Speakers, Experts
and Mentors
Introducing you to seasoned industry leaders.
Founder & CEO of Crunchmoms
Julie Nguyen
Julie Nguyen is on a mission to change the world for women. As the founder, Julie is the visionary and driving force behind Crunchmoms, one of the leading women's networks the region, supporting women at every stage of their careers, business and motherhood journey.
She is passionate about empowering women, building communities and brands.
Co-Founder & COO of Crunchmoms
Liying Tay
Liying is the co-founder of Crunchmoms. What started from a deep personal need to redefine what it means to integrate motherhood and career led to building one of the region's most influential women network. She wants to help women lead intentional lives and believes in the power of building impactful communities as a driving force for change.
Head of Womens Pavilion - Expo City Dubai
Maha Gorton
With over 15 years of experience in communications, PR, content, and events, I’ve had the privilege of working with leading international and regional brands across the Middle East, shaping narratives that inspire and engage.
Her expertise lies in strategic brand positioning, media relations, and storytelling that goes beyond visibility—it creates real impact.
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Artist, Creative Director & Entrepreneur
Layla Kardan
Layla Kardan is a multi-talented artist, creative director, and entrepreneur known for her dynamic presence in the global arts and entertainment scene. Born in Belgium with Iranian heritage, Layla holds Australian citizenship and has made Dubai her home for the past decade.
Layla’s artistic vision extends to her collaborations with luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Piaget, Jean Paul Gaultier, Cartier, Dior, Maserati, Mercedes Benz, and Shure.
CEO, Emirates Literature Foundation
Ahlam Bolooki
Ahlam is the CEO of the Emirates Literature Foundation, which champions a love of literature across the UAE and region through diverse, year-round events supporting readers, writers, publishers, and librarians.
She is also the director of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, the Middle East’s largest celebration of the written and spoken word, promoting open dialogue and empathy. As General Manager of ELF Publishing, she leads efforts to publish powerful regional narratives.
Founder of They Say It Takes A Village
Raya Halet
Raya Halet is mom of two boys living in the UAE for over 25 years. As a biotechnologist turned parenting enthusiast, she is the host and Founder of 'They Say It Takes A Village', a platform to help parents navigate their journey with advice from experts and local heroes.
Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity
Tala Al Ramahi
Tala Al Ramahi represents the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, an innovative philanthropy dedicated to advancing human potential and opportunity. Tala works in service of the Foundation’s mission to pioneer sustainable progress in global health and inclusive development, for the benefit of communities worldwide.
Tala is a member of the investment committee for the Beginnings Fund, a philanthropic initiative dedicated to accelerating maternal and newborn survival in Africa, which is co-anchored by the Foundation.
Investor in Women and Female Advocacy
Marriam Mossalli
Marriam Mossalli's career is deeply rooted in her commitment to empowering women, both in the Middle East and globally. As a pioneer in the GCC luxury industry, Mossalli has consistently championed female representation and leadership across various sectors.
Her advocacy is evident not only in her public engagements and mentorship roles but also in her strategic investments and entrepreneurial ventures that focus on supporting women-led businesses and initiatives.
Chief Financial Officer at Chalhoub Group
Tracey Griffin
With over 30 years of experience in luxury goods, beauty/personal care, and retail/e-commerce in a range of operating roles including Chief Financial Officer and/or Chief Operating Officer at Pandora Jewelry, Kendra Scott and Framebridge. Prior to that, she was a Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company.
World Renowned Therapist, and Best Selling Author
Marisa Peer
World-renowned therapist, global speaker, and best-selling author Marisa Peer is one of the most recognized names in the wellness industry.
Over her thirty-year career, she has worked with a client list that includes international superstars, CEOs, and Olympic athletes, using her unique approach, Rapid Transformational Therapy® (RTT®).
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Founder & Managing Partner, Aramas International Lawyers
Samara Iqbal
British-born solicitor Samara Iqbal, founder of Aramas International Lawyers, brings over 20 years of expertise in International Family Law.
Known for her approachable and empathetic style, she specialises in divorce, child custody, financial settlements, wills, and complex jurisdictional matters for expatriates in the UAE and globally.
Fluent in Arabic, Samara provides tailored legal solutions with complete transparency and no hidden costs.
Talent Executive & Leadership Coach
Sara Amighi
Sara Amighi is a seasoned leadership facilitator, executive coach, and strategist with over 18 years of experience in talent, culture, and ethics.
She has led people strategies at global firms including McKinsey & Company and has worked extensively in organizational transformation, resilience, and leadership development.
Group CFO at OSN
Laura Herbin Milhiet
Laura Herbin Milhiet is Group CFO at OSN, overseeing both OSN and Anghami, the region’s first Nasdaq-listed tech company.
With two decades of international finance leadership across Paris, New York, Hong Kong, and Dubai, she has driven major transformations in strategy, M&A, cash flow, and operations. At OSN, she brings a unique perspective on how CFOs must evolve—shaping strategy, safeguarding governance, driving operations, and enabling innovation.
Founder, Greater Inside & Co-Founder, Mindvalley Coach
Ajit Nawalkha
Ajit Nawalkha was born in Jaipur, India, into humble beginnings. He has lived in 4 different countries, has been married twice, and currently lives in Dubai with his two children and wife.
He has built and sold several companies. He helped Mindvalley by building their marketing and business engines as their CMO and CEO. Then created his own company called Evercoach, and sold it last year in a multi-eight figure deal.
CEO at The Brain Accelerator & Head of Coaching Program at Crunchmoms
Aalia Thobani
Aalia Thobani has been in the business of changing brains for the past 2 decades as a Senior Speech-Language Pathologist, Specialist in Learning Disabilities, Designing Your Life Coach for the Crunchmoms, and now as the CEO and Founder of The Brain Accelerator.
She has a dual Masters in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Northwestern University, Illinois. Aaia passionately believes in unlocking the potential of every client and watching their confidence soar!
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Chief Academic Officer of Al Mawakeb Schools
Alissar Nasr
Alissar Nasr is Arab Woman of the Year 2020 in Education, Chief Academic Officer of Al Mawakeb Schools, one of the oldest school groups in the UAE with a powerful legacy network.
She is the founder of AMSI Voices. Graduated from Harvard University with a Masters of Education in Administrative Planning and Social Policy, Alissar Nasr has more than 35 years of experience in academic planning, curriculum development, and school operations.
Emirati Entrepreneur and Founder and CEO of Zaya Group
Nadia Zaal
Nadia Zaal is the Owner, Founder, and CEO of Zaya, leading a portfolio that includes Nurai Island, Al Barari, Zuha Island, Hameni, and Zaya Early Learning.
Recognized as one of the region’s most dynamic and forward-thinking business leaders, Nadia has earned numerous accolades for her groundbreaking achievements. Beyond her professional success, she is a devoted mother of four who deeply values quality time with her family, especially in nature.
C-Suite Advisor
Rania Masri El Khatib
Rania Masri el Khatib is a global retail executive with over 20 years of industry experience and she is one of the most prominent players in the Middle Eastern retail industry.
She is an advisor, executive coach and mother of two daughters.
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CEO and Founder of Digital & Savvy | Best-Selling Author
Maha Abouelenein
Maha Abouelenein is a strategic communication expert, best-selling author, and entrepreneur with more than three decades of experience. As the CEO and Founder of Digital and Savvy, a global communications consulting firm with offices in the United States and United Arab Emirates, Maha has been instrumental in orchestrating transformations in communication strategies for clients that include global corporate giants, high-growth startups, sports organizations, top governments, CEOs, and high-net-worth individuals.
CEO of Dunkin Leb & Semsom, Founder Empowering Tribe & the Tribe Fund, Shark on Shark tank Lebanon
Christine Assouad
Christine Assouad is a serial entrepreneur, launching multiple businesses for the past 28 years mostly in the F&B space including Dunkin’ in Lebanon (since 1998), Semsom (since 2008), Green Falafel, Home in a Bite and others
As a strategy advisor & board member, she focuses on strategy, business development, franchising, and growth, in multiple markets with Dunkin’ franchisee, F&B groups, cloud kitchens, grocery app and more.
Investor & Author
Lucy Chow
Lucy is known as one of the "OG" investors in the UAE. She is focused on the innovation space, both in terms of supporting founders and as an investor.
Lucy has garnered a strong reputation as someone who has helped build the entrepreneurial ecosystem of the UAE.
Wealth Coach and former Financial Advisor
Scheherazade Hasan
Scheherazade Hasan is a Wealth Coach and former Financial Advisor with nearly a decade of experience in wealth management.
Over the course of her career, she has guided clients from diverse backgrounds – young professionals, families, and retirees alike – helping them make sense of complex financial decisions and build strategies rooted in clarity and values.
Founder of The Developing Child Centre (TDCC)
Nof Al Mazrui
Nof Al Mazrui is a prominent leader in early intervention and child development, recognized for her transformative impact on education in the United Arab Emirates.
As the founder of The Developing Child Centre (TDCC), which began its operations in 2012, she has dedicated her career to enhancing child welfare and creating a respected learning community that fosters holistic growth.
Founder of Zahra’s Kitchen and Cookbook Author
Zahra Abdalla
Zahra Abdalla has authored two cookbooks, with a third currently in progress. She is the founder of Zahra’s Kitchen, a homegrown UAE frozen food brand and winner of the Spinneys Incubator program.
Today, her products are available through leading regional retailers, including Kibsons, Talabat Mart, Noon Minutes, Secret Fine Foods, Meathouse Gourmet, Butchershop, and Cassinetto.
Founder of Simmer
Muskan Ohri
Muskan Ohri is the spirited force behind Simmer, a catering company that has grown from intimate gatherings to feeding Hollywood film sets of over 500 people a day. With a flair for modern cuisine, she brings together creativity, precision, and bold flavor in everything she does.
When she’s not curating edible experiences for luxury brands, Muskan is busy experimenting with playful menus designed to bring joy into your home.
Board Member, Advisor and CEO
Kay French
Kay French is an accomplished leader with extensive expertise in investment banking, capital markets, and investor relations.
Based in Abu Dhabi, Kay is the Co-Founder and CEO of Investory, a capital and stakeholder advisory firm serving regional champions, government entities, and high-growth businesses across the Middle East.
Founder and CEO of The Luxury Closet
Kunal Kapoor
Kunal, an INSEAD alumnus, was named one of the top 100 global innovators by Vogue Business. Founded in 2012, The Luxury Closet is the Middle East's largest luxury resale marketplace, with a mission to make luxury accessible and sustainable.
What started as a three-member team in his Dubai apartment now attracts 15 million visitors annually and serves a global clientele across 80 countries.
Head of People & Culture, WWF Emirates-Nature
Magdalena Tayoun
At Emirates Nature - WWF, Magdalena Tayoun leads the organisation’s People & Culture function, driving sustainable and family-friendly workplace practices that strengthen both our brand and people.
Magdalena’s passion lies in aligning organisational goals with societal impact, helping workplaces become environments where professional growth and personal life can coexist harmoniously.
Associate Vice President of Consumer Advocacy, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, part of Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism
Aida Al Busaidy
Aida Al Busaidy is currently the Associate Vice President of Consumer Advocacy at DCTCM, where she has served multiple roles and handled various tasks in the past decade. Her current focus is on spike campaigns, consumer advocacy as well as social and digital programming for DET. Aida has carved a path as one of the highest profile Emirati communicators for the past 2 decades covering a spectrum of communications roles from TV presenting, to international communications, digital ecosystems and most of all strategic planning to push messaging through key opinion leaders.
Global Policy Strategist, UAE Presidental Court
Isha Sharma
Isha Sharma is a global policy strategist and holistic wellness leader whose career spans the UN, World Bank, BCG, and now the UAE Presidential Court.
Recognized as a World Economic Forum Global Shaper and UN Pathways Fellow, she has twice taken the TEDx stage to inspire global audiences.
International Professional Negotiator
Lousin Mehrabi
Lousin Mehrabi is recognized as one of the most influential negotiation professionals worldwide. For 25 years, she has delivered results where stakes are highest: closing multibillion-dollar deals and resolving life-and-death crises. Leaders from more than 100 organizations worldwide trust her as their advisor, coach, and trainer. She works with hostage negotiators, diplomats, intelligence officers, and senior executives. A graduate of three leading business schools and fluent in five languages.
HR Director – Kraft Heinz Middle East & Africa
Sarah Morello
Sarah Morello leads the people strategy across the MEA region at Kraft-Heinz. Sarah is a responsible, and a restorative leader that strives on learning and growth.
Passionate about talent development, cross-functional collaboration, and culture-building, she plays a key role in enabling growth and shaping the employee experience at Kraft Heinz. She thrives on building high-performing teams and empowering individuals to own their career journeys.
Strategy and Transformation Leader UAE, Qatar and Kuwait
Irfan Verjee
Based in Dubai, with over 20 years of leadership, consulting, and product development experience across 23 countries in Americas, EMEA and Asia. Irfan Verjee has helped organizations grow 10X in revenue by transforming the sales culture from a product-led to a value-led approach for customers.
By creating positive business outcomes for customers, he's achieved 3X increase in deal size, 80%-win rate.
Chief Product Officer at Talabat
Yiwei Ang
Yi-Wei is on a mission to build product-led organizations. Product-led organizations are customer obsessed, data-driven, and experimentation-focused. Currently, he is the Chief Product Officer at talabat, the largest Food Delivery and Q-Commerce company in the MENA region. talabat has 4000+ employees and is headquartered in Dubai, with Tech Hubs in Dubai & Cairo.
Strategy Consulting Specialist
Faisal Khan
20+ years of financial advisory services experience in management consulting, corporate strategy and valuation, specializing in tourism & destination development strategy
Founder of The Botanist
Ruby Giroux
When Ruby moved to Dubai a decade ago, her wellness journey revealed a gap in the local market: truly clean cleaning products. Unable to find what she needed, she began crafting her own at home.
Her passion for low-tox living quickly grew into founding The Botanist, now a trusted brand for health-conscious families creating safer, healthier homes across Dubai.
Co-Founder of The Botanist
Simona Sotirovska
Simona believes brands can be powerful vehicles for good. She co-founded The Botanist to do just that—using the business not only to deliver clean, effective products but also to educate and inspire healthier living.
Her focus is on growing The Botanist into a trusted household name with purpose.
Senior Vice President, Head of Government Affairs – Visa CEMEA
Joanne Kubba
Joanne Kubba is Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for Central Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa (CEMEA).
She oversees Visa’s engagement with key government leaders and political stakeholders including think tanks, academia, and other third parties to promote the growth of electronic payments and foster financial inclusion.
HR Executive & Leadership Coach
Ashley Boots
Ashley Boots is deeply passionate about helping women step into their next chapter with clarity and confidence. After two decades of leading people transformation across global industries, she has seen firsthand how powerful it is when individuals align with their true purpose.
Through her platform, Next Chapter Rising, Ashley guides women to rediscover their voice, embrace self-love, and rise stronger than ever.
HR Leader and Founder, Hope-Amel UAE
Abbie Kadom
Abbie Kadom is a people-driven HR leader and the founder of Hope-Amel UAE, a grassroots nonprofit providing care and essential support to vulnerable women and children in need.
A passionate advocate for women supporting women, she combines professional expertise with heart, showing that true leadership is about empowering others and creating lasting impact.
Partner at Key Capital
Leena Khalil
Leena Khalil is a Partner at Key Capital, the Middle East pioneering Secondaries Fund. Leena is best known for co-founding Mumzworld.com in 2011, a groundbreaking platform dedicated to simplifying the parenting journey in the region reaching 2.5 million mumz. Under her leadership, Mumzworld.com flourished, becoming a household name before being fully acquired by Tamer Group, a Saudi healthcare powerhouse. In 2024, Leena transitioned from her role as CEO, marking a new chapter as she drives value at Key Capital.
Serial Entrepreneur and Emotional Health Advocate
Dr Neeta Bhushan
Dr. Neeta Bhushan is an award-winning entrepreneur, 4x best-selling author, TEDx speaker, and emotional health advocate. As the host of the Top 50 podcast The Brave Table, she has inspired millions through raw and honest conversations on resilience, motherhood, and the art of navigating life’s messiness with grace. Her latest book, That Sucked, Now What: How to Embrace the Joy in Chaos and Find Magic in the Mess — endorsed by Jay Shetty — gives mothers permission to ride through the many seasons and stages of life with compassion and courage.
Founder and CEO of Bambuyu
Sahar Karoubi
Sahar Karoubi is the Founder and CEO of Bambuyu, a sustainable tissue brand, with a clear mission: to help end deforestation caused by conventional tissue manufacturing. With over a decade of experience working with leading consumer and luxury brands, Sahar built her career at the intersection of brand strategy, consumer behavior, and digital innovation. Inspired by motherhood and a desire to build a business rooted in impact, she launched Bambuyu to bring sustainability and intention into everyday habits.
Partner at Silicon Valley Venture & Innovation
Jumana El Saadi
With over 13 years of financial services industry experience in London and Dubai, Jumana El Saadi leads Silicon Valley Venture & Innovation's investor network and community. An investor herself, Jumana has been working closely with top fund managers and start-ups in MENA, the United States, and Europe for years. Her global network on both sides of the startup ecosystem inspired her to institutionalize the process of introducing allocators, fund managers, and entrepreneurs to build SVVI's investor network and community.
Serial Entrepreneur and Emotional Health Advocate
Dr Neeta Bhushan
Dr. Neeta Bhushan is an award-winning entrepreneur, 4x best-selling author, TEDx speaker, and emotional health advocate. As the host of the Top 50 podcast The Brave Table, she has inspired millions through raw and honest conversations on resilience, motherhood, and the art of navigating life’s messiness with grace. Her latest book, That Sucked, Now What: How to Embrace the Joy in Chaos and Find Magic in the Mess — endorsed by Jay Shetty — gives mothers permission to ride through the many seasons and stages of life with compassion and courage.
Wealth Planner at Continental International Group
Sarah Lombardi
Sarah Lombardi helps individuals and businesses protect, grow, and structure their money with confidence.
A seasoned wealth planner, she is known for turning financial complexity into simple, smart strategies — empowering her clients to live boldly today while planning wisely for tomorrow.
Chief Marketing Officer at Continental International Group
Pooja Sardana
A marketer by trade and entrepreneur at heart, Pooja thrives where creativity meets strategy.
She’s a consultant, a boss, a mom — and a self-taught pianist — who believes in turning challenges into opportunities (and never says no to a good book).
Certified Holistic Health Coach - Gut, Metabolic & Menopause
Muskan Taurani
Muskan Taurani is a certified holistic health coach who founded That Wonderful Feeling in 2014 to help people bridge the gap between doctor and client and to empower individuals to take joyful responsibility for their well-being.
Her mission is inspired by the belief that it is a blessing to live long and a choice to be strong. Muskan is passionate about helping clients experience awe, joy, and wonder in their daily self-care—especially as they start each day—so everyone can live well and live fully.
MC & DJ for Crunchmoms Summit 2025
DJ Sara G
Sara G is an award-winning DJ and MC who blends high-energy beats with an undeniable stage presence.
From performing at the Burj Khalifa New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show — viewed by millions worldwide — to headlining at the Louvre Abu Dhabi for an audience including Hillary Clinton and Princess Lamia Al Saud, her career is a testament to versatility and star power. Sara G will be the MC and DJ for Crunchmoms Summit 2025
Human Potential & Business Strategist
Sheliza Din
Human Potential & Business Strategist who helps entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and women in transition expand their identity, leadership, and performance into sustainable, profitable business growth.
With her signature framework, Be. Live. Create., she guides individuals and organizations to align their inner evolution with strategic business direction — turning mindset shifts into tangible results across profit, culture, and impact.
Lifestyle Medicine Physician
Dr Sandy Zanella
Dr. Sandy Zanella is a Lifestyle Medicine Physician, family yoga teacher, speaker, and award-winning author who empowers individuals and families to thrive. With a foundation in brain research, she creates practical, science-backed programs that boost physical health, mental resilience, and overall well-being.
Through workshops, retreats, and talks, Dr. Zanella transforms complex science into simple, actionable strategies that help schools, families, and corporations live healthier, more balanced lives.
Founder of The MENA Pulse | Women's Health Advocate, Brand Strategist
Frederica Tribuiani
Frederica Tribuiani started her career with a Dubai-based luxury group and has been in the brand creation and marketing innovation space for over 20 years.
Alongside her professional journey, she is passionately dedicated to advocating for midlife, women’s health, and transformation, empowering women through her personal passion.
Model and Influencer
Caroline Labouchere
Born to a musician and daughter of an actor, she was then raised by an aristocratic family with tradition and a sense of duty. Caroline became the wife of an Army officer — a partnership that’s lasted 34 years and counting — a mother to two children conceived through IVF.
Each chapter defined Caroline in its own way, but now she's discovering the person she was always meant to be. Caroline is living with purpose and passion — not merely existing.
Entrepreneur, Storyteller & Social Impact Leader
Zahirah Marty
Zahirah Marty is a seasoned media and communications leader whose career spans television presenting, executive production, destination marketing, and PR/communications strategy across the Middle East, Africa, and the USA.
Zahirah is also host and executive producer of My Travel Diary, a global travel series filmed across over 25 destinations in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
Investor and Operating Partner at Tumeric Capital
Khaoula Siddiqi
Khaoula Siddiqi is an Investor and Operating Partner at Turmeric Capital, an Asia-centric consumer private equity fund.
Over the last 15 years, she has advised and invested in leading brands across fashion, beauty, wellness, hospitality, and lifestyle across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Culinary Nutritionist | Founder, Eat Clean with Shereen | Creator of Fuel & Flow
Shereen Hasan
Shereen Hasan is a certified culinary nutritionist and personal and family nutrition coach, known for blending science-backed strategies with real-life practicality.
She is the founder of Eat Clean with Shereen, a platform that helps women and families build a healthy, balanced relationship with food — one that supports energy, focus, and emotional well-being through every stage of life.
CEO/Founder KidsAI
Irmak Atabek
Irmak Atabek is a children's media executive and an entrepreneur. After bootstrapping a successful children's media company Makokids, she cofounded KidsAI, a child-first technology and media company developing safe, age-appropriate AI assistants, engaging AI literacy media, and school-ready AI curricula—helping children navigate the digital future confidently and ethically. She leads the vision to ensure every child has secure, developmentally appropriate access to AI technology. She believes in the power of the next generation to shape our future.
Chief Financial Officer – GCC, Visa Inc. | Board Director
Thereshini Peter
Thereshini Peter serves as the Chief Financial Officer for the Gulf Cooperation Council region at Visa Inc., where she leads the financial strategy and governance for one of the world’s most dynamic payments markets. With over 25 years of executive finance experience across global organizations, her career spans multiple sectors including financial services, fast-moving consumer goods, and payments.
Executive Coach | Vice President of Communications at Chalhoub Group
Lynn Al Khatib
Lynn Al Khatib, Executive Coach and Vice President of Communications at Chalhoub Group, brings almost 20 years of experience in corporate and brand communications. Her expertise includes developing corporate brand strategies, media relations, internal communications, events, stakeholder engagement, and digital and social media strategies. She also hosts The Podcast by Chalhoub Group, where she interviews internal and external icons in the industry such as Stella McCartney, Tory Burch, Marissa Peer among others. Lynn is a strong advocate for Women in Leadership.
Senior Consultant at Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority
Abdessamad Sobhi
As a senior strategy consultant, I am always thrilled to propose effective and efficient solutions to occurring business challenges from different perspectives and to challenge the status quo with creative and innovative thinking.
I am very curious, always eager to learn and share, with the will to build and help people build meaningful projects bringing value to Humanity.
SVP, Head of Products and Solutions CEMEA
Godfrey Sullivan
As Head of Products and Solutions, Godfrey Sullivan oversees the growth, adoption and evolution of Visa’s products and services to meet the needs of the vast set of fintechs, sellers, financial institutions, and consumers Visa serves across Central & Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Director of AI Safety at Standard Chartered Bank
Azra Razak
Azra Razak is the Director of AI Safety at Standard Chartered Bank, where she leads efforts to ensure that AI technologies are developed and deployed responsibly, ethically, and in alignment with emerging global AI regulations and principles. A passionate advocate for the democratization of AI, Azra designs and delivers training programs to empower individuals to understand both the transformative potential and risks of AI. Outside of work, Azra is a proud mom to two energetic boys, and loves to start each morning with a good workout.
Boeing 777 Pilot | UAE National Padel Team Player | Public Speaker
Noof Abdulhamid Omar
At 28 years old, Noof Abdulhamid Omar is a Boeing 777 pilot from Dubai and a proud member of the UAE National Padel Team. She joined the aviation industry at just 18 and has since spent over eight years flying to more than 70 destinations across six continents.
Independent Board Member & Former Capital Market Chief Business Development Officer
Fahima Albastaki
Fahima Al Bastaki has over 26 years of experience in banking, finance, and capital markets. She was Chief Business & Market Development Officer at ADX and spent 17 years at DFM in leadership roles, including NASDAQ Dubai.
She has contributed to shaping UAE capital markets regulations and company law. Fahima serves on the boards of Dubai Women Establishment and Al Rostamani International Exchange and is a Certified and Accredited Director (IOD & Hawkamah).
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Co Founder & Managing Partner at ALARA Partners
Laudy Lahdo
Laudy Lahdo is a seasoned leader with 25+ years of operational expertise and a strong advocate for governance and inclusive cultures.
She is a trusted advisor to CEOs and family groups in the MENAT region and serves as Vice Chair of the 30% Club MENA, advancing gender diversity in leadership. Laudy has also advised ENGIE and C3 on impact and innovation strategies.
Partner at Egon Zehnder
Golnaz Bahmanyar
Golnaz (Goly) is a Partner with Egon Zehnder, a top global leadership advisory firm.
She leads the firm’s Consumer and Retail as well as Family Business Practice in the Middle East and is a trusted advisor to regional and multinational organizations on their most critical and senior leadership topics including CEO and C-suite succesion and transitions, as well as assessment and development of leaders and organizations.
CEO Christensen Consultancy
Sarah Christensen
As a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) change-maker, Sarah works with organisations to leverage the power and potential of a diverse and inclusive workforce.
This includes designing and delivering a range of learning and talent development solutions as well as end-to-end change management programmes to embed diversity, equity and inclusion at the core of the business culture and strategy.
Consultant Family Physician at Cornerstone Clinic
Dr Ruhil Badiani
Dr. Ruhil Badiani is a highly accomplished British Consultant in Family Medicine with nearly two decades of clinical experience spanning London and Dubai. Dr. Badiani dedicated ten years to practice in the UK, where she rapidly earned her Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners (MRCGP) in 2010.
Demonstrating a committed special interest in women's health, she concurrently obtained her Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (DROG) that same year.
Founder of BYou Sparkle and Parents SOL
Elodie Bador
With over 20 years of experience in the corporate world, from L’Oréal to the Chalhoub Group and Babilou/Blossom Nurseries, she has led teams across marketing, systems, leadership, and transformation. Beyond KPIs, her purpose has always been to awaken the spark in people, helping them grow with purpose and let their energy lead the business. A mother and lifelong learner passionate about neuroscience and human behavior, she has collaborated with experts and global initiatives, including Babilou/UNESCO’s neuroscience conference and Sustainable Education movements.
Educational Psychologist and Co-Founder of The Valens Clinic
Rama Kanj
Rama Kanj is an Educational Psychologist, Doctorate candidate at the University of Reading, and Co-Founder of The Valens Clinic. She works closely with children, families, and schools experiencing emotional, behavioral, or learning challenges helping them understand each child’s unique profile and supporting inclusive, strengths-based learning.
Rama is a diplomate of the American Board of School Neuropsychology and integrates both clinical insight and educational practice in her work.
Professor of Education and Childhood Studies and Founder of Digital Harmony Lab
Dr Alison Burrows
Dr. Alison Burrows is an education leader, researcher, and professor specializing in education and childhood studies.
She is the architect of Dubai’s first Master of Education in Technology Integration and Practice at Middlesex University, a program designed to equip educators with the skills to harness digital tools for impactful teaching and learning.
The GCC Menopause Hub
Maureen Bannerman
Maureen Bannerman is a transformative leader with over 30 years of experience across aviation, transport and logistics. Her roles include Chief Executive Officer at Khalifa Bin Salman Port, Bahrain, Chief Commercial Officer at Abu Dhabi Airports and VP Commercial at Dubai Airports, driving strategic growth, stakeholder engagement, and customer-centric innovation.
She holds a non executive director role for a global university group and is an executive commercial consultant.
Head of Marketing for Koita
Mariuxi Romero
Mariuxi Romero is Head of Marketing for Koita, the UAE's fastest-growing healthy milk brand, where she's leading regional expansion across the Gulf.
With over 20 years building brands for companies like Johnson & Johnson across the Middle East, she's a seasoned marketing strategist who knows how to create growth. Born in Ecuador, educated in the US (MBA, Thunderbird School of Global Management), Mariuxi has called the MENA region home for 23 years.
Senior Director, Head of Comms for NALP
Jagruti Mistri
Jagruti Mistry currently leads Corporate Communications for the North Africa, Levant and Pakistan (NALP) region for Visa.
She is based in Dubai from where she works on strategic communication and brand-building campaigns with external and internal stakeholders for the 15 countries that make up this region.
Senior Director, Head of Talent for CEMEA
Maisoun Selim
Maisoun Selim is an accomplished HR Leader with over 18 years of transformative experience in the Human Resources field.
Her career journey has been marked by impactful roles at industry leaders such as Unilever, Mondelez International, and currently, Visa Inc.
Managing Director GCC & Fractional Leader
Gaia Camillieri
With 18+ years of experience across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, she has helped financial institutions, fintechs, and regulators go from experimentation to enterprise-grade AI adoption.
She now guides financial institutions and ambitious SMEs to build trust-driven, scalable, and compliant AI systems that deliver business value and customer delight, while ensuring the organization and its people succeed in this transformation.
Co-Founder & CEO of Leela's Lunches
Lavi Chandra
Lavi brings over a decade of experience in investment banking, having held key roles at RBS, Barclays, and KPMG across the US, UK, India, and the Middle East.
Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to co-found Leela’s Lunches alongside Kanika Hughes, where she oversees business strategy and development. Under her leadership, the company has grown from serving a single nursery to partnering with over 40 nurseries and 10 schools across Abu Dhabi.
Founder & Chief Customer Officer, Hello Chef
Olivia Manner
What started as a love for home cooking and a frustration with mealtime planning became Hello Chef, one of the UAE’s most loved meal kit brands.
Olivia Manner co-founded the company in 2015 to make dinnertime easier for busy families, and she now leads the customer experience with a focus on simplicity, joy, and real connection. As a mum, entrepreneur, and mentor, Olivia brings a warm and practical perspective to building a business that nourishes both customers and teams.
Chief of Staff at Alaan
Shubhda Hirawat
Shubhda Hirawat is Chief of Staff at Alaan, where she leads strategy and growth. A Chicago Booth MBA and former BCG consultant, she has worked across startups, Fortune 500s, and the Government of India.
Partner at Growth Squad
Sonia Lekhal
Sonia Lekhal is a marketing leader with over 20 years of experience driving growth for global brands across e-commerce, media, and travel. Formerly CMO at talabat and OSN, she led rebrands, digital transformations, and large-scale campaigns across MENA.
Sonia holds an MBA from NYU Stern and is passionate about empowering women in leadership and digital innovation.
Corporate Lawyer and Founder
Sara Gamay
Sara Gamay is a corporate lawyer and founder with 15 years of experience in business and law in the U.S., U.K., and Middle East, with expertise in consumer goods. As Counsel at Argentum Law, she advises startups and companies on corporate strategy to drive growth.
Founder of award-winning ventures in women’s health and travel, she champions female-led innovation. Sara holds a JD from Georgetown and a MBA from Columbia and London Business School.
Founder and CEO of MonkiBox
Rana El Sakhawy
Rana El Sakhawy is an entrepreneur and operator with over a decade of experience building and scaling brands across the Middle East. She was part of the initial team to lunch Uber MENA, helping establish one of the region’s fastest-growing tech companies from the ground up.
Today, she is the Founder and CEO of MonkiBox, an award-winning early-learning direct to consumer brand redefining how parents support their child’s brain development through play.
Executive Director & NRI Business Head at Anand Rathi Wealth Limited
Sonali Rawal Nambiar
Sonali Rawal Nambiar is a dynamic leader with over 11 years of expertise in wealth management. She specializes in Indian markets and guides NRIs in building and preserving wealth.
As the Executive Director and NRI Head at Anand Rathi Wealth, she oversees more than $191 million in assets for HNIs and UHNIs. Her commitment to financial literacy, particularly empowering women, further amplifies her impact in the industry.
Tickets to Your Next Chapter
Whether you're coming to connect, learn, grow, or simply be in the room, we’ve created ticket options designed for you.
Member Rate
Access to all three days, recordings, swag bag, and an exclusive invite to our Summit dinner.
AED 1,400
All-Access
Access to both summit days, recordings and swag bag.
AED 1,850
Daily Pass
Access to one day only, recording and swag bag.
AED 1,200
Experience the Summit your way, and explore our ticketing options and find what's right for you. We offer daily, virtual and on the spot passes, check them out here.
Make the most of the Summit with peace of mind. Choose from our complimentary on-site babysitters, request a certified nanny at your home at a special rate, or book school pick-up and drop-off with a trusted driver. Simply fill out the form, and we’ll handle the rest.
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