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Howard Lind

President and Executive Director
International Stability Operations Association

Howard Lind is serving as the President and Executive Director of the International Stability Operations Association which represents private-sector companies and non-governmental organizations that work in fragile states around the world. Previously, Mr. Lind previously served as a Washington DC representative for the Fluor Government Group regarding work in the middle east and central Asia.

Prior to joining Fluor, Mr. Lind served in the Departments of Defense and State in the offices of Iraq and Afghanistan reconstruction from 2003 to 2007. He began at the Pentagon in support of Iraq and Afghanistan, then in the State Department’s Iraq Reconstruction Management Office. Following that assignment, Mr. Lind served again in the Pentagon in the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology (ASA-ALT) as Deputy Director for the Iraq Project and Contracting Office.

Mr. Lind began his professional career as a US Naval Officer. After a 20-year career, he retired at the rank of Commander having served aboard five Navy ships of the line and as Navy headquarters staff. Mr. Lind received a Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Tech and a Master of Science degree from the Naval Postgraduate School.

Howard Lind

President and Executive Director
International Stability Operations Association

Howard Lind is serving as the President and Executive Director of the International Stability Operations Association which represents private-sector companies and non-governmental organizations that work in fragile states around the world. Previously, Mr. Lind previously served as a Washington DC representative for the Fluor Government Group regarding work in the middle east and central Asia.

Prior to joining Fluor, Mr. Lind served in the Departments of Defense and State in the offices of Iraq and Afghanistan reconstruction from 2003 to 2007. He began at the Pentagon in support of Iraq and Afghanistan, then in the State Department’s Iraq Reconstruction Management Office. Following that assignment, Mr. Lind served again in the Pentagon in the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology (ASA-ALT) as Deputy Director for the Iraq Project and Contracting Office.

Mr. Lind began his professional career as a US Naval Officer. After a 20-year career, he retired at the rank of Commander having served aboard five Navy ships of the line and as Navy headquarters staff. Mr. Lind received a Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Tech and a Master of Science degree from the Naval Postgraduate School.
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Mohammad E. Al-Muaili

CEO
KRH

Mohammad E. Al-Muaili brings over 20 years of experience focused on logistics, operation due diligence, and investment. Prior to his current role, he was the CEO of Resal Holding company based in Saudi Arabia. Before that, Al-Muaili established a private equity boutique called Business Gate Holding. He is currently Vice Chairman of Real Estate House Company (REH) and a member of the college of business industrial advisory board at the Australian University. He was also vice chairman & CEO of Mubarrad Transport Company Kuwait. Al-Muaili holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from California State University and an MBA from University of Manchester and is an alumnus of London Business School

Mohammad E. Al-Muaili

CEO
KRH

Mohammad E. Al-Muaili brings over 20 years of experience focused on logistics, operation due diligence, and investment. Prior to his current role, he was the CEO of Resal Holding company based in Saudi Arabia. Before that, Al-Muaili established a private equity boutique called Business Gate Holding. He is currently Vice Chairman of Real Estate House Company (REH) and a member of the college of business industrial advisory board at the Australian University. He was also vice chairman & CEO of Mubarrad Transport Company Kuwait. Al-Muaili holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from California State University and an MBA from University of Manchester and is an alumnus of London Business School.

MODERATOR

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Layth Al khalaf

Cyber Security Team Leader
ICON

Eng. Layth Al Khalaf is a leading team player in the Telecom, IT, and Cybersecurity industries. He received his electrical engineering B.Sc. degree in 2001 and proceeded to obtain his Telecommunications PGHP (postgraduate higher diploma) in March 2003. Layth joined ICON in 2017 as the Mobile Solutions Manager and Information Security Consultant. During his time at the ICON, Layth took a course at Harvard University where he became certified in “Managing Risk in the Information Age” where he became certified in the “Managing Risk in the Information Age” course at Harvard University and successfully completed the CompTIA Security+ program. As the cybersecurity team leader, Layth discovered and explored lucrative opportunity gaps in the cybersecurity industry, delivered cybersecurity training to various organizations, and established partnerships with world-renowned cybersecurity companies.

Layth Al khalaf

Cyber Security Team Leader
ICON

Eng. Layth Al Khalaf is a leading team player in the Telecom, IT, and Cybersecurity industries. He received his electrical engineering B.Sc. degree in 2001 and proceeded to obtain his Telecommunications PGHP (postgraduate higher diploma) in March 2003. Layth joined ICON in 2017 as the Mobile Solutions Manager and Information Security Consultant. During his time at the ICON, Layth took a course at Harvard University where he became certified in “Managing Risk in the Information Age” where he became certified in the “Managing Risk in the Information Age” course at Harvard University and successfully completed the CompTIA Security+ program. As the cybersecurity team leader, Layth discovered and explored lucrative opportunity gaps in the cybersecurity industry, delivered cybersecurity training to various organizations, and established partnerships with world-renowned cybersecurity companies.

PANELISTS

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Abdulaziz Al Usaimi

Cyber Security System Engineer
Palo Alto Networks

Abdulaziz Alusaimi is a CyberSecurity Systems Engineer at Palo Alto Networks. Has experience of more than 15 years in the IT field. Prior to joining Palo Alto Network he has been at Cisco Systems and had extensive experience in Networking/Data Center/Wireless/IP Telephony. Has been a guest speaker in many of the government events throughout Kuwait, and actively participated in Government initiated training around Cybersecurity. Abdulaziz specializes in Network Security, Endpoint Security, and Zero Trust architecture.

Abdulaziz Al Usaimi

Cyber Security System Engineer
Palo Alto Networks

Abdulaziz Alusaimi is a CyberSecurity Systems Engineer at Palo Alto Networks. Has experience of more than 15 years in the IT field. Prior to joining Palo Alto Network he has been at Cisco Systems and had extensive experience in Networking/Data Center/Wireless/IP Telephony. Has been a guest speaker in many of the government events throughout Kuwait, and actively participated in Government initiated training around Cybersecurity. Abdulaziz specializes in Network Security, Endpoint Security, and Zero Trust architecture.
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Alaeddine Karim

General Manager
Microsoft Kuwait

As a Country General Manager for Microsoft in Kuwait, Alaeddine Karim is responsible for landing the company strategy, ensuring the execution of the mission as well as leading the company’s operations. Alaeddine joined Microsoft back in 2007 as a Partner Account Manager and then served through different senior capacities in Kuwait and most recently in the Gulf region where he helped the company establish strong partnerships with Key customers in the region.

Before joining this role, Alaeddine headed Microsoft Gulf Retail and Travel industry out of Dubai and helped grow Microsoft’s footprint in one of the fastest transforming industries.

Alaeddine brings more than twenty years of experience in business management and Technology industry leadership. His broad executive management experience has spanned several industries and customer profiles like Public Sector, Retail, Travel, SMBs, and startups. He is passionate about technology and the role it plays in changing our lives and the impact it has on both the economy and society.

In the new Capacity, Alaeddine sees no better opportunity to serve Kuwait at a time were technology is defining new norms. He believes that Microsoft’s role in Kuwait will be simply to empower every person and every organization In Kuwait to achieve more.

Earlier in his career, Alaeddine spent several years as International business director for Sakhr Software, as Marketing Support Manager, and as a Systems Engineer at the Diawn Al-Amiri Project in Kuwait.

Alaeddine earned a Computer & Communication Engineering degree from the American University of Beirut in Lebanon and is an active member of the Engineering Society in Lebanon and Kuwait. Alaeddine is also a member of the Industry Advisory Council at Kuwait University.

Alaeddine Karim

General Manager
Microsoft Kuwait

As a Country General Manager for Microsoft in Kuwait, Alaeddine Karim is responsible for landing the company strategy, ensuring the execution of the mission as well as leading the company’s operations. Alaeddine joined Microsoft back in 2007 as a Partner Account Manager and then served through different senior capacities in Kuwait and most recently in the Gulf region where he helped the company establish strong partnerships with Key customers in the region.

Before joining this role, Alaeddine headed Microsoft Gulf Retail and Travel industry out of Dubai and helped grow Microsoft’s footprint in one of the fastest transforming industries.

Alaeddine brings more than twenty years of experience in business management and Technology industry leadership. His broad executive management experience has spanned several industries and customer profiles like Public Sector, Retail, Travel, SMBs, and startups. He is passionate about technology and the role it plays in changing our lives and the impact it has on both the economy and society.

In the new Capacity, Alaeddine sees no better opportunity to serve Kuwait at a time were technology is defining new norms. He believes that Microsoft’s role in Kuwait will be simply to empower every person and every organization In Kuwait to achieve more.

Earlier in his career, Alaeddine spent several years as International business director for Sakhr Software, as Marketing Support Manager, and as a Systems Engineer at the Diawn Al-Amiri Project in Kuwait.

Alaeddine earned a Computer & Communication Engineering degree from the American University of Beirut in Lebanon and is an active member of the Engineering Society in Lebanon and Kuwait. Alaeddine is also a member of the Industry Advisory Council at Kuwait University.
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Barrak Al Mattar

GM IT
KIB

Mr. Barrak AlMattar started his career in EQUATE Petrochemical Company in the IT department where he worked for a fruitful 20 years in the fields of Enterprise Applications, Infrastructure, SAP ERP, service desk and support, and many more. Barrak leads various initiatives in his career at EQUATE such as Business Intelligence, Data Center Migration, various upgrades Full Outsourcing Strategy, Change Management, and the Execution of Cloud strategy. Accordingly, he lead the IT side of the merger and acquisition of ME Global Company (this covered several countries worldwide.)

He was recognized globally as a distinguished leader within different assessment and Consulting groups.
During his career he gained certifications in Six Sigma (green belt), Design Thinking, Project Management, Certified SAP consultant, Root Cause Analysis certified, Digital Transformation Leader, Certified Recruitment interviewer, and Team Concept Program.

AlMattar also participated in different events globally such as a speaker at the IBM THINKS convention in the USA and other round table sessions in IT in Kuwait and in the region.

While in Equate he was also a board member of SUGMENA. And in his personal life a board member of the National Squash Federation.

Barrak joined the KIB executive management team on April 1st, 2021 as the General Manager of IT.

In his role in KIB, Mr. Barrak revamped IT by building a new road map to place KIB in the digital transformation era. This included setting up new IT strategies to successfully achieve KIB’s vision.

Throughout his career, Almattar lead major transformational projects and participated in multiple organizational changes, Strategy building, and merging and acquisition projects.
AlMattar has been a member of various Innovation and Leadership programs such as the KFAS Innovation Challenge program and the Thukhur leadership program in Kuwait.

Barrak Al Mattar

GM IT
KIB

Mr. Barrak AlMattar started his career in EQUATE Petrochemical Company in the IT department where he worked for a fruitful 20 years in the fields of Enterprise Applications, Infrastructure, SAP ERP, service desk and support, and many more. Barrak leads various initiatives in his career at EQUATE such as Business Intelligence, Data Center Migration, various upgrades Full Outsourcing Strategy, Change Management, and the Execution of Cloud strategy. Accordingly, he lead the IT side of the merger and acquisition of ME Global Company (this covered several countries worldwide.)

He was recognized globally as a distinguished leader within different assessment and Consulting groups.
During his career he gained certifications in Six Sigma (green belt), Design Thinking, Project Management, Certified SAP consultant, Root Cause Analysis certified, Digital Transformation Leader, Certified Recruitment interviewer, and Team Concept Program.

AlMattar also participated in different events globally such as a speaker at the IBM THINKS convention in the USA and other round table sessions in IT in Kuwait and in the region.

While in Equate he was also a board member of SUGMENA. And in his personal life a board member of the National Squash Federation.

Barrak joined the KIB executive management team on April 1st, 2021 as the General Manager of IT.

In his role in KIB, Mr. Barrak revamped IT by building a new road map to place KIB in the digital transformation era. This included setting up new IT strategies to successfully achieve KIB’s vision.

Throughout his career, Almattar lead major transformational projects and participated in multiple organizational changes, Strategy building, and merging and acquisition projects.
AlMattar has been a member of various Innovation and Leadership programs such as the KFAS Innovation Challenge program and the Thukhur leadership program in Kuwait.
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Tamer Charife

Risk Advisory Partner & Cyber Leader
Deloitte Kuwait & Qatar

Tamer is a Partner at Deloitte’s Risk Advisory (RA) Practice Middle East where he leads the RA practice in Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. Tamer has spent his career managing and executing major projects related to Cyber Security, Business Continuity Management, Risk Management, Industrial Cybersecurity services, as well as Data Privacy and Management. Tamer has many success stories in leading expert teams towards success in addition to building cybersecurity capabilities in line with varying business objectives and performing several cyber risk assessments for multiple clients across the region.

Tamer Charife

Risk Advisory Partner & Cyber Leader
Deloitte Kuwait & Qatar

Tamer is a Partner at Deloitte’s Risk Advisory (RA) Practice Middle East where he leads the RA practice in Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. Tamer has spent his career managing and executing major projects related to Cyber Security, Business Continuity Management, Risk Management, Industrial Cybersecurity services, as well as Data Privacy and Management. Tamer has many success stories in leading expert teams towards success in addition to building cybersecurity capabilities in line with varying business objectives and performing several cyber risk assessments for multiple clients across the region.

MODERATOR

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Rania Azmi, Ph.D.

Alexandrite Decisions
Founder

Founder, Alexandrite Decisions – President, Fadia Survive & Thrive – Member of Wharton’s Executive Advisory Boards – Int’l Speaker – Patient Advocate – Decision Making Expert – Investor – Futurist

With over two decades of first-hand experience, including as a strategic adviser to one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds, an investor in the Middle East (VC, health, education, agriculture, and infrastructure, among others), consultant, and certified trainer with the International Finance Corporation, the World Bank Group, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, Dr. Azmi is the founder of “Alexandrite Decisions”, supporting global decision making in our ever-changing world.

“Alexandrite Decisions” enjoys the depth and track record stemmed from its founder, who combines institutional investor’s and family office/UHNI investors’ supporting experiences while complementing academic insights with practitioners’ judgments, covering various regions in the world, with a dedicated focus on social infrastructure. Dr. Azmi particularly enjoys a long track record in building emotional intelligence and leadership abilities in her region and internationally, believing in the importance of nourishing human capital.

Dr. Azmi is a member of the executive education board at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and the Aspen Global Leadership Network. She received her Doctorate in Multiple Objectives Decision Making from the University of Portsmouth and was chosen by the Asset International Magazine as one of the brightest “forty under forty” investment stars while being designated a “Woman of Influence” by the Women Speakers Association. Rania has been also a patient advocate for over a decade, volunteering locally and globally by supporting cancer awareness and cure, with a focus on public health and prevention, where she leads “Fadia Survive & Thrive” International Cancer Association. Dr. Azmi enjoys extensive global experience, having traveled as an in-demand international speaker in over 78 cities in Europe, America, Asia, and Africa besides the Middle East.

Rania Azmi, Ph.D.

Alexandrite Decisions
Founder

Founder, Alexandrite Decisions – President, Fadia Survive & Thrive – Member of Wharton’s Executive Advisory Boards – Int’l Speaker – Patient Advocate – Decision Making Expert – Investor – Futurist

With over two decades of first-hand experience, including as a strategic adviser to one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds, an investor in the Middle East (VC, health, education, agriculture, and infrastructure, among others), consultant, and certified trainer with the International Finance Corporation, the World Bank Group, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, Dr. Azmi is the founder of “Alexandrite Decisions”, supporting global decision making in our ever-changing world.

“Alexandrite Decisions” enjoys the depth and track record stemmed from its founder, who combines institutional investor’s and family office/UHNI investors’ supporting experiences while complementing academic insights with practitioners’ judgments, covering various regions in the world, with a dedicated focus on social infrastructure. Dr. Azmi particularly enjoys a long track record in building emotional intelligence and leadership abilities in her region and internationally, believing in the importance of nourishing human capital.

Dr. Azmi is a member of the executive education board at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and the Aspen Global Leadership Network. She received her Doctorate in Multiple Objectives Decision Making from the University of Portsmouth and was chosen by the Asset International Magazine as one of the brightest “forty under forty” investment stars while being designated a “Woman of Influence” by the Women Speakers Association. Rania has been also a patient advocate for over a decade, volunteering locally and globally by supporting cancer awareness and cure, with a focus on public health and prevention, where she leads “Fadia Survive & Thrive” International Cancer Association. Dr. Azmi enjoys extensive global experience, having traveled as an in-demand international speaker in over 78 cities in Europe, America, Asia, and Africa besides the Middle East.

PANELISTS

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Dr. Arezou Harraf

Head of the Department of Business Studies
Box Hill College Kuwait

An experienced educator, Dr. Arezou Harraf holds a Ph.D. in Technology Management and Human Resource Training and Development. She serves as the Head of the Department of Business Studies at Box Hill College Kuwait. She is a Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Nevada Las Vegas during the summer term. She also serves as an academic advisor for several MBA students at Maastricht University.

Dr. Harraf is the founder and CEO of Learn & Evolve LLC. In this capacity, she helps organizations use strategy, science, and psychology to address workforce challenges such as low performance, productivity, turnover, and retention issues. Moreover, Dr. Harraf is co-founder of  Amplify Women Leadership Boot-camp to train women with skills to help them advance to executive positions within their organizations and or become successful venture creators and entrepreneurs. With a focus on the future of technology and HR, she consults with organizations on improving existing in-house technology platforms to enhance features relating to HR and employee needs.

Dr. Harraf is vice-chairperson of the Board of Directors at ABCK-Am-Cham Kuwait, where she also leads the Women in Business and Knowledge Economic focus groups and holds additional memberships in the Academy of Human Resource Development, Academy of Human Resource Management, Chartered Institute of Personnel Development, Academy of Management, Women of Tech in MENA, and Graduate Women in Science.

Dr. Arezou Harraf

Head of the Department of Business Studies
Box Hill College Kuwait

An experienced educator, Dr. Arezou Harraf holds a Ph.D. in Technology Management and Human Resource Training and Development. She serves as the Head of the Department of Business Studies at Box Hill College Kuwait. She is a Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Nevada Las Vegas during the summer term. She also serves as an academic advisor for several MBA students at Maastricht University.

Dr. Harraf is the founder and CEO of Learn & Evolve LLC. In this capacity, she helps organizations use strategy, science, and psychology to address workforce challenges such as low performance, productivity, turnover, and retention issues. Moreover, Dr. Harraf is co-founder of  Amplify Women Leadership Boot-camp to train women with skills to help them advance to executive positions within their organizations and or become successful venture creators and entrepreneurs. With a focus on the future of technology and HR, she consults with organizations on improving existing in-house technology platforms to enhance features relating to HR and employee needs.

Dr. Harraf is vice-chairperson of the Board of Directors at ABCK-Am-Cham Kuwait, where she also leads the Women in Business and Knowledge Economic focus groups and holds additional memberships in the Academy of Human Resource Development, Academy of Human Resource Management, Chartered Institute of Personnel Development, Academy of Management, Women of Tech in MENA, and Graduate Women in Science.
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Eaman Al Roudhan

CEO
Zain Kuwait

Eaman Al Roudhan was appointed CEO of Zain Kuwait in December 2015. A results-focused telecommunications executive, Al Roudhan has over 25 years of experience spent in various executive management and leadership roles within Zain Kuwait as well as several Zain Group affiliates. Prior to her new appointment, Al Roudhan was the Chief Regulatory Officer of Zain Group.

Al Roudhan’s successful career at Zain started in the Kuwait operation, where she launched the first mobile prepaid service in the country and the region, which went on to dominate the country’s mobile services customer base.

As Zain expanded across the region, Al Roudhan’s responsibilities also grew from 2003 onwards as she was an active participant in the start-up teams in several Zain operations across the Middle East, namely Bahrain, Iraq, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia.

Al Roudhan continued to play a key role in the transformation of Zain, building operational teams and establishing solid foundations for business units across all major telecommunications sectors including Intelligent Networks, product & service development, strategy and business planning, roaming, wholesale and carrier business, as well as regulatory affairs.

After assuming the role of CEO in December 2015, Al Roudhan led a number of vital projects that shaped a new period in Zain’s history, most notably the commercial launch of fifth generation wireless technology (5G) in June 2019, where Zain became the first operator to offer 5G technology in the GCC region via the Kuwaiti market with nationwide coverage. In addition, Al Roudhan led the signing of the smart meters project with the Ministry of Electricity and Water, which is considered one of the largest projects in Kuwait’s ICT sector, and proved to be a testament to the country’s efforts to catalyze the uptake of e-government services and digital transformation.

Throughout her years at Zain, she has also orchestrated numerous strategic alliances with international and regional operators, lead teams and developed resources across technology, commercial, strategy, wholesale, and regulatory affairs.

Al Roudhan is a member in a number of international standards and regulatory affairs bodies such as the GSMA Arab World regional interest group and the GSMA Chief Regulatory Officer Group (CROG). She holds a BSc in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering from Kuwait University and has attended programs at Tokyo Institute of Technology (TIT) and executive programs at Harvard Business School. Al Roudhan is also currently a member of the Advisory Board at the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS).

Eaman Al Roudhan was featured among the region’s 50 most inspiring female business leaders for the year 2022 by Arabian Business magazine. She also ranked as one of the most powerful businesswomen in the Middle East in 2021 by Forbes Middle East, as well as one of the most powerful women in Kuwait in the magazine’s special issue to celebrate Kuwait’s Success entitled “A New Vision” for the year 2017.

Eaman Al Roudhan

CEO
Zain Kuwait

Eaman Al Roudhan was appointed CEO of Zain Kuwait in December 2015. A results-focused telecommunications executive, Al Roudhan has over 25 years of experience spent in various executive management and leadership roles within Zain Kuwait as well as several Zain Group affiliates. Prior to her new appointment, Al Roudhan was the Chief Regulatory Officer of Zain Group.

Al Roudhan’s successful career at Zain started in the Kuwait operation, where she launched the first mobile prepaid service in the country and the region, which went on to dominate the country’s mobile services customer base.

As Zain expanded across the region, Al Roudhan’s responsibilities also grew from 2003 onwards as she was an active participant in the start-up teams in several Zain operations across the Middle East, namely Bahrain, Iraq, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia.

Al Roudhan continued to play a key role in the transformation of Zain, building operational teams and establishing solid foundations for business units across all major telecommunications sectors including Intelligent Networks, product & service development, strategy and business planning, roaming, wholesale and carrier business, as well as regulatory affairs.

After assuming the role of CEO in December 2015, Al Roudhan led a number of vital projects that shaped a new period in Zain’s history, most notably the commercial launch of fifth generation wireless technology (5G) in June 2019, where Zain became the first operator to offer 5G technology in the GCC region via the Kuwaiti market with nationwide coverage. In addition, Al Roudhan led the signing of the smart meters project with the Ministry of Electricity and Water, which is considered one of the largest projects in Kuwait’s ICT sector, and proved to be a testament to the country’s efforts to catalyze the uptake of e-government services and digital transformation.

Throughout her years at Zain, she has also orchestrated numerous strategic alliances with international and regional operators, lead teams, and developed resources across technology, commercial, strategy, wholesale, and regulatory affairs.

Al Roudhan is a member of a number of international standards and regulatory affairs bodies such as the GSMA Arab World regional interest group and the GSMA Chief Regulatory Officer Group (CROG). She holds a BSc in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering from Kuwait University and has attended programs at the Tokyo Institute of Technology (TIT) and executive programs at Harvard Business School. Al Roudhan is also currently a member of the Advisory Board at the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS).

Eaman Al Roudhan was featured among the region’s 50 most inspiring female business leaders for the year 2022 by Arabian Business magazine. She also ranked as one of the most powerful businesswomen in the Middle East in 2021 by Forbes Middle East, as well as one of the most powerful women in Kuwait in the magazine’s special issue to celebrate Kuwait’s Success entitled “A New Vision” for the year 2017.
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Hideko Hadzialic

Resident Representative
United Nations Development Programme

Hideko has been a UN worker for the past 20 years, and currently United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Resident Representative in Kuwait. Hideko worked in countries across 4 different regions, in Fiji, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq, Bhutan, and Sudan in addition to her tenures of several years at the UN Headquarters in New York. As an international civil servant, she calls herself a servant to people in the country where she serves. Her academic background includes international studies and political science. She finished her master’s in public administration at Harvard University

Hideko Hadzialic

Resident Representative
United Nations Development Programme

Hideko has been a UN worker for the past 20 years, and currently United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Resident Representative in Kuwait. Hideko worked in countries across 4 different regions, in Fiji, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq, Bhutan, and Sudan in addition to her tenures of several years at the UN Headquarters in New York. As an international civil servant, she calls herself a servant to people in the country where she serves. Her academic background includes international studies and political science. She finished her master’s in public administration at Harvard University
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Dr. Manal Al Hasawi

Founder and Managing partner
Think Tank Strategy Consulting

Manal Al Hasawi is the founder and managing partner of Think Tank Strategy Consulting, specializing in strategy, foresight, nonmarket strategy, communications for development, and future thinking and design. She is the founding partner of Exponential Events Design & Management Group and United Legacy General Trading company which specializes in the import and distribution of organic health and wellness products.

She founded and is currently the Chairman of the Kuwait Society for Strategic Planning, a not-for-profit established in 2017. She has been advising government senior officials on strategy development & execution, political agenda setting, and communication for change for 11+ years,  and has been part of the government vision team with the late Shiek Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmand Alsabah.

She is the local partner for international organizations such as The Futures School, Teaches the Future, the Association of Strategic Planning, Trend-Watching AI platform, The association of professional and practical ethics, and Cascade strategy execution technology to name a few.

She is selected as one of the most inspirational persons in Kuwait by Those Who Inspire international organization and was also selected as one of 60 Powerful female leaders by United Nations Women in 2018. In 2021, Dr. Manal Al Hasawi was featured in the Kuwait Country report promoted by BBC-macropolis as part of the top 10 consulting industry leaders in Kuwait.

Dr. Manal Al Hasawi

Founder and Managing partner
Think Tank Strategy Consulting

Manal Al Hasawi is the founder and managing partner of Think Tank Strategy Consulting, specializing in strategy, foresight, nonmarket strategy, communications for development, and future thinking and design. She is the founding partner of Exponential Events Design & Management Group and United Legacy General Trading company which specializes in the import and distribution of organic health and wellness products.

She founded and is currently the Chairman of the Kuwait Society for Strategic Planning, a not-for-profit established in 2017. She has been advising government senior officials on strategy development & execution, political agenda setting, and communication for change for 11+ years,  and has been part of the government vision team with the late Shiek Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmand Alsabah.

She is the local partner for international organizations such as The Futures School, Teaches the Future, the Association of Strategic Planning, Trend-Watching AI platform, The association of professional and practical ethics, and Cascade strategy execution technology to name a few.

She is selected as one of the most inspirational persons in Kuwait by Those Who Inspire international organization and was also selected as one of 60 Powerful female leaders by United Nations Women in 2018. In 2021, Dr. Manal Al Hasawi was featured in the Kuwait Country report promoted by BBC-macropolis as part of the top 10 consulting industry leaders in Kuwait.

MODERATOR

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Ghassan Alkhoja

Resident Representative
World Bank Country Office in Kuwait

Mr. Alkhoja is currently the Resident Representative of the World Bank Country Office in Kuwait. Mr. Alkhoja has worked extensively on development issues in the, focusing on human development (HD) sectors. He joined the World Bank in 1993, as a consultant then staff in the Finance and Private Sector Development Network, and also worked in the Infrastructure Network. More recently, he was the Human Development Coordinator for Kuwait and Iraq between 2011 and 2014, overseeing health, education, and social protection portfolios in those countries, as well as the portfolio manager for the broad MENA HD unit from 2012-2014, and Program Manager for the Iraq Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Fund from 2013-2014. Mr. Alkhoja has worked extensively on social protection and jobs programs in Jordan, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, as well as Education, Higher Education, and health programs in several countries, including Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Kuwait, Egypt, and Iraq.

Mr. Alkhoja has an MSc in Information Management (with a minor in Economics) from George Washington University in Washington, DC.

Alkhoja

Resident Representative
World Bank Country Office in Kuwait

Mr. Alkhoja is currently the Resident Representative of the World Bank Country Office in Kuwait. Mr. Alkhoja has worked extensively on development issues in the, focusing on human development (HD) sectors. He joined the World Bank in 1993, as a consultant then staff in the Finance and Private Sector Development Network, and also worked in the Infrastructure Network. More recently, he was the Human Development Coordinator for Kuwait and Iraq between 2011 and 2014, overseeing health, education, and social protection portfolios in those countries, as well as the portfolio manager for the broad MENA HD unit from 2012-2014, and Program Manager for the Iraq Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Fund from 2013-2014. Mr. Alkhoja has worked extensively on social protection and jobs programs in Jordan, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, as well as Education, Higher Education, and health programs in several countries, including Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Kuwait, Egypt, and Iraq.

Mr. Alkhoja has an MSc in Information Management (with a minor in Economics) from George Washington University in Washington, DC.

PANELISTS

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Abdulrahman Al Khannah

GCEO
BIG

Abdulrahman Al Khannah is an experienced CEO, heading BIG Holding and its subsidiaries. With over 16 years of experience, he has held positions on the boards of several companies and currently sits on the board of Imtiaz Investment Group – Kuwait. Al Khannah holds an MBA from the Gulf University for Science & Technology and a bachelor of engineering (civil engineering) degree from the University of Kuwait. He has also taken various executive courses in strategy and leadership.

Abdulrahman Al Khannah

GCEO
BIG

Abdulrahman Al Khannah is an experienced CEO, heading BIG Holding and its subsidiaries. With over 16 years of experience, he has held positions on the boards of several companies and currently sits on the board of Imtiaz Investment Group – Kuwait. Al Khannah holds an MBA from the Gulf University for Science & Technology and a bachelor of engineering (civil engineering) degree from the University of Kuwait. He has also taken various executive courses in strategy and leadership.
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Eric Podzorski

Senior Commercial Officer
U.S. Department of Commerce in Kuwait

Eric Podzorski is a Senior Commercial Officer with the U.S. Department of Commerce in Kuwait. He previously worked out of the Detroit U.S. Export Assistance Center helping Michigan businesses to grow their international sales. He previously worked for Lands’ End, one of the largest apparel retailers in the US as a project manager. Before that he deployed medical record software projects in Canada for Epic Systems, America’s largest medical record provider. At ECC, he was an international business development manager for a construction company focusing on projects in Africa and the Middle East. He began his career with USAID working on a government reform project in Baghdad, Iraq, and a mining/natural gas investment promotion project in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Eric received his MBA in International Business with high distinction and a BA in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Michigan. In his spare time, he enjoys exploring new places, bike riding, and baking (including Detroit-style Pizza

Eric Podzorski

Senior Commercial Officer
U.S. Department of Commerce in Kuwait

Eric Podzorski is a Senior Commercial Officer with the U.S. Department of Commerce in Kuwait. He previously worked out of the Detroit U.S. Export Assistance Center helping Michigan businesses to grow their international sales. He previously worked for Lands’ End, one of the largest apparel retailers in the US as a project manager. Before that he deployed medical record software projects in Canada for Epic Systems, America’s largest medical record provider. At ECC, he was an international business development manager for a construction company focusing on projects in Africa and the Middle East. He began his career with USAID working on a government reform project in Baghdad, Iraq, and a mining/natural gas investment promotion project in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Eric received his MBA in International Business with high distinction and a BA in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Michigan. In his spare time, he enjoys exploring new places, bike riding, and baking (including Detroit-style Pizza
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Ola Saab

Head of Corporate Commercial
Al Tamimi & Company

Ola joined the Kuwait office of Al Tamimi & Company in 2022 and was appointed Head of the local Corporate Commercial practice.

Ola is a bilingual passionate and motivated legal professional with an extensive global history of providing advice and counsel, M&A guidance, market entry support and legal representation on corporate and commercial matters in Kuwait.

Prior to joining Al Tamimi & Company, Ola has led the International Legal Department at leading law firms in Kuwait for over 15 years and has accumulated a broad range of experience in the areas of corporate governance, doing business in Kuwait, M&A transactions, Government tenders, and Labour law matters.

Additionally, Ola is known for her vast skills in navigating the matrix and complexities of Kuwaiti legal structures and regimes.

Through her international experience gained with leading UK and US law firms, Ola has successfully represented and advised a wide array of national and international Clients.

Ola Saab

Head of Corporate Commercial
Al Tamimi & Company

Ola joined the Kuwait office of Al Tamimi & Company in 2022 and was appointed Head of the local Corporate Commercial practice.

Ola is a bilingual passionate and motivated legal professional with an extensive global history of providing advice and counsel, M&A guidance, market entry support and legal representation on corporate and commercial matters in Kuwait.

Prior to joining Al Tamimi & Company, Ola has led the International Legal Department at leading law firms in Kuwait for over 15 years and has accumulated a broad range of experience in the areas of corporate governance, doing business in Kuwait, M&A transactions, Government tenders, and Labour law matters.

Additionally, Ola is known for her vast skills in navigating the matrix and complexities of Kuwaiti legal structures and regimes.

Through her international experience gained with leading UK and US law firms, Ola has successfully represented and advised a wide array of national and international Clients.

MODERATOR

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Mac McClelland,

ISOA
ASIA, Europe, Middle East & Africa

Living and working in the region for over 40 years, Dr. T. B. (Mac) McClelland, Jr., has extensive experience in and with political, social, and military affairs in the Middle East, Southwest Asia, and Africa. Heis a retired officer in the U.S. Marine Corps and has long advised the U.S. military, U.S. Department of State and consular officials, and foreign government and military officials on African and Arab affairs. He currently leads a management consulting firm based in Dubai focused on business and strategy development, marketing, and government relations in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He is a leadership and management professor at Hult International Business School and other universities. He has been featured on CNBC and in The Wall Street Journal on several occasions and has been an expert witness before the U.S. Congress on issues affecting Americans and American companies abroad. Mac earned a Doctorate of Management in Organizational Leadership, a MA in International Policies Studies, a MA in Human Resources Management, and a BA in Mathematics. He published the Colby Award-nominated novel Desert Wind in 2021, and its sequel Distal Watchman in 2022, and will release the third book in the series, Dragon Warrior, in 2023.

Mac McClelland,

ISOA
ASIA, Europe, Middle East & Africa

Living and working in the region for over 40 years, Dr. T. B. (Mac) McClelland, Jr., has extensive experience in and with political, social, and military affairs in the Middle East, Southwest Asia, and Africa. Heis a retired officer in the U.S. Marine Corps and has long advised the U.S. military, U.S. Department of State and consular officials, and foreign government and military officials on African and Arab affairs. He currently leads a management consulting firm based in Dubai focused on business and strategy development, marketing, and government relations in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He is a leadership and management professor at Hult International Business School and other universities. He has been featured on CNBC and in The Wall Street Journal on several occasions, and has been an expert witness before the U.S. Congress on issues affecting Americans and American companies abroad. Mac earned a Doctorate of Management in Organizational Leadership, a MA in International Policies Studies, a MA in Human Resources Management, and a BA in Mathematics. He published the Colby Award-nominated novel Desert Wind in 2021, and its sequel Distal Watchman in 2022, and will release the third book in the series, Dragon Warrior, in 2023.

PANELISTS

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John Redfield

Lead
RCC-KU

John Redfield

Lead
RCC-KU
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Nicole Bermudez

Political Officer
U.S. Embassy Kuwait

Nicole Bermudez: Nicole is a Political Officer at U.S. Embassy Kuwait who covers issues related to human rights. She received a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School and holds a Bachelor of Science in Politics and minors in Mathematics and Spanish from Bates College. Nicole previously interned with the Office of Near Eastern Affairs in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor in Summer 2019 as a Thomas R. Pickering Fellow. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, Nicole completed a two-year Fulbright Fellowship in Colombia.

Nicole Bermudez

Political Officer
U.S. Embassy Kuwait

Nicole Bermudez: Nicole is a Political Officer at U.S. Embassy Kuwait who covers issues related to human rights. She received a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School and holds a Bachelor of Science in Politics and minors in Mathematics and Spanish from Bates College. Nicole previously interned with the Office of Near Eastern Affairs in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor in Summer 2019 as a Thomas R. Pickering Fellow. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, Nicole completed a two-year Fulbright Fellowship in Colombia.
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Saleh Al Hasan

CEO
Kuwait Society for Human Rights

Mr. Saleh Al Hasan holds a law degree from Damascus University in 2006. He is currently holding a position as Executive Director at the Kuwait Society for Human Rights.

He is a legal researcher specializing in the preparation of human rights reports, studies, and research. worked as a legal advisor in the field of women and migrant workers issues in Kuwait.

He has prepared a number of guides for the rights of workers in the private sector and domestic workers that were translated into 5 languages. He participated in preparing a study on the rights of domestic workers in the State of Kuwait in 2018, a study on women’s rights in the State of Kuwait within the framework of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 2020, and a study on the impact of Covid-19 epidemic on women’s rights in the State of Kuwait, especially domestic workers in 2021

Saleh Al Hasan

CEO
Kuwait Society for Human Rights

Mr. Saleh Al Hasan holds a law degree from Damascus University in 2006. He is currently holding a position as Executive Director at the Kuwait Society for Human Rights.

He is a legal researcher specializing in the preparation of human rights reports, studies, and research. worked as a legal advisor in the field of women and migrant workers issues in Kuwait.

He has prepared a number of guides for the rights of workers in the private sector and domestic workers that were translated into 5 languages. He participated in preparing a study on the rights of domestic workers in the State of Kuwait in 2018, a study on women’s rights in the State of Kuwait within the framework of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 2020, and a study on the impact of Covid-19 epidemic on women’s rights in the State of Kuwait, especially domestic workers in 2021
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Samer Abdeen

Chief Operating Officer (COO)
KRH

Samer Abdeen is the Chief Operating Officer at KRH. Currently, he leads the operations of KRH Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, and Jordan – to ensure the creation & execution of project work plans to meet changing requirements. He also leads in developing strategic goals, business development, planning processes, and policies & procedures that suit the customers’ needs and standards.
Mr. Abdeen has more than 18 years of experience in operations at KRH, with a proven record of managing projects and providing clients with HR solutions, logistics, and life support services. Such projects include but are not limited to – Combat Services Support Contract-Kuwait (CSSC-K), Global Maintenance Support and Services (GMASS) & Army Prepositioned Stock 5 (APS 5), Kuwait-Base Operations and Security Support Services (K-BOSSS), Logistics Civil Augmentation Program (LOGCAP-V) and many others.
Mr. Abdeen holds a Master’s degree in Strategic and General Management from Maastricht School of Management, The Netherlands. He is also a Certified Organizational Change Manager from Florida State University

Samer Abdeen

Chief Operating Officer (COO)
KRH

Samer Abdeen is the Chief Operating Officer at KRH. Currently, he leads the operations of KRH Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, and Jordan – to ensure the creation & execution of project work plans to meet changing requirements. He also leads in developing strategic goals, business development, planning processes, and policies & procedures that suit the customers’ needs and standards.
Mr. Abdeen has more than 18 years of experience in operations at KRH, with a proven record of managing projects and providing clients with HR solutions, logistics, and life support services. Such projects include but are not limited to – Combat Services Support Contract-Kuwait (CSSC-K), Global Maintenance Support and Services (GMASS) & Army Prepositioned Stock 5 (APS 5), Kuwait-Base Operations and Security Support Services (K-BOSSS), Logistics Civil Augmentation Program (LOGCAP-V) and many others.
Mr. Abdeen holds a Master’s degree in Strategic and General Management from Maastricht School of Management, The Netherlands. He is also a Certified Organizational Change Manager from Florida State University