Yazeed Alotaibi serves as assistant deputy minister for planning & 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.

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.

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.

Dr. Eyad Buhulaiga is a pioneering leader in data, digital, and industrial transformation, currently serving as Chief Data Management & Digital Strategy Officer at Saudi Electricity Company. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).”

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.

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.

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.