Diviya is an eco-enthusiast with a keen interest in biophilic and sustainable design concepts and practices. A determined and detail-oriented professional with more than 15 years of experience, proven success in leading the conceptualisation, and implementation of diverse interior and architectural projects. Diviya's successful projects include Intercontinental Hotel, Marina, Dubai; Mr.C Residence, Dubai; Air Arabia, Sharjah; Radisson Blu, Marina, Dubai; Sharjah Airport Transit Hotel Renovation, Sharjah; and Caramel Restaurant & Lounge, Dubai.

Rana Hajirasouli has 13+ years industry experience spanning marine conservation, litigation, and petrochemicals manufacturing, she has spoken at 50+ international conferences and frequently writes thought leadership articles on industrial climate action. She holds an LLM, M.Phil, M.Ph and Mst and won several innovation awards for her US patented diagnostic framework on cross-industrial collaboration for profitable sustainability. She is a PhD scholar at the University of Cambridge researching the intersection of complex adaptive systems and industrial resilience in the era of climate change. She is GRI/GHG/SEA/Biomimicry certified, and is currently the founder of GCC’s leading climate-tech platform, The Surpluss (B Corp Certified), a digital sustainability exchange for excess industrial assets, materials and resources.

Yasmine Barbir, is the founder of Responsible Legacy, a company that offers professional services addressing 3 verticals: Business, People & the Planet. A seasoned Senior Executive Leader, Yasmine spanned a career of nearly 20 years with Nestlé where she harnessed her business acumen & now aims to help her clients push boundaries while driving purpose “Force for Good” agenda.

In her last appointment as Head of Sustainability MENA, she drove the development of MENA sustainability & governance strategic pillars to co-create the roadmap for implementing Nestlé’s Global Net Zero Emissions commitments. Her dynamic leadership and dedication significantly contributed to the establishment of the company’s sustainability foundation and the enhancement of employees’ capacity-building. She also played a pivotal role at COP27 in Egypt.

Yasmine served as a Consultative Board Member of the UAE Food & Beverages Manufacturers Group and a member of the Dubai Chamber Sustainability Network.

She has been an active steering committee member of the UAE Circular Packaging Association, a member of the Circular Economy & COP 28 Sustainability Task Force at the UAE Multinational Business Group, a member of the KSA Packaging Working Group & as a member of the UAE Chief Sustainability Officers Network. She was Nestlé’s spokeswoman on Climate Talks, Circular Economy, Packaging, Food systems & advocating for public, private partnerships.

Yasmine has also provided valuable contributions as an active member of the Gender Balance Act steering committee at Nestlé & chaired the Strategic Advisory Board of the Faculty of Business Administration & Economics at Lebanon’s Notre Dame University.

Yasmine started her journey with Nestlé Kuwait in 2004 where she was one of the first female senior sales leaders. In 2011, she was appointed as Country Manager for Nestlé Lebanon, where she drove the company’s transformation from a business, people and culture perspectives. Following this assignment, Yasmine moved to Nestlé UAE in 2016 in the same capacity where she was instrumental in creating business & structural efficiencies, elevated portfolios’ profitability, strengthened customer centricity, & amplified the business planning effectiveness with a great focus on team motivation & growth.

Yasmine holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and an MBA in Marketing from the American University of Beirut. She gained a certification on Strategies for a Circular Economy from INSEAD and Governance for a Sustainable Future from The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership.

A mother of 3, an innate poet, advocate of purpose, kindness, balance, compliance, DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) & work life fusion.

Aby Sam Thomas is the Editor in Chief of Entrepreneur Middle East, a business magazine catering to the region's entrepreneurs and business-minded readership. In this role, Aby writes and edits for Entrepreneur Middle East's monthly print publication, as well as for its website, www.entrepreneur.com/me. He is especially interested in stories on startups and the people behind them, and finding out how they put a successful enterprise together. Before working in the media sector, Aby was an analyst programmer with Accenture, where he worked with J. P. Morgan Chase's investment banking arm at offices in Mumbai, London and New York. He holds a Master's Degree in Journalism from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in New York.

18 years of experience in global management consulting firms and multinationals. Specific experience in feasibility studies, strategic planning, re-organization, performance management and program management.

Education

M.E in Mechanical Engineering – University of Calgary
INSEAD – MBA

Experience

Strategy& [2016-2020] Principal/[2009-2012] Senior Associate
Occidental Petroleum [2012-2015] - Director - International Business
Penn West Exploration [2003-2008] - Development - Senior Acquisition

Richard is the Regional Executive Chair and Director of the Dubai Studio at Woods Bagot and is an award-winning RIBA and ARB registered Architect with 20 years of wide-ranging international experience.

Since joining the Woods Bagot Dubai studio in 2011 Richard has led some significant and notable projects including the Dubai Exhibition Centre, IRENA HQ building, Masdar City Square and Etihad Eco Residences at Masdar City, along with high profile mixed-use, lifestyle and commercial developments in the region.

In addition to providing regional leadership he also engages at a global level as a Board Director, developing business strategy, championing sustainability and driving innovative Workplace Architecture. Through his experience Richard strives to bring thought leadership, commercial acumen, design excellence and a collaborative and engaging approach to every project, maximizing the outcome for our Clients.

Nadine Zidani, a French Moroccan sustainability and climate expert, is the founder and CEO of the UAE-based company MENA Impact. With over a decade of experience in Audit & Risk Management across Europe and the Middle East, she transitioned from being a corporate leader to an impact entrepreneur. Nadine is dedicated to advancing the United Nations SDGs and driving systemic change in the MENA region through her work and public speaking. She has been recognized as a leading Top Voice on LinkedIn for sustainability in the MENA region.

MENA Impact addresses the region's demand for sustainable solutions. This innovative platform offers comprehensive resources, including sustainability programs and training, educational content, and impactful events to nurture a thriving impact ecosystem.

As an ambassador of the B Corp movement in the Middle East, Nadine is on a mission to build a fair, equitable, and inclusive economic system. She supports regional companies in becoming B Corp certified, leveraging business as a force for good.

Beyond her entrepreneurial ventures, Nadine hosts the Impact Talk podcast, where she inspires and educates audiences on environmental and social issues, provides a local perspective on sustainability, and fosters a growing community of change-makers.

Sam Graham, Managing Director at Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB), has made significant strides in advancing the company, particularly in sustainability and project management services.

Under Graham’s leadership, RLB has expanded its Project Management arm and Built Asset Consultancy, aligning with the company’s 2030 Vision. He also launched RLB’s regional sustainability services, enabling clients to measure their projects’ carbon footprint. With a project backlog worth $100 billion and a GFA of 1.2 billion m2 across 15 sectors, Graham’s leadership has been pivotal.

In 2023, Graham led RLB to achieve carbon-neutral accreditation in the UAE and Qatar for its operations and services – a significant step towards the company’s goal of reaching net-zero by 2030.

His commitment to CSR is evident through various activities, such as providing essential supplies to construction labourers every year during Ramadan, organising industry sports networking events that promote mental wellness and corporate camaraderie, and environmental initiatives that include cleaning up Qatar’s Singing Sand Dunes.

A regular speaker at events, Graham helps foster collaboration within the construction sector, cementing his reputation as a visionary leader in the region.

As the leader and CEO Green Growth Planning Consultancy and previously GESS, Anita Nouri was integral in pioneering the First Landfill Gas to Energy Project in the region. The Al Qusais Landfill was a showcase of what could be done in a region that is still landfilling most of its waste. The project was significant in the reduction of CO2 emissions and was reducing the impact of Methane (CH4) to the atmosphere by over 300,000 tons of CO2 equivalent registered with the UNFCCC as project #8269. Green Energy Solutions & Sustainability LLC served to show the region what can be achieved when you utilize the power that is captured in landfills and generate power. Selling Carbon Credits to the Norwegian government to monetize the Carbon Credits GESS was able to achieve a first in the region.

Green Growth Planning Consultancy was born out of what GESS had accomplished. Anita Nouri has established herself as a leader in the region for introducing and implementing real solutions. Anita has been a speaker at many events, as well as being acknowledged for the work she has done, she has also attained several awards for Sustainable Smart solutions. Through her new company Green Growth Planning Consultancy she is still targeting landfills and waste management strategies that are providing environmental solutions throughout the region by supporting the development of government legislation and regulations that will drive the Green Economy.

“As entrepreneurs we are proud of what we achieved and hope to keep setting standards while supporting the benchmarks in the region for alternative energy”. Waste needs to be seen as a resource to make a difference. All landfills need to be degassed and utilized for power, this is still her mission and through GGPC we will be able to support many solutions that can keep the region moving towards a more sustainable future.

Raya Ani, an architectural luminary, is celebrated for her groundbreaking contributions to architecture. Recognized as a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, her honor underscores her exceptional impact on the field. With an illustrious career spanning decades across three continents and four countries, she has left an indelible mark.

From designing the first green school and two residential green towers in NYC to transformative projects like Liberland, Iraq Pavilion, and Green Bridge. Her relentless pursuit of excellence and exploration of innovative strategies led to the founding of RAW-NYC Architects, based in New York City and Dubai. A force to be reckoned with, Raya Ani is recognized as one of the most influential architects in the MENA region. Her designs testify to her unwavering commitment to environmental, social, and economic sustainability, with visions ahead of her time, as seen in her vision for the Marshes of Iraq, achieving economic viability while addressing critical ecological concerns and preserving cultures. Beyond her architectural marvels, her dedication to community empowerment shines through projects like the Women's Building in New York, and her holistic approach to wellness in DESTINAU sets a new standard. As a leader and icon in her field, Raya Ani's legacy resonates beyond the structures she creates, redefining the relationship between the public and architecture at the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and empowerment.

Mohamed Amer serves as the Regional Director of Operations for the MENA region with the International Code Council (ICC). He joined ICC to run the Dubai office by providing essential on-the-ground support to organizations involved in building safety in the region, including various stakeholders like AHJs, consultants, manufacturers, architects, etc.With over a decade in oil/gas, project management, and TIC industries, he leads ICC’s operations and business development aspects in the MENA through existing and new partners, to help deploy/lead/facilitate ICC’s service lines for new business offerings across its family of solutions spectrum.

John Timson is the Vice President of Sustainability and Safety in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. He has represented Accor on several advisory committees, including the GBTA Asia Sustainability Committee. John has previously been a member of the Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce in Bangkok and is active on the CSR committee. John holds a Graduate Diploma in Management—Learning and several Human Resources and Adult Learning qualifications. With over 25 years in the industry, John has developed a unique insight into leadership, team dynamics, and organisational change complexities. The fusion of his operational experience and proven track record in transforming organisations sees John leading the effort for Accor’s Premium Midscale and Economy brands across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific in the Sustainability commitments.

Lara and her Co-founder Ceylan of The Waste Lab are pioneering a nature-based revolution in food waste management. Together, they co-founded this impact-driven startup in Dubai to turn food scraps from a burden into a valuable resource, reshaping the way we think about waste. The Waste Lab's mission is to build healthier soil and a better future by empowering individuals, businesses, and communities.

Dima Alkawadri is an Assistant Professor of Interior Design at the School of Textiles and Design at Heriot-Watt University Dubai. She is a chartered registered architect and a member of the Emirates Green Building Council.

Dima holds a master’s degree in construction management. With more than 15 years of experience working as a Senior Architect in local and international practices, Dima brings a unique blend of practice and research focus. Her passion for interior design and art has led her to pursue a career in Interior Architecture and Design. Dima’s expertise in sustainability and design is the focus of her Ph.D., for which she was awarded a scholarship.

Craig Thackray is the Vice President at AECOM responsible for the Environment Business Line for the Middle East and Africa. He is also extensively engaged in Civil and Infrastructure projects particularly within the Ports & Maritime sector across MEA.

He is a Chartered Environmentalist as well as a Chartered Fellow of both The Institution of Civil Engineers and the Chartered Management Institute being a senior leader within AECOM Middle East for the past 15 years, initially based in Bahrain as Country Manager and currently in the UAE for the past 6 years.

Craig leads the AECOM MEA Sustainable Legacies strategy that embeds sustainable development and resilience across all projects, works towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions, improves social outcomes and enhances sustainable governance. AECOM has regional experience in delivering projects across the net zero impact spectrum, including expertise in strategy development, low energy design, renewable energy technologies, water reuse, embodied carbon, circular economy and certification.

Joumana Hosri stands as a visionary leader driving transformative change within the renewable energy sector across four continents, In particular focus on the US market with manufacturing facility. Her profound commitment and expertise have garnered her prestigious accolades, including being honored as the "Woman in Solar" of the year by MESIA (Middle East Solar Awards) Dubai in May 2021 and receiving the "Visionary Leader of the Year" recognition at the Construction Innovation Awards Dubai in October 2019 and most recently she received the “Excellence in Forward Thinking Leadership Award” in Beirut at the Women in Energy award summit 23.

As Head of Support Services, Duncan leads Khansaheb’s sustainability and digital transformation efforts. He oversees the adoption of cloud technology, implementing cutting-edge digital construction tools like Autodesk Construction Cloud and BIM modeling. Duncan is also responsible for worker welfare, ensuring high standards in accommodation, healthcare, and catering for Khansaheb’s 5,000-strong workforce. With a focus on business modernization, Duncan is driving Khansaheb towards a sustainable and digitally advanced future, preparing the company to meet the evolving challenges of the industry.