< PreviousPOWER LIST 60 ACN | Summer 2025 Dixon Melitt James excels in Web 3.0 transitions, RWA tokenisation and AI integration. He has 18 years of experience in cross-functional technology roles. At Air Chateau, he drove initiatives in blockchain, AI and innovative air mobility solutions. Recognised internationally, he mentors start-ups and collaborates with governments. He focuses on strategic planning and infrastructure, as well as enabling ecosystem advancements across the region. Dr. Joseph George has signifi cantly shaped Doha Bank’s technological landscape. With over 24 years of experience, he has eff ectively reduced operational and transaction costs through strategic technology implementations that include robotics and AI integration. Demonstrating top communication and negotiation skills, he has skilfully aligned technological investments with business objectives, securing board approval for impactful projects. Mubarak Alshahrani has signifi cantly advanced King Saud University Medical City’s digital capabilities. He led key initiatives like revenue cycle management, digital transformation strategy and SAP-ERP. Under his guidance, the hospital’s data centre expanded from 50 to 500 servers, improving operational effi ciency. His strategic leadership earned ISO 27001 certifi cations, boosted security measures and fostered a paperless environment. With 25 years in technology leadership across pharma, FMCG and retail sectors, Manal Allam has expertly managed IT strategy for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. At Merck, she led digital initiatives that enhanced data analytics and operational efficiency. Recognised with an IDC Pioneer CIO Award in 2021, she previously directed IT operations for Damas Jewellery within the GCC, focusing on transformative technological integration. MUBARAK ALSHAHRANI CIO KING SAUD UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CITY MANAL ALLAM IT HEAD & BUSINESS PARTNER MERCK GROUP MIDDLE EAST DIXON MELITT JAMES FOUNDER TEAM ENTERPRISE JOSEPH GEORGE GROUP CDIO DOHA BANK VISIONARIES Manal Allam ACN_March2025_54-63_PL - Visionaries_13580775.indd 60ACN_March2025_54-63_PL - Visionaries_13580775.indd 6003/06/2025 20:3103/06/2025 20:31POWER LIST ACN | Summer 2025 61 Bader Mohammed Musleh Qamhieh leverages extensive expertise in system development to enhance banking technology at Al-Tijari. He has driven successful API development and middleware integration, streamlining operations and improving service delivery. His leadership in credit risk systems has enhanced decision-making processes. With a strong foundation in requirements analysis, he strategically aligns IT initiatives with business objectives. Aloysius Cheang oversees cybersecurity across 24 countries at Huawei, emphasising secure 5G deployments. As Co-Chair of the OIC-CERT 5G Security Working Group, he led the creation of the 5G Security Framework. With over 22 years in the field, his achievements include co-authoring ISO/IEC 27032 guidelines and pioneering measures for AI and blockchain security. He champions public-private partnerships to enhance cyber resilience globally. Ahmed AlZikan is responsible for IT governance at Bank Albilad. During his career, he has driven the development of advanced IT solutions that have improved operational effi ciency and customer satisfaction. His strategic planning and project management initiatives decreased vacancy rates and boosted profi tability. By implementing eff ective information management systems and enhancing IT support and security protocols, he signifi cantly optimised productivity. Aus Alzubaidi is recognised for integrating cybersecurity, IT and media management within MBC Group. With over 18 years of experience, he strategically led digital transformations and cloud migrations, enhancing IT effi ciency and security governance globally. His notable achievements are pioneering AI-powered copilots, which significantly boosted productivity. Alzubaidi excels in aligning IT and media initiatives with business goals, managing cross-functional teams. AHMED ALZIKAN CHIEF IT GOVERNANCE OFFICER BANK ALBILAD AUS ALZUBAIDI GROUP CISO MBC GROUP BADER MOHAMMED MUSLEH QAMHIEH GENERAL MANAGER IT/CIO COMMERCIAL BANK OF KUWAIT (AL-TIJARI) ALOYSIUS CHEANG CHIEF SECURITY OFFICER HUAWEI MIDDLE EAST & CENTRAL ASIA VISIONARIES Aloysius Cheang ACN_March2025_54-63_PL - Visionaries_13580775.indd 61ACN_March2025_54-63_PL - Visionaries_13580775.indd 6103/06/2025 20:3103/06/2025 20:31POWER LIST 62 ACN | Summer 2025 Dr. Sreejit Chakrabarty spearheads AI initiatives at GEMS Education, implementing projects such as the blockchain strategy for academic management, resulting in enhanced security and efficiency. He led the creation of the K-12 Centre of Excellence in AI, expanding global resource accessibility through digital twinning on the metaverse. As an edtech leader, Chakrabarty integrates AI, blockchain and robotics into education and is recognised for his impactful contributions. Glen D’Souza has driven Centena Group’s IT innovation with over 20 years of leadership. His team’s RPA implementation saves $1 million annually and robust cybersecurity measures have raised user awareness. Power BI integration offers enhanced insights, while a 98 per cent spam reduction through Mimecast boosts email security. The ISO 27001 certifi cation, a new CRM system and a custom expense portal are some of his most notable projects. Ali Mohammed Al Ojaili leads IT operations at Sultan Qaboos Hospital, focusing on digital transformation and strategic technology alignment. With over a decade of experience, he has driven innovation in data management, cloud computing and AI solutions to enhance operational effi ciency. His leadership has fortified cybersecurity, ensuring robust protection. By fostering team development, he aligns technology with the hospital’s overarching goals. Burak Ertuna has over 20 years of epxerience at DHL and has advanced to CIO & VP BPO for the MEA region. He has enhanced IT infrastructure across regions, optimising warehouse and supply chain management through IoT integration. His leadership in IT and logistics has driven efficiencies and improved service delivery. Ertuna’s focus on business process improvement has played a crucial role in DHL’s operational success in the region. ALI MOHAMMED AL OJAILI HEAD IT SULTAN QABOOS HOSPITAL BURAK ERTUNA CIO & VP BPO – MEA DHL SREEJIT CHAKRABARTY DIRECTOR OF AI GEMS EDUCATION GLEN D’SOUZA IT HEAD/EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER CENTENA GROUP VISIONARIES Burak Ertuna ACN_March2025_54-63_PL - Visionaries_13580775.indd 62ACN_March2025_54-63_PL - Visionaries_13580775.indd 6203/06/2025 20:3103/06/2025 20:31POWER LIST ACN | Summer 2025 63 Mohamed Zakaria has a robust background in ERP implementation, having led pioneering projects across Saudi Arabia and Egypt. As a CIO, he orchestrated debut ERP systems in major fi rms like Dar Al-Arkan and Ghabbour Egypt. At Technology Universe, he specialises in ERP services, managing successful deployments of Microsoft Dynamics, BaaN and Oracle E-Business Suite. His strategic IT solutions streamline software, middleware and communication infrastructures. Ebrahim Kamalzadeh has over 30 years of IT experience, aligning technology with business strategies in the automotive sector. At Al Nabooda Automobiles, he directed a cloud-based dealer management system implementation, boosting IT effi ciency while reducing costs. His leadership improved customer experience with a vehicle health check system and advanced CRM solutions. Kamalzadeh’s cybersecurity strategies enhance security and his initiatives foster innovation and operational effi ciency. With over 35 years in offi ce automation, IT and telecom, Akashdeep Singh Lalvani delivers strategic leadership at Tech First Gulf. He’s excelled in managing NASDAQ-listed ventures and impactful technology launches, including the Indian Railways’ helpline. Known for driving growth and innovation, Lalvani leads initiatives across sectors like cybersecurity and AI. Committed to forging global alliances, he empowers partners with top-tier IT solutions to ensure sustained business value. Biju Alex has enhanced Ingram Micro’s IT operations across the Middle East and Africa, overseeing projects that include cloud solutions and network optimisation. Under his leadership, the company achieved a 30 per cent reduction in operational costs through automation and streamlined processes. His strategic implementation of advanced analytics has improved decision-making and elevated client services. His work in IT strategy has supported their scalability and market competitiveness in the region. AKASHDEEP SINGH LALVANI CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER TECH FIRST GULF BIJU ALEX DIRECTOR OF IT – MEA INGRAM MICRO MOHAMED ZAKARIA CEO & CTO TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSE (EGYPT) EBRAHIM KAMALZADEH CIO AL NABOODA AUTOMOBILES VISIONARIES Ebrahim Kamalzadeh ACN_March2025_54-63_PL - Visionaries_13580775.indd 63ACN_March2025_54-63_PL - Visionaries_13580775.indd 6303/06/2025 20:3103/06/2025 20:31POWER LIST 64 ACN | Summer 2025 Irshad Mohammed brings over 21 years of expertise in IT infrastructure and security, with a focus on the healthcare, retail and supply chain sectors. Currently the Chief Information Security Offi cer at Burjeel Holdings, he ensures regulatory compliance for more than 20 hospitals, executed ISO 27001 certifi cation and harmonised IT security policies. His strategic projects include implementing privilege access management, managing MSSP services and establishing a data leakage-resistant off shore offi ce. With over 22 years of global experience, Adnan Naseem has been instrumental in delivering benefi ts exceeding $1 billion through strategic technology transformation. His leadership in Fortune 500 and start-up environments includes managing budgets over $200 million and leading teams of more than 400. He has spearheaded major projects like ecommerce, ERP, CRM, cloud transformations, and integrated DevOps and Agile methodologies, enhancing operational capabilities and effi ciency. Muhammad Uzair is currently the CIO for PepsiCo’s Middle Eas t region. He has successfully led digital transformation initiatives in international firms, emphasising agility and data-driven decision-making across 17 countries. His expertise includes SAP integration, IT transformation and data migration, maximising ROI and innovation. Previously, he worked with EY and IBM, honing his ability to align technology with strategic business goals. Mousa J. Al-Anizi is a prominent IT leader with over 30 years in the healthcare industry, fronting digital transformations and IT governance. As the VP of Digital Health at Riyadh First Health Cluster, he led the digital revamp of 18 hospitals and 162 centres. He has extensive experience in Oracle ERP, MISYS HIS and telemedicine solutions. In his current role, he upgraded IT infrastructure with cloud integration and electronic health records (EHRs), enhancing data security and service effi ciency. MUHAMMAD UZAIR CIO – MIDDLE EAST PEPSICO MOUSA J. AL-ANIZI DIRECTOR E-HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, CIO KING SAUD MEDICAL CITY IRSHAD MOHAMMED CISO BURJEEL HOLDINGS ADNAN NASEEM HEAD OF STRATEGIC TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO EMIRATES CHANGE-MAKERS Mousa J. Al-Anizi ACN_March2025_64-73_PL - Change Makers_13581017.indd 64ACN_March2025_64-73_PL - Change Makers_13581017.indd 6403/06/2025 20:3603/06/2025 20:36POWER LIST ACN | Summer 2025 65 Abdulrahman Khaiwi has steered substantial digital transformation at Emirates National Schools, implementing AI-powered, cloud-based systems to improve educational experiences. His eff orts have unifi ed student information system (SIS), learning management system (LMS) and data lake technologies, enhancing teaching quality and student engagement. By consolidating on-premise solutions, he signifi cantly cut IT costs and bolstered operational effi ciency. Mervat A. Alrassan is the Corporate Director of Digital Services at King Saud University Medical City. She has over 16 years of experience in IT leadership and has led numerous projects in software production, networks and information systems development. At King Saud University Medical City, she led the HIS (hospital information system) implementation and picture archiving and communication system integration, enhancing patient care. Since November 2022, Guillaume Apostoly has led Sephora’s IT transformation across Europe and the Middle East. He oversees the digital, data, core and supply IT functions, advancing an innovative hybrid cloud infrastructure. His strategic initiatives enhance digital capabilities and data-driven retail IT, bolstering Sephora’s global market presence. In previous roles, he revolutionised Maisons du Monde’s IT landscape by transitioning to cloud and implementing a successful omnichannel marketplace. Hani Khalaf, CTO for Data and AI Solutions at Dell Technologies, oversees the Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East, Turkey & Africa region, leveraging 27 years of expertise. He initiated IoT and smart cities solutions in the Middle East, fostering innovation since 2011. His leadership in AI and data strategies supports organisations’ digital transformations, enhancing decision-making and reshaping business models. GUILLAUME APOSTOLY CIO – EUROPE AND MIDDLE EAST SEPHORA HANI KHALAF CTO, DATA AND AI SOLUTIONS – META DELL TECHNOLOGIES ABDULRAHMAN KHAIWI HEAD OF IT DEPARTMENT EMIRATES NATIONAL SCHOOLS MERVAT A. ALRASSAN CORPORATE DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL SERVICES KING SAUD UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CITY CHANGE-MAKERS Mervat A. Alrassan ACN_March2025_64-73_PL - Change Makers_13581017.indd 65ACN_March2025_64-73_PL - Change Makers_13581017.indd 6503/06/2025 20:3603/06/2025 20:36POWER LIST 66 ACN | Summer 2025 Alaa Faydi is based in Jeddah, where he works as the Corporate Cybersecurity Head at Saudi Aramco Base Oil Company (Luberef). He develops the cybersecurity strategy, government frameworks and policy enforcement. Faydi has improved threat detection capabilities by 40 per cent, through strategic initiatives and technology implementation. Additionally, he successfully coordinated a company-wide cybersecurity awareness training programme that reduced data breaches. George Akhras has been the Chief Information Officer of Academia Management Solutions International (AMSI) since 2007. He has spearheaded digital transformation across educational institutions, leading to notable operational efficiency and centralising business functions. His strategic vision resulted in significant cost savings and enhanced cybersecurity through a comprehensive framework that reduced breaches. Farid Shariff has more than 23 years of experience in executive roles. He excels in transforming telecom infrastructure, achieving a 40 per cent improvement in network performance at JBTEL Communications as the Chief Technology Information Offi cer. He has led 5G deployments for companies like stc and Zain, managed over $100 million budgets, and orchestrated cloud migrations, resulting in a 25 per cent reduction in IT costs. Francoise Russo has over 20 years of technology leadership experience, modernising IT functions at global fi rms like Toll Group and Procter & Gamble. Her achievements span IT transformations in 100 markets at British American Tobacco, where she enhanced operational effi ciency. Her multiple strategic roles at Diageo led to optimised e-strategies and HR systems. She is presently the Chief Digital and Technology Offi cer at Aramex. FARID SHARIFF CHIEF TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION OFFICER JBTEL COMMUNICATIONS FRANCOISE RUSSO CHIEF DIGITAL AND TECHNOLOGY OFFICER ARAMEX ALAA FAYDI CORPORATE CYBERSECURITY HEAD SAUDI ARAMCO BASE OIL COMPANY – LUBEREF GEORGE AKHRAS CIO AMSI Francoise Russo CHANGE-MAKERS ACN_March2025_64-73_PL - Change Makers_13581017.indd 66ACN_March2025_64-73_PL - Change Makers_13581017.indd 6603/06/2025 20:3603/06/2025 20:36POWER LIST ACN | Summer 2025 67 Fady Sleiman has worked as a leader across the EMEA region at major companies like General Electric, Petrofac and Mantrac Group. His experience spans the aviation, oil and gas, fi ntech, healthcare and aviation sectors. Sleiman is presently the Group Chief Information Digital Offi cer at Al Bawani Holding. His specialties include mergers and acquisitions, change management, government relations in the Middle East, banking IT and operations platforms. Dr. Khalid Ahmed Almutawah has been pivotal in Bahrain’s digital transformation as Deputy Chief Executive at Bahrain’s Information and eGovernment Authority. He effi ciently led the government’s switch to AWS, cutting IT costs by 70 to 90 per cent and reducing project timelines by 60 per cent. His governance frameworks have streamlined decision-making, while his data analytics initiatives have enhanced operational effi ciency. An infl uential speaker, he positions Bahrain as a tech leader in the region. Mohammed Sibgathullah Khan directs IT strategies, spearheading signifi cant digital transformation at National Petrochemical Industrial Company (NATPET) as the Director of Information Technology. Leading initiatives like SAP S/4 HANA migration and A I - b ased c y ber s ec urit y solutions, he drives cost effi ciency and operational scalability. Implementing agile methodologies and cloud computing, he enhances business agility. Hossam Afifi is an accomplished technology executive who has led a multitude of technically complex projects. He is presently the Chief Information Offi cer at Burgan Bank in Dubai, where he leads the deliver y of the bank’s IT transformation programme. His experience includes cybersecurity, operating models, information systems, enterprise architectures, ser vice management frameworks and cutting-edge technologies. MOHAMMED SIBGATHULLAH KHAN DIRECTOR OF IT NATPET HOSSAM AFIFI CIO BURGAN BANK FADY SLEIMAN GROUP CIDO AL BAWANI HOLDING KHALID AHMED ALMUTAWAH DEPUTY CE – OPERATIONS AND GOVERNANCE INFORMATION AND EGOVERNMENT AUTHORITY Khalid Ahmed Almutawah CHANGE-MAKERS ACN_March2025_64-73_PL - Change Makers_13581017.indd 67ACN_March2025_64-73_PL - Change Makers_13581017.indd 6703/06/2025 20:5503/06/2025 20:55POWER LIST 68 ACN | Summer 2025 Mohammed Shuaib leads IT infrastructure at Smart Umm Al Quwain Government, aligning technology with strategic organisational goals. He achieved ISO 27001:2013 certifi cation for the data centre, ensuring security compliance. Shuaib drove IT effi ciency by repurposing end-of-life hardware for disaster recovery and user acceptance testing, reducing e-waste and costs. With over 15 years of leadership, he has standardised operations for high availability and optimised costs. Faisal Ali has the motto “excellence is a habit” and he has instilled this in his career. From long-range planning and data analysis to maximising productivity and resource utilisation, the Group CIO at Gargash Group has successfully led teams to achieve high levels of customer satisfaction across multiple sectors. He is known for business process improvement by fi nding creative solutions that results in operational ineffi ciencies and organisational management. Subodh Dubey now leads transformative technology strategies at Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group. His expertise in AI, IoT, cloud computing and analytics drives innovation and has enhanced operational effi ciency and business growth across companies. As an active start-up mentor and angel investor, he fosters technological advancement across industries. Dubey has a proven track record of aligning IT initiatives with strategic business objectives, facilitating digital transformation. Amjed Joudeh has over 25 years in IT leadership, driving innovation and digital transformation across the GCC and Jordan. He has implemented major projects in the Sharjah Government, Ajman Government and the private sector, enhancing effi ciency and cybersecurity. By aligning technology strategies with business objectives, he has achieved notable cost savings and positioned these organisations at the forefront of digital advancements, fostering innovation and mentoring future tech leaders. SUBODH DUBEY GROUP CIO EASA SALEH AL GURG GROUP AMJED JOUDEH IT DIRECTOR SDTPS MOHAMMED SHUAIB SENIOR SYSTEM ENGINEER SMART UMM AL QUWAIN FAISAL ALI GROUP CIO GARGASH GROUP Amjed Joudeh CHANGE-MAKERS ACN_March2025_64-73_PL - Change Makers_13581017.indd 68ACN_March2025_64-73_PL - Change Makers_13581017.indd 6803/06/2025 20:3603/06/2025 20:36POWER LIST ACN | Summer 2025 69 Mohamed S. Sadawy oversees the digital transformation at Bukhatir Group, driving initiatives that increase IT effi ciency by 40 per cent across the education, real estate and industrial sectors. At BEAM Schools, he introduced AI-driven EdTech, boosting student engagement by 30 per cent. His leadership in multi-cloud migration cut costs by 20 per cent, and his cybersecurity enhancements halved security incidents. Sadawy’s strategic focus on technology integration shapes educational and enterprise growth. As the Chief Information Security Officer at ACWA Power International, Bin Humaid brings over 20 years of experience across the oil and gas and banking sectors, specialising in cybersecurity. He is focused on digital risk management and reducing data breach risks. Humaid is responsible for creating the strategy and deploying information security policies, practices and technologies. He has international experience in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and the US. Gerald Beuchelt, Chief Information Security Offi cer at Acronis, expertly manages global IT, security and compliance operations. With over a decade of experience in cybersecurity, he played a pivotal role in Sprinklr’s $4 billion IPO and LogMeIn’s $5 billion merger. At Acronis, he emphasises scalable technology and proactive management. Beuchelt’s leadership has driven EU sales growth through GDPR implementation and enhanced global security strategies. Fahad Almoqhim, with over 20 years in the industry, leads digital transformation at Saudi Accreditation Centre (SAAC) as its Chief Information Officer. He has been instrumental in expanding data management and creating a robust business intelligence (BI) platform using the latest technologies for an enhanced user experience and improved effi ciency. Almoqhim spearheaded over 20 initiatives to boost digital maturity, establishing IT, digital transformation and cybersecurity departments. GERALD BEUCHELT CISO ACRONIS FAHAD ALMOQHIM CIO SAUDI ACCREDITATION CENTRE MOHAMED S. SADAWY GROUP HEAD OF IT BUKHATIR GROUP FAISAL BIN HUMAID CISO ACWA POWER INTERNATIONAL Faisal Bin Humaid CHANGE-MAKERS ACN_March2025_64-73_PL - Change Makers_13581017.indd 69ACN_March2025_64-73_PL - Change Makers_13581017.indd 6903/06/2025 20:3703/06/2025 20:37Next >