Cherif Morsi
Born 1971, Brussels, Belgium
An architect by education, Cherif’s career path is a true testament that design, whether architecture, interior, product or graphic, are interconnected always coexisting side by side within general culture to form a unique body of expression.
After winning and participating in several international design awards such as Alessi’s “Life On The Move” back in 2000, Cherif has designed hundreds of products for Egyptian, as well as European companies, all translating his individual vision on design and culture further affirming his design language that has become instantly recognizable.
He seamlessly incorporates his Eastern and Western heritages in a unique blend making his projects rich in their measured simplicity.
Currently based in Cairo, he is one of the main protagonists of Egyptian contemporary design.
Mohamed Mostafa, Co-founder & CTO of WideBot, is an AI entrepreneur and product leader with twenty years of experience building intelligent systems that solve real-world problems. He bridges cutting-edge AI research with product execution—architecting solutions that are both technically rigorous and commercially viable, with a relentless focus on user impact.
As Chief Financial Officer at VMS, a Saudi startup studio, I contribute to strategic financial planning, reporting, and compliance, leveraging over three years of leadership in managing complex financial operations. My expertise in financial accounting and project feasibility studies enables the team to make informed decisions that align with business objectives and stakeholder interests.
With a Certified Internal Auditor credential earned in early 2025, I bring advanced proficiency in internal controls and risk management to support organizational growth. Collaborating with cross-functional teams, I aim to drive sustainable financial strategies that empower innovation and operational excellence within VMS and its diverse portfolio of ventures.
Partner - Head of Project & Development Services, Egypt & Africa
Knight Frank MENA
Egypt
I am a Partner - Head of Project & Development Services, Egypt & Africa, leading Knight Frank P&DS business in Egypt and more broadly across Africa, focusing on enhancing delivery capabilities, supporting key client mandates and building strong, locally based teams. I am a professional industry expert with over 24 years of experience across Egypt, the UAE and international markets. My expertise spans project and development management, fit-out and cost consultancy, architecture and design management, and construction delivery. I have delivered more than 350 projects for international occupiers and developers, with significant experience across hospitality, commercial and corporate real estate. I hold a degree in Architectural and Planning Engineering and I am a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). I have previously held senior positions with organizations including JLL, TMG, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), Kann Finch Group and Mazaraki FBK, delivering projects across Egypt, UAE, Qatar, Morocco, KSA, Iraq and the UK.
Architect with more than 25 years of experience, holding PME in sustainable building engineering and EDGE Expert and he is the founder of ICONIC Engineering Consultancy in 2014, blending design excellence with practical engineering and sustainable practice.
Ahmed built broad experience across leading firms and consultancies, developing a deep understanding of stakeholder needs and project delivery.
ICONIC was launched to express a distinctive consultancy vision characterized by strong, clean lines and comfortable modern aesthetics, with a focus on offices, retail, and public buildings. Ahmed leads multidisciplinary teams to produce innovative, technically robust solutions that shift client mindsets toward practical yet memorable design.
In 2021 his leadership was highlighted when the Schneider Electric Headquarters achieved ID+C LEED v4 Gold with 70 points — an unprecedented result for an Egyptian consultant and a market milestone for sustainable workplace design. Ahmed combines rigorous project management, contract and technical review expertise, and a collaborative approach to deliver buildings that are efficient, elegant, and future-ready across the Middle East
Shehab Eldin brings in 23 years of experience as a renowned international speaker, Executive leadership and Public Speaking Advisor, Conflict, and Mediation and Negotiation expert, Strategy, Decision Making and Dialogue Facilitator, Social Entrepreneur and Investor. He works across the corporate, public and development sectors, as well as the startup community and academia.
Shehab Eldin is the CEO and founder of RESOLVE Consulting, confounder and investor in companies in renewable energy, textile, and trade.He served as an adjunct faculty and lectured at various reputable international platforms and universities in the US, The Netherlands, Austria and Egypt. He is a former Board Member of Nahdet ElMahrousa and the Founding Curator of the Global Shapers Community- Cairo Hub.
Ahmed Nagy is a serial entrepreneur and technology founder based in Egypt, building at the intersection of AI, healthcare, and education. He is the founder of Anspire, a Cairo-based digital agency with over 13 years of experience and a team of 20+ engineers, and the founder of NixAI, a Wyoming-registered AI venture studio and MicroSaaS product studio backed by U.S. investors.
His latest venture, EfhamAI.com, is an Arabic-language AI education platform launched in 2026 with over 100 lessons in Egyptian colloquial Arabic, built to reach the 400+ million Arabic speakers worldwide who are underserved by existing AI education content.
Alongside his independent ventures, Ahmed serves as Chief of Innovation at his family's healthcare IT business, ESG Group, whose Hospital Information System powers over 100 hospitals across Egypt and Saudi Arabia — bringing his product and AI expertise to modernize a sector with deep, lasting impact.
A computer science graduate of the British University in Egypt, Ahmed has been a founder and freelance designer since high school. He describes himself as an "idea generator" — someone who learns by doing, moving fast from concept to working product using no-code and low-code tools to build and validate MVPs quickly.
Ali Nasser is the Co-Founder and CEO of ShipBlu, a technology-driven logistics company transforming last-mile delivery and fulfillment in Egypt. Before founding ShipBlu, Ali was a member of Citi's Investment Banking team in New York, advising clients on mergers, acquisitions, and capital raising. Combining a background in finance with hands-on experience building and scaling a technology company, he brings a unique perspective on entrepreneurship, operations, and growth in emerging markets. Ali is passionate about using technology to solve complex, real-world problems and building businesses that can scale sustainably.
Mohamed Negm is a cybersecurity executive with over 20 years of experience spanning the financial services, telecommunications, oil and gas, education and technology industries. He currently serves as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at valU, Egypt's leading non-banking financial institution, and previously held senior executive roles at Orange and MDP digital payments. Throughout his career, Mohamed has built deep expertise in cyber risk management, regulatory compliance, and enterprise security governance, working across environments regulated by international standards such as ISO 27001, ISO 27701, SOC 2 Type II, and PCI. He has a strong track record of building and maturing security capabilities that strengthen organizational security posture in the face of an increasingly complex and evolving threat landscape. He is recognized for his ability to translate complex security and regulatory requirements into practical, business-aligned strategies across diverse industry contexts.
Ahmed Raafat is Head of Data & AI Specialist Solutions Architects at AWS UK & Ireland, with over 20 years of experience in technology. He helps leading organisations harness AI, machine learning, cloud, and data to drive innovation and business transformation. A trusted advisor to C-suite leaders, Ahmed works with customers on AI strategy and adoption, helping them turn emerging technologies into practical outcomes at scale.
Sherry is an Egyptian-Canadian Interior Designer, Design Director at GG&Grace International, and Founder of Designability, a consultancy dedicated to accessible and inclusive design. With over 20 years of international experience, she leads hospitality and mixed-use projects that combine design excellence with innovative technologies to create memorable, future-ready guest experiences. A Certified Age-in-Place Specialist and accessibility expert, Sherry is passionate about designing human-centered environments that enhance wellbeing, inclusivity, and operational efficiency. She advocates for integrating innovation, AI-driven design processes, sustainability, and universal design principles to help shape the next generation of hospitality destinations, aligning with Egypt’s vision of becoming a leading global tourism destination.
Mohamed Ramadan is a Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft with over 16 years of experience in technology, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation. He helps organizations across the Middle East and Africa accelerate innovation through AI, Microsoft 365 Copilot, and intelligent agents. Passionate about making AI practical and accessible, Mohamed regularly leads workshops and advisory engagements focused on helping businesses and individuals harness AI securely and responsibly to drive productivity, creativity, and growth.
Youssef VP & Director of Strategic Growth, Meska AI | Founder & CEO, RAFI AI Labs Youssef is the VP and Director of Growth at Meska AI, a Cairo-based applied AI education and consulting company with a community of over 2,000 members. He owns the Growth Department, leading corporate B2B training sales, client relationships, and the company's overall growth strategy. Under his leadership, Meska AI has built a corporate training pipeline spanning real estate, FMCG, fintech, and energy sectors, working with some of Egypt's largest organizations. He is also the Founder and CEO of RAFI AI Labs (formerly Rafi Technology Solutions), where he builds AI-powered solutions and automations for businesses. With more than 8 years in the software and training industry, Youssef has been active in the field since 2016. Youssef combines commercial leadership with hands-on technical work designing Enterprise-Level AI Solutions.
Amir Sabry is a dynamic technology entrepreneur and CEO with a proven track record of scaling multiple companies. As the former Head of Technology and Franchise Sales at RE/MAX Egypt, he spearheaded the development of an innovative CRM and automated marketing system that transformed the company's operations. Combining deep expertise in digital marketing with a certified background in project management (PMP), Amir excels at turning complex technological visions into successful, market-ready solutions.
Mohamed Sadat is a Group Chief Information Security Officer at Paymob, one of MENA’s leading fintech platforms processing digital payments across Egypt, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Oman. With two decades of progressive cybersecurity leadership, he is one of the few CISOs in the region operating compliance and resilience programs simultaneously across five central bank jurisdictions — CBE, CBUAE, SAMA, SECP, and CBO — making him a uniquely positioned voice on cross-border regulatory risk in financial services.
Recognised as Arab CISO of the Year for five consecutive years (2019–2023) and an IDC CISO of the Year 2020 Finalist, Mohamed brings a rare combination of technical depth and executive impact. He oversees programs spanning PCI DSS v4.0, SOC 2, ISO 27001, and UAE IA compliance, and leads Paymob’s cyber resilience strategy across a multi-country regulated environment.
He holds an MBA from Liverpool John Moores University and an MSc in Cybersecurity, grounding his strategic vision in both business and technical mastery. His credentials include CCISO, CISM, CRISC, CDPSE, ISO 27001 LA, and ISO 22301 LA. He serves on the EC-Council CCISO Exam Committee, the CTIA Scheme Committee, and as Vice President of ISACA’s Cairo Chapter — reinforcing his commitment to raising professional standards across the region.
A sought-after keynote speaker and panel moderator, Mohamed has addressed premier regional forums including GITEX, AI Everything, Arab Security Conference, GRC Summit Egypt, CSCAMP, and EngineeRex. His thought leadership spans fintech security architecture, board-level risk communication, third-party and platform risk governance, and quantum-safe preparedness. He is a Packt Tech Advisory Board member and recognised as a Top Cybersecurity Voice on LinkedIn.
Mohamed champions cybersecurity not as a compliance obligation but as a strategic enabler of trust and growth in digital financial services. He is dedicated to building security culture, mentoring the next generation of Arab cybersecurity professionals, and demonstrating that resilience and innovation can — and must — coexist in a digital-first economy.
Rama El Safty is an Egyptian-French computer scientist and transformational leader with a 25-year track record of building organizations from scratch and accelerating growth across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. She specializes in disrupting traditional sectors, combining an entrepreneurial "can-do" mindset with the institutional weight required to navigate complex markets and regulatory landscapes.
As Country Director for Andela in Egypt, she built and led the country hub from its inception, scaling it into a regional powerhouse for global tech talent. As General Manager and Board Member at Atos Egypt, she spearheaded a strategic turnaround and regional expansion across cloud and AI. Her career also includes senior leadership roles at IBM, Lenovo, and Dell, driving multi-million dollar integrations and operational excellence.
Rama operates at the highest levels of private and public sector strategy — collaborating with the Central Bank of Egypt on national FinTech talent initiatives, and appointed in 2025 as Conseiller du Commerce Extérieur de la France for Égypte, fostering bilateral innovation between France and Egypt.
A recipient of the Global Women Power Leaders Award 2025, Rama holds an Executive MBA from HEC Paris, a BSc in Computer Science from the American University in Cairo, and a certification in FinTech & Regulatory Innovation from the University of Cambridge. Her mission is building sustainable, human-centered organizations that position the MEA region as a global innovation powerhouse.
Dalia Said is passionate about creating memorable learning experiences for diverse communities and exploring the potential of effective networking. She pursued this passion further by obtaining a Master's in Education from Harvard, focusing on group learning and adult development. Since 2005, Dalia has gained experience in curriculum development and event design through her work with organizations such as AIESEC, Namaa for Sustainable Development, ElMashrou3, and currently with JRNY (formerly ElRehla) (www.jrny.me), where she leading as CEO. JRNY works to build collaborative communities by hosting networking events and experiences outside of urban areas that bring together industry leaders, corporate teams, and founders for connective, reflective, and habit-changing experiences. JRNY is an impact-driven organization dedicated to accelerating community and network building across various industries & ecosystems. Since 2013, JRNY has delivered over 190 retreats to over 80 stakeholders.
An entrepreneur with 16 years of on ground experience across different sectors. Edged in commercial agreements, go to market strategies, and digitization. Built Suplyd from the ground to becoming one of the main components in the restaurants supply chain in Egypt.
3x CTO at Dutch tech startups and Antler Alumni, with experience across Egypt, India, KSA, the Netherlands, and the USA.**
Founder of Nancy AI, an AI hiring platform powering 10,000+ AI interviews and assessments every day.**
Father of five, entrepreneur in the heart, scientist in the lab & BBQ master in every out trip. Dr. Omar Sakr is the founder and CEO of Nawah-Scientific, Africa’s biggest online destination to outsource scientific experiments in the fields of natural and biomedical sciences. He is a pharmacist by education and holds a PhD in pharmaceutical technology from the University of Geneva, and an MBA from HULT business school in London. His career extends over 18 years of experience in the pharmaceutical field, both in academia and industry. His workplaces include Egypt, Switzerland and Germany. Omar’s research activities are focused on nanotech applications for controlled delivery of small molecules and biological drugs. He authored and co-authored several peer-reviewed articles and book chapters that are published in top journals in the field. Dr. Sakr is also an adjunct Lecturer of entrepreneurship at Zewail City of Science and Technology. To his name, Omar holds several scientific and business awards among which is the prestigious Jack Ma award, Africa Business Heroes (2019).
Yasmine has over 10 years of experience managing teams and programs. She is currently the Chief Operations Officer (COO) at ElGameya, where she oversees the collection, customer service, risk, back office, tech, and product departments, ensuring smooth operations and that customer needs are met.
Before joining ElGameya, Yasmine was the Acceleration Manager at AUC Venture Lab, Egypt's first university-based startup accelerator and a leading program in Africa and the MENA region. There, she worked with over 300 companies, helping them launch and grow their businesses.
Seasoned executive and venture capital leader with 30 years of cross-sector experience in entrepreneurship, startup ecosystem development, driving frontier markets, and strategy consulting. A driving force behind Egypt’s National Startup and Venture Capital Strategy. Managing Director at NI Capital, Founder of Cubit Ventures and SNF.vc
Architect | Founder of Coconut Premium Interiors | Ministry of Culture Ambassador
Coconut Premium Interiors
Egypt
Mostafa Salem is an award-winning architect, Ministry of Culture Ambassador, and founder of Coconut, a Dubai-based studio specializing in architecture and interior design. He has received 14 national and international awards across architecture, urban design, interiors, lighting, and storytelling - including a full MSc scholarship from the University of Greenwich. He curated Egypt’s National Pavilion at the 15th Venice Biennale of Architecture and secured 2nd place representing Egypt in the 2025 edition. He is the initiator of the Cairo Makeover Initiative, which led to government-backed restoration projects across Egypt’s historic districts. He was honored with the 2025 Egypt State Encouragement Award, the Al Rawi Storyteller Award, 1st place at the SYNC Awards, and most recently, the Creativity Award in Digital Media on Architecture from the Arab Council for the General Union of Arab Archaeologists. He regularly speaks on global and regional platforms, including three TEDx Talks, GITEX, RiseUp Summit, PropTech, and Cityscape. He also teaches creativity and design courses part-time at universities, inspiring the next generation to reimagine Egypt’s future through architecture and innovation.
Head of Product at Robusta Studio, where I lead product strategy and delivery across digital transformation projects and help build the capabilities of the product managers on my team. My work sits at the intersection of three things: shaping product direction that connects business goals to real user needs, running delivery in a way that actually ships, and growing people. I care as much about the systems and fundamentals behind a product — architecture, scalability, UX principles — as I do about the roadmap, because that's what separates a product that works from one that just launches.
Ehsan Sayed is an AI Sales Enablement Expert, Business Development Guru, and Founder of Sales Techies, an Arabic-first learning platform dedicated to helping revenue professionals and organizations leverage Artificial Intelligence to accelerate growth and improve sales performance. Through highly practical, hands-on empowerment programs, Ehsan enables sales teams, business developers, and commercial leaders to adopt AI-driven strategies, modern revenue systems, and automation workflows that deliver measurable business impact and sustainable revenue growth. With over 9 years of experience across Business Development, Sales Operations, Product Management, and Revenue Growth, Ehsan has worked with startups, scale-ups, and enterprise organizations across Egypt and the GCC. Throughout her career, she has led commercial growth initiatives, built sales systems, designed go-to-market strategies, and implemented technology-driven sales processes that improve efficiency and performance. As the founder of Sales Techies, Ehsan has trained and mentored hundreds of sales and business development professionals through corporate programs, bootcamps, workshops, and executive training sessions. Her expertise spans AI-powered lead generation, CRM transformation, sales automation, market intelligence, workflow design, and revenue operations. Ehsan is a frequent speaker, trainer, and workshop facilitator who has delivered AI, sales, and business development programs for leading organizations, universities, and innovation ecosystems, including Edventures, Techne Summit, Information Technology Institute (ITI), and Entreprenelle. She specializes in helping sales teams transition from traditional selling approaches to modern AI-powered revenue systems that enhance productivity, optimize pipeline performance, improve forecasting accuracy, and accelerate sustainable business growth. Through her training and consulting work, Ehsan enables organizations to transform technology into measurable revenue outcomes.
Gillan is the Chief Commercial Officer of Paymob, the leading payments infrastructure company powering digital transactions for merchants across the Middle East & North Africa. With deep experience in SME acquisition marketing and commercial strategy, Gillan has been shaping Paymob's commercial growth for over eight years. She leads strategic partnerships and commercial performance, building the structures that power merchant growth and scaling the company's network from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of merchants. Before Paymob, she held marketing and project management roles at Vodafone, TedxCairo, and more.
Hossam Shafick is a Partner at Silicon Badia, a global venture firm investing across the US and MENA with a mission to connect the East and the West.
Before VC, Hossam was an investment banker, executing over $1Bn in M&A.
Ranked the #1 LinkedIn Voice in Africa for Venture Capital, Hossam has an obsession for people and numbers. He believes the worst decisions in venture happen when one overpowers the other — and that the industry still suffers from a lack of strong, accessible VC analysis.
That’s why he launched #WTFtv (What They Failed to Teach in Venture), a weekly newsletter breaking down VC’s black boxes and making venture analysis sharper, clearer, and more actionable.
Mohamed Shaheen is a technology entrepreneur and AI transformation leader with more than 20 years of experience across artificial intelligence, SaaS, fintech, e-commerce, telecommunications, and customer engagement technologies. He is the Founder and CEO of Appgain.io, where he has led the development of marketing automation and customer engagement solutions serving more than 1,200 businesses across Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. He is also the creator of ConnectGain, an AI-powered platform that helps companies automate sales, marketing, customer service, and omnichannel communications using AI agents, conversational commerce, CRM automation, and voice intelligence. Previously, Mohamed worked with Gemalto, now part of Thales, and founded iKhair, a UAE fintech platform that facilitated more than AED 42 million in charitable donations. His work focuses on turning AI from isolated features into practical, AI-first business models that improve customer experience, operational efficiency, and revenue growth. Mohamed was selected for the Obama Foundation’s African Leaders program and regularly shares his experience in AI adoption, digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and building scalable technology businesses across the MENA region.
Nada Shaheen is the Managing Director of
GB Ventures, the corporate venture capital
arm of GB Corp, one of the leading industrial
groups in the Middle East and Africa. As the
first Egyptian woman to lead a corporate
venture capital fund in Africa, she plays a
pioneering role in bridging corporate
innovation with high-growth startup
ecosystems across emerging markets.
With over a decade of experience in
entrepreneurship, venture capital, and
innovation, Nada has worked with
institutions including the Central Bank of
Egypt and the European Union, and now
leads strategic investments across fintech,
mobility, logistics, and industrial
technologies. A serial entrepreneur, she
brings an operational lens to investing and
actively mentors early-stage founders across
Egypt and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Nada is a member of Global Women in VC
and a frequent speaker at leading
international technology and investment
forums across Africa and the Middle East.
As the Technical Program Manager at DMZ Cairo, a university-based incubator, I design and lead entrepreneurship and innovation programs that help startups transform ideas into viable ventures. My work combines design, education, coaching, and venture development to create impactful learning experiences and support entrepreneurial growth.
With over 12 years of experience in Product Design education, I have always been passionate about bridging the gap between academia and practice. This led me to pursue a Master's degree in Service Design in Berlin.
I subsequently worked in learning and development and entrepreneurship support, designing programs that help founders validate ideas and build sustainable businesses. I am also an ICF-certified coach and Design Thinking facilitator, having delivered more than 4,000 hours of workshops and training programs across Egypt and the Gulf region.
A serial entrepreneur, growth hacker, product manager, and software engineer, I am passionate about working with people from different backgrounds to build and scale products and solutions that can change people’s lives. At Signit, I am building and scaling a cutting-edge SaaS platform, infused with AI-powered capabilities to redefine how organizations manage agreements, compliance, and workflows. My role bridges strategic product vision with deep technical execution - leading cross-functional teams to deliver secure, scalable SaaS and AI solutions that compete at a global level. Over more than 15 years, I have built and grown pioneering products across the MENA region and beyond - from co-founding and scaling ExpandCart to over 25,000 merchants and $1 billion in GMV, to driving rapid feature development and market expansion as Chief Product Officer at MakanE. My track record blends entrepreneurship, product management, and software engineering, underpinned by expertise in SaaS, ecommerce, AI, and growth hacking. Known for turning complex ideas into transformative, user-centric solutions, I thrive on building teams and cultures that deliver innovation at scale - from bootstrapped startups to enterprise-grade platforms. Specialties & Skills: product management, UX/UI, market expansion, SaaS, growth hacking, eCommerce, eSignature, CLM, AI, marketing, software sales, machine learning, virtual reality, IoT, big data, software engineering, mobile development, web development, software project management, agile project management, cloud computing, entrepreneurship, technical consultancy, software redesign, software maintenance
With over 10 years of experience as a growth and digital marketing professional, I’ve been part of numerous growth models built in companies of different scales located in KSA, Bahrain, Egypt, and UAE. Inspired by a journey across a wide range of industries including e-commerce, real estate, telecommunication, and education, I’ve cofounded Taager to establish from scratch a growth machine for a whole new business model fueled by new initiatives, experimentations, and scaling decisions based on calculated risks, and data outcomes.
TikTok Speaker MEA , Favikon partner in KSA & Egypt, CEO Oligence AI, Founder IMFND academy, Instructor @Udemy, 18 years of Experience in Technical Marketing and Growth Hacking.
Founder Vita Venture Studio and chairperson Qetraa
Vita Venture Studio
Egypt
Hassan Elsokkary is a global executive, board advisor, and venture investor with over three decades of experience leading digital transformations at the intersection of technology, policy, and human impact. His career is marked by scaling national infrastructure and innovative platforms in cybersecurity, healthtech, and edtech across the MENA region.
Formerly a global leader at Vodafone and CEO of eHealth, Hassan has spearheaded multi-million dollar initiatives, including Egypt’s nationwide health insurance digitalization and large-scale educational ERP modernization. He currently serves on the boards of e-finance Investment Group, the Universal Health Insurance Authority, Elevate Capital, and Innovation University, while chairing Qualidev and QETRAA. As a co-founder of VITA Venture Studio and an active mentor at the AUC Venture Lab, Hassan is dedicated to cultivating deep-tech ecosystems and advancing ethical AI implementation.
Amira Swilam is an investor and ecosystem builder with a strong focus on supporting early-stage, impact-driven startups across the MENA region and Africa. As Back Office Partner at Den VC, a leading venture capital firm investing in tech-enabled ventures across Pan-Arab and African markets, she plays a key role in shaping investment decisions and supporting founders beyond capital through hands-on guidance and strategic direction. With experience spanning over hundreds of startups, Amira has worked extensively across acceleration and incubation programs funded by world-class international organizations such as the United Nations and Oxfam. She is deeply committed to empowering entrepreneurs tackling real-world challenges across social, economic, and environmental sectors, and brings a strong lens on defensibility, scalability, and impact. Prior to Den VC, Amira co-founded ventures in freelancing and career development, supporting over 50,000 freelancers and entrepreneurs through access to offshoring opportunities and capacity-building programs. She has also worked with leading ecosystem players across MENA, including Rally Accelerate, DMZ, Flat6Labs, TIEC, Reach MENA, etc. In parallel, Amira serves as a Teaching Assistant at the American University in Cairo, where she teaches entrepreneurship and innovation, supporting the development of the next generation of founders. Amira holds a bachelor’s degree in English Interpretation and Literature, an MBA in Marketing Management from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Venture Capital Diploma from the American University in Cairo. Her work is driven by a mission to enable high-potential startups to grow into impactful, scalable businesses through investment, mentorship, and ecosystem support.
mahmoud Taema is a senior retail and e-commerce executive with more than 25 years of experience leading digital transformation, omnichannel growth, and commercial strategy across the retail and consumer goods sectors in the Middle East. He currently serves as E-Commerce Director at Spinneys Egypt, where he leads the company's digital commerce strategy, online growth, customer experience, marketplace partnerships, and last-mile innovation initiatives. Under his leadership, Spinneys continues to accelerate its digital transformation journey, expanding online operations, enhancing customer engagement, and scaling new fulfillment and instant delivery models. Prior to joining Spinneys, Mahmoud held leadership positions across several leading regional and international organizations, including L’azurde Group, Electrolux, and Zanussi, where he successfully built and scaled e-commerce businesses across multiple markets including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Throughout his career, Mahmoud has been passionate about leveraging technology, data, and customer-centric innovation to drive sustainable growth and competitive advantage. His expertise spans e-commerce strategy, omnichannel retail, digital marketing, customer acquisition and retention, loyalty programs, operational excellence, last-mile delivery, and business transformation. Mahmoud is a frequent speaker on digital commerce, retail innovation, customer experience, and the future of e-commerce in the region. He is particularly interested in how AI, personalization, data-driven decision making, and evolving consumer behavior are reshaping the future of retail.
Ahmed Abaza is the Co-founder and CEO of Synapse Analytics, an AI company helping banks and financial institutions make faster, smarter, and more responsible Risk decisions. With a background spanning engineering, technology, consulting, and business transformation, Ahmed focuses on turning complex AI systems into practical products that create real-world impact. He is a frequent speaker on AI, innovation, and the challenge of moving artificial intelligence from impressive demos into production.
Emam Awad is the Head of the Career Centre at The British University in Egypt (BUE), leading the university's employability strategy, employer engagement, and career development initiatives. He has built strategic partnerships with leading employers and professional bodies, expanded opportunities for students and graduates, and driven significant growth in career services engagement through innovative, data-driven initiatives. Passionate about bridging the gap between academia and industry, Emam works with employers, university leaders, and HR executives to prepare graduates for the future of work through technology, strategic partnerships, and skills-first learning.
With over 16 years of industry experience, Raghda is a diligent and results-oriented marketing strategist and communication leader who is passionate about creating compelling content and innovative campaigns to reach brand’s target audiences. Usama possesses proven analytical, communication, and leadership skills that enable her to increase brand visibility and strengthen customer loyalty across various channels and platforms. Currently, at Deloitte Innovation Hub, her mission as Head of Brand Communications & Marketing is to elevate its corporate narrative and foster connections that resonate with our audience. Leveraging expertise in marketing communications and strategic campaign leadership, she focuses on crafting impactful content that strengthens brand affinity and drives engagement.
Karim Wally is an Egyptian interior designer started his career after graduation from 'faculty of fine arts class 2007' to gain different experiences in design and execution since that time until he started his own business "The Studio" in 2014 to put his own fingerprint and his own identity using his past experience. Karim was working in parallel in different channels of design beside the main stream of business, such as Fashion trials, jewelry trials and furniture trials. Moreover building his passion in giving design related lectures and sessions in different entities and channels such as ITI, Studio34, DeForum, Higher institute of applied arts , GUC and TechniSummit.
Medhat Yassin is a distinguished strategic business transformation consultant, serial entrepreneur, and business mentor with over 30 years of experience across diverse commercial domains, including marketing, brand development, business development, and sales. He has advised and collaborated with more than 450 local and international brands, delivering measurable growth, strategic expansion, and successful market positioning.
Ahmed is the Managing Director of iExperts, a leading cybersecurity consultancy and training firm operating across the UK, EU, and Middle East. With over 24 years of experience in the IT industry, he brings deep expertise in cybersecurity, risk management, incident response, PCI DSS implementation, SOC 2 audits, penetration testing, security assessments, policy development, auditing, secure code review, and digital transformation.
He holds a Master’s degree in Information Security, MBA, DBA and numerous globally recognized certifications, including CISSP, CISM, CISA, CCSP, ISO 27001, ISO 27701, ISO 22301, ISO 31000, ISO 20000, ISO 9001, PCI DSS, CEH, ECIH, ECSA, CHFI, and CCSK.
Widely recognized as one of the leading information security experts worldwide, Ahmed is dedicated to spreading knowledge, advancing cybersecurity practices, and supporting the global infosec community.
Radwa Younes is the Manager of Entrepreneurship Activities at the Universities of Canada in Egypt, where she leads programs that spark innovation, incubation, and acceleration for student and early-stage entrepreneurs. With 14+ years of experience in investment, project development, and business consulting, she has supported over 150 startups and launched multiple incubation and acceleration initiatives. A Chevening Scholar with a master’s in International Business and Development from the UK, Radwa is passionate about continuous learning, creative problem-solving, and building sustainable ecosystems that connect Egypt’s entrepreneurs to regional and global opportunities.
Mostafa Younis is a Shopify Business Manager at Robusta Studio, where he leads Shopify launches for fashion, lifestyle, and retail brands, including PUMA Group Egypt's Shopify launch. With 8+ years working on Shopify e-commerce projects, his account became the first Shopify Select Partner in Egypt, a tier reached by only a small number of Shopify Partners globally. His focus is helping brands find and fix the revenue leaks quietly capping their growth, from conversion optimization to AOV levers.
A CX-focused growth marketing strategist and fractional CMO with over 20 years of experience in building and scaling brands across the Middle East, Europe, and the United States. I specialize in helping startups and SMEs unlock sustainable growth through brand strategy, marketing frameworks, and customer experience alignment.Throughout my career, I held key leadership roles in both global corporations and boutique consultancies. I served as Marketing Director at Inchora UK, where I led brand and customer acquisition strategies for a leading insurance group. At Vodafone Egypt, she drove national marketing campaigns and digital transformation projects that significantly improved customer acquisition and retention. In the United States, I worked with Affinity Consultants, advising European SMEs on entering and growing in the US market through tailored marketing strategies and brand positioning.
As the founder of eBound Consultants, I also help mission-driven startups and SMEs create brand-led growth strategies that align their marketing, CX, and business models for long-term impact.
I am an active startup mentor and trainer, collaborating with accelerators and ecosystem enablers conducting workshops and one-on-one sessions cover go-to-market strategy, brand building, customer journey mapping, and investment readiness — all delivered in a hands-on, actionable format.
Certifications: Stanford University (Startup Launch & Innovation), Columbia Business School (Customer Experience Strategy), UCLA (Brand Management), and is a CIM Certified Marketing Professional. With a background in engineering and a passion for purpose-driven business, I blend strategic clarity with creative problem-solving and execution support.
Nemat is the AI&Data practice lead at Deloitte Innovation Hub in Cairo, with a focus on building scalable AI solutions.
With over 20 years of experience spanning Data, Cloud, Operations, Architecture, and Integration, she is passionate about leveraging data to drive sustainable organizational transformation.
Nemat has played a key role in building and scaling Deloitte Innovation Hub’s AI&Data practice, establishing capabilities and expanding service offerings to meet evolving client needs.
She combines strong leadership in managing diverse, multi-geography teams with a keen interest in AI governance and strategy to ensure ethical and effective AI adoption.
Industrial Engineer, turned founder, turned enabler, Ezzeddin remains a builder at heart. He’s driven by a passion for turning ideas into action, combining strategic thinking with executional and operational excellence. Efficiency matters to him, but effectiveness always comes first. With experience spanning management consulting, oilfield services, FMCGs, and construction, he’s developed a cross-industry perspective that fuels his entrepreneurial mindset. Today, Ezzeddin’s focus is on empowering founders and teams to move faster, think smarter, and build ventures that that solve real-world problems. He’s a loving husband and father of two teens who, as of late, have been challenging his stoic aspirations.
Dina Sallam is a seasoned technology leader with over 17 years of
experience in Data Management, Data Science, AI, and Customer
Experience Management. She currently serves as Head of Data, AI & CVM
Analytics at Orange Egypt, where she drives large-scale innovation
through advanced data platforms and AI-driven solutions.
With a foundation as a telecom engineer, Dina has built her career in
leading mobile operators, working across mission-critical domains such
as Quality of Service and Customer Experience Management. Today, she
focuses on building cutting-edge, scalable data platforms that enhance
organizational data literacy and unlock new revenue streams through
data monetization. She also develops robust AI solutions that increase
profit margins, optimize customer engagement, and streamline business
workflows.
Beyond her corporate leadership, Dina is the Ambassador of Women in AI
(WAI) in Egypt, where she plays a pivotal role in enriching Egypt’s AI
ecosystem and community. Through this role, she fosters collaboration,
empowers women in technology, and bridges the gap between global AI
advancements and local innovation.
Her academic achievements include a Professional Certificate in
Machine Learning and AI from MIT Professional Education and an MBA
from ESLSCA Business School, in addition to being Green Belt certified
by the American Society for Quality. As an instructor, mentor, and
thought leader, Dina blends deep technical expertise with practical
business insights, inspiring the next generation of professionals and
shaping the future of data and AI in Egypt and beyond.
With +15 years building e-commerce in Egypt and the MENA region, from the early days of Souq.com, through senior commercial roles at Amazon, to leading eCommerce strategy at B.TECH today.
Ahmed Badr is an Organization and Management Development Consultant working in the fields of Post-Merger Transformation, Organization re-structuring, Talent Management and Learning & Development Strategy formulation since 1997. Over the last 22 years, his Consulting & Mentoring career supported dozens of partner companies in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
He is an Executive Mentor, Trainer and Speaker since 2000 for Senior and Middle Management as well as a holder of multiple certifications from various entities as he is a Certified Management Consultant (CMC) from the Institute of Management Consultants in the UK with 2 Masters Degrees from Cranfield University - UK , Certified Trainer for the American Management Association as well as CELEMI International Business Simulations and a Certified Practitioner/Assessor from Thomas International – UK.
Kamal Reggad is the Co-founder and CEO of RemotePass, a global HR and fintech platform helping companies hire, manage and pay teams across 150+ countries. A serial tech entrepreneur, Kamal previously founded and scaled one of Morocco’s first e-commerce companies before its acquisition. He is an Endeavor Entrepreneur and holds a B.S. and M.S. in Computer Science from Northeastern University. Today, he is focused on building the infrastructure that makes global employment simpler and gives talent greater access to opportunities regardless of location.
NO. 1 Influencer all over LinkedIn Egypt, 700,000 Followers, I am an Egyptian LinkedIn influencer, with a passion in LinkedIn branding, LinkedIn algorithms optimization, and personal branding strategies for Experts to help individuals achieve the best possible results in securing meaningful job opportunities for growth.
Over the past two years, I’ve helped more than 15,000 clients, with 80% of them successfully landing better job opportunities after optimizing their LinkedIn profiles.
In addition to my consulting work, I deliver workshops and lectures in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, focusing on career development for fresh grads & student , personal branding for CEO's & Entrepreneurs, and building professional LinkedIn profiles that stand out in today’s competitive job market.
driving success in the pharmaceutical, consumer goods, and FMCG industries. With over 14 years of experience in multinational companies, I have gained expertise across various fields including finance, warehousing, logistics operations, supply chain, and costing.
As an influential LinkedIn presence, I strive to share my knowledge and insights with fellow professionals, fostering industry growth and development. With a proven track record of achieving results and driving operational excellence, I am dedicated to contributing to the success of organizations and professionals alike.
Let's connect and explore opportunities to collaborate and make a positive impact in the industry.
Prof. Aly Elsemary
- The vice dean for postgraduate research, Faculty of Engineering (girls side) at Al-Azhar University
- The Executive Director of Digilians
Nevien Magdy is a visionary technology entrepreneur, digital transformation leader, and the Founder and CEO of Qualiphi—an AI-powered career education platform transforming how students, educational institutions, and employers connect across Egypt and the Middle East.
With more than 15 years of experience in technology, business innovation, and digital transformation, Nevien has built her career around one powerful belief: talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not—and technology can help close that gap.
Under her leadership, Qualiphi has grown into a pioneering career-tech ecosystem, supporting hundreds of thousands of students and graduates, partnering with leading universities and national institutions, and helping young people discover their potential, develop future-ready skills, and navigate their journey into the workforce.
Nevien Magdy is a visionary technology entrepreneur, digital transformation leader, and the Founder and CEO of Qualiphi—an AI-powered career education platform transforming how students, educational institutions, and employers connect across Egypt and the Middle East.
With more than 15 years of experience in technology, business innovation, and digital transformation, Nevien has built her career around one powerful belief: talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not—and technology can help close that gap.
Under her leadership, Qualiphi has grown into a pioneering career-tech ecosystem, supporting hundreds of thousands of students and graduates, partnering with leading universities and national institutions, and helping young people discover their potential, develop future-ready skills, and navigate their journey into the workforce.
Nevien’s story is defined by purpose, resilience, and the courage to build solutions for challenges that others often overlook. She combines the strategic mindset of a technology leader with the empathy of a mentor, turning ambitious ideas into platforms that create measurable social and economic impact.
Beyond Qualiphi, Nevien is the Founder of Origin Technology Group and an active mentor to entrepreneurs and emerging leaders. Through every company she builds and every young person she inspires, she continues to prove that successful leadership is not only about building profitable businesses—it is about building possibilities for others.
Nevien Magdy represents a new generation of Egyptian women in technology: bold in her vision, relentless in her execution, and deeply committed to creating a future in which every young person has the tools, confidence, and opportunity to succeed.
Member of the E-Commerce Unit, Office of the Head of the Tax Authority
Egyptian Tax Authority
With over a decade of dedication to the Egyptian Tax Authority, my career has evolved to specialize in the application of digital marketing strategies within the realm of tax law. Currently, as a Digital Marketing Specialist, I'm at the forefront of integrating innovative digital solutions to enhance tax compliance and policy development for e-commerce sectors.
Serving dual roles, I also impart my knowledge as an Instructor In Digital Taxation , where my proficiency in tax regulations is shared with finance professionals. We've embraced a culture that values continuous learning and the adoption of digital tools to ensure the fiscal health and expansion of our economy. My mission is to foster an environment where growth and innovation in digital tax strategies are paramount.
Abdel-Azim Osman, an MIT graduate, started his career as a consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton, where he developed his strategic and analytical expertise. He then joined his family business, Osman Group, as a key member of the Board of Directors. Driven by a passion for growth and innovation, Abdel-Azim co-founded Nawy, the largest proptech in Africa, and Lynkrs, a leading digital media service provider.
As Nawy's CMO, his analytical insight and creative vision have been pivotal in defining the brand and accelerating its growth. In addition to his entrepreneurial pursuits, Abdel-Azim serves on Meta's EMEA and MENA Advisory Boards, influencing corporate strategies globally.
With a robust foundation in operations management and business development, my leadership focus at the Business Development Institute (BDI) and Paths4 AI centers on driving operational excellence and scalable growth. As a Chief Operating Officer, I specialize in bridging the gap between strategic planning and execution. Our collective efforts prioritize implementing strategic projects efficiently by leveraging systems thinking, process mapping frameworks, and advanced tools like Microsoft Project. Furthermore, I integrate cutting-edge AI technologies and custom automation workflows into corporate training and feasibility studies, empowering cross-functional teams to streamline bottlenecks, optimize value delivery, and build sustainable business models.
Pharmacist with 8+ years of experience in Health Tech
Proven track record of success in opening new business streams through partnerships and deals
Strong technical and business acumen as well as developing new digital product serving the market and filling the market gaps.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Passionate about improving the healthcare system
Specific accomplishments:
Built a Minimal Viable Product (MVP) as a Product Owner
Opened a new business stream for my company through Pharmaceutical company partnerships and deals selling the MVP product
Promoted to Regional Product Manager to build a new app to fit the GCC market needs
Menna El Husseiny is the Marketing Communication & PR Manager at Vezeeta and an advocate for women empowerment and social development, and mental wellness! With over 9 years of experience in the Marketing and Communications field, Menna has collaborated with various impact-driven startups, companies and projects.
Fueled by a passion to drive positive change in vital social issues, including mental health, women empowerment, social development and the entrepreneurship ecosystem, Menna is adamant to utilize her passion as a compass, not only in her leadership style but also in her strategic input on the campaigns and projects she leads.
Menna believes that the holistic well-being of individuals is essential for fostering thriving businesses and communities. Her vision extends beyond professional success; she dreams of leveraging her expertise to create a sustainable impact that resonates within our community and uplifts those around her.