Company/Organization & Achievement Awards Judging Committee
Chair:
Dr. Zaher Ali Al-Sai, CEO
Big Data Minds MENA
Amman, Jordan
Dr. Zaher Ali Al-Sai is serving as the CEO of Big Data Minds MENA, a pioneering initiative aimed at bridging the digital skills gap within the realms of Big Data and emerging technologies. As an expert and assistant professor specializing in Big Data and Software Engineering, Dr. Zaher is renowned as a visionary leader, celebrated for her dynamic approach to technology and her dedication to nurturing the talents of individuals aspiring to excel in the digital landscape. Her leadership at Big Data Minds MENA has significantly contributed to empowering professionals, youth, and women, fostering digital transformation across diverse sectors.
Dr. Al-Sai has been recognized with several prestigious accolades, including the 2023 Gold Stevie Award for Big Data Minds MENA. Additionally, she has been honored with two distinguished Bronze Stevie Awards in The 2023 International Business.
Driven by an unwavering commitment to innovation, education, and empowering others, Dr. Zaher continues to spearhead technological advancements, creating opportunities for the aspiring minds of tomorrow.
Committee:
Midhat Abughazaleh, CEO
WCA Global FZE, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Midhat Abughazaleh, Founder and CEO of WCA GLOBAL (FZE), Board Member of Multiple International Companies, and Mentor for Startups. International Consultant in Trade, Certification, Compliance, Inspection, Franchising, Auditing, and IP. Holder of a BA in Public Administration from the American University of Beirut.
Yildirim Adiguzel, Co-Founder
Shopney Co, Los Angeles, California, United States With over 18 years of software delivery expertise, Yildirim Adiguzel excels in diverse domains such as eCommerce, marketplaces, and data analytics. Specialized in big data, personalization, digital transformation, technology strategy, and architecture, Mr. Adiguzel, adept at Agile development and team leadership, possesses a comprehensive skill set, delivering impactful results.
Shaikha Al Ali, Director of Nursing
Emirates Health Services (EHS), Umm Al Quwain, United Arab Emirates
Shaikha, currently working with the Nursing Operations and Nursing Care, Planning, and Policy Specialists in the Department of Nursing at Emirates Health Services. She has held various nursing management roles, including Director of Nursing, Nurse Supervisor, Department In Charge, and Staff Nurse, and contributed at other executive levels. She holds a Master's in Public Administration.
Fahad Albuainain, Executive Vice President
Albuainain Group, Jubail, Saudi Arabia
Fahad K. Albuainain, Vice President of Albuainain Group since 2018. He has extensive experience spanning more than 15 years in Technology, Leadership & Management and Entrepreneurship and Innovation. A graduate of California State University and the University of La Verne.
Murad Alqasem, CEO
Smart Advisory Rapid Innovation for Management Consulting, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Al-Qasem has been CEO of SARI Management Consulting since 2015. He has more than 17 years of experience in organizational excellence and innovation. He gained his PhD in business administration and a master’s degree in quality management. He is a Certified AInA, CCInO, CInS, Quality Consultant, and QMS ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor.
Sampath Amatam, Director of Specialty Sales Mainframe Modernization
Avanade Inc., Irving, Texas, United States
Sampath Amatam completed a Bachelors in Computer Science from India in 2010. He has close to 14 years of experience in Mainframe Modernization. He currently works as Director of Mainframe Modernization at Avanade Inc. He helps clients from North America understand the importance of Mainframe Migration, risks, savings, timelines, and project estimations.
Debadip Bandyopadhyay, Vice President & CMO
Angstrom FZC, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Deb is currently the Vice President and CMO of Angstrom FZC, UAE, and the Founder and CMO of Second Law LLC, USA. He has around 17 years of experience in technology marketing, sales, business development, and organizational growth. He is also a co-founder and founder of various start-ups across the globe.
Suresh Devadiga, Senior Manager OTC
DHL Worldwide express, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Suresh has been with DHL Express for three decades. He worked in various capacities in India and is now in the UAE. Having an exceptional track record of people and performance management.
Ahmed Rauf Essa, CEO
Telemart, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Ahmed started Telemart at the age of 23, which is now considered one of the top e-commerce marketplaces in Pakistan and the largest tech retail company with its 27 retail stores across 21 cities in Pakistan. Ahmed Rauf Essa is the only Pakistani entrepreneur to win 10 Global Awards at the age of 31.
Aqsa Fulara, Product Manager
Google, Los Angeles, California, United States
Aqsa is an accomplished product manager at Google, with 6+ years of experience. She focuses on enterprise machine learning models, recommendation systems, and business intelligence. Centered around innovation and value generation, her data-driven approach with deep customer empathy leads to win-win outcomes for customers, partners, and businesses alike.
Kristina Golubic, Group Learning and Development Business Partner
Al Ghurair Investment, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Kristina brings more than 15 years of diverse experience in Human Resources and Corporate Consultancy (Real Estate Asset Management, Healthcare, Marketing, Aviation) with a focus on people development, corporate culture, learning technologies, and management consulting. Kristina leads the Learning and Development Department for a major Middle Eastern family business group.
Atam Hayat, Head of Sales & BD
Central Ventilation Systems (CVS), Dubai, Sharjah & United Arab Emirates
A Chartered Mechanical Engineer with 15+ years of vast global experience in Construction /MEP/ HVAC Industry Products & Solutions specializing in the fields of sales, business development, marketing, technology, and application. Member of CIBSE-UAE Board & Technical Committee, Chair of ASHRAE Falcon Chapter, MEP Awards,UAE 2022-Co Winner (representative), Climate Control Awards Winner (2018), 2022 (representative).
Kate Imobekhai, Tech Bus Analyst
IBM, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
Kate is a Technical Business Analyst and Project Manager at IBM. She has more than 13 years of experience working with clients. She is a mentor and leader who is passionate about building teams and networking. She holds a degree in Project Management and Quality Management from Illinois State University.
Dr. Nezar Kamal, Marketing Manager
Global Investment Corporation, London, United Kingdom & İstanbul, Turkey
Arab Government Excellence Award Expert, VIP Business Life Coach, "Master Certified Coach Credential (MCC)", Author, Business Development Trainer, Corporate Trainer, and Digital Marketing Expert at GI LTD, UK.
Dr. Rashed Karkain, CEO/MD
Sustainable Development Inst., Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dr. Rashed is an Emirati innovator and researcher with over 25 years of experience and achievements in Sustainable Development Leadership and Environmental Project Management. Dr. Karkain has achieved the Dubai Government Excellence Program Award (DGEP), Rashid Award for Scientific Outstanding, and the UAE Innovate Award from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation.
Suma Khazmo, President & CEO
The TRYTON Investments Holding, Abu Dhabi/ London, MENA Region, UAE & Palestine
Suma is a result-oriented, outcome-driven business leader, investor, multiple company founder and co-founder, senior-level executive, biotechnology and investment management expert, and speaker. Holding a Master’s Degree in International Law and International Relations and a Bachelor's Degree in Media: Journalism and Political Science, she has over 16 years of experience in various fields.
Vipin Kumar, Vice President
JP Morgan Chase Bank, Jersey City, New Jersey, United States
Vipin is a highly accomplished and results-focused Vice President of Software Engineering working with JP Morgan Chase Bank, with over 18 years of experience in leading and managing enterprise application design and development. Exceptional leadership, Software Architecture, program management, cross-functional skills, and communication skills, coupled with industry insights into emerging opportunities.
Aman Mahajan, Manager
HSBC Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Aman Mahajan is an exceptional professional who thrives at the intersection of technology and finance. Armed with a distinguished academic background, holding a B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering, an M.Tech in the same field, and boasting over 5 years of invaluable experience in the esteemed banking sector. fostering an environment that nurtures innovation and fosters remarkable achievements.
Shivaprasad Sankesha Narayana, Senior Architect
SAIPSIT Inc., Cypress, Texas, United States
Shivaprasad Sankesha is a seasoned Senior Architect, blending extensive technical expertise with visionary leadership. Pioneering cloud solutions, optimizing infrastructure, and cybersecurity, they've empowered organizations to harness the full potential of cloud technologies. Adept at translating complex requirements into scalable, secure, and innovative cloud architectures, driving digital transformation with precision and strategic insight.
Wilfred Obi, Jr., Founder & CEO
Obtech Enterprise LLC, Dallas, Texas, United States
Wilfred Obi Jr., CEO of Obtech Enterprise in Dallas, is a dynamic and innovative leader. Guiding the company with vision and adaptability, he drives innovation in business management software, positioning Obtech as a leader in the industry.
Senjoy Panavelil, Manager, Technology
KPMG LLP, Miami, Florida, United States
Senjoy is a manager in Technology Assurance and Audit at KPMG LLP, specializing in IT External/Internal Audits, SOC 1, SOC 2, Swift, and Fedline assessments. He has experience in IT audit, risk assessment, process improvement, and compliance. He is a Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE) and a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).
Vladyslav Podoliako, CEO & Founder
Belkins, Dover, Delaware, United States
Vladyslav Podoliako is the founder and CEO of Belkins and Folderly. Vladyslav is a serial entrepreneur and investor with a decade of experience in building and growing service companies and SaaS startups in sales and MarTech. He is known for his expertise in creating successful businesses from scratch and building top-notch teams.
Kongkitti Pradit, Commercial Director
Oasiz, Seagroup, Bangkok, Thailand
Kongkitti is a Certified Machine Learning Specialist, Engineer, and Financial Advisor. He has over 9 years of management experience and focus that has spanned across product, commercial, operations, and technical aspects within tech startups, e-commerce, and management consulting sectors. He leads diverse cross-functional teams, encompassing product, commercial, and backend divisions.
Dr. Mohamed Rabie Elsheikh, Founder & CEO
Tanmyah Group for Consulting & Training, Hawally, Kuwait
For more than 27 years, Dr. Mohamed has led and contributed to various projects to assess organizational performance, improve effectiveness, and create a great customer and employee's experience in the GCC, Middle East, and Africa. Mohamed has a Ph.D. in Organizational Change Management and a Masters degree in Total Quality Management.
Zainab Rasheed, CEO
Zennova Technology, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
As the CEO of Zennova Technology, Dr. Zainab R. Saddal is leading the way in innovation through AI and Augmented Reality. Educational Technologist, Serial entrepreneur, and EdD, Dr. Zainab weaves innovation and impact. He is an award-winning speaker. Dr. Zainab empowers through technology, volunteers across projects, and elevates voices as a judge.
Professor Mohamed Saad Abdalla, Tech. Advisor
MOI, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Professor Abdalla is a Technical Advisor for the Ministry of Interior (MOI, Head of Excellence Team at Human Resources Directorates (MOI), and Director of the Geographic Information Security System Institute (GISSI) training center. He is a Professor and Lecturer at Engineering Colleges at the University of Bahrain, Kingdom University, and the Royal Police Academy.
Dr. Feda Shahin, CEO
Consultancy, London, Dorset, United Kingdom
Feda is the founder and CEO of Fidelity4All, a consulting firm with a creative edge to all its work and services. Just before starting this venture, Feda was the founder and the Vice President of Knowledge Horizon Ltd., a leading company in the fields of training, e-learning, development, and consultancy.
Jugendra Singh, Vice President /Lead Software Engineer
JPMorgan Chase, Edison, New Jersey, United States
Jugendra Singh has been vice president of JPMorgan Chase since 2022. He has more than 18 years of experience in various technologies with full software development life cycles (SDLC). A postgraduate from the Department of Electronics and Accreditation of Computer Courses (DOEACC), he gives seminars and trainings within the company to colleagues.
Cornelius van Tonder, Chief Engineer and Managing Director
Bara Consultants, La Lucia, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
Cornelius, an accomplished, professionally registered chemical engineer, is regarded as a subject matter expert in the fields of Renewable and Energy Engineering. Cornelius currently fills a Chief Engineering Position and a Managing Director Position at Bara Consultants. Some of his achievements include the design and commissioning of a large-scale waste beneficiation plant.
Runde Yang, Cofounder
Dream Voyage, New York City, New York, United States
Runde Yang is the cofounder of Dream Voyage, backed by top venture capital firms. He has 10 years of experience in the entrepreneurial world. Runde is a graduate of Cornell University.