Yazeed Alotaibi serves as Deputy Minister for E-Health and Digital Transformation within Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health (MOH). He possesses vast experience in the areas of business and digital healthcare transformation, having delivered a number of key strategic transformational programs for the Ministry. For example, he led and directed the delivery and execution of the MOH Digital Strategies, the National Digital Health Blueprint, and the Digital Health Governance Frameworks. Over the course of his career, he has led multiple functions within the ehealth and digital transformation deputyship, such as the Office of Strategy Management, the Enterprise Architect Function, and the Digital Program Management Office.

Majed Mohammad Alshodari is a well-known business leader and an executive player with an intelligible passion for technology, cybersecurity, shared services, digitization, corporate strategy, P&L, and organizational change management. He has received numerous technology and innovation awards for his experience which have been based on his credibility and experience in delivering complex business development initiatives.

In his professional career of 25 years, Majed has held positions in both senior management and technical hands-on in a variety of industries. His successful project management record combines a strong teamwork and people skills with an extensive range of expertise and an extensive knowledge base. In the ensuing decade, his career moved one step up and he was able to join the management team and C-Suite. He led and managed critical transformational functions for businesses in information technology and cyber security. In addition to Customer Care, Premises Management, Human Resources, Public Relations, Internal Communications, Facility Management, Administration, Accounting, Business Continuity Management, Supply Chain, Quality Assurance, Procurement, and Digital Shared Services which provides backend support for business operations.

In addition to serving the Saudi Association for Shared Services as Co-Founder, he is also a member of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce’s Communications and IT Committee. As well as a member of the International Council of E-Commerce Consultants, which is based in New Mexico. Additionally, he is a Certified Digital Business Transformation Officer and a Certified Chief Information Security Officer. Moreover, he is a licensed Information Technology Consultant by Saudi MCI. This has been built on a solid foundation of university degrees, professional training and executive education that spans 27 courses from around the world, including MIT and Harvard.

In recognition of his excellent stakeholder management skills and exemplary contributions to the C-Suite, he was nominated and appointed to many boards and executive committees. Apart from being a CEO advisor to other companies, he also served on the Cyber Security Team of the Communication and IT Committee in the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce. As a result of his leadership, the company has entered an era of secure digital business transformation. His responsibilities also include helping the organization establish its future strategy, improve corporate governance, oversee operational plans, and analyze financial reports, revenue, and other expenses.

Dynamic and results-driven General Director of Information Technology with a stellar track record of over 19 years in spearheading digital transformation and leading multifaceted IT operations. Recognized for a commitment to IT excellence, I specialize in driving strategic initiatives that optimize processes, enhance operational efficiency, and propel business growth.

With a comprehensive skill set encompassing IT operations management, infrastructure deployment/support, IT security, software development/support, and project delivery management, I bring a wealth of experience to every endeavor. My approach emphasizes innovation and forward-thinking strategies to align technology initiatives with organizational objectives, delivering tangible value to ECZA and beyond.

As a General Director of Information Technology, I am dedicated to fostering a culture of IT excellence. By staying at the forefront of emerging technologies and trends, I ensure that our IT landscape remains agile and adaptive to evolving business needs, consistently exceeding industry standards.

My leadership extends beyond technical expertise to encompass team development and resource management. I empower teams to excel in delivering cutting-edge solutions and driving impactful change, reinforcing our commitment to IT excellence and driving sustainable business success.

I review and implement robust technical solutions, refining existing infrastructures and architectures to enhance data reliability, availability, and stability for both users and customers in a cost-efficient and effective manner.

Eng. Nayef Bardeesi serves as the Deputy Mayor for Digital Transformation at the Holy Makkah Municipality, where he leads strategic initiatives to accelerate digital transformation, modernize public services, and advance digital excellence in alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. With more than 17 years of leadership experience spanning Strategy, Digital Transformation, Technology, and Operations, he has held senior roles across the Oil & Gas, Banking, Tourism, and Government sectors.

In his current role, Eng. Nayef is focused on leveraging emerging technologies, driving innovation, enhancing operational efficiency, and delivering world-class digital solutions that improve municipal services and citizen experiences. His leadership portfolio and experience also encompass Cybersecurity, Technology Operations, Procurement, and Facility Management, giving him a broad perspective on enterprise transformation and organizational performance.

He is recognized for his strategic vision, leadership versatility, and ability to lead complex, cross-functional transformation programs. His areas of passion and expertise include Digital Government, Artificial Intelligence, Smart Cities, Enterprise Transformation, Corporate Strategy, and Organizational Agility. He is particularly committed to leveraging technology and innovation to build more connected, intelligent, and sustainable cities and to advancing Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation agenda.

Dr. Akram Nour, PhD, is recognized as one of Saudi Arabia’s most influential digital leaders, spearheading transformative initiatives across both public and private sectors. As chief digital officer at the Misk Foundation, he is responsible for leading the digital transformation across the Misk ecosystem, which includes key projects such as iLmi, Misk Art, and the Smart City project in Misk City. His efforts focus on integrating cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and data intelligence into the kingdom’s digital strategy, empowering youth and fostering innovation in line with Saudi Vision 2030. Dr. Nour’s professional journey spans academia, entrepreneurship, and executive leadership. His diverse experiences include co-founding start-ups and leading national digital programs, showcasing his ability to turn visionary ideas into impactful and sustainable transformations. He continues to inspire a new generation of leaders, demonstrating his commitment to cultivating a digital-first culture that enhances innovation and societal advancement within the kingdom.

Paul Potgieter is a technology leader at the forefront of AI and industrial innovation in the Middle East. As part of the senior leadership team at NEOM’s advanced and cognitive industrial city, Paul is driving the integration of artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and sustainable industry to help shape the world’s most advanced manufacturing ecosystem as Chief Information Officer.

He also serves as board director of the South African Business Council, strengthening economic and technology collaboration between Africa and the Gulf region.

Recently recognized by MIT Sloan Management as one of the Top 50 AI Leaders in the Middle East, Paul is known for bridging the gap between boardrooms and borders, transforming ambitious ideas into scalable, real-world impact.

Ibraheem Sheerah lives by the principles: “Family is the foundation of purpose,” “Transformation begins when we choose courage over comfort,” and “Every system thrives when leadership and collaboration align.” He is an accomplished board member and transformational leader with over 25 years of diversified experience across aviation, logistics, defense, infrastructure, and public-sector reform. He currently serves as Chief Transformation Officer of Saudi Arabian Airlines Group, leading enterprise-wide transformation across its portfolio.

Ibraheem began his career as an engineer in 1999, progressing to senior leadership roles in project management, strategy, and business development with national champions such as Advanced Electronics Company (AEC, a SAMI subsidiary) and Saudi Railways Company (SAR, a PIF company). From 2016 to 2021, he played a pivotal role in advancing the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 programs, including the Privatization Program and the Quality of Life Program. Since 2021, he has been at the helm of the Saudia Airline Group’s transformation, leading enterprise-wide strategic change, driving performance improvement, fostering a culture of innovation, and ensuring sustainable growth across the airline, cargo, maintenance, logistics, and training divisions. Central to this work has been his focus on engaging people, building trust, and effectively managing resistance, recognizing that lasting transformation succeeds only when teams are inspired, aligned, and empowered to embrace change.

As a board member across multiple organizations, Ibraheem brings governance discipline, strategic foresight, and transformation expertise to the boardroom, guided by the principle: “Strong governance empowers sustainable growth.” A champion of innovation and entrepreneurship, he has helped build new businesses and support founders in scaling their ventures, believing that “Entrepreneurship succeeds when curiosity meets execution.”

He holds multiple academic degrees and has completed more than 46 executive programs from leading institutions including Harvard, MIT, and INSEAD. Recognized among the MiSK 2030 Leaders, he is a sought-after international speaker, sharing insights on leadership, strategy execution, and industry transformation.

Dr. Eyad Buhulaiga is a pioneering leader in data, digital, and industrial transformation, currently serving as Chief Data Management & Digital Strategy Officer at Saudi Energy. Drawing on his IT management background and deep expertise in cyber-physical systems and Manufacturing Operation Management, he spearheads the Data Management Office, Enterprise Architecture Office, and digital venture initiatives. Guided by a passion for smart plants and cities, Eyad’s mission is to harness advanced technologies to create sustainable, future-ready ecosystems that benefit generations to come.

Jayesh Maganlal currently serves as group chief information and digital officer (GCIDO) at ROSHN Real Estate, where he drives the company’s digital transformation and innovation agenda. With more than 22 years of experience leading technology and business transformations across various industries in global multinationals, as well as regional industries in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Oceania, Jayesh is a highly accomplished executive. Before joining ROSHN Real Estate, he held several leadership positions in the region, including CIO at Damac, Majid Al Futtaim Properties, and a government-owned budget airline in Dubai. He has a proven track record of delivering successful technology and business initiatives that result in significant cost savings, revenue growth, and improved customer experiences. With extensive experience in solving various business challenges across all technology areas in diversified industries, Jayesh is highly adept at grasping complexity and driving simplicity. He has a win-win mindset and excels at building profitable long-term relationships while helping companies grow. As a digital evangelist, Jayesh champions the use of data and technology practices to instil a digital mindset from the top down.

Eng. Sultanah Aljaser has more than 18 years of expertise in both public and private sector. She is the CIO of Princess Norah University and a chairwoman of various committees such as the Qiyas committee, where in 2022 PNU Surpassing expectations by increasing the university’s DGA Qiyas score from 69% to 89.5%, propelling PNU to second in its group and 11th nationally. She works as an IT advisor in a variety of fields.

Recently, Sultanah managed to win multiple awards, moreover she recognized the First Saudi’s Woman to receive CIO50 Awards at the IDC Saudi Arabia CIO summit 2024.

Recognized internationally for excellence in technology leadership as the recipient of the Harvard Business Council 2025 Women Leader Gold Award and the Harvard Business Council 2025 Information Technology Gold Award presented by the Harvard Business Council.

Ramez AlFayez is an award-winning C-Suite, board-certified executive, and technology-driven transformation leader with more than 23 years of experience across government, semi-government, the PIF ecosystem, and the private sector. He brings a strong combination of strategic leadership, commercial acumen, governance discipline, and digital innovation, with a proven ability to develop business and operating models that enable organizations to transform, scale, and improve performance.

As Chief Information and Technology Officer at King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), Ramez has led large-scale transformation and digital initiatives while working closely with leading global consulting and technology firms, including Google, Microsoft, Huawei, Orange, BCG, Deloitte, EY, and others. His ability to align internal teams, executive stakeholders, and external advisors has enabled organizations to move from strategy formulation to practical execution, delivering new digital products, cost efficiencies, revenue opportunities, and stronger governance.

Throughout his career, Ramez has transformed technology functions from operational support units into value-creating business platforms. He has helped organizations reduce operating costs through process automation, service digitization, operating model redesign, and digital channel adoption, while creating new revenue streams from digital infrastructure, data platforms, smart city capabilities, and innovative digital services. His work has positioned technology as a strategic enabler of service excellence, operational efficiency, and business growth.

Ramez has developed and supported commercial models that generated significant value, including digital and technology service revenues exceeding SAR 200M annually at Riyadh Airports, and real estate smart infrastructure opportunities with an IRR above 24% and NPV of SAR 315M. He has also overseen budgets exceeding SAR 1B and contributed to the digital transformation of multi-billion holding company environments with more than 20 subsidiaries.

Beyond executive management, Ramez serves as a board member at SURE Global Tech, a listed company, and as Chairman of its Nomination and Remuneration Committee. He also contributes to high-level digital transformation, smart city, risk, strategy, and innovation committees, including PIF and KAFD initiatives, placing him at the intersection of corporate governance, public-private partnerships, smart urban development, and national digital transformation aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.

A speaker, panelist, writer, investor, and mentor, Ramez shares insights on leadership, governance, digital transformation, and innovation. With executive education from Harvard Business School and IMD, DBA studies at Hult, and board readiness credentials from the Institute of Directors, he brings boardroom maturity, commercial discipline, and transformation leadership to executive and board-level roles.

Bandar Alshahrani serves as executive director of the digital and technology division at Rua Al Madinah Holding Company, a PIF company. In this role, he is leading the development and execution of Rua’s digital transformation strategy. With over 20 years of experience in the digital and technology domains, Bandar is passionate about leveraging technologies, innovations, and digital transformation to enable business excellence and sustainability. Previously, he served as head of digital and innovation at ARDARA Development Company, also a PIF company, where he established the organization’s digital and innovation function and developed the ARDARA Digital Strategy aimed at diversifying the Kingdom’s economy and creating a positive social impact. He has also served as CIO at Ma’aden and was an integral developer of the Maaden Digitalization Strategy 2025 and a member of the Board of Managers of Ma’aden Fertilizer Company.

Saudi-based C-suite technology and transformation executive with more than two decades of experience shaping enterprise strategy, modernizing operating models and delivering complex, multi-entity programs across real estate, aviation MRO, offshore oil and gas, FMCG, retail, distribution, banking, healthcare, government, and public-sector environments. Trusted adviser to CEOs, CSSOs and executive leadership teams, with accountability for annual technology budgets of up to SAR 150M and organizations of up to 65 employees. Combines board-level strategic judgement with hands-on delivery across digital transformation, shared services, ERP, cloud, data and AI, cybersecurity, enterprise architecture, infrastructure and change leadership. Delivered eight full Oracle ERP implementations and major SAP S/4HANA, IFS, SAP SuccessFactors, and Oracle Fusion systems; generated multi-million-riyal and multi-million-dollar savings; and led transformation across seven-company groups and more than 200 locations. Brings additional experience from three start-up companies and is an established public speaker at technology events across Saudi Arabia.

Mohammed Alshobani is Chief Information Officer at AviLease, the PIF-owned aircraft lessor headquartered in Riyadh, where he leads technology strategy across enterprise systems, AI adoption, cybersecurity governance, digital platforms, and vendor management.

Prior to AviLease, Mohammed held technology leadership roles across Saudi Arabia’s insurance sector at Bupa Arabia, Tawuniya, Al Rajhi Takaful, and SAICO, following an earlier career at Microsoft Arabia.

A KFUPM graduate with executive education from Harvard and Cranfield, he has been recognised in the IDC Top 50 CIOs, DT100 KSA, and World CIO 200 programmes.

Engineer Mohannad AlSalmi is the Chief Information Officer with 30 years of experience in Information Technology and Digital Transformation. Throughout his career, he has held key roles in various organizations, where he has been instrumental in developing and leading digital strategies, roadmaps, and projects.

In 2022, Mohannad was recognized as one of the top 10 CIOs in the Middle East by IDC MEA.

He is also a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach and has earned a Certified Diploma in Leadership and Management from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).”

Dr. Abdulrhman Alkhanifer is a digital transformation consultant specialized in building the digital journeys CX/UX. Currently, he is the CIO at King Saud University. Also, he serves as the CEO of K-Devs company. Dr. Alkhanifer received his PhD from Rochester Institute of Technology in NY,USA.

Manal Albawardi is the Chief Information Officer of King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM), where she leads the university’s digital strategy, enterprise technology, and innovation agenda in support of education, research excellence, and national priorities.

She holds a Master of Science in software engineering from DePaul university in Chicago and an MBA from ie business school and has completed advanced executive education programs at Harvard University, London Business School, and the Wharton School, with a focus on leadership, strategy, innovation, and digital transformation. Manal is also a first-cohort graduate of the Misk 2030 Leaders Program, a flagship initiative designed to prepare national leaders to advance Saudi Vision 2030.

With deep expertise at the intersection of technology, governance, and artificial intelligence, Manal brings a pragmatic, strategic perspective on AI adoption, data-driven decision-making, and digital resilience in complex organizations. Her work emphasizes aligning emerging technologies with institutional strategy, ethical governance, and long-term sustainability.

As a CIO, she is an active voice in shaping conversations on the evolving role of CIOs in the age of AI, particularly within higher education and research-driven environments.

Filip Nekvinda is Chief AI & Digitalization Visionary at Petro Rabigh, leading the enterprise AI and Digitalization strategy to drive operational excellence, innovation, and business transformation within one of the world’s largest integrated refining and petrochemical complexes.

With more than 20 years of international experience across multiple industries, including oil & gas, automotive, retail, FMCG, aviation, logistics, and real estate, Filip has led large-scale transformation programs, cross-functional teams, and strategic technology partnerships across global markets.

He has been recognized among the leading CIOs in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East and is a regular speaker and panelist on AI, digital transformation, innovation, and enterprise technology.

Dr. Faisal AlNasser is a distinguished and visionary technology leader with over 23 years of experience across the GCC in FMCG, Manufacturing, Metals & Mining, IT services, and Digital Media. As Head of Enterprise IT, he leads digital transformation, AI strategy, and enterprise solutions to drive efficiency, scalability, and innovation.

𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐏𝐡𝐃 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐒𝐜 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚 𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 & 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, he blends deep technical expertise with strategic business insight. His career includes senior roles such as Executive VP for Technology Affairs and Group IT Manager, delivering hundreds of projects in ERP, automation, cloud, MES, and cybersecurity—𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐀𝐑 95 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫.

𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐊𝐒𝐀 𝐢𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 CIO 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬, Dr. Faisal’s leadership philosophy centers on Team Empowerment, 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐀𝐈 & 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧—ensuring technology aligns with business objectives. His guiding principle is clear: **𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐈𝐓 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 “𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠” 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫**. He is passionate about continuous learning, collaboration, and industry engagement.

Dr. Tamara Sunbul is a global leader in digital health transformation, AI governance, data science, and healthcare innovation. With over 31 years of expertise spanning healthcare, information management, performance analytics, and strategic planning, she is currently serving as Group Chief Information Officer at Fakeeh Care Group, where she leads enterprise-wide digital transformation efforts to accelerate smart hospital innovation, AI adoption, and data-driven care across the organization.

Her distinguished career began in 1994 at the Saudi Aramco Medical Organization, where she led early efforts in continuity of care and healthcare IT. Over the years, she has built a legacy of impact through advanced certifications (CPHIMS, PMP), leadership training (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health), and an MBA from the University of Massachusetts, earned in collaboration with the American Association for Physician Leadership.

Globally, Dr. Sunbul serves as Chair of the Evidence & Evaluation Workstream at the Global Digital Health Partnership, where she leads the development of scalable, ethical frameworks for assessing digital health innovation. She is also a HIMSS EMRAM/AMAM assessor and active contributor to global digital maturity benchmarking. She also plays a key role in CIO/CMIO leadership training programs, equipping executives with strategic digital health leadership skills.

Her thought leadership has informed global policy, including contributions to UNECE’s public-private partnership frameworks and gender equality initiatives. A frequent keynote speaker at HIMSS, LEAP, Arab Health, and KLAS summits, she is widely recognized for her strategic insights on AI, governance, digital maturity, and innovation ecosystems.

Ahmed AlRifai is the Group IT Director at Al-Muhaidib Group, a leading Saudi diversified conglomerate operating across retail, FMCG, manufacturing, distribution, and investments. With over 25 years of experience, he leads enterprise-wide digital transformation across multiple subsidiaries, driving initiatives spanning ERP modernization, cloud platforms, data architecture, and cybersecurity.

Ahmed is known for his pragmatic approach to AI adoption—focusing not on hype, but on building the right foundations. He emphasizes modern core systems, trusted data platforms, and the integration of analytics and machine learning into business processes. His leadership prioritizes user adoption, organizational readiness, and tangible business value, ensuring AI is embedded into everyday operations in a responsible and scalable way.

He regularly shares practical insights on advancing AI initiatives incrementally and sustainably, aligned with broader transformation strategies and Saudi Vision 2030.

Hani is the Chief Information Officer at Extra. Levering 25 years of experience in technology and Retail business with a successful track record in Digital Transformation, e-commerce, and building capabilities to enhance the customer experience to cope with the new digital era that we live in today.