Dr. Musa Shaikh
Berkeley Middle East Holding
Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

• Royal Family Investment Advisor
• Berkeleyme & MS Voice of Global Women – Founding Director

Shaikh is a Certified Public Accountant, a Fellow member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, UK, and a CGMA from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, an Associate member of the Institute of Financial Accountants, a fellow member of International Accountants. He is a Certified Internal Auditor from the Institue of Internal Audit, Florida, USA, a Certified Information System Auditor, and a Fellow Member of Securities and Investments from CISI, United Kingdom. He is a double graduate in law and business, LLB (Hons) from Buckinghamshire New University UK, a Master in Law from Kings College London, a Master in Business Administration from Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, a Master in Public Administration from Chichester University, He is a Certified Project Management Professional from PMI, USA. He has amazing capabilities to innovate, equipped with deep knowledge of Artificial intelligence, system architecture, and data sciences. He is a certified Amazon AWS Data Analytics and certified Solutions Architecture Professional. He has more than 20 years of experience in leading financial strategies, planning & budgeting, corporate governance, FP&A, VC, Corporate finance, strategies for turnaround, Risk and compliance management, acquisitions for startups & large projects, financial modeling, due diligence, and advise on leading key business complex matters on a global scale.

H.E. Aarefa Saleh Al Falahi
RAK Chamber of Commerce
Board Member

• RAK Insurance Company – Board Member
• Emirates Sports & Cultural Club – Board Member
• RAK SME Association – Member of the Board
• RAK Chamber of Commerce Exhibition Committee​ – Chairman
• Business Industrial Academic Council Committee HCT, UAE – Member
• Computer Information Sciences Industrial Advisory Committee in HCT, RAK – Member
• Women on Board Circle (2020) formed by Sh Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan – Member
• Senior Branch Manager in one of the leading banks in UAE  with total 20 years experience in 3 main leading banks – Vice President

Kristina Golubic
Shamal Holding
Development Lead

Kristina brings 15 years of diverse experience in Human Resources and Corporate Consultancy with focus on People Development, Corporate Culture, Learning Technologies and Management Consulting.

Kristina gained her UAE experience from Al Ghurair Investment, International Holding group of Companies (IHC) and Emirates Airline Aviation College. In the span of her UAE career Kristina had the opportunity to establish and run an HR independent Corporate Culture department and lead several different lines of business: Employee Engagement, Corporate Social Responsibility, In-Country Value and L&D.

Kristina has won multiple awards and appreciations, she is a double gold and a silver winner at Employee Happiness Sumit and Awards; CSR Smart Label – Dubai Chamber of Commerce winner; gold and a silver winner from Stevie MENA and Stevie International and a Globee gold winner, all in different HR categories.

Kristina is also very passionate about entrepreneurship and thriving in the short-term rental industry, she specializes in creating memorable guest experiences while optimizing operations for success.

Aysha Alawadhi
Transformational Leader 
Executive Coach & Advocate for Gender Equity

With a Master’s in Human Resources from NYU and over 14 years of experience leading transformation across diverse sectors—including banking, healthcare, and sovereign investment—Aysha Alawadhi is committed to the empowerment of women in leadership. Her work focuses on fostering inclusive workplaces that prioritize employee wellbeing and drive organizational success.

As an executive coach and culture transformation leader, Aysha specializes in the critical role of women leaders in creating environments where all employees can thrive. She is passionate about initiating vibrant, sustainable change that not only enhances organizational culture but also empowers individuals to reach their fullest potential.

Charul C Jaitly
Mātiti Group 
Co Founder

With a proven track record of transforming audiences through captivating storytelling, Charul has become a sought-after voice at major global events, including COP28, Expo2020, Women Congress, HRD Global Summits, to name a few. Known for her energetic delivery, she has inspired Professionals, Leaders, Changemakers, Entrepreneurs, and Organizations to achieve new levels of success and innovation. As the Author of Amazon Bestseller ‘Eye To Eye With – I’, Charul has been featured in various International Media Outlets, TV Interveiws, Radio Shows, Newspaper Articles, Magazines, and her thought-provoking ideas continue to shape conversations globally. Outside of her speaking engagements, Charul is passionate about educating the underprivilege

Kelly Blackaby
Global Tech / GCC HR Specialist. 
EMEA HR Director

Kelly Blackaby is a senior HR leader with extensive experience driving talent mobility, succession planning, and workforce equity across the Middle East, Europe and the USA. A pioneer in her field, she was among the first women in her sector to work in Saudi Arabia, shaping HR strategies in a male-dominated industry and advocating for inclusive career pathways in the region.

Her expertise in structured leadership development and talent progression has helped organisations build sustainable HR frameworks that empower employees and foster long-term engagement. She has been instrumental in mentoring professionals, championing policy reforms and ensuring businesses align workforce equity with strategic growth.

A Chartered Member of the CIPD with a Master’s in HR Management, Kelly recently earned First-Class Honors in the Oxford University Women in Leadership Programme, reinforcing her commitment to progressive HR solutions that support diverse, future-ready workplaces.

Areej Al Shibani
Oman Telecommunication Company (Omantel) 
Senior Manager Talent Planning And Mobility

Throughout her career, Areej has taken on significant leadership roles, serving as the Director of Human Resource Development at impactful organizations such as the Information Technology Authority and the Ministry of Telecommunications and Technology in Oman. In these positions, she successfully led change and transformation initiatives, merging entities, and building strong organizational foundations.
Areej actively participates in committees such as the Change Management Committee and the OSHRM, providing consultancy services to government entities to foster a culture of learning and development. Her expertise in motivational and engagement programs, along with her exceptional communication, negotiation, and leadership skills, make her an invaluable asset to any organization.

Stefan Hofer
Mageba Group
Chief Human Resources Officer & Member of the Group Executive Committee

An international Business & HR Executive having 30 years of senior management experience with blue chip enterprises and Professor for Human Resources Management at the Bath Spa University in RAK. Today as CHRO, Chairman, Consultant, Professor & Speaker providing a wide range of services around the globe with focus on HRM subjects.

Vera Vadakkumpatt 
Stephenson Harwood LLP
Human Resources Leader

I am an experienced HR leader based in the Middle East region with a focus on global professional services, including international law firms headquartered out of the UK and the US. My academic background includes my ongoing study at King’s College London for a master’s degree in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health, in addition to my BBA and membership at CIPD, London UK. I also hold certifications in HRM by City & Guilds and a PG Diploma in Journalism, Digital Media, and PR. My expertise lies in strategic HR initiatives, organizational development, employee engagement and adapting to the cultural nuances of the businesses and regions I support. My foundational experiences at Fortune 100 companies, such as ABB, Caterpillar, CH2M HILL, and Pernod Ricard, has significantly influenced my current work. My career began at 18, and I quickly progressed, receiving annual promotions and being nominated for the ABB “Leadership Training Programme” as a “Future Young Leader”. I learnt to work with simple yet powerful Six Sigma approaches, honing my critical thinking and analytical skills. Working at these prestigious institutions, alongside admirable leaders and mentors, allows me to now engage with confidence with a diverse range of people whilst being sensitive to cultural nuances. I had published an article on Lexis Nexis earlier this year. You can find it here. Lexis Middle East HR Alert – January 2025 page 18.

Nawaf Al-Abdullatif
Jareed Hotels
Human Resources Manager

With over six years of experience in Human Resources within the luxury hospitality sector, Nawaf Al-Abdullatif has worked with leading five-star hotels to build high-performing teams and foster people-centric workplace cultures. He believes that people are a company’s greatest asset and that a strong organizational environment is shaped by its people. Nawaf is passionate about aligning human capital strategies with business goals to drive sustainable success.

Sushmita Acharjee
Atlas
Senior HR Manager

Sushmita Acharjee is a results-driven HR leader with over 14 years of global experience delivering scalable, cost-effective workforce solutions for Fortune 500 clients. As a Senior Manager at Atlas, she leads high-performing teams across the Middle East, Africa, and CIS, specializing in M&A, global mobility, HR transformation, and employee experience. Known for her strategic mindset and commercial acumen, Sushmita thrives in complex environments—navigating integrations, cultural shifts, and compliance with precision. She is passionate about aligning HR with business success and shaping the future of work through data-driven decisions and inclusive leadership.

Namrata Bhatia
Self Employed 
HR Consultant

• PGD – Human Resource Management
• MBA – Strategy Management
• Certified SPHRi
• Sc – Coaching for Behaviour Change (Expected Completion – 2027)
• 16 Years of experience in HR, focus on HR Business Partnering and Talent Management
• Represented UAE for Diversity and Women focused platform while working in corporate
• Currently working as an independent HR Consultant and Executive Coach
• I am keen on contributing more towards DEI initiatives by taking up opportunities such as speaking at conferences, helping design DEI initiatives, as well as educate employees on such practices in organizations and coaching for women empowerment.

Akbar Motani
Horizon Biz Consulting LLC, Aquarius Corporate Services LLC
HR Business Consultant

Akbar Motani is a dynamic Human Resources leader with over a decade of proven success
across diverse sectors including hospitality, facilities management, and corporate services
throughout the UAE and GCC. A passionate people partner, Motani specializes in HR
transformation, talent strategy, and organizational development. His expertise lies in aligning
HR functions with broader business goals to enhance performance, drive engagement, and
foster inclusive workplace cultures.
He has held senior HR roles in prominent organizations such as AMZ Facility Services,
Intercontinental Hotel Group, Ramada Hotels, Accor properties In these roles, he has
consistently delivered measurable outcomes—reducing turnover, enhancing compliance, and
spearheading large-scale recruitment campaigns, onboarding over 350 employees in under two
months while cutting hiring costs significantly.

Noran Shaaban 
ACX (AirCarbon Exchange) 
Group Head of HR – Director

HR Director & Executive Coach that is passionate about partnering with leaders to establish and continuously improve a great employee experience. My experience spans from L&D to strong HR generalist, leadership & coaching roles resulted in holding a diverse regional 15+ years of experience in different industries across MEA countries & have always proven to be a successful key member.

Aisha Qadir Khan
Smart Climate Solutions Pvt. Ltd. 
Group Head of HR – Director

A seasoned HR and operations professional with over 10 years of experience across the corporate, development, and education sectors. I currently serve as the Group Head of HR & Operations at Smart Climate Solutions Pvt. Ltd., where I lead HR strategy, organizational development, compliance, and digital transformation initiatives. Alongside this, I am also working as Assistant Vice President – Partnerships & Outreach at the Institute of Professional Development (PIPD).

Hold an MBA in Human Resource Management and am a Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP). My core expertise includes strategic HRM, policy development, labor law compliance, performance management, and HR automation. I’ve led award-winning HR digitalization projects, managed HR operations for teams of over 1,500 employees, and contributed to several organizational transformation initiatives.

Beyond operations, I’m passionate about people development, public speaking, and introducing innovative, people-first practices into the workplace.

Khulood Shaban
Berkeley & Lords 
Director

Khulood is a philanthropist, a business leader, successful business entrepreneur, and the most influence Arabic women in Gulf region. She is the CFO & CEO of Berkeley Middle East holding an American Emirati Joint venture conglomerate with a diversified portfolio. Khulood career is diversified over several roles including CEO, Director Finance, Financial Controller, & Chief Financial Officer based on decade of experience. Khulood core expertise to manage financial transactions for the whole group and in ongoing projects, arises through Merger or acquisitions, study the fundamental and technical feasibility, evaluate the investment risks by applying high level financial management tools for stakeholders keeping ERP, budgeting, variance reporting aligns with financial strategy of the shareholders. Her strengths are innovative & creativity toward a particular business venture, preparation of business plan, coordination with external auditors, lenders, regulatory authorities, compliances, meeting with investors for arranging of Funds, building a capital Structuring simple and complex, IPO’s securities, active management, & financial decision making.