Nick Allardice is a multi-time CEO, founder, investor and advisor specialised at scaling the teams and technology necessary for creating ambitious solutions to global issues.

Nick is currently President and CEO of GiveDirectly, which uses technology to send cash directly to people living in poverty, and has variously been named amongst the most audacious (Inc), innovative (FastCompany) and fastest growing (Forbes) organizations in the world. GiveDirectly has delivered $800m in cash transfers to people living in extreme poverty, and has been a major player in doing the academic research that has established unconditional cash transfers as one of the most impactful, efficient and scalable interventions that exists in the fight to end extreme poverty.

Nick was previously CEO of Change.org, the technology platform for civic action and grassroots organizing used by 500m+ people globally. In his 10+ years there across multiple roles he built the technology and user experience of the site, grew their global footprint to 20 countries, and helped established Change.org as the largest non-profit owned technology company for social impact in the world.

Nick co-founded the fundraising and awareness campaign Live Below the Line, and has been an advisor or board member for groups including MakePovertyHistory, the Horizon Institute for Public Service, OzGreen, and PL+US. Nick is a World Economic Forum ‘Young Global Leader’.

Director General of Bahrain Prime Minister's Office

Abdulrahman Essa Al-Mannai has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Milaha Group (Qatar Navigation) since 2015. He sits on the Board of Directors of Nakilat and QTerminals, a joint venture between Mawani and Milaha. Prior, Al-Mannai held various leadership positions at Qatargas, the world's largest LNG company where he oversaw the largest LNG supply chain, Europe's largest regasification terminal and the South Hook LNG Terminal. Throughout his career, Al-Mannai has developed extensive experience in multiple fields, including shipping, energy and commercial activities. He has a degree in aeronautical engineering.

Mr. Almaraj is the Chief Executive Officer of Bank ABC’s Digital Retail Bank “ila” in Bahrain, joining the bank in 2015. Before this appointment, Mohamed served as the COO of ila Bank. Previously, he played a key role in several Group level initiatives, including establishing Bank ABC’s DIFC office, launching the Debt Capital Markets practice, and the overall fintech strategy for Bank ABC. Before joining Bank ABC, Mr. Almaraj was a Senior Associate with the investment bank Perella Weinberg Partners in New York, focusing on mergers & acquisitions transactions and corporate restructurings in the technology, media, telecom, and financial services sectors. He has 13 years of experience in corporate finance, restructurings, fintech, and digital transformations across the GCC and the U.S. He holds a B.S. in Finance and Accounting from the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania, United States.

Moath has co-founded Alpha Capital and built a profound organization, which has been a well-respected entity both locally and regionally, evidenced by the recognition received in 2021 from Forbes as it became among the 30 most prominent asset managers in the Middle East. Before Alpha Capital, Moath worked in Saudi Aramco and was entrusted by Saudi Aramcos Senior Management to be part of a carefully selected solid team to manage several asset classes of Saudi Aramcos USD multi-billion Global Pension Plans. Throughout the journey of Alpha Capital, Moath attracted top-tier investment professionals, delivered top-quartile public equity performance consistently, successfully exited from the first private equity investment at an impressive return and advised on the fundraising and structuring of the first Saudi digital bank that the Council of Ministers has licensed. Moath has demonstrated strong leadership skills while serving on various government and non-government boards and committees.

Wafa Alobaidat is the Founder and CEO of PLAYBOOK - A fast-growing digital membership networking platform focused on connecting and supporting women and executive leaders in MENA. With an award-winning leadership team that is fully female-founded, our network has been making waves regionally and internationally. Wafa is an award-winning serial entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, and public speaker represented by The Middle East leading speaker’s bureau, MENA Speakers. Her expertise lies at the nexus of growth and scaling up, with underlying themes of empowering women and youth, entrepreneurship in the Middle East, and starting and scaling companies. She was named one of the top 50 most influential women leaders in business by Business in the Gulf. She is a graduate of the University of the Arts London.

Suren is a social entrepreneur, the Founding President of Dasaran Ed-Tech Company, an Armenia-based software-as-a-service company providing innovative solutions in K12 education. In 2016 Dasaran was recognized as one of the best 5 innovative enterprises in the world by the UNDP. Suren brings more than 12 years of experience towards education system modernization through innovation and modern technologies, contributing to extensive data-driven policymaking, developing equal educational opportunities for all. Suren as a keynote speaker has delivered speeches for large auditoriums in different corners around the world – “Impact Investment and Innovation for SDGs” forum at the UN Headquarters in New York (USA), UNDP’s Social Good Summit in Switzerland, UNESCO MGIEP Conference in India, Global Education and Skills Forum in Dubai (UAE), RISE Tech conference in Hong Kong, World Bank’s Understanding Risk Forum in Mexico, UAE-Armenia Investment Forum in Abu Dhabi, et al. Suren has served as a chief expert in RA Ministry of Defence for 11 years and received Admiral Isakov Medal of Honour awarded on RA Level. Military rank is captain in reserve. Suren has received Golden Commemorative Medal, the Highest award of RA Ministry of Education Science, was honored with the High state award by the President of RA.

Elham Al Qasim serves as Digital14’s Chief Executive Officer, steering the organisation’s strategic direction, and leading over 1,000 staff in their purpose-driven work to deliver trust in digital so that clients can innovate and fulfil their potential. Prior to joining Digital14, Elham enjoyed a global career with executive roles in investment and asset management. More recently, Elham served as CEO of Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and Executive Director of the Ghadan 21 programme at the Abu Dhabi Executive Office where she led the strategic planning for the government’s three-year, AED 50 billion investment programme aimed at accelerating Abu Dhabi’s economy. Prior to this, Elham was a Director of Mubadala Investment Company, focusing on Mubadala’s Technology and Industry portfolio. Her responsibilities included building investment/entry strategy, business development, value creation, and post-acquisition asset management in sectors including Metals & Mining, Semiconductors, and Technology. During this time, Elham also served on the executive leadership team of Emirates Global Aluminium and delivered a two year post merger integration program. Elham has served on a number of boards and is currently a Board Member of Amanat Holdings, AlAin Farms, and Phoenic Group. Elham’s international career includes JPMorgan Investment Bank, where she was part of the Global Diversified Industrials Team based in London handling M&A transactions in chemicals, metals and mining, and infrastructure. Elham holds an MSc from the School of Social Policy at the London School of Economics and a Bachelor of Business from the American University in Dubai. In April 2010, Elham became the first Arab woman to ski to the North Pole.

Her Highness Princess Noura bint Faisal Al Saud founded Culture House as a Saudi boutique consultancy providing advisory and implementation services related to culture, creativity, and sustainable business. Culture House signifies Her Highness’s return to the private sector after successfully establishing the Fashion Commission at the Ministry of Culture. Princess Noura joined the Ministry of Culture in June 2019. She led Strategy Development for the fashion sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, building local and international partnerships with fashion institutions and nurturing Saudi fashion talent. She was part of the team that developed the Commission’s flagship outreach projects, including the Fashion Futures annual conference, digital platform, and mentorship program Saudi 100 Brands. Through her appointment as the Commission’s Ecosystem Integration & Program Delivery General Manager, Princess Noura oversaw the implementation of the strategy’s initiatives, ensuring their delivery at standards of excellence with measurable impact. Princess Noura’s entrepreneurial career commenced in 2009 in the United States. In 2015 she co-founded her first business, which focused on talent and lifestyle, before launching Global Fashion House, a fashion consultancy based in Riyadh. In April 2018, Princess Noura organized the Saudi Kingdom’s first fashion Week with this company, bringing together international and local stakeholders.

Ahmed Al Shamsi is Chief Executive Officer of the Emirates Foundation, an organization championing volunteerism and corporate citizenship, while also serving as the Director of National Experts Program at the Court of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. Previously, he was the Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Youth Council from 2017 to early 2019 and the first United Arab Emirates United Nations Youth Ambassador.

Alanoud bint Hamad Al-Thani is
businesswoman and investor, chairing TenX Ventures and other family owned businesses. She previously served as Deputy CEO of the Qatar Financial Centre Authority, where she boosted foreign direct investment and achieved remarkable growth in firm registrations during the pandemic. Alanoud’s leadership extended to Silatech, where she expanded youth employment programs across the Arab region. She is a frequent global speaker on economic development and gender diversity and has been recognized as a Forbes Most Powerful 50 Businesswomen in the Arab World, Arab Woman of the Year 2022 for Finance, among others. A Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum, Alanoud holds degrees from LSE, Oxford, Harvard Kennedy School and HEC Paris.

His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi is the United Arab Emirates’ Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Minister in charge of Talent Attraction and Retention. As Minister, he is responsible for leading the development and expansion of the country’s non-oil foreign trade, enhancing national polices and measures to promote foreign direct investment in the UAE, and implementing initiatives to attract and retain strategic global talent in the UAE.

H.E. Dr. Al Zeyoudi is also the former Minister of Climate Change and Environment for the UAE, where he was instrumental in elevating the UAE’s global presence and contributions in climate mitigation and adaptation. Over the course of H.E. Dr. Al Zeyoudi’s career, he has led and contributed to shaping international policy and legal frameworks in areas including energy, environment, and sustainable development. H.E. Dr. Al Zeyoudi’s considerable expertise, dynamic leadership, and track record for driving the formation of global alliances have been fundamental to his success in delivering on his various mandates and in furthering the UAE’s efforts on economic growth and diversification.

In 2020, H.E. was Dr. Al Zeyoudi was named a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader for his outstanding international efforts in the field of environment and climate. H.E. Dr. Al Zeyoudi holds a B.S. in petroleum engineering from the University of Tulsa, two Masters degrees from the New York Institute of Technology and the British University in Dubai, and completed his PhD at the Skema Business School in France.