Events

Maria brings over 24 years of experience in capital projects and infrastructure across the public and private sector, with more than 15 years based in the Middle East. Shehas advised governments and major organisations on complex, large-scale programmes, focusing on governance, delivery and the performance optimisation of multi-billion portfolios. She has led reviews of giga-programmes in Saudi Arabia on behalf of the Ministry of Finance and earlier served as a Project Director with Brisbane City Council.This background underpins her approach as Chief People Officer, bringing a strong focus on execution, organisationaleffectiveness and aligning people strategy to business outcomes.

Maria is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Engineers. She holds a Master of Engineering and an MBA from the University of Queensland, and has completed the Program for Leadership Development at Harvard Business School.

Her governance portfolio spans eight boards, including RAK Chamber of Commerce, RAK Insurance Company, Gulf Cement Company, and the UAE Women’s Sports Federation. She also serves as Chairman of RAK Chamber’s Exhibition Committee and is a member of the Women on Board Circle.

Recognised with the Service Society Medal by HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan and named among the Top 50 Women in Leadership, she is a dedicated advocate for women’s advancement.

Over the course of his career, Khaled has worked closely with senior government leaders across the UAE on large-scale transformation programmes spanning civil service modernisation, workforce strategy, nationalisation, productivity and capability building. As PwC Middle East’s Nationalisation Leader, he also leads the firm’s award-winning nationalisation programme and works with policymakers to strengthen national workforce participation, youth development and employability.

He was named a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader in 2023 and a Young Arab Leader in 2025, and has been recognised by the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation for his contribution to national workforce development.

She began her aviation career with Emirates, where she led airport operations in Mumbai and Bangkok, before moving into operational leadership at Dubai Airports.

Today, Maha draws on this extensive expertise to build trusted government partnerships, advance national priorities, strengthen operational resilience, and help deliver a seamless, world-class passenger experience. Her career reflects a deep understanding of the aviation ecosystem — from the runway to the boardroom — and a commitment to elevating the UAE’s standing as a global aviation hub.

Named one of thirty most impactful Emirati leaders in 2019, she holds a Master’s in Public Administration and International Business Law. Through Rethink, her financial education community, she reaches over a million people, making economics practical for women, youth, and the middle class.

Previously, she held senior roles at DIFC, Dubai Holding, and National Bonds, and is recognised for establishing DIFC FinTech Hive as one of the region’s most influential fintech ecosystems.

A recipient of numerous accolades, including Forbes Middle East’s ‘100 Most Powerful Businesswomen 2025’, she holds an MBA from UAEU and serves on several prestigious boards.

She played a core role in integrating Dubai Holding with Meraas and Nakheel in 2024, and advised on launches — including Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab. Previously at Citibank UAE, she led pioneering online and mobile banking initiatives.

Huda serves on numerous boards, including the Higher Colleges of Technology, Dubai Women’s Establishment, and Certares Holdings. She holds an MSc from Bradford University and is an INSEAD Executive Leadership graduate.

Diligent is the AI leader in governance, risk and compliance (GRC) SaaS solutions, helping more than 1 million users and 700,000 board members to clarify risk and elevate governance. The Diligent One Platform gives practitioners, the C-Suite and the board a consolidated view of their entire GRC practice so they can more effectively manage risk, build greater resilience and make better decisions, faster.

Huda Buhumaid is the Chief Impact Officer at Dubai Holding, spearheading its branding, marketing and corporate communications functions. She plays an important role in shaping the global presence and reputation of the Group, while also leading the implementation of Dubai Holding’s sustainability strategy by integrating sustainable business practices across its operations.

Previously, Huda worked with Citibank UAE as Assistant Vice President – Marketing and Business Development. At Citibank, Huda launched many first-of-their-kind initiatives, including widely acclaimed projects such as online and mobile banking services as well as co-branded cards with reputable companies.

Huda is a board member at a number of leading organisations, including the Higher Colleges of Technology, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University – School of Business and Quality Management, Endowments and Minors’ Trust Foundation, Dubai Women’s Establishment, Certares Holdings, Malta Properties Company, Centre of Excellence for Applied Research & Training (CERT), Warsan Waste Management Company. She is also a member of the Advisory Board of Meta Middle East.

Additionally, she is the Vice Chair of the Private Sector Advisory Council, a fellow of the Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) and a member of Dubai International Communications Committee, which operates under the umbrella of the Government of Dubai Media Office.

Previously, Huda was Vice Chair of consumer finance company Dubai First and MEPRA as well as a board member at Khaleej Times, TECOM Group and Hala China.

Huda is a graduate of the Executive Leadership Programme, INSEAD UAE, and holds a Master of Science in Organisational Excellence with Honours from Bradford University, United Kingdom, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Higher Colleges of Technology, Dubai.

Mervat Sultan, FRAeS is a pioneering leader in aviation and the Director and Co-Founder of Ramjet Co. With over 25 years of experience, she stands among the Middle East’s first female FAA/GCAA-certified flight dispatchers, breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field.

As the founder and President of Women in Aviation Middle East, and the Ambassador for Women in Aviation International – Arab World, Mervat has become a powerful advocate for equity, opportunity, and representation across the industry. Her work has inspired countless young professionals to pursue aviation careers, while her mentorship has cultivated a new generation of leaders.

A Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Mervat combines professional excellence with a deep commitment to creating inclusive spaces in aviation. Known for her vision, resilience, and genuine belief in the potential of others, she continues to champion diversity, encourage bold thinking, and demonstrate that leadership is not only about breaking limits—but also about helping others soar beyond them.

Capt. Aysha Alhameli is a pioneering Emirati aviator and global aviation leader. At just 16, she became the UAE’s first female pilot, breaking barriers for future generations.

Her distinguished career includes serving from 2009 to 2020 as the youngest-ever Permanent Representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), shaping international aviation policy. In 2021, she was appointed Assistant Director General of the Air Accident Investigation Sector, where she continues to advance aviation safety in the UAE.

A former Air Accidents and Regulations Senior Officer at the GCAA, Capt. Alhameli holds degrees in Air Law (McGill University, Canada), Transport Management (City University London), and Social & Behavioral Sciences (Zayed University). She has also been awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of the Aegean, Greece, for her global contributions.

Today, she leads with vision and resilience, ensuring safer skies and redefining what it means to be a pioneer.

Reem Tariq Abdullah, Vice President – Executive General Counsel, DP World GCC, leads the region’s corporate legal strategy, governance, and compliance. Since joining DP World in 2007, she has held senior leadership roles across Jafza, Economic Zones World, and DP World, including serving as SVP, General Counsel – Corporate Legal at EZW. She has been in her current role since 2017.

She holds a law degree from Queen Mary University of London and completed the Solicitors Qualification (LPC) in London. Her career reflects a deep commitment to legal excellence, cross-border collaboration, and empowering teams to deliver business-aligned legal solutions.

In 2005, she was honoured as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, an achievement that reinforced her dedication to global dialogue and leadership. She is also a founding member of the Arab Women’s Legal Network and currently serves as the liaison officer in Dubai, supporting initiatives that advance the role of women in the legal profession across the region.

Outside of work, Reem is passionate about travel, hiking, and exploring the outdoors—experiences that inspire her both personally and professionally.

Hend AlAbbar is the Director of the Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence at Dubai Health, with over 18 years of experience advancing AI, digital transformation, and government services in the UAE. She has led high-profile initiatives during her career at the Prime Minister’s Office, RTA, Dubai Tourism, and Dubai Public Prosecution, including the Zero Government Bureaucracy Program, the UAE Artificial Intelligence Award, and RTA’s enterprise AI platforms that enhanced service efficiency and citizen experience.
She holds a Master’s in Innovation & Change Management, a Diploma in AI from Oxford University, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration at Coventry University (UK), focusing on AI’s impact on quality of life in Dubai. As Director, she champions responsible AI adoption to foster innovation, build trust, and deliver measurable societal impact.

Dr. Laila Ali Hareb Al-Muhairi is a recognized leader and innovator with over 30 years of experience in aviation, digital transformation, governance, and organizational development.

She has been honored internationally, including being named by the United Nations ICAO and IAWA among the 70 women worldwide who inspire generations in aviation, and listed by Forbes among the Top 50 Most Influential Women in the Arab World. She has received the World Women Leadership Award, the US Stevie Award, and was recognized several years in a row as the UAE Aviation Personality of the Year.

Throughout her career, Dr. Laila has held senior leadership roles in the UAE government — from shaping air transport and environmental policies as the country’s lead negotiator, to advancing digital border systems, innovation, and strategy across aviation, transportation, and security sectors. She has represented the UAE in global forums, negotiated landmark aviation agreements, and led cooperation initiatives with international partners.

She is the President of Alive Group (Alive Academy, Alive Medical and Alive Aviation Consultancy & Education), and the Chairwoman of the Emirates National Choir Association, reflecting her commitment to both professional and cultural development.

Alongside her executive career, Dr. Laila has served as a lecturer at Emirates University and Hult Business School, and as a board member and mentor, guiding the next generation of leaders.

She holds a PhD in Health Innovation & Public Policy, an Executive MBA in Aviation Management, and a Bachelor’s in Software Engineering.

Above all, Dr. Laila is passionate about creating environments where people and organizations can thrive, bridging disciplines from aviation to healthcare to culture, and contributing to the UAE’s vision on the global stage.

Dr. Mariam Almarashda, MBBS, ABHS, (CTh), is a senior consultant in Thoracic Surgery at Tawam Hospital and Sheikh Tahnoon Medical City, Al Ain, UAE. She graduated from the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University. She finished her Arab Board training in General Surgery from the General Surgery Integrated Program in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, UAE, followed by a Clinical Fellowship in Thoracic Surgery at Vanderbilt University, Tennessee, USA, with a Clinical Research Fellowship in both Lung Cancer and Oesophageal Cancer.
She was appointed as Consultant Thoracic Surgeon in SEHA. She is Adjunct Faculty, Surgery Department – CMHS/UAEU. As the only UAE national thoracic surgeon in the field, a distinction that underscores her commitment to advancing healthcare in the region. Dr. Almarashda has elevated the standards of the profession, inspiring a new generation of medical pioneers.
She is the Chair of the UAE International Thoracic Surgery Congress. Besides her clinical leadership, she has a special interest in medical education. She is the founder and the lead of the ACGME-I Surgical Training Program in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. She is the Chair of the Scientific Committee for Surgical Programs for the NIHS Emirati Board in the UAE and the Lead of Surveyors for both NIHS Institutional and Program Accreditation in the country.

Dr. Nahed graduated from Dubai Medical College and obtained the Arab General Surgery Board specialization and MRCS, Glasgow, UK. She holds the European Board of Breast Surgery from Belgium, with over 15 years of experience. Dr. Balalaa has leadership experience in education and clinical practice and is actively involved in teaching, course designing, and researching in her field, with distinguished publications and a series of conference organizations.
Her clinical practice primarily focuses on comprehensive, compassionate care of women with breast disease and breast cancer. Dr. Balalaa is Head of Breast Service and Lead Physician for breast cancer campaigns and regularly participates in breast cancer awareness workshops and activities. She is a member of several local and international committees and Chair of the Breast Multidisciplinary Board, as well as Site Director in the General Surgery Training Residency Program and Adjunct Professor in the Department of General Surgery, College of Medicine at Gulf Medical University in Ajman and Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi.
She has received many awards on both administrative and professional levels. Recently, she was awarded the Emirates Women Award under the professional level as part of the Dubai Quality Group’s Annual Award Ceremony 2025 by HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
Currently, she is Senior Consultant Breast Surgeon at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) in Abu Dhabi.

Dr Alia Al Mansoori is founder and CEO of Al Aliaa Polyclinic, and a visionary Emirati consultant obstetrician and gynecologist with over 20 years of distinguished clinical, academic, and entrepreneurial leadership. She is German board-certified, and internationally trained in laparoscopic, robotic, and gyne-aesthetic surgery.
Dr Al Mansoori introduced laparoscopic surgery in UAE hospitals and pioneered stem cell cord blood collection, and is, today, an acclaimed lecturer, surgical mentor, and women’s health advocate.
She was also the first physician to collect and bank umbilical cord blood stem cells in the UAE (in 2001).
She is a speaker at national and international congresses (in the UAE, Egypt, Germany, and India).

Dr. Laila Alhubaishi is widely recognized as one of the UAE’s most accomplished physicians and academic leaders, with over two decades of distinguished expertise in obstetrics, gynecology, and urogynecology. Her career is defined by clinical excellence, visionary academic leadership, and groundbreaking innovation, all aligned with the UAE Vision 2031 and the Dubai Health Strategy to elevate women’s health, medical education, and healthcare quality to global standards.
A pioneer in Emirati medical education, Dr. Alhubaishi established the nation’s first Emirati Board Fellowships in Gynecologic Oncology, Reproductive and Infertility Medicine, Family Medicine Maternity, Urogynecology, and Female Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery. In her capacity as Chair of the OB/GYN Scientific Committee at the National Institute for Health Specialties (NIHS), she has redefined the standards of residency and fellowship training nationwide, directed the Dubai Residency Training Program, and personally mentored more than 50 OB/GYN residents and numerous fellows.

Her exceptional contributions have earned prestigious recognition from UAE leadership, including the highly coveted OB/GYN Specialist of the Year Award from H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahyan-2023, the Emirates Medical Award for Pioneering Role in Medical Education, and the Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award. She has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, spearheaded national preventive health initiatives, and championed the integration of artificial intelligence and digital health systems into OB/GYN practice.

Dr. Laila Alhubaishi is widely recognized as one of the UAE’s most accomplished physicians and academic leaders, with over two decades of distinguished expertise in obstetrics, gynecology, and urogynecology. Her career is defined by clinical excellence, visionary academic leadership, and groundbreaking innovation, all aligned with the UAE Vision 2031 and the Dubai Health Strategy to elevate women’s health, medical education, and healthcare quality to global standards.
A pioneer in Emirati medical education, Dr. Alhubaishi established the nation’s first Emirati Board Fellowships in Gynecologic Oncology, Reproductive and Infertility Medicine, Family Medicine Maternity, Urogynecology, and Female Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery. In her capacity as Chair of the OB/GYN Scientific Committee at the National Institute for Health Specialties (NIHS), she has redefined the standards of residency and fellowship training nationwide, directed the Dubai Residency Training Program, and personally mentored more than 50 OB/GYN residents and numerous fellows.

Her exceptional contributions have earned prestigious recognition from UAE leadership, including the highly coveted OB/GYN Specialist of the Year Award from H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahyan-2023, the Emirates Medical Award for Pioneering Role in Medical Education, and the Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award. She has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, spearheaded national preventive health initiatives, and championed the integration of artificial intelligence and digital health systems into OB/GYN practice.

Standard Chartered is a British multinational bank headquartered in London, with a strong presence in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Established in 1969 through the merger of the Standard Bank of British South Africa and the Chartered Bank of India, Australia, and China, it operates in over 60 countries, focusing primarily on emerging markets.

Unlike many UK-based banks, it does not offer retail banking services in the UK, instead specializing in corporate, retail, and private banking services in regions like India, Singapore, Kenya, and the UAE. The bank is known for its deep-rooted history in international trade finance, commitment to digital innovation, and leadership in sustainable finance.

Powering businesses to thrive in the “Digital Vortex” and scale internationally in the sectors of B2B Marketing, Strategy and Business Development

A seasoned B2B marketeer and business development specialist for high-growth markets, Benedicte brings more than 25 years of in-depth experience in complex business transformation across ICT, IoT automation, transport and energy transition sectors. Over the course of her career, she spearheaded operations and processes across the technology, transport and energy transition sectors, in companies such as Vontier, Honeywell, British Telecom and Dun & Bradstreet — where she held multiple commercial, marketing and strategy roles with increased responsibility.

Benedicte is a multiple CEO Kaizen winner, untapping $500M worth of business opportunities and double-digit margin improvement. She has worked in both mature and emerging technology markets, and expanded her leadership across Europe, Middle East & Africa, and Asia Pacific where she enabled companies to transition from a product-focused to a customer-lead approach.

A Belgian national, she is fluent in English, French, Dutch Italian with basic commands of Arabic, German and Spanish.

A Certified Advisory Board Chair, she enriched her original Masters in Philosophy and Linguistics with an MBA in International Corporate Planning and a Certificate in AI Applied to Business from MIT/Sloan School of Management.

Benedicte also contributes as a Guest Lecturer and Mentor to MBA students in the areas of AI and its implications to business.

A proud AUB alumna and with over two decades of experience, she holds an Executive MBA and a bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Communication Engineering, and has played a pivotal role in co-leading AUB’s BOLDLY AUB fundraising campaign (2017–2024), which raised over $805 million to support education, healthcare, research, and social impact initiatives across Lebanon and the region.

Salma has received AUB’s President’s Service Excellence Award, the CASE Asia-Pacific Distinguished Service Award, and, most recently, Playbook’s Leadership Excellence Award. Beyond AUB, she is a sought-after advisor and consultant, supporting educational institutions across the Gulf and MENA region. A champion of social impact, Salma serves on the boards of several regional and local NGOs and organizations, including Nusaned, and other grassroots initiatives focused on education, economic resilience, and women’s leadership. She is also a founder of Playbook, a global platform that supports women in leadership and entrepreneurship, a member of Dubai Business Women Council, a member of the Takreem Selection Board and is affiliated with the Lebanese Order of Engineers and Architects.