JURY CHAIR
Executive Director of Marketing and Communication, UAE Government Media Office, United Arab Emirates

Khaled AlShehhi is an innovative marketing leader who has made significant contributions to advertising and marketing in the MENA region. His strategies have garnered over 220 secured international awards. A prominent member of the Global Chief Marketing Officer Growth Council, he was honored with the 2022 World Media Award and named Dubai Lynx 2023's Advertising Person of the Year. Khaled has been featured in the Arabian Business’ 2021 Power List of individuals shaping the Middle East's future. His insights on government creativity make him a notable industry speaker. Find Khaled on Instagram: @KhaledRALShehhi, on X: @KhaledALShehhi and on LinkedIn.

Vice President Marketing, Qatar Airways, Qatar

As Vice President Marketing, Babar is responsible for positioning Qatar Airways as a massive world class-airline brand, respected amongst peers and beyond. With a strong track record in strategic marketing, Babar's understanding of global market dynamics,customer preference and competitive landscape, have consistently driven results. With an expansive experience in brand & product marketing, digital marketing & innovation, social media and sponsorship, Babar has delivered immense achievements for the Qatar Airways' brand. Find Babar on LinkedIn.

Media Director, Starcom East Africa/ALB, Kenya

Christine has over 20 years' experience in media where she has been responsible for coordinating media campaigns across the East Africa region on a variety of brands. The experience gained through the years has given her unique insights in the overall management of the media processes and workflow. This includes: tracking and evaluating; managing media and digital agencies; executing brand communication/channel strategies across markets; embedding best practice gathered from various markets; creating measurable value (both quantitative and qualitative) for media investments within countries; and supporting the development of brand engagement ideas using local country consumer/media insights.

CEO, Dentsu, Sub Saharan Africa

With over 25 years experience in startups and building networks in Africa, Dawn has led the dentsu Africa business for 13 years, from 40 people to 1,500. She has won multiple business and innovation awards, both globally and locally. During the last 13 years she has brought 500 interns into the industry and retained 60% of them at dentsu. She is a supporter of Malaria No More and has ensured its awareness, amongst the generation that can see it eradicated. She embodies female empowerment and has a fully female leadership team in Africa and South Africa. Find Dawn on Instagram: @dawn.rowlands, on X: @dawnrow and on LinkedIn.

CEO, Omnicom Media Group, United Arab Emirates

Named CEO of Omnicom MediaGroup in 2022, Elda is first and only woman to run a leading agency group in MENA. Over her 18 years at OMG, she has held several leadership roles, constantly driving growth, elevating talent and product and reconfiguring the services for optimum performance. In 2023, she launched TRKKN, a Google centric agency, in the region and had a stellar new business record. She sits on multiple industry boards; in 2023, was named amongst the 100 Most Powerful Arab Businesswomen by ForbesME and was listed amongst their Global Meets Local list, in addition to Campaign’s The MENA Power List. Find Elda on Instagram: @eldachoucair, on X: @eldachoucair and on LinkedIn.

Senior Digital Media Director, Universal Media, Egypt

Marina has 11 years of extensive experience in strategic media planning during which she worked on diversified accounts such as Orange, L’Oréal, Samsung, Visa, and Exxon Mobil. Leading the global digital strategy of Egypt Tourism, the Experience Egypt account gave her a better understanding of the global media scene, a strong partnership with the top platforms across the globe and wider exposure, as well as access to the latest AI solutions for scalability, data analysis, and optimisation. Find Marina on Instagram: @marinamedhatzakhary and on LinkedIn.

Chief Marketing Officer, Old Mutual, South Africa

Mosala is the Chief Marketing Officer at Old Mutual. He joined Old Mutual in 2021 following more than 16 years' experience in FMCG with Procter & Gamble, with extensive experience across multiple brands with scope covering following regions Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He has lived and worked in South Africa, Switzerland, Kenya and Ghana. Find Mosala on Instagram: @mosala, on X: @mosalaphillips and on LinkedIn.

General Manager, Mindshare, Tunisia

Yssem is a strategist, inventive mind and international awards winner with strong digital background, surfing on data, trends and tech, to develop effective marketing and integrated communication strategies connecting brands to consumers. He has proven expertise in digital marketing, audience building, consumer marketing, media strategies, social media content planning, performance marketing, client services management, team leading, issues identification and resolution. Find Yssem on LinkedIn.

Chief Marketing Officer & Co-head of Brand, Jumia Group NYSE:JMIA, Africa

Yvonne is a chartered marketing professional with about 14 years experience in cross functional roles in marketing and sales in Consumer Goods and E-commerce and Technology. She is currently with Jumia, the largest e-commerce player in Africa where she doubles as co-head of brand for the group overseeing 11 countries in Africa and the CMO for the Ghana business. Over the last 18 months, she has worked with the brand team in ideating and producing succesful digital and off-line campaigns for different channels across all markets while re-defining the brand strategy, creative strategy, positioning and brand purpose for Jumia. Find Yvonne on Instagram: miss_vonney, on X: @YGyefour and on LinkedIn.

JURY CHAIR
Chief Marketing Officer, Absa Kenya PLC, Kenya

Carolyne is passionate about Africa and believes that we can all achieve our full potential if we stay hungry, positive and creative. She is an astute and experienced marketing professional with more than 20 years’ experience in blue chip organizations across various industries - FMCG, Beverage, Telco, Fintech & Banking working on global, regional, and local brands in several markets across Sub-Saharan Africa. She believes that the role of a brand, business or organization is not to extract value but to do well by doing good and leave their customers and communities better than they found them.

Creative Strategy Lead, Google, United Arab Emirates

Anastasia is a Creative Strategy Lead in Google MENA, bringing over 15 years of global expertise in communication planning and brand development. Prior to joining Google in 2021, she held the position of Head of Strategy Department at DDB. Throughout her career, Anastasia has played a pivotal role in driving growth for over 100 brands, garnering numerous effectiveness awards along the way. A recognized thought leader in strategic planning, Anastasia founded and manages the 'Strategic Planning Professionals' group on LinkedIn, the largest community of strategic planners worldwide, boasting over 5,000 members.

National Digital Transformation Lead, Microsoft, Africa

Angela is currently the National Digital Transformation Lead for Microsoft Africa. Prior to joining Microsoft, Angela held the role of Regional Head/CEO for IBM North, East, and West Africa. During her 10-year tenure at IBM, Angela held several roles, including Country General Manager for IBM Ghana, she also held a global position as the Chief of Staff to the SVP of Global Markets at IBM's USA headquarters. Angela serves on the boards of the Central Bank of Ghana, and the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF) and is a member of the Forbes Technology Council. Find Angela on Instagram: @therealangela_k, on X: @jimohangela and on LinkedIn.

Head of Strategy, Impact BBDO, United Arab Emirates

Brand and communications strategy has led to Anton's time with agencies such as Publicis and BBH in London, BBDO and JWT in Singapore to co-department head at Ogilvy within SEA’s largest market, Indonesia. Throw in five years with big tech running in-house strategy teams at Netflix and Google, learning their tools and approaches to creative and communications strategy, he's now back agency side in Dubai with Impact BBDO challenging the market and region to deliver more real and authentic work that works.

Chief Strategist (CSO) & Founder, Thinkerneur, South Africa

Bogosi is the Chief Strategist at Thinkerneur, a strategy consultancy firm that provides brand, positioning, service, and communications strategies to both advertising agencies and brands. Through the Thinkerneur Impact Series, he works with brands helping them create sustainable impact strategies and projects that leave people, communities, societies at larger better than before. He is the custodian of brands being a force for good wherever they exist, especially in Africa. He also just recently launched the One Human Summit. Find Bogosi on Instagram: @bogosi_m, on X: @misogob and on LinkedIn.

Head of Portfolio Strategy, CMI and Marketing Capabilities, Nigerian Breweries Plc (Heineken Nigeria), Nigeria

Fred is an experienced portfolio strategy and marketing professional. He is a member of the marketing leadership team at Heineken Nigeria and has led multiple portfolio and channel strategy projects within Heineken. He is also an award-winning account planner at various regional and global shows including Epica and the Loeries. In his spare time, Fred listens to podcasts, cycles, and plays video games. Find Fred on Instagram: @freddieakin, on X: @akingbemibola and on LinkedIn.

Head of Strategy, Grey Group, Qatar

Maria is an award-winning brand strategist with extensive experience across marketing, brand management, consumer insights and advertising. Maria currently leads the strategic output of the Grey Doha office, working with some of the most exciting brands in the region including Ooredoo, Festival City and Qatar Energy. She has previously worked in a wide range of industries and in multiple geographies including New Zealand, Latin America & MENA.

Group Chief Strategy Officer, Publicis Groupe, Middle East, North Africa and Turkey

Tahaab is the first Chief Strategy Officer for Publicis Groupe across the MENAT region. He leads insights, intelligence, strategy, effectiveness, and creative excellence for diverse companies within Publicis Groupe. Tahaab was recognised as Strategic Leader of the Year by Campaign Middle East for 2022 and 2023. He is one of the world’s most awarded strategists for effectiveness and strategy and has won over 950 awards. At Publicis Groupe, he has led the agencies to top-rankings globally on platforms like Global Effie Index, Jay Chiats and WARC. Alongside strategy, he’s also a multi-awarded film director. Find Tahaab on Instagram: @tahaab.rais, on X: @tahaab and on LinkedIn.