Abdul Mateen
Chief Operation Officer
Raaziq International
United Arab Emirates
An experienced and motivated senior logistics executive with over 20 years of expertise in logistics and supply chain management, excelling in leadership, project management, and business transformation. Known for resilience, adaptability, and a strong ability to mentor and motivate teams, driving process improvements and operational excellence. Specialized in business expansion, he leds key elements of one of Pakistans largest and most successful logistics organistions
Abdulla Almoosa
Director of Transportation and Administrative Services
Dubai Municipality
United Arab Emirates
Abdulsalam Hamasha
Procurement Manager
Arabian Metal Industries ltd. (AMI)
Saudi Arabia
Adnan Abdulrahman Alalyani
Director General, General Department of Environmental Technologies
National Center for Environmental Compliance
Saudi Arabia
Adnan is a subject matter in Climate Change and Environmental Compliance and holds 16 years of technical experience in various fields, including environmental technologies and oil and gas. Currently, he is the CEO Advisor on International Cooperation and the General Director of Environemntal Technologies Department at the NCEC.
Ahmed Abd El Hady Mohamed
Dr of Quality and Environment
Holding Company for Water and Waste Water
United Arab Emirates
Ahmed Abu Safia
Group Vice President – Business Learning
DP World
United Arab Emirates
Ahmed Abu Safia, Global Vice President of Learning & Development at DP World, is an accomplished leader in Learning & Development. With over two decades of experience in the field, he leads the end-to-end L&D strategy, connecting learning professionals to build, collaborate, and sustain an accessible and impactful continuum of learning within the organization.
Throughout his career, Ahmed has held various leadership roles in the learning and development function, gaining extensive knowledge of what it takes to drive organizational performance through employee development. At DP World, he has led the Business Learning & Development function in developing various skills academies that support the company's strategic goals, helping employees upskill and reskill in the face of rapid change.
Ahmed is a firm believer in the power of digital learning and the role it can play in transforming learning and development. At DP World, he has led the adoption of technology to create immersive, engaging learning experiences that drive employee engagement and maximize learning outcomes.
Ahmed’s academic background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, which he obtained in 2003. He also holds a Master’s degree in Bioinformatics from McGill University in Canada, where he was a member of the Golden Key National Honour Society and was awarded the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Research Award. Additionally, Ahmed is a certified Coach, Practitioner in the use of Psychometric Assessments, and a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt holder. Get ready to learn from a true expert in the field of learning and development!
Ahmed Khair
Executive Member of The National Logistics Committee
Federation of Saudi Chambers
Ahmed Attiya
Group Supply Chain Director
Zahrawi Group
United Arab Emirates
Ahmed is the Group Supply Chain Director at Zahrawi Group. He is responsible for defining and leading the execution of the company's Supply Chain Strategy and for ensuring that the company's inventories are optimal. While ensuring excellent customer service and Supply Chain operational performance, Ahmed also focusses on critical process efficiency to achieve organizational and performance KPI's. Leveraging his 19+ years experience, Ahmed has acquired proven skills in heading new-set ups/ diversification, managing functions with emphasis on value addition to existing procurement/ cost control operations, escalating business progressively by undertaking organizational restructuring, generating significant cost savings and developing & integrating procedures, service standards & operational policies.
Prior to joining Zahrawi Group in 2020, Ahmed worked with Gulf Medical Co Ltd. Ahmed is professionally qualified with an MBA from IE Business School, Spain and he completed his Bachelor of Management from Egypt and Certified International Supply Chain Manger from The International Purchasing and Supply Chain Management Institute
Ahmed Gobara
Head of Logistics
TALABNA
Ahmed gobara head of logistics having more than 9 years of experience in the logistics, last mile delivery, transportation, fleet management and optimization. F&B process in terms of delivery and sop . E-commerce warehousing process first-middle and last mile delivery along with tech driven background
Ahmed Helal
Former Procurement Manager
Prime Minister’s Office
United Arab Emirates
Ahmed Helal is a seasoned Procurement Professional with extensive experience 14 years) in diverse roles across leading organizations including Amazon, Thales ME and UAE Prime Minister's Office His expertise encompasses a wide range of sectors such as IT Digital Identification Solutions, Aviation, Military, Retail, Government, Events Marketing, NGOs, as well as Steel and Fertilizers Manufacturing.
Ahmed holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting Business Management His educational background in Supply Chain, Procurement and Executive Management, complements his practical experience As He has also completed full attendance of CIPS Level 4 Diploma and Executive Management Diploma from the American University in Cairo.
Ahmed brings his knowledge and experience in Planning, Strategic Sourcing, Contracts Vendors Management alongside with his passion for sharing knowledge and empowering others for professional development to help delivering valuable insights.
Ajay Singh
Vice President of Supply Chain Management
Hindustan Platinum
India
Ajay Singh is a distinguished Supply Chain Transformational Business Leader with an impressive track record spanning over 30 years. Throughout his career, he has exhibited prowess in Developing, Structuring, Operating, and delivering multi-functional tactical and strategic assignments, predominantly in Supply Chain Management.
Currently, Ajay Singh is serving with Hindustan Platinum Pvt Ltd as Vice President- Supply Chain Management. He plays a pivotal role in shaping and optimizing the Supply Chain processes within the organization. His expertise extends across diverse industries including Heavy Industry, Electrical & Electronics, Automobile, Telecom, Specialty Chemical, Engineering, Precious Metal.
Ajay Singh's exceptional contributions to the field have not gone unnoticed, earning several prestigious accolades.
Akin Adamson
Director Middle East
Ricardo Group
United Arab Emirates
Akin Adamson is the Middle East Director for Ricardo Clean Energy & Environmental Solutions - a global strategic engineering and environmental consultancy with offices across the GCC. Ricardo advises public and private sector organisations on Air Quality, Energy, Water, Waste, Sustainability and Mobility strategies, technologies, and operations.
Previously, he was the UK’s Transport Research Laboratory’s (TRL’s) Regional Director for the Middle East. Before that, he held senior Director level roles at Nokia Siemens Networks, Telstra and A.T. Kearney.
He began his research career at London Business School in the energy sector and has lectured at both London Business School and the London School of Economics. He was educated at LSE, LBS and the University of Michigan, USA.
Alanood Obaid Alsuwaidi
Senior Vice President - Cargo MEAA
Menzies Aviation
United Arab Emirates
Dr. Aleksandra Zivaljevic
Academic Program Chair of Bachelor in Logistics and Supply Chain Program at the Faculty of Business
Higher Colleges of Technology
United Arab Emirates
Dr. Aleksandra Živaljević is a distinguished academic and professional with over 25 years of experience in higher education, consultancy, and quality management, specializing in logistics and supply chain management. She currently serves as the Academic Program Chair for Logistics and Supply Chain Management at the Higher Colleges of Technology in the UAE. In this role, she oversees program development, accreditation processes, and curriculum enhancement while teaching courses such as Operations Management, Lean Management, Supply Chain Operations Planning and Control, and Strategic Supply Management.
Dr. Živaljević holds a PhD in Technical Sciences from the University of Belgrade and has an extensive background in logistics, having designed and implemented quality and logistics systems across various industries. She has led numerous international consultancy projects aimed at optimizing supply chain processes, enhancing logistics operations, and integrating ISO standards within organizations. Her expertise includes operations optimization and quality improvement in supply chains.
A certified lead auditor for ISO standards, Dr. Živaljević has been instrumental in improving logistics processes for businesses worldwide. Her research contributions include publications on process optimization and quality management in supply chains. Fluent in English and proficient in modern teaching technologies, she is committed to advancing the field of logistics and equipping students and professionals with the skills to thrive in dynamic, global supply chains.
Dr. Ali O. Melibari
Program Director of Project Management Office (PMO) Consultant - Jeddah Municipality
Dorsch Gruppe
United Arab Emirates
Dr. Ali O. Melibari holds a PhD in Civil Engineering, specializing in Transportation and Traffic Engineering from the Faculty of Engineering at King Abdulaziz University. He also has multiple Master's degrees: one in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the same university, and two in Business Administration from the University of Sunderland (London Branch) and Prince Sultan College of Management (Al-Faisal University, Jeddah).
Currently, he serves as the Program Director of the Project Management Office (PMO) Consultant for Dorsch Holding Company, focusing on projects for the Jeddah Municipality. With 27 years of experience at Saudi Aramco, he has supervised the operation and maintenance of Information Technology facilities in Jeddah. He also spent a year working with Wipro Company in London, where he contributed to technology support for oil and gas companies across Europe and America.
In addition to his professional roles, Dr. Melibari is the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Transportation Planning and Traffic Safety Chapter of the Saudi Society for Urban Sciences and the Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Society for Civil Engineering. He is also a member of the Industrial Advisory Council for the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at King Abdulaziz University.
Passionate about knowledge sharing, he actively delivers training courses, lectures, seminars, and working papers in traffic safety, civil engineering, business administration, and self-development.
Amadou Diallo
Chief Executive Officer Middle East & Africa
DHL Global Forwarding
United Arab Emirates
Since June 2017 Amadou Diallo is CEO of DHL Global Forwarding Middle East & Africa based in Dubai.
He is the founder of Saloodo. He was previously CEO DHL Freight, CEO DHL Global Forwarding Africa & South Asia Pacific and prior to this CFO of Deutsche Post DHL Logistics Division as well as Managing Director for the integration of Exel and DHL.
Mr. Diallo has over 30 years of experience in the tourism, banking, express and logistics industries.
He is Senegalese and fluent in several languages including English, German, French, Spanish, Fulani and Wolof.
Mr. Diallo holds an MBA in International Business and volunteers as Chairman of Gesundes Afrika, member of the Board of Directors of Welthungerhilfe, Global Business School Network and Africa Tech Festival amongst others.
Amer Alkhatib
VP ‑ UAE and Commercial
Milaha
United Arab Emirates
Amer Al-Khatib is a seasoned leader with over 23 years of experience in supply chain management, commercial strategy, and business development. As the Commercial Vice President and UAE Vice President at Milaha, he has driven transformative growth by implementing strategic initiatives that increased revenues, expanded market share, and established key partnerships. Amer excels in sales performance management, digital transformation, and risk mitigation, consistently delivering exceptional results. His expertise extends to operational efficiency, cost optimization, and customer relationship management, developed during senior roles at CMA CGM and Aramex. A skilled communicator and strategic thinker, Amer is adept at identifying business opportunities, negotiating contracts, and leading cross-functional teams. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Maritime Business & Logistics from the University of Plymouth, complemented by advanced certifications in leadership, quality assurance, and supply chain optimization. Amer is passionate about driving innovation and achieving sustainable growth in dynamic, competitive markets.
Amit Katiyar
Head of Procurement-AMET
Lipton Tea & Infusions
United Arab Emirates
Amit Katiyar is Head of Procurement – AMET for Lipton Tea & Infusions . He is a Tea Taster and having 13 years of experience in Supply Chain Management with focus on Strategic Planning & Procurement in South East Asia and AMET regions. He has is driven multiple digital transformation for procurement for inventory optimizations and cost reductions and improving service levels across multiple markets. Amit is a Chemical Engineer & holds a MBA in Supply Chain from the IIM, Mumbai.
Andrés de León
CEO
HyperloopTT
United States of America
Known globally for his focused management style and creation of growth-oriented businesses within the infrastructure construction and alternative energy sectors, Andrés de León was appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer in 2019. Previously, Andrés had served as Chief Operations Officer for HyperloopTT for three years.
Andrés brings 30 years of international experience as a senior executive in manufacturing, finance management, private/public business negotiation, and tax and audit supervision to HyperloopTT. Andrés has initiated and executed corporate affairs in Spain, Belgium, Portugal, France, Italy, Mexico, Chile, and the United States.
While receiving a degree in law and his MBA from one of the world’s top business universities, IE Business School, Andrés worked in the financial department and became Deputy Financial Director of Terratest Construction in Spain where he oversaw the construction of major construction projects around the world.
Later he became General Manager of a multinational industrial group, specializing in the manufacturing of alternative energy products on a global scale.
This experience has proven to be a perfect match for the globally collaborative entity of HyperloopTT. In a few short years, Andrés became critical to the development of the organization by orchestrating several key global agreements and investments, while transitioning the forward-thinking concept and designoriented company into an industry-leading firm focused on engineering and execution. He now leads the largest crowd-powered team of professionals ever assembled.
Aurelie Dos Santos
Smart City Lead
Egis Middle East & South Asia
Aurélie Dos Santos is a Smart City Lead for Egis in the Middle East, currently based in Riyadh. She studied political science at Sciences Po Paris, where she earned her master’s degree in territorial and urban strategy in 2011, and later completed an MBA in project management at FGV University in São Paulo, Brazil, in 2018.
For six years, Aurélie managed the implementation of bike and electric vehicle sharing systems across Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico. Upon returning to France in 2018, she worked with JCDecaux for two years, overseeing tenders across France, Southern Europe, and South America. During this time, she also led the development of an e-learning platform for new team training and managed a change management project focused on new tools and processes.
In 2020, Aurélie returned to Brazil to work with a technology and digital infrastructure solutions company specializing in sensors, data centers, data analysis, and control command centers. As a business developer, she explored use cases for these technologies in smart city projects.
Aurélie believes that contributing to a smart city project begins with understanding city needs and the daily challenges faced by municipal teams. She is passionate about finding ways to enhance the quality of life for urban residents.
Aurélie speaks French, Portuguese, Spanish, and English, and she plans to learn Arabic to make the most of her experience in Saudi Arabia.
Dr. Arafat El Mourad
Founder & CEO
IPCS Sourcing & Procurement Consultant
United Arab Emirates
Axel Herzhauser
Global Managing Director
WeFreight
United Arab Emirates
Axel is a seasoned executive in shipping, logistics, and supply chain management, with extensive expertise and a global network spanning major industry verticals. He has held senior leadership roles across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, successfully driving business development, regional expansions, and full P&L ownership for multinational corporations like CEVA Logistics, Ingram Micro, and Teleplan. Axel's career highlights include building 3PL operations across Asia-Pacific, leading commercial strategies for freight management and contract logistics, and overseeing the Southeast Asia & Pacific and Middle East & Africa regions for CEVA Logistics. Currently, as the Global Managing Director of WeFreight, Axel brings a proven track record in leadership, strategic growth, and operational excellence. Educated in Germany, the US, and Hong Kong, he holds a BA in Logistics and Business Administration and an EMBA from Kellogg-HKUST.
Dr. Ayad Aldaijy
Advisor to the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture
Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture
Saudi Arabia
Dr. Ayad Aldaijy is a senior IT and executive leader, and a subject matter expert in cyber-security. He has a wealth of 29+ years of experience in leadership and advisory roles in reputable local and global organizations.
Dr. Aldaijy has successfully delivered transformational mission critical systems for many public sector organizations. He led and engaged with Digital Economy/Transformation, IT/Risks & Controls Assessment, Cyber Security, Sustainability, Organizational Transformation Solutions, Drive Smarter Technology and Services, Change Strategies, Research & Analysis, and Teaching & Coaching.
In September 2015, Dr. Aldaijy joined the Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture, Saudi Arabia, as Advisor to the Minister and Chief Information Officer (CIO). He played a key role in the continued development of the Ministry, serving as an integral and strategic member of its senior management team. He was primarily responsible for the management of the Ministry’s present and future information & communication technology services position, and building a strong and capable team to support the Ministry’s vision to achieve sustainability of environment and natural resources, ensure water security, contribute to achieving food security, and improve quality of life in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Previously, Dr. Aldaijy has held a number of managerial positions in Saudi Arabian Royal Guard and Ministry of Defense, including of CIO position at Saudi Arabian Royal Guard. He started his professional career with Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) in June 1990, where he engaged and led a number of critical ICT projects for major organizations in RSAF and Ministry of Defense. He retired as Brigadier General.
Dr. Aldaijy received the PhD degree in information technology from George Mason University, Virginia, USA, in 2003. He received his B.S and M.S. degrees in information systems from George Washington University, Washington D.C., in 1988 and 1990 consecutively. Dr. Aldaijy won “the Catalyst 2018 - Best Government CIO”, in the GCC region, and similarly won “The Prestigious World CIO 200 Award” by the global CIO Forum 2019. Moreover, and just recently, he won “The World CIO 200 Awards: “Legend” by “The Global CIO Forum 2020”.
Dr. Aldaijy had been speaking on major regional and international conferences on technology and cyber-security developments.
Bunthorn SOK
Deputy Director-General
Ministry of Commerce
Cambodia
Mr. Bunthorn SOK is presently a Deputy Director-General (DDG) for International Trade, Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia. In his roles, he has engaged in researches, trade negotiations, and trade policy formulations of the Ministry. The FTAs he engaged include Cambodia-Republic of Korea, Cambodia-UAE, ASEAN-China, and ASEAN-Canada.
Besides his professional sphere, he has been a lecturer of Commercial and Economic Diplomacy at the Ecole Royale d’ Administration (ERA/RSA) and a visiting scholar of Taihe Institute, a Beijing-based think tank on foreign policy studies. Mr. Bunthorn holds a BA in International Studies (Honors) from DIS/IISPP, an LLB (BA) in Legal Studies from the University of Cambodia, and an LLM (MA) in International Trade Law, University of Leeds, United Kingdom.
Prof. Bamidele Adebisi
Intelligent Infrastructure Systems
Director of Smart Communities and Innovation
Manchester Metropolitan University
United Kingdom
Bamidele is a Professor in Intelligent Infrastructure Systems, and Director of Smart Communities and Innovations, at the Department of Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. He is a Director/ Board Member at the African Hydrogen Partnership Trade Association (AHP),Mauritius, and a member of the leadership team of the Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre, UK.
He received a Master’s degree and a Ph.D. in Engineering both from Lancaster University, UK. Before that, he had a B.Eng. in Electrical Engineering from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
He has published widely and given talks/panel discussions in the research areas of clean energy, smart cities/communities/Infrastructure, industry 4.0, the Internet of things, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and cyber-physical systems. He has been part of multi-partner, multi-country, multi-million-pound projects funded by the government, international agencies, and corporate bodies. He has a strong record of accomplishment in attracting industrial-related grants through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP). One such project received the UK Best of the best KTP Project of the Year Awards in September 2020.
Bamidele is a Fellow of IET, a Senior member of IEEE, a Fellow of Higher Education Academy and a Chartered Engineer.
Billie Jo Ropiha
Managing Director
BDET
United Arab Emirates
Billie Jo Ropiha (Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Te Atiawa, Wampanoag) hails from Aotearoa New Zealand is the founder and owner of BDÉT, a personal hygiene company. A NZ media personality, entrepreneur and ledership specialist, she now resides in Dubai looking to expand her products here and beyond.
“I am so grateful and excited to be in the most progressive and forward thinking city in the World. I look forward to the opportunities this country presents and connecting with like minded people who want to make this world a better place to live and work."
Caroline Goodricke
General Manager
Ocean Wide Logistics DMCC
United Arab Emirates
Caroline Goodricke is a seasoned professional in the logistics and shipping industry, currently serving as the Country Manager of Oceanwide Logistics in Dubai. With over three decades of experience, she has held pivotal roles, Managing Director at Senator Lines (UK), Managing Director at Allseas Global Logistics and Sales Manager at Morline. Caroline’s extensive expertise encompasses project freight forwarding and the development of new shipping services, notably representing TS Lines in Australia and New Zealand. Her leadership and strategic insights have significantly contributed to the advancement of global logistics operations.
Corey Gray
Chair
Smart Cities Council
A qualified scientist, engineer and artist, Corey has a diverse 30 + year career in industries ranging from professional sports, through technology, advanced manufacturing, entertainment, fine arts, charity and philanthropy.
In that time, Corey has founded, scaled and exited technology companies, produced multi-award-winning feature films, held art exhibitions across the globe and contributed widely to thought leadership, academia, industry groups and social impact initiatives.
Currently Corey holds several professional positions including:
- Global President of Washington DC headquartered Smart Cities Council, the world’s peak industry group Smart Cities, Buildings and Technologies
- Co-founder and chair of multi-international award-winning feature film production company, Switch Productions, and
- Global board member of New York based EB Research Partnership, a charity dedicated to finding a cure for the rare genetic disorder, Epidermolysis Bullosa, founded by Pearl Jam front man, Eddie Vedder
Corey is also a recent director and treasurer of Silcon Valley based technology interoperability group, LonMark, and professional Australian Football franchise, Sturt Football Club.
A sought after thought leader and regular public speaker in areas including technology, behavioural science, engineering, geopolitics, philosophy and ethics, Corey is a regular keynote speaker at major public and private events all over the world.
Dante Kluver
Regional Manager UAE & Cargo Operations Centre
Etihad Airways
United Arab Emirates
Darryl Judd
Regional Head of Air Feight
AP Moller. Maersk
United Arab Emirates
A seasoned logistics & supply chain executive with over 25 years of leadership experience, recognized among SCM World’s “Top 50 Influential Individuals in Asia’s Supply Chain” in 2015. Renowned for integrating business strategy with operational execution, this leader has consistently driven multi-million-dollar P&L growth, strategic investments, and transformative initiatives in logistics, aviation, and transportation sectors. An expert in mergers and acquisitions, business turnaround, and market expansion, they also excel in leadership development and change management. A recognized thought leader, they are frequently featured in industry publications and serve on a global innovation award board, reflecting their deep expertise in scaling innovative solutions.
Dhafer AL Ahmari
EVP for Applied College
The University of Bisha
Saudi Arabia
Dr. Dhafer Alahmari is an accomplished Assistant Professor specializing in Supply Chain Management and currently holds the position of Vice President at the Applied College in Bisha. With a career spanning many years, Dr. Alahmari has accumulated extensive industrial experience, contributing to both academic research and practical applications in supply chain dynamics and logistics management. His professional journey includes significant roles and achievements in the GCC region and internationally, equipping him with a unique global perspective. As an academic leader and administrator, he is committed to enhancing educational practices and fostering a collaborative learning environment. Dr. Alahmari’s expertise and leadership continue to impact the field, bridging the gap between theory and practice in supply chain management.
Diana Choyleva
Chief Economist
Enodo Economics
United Kingdom
Diana Choyleva is a leading expert on China’s economy and politics. She is Chief Economist at Enodo Economics, an independent macroeconomic, political and geopolitical forecasting company she set up in 2016 to assess China and its global impact. She has analysed China since 2000 and has co-authored three books: ‘China’s Quest for Financial Self-reliance’ (2022), ‘The American Phoenix – and why China and Europe will struggle after the coming slump’ (2011) and ‘The Bill from the China Shop’ (2006). In 2023 she joined JPMorgan Asia Growth and Income plc as a Non-executive Director to the Board. Later that year she joined the Asia Society Policy Institute’s Center for China Analysis, as a non-resident Senior Fellow on the Chinese economy. Before Enodo she worked at Lombard Street Research (now TS Lombard) for 16 years, most recently as their Chief Economist and Head of Research.
Deepak Sagar
Head of Procurement
National Food Industries Company
Saudi Arabia
- Mr. Deepak Sagar is a Senior Management Personnel and a Procurement leader, having an experience of 19 years with FMCG Companies in the domain of Packaged Foods, Home and Personal Care products.
- An MBA in agribusiness, from MANAGE- Hyderabad, he has been in the Middle East for the last 11 years with NFIC – KSA. Prior to moving to the region, he worked with ITC, RB and Heinz in their procurement teams.
- Deepak has a keen interest in the domains of Procurement transformation, Strategic Management and Procurement governance.
-An avid reader and an ardent follower of technology, he believes the adaptation of new technologies is the key for efficient and effective delivery of procurement functions and in turn the success of organizations of the future.
Dr. Dheeraj Bhardwaj
Group Chief Executive Officer
Citylink Shuttle
As a Group CEO for City Group Co., Kuwait, Dheeraj is leading the transformation agenda of passenger transport/ mobility industry in Kuwait with the focus on digital innovations and green initiatives. Prior to this he was co-founder and CEO of Arnab Mobility a micro-mobility start-up in UAE.
Played a major role in the development of India’s Supercomputer PARAM and mission critical applications, instrumental in transforming Construction Industry in the UK and Middle East, developed Innovation Strategy for $25 bn Crossrail project in London and award winning “Dubai Innovation Index”.
As a digital & innovation strategy consulting lead of PwC, Dheeraj has developed several transformational strategies for Road and Transport Authority in Middle East such as Innovation Strategy, Marine PPP model, Automated Fare Collection (AFC) strategies and commercialization of several government entities in KSA
Recently he led the launch of “Citylink Shuttle” First Shuttle service in Kuwait that is globally benchmarked and unique digital mobility service based on Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) concept that is targeted to reduce traffic congestion in busy urban areas.
Dheeraj holds a PhD in Computing Science from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and MBA from Imperial College London, UK. Published c.50 research papers in reputed journals. Recipient of two Young Scientist Awards from the Government of India for his innovations and was invited to present his Innovations at NASA, USA.
Edward Brzytwa
Vice President of International Trade
Consumer Technology Association
United States
Ed Brzytwa is the Consumer Technology Association's Vice President of International Trade. He leads CTA’s trade and supply chain policy and advocacy work, with a strong focus on improving the international trade environment and global supply chains to strengthen the competitiveness of the U.S. consumer technology industry. In July 2024, Ed received an appointment to the Export-Import Bank of the United States’ 2024-25 Council on China Competition. The Washingtonian Magazine has included Ed on the 500 Most Influential People of 2023 and 2024.
Ed previously served as an international trade advocate for the American Chemistry Council and Information Technology Industry Council and a trade negotiator in Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and U.S. Department of Commerce. Ed obtained two Master’s degrees from the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna in Austria, where he was a Fulbright fellow, and from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, and has a Bachelor of the Arts degree from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, as The Henry Bean S.J. Scholar of The Classics.
Ehab Khairat
Group Chief Procurement and Supply Chain Officer
Liquid Intelligent Technologies
United Arab Emirates
Fatima Alloghani
Managing Owner
Born2localize
United Arab Emirates
Fatima Alloghani is a distinguished expert with over two decades of experience in Emiratisation and local talent development. Her leadership at Born2Localize brings unparalleled expertise to clients across the Middle East.
Born2Localize stands out as a premier provider of localization consulting services, with a mission to empower organizations through tailored localization strategies. Their approach emphasizes integrating local talent, fostering regional success, and supporting the unique needs of governments, professionals, and businesses involved in localization.
Under Fatima’s guidance, Born2Localize combines deep regional insights with a commitment to excellence, making them a trusted partner for anyone seeking to thrive in the Middle Eastern market.
Fadi Amoudi
Founder & CEO
IQ Fulfilment
United Arab Emirates
Fadi Amoudi, a successful entrepreneur with a track-record of establishing online and offline enterprises across the Middle East, is the Founder & CEO of IQ. IQ is a log-tech company out of Dubai, UAE both an operational and a technology company focusing on e-commerce logistics. Drawing from his extensive FMCG background, Fadi set his sight on transforming the supply chain capabilities in the MENA region, and contributing to the exponential growth of the E-Commerce sector by addressing its main hurdle; fulfillment.
The IQ trio of businesses namely IQ Fulfillment, IQ Robotics & IQ Hybrid aim to be the first in the region to offer and leverage the latest logistics technologies powered by Robotics and AI to offer cutting-edge customized solutions at a cost-efficient level. Fadi’s expertise in supply chain management within the region, along with a talented team of international professionals, uniquely position the IQ group to create unique and exceptional value to all the E-Commerce players, regardless of their size and scale.
Fatima Alloghani
Managing Owner
Born2localize
United Arab Emirates
Fatima Alloghani is a distinguished expert with over two decades of experience in Emiratisation and local talent development. Her leadership at Born2Localize brings unparalleled expertise to clients across the Middle East.
Born2Localize stands out as a premier provider of localization consulting services, with a mission to empower organizations through tailored localization strategies. Their approach emphasizes integrating local talent, fostering regional success, and supporting the unique needs of governments, professionals, and businesses involved in localization.
Under Fatima’s guidance, Born2Localize combines deep regional insights with a commitment to excellence, making them a trusted partner for anyone seeking to thrive in the Middle Eastern market.
Fawzi ALHussain
VP Supply Chain
Arabian Pipes Company
Saudi Arabia
With over 24 years of proven experience in supply chain and logistics management, including transportation and warehousing operations, with specialized expertise in implementing SAP solutions. Executive Vice President of Supply Chain at Arabian Pipes Company since April 2014. Prior to this role, he was Supply Chain Manager at Al Jasser Industrial Group in 2014. Extensive experience at Amiantit Saudi Arabia Company includes positions such as Group Supply Chain Manager (2011-2014), Logistics Manager (2008-2011), and various roles from 2001 to 2007, including Supply Chain Management Consultant and SAP Business Solutions Team Leader.
Holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from the Open University of Malaysia (2009) and a Bachelor's degree in Management Information Systems from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (2000). Additionally, a founding member of the Supply Chain and Procurement Association and previously served on the National Committee for the Iron Industry
Ghaith Al Darmaki
Chief Executive Technology
Asyad Group
Ghaith Al Darmaki is the Group Chief Technology Officer at Asyad, Oman’s global integrated logistics provider. With over 20 years of experience in driving digital transformation in sectors like telecommunications and aviation, he is a recognized leader in the field.
In his past role, Ghaith led the digital transformation for Oman’s national airline, significantly contributing to its success. Throughout his career, he has overseen large ICT and telecommunications projects both in Oman and internationally.
Ghaith is a graduate of the National CEO Program conducted in partnership with IMD Business School. He also holds a Postgraduate Program certificate in Data Science & Business Analytics from The University of Texas at Austin, an MBA from Manchester Business School, and a bachelor’s degree from Sultan Qaboos University.
As Asyad’s Group CTO, Ghaith brings deep expertise in advanced technologies to improve organizational performance. His focus areas include building strong digital engines across Asyad’s Business Units and fostering innovation across the Group’s solutions and products.
Gianmaria Beretti
Chief Executive Officer
Fiege Far East Holding Ltd.
United Arab Emirates
A distinguished supply chain and logistics strategist with over 20 years of international experience, specializing in the Asia Pacific market. Renowned for delivering innovative logistics solutions across air and sea freight, warehousing, and integrated supply chains for clients in Fashion, FMCG, Retail, and Lifestyle sectors. A trusted leader known for driving business expansion, building strategic partnerships, and enhancing organizational capabilities to maximize ROI. With a people-centric approach and multicultural insight, they seamlessly combine industry expertise with principles of sportsmanship from their background as a professional footballer to foster collaborative, high-performance environments.
Gopal R.
Global Leader, Supply Chain & Logistics Advisory
Frost and Sullivan
United Arab Emirates
Gopal leads Frost & Sullivan’s Supply Chain & Logistics (SC&L) Practice globally. He is responsible for nurturing senior client relationships in Supply Chain & Logistics, conceptualizing, managing and delivering advisory engagements in this space. His expertise in multiple regional markets has helped in developing relationships with local and regional companies, augmenting networks, capabilities and advisory focus. His regional expertise is backed well with knowledge and experience of working with global third party logistics companies.
He is also an invited thought leadership speaker at more than 75 Supply Chain & Logistics conferences globally, during the last decade. His experience base covers broad range of sectors, leveraging long-standing working relationships with leading industry participants’ Senior Executives in:
- Supply chain solution providers
- Freight infrastructure and facilities
- Maritime, Rail and Automotive
Guillaume Crozier
Senior Vice President Cargo UAE & Head Global Cargo Strategy
Dnata
United Arab Emirates
Guillaume leads Dnata's cargo business in the U.A.E. and his responsible for the Global Cargo Strategy, covering warehouse and freighter handling, 3PL, RFS, Airport Community System and GSSA product. Guillaume started his career with the Emirates Group in 2011. His previous positions include DVP Operational Performances and Product development for dnata International network, VP Operational Performance, and COO in Switzerland. Before joining the Emirates Group his aviation career covered various leadership positions across the cargo industry, mainly in the Cargo GSSA segment. Guillaume holds a Master degree in Business Management from EMlyon business school.
Guillaume Akbaraly
Operations Director - Supply Division
International SOS
United Arab Emirates
Guillaume is a Supply Chain Professional. With an MBA in International Business and a Master's degree in Industrial Engineering, He has 17 years of international experience in supply chain management across various industries, including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, energy, and manufacturing, across several continents
Habib Ahmad Noor
Senior Specialist Procurement Risks Department - Procurement Excellence Division
ADNOC
United Arab Emirates
Mr. Habib Ahmad Noor is a seasoned Procurement & Supply Chain Risk Management professional with over 27 years of experience in the energy sector. Currently, he manages Procurement & Supply Chain Risk at the corporate level for the entire ADNOC Group. Passionate about AI, Mr. Habib pioneered the implementation of a self-auditing solution at ADNOC, the first of its kind in the region, ensuring error-free procurement transactions to mitigate risks. He holds MCIPS certification, dual engineering degrees, and has extensive experience in designing procurement policies, processes, governance frameworks, and AI-driven risk management strategies
Lt. Con. Dr. Hamad Khalifa Alnuaimi
Head of Telecommunications Division
Abu Dhabi Police
United Arab Emirates
Hamed Abdulhalim
Executive Vice President Supply Chain
Abdullah Al-Othaim Markets
Saudi Arabia
Hesham ElGindy
Group Vice President - Governance, Risk and Compliance
TAQA (Industrialization & Energy Services Company)
Egypt
Hesham ElGindy is a C-Level Executive with 28 years of successful high-profile work experience in both Big 4 Advisory and Corporate roles with expertise in Internal Audit, Risk and Compliance, Corporate Governance and Audit Committee activities in various industries
His career is marked by partnering with C-suite, Board Executives, and subject matter experts to champion business transformations, create transparency, and foster innovation
He started his career at KPMG where he spent 17 years, he climbed up the ladder until he held the Risk Consultancy Partner role, following he joined SISCO Holding an Infrastructure Investment Publicly listed Company based in Jeddah- KSA, as the Chief Audit Executive in addition to Audit Committee governance roles in various logistics and infrastructure companies, then he joined TAQA ( Industrialization & Energy Services Company ) based in Khobar- KSA as the Vice President of the Group for Governance, Risk and Compliance where he leads the Governance, Risk and Compliance and Cybersecurity functions
Hossam Elsaadany
Head of Procurement & Contracts
Egyptian Refining Company
Egypt
Hossam El-Saadany is a procurement expert with over 18 years of experience in the supply chain industry. Holding an MBA from ESLSCA Paris, he currently leads procurement at ERC, with a strong focus on process optimization and digital transformation. Hossam is also a part-time lecturer at the Arab Academy for Science and Technology. As a passionate advocate for the future of procurement, he is a renowned global speaker, frequently addressing topics related to innovation and digital advancements in the field. His past roles include Head of Supply Chain at the MEK Foundation and Head of Foreign Procurement at OCI NV, where he honed his expertise in strategy, competitive intelligence, process improvement, risk management, and logistics.
Ibrahim Al-Dali
Supply Chain Head
Al-Yamama Holding Company
Saudi Arabia
C-level Supply Chain and Operations Executive Leader with extensive experience in creating strategies and leading execution and transformation of all global supply chain activities, including procurement, manufacturing, and distribution management. Manages and leads cross-functional teams to drive products and services supply and productivity improvements. Leads risk mitigation, while driving supply chain strategies for end-to-end pipeline management and supply planning. Skilled in negotiation and strategic transformation and decision making, perfected by 19 years of experience in leading organizational business units.
Irina Albanese
Head of Innovation Middle East & Africa
DHL Global Forwarding
UAE
With over 25 years of experience (including 20 with DHL) in the airline and logistics industries, across 3 continents, Irina knows what it takes to keep things moving. She heads up the DHL Innovation Center for the Middle East and Africa Region, a purpose-built platform to engage customers, start-ups, and industries on the future of logistics.
She is passionate about putting Sustainability on the agenda of DHL customers and partners and working together on innovative solutions to make supply chains greener. Irina holds a Masters of Business Administration Degree from Lancaster University, UK. She has been calling Dubai home for the last 10 years; a mother of two Dubai-born ‘treasures’, her family embodies the vibrant multicultural tapestry that is the essence of the UAE.
James Luxbacher
Chief Business Development Officer
SIXT
James Luxbacher is the Chief Buisness Development Officer of the Riyadh-based Samara Land Transportation Services and Sixt KSA since October 2023 after previously leading the company as Managing Director since April 2021. He has aggressively increased the company's fleet size and launched the Sixt Rental Brand in a strategic expansion across KSA.
Prior to joining Samara Land Transportation Services and Sixt KSA, he served as the General Manager of the Avis United Arab Emirates LLC Dubai, where he successfully managed operations through the COVID-19 crisis. Prior to relocating to the Middle East, he held various senior positions at the USA-based Hertz Corporation and worked across multiple corporate and operational functions.
When it comes to implementing and managing first-rate mobility operations in the North American and Middle Eastern markets, Luxbacher is an accomplished business leader with more than 18 years of experience under his belt. He is skilled at leading cross-functional teams, vendors, and suppliers, and he has a proven track record of increasing revenue, controlling costs, streamlining operations, and building a high-performing team.
Luxbacher has maintained a leadership position in the market throughout his career with active development of many of the industry firsts. In North America, Luxbacher lead teams to introduce some of the first production electric vehicles, new industry ancillary products, and reengineered vehicle reconditioning processes. He continued market leadership in the Middle East by tying up with various startups to introduce new mobility offerings such as Cafu, eKar, and Udrive in the UAE. In Saudi, Luxbacher has helped position the Sixt brand as the largest owner of electric vehicles in the Kingdom and he has secured strategic partnerships with many of the giga projects to introduce cutting edge mobility services.
James holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economic Management from Ohio Wesleyan University Delaware, Ohio and is a Six Sigma Green Belt Certified, QMS ISO 9001.
Javad Mohammadi
Chief Procurement Officer
Mammut Group
Experienced procurement management professional at the C-level, with a track record of over 13 years in hands-on procurement and supply chain management. Adept at implementing structured approaches to sourcing activities, thereby ensuring optimal cost management. Known for crafting solutions even in challenging and risky situations, showcasing strong problem-solving skills. A skilled leader, capable of motivating teams to achieve peak performance.
Javed A. Akbar
Chief Governance, Risk, and Compliance
Tasnee
Saudi Arabia
Javed A. Akbar is a distinguished Chief Governance, Risk, and Compliance Officer renowned for his exceptional leadership in navigating complex business and financial landscapes. With a stellar record of guiding stakeholders through strategic governance, financial & risk management priorities he brings invaluable insight to Boardrooms worldwide. His extensive background as a senior executive in prominent organizations and his service on boards and various committees across North America, Europe, and the Middle East underscore his expertise in driving sustainable growth and fostering effective corporate governance, risk management and resilience.
Beyond his corporate roles, Javed is a captivating speaker and consultant. He delivers compelling insights at international conferences, summits, and exclusive executive gatherings. His dynamic presence and engaging sessions resonate with audiences, establishing him as a trusted advisor and thought leader in risk management, strategy, ESG, and technology.
Jonathan Spear
Transport Policy and Strategy Advisor
AtkinsRéalis
United Kingdom
Jonathan Spear is a Transport Policy and Strategy Advisor with 30 years’ experience in policy, strategy, governance and capacity building. He has worked extensively in the international arena, including UK and Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific, and been based in London, Dubai, Beijing, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Much of Jonathan’s work has benchmarked good practice in multi-modal transport planning. In this context, he is increasingly interested in options and potential, policy and regulatory implications of new technologies. Recent focus areas include urban public transport, autonomous and electric vehicles, micromobility, sustainability and transport net zero.
Jonathan is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) and a Chartered Transport Planning Professional (CTPP). He is a founding members and former Chair of the CIHT Dubai Group. He has also chaired four Working Groups under Technical Committees for the World Road Association, PIARC.
Prof. Juan Matos
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
General Directorate of Internal Taxes (DGII)
Dominican Republic
An experienced IT professional, lawyer, and academic, Matos has over 19 years of expertise in technology and cybersecurity. He currently serves as the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at the General Directorate of Internal Taxes (DGII). In addition, he is an Expert Assessor on Confidentiality and Data Protection for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Vice President of the Internet Society in the Dominican Republic.
Before joining DGII, Matos served as Networks and Communications Manager at the Dominican Civil Aviation Institute (IDAC), the government entity responsible for regulating, supervising, and promoting civil aviation in the Dominican Republic. During his tenure from 2005 to 2020, he led key networking and technological infrastructure projects that significantly enhanced the organization's operational efficiency and connectivity. Following this success, he founded and led VOLARIT in 2017, a startup focused on developing and implementing advanced drone-based technologies for industrial applications.
He holds a Master's in Cybersecurity from the Santo Domingo Institute of Technology (INTEC), a Master's in Public Management from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and a Master's in Technology, Learning, and Education from the University of the Basque Country, where he is currently pursuing doctoral studies.
In 2023, he was recognized CISO or Cybersecurity Leader of the Year at the Connecta Awards. This award recognizes professionals who have excelled in the field of cybersecurity and demonstrated an exceptional commitment to protecting the data and critical systems of their organizations.
He has participated in projects and completed various studies in the United States, England, Wales, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Peru, Venezuela, Brazil, Colombia, Panama, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, Saint Lucia, and the Dominican Republic.”
Julian Barona Motlak
Senior Lecturer
Higher Colleges of Technology
United Arab Emirates
Julian Barona M. is a Logistics and Supply Chain specialist with over 28 years of global experience in industry, academia, training, and consulting. His expertise lies in operations and management within integrated logistics, maritime port operations, and environmental sustainability, with a particular focus on the Circular Economy. Currently, Julian serves as a Senior Lecturer in the Business Faculty of the Higher Colleges of Technology in Abu Dhabi, UAE, within the Department of Logistics & Supply Chain Management (SCM).
Julian has achieved significant business growth, notably expanding markets for Titanium Dioxide and polyethylene by over 50% in Colombia. He has designed and delivered specialized courses in port operations and Logistics & SCM across Colombia, Korea, the UAE, Oman, and the Netherlands. His consulting portfolio includes collaborations with leading organizations such as DP World (Dubai), STC Group (Netherlands), and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in Sweden.
As a Ph.D. candidate at the World Maritime University (WMU) in Sweden, Julian's research centers on Circular Economy transitions in Maritime Industrial Ports. He holds a Master’s degree in Logistics Engineering and a postgraduate diploma in Port, Shipping, and Transport Management from STC Rotterdam. Additionally, he has completed numerous specialized training programs in education, port operations, and logistics. Fully bilingual in English and Spanish, with basic knowledge of Korean, Julian emphasizes collaboration, cultural understanding, and staying at the forefront of industry developments.
Kamran Ahsan
Director of Procurement & Shared Services
Bilfinger Middle East
United Arab Emirates
Kamran has 32 years of international procurement and supply chain transformation experience across the entire spectrum of oil & gas industry leading teams of 100+ members. Employers include majors such as EXXON, ADNOC, HALLIBURTON, ARAMCO JV, BILFINGER. He has managed both direct and indirect spend categories with total annual spend of $1 bn. He holds two of the world’s most elite supply chain certifications namely C.P.M (Certified Purchasing Manager) from ISM of USA and MCIPS (Member Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply) from UK. He is a qualified Mechanical Engineering graduate with a MBA (Strategy & Operations) from Strathclyde Business School.
Kamran has covered a variety of strategic and operational leadership roles in challenging and fast paced environments involving: Transformation programs, change management, restructuring, post-acquisition integrations, greenfield start-ups, process re-engineering and systems implementation. A certified corporate trainer for the past many years. He enjoys reading books, running and cooking.
Ken O'Rahilly
Chief Executive Officer
RSA Global
United Kingdom
As CEO of ecommerce at RSA Global, a leading digital platform for unlocking the regions growth and client access, Ken is responsible for driving the company's mission and growth globally with over 20 years of extensive experience in operations, commercial leadership and cross cultural working environment’s. ership roles in challenging and fast paced environments involving: Transformation programs, change management, restructuring, post-acquisition integrations, greenfield start-ups, process re-engineering and systems implementation. A certified corporate trainer for the past many years. He enjoys reading books, running and cooking.
Khalid Abdullah Albawardi
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
TAD Logistics and TAD Environment
Saudi Arabia
Founder and CEO of TAD Logistics and TAD Environment, Khalid Abdullah Albawardi is an accomplished entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in logistics and environmental management.
Khalid’s deep expertise has positioned TAD Logistics as a leader in 3PL/4PL services, catering to high-profile clients like Dow Chemical, BASF, and Schlumberger, while TAD Environment, under his guidance, has become a trusted provider of international hazardous waste solutions with certifications from the United Nations and the U.S. Department of Defense.
With a Master’s in Project Management from George Washington University and executive education from Stanford, Khalid pairs rigorous academic grounding with innovative industry insights.
Honored twice by Forbes Middle East for his impact in the logistics and environmental sectors, he is also a key figure in Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation. As Chairman of the Logistics Services Committee at Riyadh Chamber, Khalid leverages his expertise to shape the future of the logistics industry, driving sustainable growth and innovation across the region.
Kim Winter
Managing Director
Logistics Executive Group
United Arab Emirates
The founder of Logistics Executive Group, Kim delivers 40 years of executive leadership experience spanning Executive Search and recruitment, Executive Coaching, Career Transition and Outplacement, Corporate Advisory, Consulting & M&A, Media Interviews and vodcasts, across the Supply Chain, Logistics, 3PL, E-commerce, Life Science, Cold Chain, FMCG, Retail, Maritime, Defense, Aviation, Government, Resources & Industrial sectors. He is a regular contributor of thought leadership to industry and media, is a professional Master of Ceremonies and is frequently invited to chair / moderate international events. He is a Board member of over a dozen companies throughout APAC, India, Africa and the Middle East, a New Zealand citizen, and holds formal resident status in Australia, Hong Kong and the UAE. An ex-professional rugby player Kim is a qualified (IECL Sydney) Executive Coach, and the co-founder / Chairman of the successful not-for-profit humanitarian organization Oasis Africa (www. oasisafrica.org.au) providing sustainable ‘Freedom from Poverty through Education’ to over 8000 mainly orphaned children in East Africa’s slums. Kim holds an MBA and BA from Massey & Victoria Universities (New Zealand).
Lance Craig Petersen
Group Senior Manager Talent Acquisition
DP World
United Arab Emirates
Louis Yaw Afful
Group Executive Director
African Continental Free Trade Policy Network Group (APN Group)
Ghana
Luc Vincent
Technology Executive, Artificial Intelligence Expert
United States
Luc Vincent is a technology executive with decades of experience assembling, growing and leading product, engineering & research teams, and delivering material business impact. After a decade angel-investing and advising startups, he joined Foothill Ventures as a partner, where he currently focuses on early-stage AI deals. Prior to this, he was Chief Product & Technology Officer at Hayden AI, where he led the team building and deploying edge AI products designed to make cities greener and more efficient. Before joining Hayden, he was VP of Engineering & Product Group lead at Meta, building state-of-the-art AI-powered experiences for AR and Metaverse products. Prior to this, he was Executive VP of Engineering & Product at Lyft. There, he founded the Lyft “Level 5” Autonomous Driving division and drove its successful exit to Toyota in 2021. Earlier in his career, Luc spent 12 years at Google, where he led major parts of the Google Maps organization, including Google Street View, which he founded and supported through its global expansion. Luc holds a BS from Ecole Polytechnique (France), MS from University of Paris XI, and PhD in Computer Vision from MINES ParisTech.
Luis Felipe de Oliveira
Former Director General and Chief Executive Officer
Airports Council International - ACI World
Canada
Luis Felipe de Oliveira has led Airports Council International (ACI) World as Director General from June 2020 till October 2024, applying his vast experience in commercial and technical aviation. He firmly believes that aviation plays a vital role in fostering social and economic growth worldwide. He is dedicated to aiding the whole aviation ecosystem to navigate the evolving dynamics of the aviation landscape.
Luis Felipe’s career in aviation began with Shell Aviation in Brazil serving the Aviation customers for 12 years in Latin America, Africa and Europe from regional to global roles. After a successful period in Netherlands, he moved to IATA in Geneva, leading fuel, ATC and airport campaigns in collaboration with governments, oil companies, fuel service providers, Air Traffic Management providers and airports for diverse world regions. His service at IATA lasted a decade before joining the World Fuel Services as Vice President of Supply Development for Latin America and Caribbean.
Prior to joining ACI World, Luis Felipe successfully led the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (2017-2020), where he led a complete restructuring of the organization. This enabled the organization to be more effective and efficient, attracting members and strategic partners to support industry development in the region.
He is a Chemical Engineer from Catholic University, Rio de Janeiro, with a postgraduate degree in Finance, University of São Paulo, an MBA from Dom Cabral Foundation, São Paulo, and Post MBA from Kellogg University, Chicago. He is currently enrolled on the Swiss Board School to improve his board experience.
Passionate about aviation, Luis Felipe is especially committed to the sustainable social and economic development of the industry to fostering collaboration across aviation stakeholders. He serves as an Ambassador at Airlink, an Advisory Board Member at Honeywell (building technologies) and holds Board positions at Cirium and the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG).
Luke Ward
Head of Projects & Growth, EMEA
Liftango
Luke Ward is the Head of MENA at Liftango, a global leader in shared mobility solutions that aims to improve public and private transport systems. With a passion for creating more sustainable and connected communities, Luke leverages extensive experience in mobility and transportation to forge impactful partnerships with municipalities, corporations, and transportation authorities around the world.
Luke has developed an ability to understand operational, technological, and delivery needs essential for innovating within these sectors. The foundation to his approach is rooted in a combination of strong commercial experience and a dedication to excellence in execution, enabling me to effectively bring new technologies and methodologies to the forefront of the transport industry.
Luke is passionate about leveraging new innovations to make a positive impact on the transport sector, particularly in areas of decarbonisation and mobility.
Currently focused on creating, designing and implementing sustainable mobility solutions for urban, rural and regional environments across the MENA region, supporting clients, including public authorities and corporates to deliver an end-to-end services to plan and execute new mobility solutions that align with their broader sustainability and decarbonisation goals.
Maha Attia
Assistant Vice Chairman for Foreign Trade
The Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company
Egypt
Mahmoud Ahmed Mohamed
Head of Commercial GCC
TAD Logistics and TAD Environment
United Arab Emirates
Mahmoud Ahmed is a seasoned logistics and supply chain professional with over 15 years of experience in managing commercial operations, strategic partnerships, and client relations across the GCC. He currently serves as the Head of Commercial GCC at TAD Logistics, where he spearheads business growth, builds strong customer pipelines, and ensures the seamless execution of supply chain solutions.
Mahmoud's career spans reputable global organizations, including DHL Express, where he spent 8 years honing his expertise in international logistics, and RSA-TALKE, where he specialized in chemical logistics for 5 years. At Petrochem Middle East, he headed Terminals' Business Development in the UAE, KSA, and Egypt, successfully driving growth initiatives, enhancing market presence, and optimizing terminal operations to support regional and international supply chain demands.
With a robust academic foundation in accounting and business administration, Mahmoud combines analytical precision with strategic acumen. His proven track record includes handling high-value tenders, managing contracts with major multinational corporations (MNCs), and driving operational excellence across diverse industries.
Mahmoud is committed to innovation and collaboration in the logistics and supply chain sector, striving to deliver solutions that not only meet but exceed customer expectations.
Mahmood Al Amri
Supply Chain Manager
Energy Development Oman
Oman
Mahmood Al Amri is the Supply Chain Manager for Energy Development Oman (EDO). His role, among other things, includes overseeing and managing the entire process of delivering requirements for EDO corporate procurement and its Subsidiaries. Previously, Mahmood worked at BP for 8 years as Regional Supply Chain Performance & Integration Advisor, and Regional Materials Management and Distribution Team Lead. Prior to that, Mahmood spent 6 years with Daleel Petroleum in various Supply Chain Management roles. Mahmood holds a Master of Science in International Logistics and Supply Chain Management from Muscat University, Bachelor of Science degree in Operations Management from College of Commerce and Economics, Sultan Qaboos University. Also, he is MCIPS and CMILT.
Mohammad Alhammouri
Partner, Cybersecurity & Digital Trust
PwC
United Arab Emirates
Mahmoud Ahmed is a seasoned logistics and supply chain professional with over 15 years of experience in managing commercial operations, strategic partnerships, and client relations across the GCC. He currently serves as the Head of Commercial GCC at TAD Logistics, where he spearheads business growth, builds strong customer pipelines, and ensures the seamless execution of supply chain solutions.
Mahmoud's career spans reputable global organizations, including DHL Express, where he spent 8 years honing his expertise in international logistics, and RSA-TALKE, where he specialized in chemical logistics for 5 years. At Petrochem Middle East, he headed Terminals' Business Development in the UAE, KSA, and Egypt, successfully driving growth initiatives, enhancing market presence, and optimizing terminal operations to support regional and international supply chain demands.
With a robust academic foundation in accounting and business administration, Mahmoud combines analytical precision with strategic acumen. His proven track record includes handling high-value tenders, managing contracts with major multinational corporations (MNCs), and driving operational excellence across diverse industries.
Mahmoud is committed to innovation and collaboration in the logistics and supply chain sector, striving to deliver solutions that not only meet but exceed customer expectations.
Mark Lutton
Head of Consulting - MEA
Logistics Executive Group
United Arab Emirates
Martin Ausserdorfer
CEO
Railtraction Company (Italy)
Italy
After studying Political Science and Economics at the University of Innsbruck, he worked first as a lecturer at the Free University of Bolzano and then in the public administration. He held a management position for the Brenner Base Tunnel Project and was Chairman of the Board of Directors of Strutture Trasporti Alto Adige spa. In 2021 he took on the role of CEO at Railtraction Company and is at the President of InRail SpA
Dr. Masoud Khakdaman
Assistant Professor of Logistics and Supply Chain Management, College of Business
Abu Dhabi University
United Arab Emirates
Dr. Masoud Khakdaman is an Assistant Professor of Logistics and Supply Chain Management at the College of Business, Abu Dhabi University. He obtained his Ph.D. from Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands. His Ph.D. research was funded by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research and Europe Container Terminals.
Dr. Masoud has more than 15 years of academic and industrial experience across Europe, Asia, the USA, and the Middle East. He worked in various industries, including manufacturing, automotive, oil and gas, airline, and freight transportation, in areas including business intelligence, revenue management, supply chain design/strategy, sourcing and procurement, sales and operations planning, and various systems design and improvement projects.
Dr. Melody Khadem Sameni
Associate Professor
Rail Transportation Engineering
Melody Khadem Sameni is associate professor of Railway Transportation Engineering and also the program director of MSc Railway Systems Engineering and Integration at the University of Birmingham- Dubai Campus. She has over 20 years of experience in the railway industry and actively collaborates with the International Union of Railways (UIC) and International Association of Public Transport (UITP). Apart from presenting her papers at various international conferences in the United States, Japan, Italy and the United Kingdom, she has been invited as a keynote speakers to several transport conferences including UIC Symposium 2021, 4th Workshop on Railway Operation for Safety and Reliability at the City University of Hong Kong in 2019 and 4th International Symposium on Railway Systems Engineering at the Karabuk University,Turkey. She was also a panellist to Asia Pacific Rail 2024 in Thailand and UITP Women in Public Transport 2024. Her research has been published in major transportation journals including Transport policy, Transportation Research Record, Journal of Transport Geography, Research in transportation Business & Management, Promet-Traffic &Transportation, journal of Rail Transport Planning & Management and journal of Environment, Development and Sustainability.
Michael Pearson
Partner & Co-Head of Global Infrastructure Sector
Clifford Chance
Michael Pearson is a Partner in Clifford Chance's Energy and Infrastructure Group and Co-Head of the Firm's Infrastructure sector. Michael advises on major infrastructure projects internationally, with particular experience of PPP, concession and project finance structures. He is recognised as a leading lawyer in the infrastructure sector by international legal directories, including IFLR1000, Legal 500 and Chambers.
Michael Stockdale
Group Head of Supply Chain and Logistics
Red Sea Global
Saudi Arabia
Michael is currently the Group Head of Supply Chain and Logistics at Red Sea Global, one of the leading giga projects in Saudi Arabia, following a 35-year career in the global logistics and supply chain industry, including a 10-year role as CEO of B2C Logistics Consulting, a specialist supply chain strategy and management consulting organisation.
Michael has extensive experience and expertise in the GCC environments; developing commercial strategies, high performing teams, excellence in business capability, superior financial results, and world class logistics facilities.
Michael has worked extensively with large private and government organisations across the GCC, such as Abu Dhabi Ports, Emirates Transport, Al Futtaim, Al Faisaliah and the Savola Group, and with 3PLs such as Tibbett & Britten and Exel, driving sustained growth for the organisations, and consistently delivering better-than-market financial results.
Holding a Master’s Degree from the University of Cumbria and currently completing a PhD in Sustainable Supply Chain Management, Michael is also an experienced faculty member at several UK Universities and a regular speaker at industry conferences.
Moaaz Hedahed
Director of Strategy and Business Development
TRUXX Transportation Technology
Saudi Arabia
Moaaz Hedahed is an influential strategist in transportation business model innovation, currently serving as Director of Strategy and Business Development at TRUXX, a leading logistics aggregator in the UAE. With a strong foundation in digital transformation, Moaaz has been instrumental in evolving TRUXX’s role as an aggregator, connecting diverse logistics services under one streamlined platform. Known for driving logistics transformation, Moaaz has championed the development of TRUXX’s digital dashboard, empowering businesses and government entities with efficient, data-driven tools to optimize transportation needs. Moaaz is passionate about the role of startups in bridging market gaps and believes that aggregators like TRUXX are key to modernizing logistics by enhancing user experience and fostering industry-wide efficiency. Through scalable, tech-forward solutions, Moaaz is working to further develop the logistics landscape, emphasizing the critical impact of innovative startups in creating sustainable, customer-centric logistics models.
His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti
Head of Cyber Security
United Arab Emirates Government
United Arab Emirates
Dr. Al Kuwaiti was appointed by the Cabinet as the Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government since 2020. As the Head of Cyber Security, his mandate includes responsibilities as the Chairman of the UAE Cyber Security Council as well as Managing Director of the National Data Centre under the Supreme Council for National Security. As the Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government by investiture, Dr. Al Kuwaiti has legal authority over all aspects pertaining to securing the cyberspace for the entire Nation.
In his current role, Dr. Al Kuwaiti is tasked with the responsibility of charting the cyber security strategy for the Nation that not only equips the UAE to enter the digital era with capabilities to deal with the new threat landscape exacerbated by the pandemic, but also ensures UAE’s leadership in cyber security globally; towards establishing the UAE as the world’s leading trusted digital hub and supporting the Nation’s digital transformation agenda and the digital future of all residents who made UAE their home.
Towards that end, he leads the Council to outline an implementation plan to protect the UAE cyberspace through emerging technologies such as Cloud, Big Data and AI in a whole-of-government approach coordinating and orchestrating efforts between Emirates and government entities via a unified platform built and managed by the Council.
Under Dr. Al Kuwaiti’s leadership, the UAE has advanced 42 positions in the ITU Global Cybersecurity Index, rising to the 5th place globally from 47th in the previous assessment. Dr. Al Kuwaiti has also led UAE to many firsts, including Guinness World Records for having the most users in a cyber capture the flag (CTF) competition, the largest bug bounty competition and the largest cyber drill; all initiatives that aim at capacity building in cyber security and improving the technical competencies of cyber security professionals and enthusiasts. More importantly, he has been instrumental in advocating for realizing the value of cyber security by demonstrating cyber security as a critical business enabler. Since 2021, Dr. Al Kuwaiti plays the role of an ambassador for collaboration between the government and cyber agencies, helping to bridge the discussion between the two major stakeholders in the digital economy.
Under his chaperone, key public-private partnerships were established between the UAE Cyber Security Council and leading local and international cyber security organizations with the goal of making a positive contribution to the UAE cyber agenda and be a major force that will benefit the global cyber security industry. Additionally, bilateral agreements established with countries both within the region and across the world contributed towards mutual information sharing, capacity development and legal assistance aid treaties, all key outcomes as a result of the National Cyber Security Strategy that he has put in place to realize the vision of the UAE for the next 50 years.
Mohamed Abdelrahman Mohamed Kheir
Procurement Director
Durrah Advanced Development Company
Saudi Arabia
Mohamed Abdelrahman Yousif Mohamed Kheir is the Procurement Director at Durrah Advanced Development Co., one of the leading sugar manufacturers in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region. With nearly two decades of experience in the manufacturing sector, particularly in FMCG, Mohamed leads procurement strategies that optimize supply chain efficiency and enhance operational performance. He is skilled in utilizing data analytics to inform procurement decisions, streamline processes, and implement sustainable practices. His extensive expertise in supplier management and market dynamics, especially within the Gulf region, positions him as a forward-thinking leader in the evolving manufacturing landscape. Mohamed is passionate about integrating innovative solutions to meet the industry's growing demands."
Dr. Mohamed Ezzat Al-Atroush
Associate Professor of Geotechnical Engineering Civil and Environmental Engineering Program, Prince Sultan University
Mohamed Ezzat is an Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Prince Sultan University (PSU), Riyadh, KSA. His area of specialty is geotechnical Engineering, with an emphasis on resilient infrastructure applications. He obtained his MSc in 2013 and a Ph.D. in 2018, both at Ain Shams University, Egypt. He has several publications in different prestigious journals. After joining PSU in 2019, he participated in founding the Structures and Materials (S&M) research lab. Between 2020 and 2023, he was awarded six different research grants for his studies in the area of resilient and sustainable infrastructures. He was also awarded the PSU Research Excellence 2nd prize in 2021 and the 1st Prize in 2023 for his research related to climate change.
M.E. Al-Atroush is the secretary of the American Society of Civil Engineers for the Saudi Arabia Section and a member of the soil improvement technical committee at ASCE Geotechnical Institute (GI). He is also a member of the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE) and the Fabricated Geomembranes Institute (FGI). As well as he is the founder and faculty advisor of the ASCE Student Chapter at Prince Sultan University.
In addition to his academic work, he is a licensed professional engineer and has been the principal of a geotechnical engineering consulting firm. He provided geotechnical expertise for more than 250 projects throughout the Middle East, involving site investigations, problematic soils, evaluation of the stability of slopes and escarpments, construction and permanent dewatering, design of deep excavation support, traditional and specialized lab testing, field monitoring, geophysical studies, deep foundation and bridge design, the effect of tunnel induced ground deformations on the adjacent surface and underground structures.
Dr. Mohamed Hamed
Chief Technology Information Officer
Ceramica Platino
Saudi Arabia
Mohamed is a C-Level Technology Consultant. Well experience with 27 years in information technology and security executive Management Positions, have been exposed to many aspects of Information Technology and acquired knowledge in most IT infrastructure solutions .‘Information Security Management’ professional of experience in defensive security, offensive security, information technology security, operational technology & Information Security GRC management in various disciplines including Hospitality, Manufacture ,Fin-tech ,Medical, Food, travel and Booking, Travel ship, banking, telecom, government, health, military with oversight & insight in data security, identity & access security, application security, end-point security, network , cloud , OT security, security intelligence as well as physical security in local, multi-national, private & public sectors firms/institutions.
I would thrive when challenged by new IT ideas and innovative application of technology Specialties: IT infrastructure solutions in (AI / IOT / ML / digital transformation), with all Microsoft Systems & Applications, Oracle, SAP.
Significant experience in enterprise IT service management as well as telecom and network management experience in technical strong knowledge Network Active and Passive components, technical support and troubleshooting Cisco , Frotinet technologies, Hotels Applications , Wireless , Cams, telephony (VoIP/PBX), Identify current and future system needs and provide. Solutions to match them, fully understand the legal requirements on IT governance and security. For any and IT projects costing/Planning will be an add on to contributing in increasing the business value by developing the actions, strategies and digital marketing to growth up property revenues, Creating and maintain the I.T Budgets, I.T JOB Descriptions, I.T-Operations guide, For a Long term vision and strategic plans to assist effectively running the I.T operation in addition to growth the business markets results.
Creating strategies, road maps and executing projects, running day to day operation, i have unique mix of being familiar with large companies, medium size and startups. dynamic and results-driven professional with a strong foundation in Business information technology and a relentless pursuit of excellence. I am passionate about contributing my unique blend of academic knowledge, professional certifications, and hands-on experience to drive success in any organization. If you are looking for a dedicated professional with a track record of delivering results and a commitment to growth.
Mohamed Naeem Kafafy
Senior ERP Specialist
Digital Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Mohamed Naeem is a seasoned ERP Specialist and Supply Chain Transformation expert with extensive experience in the public sector, telecom, and transportation industries. As a Senior ERP Specialist at Digital Dubai Authority, Mohamed has managed over 11 ERP-related projects and played a key role in the modernization of Dubai’s ERP systems, particularly in SCM solutions. He is also an Agile Scrum Product Manager, driving innovative solutions like the Smart Supplier Mobile App and iReceipt for paperless warehouses. Mohamed holds an MSc in Information Systems Management from the University of Liverpool, a Postgraduate Diploma in ERP Systems from Cairo, and a BSc in Computer Engineering from Tanta University. His work has earned him recognition, including appreciation from Dubai Police and Dubai Health Authority for his contributions to digital transformation.
Mohammad Alhammouri
Partner, Cybersecurity & Digital Trust
PwC
United Arab Emirates
Mohammed Al Busaleh
Director - General Administration of Emergency and Crisis
Ministry of Municipalities and Housing
Saudi Arabia
Mohammed Hussain Al Busaleh is a Leader in Resilience Management with vast experience in various disciplines of resilience including building of sustainable supply chain resilience practices for critical national organizations.
Mohammed Hussain Al Busaleh was involved in national Resilience and Crisis Management, he was focused on building adaptive, secure, and sustainable systems. With a solid engineering background and a strategic approach honed over years of high-impact roles, Mohammed has played an instrumental role in strengthening Saudi Arabia’s national resilience capabilities. He holds a Master’s in Sustainable & Renewable Energy from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals and a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering from The University of Akron, USA.
In his current role as Director of Emergency & Crisis Management at Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs & Housing, Mohammed leads groundbreaking resilience initiatives that span over 250 entities and 268 municipalities, creating a robust, integrated framework to prepare for and mitigate risk at a national level. His collaborative work with government agencies and industry stakeholders further aligns local efforts with global best practices, fortifying Saudi Arabia's resilience posture in a rapidly changing world.
During his tenure at the National Risk Council, Mohammed developed comprehensive resilience frameworks that transformed organizational maturity in critical sectors. His work provided a foundation for predictive and adaptive strategies that enhance preparedness across energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing domains.
With certifications in risk management and advanced training in resilience methodologies from Harvard, Mohammed’s expertise is recognized across multiple professional circles, including the IEEE, NFPA, and the Saudi Council of Engineers. He is also an innovator with U.S. patent for energy technology, reflecting his commitment to advancing sustainable and resilient solutions.
Mohammed embodies a proactive, solutions-driven approach to resilience. His visionary leadership continues to shape Saudi Arabia’s strategies for risk management and sustainable development, making him a key figure in the various disciplines of resilience such as emergency & crises management, supply chain resilience, city resilience and organizational resilience.
Mohannad Salam
Regional Head, Smart Sustainable Cities
AtkinsRéalis
United Arab Emirates
Mohannad Salam is the Regional Lead, Smart Cities Advisory for the Middle East at AtkinsRéalis. As part of his role, he leads on providing innovative advisory solutions for designing smart cities in the Middle East region. With more than 20 years’ experience, he developed transformation strategies with chief experience officers (CXOs) and government executives, and managed cross-functional teams to design, develop and deliver disruptive solutions. In addition, he advised enterprises on driving growth through innovation and transformation, and built successful vendor partnerships, such as Intel & Microsoft, to become their strategic IoT Partner in the region. An award-winner, Mohannad was named among "Best 20 Worldwide IoT Solution Providers" by CIOReview, the enterprise technology magazine, in 2018.
Mooaz Hedahed
Director Strategy and Development
TRUXX Transportation Technology
Saudi Arabia
Moses Umoru
Director General
Franco-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Nigeria
Moses UMORU, MBA, is the Director General of the Franco-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI FRANCE-NIGERIA). He is highly regarded for his in-depth knowledge and insights into the Nigerian and global business environment, particularly in areas such as; global trade, government fiscal and monetary policies, trade policies, and sustainability agenda.
He chairs discussions on macro-economic issues in Nigeria and abroad, and frequently appears as a guest analyst on major media platforms.
With a diverse skill set, Moses UMORU is a trusted chartered management consultant, startup board advisor in the tech industry, government relations professional, and an ESG specialist focused on sustainable finance.
Dr. Muhammad A. Mustafa
Egis Middle East & South Asia
Dr. Mustafa has extensive experience in managing multidisciplinary projects in mobility, and urbanism ranging from strategy, planning, design and implementation. Through this experience, he brings a keen eye for devising transportation solutions considering sustainability and smart city as a layer applied to all disciplines for all stages of planning and design to create attractive, liveable and sustainable developments. Before joining Egis in 2023, Dr. Mustafa led IBI Group’s practice in the Middle East 2007 to 2023. He was the director in charge of numerous transportation and planning projects in the Middle East and North Africa including UAE, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Tunis, Morocco and Egypt. In 1998 to 2007 he led IBI Group’s projects in Canada in areas of applied technology in transportation, focusing on transit operation and smart cards. Prior to that, he worked in Europe on research and development programmes lead by the European Union in the field of smart mobility for the period from 1989 to 1998.
Muhammed Imran Ghani
Global Supply Chain Logistics Director
Gulf Rock Group
Oman
Nadia Abdul Aziz
President
The National Association of Freight and Logistics (NAFL)
United Arab Emirates
Nadia Abdul Aziz is a prominent figure in the United Arab Emirates' freight and logistics sector, recognized for her leadership, expertise, and dedication to advancing the industry.
Currently serving as the President of the UAE National Association of Freight and Logistics (NAFL), she brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this crucial position which represents more than 400 companies in the freight, shipping, and logistics industries in the country.
As President of UAE NAFL, she plays a pivotal role in representing the interests of stakeholders across the freight and logistics industry. She actively advocates for policy changes, promotes industry best practices, and champions initiatives that contribute to the sector's growth and development.
Her dedication extends beyond NAFL. She also serves as the Chairperson of the Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT) Global network for the Middle East, further amplifying her voice on the international stage and empowering women in the supply chain logistics industry through capacity building, certified training, networking events, mentoring, and coaching.
Nasrullah Wani
Manager
VITRONIC
Nusrulha holds a Diploma and Bachelor’s degree in Instrumentation Engineering.
He began his career in Factory Automation, gaining expertise in MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC FA Systems. His experience expanded to Building Automation Systems during his tenure at Johnson Controls International.
Nusrulha has a proven track record as a speaker, having actively participated in the Safety Design in Buildings conference in the Middle East region while at Dormakaba and also contributed articles to industry magazines such as Big Project.
His role as a Consultant also involve advising clients on various solutions like Smart Cities, Intelligent Traffic Management Systems (ITMS) and various Security & Safety Systems.
Nusrulha,with over 18 years of experience, will share his insights in the field of Traffic Technology and Automation, highlighting the innovative solutions and advancements at Vitronic Machine Vision Middle East.
Nasser Massoud
Founder & Managing Director
Concept Realisation
UAE
Nasser Massoud is founder and Managing Director of niche advisory firm Concept Realisation headquartered in Dubai. He is a specialist in infrastructure investment and development, with over 40 years’ experience. He has worked on landmark developments and is a pioneer in structuring public private partnership investments in infrastructure.
His work has covered many parts of the world including Europe, Middle East, Central Asia and the Caribbean. Nasser has a Masters in Finance from London Business School and he obtained his Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering from University College London and his Masters in Construction Economics & Management from the Bartlett School of Architecture and Planning at UCL. He is a Chartered Engineer and also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
Nayera Bahgat
Founder & Managing Director
Concept Realisation
UAE
Nayera has been advising ministries, public authorities, and companies in the Travel, Transport, and Infrastructure sectors in the GCC for the past six years, engaging in a wide range of strategic topics. In the transportation domain, Nayera specializes in future mobility topics, with a particular focus on Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) alongside other modes. Over the past years, she has led and delivered various engagements related to AAM, including design and planning of a multimodal integrated transport system covering 10+ services in a greenfield city including eVTOL, JV establishment between a regional entity and an eVTOL OEM, and the assessment of the regulatory framework for the enablement of the drone industry.
Neil Peters
Director of Process Excellence
Emirates Post
United Arab Emirates
An accomplished Supply Chain Professional with over 25 years of experience working with multinational companies across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, including Nestle Cereal Partners, MARS GCC, and Emirates Post. Specializing in people management, change management, lean transformation, and organizational optimization, they bring a proven track record in driving process excellence and enhancing quality, health, safety, and security standards. Skilled in utilizing lean methodologies such as DMAIC, Six Sigma, and 5S to lead impactful projects focused on process mapping, workforce optimization, and margin expansion. Their expertise has consistently delivered improvements in reliability, procedural efficiency, and overall operational performance.
Nicholas Jones
Head of Operations and Logistics
Ethimex Ltd
United Kingdom
Nicholas, is a seasoned supply chain and operations expert with over 15 years of global experience. Known for his ability to drive operational efficiency through strategic planning and digital transformation, Nicholas has led multiple initiatives to enhance supply chain visibility and streamline supply chain operations. His expertise lies in integrating cutting-edge technologies such as ERP systems, data analytics, and automation to build resilient and adaptable warehouses and supply chains.
As an advocate for digital transformation, Nicholas helps organizations transition from traditional supply chains to fully integrated digital value chains. He leverages his diverse industry experience to identify opportunities for innovation, optimizing procurement, inventory management, and logistics processes. His commitment to continuous improvement has consistently resulted in reduced costs, enhanced performance metrics, and increased agility.
Nicholas is excited to share his insights on how businesses can harness the power of technology to secure their supply chains amidst disruptions, driving future-focused solutions that enhance value and resilience.
Nimisha Sivaprasad
Product Registration & Compliance Manager
Al Futtaim Company - Retail
Nissrine Elqobai
SCLG Executive Board Member
CEO
ENY Consulting
Nissrine is a seasoned supply chain professional with over 25 years of extensive experience in global supply chain management. Her expertise lies in cost-effective supply chain strategies, vendor procurement, and project management, gained from operating within prestigious Fortune organizations and leading Middle East Family Groups.
Focusing on developing resilient and synchronized end-to-end supply chain solutions, Nissrine aligns strategic models with business objectives to maximize ROI and mitigate risks effectively. She specializes in optimizing heavy industry manufacturing processes, crafting intricate online and offline retail supply chains, and orchestrating warehouse operations across various locations, including China, Japan, Sudan, and more, utilizing her proficiency in network design.
Drawing on her vast experience, Nissrine has provided valuable insights and consultation services to renowned corporations such as Medsupply, MAF Carrefour, Duval, DP World, and Savoye across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Her adeptness in diagnosing, auditing, and designing transformation roadmaps for end-to-end supply chain enhancements underscores her strategic approach and problem-solving skills.
Nivesh Chaudhary
Co-Founder & Managing Director
ASCELA Management Consultancies L.L.C
UAE
Steering ASCELA as Co-founder and Managing Director, Nivesh's journey in infrastructure development has been marked by strategic and business advisory. His expertise lies in crafting actionable insights for a diverse clientele, including international organisations, public entities, multilaterals, and private sector leaders.
Nivesh has around two decades of management consulting experience across various Infrastructure sub-sectors, primarily Ports and Maritime, Logistics, Shipping, and Supply Chain. He has worked on multiple large-scale multidisciplinary domestic and international consulting engagements for promoters and decision-makers across geographies in Europe, the Middle East, South East Asia, East Africa, and South Asia.
Nivesh's key client segment includes various international Public and Privately held Corporations, Port Authorities, Private Equity Funds, Logistics Players, and Financial Institutions. He works on several functional areas, including business strategy and transformation, performance optimisation, feasibility assessment, and sustainability. He is quoted repeatedly in international business media for his views on the global and regional ports and shipping industry.
Oliver Sykes
Partner Digital Trust & Technology Consulting
PWC
UAE
Oliver is a Partner in the PWC Digital Trust Practice and leads the Resilience competence in the Middle East.
He has been working in the region for over 10 years, previously in our PwC UK firm. Oliver has a wealth of experience of leading complex resilience programmes, including advising clients on how to improve the resilience and sustainability of their supply chains.
Paul Doherty
IFMA Fellow, DFC Senior Fellow President and Chief Executive Officer
the digit group
United States
Paul is Chairman and CEO of TDG (the digit group), a globally renowned and award-winning architect who is one of the world’s most sought after thought leaders, strategists and integrators of process, technology, and business. As seen on The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg TV, acknowledged by CNBC as one of America's Business Titans and reported by Forbes as “Changing the World”, Paul is a Senior Fellow of the Design Futures Council and a Fellow of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA). Paul's current work is as Chairman of TDG Global Ventures, a Smart City real estate development company that provides financing, design-build and innovative technology solutions around the world. Concurrently, Paul is also the co-founder and producer of the critically acclaimed AEC Hackathon that launched at Facebook Headquarters. His past successful ventures include Revit Technologies (Sold to Autodesk 2002), Buzzsaw (Autodesk 2001) and TRIRIGA (IBM 2011). His 2 latest books are “Smart Cities: Reimagining the Urban Experience” published by Quality Press and “Unlocking the Metaverse: A Strategic Guide for the Future of the Built Environment”, published by John Wiley & Sons, which rated #1 New Release on Amazon.com.
Pedro Aguas
Principal, Mobility, Defense and Advanced Industrials Practice
Kearney
United Arab Emirates
Pedro has worked for 12 years at Kearney, advising private and public organizations in the Travel, Transport and Infrastructure sectors. In the last years he has focused on Advanced Air Mobility as a nascent mode, leading among other the national AAM roadmap for a GCC country, the JV between a regional entity and an eVTOL OEM, the proof of concept of an autonomous passenger aircraft, and the assessment of the regulatory framework for the enablement of the drone industry.
Piero Ngadiuba
Head of Human Resources & Operations
ENY Consulting
United Arab Emirates
Piero Ngadiuba is a seasoned professional with over 13 years of diverse experience, including more than 8 years focused on Human Resources operations.
He has played a pivotal role in leading HR transformation projects within supply chain management, delivering impactful solutions that optimize processes and support organizational growth, With the understanding of supply chain dynamics, Piero has led initiatives such as employee training, department restructuring, and the creation of new supply chain departments.
His work extends to organization design and implementing KPIs to ensure the effectiveness of supply chain teams.
He excels in streamlining HR processes, removing inefficiencies, and driving productivity, while fostering a collaborative culture of continuous improvement.
Piero's operational acumen empower organizations to enhance employee satisfaction, retention, and performance. His expertise in aligning HR and supply chain functions provides the foundation for successful transformation projects, making him a key asset in driving both HR and operational excellence.
Piyush Malviya
Vice President and Head, MEA
Moglix
United Arab Emirates
Piyush Malviya is the Head of International Operations, he has established the Middle East region as a significant business unit for Moglix within a couple of years of its launch. Prior to his movement to the UAE, Piyush was spearheading the West India business for Moglix wherein he was leading a team of over 100 associates. As a part of the leadership team at Moglix, Piyush has played an instrumental role in growing Moglix from a small seed funded scale start-up in 2015 to a 1000+ employee global unicorn (2.6 B+ USD valuation) today.
He has successfully deployed and managed Moglix E-procurement Transformation Program across several enterprises in sectors such as Chemicals, Metals, FMCG, Pharma, Automotive, EPC, Infrastructure, among others. Prior to joining Moglix, he has worked in companies like Snapdeal (Indian retail e-commerce player) and Indian Oil Corporation (India’s largest oil marketing company) formed a part of his career journey. He is a thought leader in Procurement, supply chain, digital procurement and e-commerce domain and has been actively involved with multiple industry bodies in the past.
He is a Metallurgical and Materials Engineer from NIT, Thiruchirapalli and has an MBA degree from Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad.
Raddad Ayoub
Partner - Cyber Security
PwC
UAE
Raddad is a Senior Partner in the Cybersecurity and Digital Trust Team of the firm and leads our Critical Infrastructure and Energy Sectors in the Region. 25 years’ experience in Cyber Security, Risk Management, and Digital Trust, spanning North America, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East.
Raddad has worked with some of the world's leading entities and organizations dealing with complex issues related to Risk and Resilience. Raddad is a member of the firm's Energy Board and serves as the Global Consulting Leader for several key clients in the region.
Raed Kadri
Head of the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network
The Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)
Canada
Rania Tadros
President
WISTA
UAE
Rania is the managing partner of the Dubai office and global head of maritime and offshore. She is a renowned maritime, trade, and offshore lawyer with over two decades of experience servicing clients operating in these industries with a particular focus on resolving disputes and advising on complex and high-value commercial matters.
Rayan Fakih
CEO & Founder
Trakc
Rayan Fakih is the CEO & founder of trakc, a revolutionary startup focused to redefining urban warehousing with robotics and powerful AI-powered solutions. Under his leadership, trakc has developed solutions that optimize space, improve operational efficiency, and reduce reliance on manual labor. As trakc is now going beyond their current operations in Europe, Rayan is leading trakc expansion as a high-skill system integrator, with a focus on the Middle East, particularly Dubai and Saudi Arabia.
Rayan's journey into entrepreneurship comes from a strong foundation in business development, where he gained extensive experience identifying market needs and building growth strategies across industries. It was through this lens that he recognized a significant gap in the logistics sector—especially for urban businesses struggling with space constraints, rising costs, and the demand for faster, error-free operations. Determined to solve these challenges, Rayan made the leap to tech, blending his expertise in business strategy with a passion for innovation to create trakc.
With a pragmatic approach to innovation and market growth, Rayan is focused on forging partnerships and securing investments to accelerate trakc mission. His leadership reflects a clear vision of empowering businesses with accessible, efficient, and future-ready automation solutions.
Rebecca Carr
Director | Digital Trust & Cyber | Crisis & Resilience
PwC
Rebecca has over 18 years of crisis and emergency planning and response experience, working mainly in the UK with Government and the transport sector. She has led national government and global corporate crisis and resilience programmes and has responded to several major crises including acting as crisis advisor to C-Suite.
Rezek Marouche
Head of Procurement and Supply Chain
Tim Hortons Middle East
United Arab Emirates
Dedicated F&B professional with history of meeting company goals utilizing consistent and organized practices. Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges to best enhance the organizational brand.
Senior-level supply chain and procurement leader with extensive experience in creating strategies and leading the execution of all global supply chain activities, including procurement, manufacturing, materials management and distribution management. Able to manage and lead cross-functional teams to drive product supply and productivity improvements. Led risk mitigation, while driving supply chain strategies for end-to-end pipeline management, inventory management, supply planning and materials management. Skilled in key negotiations and strategic decision making, perfected by 15+ years of experience in leading organizational business units.
Rishaad Abdul Gaffar
Group Senior Manager - Business Learning
DP World
United Arab Emirates
Rishaad Abdul Gaffar is a dedicated professional in Learning and development. With over 20 years of experience designing and implementing impactful learning strategies with diverse international organizations, he plays a pivotal role in shaping DP World’s global L&D approach, ensuring that employees are equipped to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving business environment.
Rishaad has cultivated a reputation for building transformative programs that align with organizational goals while addressing the unique needs of diverse teams. His work has included launching specialized academies, streamlining global training processes, and leveraging data-driven insights to continuously improve learning outcomes.
An advocate for collaboration and growth, Rishaad excels in partnering with stakeholders across various functions to deliver tailored solutions. Their expertise spans curriculum design, change management, and global program delivery, all aimed at enabling teams and individuals to thrive.
Academically, Rishaad holds Bachelors degrees in Human Resource Management and Human Resource Development, complemented by an executive program in Organizational Leadership from Stellenbosch University.
Robert Peregoodoff
Education Consultant
OLS UAE Limited
United Arab Emirates
A Math and Language Arts teacher by training in such diverse locations as Swaziland and the Kainai Reserve in Alberta, Rob's career turned 90 degrees into administration while working in the United Arab Emirates when Ramadan crept into his teaching practice. Upon returning to Canada, he joined the Sauder School of Business first as Manager of Learning Technologies and spent 14 years as Director of Learning Services. He gladly took on the challenge of change management for a research-intensive business school into the paradigm of the (yet to be defined) new B-school reality. He has now brought his expertise and experience to the Middle East where he is focusing on academic integrity and digital assessment in the age of AI.
Rohan Singhvi
Global Head of Logistics and Warehousing
RAK Ceramics
United Arab Emirates
Piero Ngadiuba
Head of Human Resources & Operations
ENY Consulting
United Arab Emirates
Piero Ngadiuba is a seasoned professional with over 13 years of diverse experience, including more than 8 years focused on Human Resources operations.
He has played a pivotal role in leading HR transformation projects within supply chain management, delivering impactful solutions that optimize processes and support organizational growth, With the understanding of supply chain dynamics, Piero has led initiatives such as employee training, department restructuring, and the creation of new supply chain departments.
His work extends to organization design and implementing KPIs to ensure the effectiveness of supply chain teams.
He excels in streamlining HR processes, removing inefficiencies, and driving productivity, while fostering a collaborative culture of continuous improvement.
Piero's operational acumen empower organizations to enhance employee satisfaction, retention, and performance. His expertise in aligning HR and supply chain functions provides the foundation for successful transformation projects, making him a key asset in driving both HR and operational excellence.
Saif Kaddoura
Managing Director
Contrax
United Arab Emirates
Saif Kaddoura is a distinguished business leader with a proven track-record for establishing successful ventures and building high-performing teams to solve problems in innovative ways. His hand-on experience and commitment to excellence have earned him a reputation as a driving force in fostering growth and innovation across various industries.
In 2017, Saif founded Contrax, a project management and technical services company delivering asset management solutions, engineering, and strategic advisory services. Under his leadership, Contrax has established a reputation for delivering innovative and effective solutions to major projects and clients worldwide, becoming a trusted partner of government and private organisations across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the UK, and North America. Saif's dedication to providing value to clients and fostering high-performing teams has been instrumental in Contrax's success, while his commitment to innovation and excellence has solidified Contrax's position as a global leader in asset management.
Additionally, Saif is a trusted advisor to several high-profile companies from Europe and the Middle East, an investor in several successful startups, and the founder of the University College of London (UCL) Alumni Chapter in the UAE. He also currently sits on the board of Aljude for Scientific Care NGO, NTIGRA AI, and Alliance for Human Performance Development.
Sajin Radhakrishnan
Member of Holcim, UAE
Head of Procurement & Executive Committee Member
Lafarge Emirates Cement
United Arab Emirates
Samantha Rowles
Operations Director
SERCO
Saudi Arabia
With 16 years of experience - 11 of those in consultancy and public services in the Middle East, Samantha is driven and passionate about leading rapid growth, operations and business transformation through creating high-performing teams.
Accountable for the P&L of the transport business across aviation, rail and advisory services, Samantha leads operations, client engagement, growth and strategy in the 2,000 employee strong sector. Samantha is part of the executive leadership team and reports directly into the CEO. She is responsible for multifaceted services including air navigation, consultancy, fire rescue services, mobility, engineering and customer experience. She is passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion, supporting women in business and regularly participating in conferences and panels to share her thoughts and experiences.
A data-driven approach, commitment to application of technology transformation and collaborative stakeholder management are the hallmark of Samantha’s reputation. Her passion, energy, integrity and belief in impacting a better future is evident across everything she does. Samantha has previously worked in senior leadership roles for Aecom and Atkins in region.
Sandeep Ponnappa
Managing Director - UAE & Oman
TruKKer Technologies
United Arab Emirates
Sandeep Ponnappa has over 2 decades experience. He has excelled in various roles and currently leads UAE & Oman as Managing Director at TruKKer. He is a seasoned professional with diverse expertise in logistics, e-commerce, and entrepreneurship, striving to leave a legacy for the future generation.
Sandeep Sharma
Director Group Procurement & Supply Chain MENAP
Dominos Pizza - Alamar Foods
United Arab Emirates
With over 25 years of proven expertise in International Supply Chain, Integrated Planning functions. Demand – Supply – Distribution Planning, Production Planning, Automation across value chain, with in FMCG , Manufacturing sectors , F&B retail , QSR chains including the Frozen , Chilled Value Chain . With an edge on the Leadership and extensive experience in Management internal and external with diverse teams. An avid Speaker renowned for exceptional communication skills and multicultural awareness. proven ability to oversee stakeholder relations at all levels as well as building new partnerships to achieve mutual goals, share best practice and optimize performance.
Sayed Habib
Director
Danube Home
United Arab Emirates
Before being appointed Director – Danube Home in May 2023, Mr. Sayed Habib was Director – Business Development, Buying and Franchisee operations of Danube Home and was responsible for the company’s worldwide Business Development in terms of company owned stores and franchisee’s and also the Head of Buying for merchandise being procured supporting all markets and countries. He also headed Danube Home’s ecommerce division and played a key role in the development of a sustainable business with strategic partnerships and ensuring flexibility in response to increasingly demanding digital presence.
During his initial days, was entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing business development. Soon he was promoted as Deputy General Manger to oversee new product launches and development of all product ranges like Furniture, Electrical, Doors, Kitchen & Innovative flooring products to name a few.
As a dynamic team leader and a people’s person Mr. Habib has constantly evolved to an exemplary personality over the years and for his continued success, he had named the Director of Danube Home. In his current role as Director, he is responsible for expansion and innovation in the retail business starting from products to strategizing the new concept of Danube Home across stores in the region, managing people & expenses, instituting policies, and defining the vision for future growth. Mr. Habib earned a Master’s degree in Marketing & Finance from IILM Delhi and a Graduation in Finance from Utkal University, India.
Shailen Shukla
Supply Chain Director
Omar Kassem Alesayi Group (OKAG)
Shailen Shukla is an Alumni of Delhi University and IIM, Ahmedabad, is an astute professional with over 30+ years of experience in Logistics Management, Supply Chain Management, Profit Centre Management, Commercial Operations, Project Procurement and Management, Vendor Management and ERP & Systems Implementation.
Currently working as Supply Chain Director in Alesayi Group in Jeddah, KSA. Omar Kassem Alesayi Group’s Consumer and Trading portfolio is built on providing an excellent portfolio of products alongside the highest standards of service for clients and consumers. Over time, the company has invested heavily in the acquisition and development of consumer concepts and services to exceed the demands of consumer and market requirements. Omar Kassem Alesayi Group’s portfolio ranges from automotive, transportation, electrical products, cabling systems and consumer goods. The Group continuously seeks to expand its portfolio with opportunities that provide a variety of products and services through partnerships, complementary offerings, and relevant innovations.
Worked as Chief Logistics Officer at PicTruc LLC, a MHAO group company, with a JV with Unanu India. Powered by Massive Data and Innovation, PicTruc is well poised to bring in Disruptive Technology in Logistics through Marketplace and end-to- end Logistics Platform. Was also group head for Logistics and advisor in Admiral Mobility a JV for Geely Electric Trucks distribution.
Previously for 9 years, worked as Business Head of JECL Logistics LLC (A 3PL company under the Jumbo Electronics Group) and Head Logistics, Jumbo Electronics, a top UAE Electronics Distributor / Retail Chain. Winner of “SCATA (Supply Chain and Transport Awards) – Supply Chain Of The Year.Winner of “SCATA (Supply Chain and Transport Awards) – Supply Chain Of The Year Award 2013” and “Supply Chain Of The Year - Highly Commended” in 2014, “Supply Chain Manager of The Year – Highly Commended” in 2015.
Earlier worked in Senior Positions in large Indian Companies like Reliance Logistics (General Manager), Grasim (Head SCM), Vedanta (Sterlite Optical and Balco as AGM Commercial), Modi Group (Modi Industries, Modi Cement), etc, and MNCs like Brightpoint (Director Operations) and TNS / Cantar India (Director Business Operations) in India. Won the Logistics Leader of the Year award recently.
Shaimaa Ibrahim
Learning and Development Consultant
Studium Alliance
United Arab Emirates
Shashi Kiran
Group General Manager
Jashanmal National Co.
United Arab Emirates
With over 30 years of experience in supply chain management, I have held senior leadership roles across leading retailers and logistics service providers. As a dynamic leader, I am known for driving innovative logistics solutions and achieving revenue growth. My results-oriented approach has consistently delivered effective cost management, streamlined sourcing, freight management, and distribution processes while adhering to budget constraints.
My extensive experience in the Middle East region has provided me with valuable insights into managing in-house logistics and building strong client relationships. I excel in leveraging logistics platforms within diverse cultural settings to ensure operational efficiency and uphold high standards of quality, safety, and customer service integrity. I am skilled in motivating teams to reach peak productivity and controlling costs through strategic resource management.
With a proven ability to drive change, enhance efficiencies, and maximize profitability, I am prepared to make a significant impact in any organization.
Srinivasan Ganesan
Manager - Warehouse & Distribution Logistics
SAFCO International
United Arab Emirates
Srinivasan Ganesan, is an accomplished Warehouse & Logistics Manager and Supply Chain Management Consultant with over 12 years of experience spanning the food and beverage, restaurant chain, hospitality, and retail industries, He holds a Master’s degree in Transport & Logistics from Amity University Dubai, providing him with a robust understanding of logistics and operational excellence.
Throughout his career, Srinivasan has excelled in key roles, including Warehouse and Logistics Manager at prominent organizations. His expertise encompasses a wide range of areas, including distribution operations, forecast and demand planning, order fulfilment management, and fleet management and supplier relationship management. He is proficient in logistics solutions, both 3PL and 4PL. Srinivasan is adept at integrating technology into supply chain processes, he has a proven record of successful implementation of ERP, WMS, TMS systems across above mentioned industries,alongside developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) to streamline operations. He is passionate about continuous improvement by implementing Kaizen, Lean Six Sigma principles in operations management to optimize the process involved and He is also passionate about sustainability in supply chain practices and actively seeks innovative solutions to reduce environmental impact.
Stefan Schröder
Managing Director
LNC LogisticsNetwork Consultants GmbH
Germany
Dr. Stéphane Graber
Director General
FIATA International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations
Switzerland
Dr Stéphane Graber has been Director General at FIATA International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations since 2020. FIATA is the largest non-governmental organisation in the field of logistics, which represents 40,000 freight forwarding and logistics firms and employs around 10 million people around the globe.
Prior to joining FIATA, Dr Graber was Secretary General at STSA (Swiss Commodity Trading and Shipping Association) and Chaired the eGTSA, a company that successfully developed a digital platform used by commodity trading companies and commodity trade-financing banks, which was sold to Komgo in 2019.
Dr Graber has previously worked at the Economic Department of the Republic and Canton of Geneva, and was President of the Geneva Chapter of the Swiss-Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
Steven Van Der Vliet
Group Commercial Director
Emirates Logistics L.L.C
United Arab Emirates
A dynamic professional with a commercial mindset and exceptional business acumen, skilled in building strong, lasting partnerships and empowering teams to achieve excellence. Fluent in Dutch, English, and Arabic, and renowned for an ability to connect and communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds. A natural influencer and motivator, adept at integrating and implementing logistical partnerships while fostering meaningful business relationships. Resourceful and highly adaptive, this individual thrives both independently and within teams, embodying the belief that "intelligence is nothing without ambition.
Suresh Vaidhyanathan
Chief Executive Officer
Ghassan Aboud Group
United Arab Emirates
Suresh Vaidhyanathan is one of the region’s accomplished C-suite leaders with an experience of 25+ years with multi-business organizations. Suresh is a growth focused executive with extensive exposure to investment and growth strategies, performance management, optimal allocation of assets and driving sustainable growth
Over the years, Suresh has extensively worked across diversified industry verticals including:
Food | Automotive | Hospitality | Agri-business| Logistics | Retail | Healthcare | Aviation | Real Estate | Agri-business | Manufacturing | Technology| Services.
Suresh has an excellent professional standing in the region and was listed amongst Forbes 2024 and 2023 Top 100 CEOs in the Middle East. He was included in the Arabian Business Dubai 100 Power List, 2024 Indian Aces in the Middle East, and Economic Times Most Promising Business Leaders of Asia 2022-23.
Earlier as CFO, he was amongst the Forbes List of Top 10 Indian CFOs in the Middle East in 2019 and the Top 20 CFOs in the GCC 2021 (Khaleej Times NAFA List).
He is an alumnus of the Leading Digital Business Transformation program at IMD Business School and is certified in Blockchain Technologies and Artificial Intelligence at MIT Sloan School of Management. He completed the M&A program at University of Chicago Booth School of Business and in addition to programs in governance and investing at Harvard, INSEAD and Wharton.
Suresh is also an alumnus of the Oxford Leading Sustainable Corporations Program.
On the governance front, Suresh is a Certified Board Director with IOD Hawkamah, UAE, Member of GCC Board Directors Institute, Fellow Member of IOD, India and was recognized as a 2012 Board Leadership Fellow NACD, USA. He is also a charter member of the Harvard Business Club of the GCC.
He has been a resident of the UAE for more than 25 years.
Srinivasan Ganesan
Warehouse Manager
SAFCO
United Arab Emirates
Srinivasan Ganesan, is an accomplished Warehouse & Logistics Manager and Supply Chain Management Consultant with over 12 years of experience spanning the food and beverage, restaurant chain, hospitality, and retail industries, He holds a Master’s degree in Transport & Logistics from Amity University Dubai, providing him with a robust understanding of logistics and operational excellence.
Throughout his career, Srinivasan has excelled in key roles, including Warehouse and Logistics Manager at prominent organizations. His expertise encompasses a wide range of areas, including distribution operations, forecast and demand planning, order fulfilment management, and fleet management and supplier relationship management. He is proficient in logistics solutions, both 3PL and 4PL. Srinivasan is adept at integrating technology into supply chain processes, he has a proven record of successful implementation of ERP, WMS, TMS systems across above mentioned industries,alongside developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) to streamline operations. He is passionate about continuous improvement by implementing Kaizen, Lean Six Sigma principles in operations management to optimize the process involved and He is also passionate about sustainability in supply chain practices and actively seeks innovative solutions to reduce environmental impact.
Steven Velegrinis
Design Director, Regional Lead Cities & Urban Design
Gensler
United Arab Emirates
Sumayya Ahmed Al Shehhi
Head of Procurement for Academic Services Section
University of Sharjah
United Arab Emirates
Sumayya Ahmed stands at the helm as the Head of the Procurement and Supply Chain Section, bringing a wealth of industry expertise and leadership to the role. With a keen focus on optimizing processes and driving efficiency, Sumayya oversees strategic initiatives that navigate the intricacies of procurement and supply chain management.
Susheel Sethumadhavan
Partner, Digital and Analytics Practice
Kearney
United Arab Emirates
Susheel has over 18 years of automotive industry and consulting experience. He is an automotive engineer by training with a Master’s degree from the University of Michigan, training from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit and hands on experience at Ford Motor Company and Dassault Systemes. He has also built his expertise in data and AI for a decade and half. He is passionate about intersecting his diverse love for mobility and AI and has been active in developing AI solutions for Smart Cities, GIS products and crowd management solutions. Susheel has also built his expertise in the regulatory aspects in AI, with the risks and responsibilities of deploying AI at scale.
Talal Ali Mohamed
Director of Supply Chain
Clemenceau Medical Center
United Arab Emirates
Talal Ali Mohamed is a highly accomplished professional with a wealth of experience in multiple industries. He holds a Master of Science degree, an Executive MBA, a certification in professional Human Resource Management, and a Doctor of Business Administration with emphasis on Strategic management, corporate strategy and innovation studies.
Dr. Ali Mohamed has held various senior leadership roles throughout his career, including, Director, Group Supply Chain Manager, and Manager positions in several multinational companies. He has extensive experience in strategic planning, strategic sourcing, inventory management, operations management, business development, and talent management.
In addition to his professional achievements, Mr. Mohamed is an active member of various professional organizations and has contributed to several publications and conferences in his field of expertise. He is also a gifted trainer and coach in several areas, including leadership, communication, and organizational development, marketing, soft and hard skills
In 2017, Talal was selected as a member in the executive management board of Clemenceau medical center responsible for the operations and the supply chain management whereby he proved excellent records in healthcare management and cost reduction and proposed tremendous solution to multiple operations problem within the hospital. His perseverance and positive attitude were behind his fast career ladder.
As a member of the executive management board, Talal was looking seriously after the hospital operations which made him in direct contact with patients, international physicians, international stakeholders and major principles of the healthcare industry. He was also leading the medical tourism project for CMC group which contributed enormously in the success story of the mentioned hospitals.
As a part of the Clemenceau medicine international team, Talal had multiple visits to significant medical centers across the region including but not limited to Turkey , United Arabic emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar , Egypt and London, those visits introduced him to new healthcare management cultures and approached him to different cultures which have enriched his knowledge and opened for him multiple source of ideas on how can we develop the health care sector in general and the medical tourism field in specific.
From an academic stand point , Talal is a current Professor at the American university in Dubai (AUD) and EM Normandie school of management Dubai , whereby he is delivering courses of Retail management, advertisement and integrated marketing communications, introduction to Business, Strategic Management, Supply Chain Management, Human resources management, organizational development and change .
Talal is also an active scholar with a quite good number of publications in class A journals like the Journal of business and industrial marketing and the journal of innovation and knowledge, he is currently focusing on how the implementation of artificial intelligence will impact business functions going forward and how social media platforms could affect organizational performance in multiple aspects.
In addition to his professional career as Director of supply chain management and a university professor, Talal has enormous passion in training and development whereby he delivered multiple presentations, webinars and seminars for reputable pharmaceutical companies like Medtronic , Molnlycke, Infor E3 and AKO medical on emotional intelligence, soft skills and hard skills, power of marketing, Future of Business with the rise of AI, value based procurement , how to select your ERP partner .
On top of the above, Talal was assigned by Molnlycke group to lead the value-based procurement program in the MEA area on May 2023. The program will last for 3 years.
Throughout his career, Dr. Ali Mohamed has received numerous awards and recognitions for his outstanding performance and contributions to the industry. He is highly regarded as a thought leader and a trusted advisor by his colleagues and clients alike.
Today, Dr. Ali Mohamed continues to work in the industry and remains committed to developing his skills and expertise further. He is passionate about mentoring and coaching emerging leaders and is actively involved in various social and charitable initiatives in his community.
Tarun Rochwani
Director of Procurement and Supply Chain (HOD)
Stratavance
United Arab Emirates
With over two decades of experience in procurement and supply chain management, Tarun Rochwani has established himself as a leading figure in the EMEA region. His extensive background in construction and real estate development has consistently driven exceptional results and operational excellence. Tarun has spearheaded strategic procurement initiatives, optimized supply chain functions, and orchestrated cost-effective project operations, all with a commitment to fostering sustainable growth. His expertise in establishing new setups and diversifications has empowered organizations to expand successfully. Recognized for his transformative leadership, Tarun adeptly navigates immediate challenges while building long-term capabilities that position companies for success in dynamic market landscapes. His insights into strategic sourcing and dedication to innovation have successfully led organizations to new heights, solidifying his status as a sought-after authority in the procurement field. Tarun's remarkable achievements and commitment to excellence truly make him stand out among EMEA's top procurement leaders.
Tarik Abdulaal
Head of Global Supply Chain Processes
IFFCO Group
United Arab Emirates
A seasoned Supply Chain expert with 24 years of extensive experience across various industries, including food, household, and technology. Currently serving as the Global Supply Chain Process Head at IFFCO Group. His career journey has been largely shaped by his tenure at Procter & Gamble, where he specialized in planning, logistics, and manufacturing. Known for his ability to lead transformations, drive change and leverage technology. He has a proven track record of leadership in driving operational excellence, developing strategies and leading transformations to align supply chain strategies with business goals, driving growth and profitability.
Tatiana Rey-Bellet
Director of TIR & Transit Services
IRU
Switzerland
In her role as Director – TIR & Transit, Tatiana Rey-Bellet leads IRU’s work on TIR and transit solutions from the Geneva Headquarters. She joined IRU in 2012 and, before taking up her current role, managed a range of projects, including leading countries through the TIR implementation process and making the system operational for customs authorities and business. Before joining IRU, Tatiana spent almost a decade in the development sector, managing health, sanitation and environment projects under the umbrella of UNICEF. She also held key management positions in the private education sector in Pakistan and was in charge of technical communications at a marine equipment export firm in Russia. She holds a Master’s Degree in Oriental Studies from Saint Petersburg State University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the Saint Petersburg State University of Aerospace Instrumentation.
Tom Anneberg
Vice President Commercial Strategy & Product Development
Asyad Group
Oman
A dynamic senior executive with over 25 years of experience in supply chain logistics, freight forwarding, and terminal operations, currently serving as VP of Commercial Strategy & Product Development at ASYAD Group in Oman. Renowned for a customer-centric and collaborative leadership style, they drive growth through innovation and team empowerment. With expertise spanning commercial and operational management, P&L responsibility, digital transformation, and key account management, they have successfully led teams of up to 140 employees to achieve exceptional results. Passionate about fostering creativity and delivering shareholder value, they inspire individuals and teams to accelerate performance and embrace continuous improvement.
Lt. Col. Tongkarn Kaewchalermtong Ph.D
Chairman of Transportation and Logistics Working Group
ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organizations (AFEO)
Malaysia
Lt.Col.Tongkarn Kaewchalermtong Ph.D. is a chairman of the transportation and logistics working group at the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organizations (AFEO), and a prominent figure in the global transport community. He serves on the international program committee for the ITS World Congress and the board of directors for the ITS Asia-Pacific Forum. Dr. Kaewchalermtong is a distinguished lecturer at Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy (CRMA) and the president of the Intelligent Transport System Association of Thailand (ITS Thailand) . He also contributes to the Engineering Institute of Thailand (EIT), advises the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) - Thailand, and is the vice president of the Intelligent CCTV Association (iCA). Additionally, he is an associate judge at the Central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court (CIPIT) and a former advisor to the UNESCAP transport division.
Tony Brocklebank
General Manager Logistics Services
HSA Group
United Arab Emirates
A highly experienced and motivated Change Agent with over 35 years of expertise in logistics and supply chain management, excelling in leadership, project management, and business transformation. Known for resilience, adaptability, and a strong ability to mentor and motivate teams, driving process improvements and operational excellence. Specialized in areas such as SAP WM/EWM integration, automated storage and retrieval systems, MHE rationalization, warehouse automation, and product traceability. Proficient in optimizing supply chains for FMCG, logistics, and cost consolidation through innovative and practical solutions.
Tuhu Nugraha
Principal
Indonesia Applied Digital Economy and Regulatory Network (IADERN)
Tuhu Nugraha is the Principal of IADERN and an advisor at Modern Diplomacy, recognized as a super-connector in Indonesia's emerging technology ecosystem. He actively writes for both local and international media on new technologies like blockchain, the metaverse, and AI across various industries, including smart cities. His upcoming publication on smart city development in the Global South will appear in the Brown Journal of World Affairs in December 2024. Tuhu's expertise spans innovation, adoption, regulation, policy, cybersecurity, and risk management. He drives technology adoption and regulatory alignment by connecting penta helix stakeholders—governments, industries, academia, communities, and media. His work emphasizes the importance of digital transformation in sustainable development and economic growth. Through his roles, Tuhu ensures that technological advancements align with compliance frameworks and strategic business objectives, positioning him as a key figure in Indonesia's digital and regulatory landscape.
Umang Khan
Associate Partner
Supply Chain Talks
UAE
Umang Khan is a transformational leader in supply chain management, with over 18 years of experience at top companies like GSK, P&G, and Masafi LLC. Her expertise spans end-to-end supply chain transformation and business process optimization. A seasoned project manager, Umang has spearheaded digitization initiatives across supply chain functions in Pakistan and the Middle East, working with both multinational and local firms.
She has led both upstream and downstream supply network redesigns for companies like P&G, earning regional and global awards for her achievements in warehousing and logistics. Leveraging her expertise in Integrated Business Planning (IBP), Umang has designed and implemented Sales and Operational Planning (S&OP) frameworks for diverse clients across the UAE. Passionate about public speaking and talent development, she continues to inspire and elevate the field of supply chain management.
Umer Saleem
Regional Head – ME, Africa, Turkey
Falcon Autotech
United Arab Emirates
Vidya Malkani
Managing Partner
VMC Consulting Services
United Arab Emirates
Vidya has been a vital executive in leading organizations for over 15 years specializing in Procurement & Supply Chain. She has a proven track record of shaping procurement and supply chain strategies to position the function as value driver.
Her expertise lies in driving strategic value through innovative procurement strategies, lean & agile transformations, and data-driven risk mitigation. She is passionate towards devising how procurement and supply chains can drive businesses to adopt sustainable practices for maximum impact.
Vitor Pereira
Executive Director
ZOOM GLOBAL SMART CITIES
Miracle Aligner, Innovator & Dreamer of a better world through Creative and Smart Cities
Former Journalist and Communication Expert, Creative and Visionary Strategist and Deep Thinker, he is part of the exclusive shortlist of ‘pioneers’ for the Smart Cities topics discussions.
Co-Founder of ZOOM GLOBAL SMART CITIES ASSOCIATION, a ‘gnostic’ platform with heart and soul for the future, Co-Founder of SMART CITIES PORTUGAL CLUSTER.
International Speaker and Contributor, Chair and Coordinator of numerous events around the world and specialized content platforms.
Working with Cities, Universities and Private Corporations to develop roadmaps and strategies for Smart Cities, Smart Regions, Smart Tourism.
First awarded with the prize of Personality of the Year Smart Cities Live 2015 (Portugal), awarded for the first time within the frame of the Green Business Week, an initiative of the AIP Foundation.
Winner of THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD 1st edition 2018, an initiative from “Smart to Future” (Uk’s Global Smart Cities event).
Smart Cities Council (the biggest smart cities organization worldwide) Though Leader for Philosophy and Ethics. Also, Smart Cities Council representative for Iberia.
Ir. Ts. Dr. Vimal Rau Aparow
Co-Director of Smart System Research Cluster
University of Nottingham Malaysia
Malaysia
Dr. Vimal Rau Aparow received his BEng and MSc from the Department of Automotive, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM). He has completed his PhD in Mechanical Engineering (Automotive) at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM). Then, he joined in Energy Research Institute @ Nanyang Technological University, (NTU) Singapore as Postdoctoral Research for one of the NTU projects known as CETRAN. In CETRAN, his research works mainly focus on development of autonomous vehicle simulation and testing the behavior of the autonomous vehicle in various testing conditions. Currently, he is working as Assistant Professor at Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Head of Automated Vehicle Engineering System (AVES) Research Group at University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM). He is a certified Professional Engineer (PEng) and ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineer (ACPEng) under Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM), Chartered Engineer approved by UK Engineering Council under Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) board and certified Professional Technologist under Malaysian Board of Technologist (MBOT). He is recognized as one of the member of Young Scientists Network under Academy of Science Malaysia (YSN-ASM) for his research contributions. He also has been awarded with SG Academies South-East Asia Fellowship (SASEAF) Programme by Singapore National Academy of Science (SNAS) for research project focusing on validation of virtual safety testing of autonomous vehicle at CETRAN, Energy Research Institute @ Nanyang Technological University, (NTU), Singapore. He is also been appointed as Technical Advisory Panels for MRANTI Autonomous Vehicle Living Lab in 2022 to support for virtual and physical safety assessment of autonomous vehicle using MRANTI road and environment
Waleed Al Saeedi
Director of Supply Chain Management
Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority
United Arab Emirates
Willem Maritz
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Studium Alliance
United Arab Emirates
Willem is a passionate people development specialist. He holds an Honours Degree in Human Resource Development, and spent the last 21 years as a social impact entrepreneur, building businesses that solve problems for the future of humanity. As the founder of Studium Alliance, he is on a mission to help higher education institutions align their teaching better with fast-changing industry skills requirements. He has worked extensively in heavy industries, including mining, oil and gas, as well as supply chain and logistics.
Yasser Ismail
Director of Procurement and Contracting
ARGAS - Arabian Geophysical & Surveying Co
Saudi Arabia
Yasser Ismail is the Director of Contracting and Procurement at Arabian Geophysical & Surveying Co. (ARGAS). With over 25 years of experience in the oilfield services and energy sectors, Yasser has successfully managed global procurement operations and logistics, overseeing projects with a spend exceeding $2 billion annually.
He holds multiple certifications, including PMP, PMI-ACP, and MCIPS, and has a strong focus on implementing innovative procurement practices through agile methodologies.
Yasser is an advocate for integrating AI technologies in supply chain management and has authored the book Agile Sourcing: The Insider Secrets of Innovative Sourcing.
He has been instrumental in driving procurement transformation, delivering results that enhance both operational efficiency and sustainability.
Yulia Celetaria
Head of Logistics
EarlyHealth Group
United Arab Emirates
Yulia Celetaria is a professional with almost 20 years of experience in the fast-paced cargo airline sector, specializing in global pharmaceutical logistics. She brings this set of skills and expertise to her current role at EarlyHealth Group, where she is instrumental in creating logistics pharma corridors to support clinical research and market access in the life sciences industry.
Zaid Hamzah
Executive Education Fellow
National University of Singapore, School of Computing (Advanced Computing for Executives)
Singapore
Zaid Hamzah is an AI/data strategist & practitioner specializing in AI innovation management, AI in finance & law, AI & data governance & AI in information security. An AI patent holder, his current practice revolves around driving value creation & higher performance through AI-enabled growth strategies. Zaid is currently an Executive Education Fellow at the National University of Singapore School of Computing’s Advanced Computing for Executives centre where he runs programs on AI Innovation Management, Intellectual Property Rights in AI Innovation & Commercialisation of AI Innovation. He has taught legal AI at the Singapore Management University School of Law. Zaid is deeply involved in AI R&D & innovation. His AI patent relating to risk management in a supply chain context was granted by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore in December 2023. Author of 9 books spanning law, technology, intellectual property & AI, Zaid has over 35 years of professional experience. He has previously served as (i) Microsoft's Director for intellectual property & commercial software; (ii) Senior Legal Advisor to Singtel’s joint venture with Warner Bros & Sony Pictures (iii) Chief Regulatory Legal & Compliance Officer at publicly-listed Telekom Malaysia; (iv) Associate, Khattar Wong & Partners (Singapore law firm) & (v) Singapore Government service. Zaid has a law degree from the National University of Singapore & completed his Masters in International Relations at the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy, Tufts University on a Fulbright scholarship. Zaid’s current professional practice work involves corporate growth strategy & performance management, intellectual asset management & strategic risk management including cybersecurity risk management.