Najla is a Partner leading Mercer’s Career Line of Business in the Middle East, overseeing consulting teams and business operations across the Middle East region.
With her extensive consulting experience, she serves as subject matter expert and Steer Co. member on various projects across Middle East. In addition to her client facing responsibilities, Najla is also a board member of Mercer KSA and Mercer UAE. She regularly appears on media channels to share the firm’s viewpoint on future of work, compensation trends, and labor market movements. She represented Mercer as part of panel to moderate 2019 MENA World Economic Forum (WEF) at Dead Sea, Jordan. Najla manages a multi-million dollar portfolio spanning Organization Transformation, Culture Transformation, Change Management, HR Operating Model Redesign, Broad-Based Rewards, Executive Remuneration, Talent Assessment, Leadership Development, Talent Management, Employee Experience, and rewards-related Products & Solutions. Her expertise covers Strategy Articulation, Feasibility Studies, Business Plan Formulation, Operational Excellence, Nationalization, Global Talent Trends, and Future of Work concepts. Najla has led major transformation projects in government sectors through corporatization and privatization initiatives. She regularly advises on Board Compensation and executive remuneration issues, contributing to total remuneration redesign using Mercer’s proprietary methodologies. Beyond corporate work, Najla supports the non-profit sector, advising on regulatory frameworks and organizations focused on youth empowerment and special needs care.

Areej Alshibani is a highly accomplished Leader in Talent Planning and Mobility with an impressive background in human resource development. With extensive experience in both government and private sectors, Areej possesses a unique profile that allows her to approach her work with a well-rounded perspective. She is also recognized as a woman mentor by the Global Skills Development Council, further solidifying her reputation as a leader in her field. Areej’s professional certifications in talent management, employee engagement, strategic planning development, and strategic performance management demonstrate her commitment to continuous learning and growth. Additionally, she holds a master’s degree in Management and Entrepreneurship from Cranfield University, where she focused on the impact of artificial intelligence on human resource development. Throughout her career, Areej has taken on significant leadership roles, serving as the Director of Human Resource Development at impactful organizations such as the Information Technology Authority and the Ministry of Telecommunications and Technology in Oman. Areej actively participates in committees such as the Change Management Committee and the OSHRM, providing consultancy services to government entities to foster a culture of learning and development. With extensive experience in both government and private sectors, Areej possesses a unique profile that allows her to approach her work with a well-rounded perspective. Additionally, she holds a master’s degree in Management and Entrepreneurship from Cranfield University, where she focused on the impact of artificial intelligence on human resource development. Awarded as Leader of the year in Talent Planning and Mobility in 2025, Women in leadership in 2023 and 2024 in Telcom Sector. With a passion for promoting a positive culture and influencing organizational growth and development, Areej Alshibani is an exceptional leader in the field of human resource development in both the public and private sectors.

Najlaa Al-Buanain is the Human Resources Director at Kahramaa, with over 17 years of experience in the energy and utilities sector. She is recognized for her strategic vision, people-centered leadership, and ability to align HR practices with both business objectives and national development goals. Throughout her career, Najlaa has led large-scale HR transformations focused on leadership development, workforce planning, and employee engagement. She played an integral role in aligning workforce strategies with Qatar’s national development goals. She is particularly passionate about empowering future leaders and advancing Qatari talent through collaborative programs with government entities and strategic partners. Her recent work includes leading digital HR initiatives and fostering a high-performance, inclusive culture that supports business agility and innovation. As an active contributor to the national HR community, she remains committed to shaping a resilient, future-ready workforce in Qatar. At the 2nd Annual Qatar Digital Talent Ecosystem Dialogue, Najlaa shares her perspective on the evolving role of HR in a digitally driven economy, offering insights rooted in real-world experience and a strong commitment to national talent development.

Mohamed Alhammadi, Head of National Talent Development in Commercial Bank Qatar, and Founder of The Cooking Academy; an F&B consultancy firm. He calls himself a multi-potentiality for the wide experience that his career or personal interests have given. He worked as a mechanic for Qatar Energy, he worked for Qatar Airways as an Engineer, he worked for Maersk Oil as a drilling engineer and a program manager, he worked for North Oil Company as head of Strategy and currently in commercial bank, and beyond that he lead the operations in the cooking academy. This allowed him to have a taste of the Aviation, Energy, Banking and Hospitality sectors. He graduated in 2007 as a maintenance Engineer, and in 2013 he got his second bachelor's degree in international business management. Beyond his professional achievements, Mohamed embraces lifelong learning while balancing his role as father to two boys. His passion for cultural immersion has taken him to 57 countries, complemented by his active participation in the "Wahat" archaeological mission—reflecting his commitment to both global perspective and historical preservation.

Aysha Alkuwari is a seasoned Talent Management professional with over 17 years of a strong commitment to developing high-performing teams and fostering leadership excellence. Aysha holds an Executive MBA degree from the University of Aberdeen and a bachelor's degree in administrative sciences and economics, majoring in Business Administration, from the University of Qatar. Currently pursuing Level 7 – CIPD Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management. Aysha combines academic insights with practical experience to drive innovative Talent solutions.

Aysha's professional journey began from Qatar University, followed by a six-year tenure at Mashreq Bank as HR Manager. She then advanced to Qatar Airways, where she served as Senior Manager – Development Programs for five years. Then in 2017 she joined Sidra Medicine. As the Director of Talent Management, she plays a pivotal role in shaping workforce strategies, enhancing employee and leadership development programs, and driving organizational success. With a background in Human Resources and deep understanding of Leadership, Talent Management, Performance Management & Succession Planning and Employee Engagement, Aysha is dedicated to creating a culture of continuous learning and growth. Her expertise lies in designing and implementing talent strategies and driving top performance that align with business objectives, ensuring that organizations attract, retain, and develop top talent. She is passionate about empowering individuals and organizations to reach their full potential through strategic talent initiatives and leadership skills.

Today, Mr. Al-Khalifa serves as Ministry of Communications and Information Technology Director of Human Resources, having most recently been responsible for aligning national goals with HR strategy, driving innovation, as well as driving employee participation and professional development

With over a decade of experience in Aviation, Sports, Education, and ICT sectors, Mr. Al-Khalifa is an MBA and Bachelor of Human Resource Management graduate, with numerous high-profile certifications and leadership programs from the University of Oxford, McKinsey & Company, and Qatar Leadership Centre.

He is immensely renowned for his expertise in facilitating meaningful change through strategic workforce planning, digitalization of HR, and inclusive leadership.

Michelle Wandrag is a corporate and teacher trainer, working at British Council Qatar. In her 20 + years in the field of English Language Education, she has worked as far afield as Kazakhstan, Tanzania, South Africa and the UK. Her passion is training and mentoring teachers of adult learners, to empower them in the classroom. Her niche in professional skills training is public speaking and interpersonal communication skills, dating back to her role as a corporate speech writer in South Africa.

Dr. Kholode Al Obaidli is an accomplished HR strategist and Chartered Fellow of the CIPD with over 20 years of impact across the healthcare, aviation, energy, sport, retail, and non-profit sectors. A recognized force in repositioning HR as a strategic business partner, she has led nationalisation initiatives that align talent strategy with long-term growth and national vision. As the architect of Qatar Airways’ award winning Al Darb Program, she created executive pathways for Qatari talent through global partnerships with industry leaders like GE and Boeing. At Sidra Medicine, she built a future-ready leadership culture by integrating strategic performance management with continuous learning systems. Currently, Dr. Al Obaidli serves as a Moderator with Harvard Business Publishing, facilitating executive learning programs for global clients including Saudi Aramco and Ooredoo Group. She specializes in participant-centered learning methodologies that drive behavior change and decision-making skills. An advocate for inclusive leadership, she actively mentors emerging women leaders while integrating diversity, nationalisation, and innovation into organizational DNA.

Reem Al-Muftah is the Head of Talent and Organizational Development at Aspetar, the region’s leading orthopedic and sports medicine hospital, where she leads both Organizational Development and Learning & Development to drive integrated, future-ready workforce strategies. Originally brought in from Qatar Energy to build and embed the hospital’s OD capabilities, she later expanded her role to include Talent and L&D, recognizing that true organizational transformation lies at the intersection of structure, culture, and continuous learning. Prior to her current role, she served in the Organizational Effectiveness Department at Qatar Energy, where she played a key role in reshaping corporate structures and systems to enable agility and performance. A strong advocate for holistic development, Reem is also a certified fitness instructor and wellness advocate, using her platform to champion well-being as a powerful driver for empowering the next generation, cultivating sustainable leadership, and building high-performing cultures that start at home and ripple outward. With a passion for enabling people and systems to thrive, she brings a humancentered lens to digital transformation, leadership development, and inclusive talent practices, aligning her work at Aspetar closely with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.

Randa Mushtaha, Senior Director of Business Development at almentor, is a leading voice in the GCC’s EdTech sector. She drives strategic growth initiatives that connect hundreds of organizations to almentor’s expert-led library and bespoke training solutions, empowering workforces with measurable, skills-based learning. A strong advocate of lifelong learning, Randa partners with leadership teams to build cultures of continuous development that close skills gaps, boost retention, and fuel innovation across the MENA region.

As the region head for MENA at Darwinbox, Arun Bharadwaj has been instrumental in propelling the company’s journey from a promising HR tech startup to one of the leading Global HRTech platforms. With a sharp focus on integrated growth strategies, brand building, and market expansion, Arun has led high-impact initiatives across regions. He has played a pivotal role in driving enterprise adoption, building a category-defining brand, and shaping Darwinbox’s positioning in a hyper-competitive global market. His leadership bridges the gap between business ambition and executional excellence in the world of B2B SaaS.

Fatma Al-Fakhri is the Director of Knowledge for Capacity Building at the Institute of Public Administration in the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau (CGB). She also manages the Future Skills Office, advancing national upskilling initiatives that prepare civil servants with future-ready capabilities.

She brings experience from the private sector, having worked at Ooredoo and Qatar National Bank in process enhancement, process re-engineering, and customer experience. This foundation shaped her ability to connect organizational improvement with people development, ensuring learning translates into better outcomes for institutions and citizens.

Since joining CGB, Fatma has led multiple training and development programs that expand opportunities for continuous learning and on-the-job skills application. Her work focuses on building and empowering skills, designing solutions to close skill gaps, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement by aligning training and development with national priorities.

At the second annual Qatar Digital Talent Ecosystem Dialogue, Fatma is eager to contribute her perspective on future readiness and the growing importance of skills-based development in the public sector. She will highlight how continuous learning can serve as a driver of agility and resilience in government institutions, while also addressing the practical steps needed to close skill gaps and build future-ready teams.

Manikandan Gopalakrishnan is a digital transformation leader with over 25 years of experience in driving enterprise solutions across Government, BFSI, Retail, Energy, and Education sectors. As Vice President – Enterprise Solutions at Vistas Global, he partners with organizations to reimagine workplaces, leveraging HCM platforms, AI, low-code, and data-driven solutions to enhance employee engagement and organizational agility. A strong advocate of purpose-driven workplaces, Manikandan has been instrumental in shaping talent transformation initiatives in the GCC and India, aligning people, technology, and business outcomes.

Elias is a leading expert in digital society, skills, and talent development, with a proven track record of shaping large-scale initiatives that drive digital workforce transformation and talent development. He specializes in designing and delivering scalable upskilling and reskilling programs that enhance workforce readiness, bridge digital capability gaps, and prepare industries for the demands of the future economy. His work combines strategic vision with practical, outcome-driven approaches that enable organizations and governments to thrive in the digital age. He has worked with leading GCC governments to design and implement digital workforce transformation strategies, positioning human capital as a cornerstone of the region’s digital economy ambitions and strengthening the GCC’s appeal as a global talent hub. Elias is also actively engaged in advancing national digital inclusion and safety programs, focusing on broadening access to digital opportunities while promoting responsible and safe digital adoption.

Mrs Al Meer is a strategic leader with over 14 years of experience in organizational excellence and financial management. She drives success and delivers value to the financial service sector, ultimately contributing to Qatar’s National Vision. Mrs Al Meer has led digital transformation, innovation, and continuous improvement at the QFCRA, implementing the EFQM business excellence model to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness.

Muhammad Abdou is the co-founder and Chief Technical Officer (CTO) of SkillUp MENA, a leading learning and development company transforming education across the Middle East and North Africa. He has redefined professional development by integrating cutting-edge digital platforms, world-class content libraries, and impactful instructor-led training to help businesses upskill their teams.

Under his leadership, SkillUp MENA has partnered with global content providers while maintaining regional relevance, working with hundreds of organizations and training thousands of professionals throughout MENA. Muhammad emphasizes practical learning outcomes over traditional certification models, leveraging his deep understanding of the region's business landscape to build partnerships that deliver measurable workforce capability improvements.

He continues adapting SkillUp MENA's offerings to meet evolving business needs, particularly focusing on how changing work environments affect professional development requirements across the region.

Frederick Van Gysegem joined Roland Berger's Brussels office in 2014 and became partner in 2021. His consulting work focuses on strategical questions for actors in the financial and public sector, both at the local and international level.

In recent years, Frederick worked on the economic development strategy across various sectors. Furthermore, he has developed deep functional expertise in workforce transformation, and has been a regular advisor to governments, agencies, and sector associations on labor market topics. He also consults large organizations and HR service providers on their skills roadmap and related strategical topics.

Frederick completed his PhD in financial economics from Ghent University in 2013 and was a visiting researcher at Queen’s University in Belfast. Prior to joining Roland Berger, he worked in asset management and for governments. He also holds a Master’s degree in economics and an M.Sc. in Banking and Finance.

Abdulmajeed Al Balushi stands at the forefront of organizational transformation across the GCC as Paradigms' Founder and Managing Partner. With over a decade of strategic leadership, he has pioneered digital evolution initiatives that have reshaped enterprises across diverse sectors including Banking, Telecommunications, Energy, and Government. He has successfully led organizational transformation initiatives for prominent clients in Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. His portfolio includes work with notable organizations such as Oman LNG, National Water Company (KSA), Al Rajhi Bank (KSA), Omantel, Ras Al Khaimah White Cement (UAE), Warba Bank (Kuwait), Saudi Electricity Company (KSA), Bank Muscat, Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (KSA), RAK Government (UAE), Ministry of Health (KSA), Asyad Group (Oman), and the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (Oman).

As a PMI-ACP and CIPD Level 7 certified professional, he brings methodological precision to talent strategy implementation, creating robust management systems that elevate organizational capability. His distinctive approach combines analytical rigor with innovative thinking, enabling clients to navigate complex transformational journeys with confidence. Abdulmajeed's legacy is defined by his ability to translate strategic vision into tangible business outcomes, cementing his position as an influential change catalyst in the region's evolving business landscape.

Abdulrahman is a project manager specializing in smart administration and artificial intelligence (AI) applications within the Omani government sector. He leads the Smart Administration Project, which focuses on integrating AI across governmental entities to enhance efficiency, decision-making, and operational performance. Previously, he managed the Research and Studies Program under the National System for Institutional Innovation and Change Management, contributing to strategic research that supports Oman Vision 2040.

With extensive experience in public sector transformation, Abdulrahman has provided consultancy to over 40 government entities, assisting them in implementing best administrative practices and fostering a culture of innovation. His expertise extends to leading and developing strategic projects in governance and institutional development, including initiatives in exceptional leadership, personal empowerment (coaching), human resource planning, change management, and institutional identity. In addition to his role in government projects, Abdulrahman is a certified trainer in AI, delivering workshops and training programs to help individuals and organizations harness the potential of artificial intelligence. Through his work, he strives to contribute to Oman’s digital transformation journey, helping bridge technology and strategic management to support the ongoing development of government operations.

Dr. Corrie Block stands as a transformative force in executive development, recognized as "UAE's #1 Executive Coach" by industry luminaries including Dr. Marshall Goldsmith and Forbes. With over 30 years of specialized expertise in evolutionary psychology and performance neuroscience, he architects purpose-driven leadership transformations that deliver extraordinary ROI—ranging from 53x to 901x within a single year.

His strategic consultancy has elevated organizational performance across Microsoft, the UN, E&, PepsiCo, and numerous governments spanning 30+ countries. As an Amazon Global #1 Bestselling author and ranked #24 globally on LeadersHum's Biggest Voices in Leadership Power List, Dr. Block's influence extends throughout the business ecosystem. Combining academic rigor—evidenced by four postgraduate degrees including an MBA and PhD—with entrepreneurial acumen from founding and successfully exiting five ventures, Dr. Block creates meaningful performance transformations for C-Suite executives seeking the optimal work-life integration and sustained business excellence. His compelling question remains: "Are you willing to risk a cup of coffee to explore how I can help you?"

Alharith Alatawi is a pioneering force in AI innovation with over 15 years of expertise. As Co-founder and CEO of Shaffra, he architects revolutionary AI Workforce solutions that have earned recognition as one of the "Future 100" companies shaping the UAE's economy.

His visionary leadership has attracted investment from STC and Flat6Labs, while his previous ventures—Skiplino and ONEGCC—were named among Forbes Middle East's 15 most innovative technology companies in the region.

Regionally acclaimed, Alharith was selected by the UAE's Ministry of Youth's Arab Youth Centre as one of the 100 Most Influential Young Arab Pioneers under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He further serves as Youth Ambassador for the Arab Thought Foundation in KSA, a program under the patronage of HRH Prince Khalid Al Faisal Al Saud. Before starting his journey in tech entrepreneurship, Alharith was an investment executive working in multi-billion dollar investment funds in Bahrain, KSA and the UAE. He holds a Bachelors of Commerce Majoring in Finance from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada.

Gabriela Tom is the Director of People & Culture at Snoonu, one of Qatar’s fastest-growing technology companies. With a background in high-growth tech environments and fintech, Gabriela leads Snoonu’s talent strategy, organizational design, and digital people operations, playing a central role in building a future-ready workforce. Originally from Sao Paulo, Brazil, she holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Political Science from the University of Evansville and is currently enrolled in the Stanford LEAD Executive Program, where she is deepening her expertise in leadership and business innovation. Before joining Snoonu, Gabriela was part of Nubank, the largest digital bank in Latin America, where she contributed to scaling people processes during a period of rapid expansion across the region. Her experience bridges both emerging and mature digital markets, bringing valuable insights into building resilient, high-performance cultures in fast-moving environments. Passionate about developing human-centered, tech-enabled organizations, Gabriela brings a global lens to the challenge of shaping Qatar’s digital talent ecosystem.

Florencio “Rhency” Padilla is the Founder & Managing Director of Perky People Limited – an HR consultancy specializing in Employee Experience. Rhency has more than 20 years of work experience in different industries in Asia & the Middle East. He spent more than 15 years in strategic & operational L&D, talent & leadership development, employee engagement & wellbeing, employer branding, organizational effectiveness, and employee experience design from the airlines, government sector & luxury retail. He is a chartered fellow of the CIPD UK (FCIPD). Rhency has a proven track record of helping leaders & organizations design innovative people solutions, designing inspirational workplaces & people-first cultures that embrace ongoing enhancements & co-creation practice within the organization.

At Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar, Dr Max Renault is Innovations Director and leverages the latest advances in AI to impact precision health. He is also CEO and Co-Founder of OYOS Technologies, a Qatar-based startup fusing agentic AI and behavioral science to supercharge employees, teams, and organizational culture. Max has worked globally in Formula One Racing, Aerospace, IT, Manufacturing and Healthcare. He holds a Master’s in Engineering and a PhD in Management.

Enas currently serves as the Training and Development Manager at HMC, bringing over 20 years of distinguished experience across GCC countries including the UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar. With an MA in Educational Administration specialized in Higher Education and a BA in Business Administration, she has established herself as a strategic talent development leader. Her extensive career spans multiple sectors including healthcare, oil and gas, marine construction, social development, and entrepreneurship. Enas has developed particular expertise in Leadership Development frameworks, Training Needs Assessments, middle management capacity building, Performance Management systems, and Nationalization Training Plans. She demonstrates exceptional commitment to sustainable development, with special focus on women's empowerment and self-development initiatives. Her multifaceted background uniquely positions her to pioneer progressive training methodologies that align workforce capabilities with strategic objectives. Through her comprehensive approach to talent management, Enas continues to drive organizational excellence by cultivating high-performing teams and implementing innovative development strategies tailored to meet evolving industry demands.

Abdulrhman Jubairy is a digital transformation advisor and youth advocate shaping the future of talent in the industrial and energy sectors. He currently leads transformation initiatives across +16 downstream global assets, driving adoption of advanced technologies while nurturing the digital capabilities needed for sustainable impact. As a member of Aramco’s Young Leaders Advisory Board (YLAB), Abdulrhman plays a strategic role in connecting youth perspectives to Executive Management, in addition to playing a major role as World Economic Forum lighthouse leader. Passionate about empowering youth, Abdulrhman believes that talent is the true engine of transformation—and that building a resilient ecosystem starts with investing in people.

Faten El Ayache stands at the forefront of leadership transformation across the MENA region, pioneering a human-centered approach that revolutionizes organizational cultures. As Managing Partner at BrightFields HR Services (UAE & Qatar), she harnesses her Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credentials and extensive expertise to deliver high-impact solutions that empower senior executives to lead with unprecedented clarity, compassion, and courage. With over two decades of strategic experience spanning global pharmaceuticals (Sanofi, Boehringer Ingelheim) and prestigious academic institutions (Qatar University, Carnegie Mellon), Faten brings unparalleled regional insights to complex organizational challenges. Her comprehensive toolkit—including Positive Psychology, Compassionate Inquiry, and LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®—enables transformative interventions that drive measurable business outcomes. A compelling TEDx speaker and visionary practitioner, Faten masterfully bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications, creating sustainable coaching ecosystems within diverse enterprise environments. Her mission to empower 10,000 leaders by 2030 exemplifies her commitment to scaling positive leadership impact.