Aklilu Admekom

Group Head of Talent Management & Development

Intercat Hospitality

Aklilu is a Group Head of Talent Management & Development at Intercat Hospitality. With his international luxury hospitality hotels & resorts, F&B and Retail organizations, he’s a well experienced leader. He’s a strategic and people-oriented leader with multinational companies, established organization’s high-performance cultures and learning & development centers across workforces of 45+ nationalities in the GCC. Working with board members, CEOs, Managing Directors, and executive leaders, he has demonstrated strategic people & culture transformation and enhanced employees’ engagement.

He is a certified NLP performance coach and multi-awarded HR & Talent Development leader in the Middle East and Africa. His experience in articulating organizations culture, employee engagement, and organizational transformation has been well recognized throughout his career’.

Anja Henschel-Idriss

Independent HR Leader | People Strategy & Transformation

Anja is an Independent HR Leader specialising in people strategy and transformation, with over 18 years of international experience across hospitality, wellness solutions and modular building. She has led HR in complex, fast-paced environments, supporting organisations through growth, change, and moments where people practices are truly tested.

Her approach is both human-centred and commercially grounded, with a strong belief that employee experience should be intentional, practical, and embedded in how organisations operate, not treated as an add-on. Anja is particularly passionate about recognising work that creates meaningful, lasting impact for people at work, and about supporting the continued development of the HR profession through mentoring and shared learning. 

Despo Michaelides

Strategic Advisor, Partnerships, People & Culture

Transform8

Despo Michaelides is a global Chief People Officer, board advisor, non-executive director, and certified executive coach with more than 25 years of experience across the GCC, EMEA, and Africa. She has led people, culture, talent, wellbeing, and organisational transformation across multinational, high growth, and regulated organisations, including AXA Gulf/GIG Gulf, MTN, du and NEOM.

With a legal background and extensive board and committee experience, Despo brings commercial insight, strong governance, empathy, and a genuine passion for helping people and organisations thrive. She currently serves as Strategic Advisor, Partnerships, People and Culture at Transform8, supporting organisations to strengthen leadership, build AI fluency, and apply AI, automation, and neuroscience in practical, responsible, and human-centred ways.

Despo also holds two non-executive advisory board roles within AI- and talent-focused organizations. She mentors young people and emerging leaders and actively supports philanthropic causes that advance education, inclusion, equity, and opportunity.

Dinesh Chaudhari

Director of Human Resources and Talent

Palazzo Versace Dubai

Dinesh N. Chaudhari is a seasoned HR and hospitality professional with over 24 years of experience across world-renowned five-star hotel brands, including Kempinski, Jumeirah Group of Hotels & Resorts, and Palazzo Versace Dubai. His career spans iconic properties such as Leela Kempinski, Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Creekside Hotel, and Palazzo Versace Dubai where he has led transformative people and culture initiatives.

Beginning his journey in Rooms Division, Dinesh built a strong foundation in hotel operations before transitioning into Human Resources and Learning & Development. He successfully led the pre-opening L&D setup for Jumeirah Creekside Hotel and later served as Associate Director of L&D at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, overseeing people development and HR strategies. He currently serves as the Director of Human Resources and Talent at Palazzo Versace Dubai, driving engagement, inclusion, and organizational excellence.

Dinesh has played a key role in several award-winning projects, including the Dubai Quality Appreciation Award (DQAA) and Emirates Benchmarking Management (EBM) Award, supported by the Dubai Economic Department (DED). His work on UAE National Development at Burj Al Arab earned him Jumeirah’s highest recognition — The Colleague of Exceptional Value.

His numerous accolades include:

• Excellence in Training & Development (2015) – Hozpitality Awards MENA
• HR & L&D Team of the Year (2019) – CIPD
• HR Leader of the Year 2023– HR Tech MENA
• Top Most HR Leaders – Middle East (2023 & 2024) – World HRD Congress
• Most Influential HR Leaders in the Middle East (2024 & 2025) – ETHR (Economic Times HR)

Recognized as a thought leader in HR and hospitality, Dinesh has been a judge for the Future Workplace Awards (HRSE) for two consecutive years (2024 & 2025) and a Grand Jury member for the Economic Times Human Capital Awards MENA 2025 and WOW Workplace Awards 2025.

A certified Instructional Designer and Results Coach from the NeuroLeadership Institute, Dinesh also serves on the Advisory Board of the Dubai College of Tourism (DTCM). As a frequent speaker at global conferences such as ATD Middle East, HR Tech MENA, HR Summit & Expo, HR Leaders Conference, Wellbeing @ Work MENA etc, Dinesh continues to inspire with his human-centric approach to leadership and organizational culture.

Dr. Adham Fayad

Senior Lecturer in Business Management

De Montfort University Dubai

Dr. Adham Fayad is a distinguished academic and industry expert currently serving as a Senior Lecturer in Business Management at De Montfort University, Dubai. He brings nearly two decades of diverse industry experience to the classroom, having held key positions within some of the MENA region's most prominent conglomerates, including Al Ghurair, Al Naboodah, Al Hoshan, and Al Fardan.

A champion of experiential learning, Dr. Fayad is dedicated to connecting students with dynamic, real-world business scenarios. Grounded in this approach, he recently led the acclaimed and award-winning Sustainovation Challenge at DMU Dubai. His global commitment to sustainable development is reflected in his role as a United Nations SDG Global Impact Fellow, alongside his contributions as a member of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council. Additionally, Dr. Adham is a turnaround specialist and an active business consultant.

Dr. Farhan Sher

Group Director – Operations and Human Capital

Fakeeh Health

A distinguished international healthcare professional, Dr. Farhan Sher is a strategic leader with a proven 21-year track record of driving excellence within leading multinational corporations (MNCs) across both private and public healthcare sectors. Dr. Farhan Sher possesses a unique and powerful blend of operational and human capital expertise, enabling a holistic approach to organizational leadership and performance.

Dr. Farhan Sher's career is defined by a consistent ability to deliver success in complex, high-stakes environments. Core competencies include the design and implementation of robust Workflow Strategies that enhance efficiency and productivity. Dr. Farhan Sher is also adept at Brand Building, positioning organizations for market leadership, and is a specialist in Benchmarking and Standardization to ensure world-class practices.

A central pillar of Dr. Farhan Sher 's expertise lies in integrating high-performance Human Resources Management with core operations. This includes developing talent strategies that foster engagement, drive productivity, and align with key performance indicators (KPI management) to achieve business objectives.

As a recognized authority on quality and safety, Dr. Farhan Sher has deep, hands-on experience guiding organizations through stringent international accreditation processes. This includes expertise in Joint Commission International (JCI) standards, Investors in People (IIP) framework, enhancing the Patient Experience, and achieving Center of Excellence (COE) Accreditations.

Dr. Ghenwa Habbal

Enterpriae Architect | Leadership Futurist | Global Advisor

Dr. Ghenwa Habbal is a Business & Organizational Psychologist and enterprise leadership architect operating at the intersection of human intelligence, strategy, and systems. With two decades of experience across complex, multi-market environments in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, she advises senior leaders, boards, and institutions navigating volatility, scale, and transformation.

Her work is grounded in one principle: leadership is not performance—it is infrastructure.

Dr. Habbal is the creator of the F.A.S.T.™ Leadership Model and CultureGPT™, proprietary frameworks designed to build focus, adaptability, strategic clarity, and trust—elevating human judgment as a strategic advantage in an AI-accelerated world.

Blending behavioral science, systems thinking, and executive pragmatism, she designs leadership and culture as architecture—translating vision into execution where decisions carry both human and economic consequence. Her advisory spans enterprise transformation, leadership systems, culture design, and future-of-work strategy in environments shaped by complexity and uncertainty.

A sought-after keynote speaker, moderator, and judge at global platforms, Dr. Habbal is co-author of The Talent Matrix™ and a trusted voice on human-centered leadership, performance, and wellbeing. Her work aligns leadership with truth, trust, and long-term value—positioning human intelligence as the defining infrastructure of sustainable success.

Dr. Jojo O’Driscoll-Kearney

Professor at Hult, Senior Faculty at Harvard Business Impact, Workforce Intelligence Advisor.

Jo is a former Chief Learning Officer, HR VP, Executive Psychometric Assessor, Harvard Business and Hult Professor of practice, and a leading voice on intercultural strength, leadership development and AI-enabled learning across public and private sectors. With 20 years of c-suite experience spanning five continents - from Silicon Valley to Saudi Arabia - she advises governments, F500 companies, and boards on talent strategy, transformation, and leadership at scale.

As former Chief Learning Officer at Majid Al Futtaim and Head of Learning at Meta, Jo has designed and delivered learning strategies for 50,000+ employees globally. She currently serves as a Professor of Practice in Dubai and the GCC, bringing evidence-based, research-led approaches to executive education and national human capital strategy.

Jo is a trained actor and now sought-after keynote speaker on culture, leadership, AI disruption, and organizational transformation. Her work bridges academic rigor with practical impact - whether coaching executives, advising governments on policy, or teaching at Harvard. She holds an MBA-F from Oxford, and is a CLO100 board director, Global Policy Network Advisor, ICF / Gallup Strengths Coach, and accredited mediator.

Dr. Louise Lambert

Head of Happiness Programming & Policy Design

Happiness Matters

Dr. Louise Lambert, PhD, is a Registered Psychologist (Canada), Researcher, and Workplace Consultant with 20 years of experience in counselling, mental health, education, and primary healthcare. She has lived in the UAE for 18 years doing organizational and educational consulting, as well as teaching and research in the field of happiness and wellbeing. 

Her expertise is in positive psychology and the empirical strategies used to attain greater subjective wellbeing; this has been the core of her expertise for more than 20 years. As such, she has several peer-reviewed empirical publications in positive psychology applications, overall programming, including cultural impact, as well as more current studies in organizational signaling around corporate wellbeing programs. Many of these have been conducted in the MENA region. She is Head of Happiness Programming & Policy Design with HappinessMatters.org. 

Her work includes the design, delivery and assessment of the positive education programs at Dubai College and Kuwait’s AlNowair Foundation, with prior employee training with clients such as Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, KAUST (KSA), Cigna Insurance Middle East, and others. She is also the Editor of the Middle East Journal of Positive Psychology, a peer-reviewed journal dedicated to regional wellbeing.

Dr. Salima Hamouche, SHRM-SCP

HR, AI & Workplace Wellbeing Expert | HR Consultant | Corporate Trainer | Professor and Keynote Speaker

Dr. Salima Hamouche is a Human Resources Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). She is an assistant professor, corporate trainer, and HR consultant at the University of Sharjah, UAE. She graduated from the University of Montreal (PhD) and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (Canada). Dr. Salima has a strong academic background and practical experience in HRM and employees` mental health and well-being at work. Besides her academic experience, she has extensive corporate experience in leadership roles, as an HR consultant and HR director in small and large organizations, as well as multinational companies. She has also served for several years on the boards of directors as an administrator and vice president in Canada. Her research interests are centered on HRM, employees’ well-being, and corporate happiness. She has contributed significantly to these fields through numerous publications and active involvement in initiatives aimed at advancing HRM practices, integrating AI into HR, and promoting workplace well-being.

Dr. Soha Chahine

Organizational Psychologist & Founder

Forward Training & Consulting

Dr. Soha Chahine is an Organizational Psychologist, ICF-accredited PCC coach, and founder and Managing Director of Forward Training & Consulting.

Grounded in behavioral science, her work examines the human systems that shape behavior, decision-making, and performance across individuals, teams, and leadership, influencing how culture, accountability, and resilience evolve in complex organizational environments.

She is the co-author of The Talent Matrix™ Playbook and Shaken, Stirred but Not Deterred, and a contributor to Harvard Business Review Arabia, where her work bridges theory and practice across Emotional Intelligence, Human Intelligence, resilience, and leadership effectiveness.

Dr. Chahine is a certified psychometric assessor, Adjunct Faculty in Business Ethics, and a global jury member for international HR and leadership awards. Her professional work also extends into governance and ethics through service in an independent ambassadorial capacity as Arab Women Ambassador for Human Sustainability, aligned with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights & International Cooperation (UNHCHRIC).

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication (Public Relations), a Master of Science in Human Resource Management and Training, and a Doctorate in Organizational Psychology with a focus on talent and culture transformation.

Dr. Tina Mistry

Director of Corporate Wellbeing | Mental Health Consultant

Dr. Tina Mistry is a Mental Health Consultant specialising in workplace mental health, organisational psychology, and digital health across the GCC. She advises organisations on evidence-based strategies to strengthen culture, leadership decision-making, psychological safety, and employee experience — from governance and strategy through to programme design and measurable outcomes. Her background includes large-scale mental health system design within complex, future-focused environments, bringing a human-centred and commercially grounded approach to sustainable impact. Tina is also a speaker and advisor committed to raising the standard of workplace mental health practice in the region.

Emma Davies

COO

Massar Business Solutions

Emma Davies is a leadership facilitator, conference speaker, and business transformation partner working across the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

With over two decades of senior leadership and people strategy experience, Emma works with executives and leadership teams who are navigating growth, complexity, and change and who need clarity, alignment, and direction rather than operational solutions.

Her work focuses on leadership mindset, culture and business transformation, future readiness, and helping organisations move from activity to impact. She is known for creating calm, high-trust environments where leaders can think clearly, challenge assumptions, and make confident decisions that stick.

Emma’s approach blends commercial reality with human insight. She supports organisations to shift how leaders think, lead, and work together, particularly in fast-moving and high-pressure environments. Her facilitation style is direct, grounded, and practical, designed to cut through noise and translate insight into action.

She is regularly engaged to speak at conferences, facilitate senior leadership offsites, and partner on strategic transformation initiatives. Emma deliberately does not focus on HR administration or operational delivery. Her value sits in perspective, presence, and the ability to help leaders see differently and lead more effectively.

Emma is also the founder of several advisory and learning initiatives supporting leaders and organisations through periods of transition, growth, and reinvention.

Emma Jordaan

Founder & CEO

Infinite Consulting

Emma Jordaan is a Cultural Intelligence (CQ) thought leader, international training facilitator, and author of ‘Dubai Decoded – Cultural Intelligence Strategies for Thriving in Dubai’. As the Founder of Infinite Consulting, Emma helps leaders and organisations decode the complexities of multicultural workplaces. From keynote stages like GITEX and HRSE to boardrooms of global firms, Emma’s insights empower high-performing teams to build trust, influence across cultures, and turn difference into strategic advantage. Based in Dubai, she works at the intersection of leadership, inclusion, and cross-cultural behaviour, delivering training, coaching, and advisory services grounded in real-world results and backed by research. Emma is also a TEDx speaker and co-host of The HR & CQ Show podcast.

Emma is the author of Dubai Decoded and the creator of two proprietary Cultural Intelligence frameworks CultureVantageTM and R.A.P.I.DTM that equip leaders and organisations to turn cultural difference into a competitive advantage.

CultureVantage helps leaders identify their cultural strengths, close capability gaps, and embed inclusive behaviours that drive trust, influence, and performance.

R.A.P.I.D provides a simple, repeatable process for recognising cultural dynamics, adapting effectively, and delivering results in multicultural environments.

Both frameworks are exclusive to Emma’s keynotes, workshops, and advisory programmes, leaving audiences with tools they can immediately apply to improve communication, collaboration, and retention in diverse teams.

Gemma Morris

Senior HR Business Partner

Savills

Gemma Morris is a Senior HR Business Partner at Savills Middle East, driving strategic people initiatives in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. With extensive experience shaping high-performance cultures, driving employee engagement, and embedding inclusive people practices, Gemma partners closely with executive leadership to translate business strategy into meaningful people outcomes. She is particularly passionate about inclusive workplaces, neuro-inclusion, and mental well-being, championing practical frameworks and lasting change that enable individuals and organisations to thrive.

A frequent speaker and advocate for progressive HR practices, Gemma combines data-driven decision-making with deeply human leadership. As a Jury Panelist for the Employee Happiness Awards, she brings a strategic yet empathetic perspective, recognising organisations that place sustainable well-being, inclusion, and culture at the heart of their business strategy.

Hani Al Khusaibi

Chief HR & Support Services Officer

Towell Group

Hani is a seasoned Human Resources Manager with over 20 years of experience leading the Human Resources division in various sectors.

Hani worked extensively with large family groups in the Sultanate and the GCC countries and was responsible for leading mergers, acquisitions, and exits on the human resources aspect, in various types of regional and international companies. His experience also covers sectors such as retail, real estate, automotive, food industry, and shopping malls.

Hani is a professional HR leader who has worked in several companies in different geographic. He has extensive experience specializing in start-up settings, mergers, and corporate restructuring.

Hani started his career in the Automotive sector with the Zubair Group in the Sultanate of Oman, then he was entrusted with the tasks of leading the human resources division in the Sultanate of Oman for Majid Al Futtaim Group (Hypermarket Operations - Carrefour). He was tasked with managing and developing the human resource operations associated with express retail stores covering the GCC region. Later he moved successively to work in several companies, including international, local, and regional ones within various sectors, including heavy automobile Manufacturing, industrial food manufacturing, and renewable energy for the oil & gas and energy sectors. Currently, Hani is holding the position of Chief HR & Support Services Officer at Towell Group.

Hani holds an MBA and a bachelor’s degree in law. Hani also holds an accredited international certificate in management and leadership from the Swiss-based IMD institution.

Harpreet Singh Chhatwal

Vice President People & Culture

Radisson Hotel Group

Harpreet is VP-People and Culture for Radisson Hotel Group for Middle East, Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia Pacific. In his role Harpreet manages all aspects of Talent across his countries through diverse cultures. Harpreet has lived and worked in 4 countries. He has contribute immensely in shaping the culture and talent strategy at Radisson Hotel Group. He has played a pivotal role in fostering an environment where open, transparent, and empathetic communication is central to building strong teams and achieving business success. Harpreet is passionate about empowering employees at all levels to communicate more effectively, whether through leadership or everyday collaboration. At RHG Harpreet has been part of several Global initiatives that have helped strengthen internal communication, enhance employee engagement, and align teams towards a common purpose. Outside work Harpreet Loves Emceeing, Presenting and Coaching. Hotelier by Domain, Public Speaker by Passion and Motivator by Choice.

Hisham Elsaied

Partner Learning and Development

ICAN MENA

Hisham is a leading voice in leadership development, organizational transformation, and cross-cultural intelligence across the MENA region. With over two decades of HR leadership experience at global powerhouses like Alstom, Daikin, and Bombardier, he has built a reputation for shaping high-performing teams and enabling leaders to achieve full potential. 

As Managing Partner at Highbreed, Hisham leads a boutique leadership development firm built exclusively for middle managers in the GCC. Highbreed’s modular, data-backed training model equips organizations to develop culturally agile, future-ready leaders,

In his capacity as a Non-Executive Advisory Board Member in ESG, Hisham advises on sustainable leadership strategies aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), integrating human-centered development into the heart of corporate responsibility. 

A certified coach, CQ® facilitator, and MBTI assessor, Hisham has personally delivered hundreds of leadership assessments and development sessions. His trilingual fluency (Arabic, English, and French) and global mindset position him as a trusted advisor for organizations navigating complexity across borders. 

He is also the host of The Edge podcast—a platform dedicated to empowering middle managers through insights, strategies, and real-world stories from across the leadership landscape.

A sought-after speaker, award juror, and executive advisor, Hisham brings strategic clarity and practical wisdom to every conversation he leads.

Javeed Ashraf Khan

Co-Founder & Chief Growth and People Officer

TidyHire

Javeed (Jav) Khan is a global talent leader, founder, and advocate for human-centered workplaces with over two decades of experience across IBM, MasterCard, and KPMG — spanning the Middle East, Africa, India, and Turkey. 
 
As Co-Founder and Chief Growth & People Officer at TidyHire, Jav is building the Hiring Operating System that puts recruiters — and the human experience of work — back at the center of how organizations grow. 
 
His career has been defined by one conviction: that people are the most powerful growth engine any organization has. From hiring 12,000+ professionals at IBM, to driving 45% female representation at KPMG, to building communities where TA leaders stop feeling alone at the top — Jav has consistently championed workplaces where people feel seen, valued, and empowered. 
 
He is co-founder of FiesTA, a global TA leadership community, and a recognized voice on the future of work, AI, and human-first hiring.

Jessica Duvall

Head of People and Culture

Chinese Palace Group

Jessica Duvall is a visionary People & Culture leader with over 17 years of global HR experience across the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. As Head of People & Culture at Chinese Palace Group in Dubai, she leads strategic initiatives for a workforce of 1,800+ employees across multiple brands. 
 
Her expertise spans talent acquisition, compensation & benefits, employee engagement, learning & development, HR transformation, and culture building. Known for creating scalable HR functions, she drives both operational excellence and strong, inclusive workplace cultures. 
Jessica holds a Master’s degree in Business and certifications in Strategic Leadership, HRM, and Organizational Development. Having lived in seven countries, she brings a strong cross-cultural perspective to her work. 

Jessica is passionate about creating environments where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Kateryna Byelova

CEO

Sage XP

Kateryna Byelova is the CEO of Sage XP, a consultancy specializing in internal communications and corporate culture.

With over 18 years of experience in leadership roles across the metallurgy, oil & gas, and logistics industries, Kateryna has designed and built internal communication and culture functions from scratch for companies with up to 350,000 employees, often during complex transformations, mergers, and restructuring.

Kateryna is the author of the first data-driven study on Internal Communications and Culture development in the Gulf region, introducing the market’s first benchmarks. She is a member of the MEPRA Strategy Board, contributing to the advancement of the communications profession in the region.

Kateryna holds a Master’s degree in Communication from Johns Hopkins University and regularly speaks at regional and international conferences on internal communications, culture, and employee performance. She also lectures at universities, including Johns Hopkins University, contributing to the next generation of communication professionals.

Kristina Vaneva

Employee Experience Professional

Beyond Plus

Kristina Vaneva is a celebrated HR industry leader who has garnered numerous accolades and industry awards for her remarkable contributions to the field of employee experience. 

With a career journey spanning over two decades, she specializes in employee engagement and internal communication. Esteemed for her ability to reduce employee turnover rates and turnover costs, and seize opportunities for positive organizational change, Kristina is a devoted leader with a proven track record of crafting impactful communication strategies tailored to business objectives. 

Her newly published book “Beyond Employee Engagement” aims to her readers elevate organizations from ordinary to extraordinary through cultural best and “next” practices, where each step shapes an outstanding employee and customer experience. It is a roadmap for leaders, managers, and HR students and professionals, empowering them to shape a purposeful journey, impacting a future where work is transformative for employees, customers, investors, communities, and beyond.

Maher Sabbagh

Chief People Officer and Board Advisor

AmicaVerse Holding

A versatile and capable HR leader with more than two decades of rich and diverse experience with world's leading FMCG and Fortune 500 companies across Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia and Emerging Markets. Accomplished track record in transformation strategies, change management and turnaround initiatives. Committed to excellence, adaptability in diversity and strategic leadership.

Marketa Simkova

Head of People, Performance, Culture

KPMG Middle East

Marketa Simkova is a Partner and the Head of People, Performance & Culture at KPMG Middle East, where she leads the firm’s people strategy across the region. In this role, Marketa is responsible for shaping the employee experience, advancing leadership and talent development, driving cultural transformation, and building a future-ready workforce.

A passionate advocate for people-led transformation, Marketa focuses on aligning the firm’s structure, workforce, and culture to its strategic goals—enabling performance, inclusion, and sustainable growth. She has been playing a pivotal role in the evolution of KPMG’s leadership model, and embedding wellbeing, DEI, and capability building into the core of the organization.

Prior to her current role, Marketa spent over a decade advising senior executives across the region on workforce transformation, business design, and the future of work. She has led numerous human capital transformations that positioned HR as a strategic enabler of performance and innovation.

Marketa holds a Master’s degree in International Economic Relations from the Prague University of Economics and Business. She is also certified in change management, psychometric assessments, and business culture transformation.

Melanie Ortiz

Group HR Director - Global Operations

WESTAY Ltd. (Luxury Travel)

An accomplished and forward-thinking Senior HR Leader with extensive international experience across luxury hospitality, travel, high-end F&B, live entertainment, and human capital consulting. Recognized for combining entrepreneurial agility with corporate discipline, she has successfully built, scaled, and transformed multi-territory organizations and start-ups across brand-led environments.

With a proven record in establishing Centers of Excellence (CoE) and leading people, culture, and engagement strategies, she drives retention, performance, and organizational transformation through data-driven decision-making and strong business alignment. Her expertise spans global HR strategy, large-scale recruitment, leadership development, succession planning, and complex workforce operations exceeding 100 nationalities.

Commercially astute and people-centric, she fosters inclusive, high-performance cultures grounded in collaboration, innovation, and accountability. Passionate about developing purpose-driven workplaces, she champions employee engagement, coaching, and continuous learning as levers for sustainable growth and brand excellence.

A certified Executive Coach (CTI, USA) with CIPD and CHRP qualifications from the UK, she is a multi-awarded HR leader—recognized among the Top 50 HR Professionals in the Middle East (HRME 2024), Top HR Leaders in the Middle East (Hozpitality Biz 2024) & MENA’s 100 HR Leaders Awardee (Verve 2025)—known for driving transformation where people thrive and businesses outperform.

Meshael Al Blooshi

CEO

Riyam Management Consultancy

Meshael Al Blooshi is the Founder & CEO of Riyam Management Consultancy and a seasoned HR and talent advisory leader with extensive experience across real estate, entertainment, financial services, engineering, technology, healthcare, railway, and education. With over 20 years of experience, she specialises in strategic Talent Acquisition, Employee Experience, Emiratisation strategies, organisational culture, and talent-centred transformation. Meshael has led large-scale, cross-sector talent initiatives and is passionate about shaping workplaces that balance performance, purpose, and employee wellbeing.

Nancy Zakharia

Board Advisor, Leadership Coach, and Talent & Organizational Development Leader

Nancy has held various HR and non HR roles in government and multinational organizations. She has extensive international experience working across many geographies and cultures in the capacity of a coach and HR professional. She leverages her expertise in career Management & Succession Planning complemented by experience in workforce planning, performance management, and job evaluation to drive organizational excellence. Her long-term strategic vision is a guiding force as she formulates strategies encompassing global Diversity & Inclusion, employee engagement, leadership development, and more. Nancy has driven the due diligence process for several merger & acquisition initiatives. She has also spearheaded Leadership Assessment & Development centres playing a pivotal role in selecting C-Suite executives for prominent organizations. This vast experience equips her with a comprehensive understanding of business challenges on a global scale, allowing her to effortlessly build strong connections with stakeholders at all levels and provide tailored business solutions.

Her passion for coaching & leadership development is evident through her design of HiPo talent programs & Female leadership programs.

Nancy believes in the power of community and is driven by a strong sense of purpose of making the world a better place; this fuels her commitment to giving back and creating a positive impact in the communities she operates in.

Nancy is a holder of a Masters’ in Business Administration from the American University of Sharjah (AUS) and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the Lebanese American University (LAU). She has pursued several certifications throughout her career and is currently a Certified Chair™ by The Advisory Board Center, a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) from ICF, Certified Professional Co-Active Coach- (CPCC), Certified Positive Intelligence Coach, Certified Strengths Coach, Certified People Acuity Guide, Professional Certified Coach for Innovators, a holder of SPHRi Certification from HRCI and SHRM- SCP from SHRM. She is Organization & Relationship Systems Coach and Conversational Intelligence Enhanced practitioner. Nancy is certified in a variety of Psychometric assessment tools that she uses as needed to support leadership development within organizations, and to facilitate individual and team coaching sessions.

Navid Nazemian

World’s #1 Executive Coach (CEO Today)

Navid Nazemian is an executive transition coach and global thought leader, working with CEOs and senior leadership teams as they step into complex, high-impact roles. With over two decades of experience across human resources and leadership development, Navid brings a rare practitioner’s lens to executive transitions, shaped by hands-on work across multiple industries, markets, and cultures. Having lived and worked in five countries, his perspective bridges emerging and developed markets, helping leaders navigate change with clarity, confidence, and purpose. Navid is the author of Mastering Executive Transitions – The Definitive Guide, an internationally bestselling book that distils practical frameworks and real-world insights for leaders navigating critical career moments. His work focuses on accelerating leadership effectiveness during periods of transition, alignment, and organisational change. As a contributor to Employee Happiness Daily, Navid shares evidence-based perspectives on leadership transitions, executive effectiveness, and the human dynamics that determine success at the top, offering readers practical guidance grounded in real leadership challenges. 

Neetu Choudhary

Business & Leadership Coach & Trainer| Board Member & Advisor | International Keynote Speaker | Executive Speaking Coach | Business Podcast Host |

Evolvitude FZE & Evolvitude Speakers

Neetu Choudhary is a Business & Leadership Coach, Corporate Trainer, Board Member and Advisor, International Keynote Speaker, Executive Speaking Coach, and host of the business podcast “Lead With Neetu.” With 25+ years of global experience, she has worked with leaders in over 150 companies across 30+ countries and is the Founder of Evolvitude and Evolvitude Speakers.She holds deep expertise in IT, neuroscience, behavioural science, Six Sigma, and business excellence, backed by an MCA and advanced credentials including Six Sigma Black Belt (USA), EFQM Assessor (Brussels), CGEIT (USA), PMI-RMP, and qualifications in PMO, CMMI, and ITIL. Neetu is associated with leading governance bodies such as Women Board of Directors, GCC Board of Directors Institute, and the Institute of Directors Global, Taxation Society, ISACA USA, ASQ USA< KPI Institute, EFQM Europe.

She has been a team leader, senior assessor, and jury member for several prestigious international awards, including ASQ USA, ITEA, the Stevie Awards, the Dubai Quality Award (DQA) and Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum (MRM) Awards by Dubai Chamber of Commerce, the SKEA Awards by Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce, the Taqdeer Awards by the UAE Ministry of Labour, the UAE Innovation Awards by Dubai Quality Group, multiple business excellence awards, and more

Preethy Suresh

Founder & CEO

Ignition Point Ventures

Preethy Suresh is the Founder & CEO of Ignition Point Ventures, where she pioneers bespoke, people-centred HR systems tailored for growth-stage companies. Through IPVHR, she delivers fractional HR and consulting services, enabling organizations to access strategic expertise with agility and precision, while also guiding human-centred AI transformation—helping businesses adopt AI in ways that enhance decision-making, productivity, and employee experience without losing the human core. With over two decades of experience in HR, Preethy brings a wealth of insight from working with multinational corporations across diverse global markets. Originally from Malaysia and now based in Dubai, her career has been defined by a relentless pursuit of excellence in fast-paced, high-growth environments, driving tangible results across complex industries such as technology, telecommunications and healthcare.

In addition to her entrepreneurial role, Preethy recently joined WisdomCircle as Strategic Advisor – Middle East, supporting the mission to connect experienced over-50 professionals with flexible and part-time work opportunities. Passionate about unlocking the full potential of people at every life stage, she is excited to contribute to WisdomCircle’s goal of reshaping the future of work for seasoned talent.

A certified coach from the prestigious Neuroleadership Institute, she blends strategic thinking with empathy to empower individuals and teams to thrive. A dedicated advocate for the HR profession, she also serves as a Faculty & Founding Member of the Hacking HR Expert’s Council, actively contributing to innovation, knowledge-sharing, and positive transformation across the global HR landscape.

Prof. Jeevan D’Mello

CEO | President

Zenesis Corp | Community Associations Institute, USA

Prof. Jeevan, a distinguished architect by vocation, is renowned as the 'Father of Community Management in the Middle East' due to his groundbreaking initiatives in establishing the field of residential management within the region. Notably, he has overseen the management of some of the world's most iconic properties, including the world's tallest tower, the Burj Khalifa. He is currently a consultant for prominent real estate developers in the UAE, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, where he has played a pivotal role in shaping several iconic master communities.

In 2014, Prof. Jeevan received the esteemed 'President's Award' in the United States, in addition to numerous other awards and accolades from over 10 countries. An accomplished author with four published books to his credit, he also holds the distinction of being a US-accredited lecturer authorized by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) in Dubai and Bahrain.

Prof. Jeevan holds a Doctorate in Educational Management and a Doctorate of Letters (D. Litt) from Azteca University, Mexico. He is an esteemed Professor of Real Estate at the same institution and a Professor of Practice at Woxsen University in India. He was also a board member of the US-based Community Associations Institute and the Rotary Club of Dubai. 

Ritika Bhandari, Chartered FCIPD

Head HR & Transformation Leader

Ex Teleperformance, Serco

Ritika is a seasoned HR leader and transformation specialist with over 20 years of experience across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the wider GCC, and India. She partners with boards, CEOs, and executive teams to drive large-scale people, culture and business transformations across diverse industries. 

Throughout her career, Ritika has led end-to-end HR transformations—from strategy and operating model design to digital enablement and cultural adoption—delivering measurable outcomes such as 30% efficiency gains, 20% cost optimization, and significantly improved talent quality and engagement scores. She has built shared services, digitized hire-to-retire journeys, and led M&A integrations across multiple geographies. 

She has been instrumental in building high-performance, diverse workforces across 40+ nationalities, advancing nationalization agendas, and securing multiple Great Place to Work recognitions for her organizations. 

Ritika is a recognized industry thought leader and keynote speaker at leading forums such as People Matters HR Summit, SHRM Tech HR, HRSE Tech, and ET Next Tech HR Summit. She has also served as a jury member for prominent industry platforms, including Emiratization Awards, ET HR Awards, and other leading HR and business excellence forums, contributing her expertise to recognize and advance people-first organizations. 

Her contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including CHRO of the Year, ET HR Icon – Most Influential HR Leader in the Middle East (2024), UAE Woman Leader of the Year, and listings among BusinessWorld’s 40 Under 40 and 50 Under 50 HR Leaders. 

A Chartered FCIPD and MBA graduate, Ritika is passionate about building future-ready organizations, enabling leadership transformation, and shaping the next generation of HR professionals. 

Saif Al Tohamy

Managing Director

ENGAGE

Saif has extensive experience in strategic HR leadership, currently serving as the Managing Director at ENGAGE since 2015. Under his leadership, ENGAGE has established its head office in the UAE, along with three additional offices in Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Egypt.

His commitment to delivering transformative HR solutions and people development programs has significantly impacted family-owned businesses and multinational organizations across various sectors. Throughout his career, Saif has contributed to over 400 HR projects, focusing on driving change and adding value. He believes in becoming an integral part of his clients' teams, ensuring seamless strategy implementation tailored to their unique needs. His diverse experience spans more than 17 different industries, enhancing his ability to address the specific challenges faced by organizations.

Prior to his role at ENGAGE, Saif led the HR consultancy division at JOBMASTER, where he managed consulting projects across the MENA region and achieved notable deliverables. This experience sharpened his skills in competency modeling, training and development, and human resource management, positioning ENGAGE as a trusted partner in organizational excellence.

Samir Geepee

Creator & Chief Facilitator

The Clarity Game

Samir Geepee is the creator and chief facilitator of The Clarity Game™, a powerful leadership development tool that helps organizations build peer coaching, alignment, and strategic clarity. Driven by a passion for unlocking leadership potential, he works with executive teams, mid-level managers, and high-performing professionals to break silos, strengthen trust, and turn real challenges into meaningful action through structured gameplay.

A sought-after facilitator and leadership consultant, Samir has partnered with organizations including GAC, GE Healthcare, dnata, and McKinsey. He supports CEOs and leadership teams in enhancing collaboration, decision-making, and shared ownership by shifting development from traditional top-down training to peer-driven problem-solving.

Through The Clarity Game™, Samir is on a mission to elevate managers into effective, confident leaders who can navigate complexity with clarity and lead together—rather than alone

Sarah Brooks FCIPD

Managing Director

Fikrah HR

Sarah Brooks FCIPD is the award-winning founder of Fikrah HR, a Dubai-based “Pay As You Go” & "HR-with-a-Heart" consultancy serving UAE SMEs. Holding Chartered Fellow status (FCIPD) and an MBA in HR, Sarah brings nearly three decades of GCC and UK expertise across multiple sectors including hospitality, healthcare, retail, and technology sectors. As co-host of The HR & CQ Show podcast and a regular commentator on media platforms such as Dubai Eye 103.8 radio, and the National Newspaper, she demystifies UAE labour law for entrepreneurs. Named among the "Top 101 Global HR Minds”, awarded for Excellence and Innovation Leadership by HRD World Congress, and winner of the 2025 HR Consultancy of the Year Award, Sarah transforms personal resilience into authentic, empathetic HR advisory that balances compliance with human-centred workplace culture.