Abbas Kazmi
UAE
UAE
A multi award winning serial entrepreneur and investor who founded his first of several successful companies at 16. Abbas has been chosen as a Forbes 30 Under 30 Standout, as a Maserati 100, as one of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards Entrepreneurs’ Champions of the Year, and as one of startups.co.uk’s Young Entrepreneurs of the Year and Business Growth Enablers of the Year, to name just a few amongst many other awards. Abbas has been appointed as a United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Fellow, focussing on youth entrepreneurship and empowerment, peacebuilding and encouraging intercultural dialogue in MENA. and as a World Economic Forum Global Shaper. He has been chosen as a World Economic Forum Global Shaper and was selected to become part of the prestigious Helena Group Class of 2018 alongside the likes of Snap Inc CEO Evan Spiegel.
Ex-BlackRock working across EMEA and the US, Abbas co-founded both the Oxford Accelerator and VC fund Collegiate Capital, as well as being an investment committee member of, advisor to and LP investor in several funds in Europe such as BlackWood Ventures on whose Investment Committee he sits. Recently he was recognised and selected by the UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as an Arab Youth Pioneer and is working on how to tackle youth unemployment and encourage entrepreneurship, innovative homegrown research projects and greater private sector engagement with nationals in the Gulf region. He is very passionate about web3, the metaverse and blockchain technology and has been in the space since 2014, investing in and building many exciting projects. He advises the UK Government as a co-founding Advisory Board Member of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Metaverse and Web 3.0. He is also a Helena Group Fellow and one of the youngest fellows at the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce – FRSA.
An academic scholar both at Westminster School and Oxford University and a VC Fellow at London Business School’s Newton Venture Program, Abbas is Chairman of the illustrious Oxford Guild, which he has built into the largest university society in the world and where he has hosted a wide range of high profile guests from multiple major CEOs and Nobel Prize winners, to the likes of Kanye West, Woody Harrelson and many more. He is also co-founder of the All In startup diversity pledge, the Global Fintech & Blockchain Conference, Europe2SiliconValley Trip and the Spirited Network Covid-19 relief non-profit platform.
Combining both East and West, raised in Dubai with an early stint in Saudi Arabia before his elite education in the UK, Abbas has seen the huge changes in the region first hand since the early 1990s and has been fortunate to have been able to travel to over 100 nations across the world so far. Abbas regularly judges leading start-up competitions such as MIT Innovators Under 35 and speaks at top universities and conferences globally such as the World Economic Forum Annual Summit at Davos, Forbes 30 Under 30 Summit and Milken Institute MENA Summit and many more.
Prof. Dr. Hoda Awad
Egypt
Egypt
Hoda Ragheb Awad, Undergraduate from the American University in Cairo, Majoring in Middle Eastern Studies Minor Political Science. M.A from the American University in Cairo im Political Economy. Ph.D from the Faculty of Economics and Political Science Cairo University. I am a professor of Political Science and political communication. I have many academic activities and publications in gender studies .
Hanna Sain
UAE
UAE
Hannah Sain is an enthusiastic urban planner and environmentalist specializing in sustainable city planning. With a strong dedication to regenerative design, Hannah strives to enable cities to develop and uphold policy frameworks that advance resilient and adaptive development in the wake of a changing climate. She is deeply passionate about the importance of a comprehensive approach that focuses not only on carbon capture and reduction, but innovative solutions to food and water security, preservation of biodiversity, and a strong circular economy. With a Master of Science in Planning, specializing in Sustainable Transportation from Florida State University, Hannah possesses a strong educational foundation to address the complex challenges of urban planning in the context of climate change. Her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Policy, coupled with minors in Biology and Geography, provides her with an extensive understanding of the interconnectedness between natural systems and urban development.
During her experience as a Planning Analyst at Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., Hannah played a pivotal role in completing projects such as Trail Feasibility Studies for the Florida Department of Transportation, complete street projects for local municipalities, and drafting new policy for localities interested in integrating Sustainability and Resiliency chapters to their Comprehensive Plans. The multidisciplinary exposure of private consulting provided an ecosystem that inspired the interrelation and importance of every sector in designing sustainable cities.
Determined to share knowledge and foster professional growth, Hannah actively participated in the American Planning Association (APA). She engaged in sessions focused on progressive urban planning initiatives and topics throughout the state of Florida, constantly expanding her network and staying up-to-date with industry advancements.”
Dr. Said Alahayne
Morocco
Morocco
Said Alahyane is a research-professor in political science at the
Faculty of Legal, Economic and Social Sciences-Cadi Ayyad University,
Morocco. His research focuses on public policies with a focus on
agricultural policies, food security issues, policymaking in Morocco.
He is the author of numerous articles published in international
journals.
He was a visiting scholar in Schustermen Center for Israeli studies at Brandeis University (United-States) and in Israel from June 28, 2023 to July 20, 2023
Meryem Agadi
Morocco
Morocco
Held several positions and responsibilities in the private and public sector. She is certified in 2021 as a Professional Coach in order to accompany leaders and organizations towards a sustainable change.
Ms. Agadi initially trained in Civil Engineering and Water and Environmental Engineering. She also completed an Executive Master in Business Administration (E-MBA) at the Hassania School of Public Works and the Ponts Business School between Casablanca and Paris. She has pursued several training programs for the development of sustainable leadership in Morocco and Africa. She has extensive experience in West Africa and China in business development in the construction, energy and sustainable building services sectors.
Ms. Agadi has a strong background in project management, having led some of the largest sustainable construction projects in Morocco. She has also been involved in civil society since a very young age on issues related to alternative diplomacy, environmental protection, child protection, equality and human rights. She has worked on large-scale projects promoting volunteerism in Morocco in partnership with national and international organizations.
Dr. Hassan Heshmat
Iraq, UK
Iraq, UK
Dr. Hasan Heshmat Managing Director of Hydro-C Ltd, Holding BDS University of Baghdad, college of dentistry and MPhil degree from Strathclyde University – Engineering Dept. with several certificates in business management and leadership. 13 years of experience working alongside international companies and organizations specialized in Energy, Water, Construction, Agriculture and Innovation. Focusing on building sustainable relations between nations and states to develop peace and business for mutual interest, stabilizing renewable energy, Oil&Gas, Infrastructure investment, humanitarian aid and education. Concentrating on taking the energy sector up to a greener level by incorporating sustainable clean solutions Energy industry allowing transforming the future to adopt innovative solutions. Achieved successful results by teaming with pioneer partners in UK, US, Israel, EU, China, Iraq and UAE. I enjoy walking my pet in the green dear place, water polo and swimming, obsessed with tech-related advancements for interstellar traveling. I do believe humanity as a race can achieve impossible when united, stronger together
Dr. Shira Efron
Israel
Israel
Dr. Shira Efron is director of research at Israel Policy Forum and a special climate change advisor to Israel’s Ministry of Defense and National Security Council. She is also the co-chair of the subgroup on regional cooperation of President Herzog’s climate forum. Dr. Efron is currently on sabbatical from the RAND Corporation, where she founded and led the Israel program between 2016-2022. At RAND, she led and participated in several studies at the nexus of climate change and national security including on Gaza’s water crisis and the implications of climate change for the U.S. Air Force.
Several of her studies directly addressed food security challenges in the MENA region, such as making the case for the Global Dry Land Alliance and a project on GCC food security challenges in partnership with the UAE-based Emerge85. Previously, Dr. Efron was a fellow at several think tanks in Washington, D.C., including the Center for American Progress and Middle East Institute, and at the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies (INSS). She has a PhD and MPhil in policy analysis from RAND’s Graduate School, an MA in international relations/international business from New York University, and a BSc in biology (major) and computer science (minor) from Tel Aviv University.
Prof. Dr. Salah Arafa
Egypt
Egypt
Professor Salah Arafa is a tenured faculty member at the Physics Department, School of Sciences and Engineering of the American University in Cairo (AUC). He joined AUC in 1968. Before joining the University, he worked as a physics researcher at the Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority from 1962 till 1968.
Arafa holds a B.Sc. in Physics and Chemistry (1962), M.Sc. in Nuclear Physics (1966), and a Ph.D. in Solid State Physics (1969); all from Cairo University.
In 1967-68, he was a research fellow of the International Seminar in Physics, Uppsala University, and later in 1971-1972 was a visiting Scientist at the Physics Department of Uppsala University, Sweden.
He joined the American University in 1968 and was the Chair of the Science Department twice and served as senator at large in the University Senate.
Professor Arafa is well known as one of the leading Social Entrepreneurs in Egypt and the Arab World. He was selected a Senior Ashoka Fellow in 2004 and was awarded as the Man of the Year for Environment and Development in 2009. Since 1974, Arafa is involved in many Civil Society activities and is today the chairman and founder for few of the leading NGOs in Egypt. He has also served as consultant to many international organizations: US-AID, UNICEF, GTZ, EU, and UNDP. He is a member of the National Committee on Climate Change and also a member of the Research Council on Environment and Development at the Egyptian Academy for Scientific Research and Technology.
Professor Arafa’s work in the fields of Experimental Physics, Advanced Materials, Renewable Energies, Climate Change Impacts, Sustainable Community Development, Child Protection and Eco-communities is nationally and internationally recognized.
Michal Dolev Hashimshony
Israel
Israel
Michal, a dedicated environmental and sustainable development professional with a passion for making a positive impact on communities worldwide. With her expertise in water and food security, business development, resource mobilization, and innovation, she strives to address pressing environmental challenges.
She holds a master’s degree in Earth sciences and sustainability from Tel Aviv University, where she gained a deep understanding of environmental issues and their implications for communities. Throughout her career, she has been actively involved in sustainable architectural planning projects, embedding sustainability principles into every endeavor she undertakes. By promoting energy efficiency and water recycling technologies, she aims to create a greener and more resilient future.
One of her most significant contributions is through her work with Engineers Without Borders-Israel. Leading this organization, she is focused on promoting Appropriate Technologies and empowering communities through capacity building and human-centered engineering. Notably, EWB-IL’s rainwater harvesting systems in Tanzania and food security initiatives in Kenya have transformed the lives of thousands of people, ensuring their access to clean water and a stable food supply.
At the Porter School of Environmental Studies, she is engaged in research that focuses on developing sustainable planning tools for diverse communities in Africa. Additionally, she has served as part of the evaluating team for the Education for Sustainable Development project conducted by Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation (MASHAV) in Kenya. These experiences have broadened her perspective and deepened her commitment to finding innovative solutions for sustainable development.
As a CEO and leader in her field, she draws inspiration from the potential to create positive change in communities worldwide. She firmly believes in dreaming big while starting with small, actionable steps. Piloting projects allows her to ensure quality and achieve significant outcomes.
Currently, her primary area of expertise lies in water-related issues in developing countries. She is actively promoting the establishment of research and development centers to advance technologies for obtaining potable water and enhancing food security in these communities.
By driving innovation and collaboration, she aims to create sustainable solutions that will improve the lives of people in need.
Ali Faqeeh
Bahrain
Bahrain
Ali Faqeeh is an analyst at the Bahrain Centre for Strategic, International, and Energy Studies (Derasat), as well as a non-resident research fellow at the Atlantic Council in Washington, DC. With a primary emphasis on entrepreneurship and food security, Ali is dedicated to shaping policies that enhance and foster food security by cultivating a conducive business environment within the agriculture sector at local and regional levels. Furthermore, he endeavors to revolutionize the agricultural landscape by spearheading the development of innovative and
sustainable agricultural technologies. Ali’s expertise in the field is well- documented through his collection of policy and scholarly articles. Prior to his tenure at Derasat, Ali Faqeeh honed his skills and gained invaluable experience in both the commercial and public sectors, solidifying his comprehensive understanding of diverse industry dynamics.