The Gulf region continues to rise as one of the world’s most dynamic hubs for innovation, leadership, and transformation. At the heart of this momentum are professionals whose vision, resilience, and dedication are shaping industries and inspiring communities. From technology and education to sustainability, finance, and wellness, these leaders are not only advancing their own fields but also redefining what it means to lead in 2025 and beyond.
In this feature, “Gulf's 10 Visionary Professionals to Follow in 2025,” we bring together remarkable individuals who represent the spirit of progress across diverse sectors. Each of them carries a unique story of perseverance and purpose, stories that remind us that true leadership goes beyond titles and achievements; it lies in the ability to create lasting impact.
As you explore their journeys, you’ll discover how Dr. Mariam Shaikh is shaping the future of higher education, how Girish J Bhatia is transforming the digital economy, how Federica Bertollini is redefining business consultancy, and how leaders like Safwan Alsebaei, Dr. Moez Gharbi, Chris Hughes, Juan Pablo Napoli, Raja Srinivas Pedada, Yamini Iyer, and Winnie LIW are driving innovation in their own remarkable ways.
We invite you to delve into these inspiring narratives, each one a testament to vision, passion, and leadership in action. Together, they illuminate the path of progress in the Gulf and beyond.
Dr. Mariam Shaikh
With over 35 years of distinguished leadership in education, Dr. Mariam Shaikh has become one of the Gulf’s most respected voices in higher education and student empowerment. As Founder and CEO of MS Education Consultants, she has built a platform that bridges students from the Middle East with world-class institutions across North America, Europe, Asia, and beyond.
Her journey began in the 1980s when she established her own nursery school, later leading one of the UAE’s largest Asian schools to unprecedented growth with more than 7,000 students. In the early 2000s, Dr. Mariam transitioned into higher education, playing pivotal roles in the establishment and expansion of prestigious international universities in Dubai, including the Canadian University of Dubai, Heriot-Watt University, and Amity University.
A strategist at heart, she has been instrumental in new campus planning, student recruitment, international partnerships, and student experience initiatives. From spearheading the “Study in Dubai” initiative by recruiting international students, to serving as Vice President for Student Success and Chief Happiness Officer, her work has consistently placed students at the center of every innovation.
Her influence extends far beyond the UAE. She has forged academic partnerships with institutions in Austria, China, Australia, the USA, and Canada, helping shape Dubai’s identity as a global hub for higher education. In recent years, she has represented institutions like the University of Guelph, Toronto Metropolitan University, and Kean University in the Middle East, ensuring more students from the region gain access to world-leading academic opportunities.
Recognized as a trailblazer in education and entrepreneurship, Dr. Mariam’s impact has been honored with numerous awards, including the Leadership Excellence Award (2025), Lifetime Achievement Award (2024), Global Icon Award (2023), and GCC Woman Leadership Award (2019). Beyond education, she champions women entrepreneurs through the Global Women Entrepreneurs Group in Dubai, empowering the next generation with mentorship, skill development, and collaborative opportunities.
Her legacy is one of vision, resilience, and dedication, qualities that continue to make Dr. Mariam Shaikh a true visionary professional to follow in 2025.
Girish J Bhatia
Girish J Bhatia: A Visionary at the Forefront of Cloud and Digital Transformation in the Gulf
Among the Gulf region's most influential technology leaders, Girish J Bhatia stands out as a transformative force driving innovation across enterprise IT. As Cloud Director and Head of Digital Transformation at a leading system integrator under YAS Holdings, Girish has become synonymous with forward-thinking strategy, resilient cloud architecture, and impactful digital modernization. His vision goes beyond technical deployment, he is shaping the way organizations embrace change, adopt emerging technologies, and unlock business agility in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
With over three decades of expertise spanning cloud infrastructure, enterprise IT strategy, and industry-wide digital transformation initiatives, Girish brings a unique blend of technical depth and strategic foresight. Under his leadership, his organization has delivered pioneering cloud solutions, large-scale migrations, and secure hybrid ecosystems for public and private sector clients across the UAE. Known for his hands-on leadership style and consultative approach, Girish empowers teams and clients alike to reimagine legacy systems, streamline operations, and build sustainable digital futures.
Girish’s impact is not just measured by the solutions he delivers, but by the lasting change he inspires. His work is helping redefine how enterprises in the Gulf region leverage technology for growth, resilience, and innovation. By fostering a culture of agility and continuously pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in cloud and digital, Girish J Bhatia has firmly earned his place among the Top 10 Visionary Professionals in the Gulf’s dynamic IT landscape.
Federica Bertollini
As the Chief Visionary Officer and Founder of NUR Advisors Group, Federica Bertollini leads a boutique consultancy committed to assisting entrepreneurs and businesses with strategic clarity, regulatory precision, and resolute support. Since its inception in 2016, NUR has offered a holistic and deeply personalised approach to business services in the UAE. Specialising in end-to-end corporate solutions, from company formation and visa facilitation to financial services, compliance, HR, accounting, and strategic market entry, the firm has become a trusted partner for startups, SMEs, family businesses, and international investors. Federica’s leadership has transformed NUR Advisors into a catalyst for growth, removing operational friction and enabling clients to focus entirely on building their vision.
What truly distinguishes NUR Advisors is its embodiment of Federica’s personal values: precision, transparency, and a human-centred approach to business. Guided by a global mindset and grounded in local expertise, she has designed a consultancy that not only delivers results but also understands the emotional and strategic complexities of entrepreneurship. Whether helping a client secure a Golden Visa, establish a compliant entity, or launch a digital brand through premium partners, NUR delivers not just services but meaningful solutions. Each engagement is tailored to the client’s unique journey, making the firm a long-term strategic ally rather than a transactional service provider. Under Federica’s direction, NUR stands as a resilient, values-driven force in the UAE’s business ecosystem, crafting not only compliant operations but also sustainable success.
Federica’s influence extends well beyond the operational leadership of NUR Advisors Group; her active presence in key institutional roles demonstrates a commitment to shaping the broader business and civic landscape of the UAE. As Vice Chairman of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce Professional Business Group, she works at the intersection of public-private collaboration, advocating for policies and initiatives that elevate the standards and global competitiveness of professional services in the region. Her insights contribute to shaping dialogue on regulatory reforms, business facilitation, and ecosystem development, making her a voice of strategic relevance within the Chamber’s mission to drive innovation and excellence across sectors.
Federica also serves as the President of the Rotary Club of Bur Dubai, where her leadership reflects a deeper ethos of service, inclusion, and social responsibility. Through Rotary, she champions causes that bridge business with humanitarian impact, fostering community development and youth empowerment while nurturing a culture of ethical leadership.
Additionally, Federica is the Chief Operating Officer of WILL – Worldwide Independent Lawyers League, a global network of legal professionals committed to ethical practice, cross-border collaboration, and accessible legal support. In this role, she reinforces her vision of an interconnected, principled business landscape where legal and corporate services align to support long-term success.
These roles complement her vision for NUR Advisors Group as more than a consultancy; they position it as a force for good in the region’s socio-economic fabric. Her dual focus on corporate empowerment and community enrichment underscores a rare integration of business acumen and civic purpose, positioning Federica as a transformative figure within the UAE’s evolving entrepreneurial landscape.
Safwan Alsebaei
Over the past three decades, Safwan Alsebaei’s journey across the USA, GCC, and North Africa has been shaped by one conviction, that technology, when guided by strategic vision, has the power to transform not only businesses but entire communities. Whether leading AI integration in corporate operations, steering educational institutions toward higher performance, or building enterprise-grade automation systems for global tech leaders, his mission has always been to turn complexity into clarity and potential into measurable impact.
With a distinguished career spanning leadership roles in technology, education, and corporate governance, he has consistently demonstrated the ability to deliver results at scale. His expertise includes designing and implementing enterprise-level AI solutions, launching digital transformation initiatives, and leading multicultural teams across multiple sectors. Currently serving as General Manager at Middle East BLDG in the UAE, he has successfully designed and implemented a Language Model similar to ChatGPT using Python, applying AI and automation to streamline operations, optimize resources, and drive measurable business outcomes.
Safwan’s leadership track record extends to advisory and consultancy roles, where he has developed comprehensive strategic improvement plans for educational institutions, integrated AI-driven performance evaluation systems, and guided governance boards toward achieving higher standards of operational and academic excellence. Earlier in his career, he held pivotal positions with major U.S. tech firms, including Intel and Sony Semiconductor of America, where he managed high-impact automation projects that improved cost efficiency and strengthened client relationships.
Today, he sees artificial intelligence not as a distant concept but as a practical force reshaping industries in real time. His vision is to help organizations move beyond experimentation into purposeful adoption, where AI augments human intelligence, accelerates decision-making, and opens doors to opportunities once thought impossible. The future of business belongs to those who can bridge innovation with execution, and he is committed to enabling leaders and teams to operate at that intersection with speed, precision, and confidence.
Fluent in English, Arabic, Spanish, and Russian, and holding advanced degrees in Computer Science and Information Systems, Safwan brings a unique global perspective to his work. His ability to navigate diverse cultural and professional environments enables him to build impactful strategies that align with both local contexts and international best practices. Whether transforming a business through AI integration or leading systemic change in education, his approach is rooted in innovation, collaboration, and delivering tangible value.
Dr. Moez Gharbi
Dr. Moez Gharbi, B.Eng., M.A.Sc., EMBA, DBA, PMP, PMI-RMP, PMI-SP, CPMAI+E, MCIOB, IPMO-E, AssocRICS, ACIArb, BVA, MIT(EPGM, ACE, PGDDB), is a global leader in project management and digital transformation. As the Founder and CEO of ChatPM®, an AI-driven platform designed to revolutionize project management, he is setting new standards for how organizations manage complex portfolios, programs, and projects. ChatPM® leverages advanced automation, AI-powered data analytics, and seamless integration with Microsoft Teams, Power BI, and Microsoft Azure to centralize project data, streamline workflows, and deliver real-time insights for faster, smarter decision-making. This innovative solution reflects Dr. Gharbi’s vision of transforming project delivery efficiency while ensuring data integrity, collaboration, and governance at scale.
ChatPM® is more than an AI Agent for Project Management; it is the culmination of Dr. Gharbi’s 25+ years of hands-on leadership across mega and giga projects worldwide. His expertise in engineering, construction, project management, and digital delivery has informed every aspect of the platform’s design, ensuring it addresses real-world challenges faced by project managers. By automating repetitive tasks, enhancing collaboration, and enabling predictive decision-making, ChatPM® empowers organizations to maximize efficiency and project success in an increasingly complex and data-driven world.
Dr. Gharbi holds an Intellectual Property (IP) for ChatPM®, an innovative AI agent solution for project management, along with an international trademark that extends worldwide. This recognition highlights his significant contributions to enhancing efficiency and communication in project management through advanced AI technology.
Dr. Gharbi held multiple leadership roles at NEOM, one of the most ambitious smart city projects globally. He has served as Senior Risk Director for the Executive CEO office, Senior Manager for Governance, Risk and Controls (GRC), and Senior Manager for Digital Delivery & Operations for the Engineering and Technical Services Department (ETSD). At NEOM, he has been instrumental in developing the CEO WarRoom, implementing a cutting edge eGRC platform with multiple modules, and leading the implementation and rollout of a Project Management Information System (PMIS), integrating industry-leading digital tools such as Aconex, Unifier, VREX, Reconstruct, Solibri, and Cost-OS.
Prior to NEOM, Dr. Gharbi made significant contributions across the Middle East and internationally. At ASTAD in Qatar, he oversaw Education City’s portfolio for the Qatar Foundation. At WSP, he managed the Roads Projects Department (RPD) program controls for projects exceeding 6 billion Qatari Riyals, ensuring operational integration between PMC and client functions. His tenure at SYSTRA/Jacobs saw him establish a robust PMO function for the $11 billion Qatar Integrated Railway Project, ensuring precise and timely stakeholder communications.
Earlier in his career, he advised on cost controls for AECOM’s Jeddah Public Transportation Plan, managed project controls for SNC-Lavalin’s Mina De Cobre Copper Gold Mine in Panama, and led planning and cost control for the $3 billion Tunis Bay Financial Harbor project. His experience also spans globally recognized projects such as the Emirates Aluminium Smelter Complex in the UAE, the Goro Nickel Mine in New Caledonia, the Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada, and the Voisey’s Bay Nickel Mine in Canada. In each case, his leadership ensured the integration of governance frameworks, project controls, and cost optimization strategies for complex, multi-stakeholder programs.
Dr. Gharbi’s academic achievements are as distinguished as his career. He holds a Doctorate in Business Administration in Project and Programme Management from SKEMA Business School (France), an Executive MBA from the Mediterranean School of Business (Tunisia), a Master’s in Civil Engineering (Geotechnical) from Sherbrooke University (Canada), and a Bachelor’s in Engineering (Infrastructure and Buildings) from Carthage University (Tunisia).
He has completed an Executive Program in General Management (EPGM), a Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Business (PGDDB) and an Advanced Certificate for Executives in Management, Innovation and Technology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
His professional certifications include PMP, PMI-RMP, PMI-SP, CPMAI+E, MCIOB, IPMO-E, and ACIArb, alongside memberships in the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) in the UK, and the Project Management Institute (PMI) in USA.
Fluent in English, French, and Arabic, Dr. Moez Gharbi combines global perspective with technical excellence. His ability to bridge cutting-edge AI innovation with proven project management expertise places him at the forefront of industry transformation, making him a truly visionary professional to follow in 2025.
Chris Hughes
Fintech Innovation in the UAE: Chris Hughes Launches 0% FX Markup, Shariah-Compliant Debit Card, How Sinder is redefining travel money solutions for global citizens in the Gulf
Chris Hughes has built his career at the center of fintech’s most transformative moments. At Revolut, he helped architect financial systems during its hypergrowth. Later, at Tamara, he led core product as the Gulf’s fintech scene accelerated. Across these roles, his contribution has consistently been at the intersection of finance, technology, and execution, designing the infrastructure that makes complex financial products simple and accessible for end-users.
Now, as Founder of Sinder, Chris is bringing this experience forward by launching the UAE’s first 0% FX markup debit card, designed with Shariah compliance and a premium customer experience at its core. This innovation is aimed at redefining how UAE residents and global travelers manage money abroad, directly addressing gaps in Gulf travel money solutions.
His vision for Sinder is rooted in solving real, local problems while setting a global standard for design and transparency. The Gulf represents the world’s highest-value outbound travel market, yet its financial services remain nearly a decade behind Europe and the US. By focusing on travel-centric solutions, money, cards, wallets, remittance, and even connectivity through eSIM, Chris aims to close that gap and create a borderless financial experience for global citizens living in the UAE.
Looking ahead, Chris believes fintech in the Gulf is shifting toward hyper-localisation and commoditisation, where financial services will be delivered at near-zero cost and tailored precisely to customer needs. He emphasizes that the future of the industry will not just be about offering digital cards or wallets, but about building platforms that enable people to travel, spend, and connect globally without friction.
His ambition with Sinder goes beyond product launches. It represents a broader statement that the Gulf, and the UAE in particular, can be a birthplace for world-class fintech innovation. By blending Shariah-compliant principles with cutting-edge design, Sinder positions itself as a pioneer in delivering transparency, accessibility, and convenience to one of the world’s most mobile populations.
Chris Hughes’ journey highlights a powerful shift: that fintech in the Gulf is no longer about catching up, but about leading with innovation that combines cultural values, global connectivity, and customer-first design.
Juan Pablo Napoli
Juan Pablo Napoli’s professional journey began in Córdoba, Argentina, where he developed a passion for emerging technologies while pursuing his Computer Science degree. What started as curiosity about Java and enterprise systems evolved into a two-decade career across four continents, ultimately leading him to play a pivotal role in shaping Saudi Arabia’s AI transformation.
His 19 years at IBM (2004–2023) took him from Buenos Aires to Dubai, Bulgaria, New York, and Slovakia. Each transition presented unique challenges that broadened his perspective. At IBM’s Thomas J. Watson Research Center, he had the privilege of working alongside world-renowned scientists and executives, leading initiatives that impacted millions globally.
Among the key challenges that shaped his career, cultural adaptation stood out. Moving from Argentina to Eastern Europe, then to the Middle East, and finally to the United States required constant reinvention. Learning Bulgarian, Arabic phrases, and navigating vastly different business cultures taught him resilience and adaptability. Another defining challenge was leading the Digital Nation Africa initiative when then-CEO Ginni Rometty tasked his team with reaching 25 million Africans through digital skills training. Leading a 50-person international team while coordinating with the United Nations demanded unprecedented levels of collaboration. Additionally, creating the Columbia-IBM Center for Blockchain and Data Transparency required aligning the often-divergent priorities of Ivy League academics and corporate executives, which proved both complex and rewarding.
Over the years, Juan Pablo achieved significant milestones. He streamlined IBM’s credential ecosystem from more than 3,000 certifications, eliminating 40% redundancy while reaching 6 million professionals worldwide. He established innovation centers bridging academia and industry, including partnerships with Columbia, MIT, and Harvard. His leadership of the Digital Nation Africa program provided AI and digital skills training to millions across the continent. Currently, he is pursuing MIT’s Chief Technology Officer program while serving as a Senior Leadership Advisor in Saudi Arabia, contributing to Vision 2030.
His current role reflects the culmination of his global experience, where he fosters international collaborations with MIT, Stanford, and leading AI startups, while helping position Saudi Arabia as a global leader in artificial intelligence. His mission is to ensure that local initiatives generate global impact and that international partnerships bring meaningful value to the Kingdom.
For aspiring leaders, Juan Pablo shares advice grounded in his own experience. He emphasizes embracing global perspectives and not limiting oneself geographically, as growth often comes from working in unfamiliar cultures. He highlights the importance of bridging different worlds, connecting academia with industry, government with the private sector, and local initiatives with global impact. He advocates continuous learning, whether through formal education, like his ongoing MIT program, or through collaboration with diverse teams. Most importantly, he encourages focusing on impact rather than innovation alone, reminding that the most rewarding projects are not just technically impressive but those that genuinely improve lives and create lasting change.
Raja Srinivas Pedada
With more than three decades of leadership in the global energy and investment sectors, Raja Srinivas Pedada stands out as a distinguished visionary who has successfully driven landmark transactions and transformative projects across international markets. Currently serving as Managing Director of Sabson Energy & Investment Company, promoted by leading funding organizations, and as Co-Founder of Synergy Solutions, he has been instrumental in delivering customized energy solutions that foster growth, trust, and sustainable development.
Raja Srinivas’s leadership is marked by his ability to integrate innovation, technical excellence, and strategic foresight into every venture. Under his guidance, Sabson Energy has deepened its regional footprint while strategically expanding into niche global markets, leveraging smart partnerships, acquisitions, and turnkey EPC projects. Notably, he is spearheading major power plant initiatives across the MENA region, shaping the company’s transition into a comprehensive energy conglomerate focused on precision, sustainability, and impact.
His career reflects a strong commitment to advancing the energy transition in Africa, the Middle East, and beyond, addressing pressing energy crises with forward-looking solutions. With expertise spanning power generation, project finance, and renewable and non-renewable energy solutions, Raja Srinivas continues to champion innovative approaches that redefine energy sustainability and connectivity.
A recipient of multiple accolades and a respected board member, he combines strategic planning, negotiation, and project management excellence with an unwavering vision: to establish his firm as a global leader in energy while enabling businesses worldwide to achieve new heights of success.
Yamini J. Iyer
Among the Gulf’s emerging visionaries, Yamini J. Iyer, Founder and Managing Director of Yashtech, is redefining how industries approach sustainability. With a sharp focus on the HoReCa sector, Yamini has been at the forefront of driving the region’s transition toward eco-friendly business practices.
At Yashtech, she has championed sustainable packaging, printing, and labelling solutions that extend across hospitality, aviation, retail, and logistics. Her presence at flagship industry exhibitions, including The Hotel Show, Gulf Host, the Fast Food & Café Convention, Intersec, and the Dubai International Food Safety Conference, has reinforced her role as a thought leader who blends innovation with practicality, proving that businesses can achieve sustainability without sacrificing quality or efficiency.
Under Yamini’s leadership, Yashtech has grown into a leading GCC-wide consumables supplier. Its ISO 9001:2015 certification and SEDEX membership highlight its commitment to quality, ethics, and sustainability, cementing its credibility as a trusted partner across the Gulf. From customized takeaway packaging and advanced labelling systems to airline consumables for major carriers, Yashtech continues to set new benchmarks in green solutions while aligning with global sustainability goals.
Beyond business success, Yamini is deeply committed to women’s empowerment. She has created opportunities within Yashtech to help women shape their careers with confidence, purpose, and independence, proving that leadership is as much about uplifting others as it is about growth and innovation.
Together, Yamini and Yashtech embody the spirit of visionary leadership in 2025, showcasing how sustainability, innovation, empowerment, and growth can converge to create meaningful impact. As Yamini herself affirms:
“True leadership is measured not by profits alone, but by the positive impact we create for the planet and the communities we serve.”
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Yamini J. Iyer, Founder & Managing Director, Yashtech
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yashtech.trading/?hl=en
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- Website: https://yashtech.biz/
Winnie LIW
Winnie LIW, CEO of Kingdom of Esther, is a visionary entrepreneur who has built her business at the intersection of tradition, sustainability, and innovation. Growing up in a family deeply rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), she was introduced early to the healing power of herbs through her father’s medical hall, which he ran for more than 35 years. Those formative years, spent exploring shelves filled with medicinal herbs and learning about their holistic benefits, instilled in her a lifelong appreciation for natural remedies. Years later, a chance encounter with a group of professors reignited her passion and led her to collaborate with experts in health and wellness, laying the foundation for her TCM-based natural cosmetics brand.
Through Kingdom of Esther, LIW has successfully integrated ancient Chinese healing philosophies with modern scientific innovation, creating patented formulations of skincare and bodycare products made from Chinese herbs, plant extracts, and vitamins. With more than 10SKUs currently in the market, the company’s solutions deliver visible results within 2 weeks of continuous use. Today, her products are distributed in Singapore SQ KrisShop and China JD Mall, with expansion into major global markets including the U.S., China, GCC, Malaysia, Hong Kong and India. Her long-term vision extends beyond beauty products to wellness spas and holistic health offerings designed to enhance beauty from the inside out.
Her leadership has brought both recognition and results. Kingdom of Esther has won multiple honors, recognised as SG SME500 Awards 2024 & 2025, including Best Professional Business Solutions Agency 2024 and Best TCM-Based Skincare Company 2024 & 2025. APAC Insider Sustainability Excellence Award 2025.Awarded by Singapore Prestige Awards consecutively 3years since 2023. Personally, LIW has been celebrated worldwide: Business Strategist of the Year (Singapore) by Acquisition International in 2025, Women Power Players 2025 by Business Frontier, World’s 50 Most Influential Business Women by All Around Worlds, Most Influential Business Leaders 2024 by Business Frontier, and one of the Top 10 Leaders & Achievers in Asia 2023 by CEO Insights Asia. Earlier, she was profiled in Britishpedia: Successful People in Singapore, Vol. II (2022) and included in Marquis Who’s Who (2021).
Her entrepreneurial journey and philosophy have also been featured by Acquisition International (2025), Business Frontier (2024–2025), CEO Insights Asia (2023), The Singapore Journal (2023), and Britishpedia (2022). Each feature has highlighted her ability to honor her heritage while driving innovation in the global beauty and wellness industry.
Winnie LIW’s story is one of heritage, vision, and transformation. By blending ancient wisdom with modern science, she continues to redefine the meaning of sustainable beauty, making her one of the Gulf’s top 10 visionary professionals to follow in 2025.
Conclusion
The stories of these ten visionary professionals remind us that leadership is not confined to titles or positions, it is defined by the courage to innovate, the wisdom to adapt, and the determination to create lasting change. Each leader featured in this list has carved a unique path, yet together they represent the Gulf’s collective spirit of progress and ambition.
As we step further into 2025, their journeys stand as powerful examples of what is possible when vision meets perseverance. They inspire us not only to admire their achievements but also to learn, adapt, and apply their lessons in our own lives and industries. The Gulf is writing a new chapter of growth and transformation, and these leaders are its boldest authors.
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