Speakers

Jamal Saleh

Jamal Saleh joined UBF (UAE Banks Federation) in July 2018 and became UBF's Director General on 1st January 2019. Prior to joining UBF, his last role was Head of Credit & Risk and Acting Regional Chief Risk Officer with a leading GCC bank.

Jamal Saleh spent 29 years in banking (Conventional and Islamic) and covered Credit and Enterprise Risk Management (Credit, Market, Operational, Liquidity, and IT Risks).

His first 10 years were in the USA (in Private Banking and Credit) and the last 19 were in the UAE in Corporate Banking, Credit, and Risk Management with three leading UAE banks.

He served as PRMIA's UAE Director General for 7 years (2007-2014) and was concurrently Member on British University's Advisory Board.

Jamal Saleh graduated valedictorian, summa cum laude, from New Jersey (USA) in Finance and Banking, and held 6 professional certifications in credit, finance, investment, and risk management.

He was a frequent TV quest on local and international business channels and newspapers, as well as a key speaker at tens of regional and international forums in UAE, MENA, Singapore, Europe, USA, etc., including 11 years at the renowned RiskMinds of Geneva/Amsterdam from 2006-2016, and the Commonwealth of Nations at Westminster Palace's Central Hall in London.

Saket Saith

Saket Saith is a seasoned professional at the forefront of digital transformation, specializing in the convergence of strategy and execution.

Currently serving as the Group Chief Technology and Data Officer at RAKBANK, UAE, Saket has over 25 years of experience in leading technology and data initiatives, ensuring the delivery of innovative and customer-centric solutions. Prior to this, he held pivotal roles, including Chief Technology Officer at Barclays in the United Kingdom, and various leadership positions at DBS Bank in Singapore, where he played a crucial role in digital transformation, enterprise architecture, and IT Strategy. He is passionate about emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence,
blockchain, cloud computing, and big data, and how they can be leveraged to create value for customers, businesses, and society at large.

Saket's career spans the globe, contributing significantly to the growth and innovation of renowned financial and technology organizations. His expertise encompasses enterprise architecture, IT business strategy, software engineering, and operating models.

Saket holds a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from the National University of Singapore and a Bachelor's degree in Electronics & Communications from Delhi College of Engineering.

Abdulla Al-Awadi

With over two decades of banking, real estate, and private equity experience, Abdulla has developed an aptitude, zeal, and skills culminating in a methodical, structured, and effective management style. He is an agile, generalizing specialist, cross-functional, progressive, innovative, and creative thinker capable of applying strategic planning methods to formulate competitive strategies, implement strategic objectives through effective project management,
and manage the change brought about by these initiatives.
In 2001, Abdulla started his career at the National Bank of Kuwait gaining exposure to consumer banking, asset management, investment banking, treasury, and corporate banking. In 2004, he joined Ahlia Investment Company handling international investments and progressed to the post of Chairman and CEO until 2018. By 2009, Abdulla was recognized by the Leaders Institute as a leading figure in the local business community. He was also a board director at Credit Bank in Lebanon taking active part in crafting and monitoring the bank’s strategy.
Abdulla was also a board director at Kuwait Real Estate Association from 2012 till 2019 where he was instrumental in drafting and pushing related legislations advocating for the broader interest of real estate stakeholders. In 2020, Abdulla joined KIB and progressed to become the General Manager of Strategy and Change Management handling strategic planning, monitoring, and implementing lean change initiatives to achieve process improvement and enhance efficiency.
Abdulla holds a bachelor’s degree in Business and Finance from Boston University where he also obtained a graduate diploma in Entrepreneurial Management. He’s also a certified Harvard Strategy Specialist, Certified Change Practitioner (CCP), Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP), Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified PMO practitioner, a Disciplined Agile Senior Scrum Master (DASSM), and also a certified PMO professional (PMO-CP).
Acknowledging the interdependence of strategy-related domains, Abdulla created a proprietary value-based method for strategy development. TheStrategist.me is a comprehensive, cohesive, and sequenced method applying an eclectic toolkit of established and bespoke tools for developing value-based strategies to help organizations pave the way to successfully accomplish their missions. Abdulla divided his method into four clear phases, covering five interdependent process groups, following 12 sequenced processes, applying 36 carefully selected tools to develop and implement the right strategy delivering the right value to the right customer. Furthermore, Abdulla also created ESSAM.Ai which is an Ai powered process engineer designed to map out current business processes, analyze them, identify wasteful activities, and optimize them with a new process design.

Mahendra Dhillon

Mahendra Dhillon joined the National Bank of Fujairah (NBF) as Chief Technology Officer in 2023 and was appointed Chief Operations & Technology Officer in February 2025.
In his role, Mahendra oversees all technology resources at NBF. He is responsible for establishing the technology vision, strategy, and growth plans that align with the bank’s overall business objectives.
With over 28 years of experience, Mahendra has a proven track record in delivering and managing complex technology and business solutions for established financial institutions, startups, as well as retail and telecommunications organisations, with a focus on digital enablement and cloud computing.
He has previously held several senior positions at four of the top five banking organisations in Canada. In 2023, he was recognised as one of the Top 50 Influential CIOs. Mahendra has received multiple prestigious awards, including the Top Innovator Award at the Innovation Challenge, along with various accolades from the top three banks in Canada.
Mahendra holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Management and Technology in Virginia, a Master’s in Information Technology from Aptech Computer Studies, and a Master’s in Cloud Computing.

Shaarawy Mohamed

​​Chief Technology and Information Officer with proven experience in digital transformation and the application of advanced technologies within the banking industry. Expertise has been demonstrated in modernizing technology stacks, driving innovation, integrating cutting-edge solutions, and enhancing cybersecurity to optimize processes and improve customer experiences

Narinder Auluck

Narinder Auluck is the Chief Technology Officer at Invest Bank, a leading commercial bank in the UAE. In this newly created role, he is spearheading the bank’s digital transformation strategy, focusing on modernizing core banking systems, enhancing cybersecurity, and integrating AI-driven analytics to improve customer engagement and operational efficiency. Prior to joining Invest Bank, Narinder served as Group CTO at Pepper Advantage, where he led the development of AI-powered credit management platforms. With over 20 years of experience in the banking and finance sector, including leadership positions at UBS, Barclays, HSBC, and NatWest, Narinder brings a wealth of expertise in driving technological innovation within financial institutions.

Dr. Muhammad Fathy

Banking Technology Leader | Author | Speaker
Dr. Muhammad Fathy is a visionary IT leader with over 20 years of experience, recognized for his transformative contributions to the banking technology sector. As the Head of Technology Services & IT Operations Sector at Banque Du Caire, Dr. Fathy combines strategic foresight, technical expertise, and a strong academic foundation to lead with distinction. He holds a Professional Doctorate in Management from the European International University in Paris, an MBA from ESLSCA Business School in Paris, and a bachelor's in computer engineering from Ain Shams University.

Since joining Banque Du Caire in 2018, Dr. Fathy has been at the forefront of the bank's digital transformation journey. Under his leadership:

• Core IT systems have been modernized to align with cutting-edge industry practices.
• Innovative products and services have been launched, enhancing customer experiences.
• The bank's digital footprint has significantly expanded, strengthening its competitive position.
  Dr. Fathy's expertise extends to cybersecurity management, where his proactive and forward-thinking approach has bolstered the bank's resilience against emerging threats. By implementing advanced cybersecurity frameworks, he ensures the protection of critical digital assets, maintaining the institution's security posture in an ever-evolving technological landscape.
  Previously, Dr. Fathy was the Head of IT Infrastructure, Network, and Security at Alex Bank, where he led transformative initiatives in IT infrastructure development and network security. His career is defined by his ability to align technological advancements with business objectives, delivering measurable outcomes.
  In addition to his professional achievements, Dr. Fathy is a published author, recently releasing his book, Tech's Revolution in Middle East Finance (2025). The book explores the role of emerging technologies in reshaping the financial sector and reflects his thought leadership in technology-driven innovation. His earlier work, Leadership for Beginners from A to Z, underscores his passion for management and leadership excellence.
  Dr. Fathy's influence extends to the global stage, as he is a confirmed speaker at LEAP in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He will lead discussions on AI-driven advancements in fintech and navigate the nuances of cyber risk in the financial sector, reinforcing his position as a thought leader in technology and finance.
  A strong advocate for continuous learning, Dr. Fathy actively pursues certifications and advanced studies to stay at the cutting edge of industry trends. His leadership style is characterized by proactivity, assertiveness, and a commitment to fostering talent within his teams.
  Dr. Muhammad Fathy is a transformative leader in technology and IT operations, driving innovation, operational excellence, and organizational success across the financial sector. His career exemplifies the power of strategic vision and technological mastery in shaping the future of banking.

Olivier Busolini

Olivier Busolini has over 25 years of experience in IT security, working in different industries and countries, both in the private and public sectors, in France, the UK, Switzerland and the UAE.He has gained leadership skills in IT and Information Security risk, (cyber)security, privacy and resilience management, as part of operational risks, data governance and digital business activities, and has adapted to various business environments.Olivier began his career as an Officer in the French Ministry of Defence for 15 years, where he founded the first Red Team of the French National Information Security Agency in 2001. He then worked as an information security consultant for several years, including in a Big4 firm, and served as CISO for traditional and innovative Swiss banks for over 13 years.He is currently continuing his journey in the United Arab Emirates as Group CISO for Mashreq Bank.His main focus is to enable the business to take the necessary risks to grow the bank, within the risk tolerance of the management and in a cost effective manner.

Dr. Nasser S.Al-Azwani

Dr. AlAzwani is working as Head of IT at Alizz Islamic Bank. Previously Director of the Center for Information Systems at Sultan Qaboos University and before this position he worked as Head of Systems Security and Administrations at University Hospital. He is holding a PhD from City, University of London in the field of Cyber Security. MSc from Liverpool University and Diploma from University of Technology and Applied Sciences. He has more than 22 years of experience in the field of Information and Communication Technology (The most recent 12yrs in Cyber Security) and has contributed to the university hospital in developing Information Security Management System (ISMS) aligned with optimizing and strengthening the IT services and efficiency of its cyber security controls.

His areas of academic specialty include but not limited to Cyber Security, Information Security Risk Management, National security and governance, Cyber Deterrence, Strategies and Optimization. He has an interest in conducting research in areas like: 

• Cyber Attack modeling: understanding the methods and strategies of different types of attackers, for the purposes of optimizing penetration testing automation, attack attribution, Disasters Recovery and Intrusion Detection.
• Cyber Deterrence: strategies for discouraging attacks including research issues around attack attribution, coalition strategies, game theory modeling.
• Cyber Conflicts (Terrorism): how terrorists use the Internet (e.g., social networks, websites, Twitter), and their level of capabilities in utilizing the Internet for cyber conflicts.
• Malware: with special interest in state-sponsored malware, for examples, Stuxnet, Duqu, that are much more sophisticated than common malware, and developed by nations (state) possibly for cyber warfare against other nations (state).
• Internet of Things (IoT) security: understanding how to secure IoT devices, and in particular, authentication protocols for IoT.

Technically, he is actively involved in managing technical cyber security procedures with his technical team for a mission of maintaining effective controls all over known cyber threats.  He is deeply involved in conducting on-going optimization in IT services compliance, cyber security controls efficiency and assurance over institute systems, services and its technologies. 

Amna AL-Balushi

Amna Albalushi is a distinguished leader in the field of information security, with over 19 years of experience spanning the banking sector, private corporations, and government entities. Her career reflects a strong track record of success across multiple organizational levels, enabling her to develop a well-rounded and strategic understanding of the information security landscape.
She has played a pivotal role in guiding organizations toward achieving ISO 27001:2015 certification, showcasing her deep expertise in implementing and maintaining international standards for information security management systems. In her current role as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Bank Nizwa, Oman's first Islamic bank, Amna demonstrates a steadfast commitment to advancing cybersecurity resilience and protecting digital infrastructures from evolving threats.
Amna holds a Master’s degree in Global MBA from the University of Manchester, United Kingdom, and a Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering from Caledonian College of Engineering, Oman. Her commitment to continuous professional development is reflected in her attainment of several high-level certifications, including Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), ISO 27001 Lead Auditor, COBIT 5, ISO 38500 Lead IT Corporate Governance Manager, and Project Management Professional (PMP) – PRINCE2. These qualifications underscore her broad-based expertise and strategic capabilities in information security management, governance, and project execution.
Through visionary leadership and unmatched expertise, Amna Albalushi continues to drive excellence and innovation in the field of information security, setting high benchmarks across the industry.

Archana Shetty

Archana is the Vice President – Technology Projects at one of the largest banks in the MEA region. She is an accomplished leader, certified executive coach, and startup mentor with over 25 years of experience spanning technology, leadership, and business management.

Recognized among the Top 100 Global Thought Leaders by PeopleHum, Archana is also a Bronze Stevie® Award winner for Coach and Mentor of the Year, and a proud recipient of the SHELeads Qatar Award, honoring women leaders in technology.

She specializes in digital leadership, digital transformation, Blue Ocean Strategy, leadership development, emotional intelligence, high-performing team building, portfolio and project management, and driving innovation through AI and emerging technologies.
Under her leadership, payment ecosystems have been revolutionized through faster, smarter technologies. She played a pivotal role in implementing Fawran, Qatar’s instant payment system, which now has over 2.9 million registered accounts and represents approximately 14–17% of the country’s monthly digital payment volume.

Her strategic guidance propelled innovative startups like the AI-powered talent growth platform Talentscale.ai from a bold idea to market-ready success in under nine months turning it into a breakthrough solution that's reshaping how businesses unlock human potential and drive scalable growth.

Whether scaling enterprises or catalyzing disruptive innovation, Archana turns bold ideas into measurable impact.
Through her proprietary Smart Scaling™ framework - a powerful blend of strategic foresight, technological innovation, and human-centered leadership, Archana turns challenges into growth opportunities and empowers leaders and organizations to unlock transformative growth, elevate competitive advantage, and create lasting
value.

A dynamic speaker, she regularly shares breakthrough insights on strategy, leadership, and technology at global leadership forums and industry conferences, inspiring audiences to lead with vision, courage, and impact.

Ledi Lapaj

Ferenc Böle

Ferenc Bole has nearly 25 years of experience in IT. Started his career at EY then moved to banking when joined K&H Bank as senior project manager. Then he moved to CIB Bank to lead Application Development department. He continued at OTP Bank where he was responsible to manage the PMO, Enterprise architecture and IT units of the foreign subsidiaries in 8 countries and participated in the acquisition process of Sociate General subsidiaries. He was member of Board in Sebia, Bulgaria and Russia during the merges. Then he continued at MBH Bank as Head of IT Development during the integration of 3 former banks which led MBH Bank to be the second largest bank in Hungary. He moved to Oman in 2023 to join National Bank of Oman as Head of IT.

Dr Emmanuel Manyonganise

Recognized Global CX Leader, Seasoned CX Judge and AI enthusiast. Customer & Digital Experience executive with 20 years of global experience in CX Strategy, Design & Implementation across Banking, Telecommunications and Management Consultancy. Successful track record of governing, leading and delivering Business, Digital & Customer Experience Transformation programs. Specializes in redefining customer engagement through AI, digital transformation, and hyper-personalization. Expertise in Experience Journey Design, Lean Six Sigma, Agile Scrum Master, and Program Management. Driven by CX innovative and groundbreaking solutions which powers CX to deliver exceptional experiences. Extensive experience of working with senior executives and managing cross-functional teams.

Nadeem Khitan

With over 25 years of cross-industry experience spanning FMCG and banking, Nadeem brings a unique blend of customer insight, commercial acumen, and strategic leadership
to the financial services sector.
Starting a career in the fast-paced world of Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) in big names such as Coca-Cola, JnJ, Fine Tissues, RB, Nielsen Company, Nadeem honed a deep understanding of customer behavior, segmentation, and brand growth.
This foundation in consumer-first thinking became a cornerstone of his leadership style when transitioning into the banking industry.
Over the past 8 years in banking, Nadeem has held key roles in customer segmentation, proposition development, and ultimately served as Head of Consumer Banking in Bank of Jordan, and Capital Bank. In this capacity, they have led large-scale transformation initiatives, designed tailored banking experiences for diverse customer segments, and driven adoption of digital and lifestyle-focused financial solutions.

Core Expertise:

• Consumer and SME Segmentation Strategy
• Retail & Digital Banking Transformation
• Cross-functional Leadership
• Strategic Partnerships & Product Innovation
• Customer Experience Design
• Revenue Growth & Profitability Management

Leadership Philosophy:
Nadeem believes in creating value through clarity, empathy, and execution—bridging data-driven insights with human-centered design to deliver banking experiences that truly resonate with customers.

Sarah Al Zaabi

Sarah is the Chief Human Resources and Administration Officer at CINET. With more than 17 years of HR experience spanning consultancy, banking, healthcare, and government, she led organizational development and culture transformation initiatives that shapes organizational capabilities.

Sarah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Kent, and has also served as a board member in various investment companies.

Adil Belhouari

Adil Belhouari has over 22 years of extensive Executive Management and Leadership experience at varying positions in multiple lines of businesses and technologies. 

A seasoned Data Science, Artificial Intelligence & Digital Banking Strategist well known in the Industry of Banking Intelligence & Financial Analytics, Digital Banking, Customer Experience & Loyalty, Enterprise Data Management, Data Science & Insight Strategy, Business Planning, Financial Reporting as well as leading solutions in the area of Digital Transformation, Risk Management, Customer Acquisition, Segmentation, Retention, Relationship Management (CRM), Artificial Intelligence, Business Intelligence (BI), Innovation, Fintech Partnership and Open Banking Strategy. 
Proven track records of superior achievements with cash flow and credit driven lending products development, Business planning, Data Monetization, Business Information Strategy, Sales’ Strategy and delivery management.

Adil is currently working as Senior Vice President/Head of AI, Data Science, Analytics & Business Intelligence for Riyad Bank, one of the largest financial institutions in Saudi Arabia.

Prior to Riyad Bank, Adil was a leading Analytics and Data mining Expert at SAS Institute Inc., one of the largest software and consultancy companies in the world focused on delivering superior software & Solutions in Business Analytics.

Adil also worked as a professor of analytics and statistics at HEC - Montreal. He has contributed in several applied scientific researches and papers published in high-level Journals.

Adil has been a speaker and presenter at many highly rated events, conferences and summits across different countries and continents.

Dr. Haidar Almohri

Dr. Haidar Almohri is the acting Chief Data and Innovation Officer at Gulf Bank, Kuwait, where he leads AI-driven digital transformation across banking industry. With over 12 years of experience in Artificial Intelligence, data science, and machine learning, he specializes in generative AI applications, predictive modeling, and data strategy in the financial sector. He has spearheaded large-scale innovation initiatives that leverage Data Science and AI to drive strategic impact in the banking sector. Holding a PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering, Dr. Almohri is a frequent speaker and workshop leader on AI and big data, combining academic insight with hands-on leadership in the banking industry.

Shoaib Rizvi

Shoaib Rizvi is an accomplished technology leader with over 20 years of experience in driving digital innovation and transformation in banking. As Group Head of Digital Products at Emirates NBD, he leads the strategy, design, and delivery of all customer-facing and assisted digital channels across Retail, Wealth, Business and Corporate Banking. Shoaib has played a pivotal role in shaping and executing the bank’s enterprise-wide digital transformation, leading the transformation of key customer facing channels as well as crafting and implementing Bespoke Scaled Agile Operating Model, enabling Emirates NBD to lead the region in digital banking innovation.

Yogesh Kale

An accomplished banking veteran with more than 26 years of experience, Yogesh Kale serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Bank of Bahrain, United Arab Emirates (NBB UAE). Before assuming the current position in 2021, he has held various executive and senior roles at leading global banking institutions, both regionally and internationally.

Leveraging his extensive knowledge and experience in corporate and transaction banking, sales and operations, Mr. Kale leads the development and execution of long-term strategies for NBB’s future growth and expansion in the UAE under the supervision of the Bank’s

Overseas Committee and in line with its Group Strategy. Providing strategic leadership, he oversees NBB UAE’s transformation and day-to-day operations and ensures effective financial management with the aim of reinforcing the Bank’s role as a conduit for the corridor business across Bahrain, the UAE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and diversifying its business portfolio.

Prior to his current role, Mr. Kale served as the Head of Corporate Banking at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) Islamic Banking. He also served as the Head of Corporate Banking at HSBC, servicing successively the Jebel Ali district in Dubai and the Northern Emirates of the UAE after joining the global bank as the Regional Head of Sales, Global Transaction Banking, MENAP. Previously, he held various roles in transaction banking and global banking at Standard Chartered Bank in India.

Mr. Kale earned an MBA in finance from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies and a Bachelor of Commerce degree in accounting and economics from Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics, Mumbai, India.

Graziella Grech

Graziella Grech is the Chief Operations Officer at FinanceMalta, where she leads the Foundation’s strategic and operational agenda to promote Malta as a leading jurisdiction for international financial services. Since her appointment in 2023, she has been instrumental in driving global outreach, strengthening investor relations, and building lasting partnerships with industry stakeholders and FinanceMalta members.
 
With a financial career spanning over 28 years, Graziella brings deep expertise in retail and business banking, operations,  investments, insurance, regulatory affairs, and business development. Her professional journey began at Mid-Med Bank and continued at HSBC Bank Malta plc, where she held various senior leadership roles and managed complex transformation initiatives.
 
A dynamic speaker and seasoned moderator, Graziella is a prominent voice for Malta’s financial sector at high-profile local and international events. Her leadership is marked by a strong commitment to collaboration, innovation, and sustainable growth across the ecosystem.
 
A Henley MBA graduate and holder of the CertFinTech by ACCA, Graziella is known for her dynamic leadership, diplomatic acumen, and innovative thinking in positioning Malta on the global fintech map. Graziella is currently pursuing a master’s in diplomacy and international Relations at Lancaster University. She was recently recognised by CIOLook Media as one of the most influential women shaping the future of fintech globally, which is a testament to her vision, drive, and impact in the industry.

Amr Mohamed Naguib

Amr Naguib is a passionate digital transformation leader committed to reshaping how people experience banking. With a career spanning over 15 years across leading institutions in the region, he has been at the forefront of driving innovative change - from modernizing digital channels to launching instant payments and next-generation lending solutions.
In his current role as Head of Digital Solutions and Innovation, Amr leads with a bold vision: to create smarter, faster, and more human-centered financial journeys. He believes that real impact happens when technology meets empathy—and that the future of banking belongs to those who dare to challenge the status quo.
A frequent speaker at regional fintech forums, Amr is known for his hands-on approach, collaborative mindset, and ability to translate complex challenges into meaningful solutions that serve both business goals and customer needs.

Erkal Hascan

Erkal Hascan is a practised Head of Product with over 20 years of experience leading digital transformation and product innovation across digital banking, Open Banking, fintech, e-commerce, and retail. He has built different financial products in Turkey and Sultanate of Oman. Erkal has played key roles in launching Turkey’s first BNPL platform, managing Open Banking ecosystem with 150+ services, and scaling award-winning mobile and wallet solutions. With a strong foundation in IT and business intelligence, he combines technical expertise with a sharp focus on user experience and business growth.

Devendra Kumar

Devendra is the Head of Digital Channels at Mashreq, where he spearheads the bank’s digital strategy for corporate and institutional clients across the MENA region. With over two decades of experience in digital banking and transaction services, Devendra has been instrumental in developing award-winning digital solutions for corporates that delivered enhanced client experience, operational efficiency, and real time connectivity for transaction banking product and services. Under his leadership, Mashreq has built and rolled out several API-driven innovations including instant payments, IBAN validation, and seamless ERP integrations—positioning Mashreq as a pioneer in corporate digital banking.
Devendra brings deep expertise in digital transformation, product and platforms strategy and client-centric innovation, making him a key voice in shaping the future of banking in the Middle East. He is a passionate advocate for financial inclusion, open finance, immersive digital experience, continuous improvement and sustainable innovations in finance and banking industry. His insights continue to shape the future of corporate banking in the region.

Ben Gamble

Ben is a long-time builder of AI-powered games, simulations, and collaborative user experiences. He previously built a global logistics company, large-scale online games, and augmented reality apps. Today, Ben works to make fast data and AI accessible to everyone and works as the Field CTO at Ververica.

Mais Kayed

Mais Kayed is a well-recognized expert in customer experience, digital transformation, business excellence and customer care. As an expert Mais has been helping organizations and individuals deliver remarkable customer experience for over 20 years.

Mais works with Telcom organization and Banking institution to create extraordinary customer experiences, streamline contact center operations, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Where she has been instrumental in designing and implementing strategic initiatives that enhance customer engagement, optimize digital touchpoints, and improve operational performance. Her expertise spans across customer journey mapping, service excellence models, retention strategies, and the integration of cutting-edge technologies, such as AI-driven chatbots and CRM enhancements, to improve customer interactions and internal workflows.

She is a member in FWOC (Female Wave of Change), she is also a volunteer in INJAZ Program to support Jordanian youth sector to support entrepreneurial business and its practices.

Mabs Ahmed

Mabs Ahmed is a recognised leader in data privacy and AI governance with over 15 years of experience shaping privacy programmes across major financial institutions in MENA and Europe. He has received multiple industry awards for his work in data protection and AI ethics and is known for bridging regulatory standards with real-world innovation in digital banking.

Dr. Jihad Al Wahshi

Dr Jihad Al Wahshi is the Head of Data Management at the Central Bank of Oman and President of DAMA Oman Chapter. He holds a PhD in Information Governance with a research focus on the role of information governance in mitigating money laundering risks within the banking sector. Dr Al Wahshi has extensive expertise in data management, governance, and analytics, and has led national initiatives to strengthen data-driven decision-making and regulatory compliance. He is an active speaker in regional and international conferences, advocating for the strategic integration of data governance to enable operational excellence, innovation, and organisational resilience in the financial sector.

Islam Nabil Awad

Islam is a seasoned Digital Solutions Architect at Banque Saudi Fransi, with over 20 years of expertise in Full Stack Software Development, Digital Transformation, and Cloud Technologies. He holds multiple certifications and advanced degrees in computer science and software engineering.

Alona Shevtsova

Alona Shevtsova is the Director and CEO of Sends, a UK-based fintech company focused on delivering payment solutions for both B2B and B2C clients across the EU and UK markets. With over 15 years of experience in the financial technology and payments industry, she has played a pivotal role in shaping Send's development strategy and expansion.

Alona began her career by founding and leading LEO, a major Ukrainian payment system, where she spent over a decade building and scaling operations. Under her leadership, LEO became the second-largest payment system in Ukraine by 2021. Following this success, she expanded her expertise into the banking sector, deepening her knowledge of international finance and regulatory frameworks.

In 2024, she took on the role of CEO at Sends, where she is driving the company's vision to simplify cross-border payments and support modern businesses with secure, scalable financial infrastructure.

Tamer Abou Zaid

Tamer Abou Zaid coming with over 22 years of experience in the IT Digital solutions and IT Digital delivery with distinguished track record of management of large-scale, complex and high-impact projects focus on IT Solutions and Digital payment transformation, he specializes in providing comprehensive Digital consulting services to various banks and financial institutions, focusing on the delivery and implementation of end-to-end digital solutions. His extensive background in the payment industry equips him with a deep understanding of the complex requirements and challenges involved in modern banking technologies, He consulted for multiple countries in guiding those countries through the complex process of establishing national payment switches. His work involves designing systems that facilitate interbank transactions, streamline payment processing, and enhance the efficiency of the national financial system to cater to specific regional needs.
Tamer holds various certificates from IBM, PMI, ITL, Visa, Master Card, IT Management and Banking Management along with Mastering of Business Administration.

Suraj Rajan

Suraj Rajan is the Field CTO for Financial Services at Snowflake, where he supports customers across banking, fintech, and asset and wealth management. He brings deep expertise in data, technology, and AI, partnering with financial services organizations to strategize, plan, and deliver impactful use cases that drive both technical innovation and business value.

Before joining Snowflake, Suraj built and scaled data and technology teams from the ground up, led strategic planning and operating model design across industries, and managed large-scale implementations. He also serves as an advisor to startups in the technology sector.

Yousuf Al-Araimi

Yousuf Al Araimi is a forward-thinking human capital strategist with over 17 years of experience leading transformational HR initiatives in the banking sector. Currently serving as the Assistant General Manager – Head of Human Capital at Oman Housing Bank, Yousuf is a key driver of the bank’s cultural transformation and digital HR agenda, directly reporting to the CEO and advising the Board on strategic workforce matters. Renowned for leading large-scale cultural transformation programs, Yousuf has successfully embedded performance-driven mindsets and employee-centric values across all levels of the organization. His leadership has helped elevate employee experience, build organizational agility, and align human capital initiatives with the Bank’s transformation goals.
He has also spearheaded the design and execution of strategic workforce plans, talent development frameworks, and enterprise-wide recognition programs that foster
engagement, innovation, and long-term retention. His commitment to building future- ready workplaces is reflected in his success in digitalizing HR services and designing impactful employee value propositions.
Yousuf holds an MBA from the University of Strathclyde in the UK and is certified as a SHRM-Senior Certified Professional. He is also a certified psychometric assessor, enabling him to leverage behavioral insights in executive hiring and leadership development.
A recognized voice in the regional HR community, Yousuf brings deep insight into how culture, leadership, and technology converge to unlock organizational growth.

Amna Ahmed Al Zubaidi

Amna Ahmed Al Zubaidi leads customer experience for the retail division at Bank Muscat, the largest financial institution in Oman. With over 15 years of experience across various sectors, she is passionate about building meaningful customer journeys and driving innovation through empathy and smart design. Amna is also a certified Customer Experience Performance Leader (COPC), with a strong focus on creating service cultures.

Zahra Eid

Zahra Eid, is a renowned leader in customer experience with more than 14 years expertise in Bahrain and gulf market in the research and strategic planning arena. She holds M.Sc. in Project Management, Finance and Risk from City, University of London. Also, she is PRINCE II certified and amongst the first few Bahrainis who are CCXP certified. Zahra is versatile in developing and executing corporate strategies focused on enhancing customer satisfaction, driving business growth, and fostering customer loyalty. Skilled at turning customer feedback into actionable plans to achieve profitability and expansion. Demonstrated ability in recognizing market trends, optimizing customer interactions, and promoting a customer-oriented culture within companies. Proficient in working across different teams, making data-informed decisions, and aligning customer experience efforts with corporate goals. Dedicated to enhancing brand image and nurturing lasting customer connections through strategic expertise.

Flo Akinbiyi

Flo Akinbiyi is a presenter and public speaker. With 19 years of experience in experiential marketing and event management, he has worked with many of the world's most well-known brands. His professional knowledge and experience allow him to build an emotional connection between brands and their customers.

His German and Nigerian roots have given him the knowledge and first-hand experience of different cultures. Since 2010, he has called the buzzing hub of Dubai home. His curated experience has provided the opportunity to work internationally and create business relationships throughout the globe.

Flo has a unique ability to captivate an audience and build longlasting, interpersonal relationships that make a memorable impact. He offers premium services to professionals looking to host an unforgettable event with a renowned presenter.

He has spent the last decade deep-diving into the art of public speaking, learning and harnessing the tools and methodologies of some of the world's most talented communicators, such as Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Winston Churchill.

His philosophy in life and the professional world is: "Each one teach one - the wisdom is all around you - you just have to find it."