepts, Rabih stepped out of the corporate world in 2015 to follow his deep seeded aspirations to achieve great things in the F&B and entertainment industry, equipped with an unwavering vision of growth and development. Consequently, he established 7 Management with its inaugural launch of Seven Sisters; a luxurious oasis of music and cuisine within the heart of Beirut. Seven sisters acted as a catalyst for the development of the food, beverage and entertainment brands that followed shortly afterwards in Beirut, Dubai, and Doha. The Theater, February 30, Lucia’s, Antika, Sayf, Café Beirut, Black Flamingo and Limonata are just a few of the stellar homegrown creations of 7 Management including the recent expansion into Europe with the opening of its first international festive brand, Bagatelle Athens.

Moon Baz is a highly experienced media professional with over 18 years of expertise in the industry. As the Global Partnerships Lead for Middle East, Africa and Turkey at Meta, she leverages her extensive knowledge and network to drive strategic partnerships and maximize mutually beneficial objectives across the video ecosystem in the region. Moon Baz is the Global Partnerships Lead for Middle East, Africa and Turkey at Meta. She leads the partnerships team across the video ecosystem in the region and works closely with publishers, strategic creators, and public figures to maximize mutually beneficial objectives. With over 18 years of experience in media, Moon has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the field. Prior to joining Meta, she was the acting CEO of SuperMama and worked as a freelance consultant for various clients in the region, including Deezer MENA, Vue International, and GCAM Saudi Arabia. Before that, Moon was a Business Planning Manager at MBC group, where she supported annual business plans, action plans, and product roadmaps for online platforms, VOD (Shahid), mobile services, and distribution. She also held the position of Business Development Manager at Webedia Arabia (previously Diwanee), where she evaluated strategic positioning, identified new business opportunities, developed improvement initiatives, and implemented new processes for internal operations. Moon's experience also includes working as a senior management consultant with Booz & Co, where she supported projects across the Consumer, Media, and Technology practice, focusing on business planning, strategy development, financial modeling, valuation, and organization restructuring. Moon holds an undergraduate degree in Economics and a master's degree in Financial Economics from the American University of Beirut. She has dual citizenship of French and Lebanese and has been residing in Dubai since June 2012. Moon is fluent in English, Arabic, and French.

Set with a profound commitment to Egypt, Mirna Arif brings more than 22 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, and has been named as one of the 100 most powerful businesswomen by Forbes Middle East in 2024. 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 Trustees of the Knowledge Hub Education, The Board of Trustees of the Egyptian Institute of Directors (part of the Financial Regulatory Authority), 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) and is a board member of the Egypt Chamber of Information Technology 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.

HASAN HASHEM is the creator and presenter of the popular Arab’s social media show “Ghomoud” that focuses on the top unsolved mysteries in the history and science. Hassan’s masterfully delivered Arabic combined in less than 4 years. His warm and captivating voice and presenting skills in native Arabic super accent and well crafted and researched topic made him quickly become an internet sensation with his show sky rocketing 6 Million YouTube subscribers ORGANICALLY.

A staunch believer in the transformative power of youth, Aljazi Saif Al Mehairbi has established herself as a dynamic leader dedicated to empowering her generation and driving innovation. As Vice-President of the Abu Dhabi Youth Business Council, she has been instrumental in fostering entrepreneurial spirit and positioning Abu Dhabi as a global hub for creativity and progress. Her commitment to inclusivity is evident in her work with the UAE National Sailing Team and the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club, where she champions opportunities for individuals of determination to thrive. Whether through her initiatives in sports or her advocacy for youth-led solutions, Aljazi is committed to creating pathways that celebrate talent and diversity. A graduate of Sorbonne University with a Master of Foreign Applied Languages in Management and International Business, Aljazi brings a global perspective honed through humanitarian work at the UAE Permanent Mission in Geneva. Her contributions extend beyond leadership, including research on sustainability and economic development, and representing the UAE in international sailing competitions.

Ziad Ghaloul is the visionary Founder and CEO of Buildup, a premier brand experience partner specializing in event management, exhibition solutions, and cutting-edge technology. Since its establishment in 2008, Buildup has grown under Ziad's dynamic leadership to become a leader in the ever-competitive events landscape. Known for his entrepreneurial spirit and keen business acumen, Ziad has positioned Buildup as a market leader, embodying the company’s commitment to excellence through its slogan, “We Inspire Success.”

Badar Al Tamami is the dynamic founder of Feva Fit Corporate Wellness, an innovative entrepreneur, athlete, and motivational speaker. Selected from over 250 startups, Feva Fit recently joined the prestigious Ma’an Social Incubator by the Department of Community Development in Abu Dhabi. With a passion for empowering others, Badar has trained hundreds, guiding them to unlock their fullest potential through fitness and well-being.

Amir El-Masry is an Egyptian British actor who began his career with notable successes in the Arab world, starring in hit films such as Ramadan Mabrouk Abul-Alamein Hamouda and El-Talatah Yishtaghaloonha. His talent quickly gained international recognition, leading him to the global stage. El-Masry appeared in Lost in London, directed by and starring Woody Harrelson. El-Masry gained critical acclaim for his leading role in Limbo, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and won three awards at the Cairo International Film Festival. His performance earned him the Best Actor Award at the BAFTA Scotland Awards, and the film was nominated for Best British Film of the Year (2021) by BAFTA UK. In television, El-Masry co-starred in the series The One, portrayed Mohamed Al Fayed in the global hit series The Crown, and appeared in the British series SAS Rogue Heroes. His performance in the British film In Camera (2023) received widespread acclaim following its premieres at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival and the London Film Festival. The film is currently competing in cinemas across the UK and Europe. He also starred in Club Zero, directed by Jessica Hausner, which was in the official competition at the 76th Cannes Film Festival, and made a special appearance in A Haunting in Venice (2023). El-Masry is now awaiting the release of Giant, where he portrays British-Yemeni boxer Prince Naseem Hamed, a true story of Hamed's rise from the working-class streets of Sheffield. The film features Pierce Brosnan with Sylvester Stallone serving as Executive Producer. On the local scene, El-Masry starred in the Egyptian films Ritsa and #Gawwezni, and appeared in The Choice 3: The Decision, the musical series Magnouna Bik (Crazy About You), and Maliha. El-Masry has also wrapped filming Summer of 67, where he stars alongside Nelly Karim. The film is directed by Abu Bakr Shawky.

As the first Emirati aerospace engineer, Marwa has had an illustrious career focused on accident prevention and aviation safety. She holds extensive experience in both academia and industry, having previously worked at the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). Marwa holds an adjunct lecturer position at NYU Abu Dhabi, where she teaches Aviation Safety, inspiring the next generation of innovators. A TED speaker and advocate for women in STEM, Marwa inspires future generations to pursue careers in engineering and aerospace. Her academic journey includes advanced research in artificial intelligence applications for aviation safety, underscoring her dedication to innovation in the field. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Marwa has been celebrated as an Emirati Women Achiever, embodying the UAE’s vision for progress and excellence.

Ali Mokhtar currently serves as CEO of Beltone Venture Capital (BVC) - a wholly owned subsidiary of Beltone Holding - one of the fastest growing financial institutions in the MENA region. Mokhtar brings to the role over 14 years of experience in the non-bank financial sector in Egypt and the MENA region. Mokhtar’s journey in the financial industry began at Beltone, where he held several positions between 2010 and 2020 in Corporate Finance and Asset Management. His experience includes serving as Director and Head of Equity at both Beltone Asset Management and EFG Hermes Asset Management. In his capacity, he was responsible for formulating the strategy for all mandates investing in Egypt. He was responsible for managing c.EGP 7 billion in AUMs ranging from equity funds, balanced funds, portfolios for sovereign entities, and high-net-worth-individual portfolios. In addition, he was responsible for research coverage of various sectors across the MENA region. Furthermore, Mokhtar assisted a number of Egyptian startups across various sectors during their pre-seed and seed fundraising rounds in his role as consultant and part of their advisory boards — raising more than USD 45 million in necessary capital to fuel their growth and success. In June 2022, Mokhtar played a crucial advisory role to Talabeya (an FMCG B2B e-commerce platform) in its successful acquisition by MNT-Halan. Mokhtar holds an Executive MBA from London Business School and a dual Master’s degree in Finance from Antwerp Management School and Fordham Gabelli School of Business.

Sonia Weymuller is a Co-Founder and a General Partner at VentureSouq, where she leads the venture capital firm's climate investment practice. Previously, she was an Investment Consultant for Acumen’s KawiSafi Fund, worked in Commercial Development at Turner Broadcasting in Dubai, with Viacom’s Emerging Markets Strategy Group and with Microsoft’s Strategy and M&A team in London. Sonia is on the Board of Advisors of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) and is a Jury member and Capital Mentor for the Cartier Women’s Initiative. She also serves as the UAE Director for the Yale Alumni Schools Committee and on the Yale President’s Council on International Activities. Sonia holds a B.A. from Yale University, an MSc from the London School of Economics, and is a Kauffman Fellow.

Sara Al Refai is the Managing Director of Edraak Media and a content creator specializing in architecture and design. With a strong background in media and communications, she leads Edraak Media’s growth and digital innovation. Sara’s expertise combines creative content development with a deep understanding of industry trends, positioning the company as a key player in the region's media and content creation.

Nour Aldin Al Yousuf has been a media personality for over 25 years. He began his media career in 1997 with Dubai Satellite Channel. His passion and ambition in the media field led him to work across several major Arab television channels, including Dubai TV, Al Jazeera, Al Arabiya, Sama Dubai, Al Hurra, MBC, and Abu Dhabi TV. He also works as a moderator and host for various forums and events, most notably the Arab Media Forum, as well as a series of introductory events for Expo 2020. He is considered one of the positive influencers in the Arab world, with a passion for acting and experience in television and cinematic acting. He currently hosts a show/podcast called "With Nour Aldin" on his YouTube channel.

Nimi Mehta is a leading female media personality in the UAE, Entrepreneur, and the Founder of SPKR. As a public speaking mentor and renowned TV host on Dubai One TV, Nimi has dedicated her career to empowering others to unlock the power of their voices. Through SPKR, she offers transformative workshops and mentorship, specializing in holistic confidence-building and practical public speaking techniques. With her expertise in media and public communication, Nimi inspires her community and followers alike, helping leaders, professionals, and aspiring speakers harness their true potential and deliver their unique messages with impact and confidence.

As an internationally recognized photographer, Hikmat has always had a passion for capturing life’s moments. Throughout his 25 years in the industry, he has worked with many global brands, celebrities and influencers, and he founded WStudio, an award-winning production house. Five years ago, Hikmat’s journey took an unexpected turn. He decided to step in front of the camera for the first time, inviting a guest into his studio to record what would become the first episode of his podcast. Soon enough, the podcast started to grow, as people loved Hikmat’s relatable style and his genuine curiosity, a fresh take on what an interviewer could be like. After amassing more than a million followers across all platforms, Hikmat’s podcast has cemented itself as a platform where stereotypes are shattered, authentic voices are heard, and inspiring stories are told.

Hind Khlaifat is the General Manager of Deraya Speakers, where she leads the design and implementation of customized training programs in public speaking and media communication. With extensive expertise in communication strategy and media relations, Hind has successfully delivered tailored solutions for a diverse clientele, including government spokespeople, senior officials, youth leaders, and professionals in the non-governmental sector.

Amal Dokhan is an entrepreneurship advocate, a venture capitalist and an ecosystem builder for more than a decade in the MENA region. Amal serves as a managing partner at 500 Global, managing the Sanabil 500 MENA seed accelerator fund focusing on investing in early-stage tech startups. She previously worked at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and managed accelerator programs and delivered corporate innovation programs with many large organizations such as Aramco, STC, Sabic, and many others. Amal also have worked on a few government initiatives during her time in the Small and Medium Enterprise Authority Amal also have angel invested in many startup companies which enabled access to many early insights into the market. Amal also worked at Babson College managing the MENA region entrepreneurial programs and has served also for a period of time in Monshaat managing the global entrepreneurship network. Amal Also worked at the office of the vision realization office of the ministry of health working with the CEO of the health holding company. Amal sits on the board of VCPEA venture capital and private equity association in Saudi and also serves as aboard member at Middle East venture capital association in UAE. She is also a fellow at the Kauffman fellowship association a prestigious global network for VCs. Amal have been featured two years on a row as one of top most powerful women in the Middle East as part of Forbes list 2023 and 2024.

Hasan Haider has over 14 years of experience investing in MENA startups. Hasan is the Founder and Managing Partner of +VC, one of the most active early-stage venture capital firms focused on the MENA region. Hasan was previously Managing Partner, MENA at 500 Startups and led the firm's growth in the MENA Region, turning 500 Startups into the most active VC fund in the MENA region, raising and deploying the 500 Falcons fund, building partnerships and running programs in the region to help build the regional ecosystem. Hasan has invested in more than 250 startups in the region over the course of the last 5 years. Prior to 500, Hasan was the co-founder and CEO of Tenmou, the first business angel’s organization in Bahrain and one of the first in the MENA region. Hasan’s work in developing angel investment in emerging markets through Tenmou has been picked up as a case study by the World Bank and was taught to Entrepreneurship Policy makers at Babson College. Previously, Hasan’s career was in finance and investment banking at Sico where he spent a number of years.