Jacob Alahan
CEO, Corporate Event Solutions

Omar Hayat
Director, CLD MENA

Iván López
VP Corporate Global Sales, ODILO

Harish Vanguri
Head of Corporate Sales at UAE & ME, ODILO

“No More Courses, More Knowledge” – How to Turn Training into a Talent Ecosystem

Abstract:

“Did you know 70% of employees leave because they feel they’re no longer learning and are not evolving?”
Traditional training is broken.
Boring courses. Outdated content. Talent fading away…
It’s time to evolve.
Building a Learning Talent Ecosystem: A place where learning is natural, inspiring, and part of the culture.
Where knowledge flows and talent thrives
Personalized trajectories according to role and objectives, not “cheap coffee for all”.
Data-Driven, People-Led – To drive business growth

Ivan Lopez

Bio: With over 30 years dedicated to technological innovation, Iván Lopez has helped organizations across industries achieve their goals through disruptive, people-centered solutions.

Currently at Odilo, he is focused on building organizational cultures where continuous learning drives long-term success. His mission is to transform traditional training into dynamic, inspiring learning ecosystems that unlock the full potential of talent.

Harish Vanguri

Bio: Heads Corporate Sales for ODILO in the UAE & Middle East. With a decade – long experience in SaaS, EdTech and HRTech, he is a strategic Growth Catalyst driving workplace digital learning transformations. A Stanford executive education alumnus, Harish spearheads enterprises build future-ready learning ecosystems at ODILO

“Unified Payroll, Local Compliance & Global Talent – Simplified”

• The rise of global workforces and ME’s evolving labor landscape
• Leveraging AI for accurate, localized, and scalable payroll
• Enhancing expat experience through intelligent HR systems
• Navigating regulatory shifts: Emiratisation, Saudization, and GCC-wide reforms
• Real-life case studies and success stories from regional leaders

Eleni Anastasova
ICS Learn Associate

Leading in times of change – from intent to impact

Abstract: Change is inevitable—it has shaped civilizations and industries for centuries. In this interactive workshop, we will explore the strategic aspects of navigating change. Through real-life insights, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how to manage change effectively and assess the impact, whether as leaders or team members. By the end of the session, you will walk away with a personalized playbook to turn uncertainty into opportunity—ensuring that no one is left behind in the journey of transformation

Bio: With over nine years of experience across the Middle East, Eleni has developed deep understanding in regional business landscapes, regulatory frameworks, and cultural dynamics. She has played a pivotal role in shaping leadership development, cultural inclusion, and large-scale change initiatives. Eleni has successfully guided both public and private organisation in optimizing performance management, embedding culture transformation, and navigating complex change. She is renowned for building high-impact, knowledge-sharing communities that empower leaders, foster collaboration, and accelerate business growth.

Nikitas Marinos
Regional Sales Director, EMEA & APAC Workable

The Future-Ready HR Playbook

Abstract: In a time of rapid digital transformation, HR leaders are rethinking how they build resilient, agile, and high-performing teams. This roundtable dives into the core strategies behind future-ready HR—leveraging AI to streamline talent sourcing, adopting smart systems to enhance workflows, and using data to drive decisions. Join your peers for an open conversation on what it takes to stay ahead: from attracting next-gen talent to embedding technology across the HR lifecycle. Walk away with actionable insights and fresh ideas to future-proof your people strategy.

Bio: Nikitas Marinos is a Gen Z sales leader and currently a Regional Sales Director at Workable, where he focuses on helping organizations improve their HR operations through practical, user-friendly technology. With a background in computer science and marketing, he brings a cross-disciplinary perspective to the world of SaaS and HR innovation.

Since joining Workable, Nikitas has played a key role in strategic initiatives such as launching Branded Job Boards and driving the company’s expansion in the Greek market. Today, he continues to advocate for solutions that make hiring and HR processes more inclusive, efficient, and experience-driven for both employers and talent.

Nikitas is passionate about sharing his experience with peers and emerging professionals, especially around topics like sales leadership, HR technology, and the changing nature of work. He enjoys creating space for open conversations, mentoring, and exploring how the next generation can shape the future of people and performance.

Bharat Subramanian,
Associate Director-Commercial, Mercer

Ayman Yacoub
Senior Director, Mercer

Future-Ready Leadership: Rethinking High Potential and Succession for a Dynamic World

Abstract: In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, the ability to identify, develop, and retain high-potential (HIPO) talent is more vital than ever. Join the Mercer Assessment team for an interactive roundtable designed for HR leaders who are ready to challenge legacy approaches and embrace the future of leadership.

This session will introduce our latest, evidence-based framework for high potential identification, succession planning, and leadership development. Discover how agile, inclusive, and data-driven strategies can help you align your top talent with shifting business priorities—ensuring your organization is not only prepared for what’s next, but positioned to lead the way.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn how to leverage contemporary, science-backed frameworks to recognize high-potential talent that aligns with your organization’s future leadership needs and values
• Explore agile succession models that move beyond traditional, linear pathways—building a more diverse, sustainable, and resilient leadership pipeline
• Engage in an interactive and open, peer-to-peer discussion to share challenges, successes, and best practices with fellow HR leaders navigating similar talent priorities

Join us for a forward-thinking conversation that will equip you with the talent foresight and actionable strategies needed to future-proof your leadership pipeline.

Danilo Simoni

Evolutionary Leadership

Abstract: In today’s rapidly changing business environment, leadership must evolve beyond traditional, hierarchical models. Evolutionary Leadership offers a transformative approach, empowering leaders to thrive through self-awareness, holistic development, and purpose-driven leadership. This keynote explores the journey from behavior-based leadership to a more integrated framework, emphasizing the development of Mindset (cognitive abilities), Heartset (emotional intelligence), Bodyset (physical well-being), and Soulset (purpose and values). Leaders are encouraged to align personal growth with organizational goals, creating a balanced, innovative, and purpose-driven leadership approach. The program also envisions the Future Organization, where value generation, ecosystem contribution, and gender energy balance are prioritized. Leaders are equipped with the skills to navigate complexity, build trust, and inspire transformation through cognitive, emotional, and spiritual intelligence. This keynote offers a new lens for leadership development, designed to drive innovation, integrity, and sustainable growth.

Sana Khammash,
Leadership Consultant – Equamind

Make It Personal: The Secret to Sustainable Leadership

Impact In today’s fast-paced, performance-driven world, leadership can often become transactional—focused on results over relationships. But the most impactful and sustainable leaders understand one truth: business is personal.

In this keynote, Sana Khammash explores how personal connection, emotional intelligence, and purpose-driven leadership fuel engagement, ownership, and long-term performance. Backed by data and real-world experience, she shares how organizations that align personal purpose with business goals see measurable gains—in engagement, productivity, and ROI.

Through stories, insights, and actionable strategies, this session challenges leaders to shift from managing tasks to inspiring people. Attendees will walk away with a renewed understanding of what it means to lead with intention—and why making it personal is the key to making it last.

Dr. Ebrahim Hasan AlKhajeh
Director of Human Capital Abu Dhabi Customs 

From Traditional Training to the Future of Learning: Empowering Minds for the 5^th Industrial Revolution

 Key Highlights:

·         Engage Deeply with Advanced Visualization & Gamification: Harness immersive tech to boost retention and shift learning from passive to active.

·         Make Smarter Decisions with a Data-Driven Approach: Leverage analytics to personalize pathways, optimize outcomes, and scale impact.

·         Transform Learning through a Person-Centric Mindset: Move beyond generic content to tailored experiences that resonate with individual purpose and potential.

Kunal Wadhwani
CHRO Choithram

HR’s Role in Restructuring ESG

Bio: Kunal identifies himself as a commercially driven HR professional who closely partners with business segments to create a boundaryless structure within the organization. With over 24 + years’ experience in linking human capital to business results, Kunal is highly adept at planning & directing Budgeting, Business Partner Initiatives, Reward & Talent Management Strategies. Beyond building a corporate structure, he also identifies business opportunities and participates in evaluations for M&As.

Larissa Dorothea Murmann
Digital CHRO, Unilever International

Rapid Culture and Leadership Transformation in a Digital World: Installing an AI first mindset with your leadership

Bio:Larissa Murmann is the Digital Chief HR Officer for Unilever International, Unilever’s fastest growing, global business unit, with a Turn Over of 1.3bn and over 500 employees globally.

With a solid foundation of over 15 years in the Human Resources field, she is a disruptive HR professional with a focus on rapid culture & leadership transformation. She brings a wealth of experience in Business Partnering, Organization Design & Development, Change & Talent Management and Digital Transformation, to drive business growth! Her career has taken her across the globe from Switzerland to the US, Argentina, Spain and Mexico to Singapore, enriching her approach with a diverse cultural perspective and a global insight into human resources management.

Prize Draw:
1. Apple Ipad
2. Apple Watch
3. Apple Airpod