New Product, Technology & Sustainability Awards Judging Committee
Chair:
Engr. Lana El-Tawil Ramdurai, Senior Specialist & Project Manager
Royal Scientific Society, Amman, Jordan
Eng. Lana El-Tawil, the Founder of Oswah Hasaneh Association and a Senior Specialist at the Royal Scientific Society, has a remarkable track record. She has served as the Head of the Project Management Division at the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Supply and is based in Amman City, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. An expert in digital transformation and project management, Lana is a true local talent. She has extensive expertise in project management and sustainable development. With fervent dedication, she spearheads numerous projects addressing climate change and offers invaluable support to women and youth through both national and international initiatives. Her contributions extend to conducting workshops that have garnered international recognition and accolades. She is a skilled engineer with more than 11 years of experience in strategy, operations, as well as managing the commercial part of different business sectors. Holding a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering and a Master's degree in E-Government, she embodies the fusion of knowledge and dedication that drives positive change.
Lana has held responsibility for overseeing the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of over 30 national and international projects and programs. She demonstrated the ability to engage across diverse areas of support, orchestrating a myriad of activities geared towards enhancing the capabilities of SMEs and start-ups. Her efforts primarily aimed at empowering them to explore new markets and achieve broader reach, aligning with the core objectives of the projects, including policy-level initiatives. She has received recognition on both the national and international stage and has secured more than seven awards across various sectors, with a strong focus on innovation and pioneering new systems within the realm of renewable energy. She was distinguished as one of the "365 Inspiring Arabic Empowering Women" by @wibarabia. As a representative of Jordan youth for tech and innovation initiative at Future Hub UAE, she has significantly contributed to this dynamic field and received the distinguished honor of being the best employee at MITS. Furthermore, she serves as the national focal point for a multitude of pivotal national projects, including the Investor Journey Project, the Simplifying Registration and Licensing Procedures for Economic Activities Project, the Job Creation for Youth and Women Project, the JOSME Project (Enhancement of Jordanian SMEs Inclusiveness, Competitiveness, and Sustainable Innovation), T4E (Trade for Employment), Employment-Oriented MSME Promotion Project, Economic Reform Activity (ERA), Home Based Businesses Project (HBBs), Corporate Entrepreneurship Responsibility Alliance (CERA), SWITCH MED Project, and the Building Resilience through Circularity: Green Innovations in Host Communities (BR َCkA) project.
Lana has been a dedicated member of the King Abdullah II Award for Excellence in Government for over five years, leading the Digital Transformation Committee. As the Founder of the Oswah Hasanah Charity Society and Just Green Co., she has shown her commitment to meaningful societal contributions. These experiences and accomplishments have propelled her to an elevated level of understanding in the realm of business development.
Committee:
Prakhar Agarwal, ML Engineer
Apple, Cupertino, California, United States
Prakhar is a Senior Machine Learning Engineer specializing in Search at Apple. His role encompasses harnessing the cutting-edge potential of deep learning and generative models to elevate query understanding, dynamic user-generated series analysis for event prediction, and personalized ranking of millions of Points of Interest (POIs), collectively enhancing the search experience.
Zuhair Alsmadi, Specialist Studies
Royal Scientific Society (RSS), Amman, Marka, Jordan
Zuheir, a chemical engineer who graduated from the University of Jordan, is an air quality specialist collaborating with Jordan's Ministry of Environment. With QAQC experience at JOTC and as an active member of the Jordan Engineers Association, he volunteers at numerous chemical engineering events and supports factories through RECP, optimizing resource efficiency.
Punita Anand, VP, Risk and Fraud
Qapital LLC, Alexandria, Virginia, United States
An accomplished leader in fintech/banking risk and fraud management, Punita currently serves as the VP of Risk & Fraud at Qapital LLC. With a robust background in Fintech risk analytics, operations, and compliance, she has successfully built operational infrastructures and teams that have significantly reduced losses through innovative fraud prevention measures.
Vijay Arpudaraj Antonyraj, Vice President, Consumer Business Insights & Analytics
Equifax, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Vijay Antonyraj has been Vice President of Equifax leading Data & Analytics. Over two decades of experience shaping and executing robust data strategies across diverse markets, including the USA, Canada, and the UK. Strong track record of leveraging analytics and data science to enable high-impact, multimillion-dollar business transformations.
Yaamini Barathi Mohan, Security Engineer
Dell, Austin, Texas, United States
Yaamini is an accomplished cybersecurity professional and thought leader, recognized as Cybersecurity Woman of the Year. As VP of WiCyS Austin, she actively shapes the industry, sharing insights at prominent conferences. Known for her innovative approach, Yaamini leverages her expertise to mentor others and advocate for security advancements.
Caner Çakır, Product Owner SRE
Akbank, Istanbul, Turkey
Caner Çakır is a seasoned Technical Product Owner with expertise in banking and finance, driving innovation and delivering transformative results. With a proven track record of leading large-scale software systems and cutting-edge solutions, he combines technical excellence with value-driven leadership. Caner has spearheaded initiatives that have elevated performance standards.
Lamia Chaari Ep Fourati, Professor
Computer science and Multimedia, Sfax, Tunisia
Lamia Chaari Fourati is a professor and researcher in computer networks and cybersecurity, with over 20 years of experience. She holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering and an HDR in Computer Networks. She was head of ISIMS' engineering department, she now leads the Intellect research team and supervises advanced projects.
Gagandeep Singh Chahal, Vice President, Data & Analytics Manager
Regions Bank, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Gagandeep Chahal heads the BI & Data Services department at Regions Bank. With 14 years of experience in Data Engineering and dual Master’s degrees from the US, along with IEEE Senior and IETE Fellow titles, Gagandeep is also an author with the prestigious CDO Magazine & AI Journal.
Kedaresh Deshpande , Senior Director - Product Management
Chamberlain Group, Naperville, Illinois, United States
Kedaresh Deshpande is a Senior Director of Product Management at Chamberlain Group. He has over 13 years of experience in new product development and technology management. Kedaresh holds an MBA from University of Chicago and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University.
Khaled Elnems, QC Industrial Design
PARSONS & Founder Inventors, SMBZ City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Khaled, a UAE-based R&D Innovations Q.C., is a jury member on the Committee for International Engineering Innovation Exhibitions, a Co-founder (Vice President) of The Egyptian Inventors Society (Syndicate), Head of Delegation for Young Inventors in Egypt and the UAE. He supports cooperation with women and marginalized inventors and has worked with International Consultants.
Enobong Hanson, Operations Lead
SHELL PLC (RICE UNIV MBA), Houston, Texas, United States
Enobong is an experienced energy professional with over a decade at Shell PLC, specializing in upstream and midstream oil and gas operations. Currently completing his MBA at Rice University, he brings expertise in production optimization, project management, supply chain strategy, and sustainable energy solutions, with a focus on operational excellence and innovation.
Dr. Wahiba Henniche, Professor
King Khalid university (KKU), Abha, Assir, Saudi Arabia
Dr. Wahiba has been working at King Khalid University (KSA) since 2015. She has more than 15 years of experience in university teaching and more than 7 years of professional work experience. She holds a Certified Public Accountant certificate and has worked in the field for more than 7 years as well. She is a Stevie Award judge for the fourth consecutive session.
Govardhan Reddy Kothinti, Manager - FUSA
APTIV PLC, Troy, Michigan, United States
Govardhan Reddy Kothinti, a globally recognized expert in Advanced Mobility Systems and Functional Safety, has spearheaded transformative innovations in autonomous vehicle technology. His work at Aptiv PLC and beyond has revolutionized ADAS systems, earning prestigious awards, scholarly acclaim, and industry-wide adoption, underscoring his role in advancing automotive safety and efficiency.
Ajay Mache, Director, Data Science & Analytics
Healthcare Financial Inc, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Ajay Mache, Director of Data Science & Analytics at Healthcare Financial Inc., is a seasoned leader with over eight years of experience in AI and Machine Learning. His innovative approach has revolutionized Medicaid eligibility assessments, setting new standards in healthcare analytics and driving impactful, data-driven solutions since 2018.
Sandeep Mahajan, Director, Data Science Product Management - Connected Intelligence
Walmart, Bentonville, Arkansas, United States
Sandeep is a Product Management leader obsessed with solving customer and associate pain points through the application of cutting-edge technology. He's currently focused on leveraging AI/ML to improve engagement and productivity for Walmart's ~1.6M associates and has previously held leadership roles with Amazon, Levi's, Sears Holdings, and Indian Oil Corporation.
Mohamed Mowena, Chief Business Development Officer
Evergrow Gp., Cairo, Egypt
Mohamed Mowena has been the Business Development Officer at Evergrow since 2021. He possesses 25 years of experience in process engineering, project management and business development. He earned a PhD in chemical engineering and an MBA from Alexandria University/Georgia State University, emphasizing reliability, sustainability, and growth in the chemical sector.
Syed Mohamed Thameem Nizamudeen, Principal Technical Engineering Program Manager
Oracle, Austin, Texas, United States
Syed Mohamed Thameem Nizamudeen is a distinguished Information Technology leader with a rich history of leadership roles at Oracle, Ernst & Young (EY), and PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC). His expertise lies in cloud computing, cloud security, big data, machine learning, AI, and application modernization, where he applies his vast knowledge to pioneer innovative solutions.
Prabhu Patel, Associate Principal
Options Clearing Corp., Dallas, Texas, United States
Prabhu, a real-time data streaming expert, currently holds the position of Associate Principal at Options Clearing Corporation (OCC). He has successfully managed the organization's diverse digital interfaces and tools, leading with a client-centric approach across multiple platforms. Prabhu's extensive experience spans over 17 years in the realms of advertising, marketing, and digital products.
Kondala Rao Patibandla, Senior Software Engineer
Southwest Airlines, Irving, Texas, United States
Kondala Rao Patibandla has been a Senior Software Engineer at Southwest Airlines since 2019. With over 15 years of experience in IT, cloud technologies, and AI, he specializes in application architecture, cloud migration, and event-driven systems. He is also a certified AWS Solutions Architect.
Shafeeq Ur Rahaman, Associate Director, Analytics
Monks, San Francisco, California, United States
Shafeeq Ur Rahaman is an accomplished data analytics leader with over a decade of experience in developing and managing data-driven solutions that enhance business performance. He specializes in cloud-based architecture, process automation, and data governance. Shafeeq has a proven track record in leading teams and optimizing data operations across various industries.
Seema Rajaram, Global Program Test and Validation Lead ( Digital and AI)
Johnson and Johnson, Edison, New Jersey, United States
Seema Rajaram is a well-known personality in the healthcare and life sciences sectors, with a focus on creating and applying AI-driven machine learning algorithms to counteract drug diversion products. Seema Rajaram's creative method uses data science to confirm product authenticity, protecting consumers and boosting confidence in medical supplies.
Dr. Mona Taman, CEO & Vice President
Future Leaders Academy Kuwait & Egypt, Egypt and Kuwait
Dr. Mona Taman is Co-Founder and Vice President of the Future Leader International Group in Kuwait and Egypt. Her list of accomplishments and accolades includes her roles as an international lecturer and consultant for education technology and AI implementation and founder of Future Leaders Academy for consultation and training in programming and robotics.
Zaid Thanawala, Senior Sustainability Scientist
Amazon.com Inc., San Francisco, California, United States
Zaid Thanawala has 9+ years of experience working in various functions within the sustainability space. During the course of his professional journey, Zaid has assumed roles at organizations such as Salesforce, O-I, and Heineken, where he helped formulate and implement sustainability strategies, with a specific emphasis on enhancing transparency regarding carbon footprint.
Praveen Tripathi, Technology Head
HCLTech, Jersey City, New Jersey, United States
Praveen, a globally recognized IT leader, is a Gold Stevie® and Globee® Award winner with extensive expertise in AI, cloud services, and digital transformation. A Fellow of IETE and BCS, he has judged prominent awards like Globee®, CES Innovation, and QS Reimagine Education and has published influential works in technology and innovation.
Mohammad Zaid, Assistant Professor
Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie, Ramallah, Palestine
Mohammad is an Assistant Professor in Accounting at Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie. He received a PhD degree from Dongbei University of Finance and Economics, China. From 2017 onward, Mohammad has been devoted to sustainability related issues as areas of expertise. He demonstrated his expertise by conducting several research projects.