Speakers & Panelists

Sultan Moraished serves as the Group Head of Technology & Corporate
Excellence for Red Sea Global (RSG), the developer behind The Red Sea and
AMAALA, two ambitious tourism developments set along the north-western
coast of Saudi Arabia. These destinations will play key roles in the realization of
Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s blueprint for economic diversification and
sustainable development. In his role, Sultan leads the technological innovation and strategic development across all facets of RSG’s tech operations across corporate, consumer, and developments with more than 250+ employees. He is responsible for overseeing the company’s technology strategy, including the implementation of cutting-
edge solutions to drive efficiency and innovation. His leadership extends to fostering a culture of technological excellence within the organization.

Before assuming his current position, Sultan was RSG’s Chief Information
Security Officer. In this capacity, he spearheaded the planning, implementation,
and management of comprehensive cybersecurity and data management
technologies, ensuring the protection of the company’s digital assets.
Prior to joining RSG, Sultan held the role of Chief Information Security Officer at
HSBC Saudi Arabia, where he established and led the information security, data
management, business continuity, and fraud prevention functions. His
contributions included leading a working committee appointed by the Capital Market Authority to draft cybersecurity controls for investment companies in
Saudi Arabia.

Earlier in his career, Sultan worked at SABB Bank, where he managed end-user
technology operations and ensured the security of employee data and email
communications. His professional journey began in the hospitality sector at
Alfaisaliah Hotel, then part of Rosewood Hotels and Resorts.
Sultan holds an MSc in Computer Science from Imam Muhammad ibn Saud
Islamic University and a BSc in Information Technology from King Saud
University. He is also an alumnus of the first Saudi Digital Leaders’ Program,
graduating in October 2020.

Eng. Sami Sarhan began his career at Saudi Aramco in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, in 1994. In
2008, he joined Microsoft in Reading, UK, as a technology specialist focused on developing
middleware systems for the Oil and Gas sector. A year later, he became General Manager at
AbdulKarem Holding in Khobar City, where he directed efforts in Oil and Gas automation
applications. In July 2010, he joined King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
(KAUST), where he advanced through various roles, culminating in his leadership of the
KAUST Fourth Industrial Revolution Center.

Currently, Sami serves as Chief Advisor at the National Industrial Development Center (NIDC), where he leads the development of strategies to localize and grow the Machinery and Equipment sector with a strong focus on Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies. His role supports the center’s mandate to align with the Kingdom’s National Industrial Strategy by driving innovation, attracting foreign direct investment, and enabling advanced manufacturing capabilities across priority value chains in Saudi Arabia.

Sami earned his B.S. in Computer and Electrical Engineering from New Mexico State
University in 1997. He completed his Master’s degree in Computer Science at Florida State
University in 2003 and obtained his MBA from Imperial College London in 2019. Recently, he also earned a Post Graduate Diploma in Innovation and Design Thinking from a consortium of MIT Management Executive Education, Columbia Business School, and Tuck Executive Education.

His recent research on SME readiness in R&D and innovation is notable as one of the first
comprehensive studies at the national level, addressing critical gaps in the SME ecosystem.
Sami has been a pivotal force in helping SMEs adopt Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)
technologies. As the founder of the 4IR Center at KAUST, built on his previous work with the
SME Innovation Services department, Sami has driven initiatives tailored to SMEs, impacting over 4,000 businesses. His deep understanding of the unique challenges SMEs face from limited budgets to knowledge gaps has guided the development of accessible, hands-on training in transformative technologies like digital twins, IoT, and AI.

As an inventor Sami own two registered IP’s at the US IPO and the second one at the UK IP
Office. The later is related to Drone systems and gyroscopic propulsion system. A serial
entrepreneur, Sami launched his first e-commerce platform, Oqaz Mall, in 2002, followed by Carts-n-Wheels, a trading business specializing in personal transportation. As co-founder, Sami established YAMAMA Wing, Drone based logistics services startup. As a certified commercial UAV pilot, Sami holds commercial pilot licenses from GACA in Saudi Arabia, CAA in the UK and FAA in the USA

Nishanth is a Cyber Security professional with 15+ years of experience Advisory, Consulting, Designing, Implementation and primary focus areas include Cyber Security Engineering & Ops, Cloud Native Security Ops, Data Privacy Engineering, DevSecOps, Site Reliability Engineering, and Chaos Engineering.

Nishanth has worked in sectors such as Information Technology, Banking, Finance,
Telecommunications, Transportation, and Industrial Manufacturing. His international
experience, which spans Algeria, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dubai, Egypt, India, Morocco, Qatar,
Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Tunisia, has enriched his understanding of the unique needs
and challenges in these regions.

His competency and commitment are reflected in the professional certifications he holds,
including CIPM, CIPT, CISA, CISM, AWS Solutions Architect Professional, Azure Solutions
Architect, Oracle Architect, and the Gremlin Chaos Engineering Professional.

Dynamic and results-driven Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) with extensive experience in
shaping and executing high-impact business strategies, driving business transformation
and financial management. Adept at leveraging financial insights and market trends to
guide companies toward sustainable growth and competitive advantage.

Proven track record in leading cross-functional teams, developing innovative business
strategies, and implementing operational changes that boost profitability and market
competitiveness. With expertise as a former CFO, combines strategic foresight with
operational excellence to drive transformation and enhance organizational performance.
Skilled in identifying growth opportunities, navigating complex market dynamics, and
ensuring strategic alignment with organizational goals. A collaborative leader committed
to delivering sustainable value and positioning businesses for future success.

Nate is a 20-year CTO who believes strategy is nothing without execution. Currently, He
leads AI & Automation at NEOM, helping the organization to move beyond AI
proof-of-concepts to industrial-scale delivery.
His focus isn’t just on “adopting AI,” but on architecting the Data and AI infrastructure
required to run it securely and effectively.

Recently, Nate and his team executed:
● AI Infrastructure: Delivered a Resident AI Inference Farm Deployed a Tiered,
Distributed AI Model Infrastructure featuring LLM Gateway

● AI Solution Deployments: Shipped 37 active AI Assistants, 5 core AI
applications, and 3 AI Deep Research Pipelines, 4 Enterprise AI Automation
Workflows.

● AI Integration: Fully connected AI agents into enterprise ticketing, document
stores, and SaaS platforms.
He has led teams across APAC and EMEA in Banking, SaaS Service, Supply Chain, and
Electronic Design Automation, always with a single metric in mind: direct impact on ROIC.

Dr. Manus Ward serves as Associate Vice President of Technologies and Special Projects at
the National Transformation Institute (NTI) at KAUST, where he oversees a dynamic and
expanding portfolio of strategic initiatives that align with KAUST’s mission to drive
innovation and impact at both national and global levels.
His leadership spans several high-profile projects, including the KAUST Coral Restoration
Initiative (KCRI), a flagship program dedicated to advancing marine ecosystem restoration
across the Kingdom, and the KAUST Mobility Project, which focuses on sustainable
transportation solutions and smart mobility systems.
Most recently, Dr. Ward has taken on joint collaboration of Translation Hub, a newly
established platform designed to implement and manage the International Hubs initiative.
This ambitious program aims to create a global network that extends KAUST’s reach,
fosters international collaboration, and attracts strategic partners to accelerate research
translation and commercialization.
Dr. Manus Ward is a seasoned leader with a career spanning academia, biotechnology
research, research funding, and policy development at institutional, national, and
European levels. His professional journey reflects a deep commitment to advancing
scientific innovation and translating research into impactful solutions.
In recent years, Dr. Ward has focused on building strategic research partnerships, driving
the translation of research into commercial products, shaping research policy and strategy,
and contributing to university administration. His expertise bridges the continuum from
basic research to pre-clinical development, and he has consistently demonstrated the
ability to deliver high-quality projects on time and under budget.
Throughout his tenure in academia and industry, Dr. Ward has built and mentored
innovative teams that successfully executed complex projects. At Science Foundation
Ireland and KAUST, he led teams that developed and implemented pioneering funding
programs and established multiple strategic partnerships, reinforcing his reputation as a
catalyst for research excellence and collaboration.
Dr. Ward’s leadership style is defined by resilience, strategic vision, and exceptional
communication skills. His strong networking capabilities have enabled him to cultivate an
extensive network of contacts across academia, industry, and policy sectors, positioning
him as a key connector in global innovation ecosystems.

• KAUST, Director Research Translation and Partnerships, March 2019 – present
• KAUST, Integrative Activities Manager, August 2014 – February 2019
• Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), Manager Performance Improvement Division,
April 2013- July 2014
• Science Foundation Ireland, Life Science Program Manager, May 2009 – March 2013
• Lecturer, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), 2005 -2009

Dynamic and results-driven Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) with extensive experience in
shaping and executing high-impact business strategies, driving business transformation
and financial management. Adept at leveraging financial insights and market trends to
guide companies toward sustainable growth and competitive advantage.
Proven track record in leading cross-functional teams, developing innovative business
strategies, and implementing operational changes that boost profitability and market
competitiveness. With expertise as a former CFO, combines strategic foresight with
operational excellence to drive transformation and enhance organizational performance.
Skilled in identifying growth opportunities, navigating complex market dynamics, and
ensuring strategic alignment with organizational goals. A collaborative leader committed
to delivering sustainable value and positioning businesses for future success.

A recognized technology leader with 35+ progressive experience, known for crafting the
requisite strategic vision to achieve business goals, offering a unique blend of executive acumen, global team building, and technology solutions development credited with strong ROI and operational improvement.

A highly creative thinker and analytical problem solver with demonstrated ability to manage technology projects from planning through execution/completion under pressure of fast-paced time-sensitive environments.

As the Chief Technology Officer at the King Faisal Foundation, Hazem has significantly
contributed to the building of a responsive technology structure that consistently delivers
results by aligning technology initiatives with strategic business goals; with substantial
improvement to service delivery, standardization, and business/systems performance.

Dr. Ibrahim Mubarak H. Al Baalharith is the Chief of Quality, Governance, and Excellence Officer at SEHA Virtual Hospital, a pioneering healthcare institution under the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia. SEHA Virtual Hospital is the largest of its kind globally and serves as a model for virtual healthcare delivery in the region. Dr. Al Baalharith has played a pivotal role in the establishment and growth of the hospital, which is part of the health sector’s transformation in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

An enthusiastic and self-motivated healthcare leader with over 20 years of diverse experience spanning clinical practice, education, leadership, quality, and research. Dedicated to advancing healthcare standards and driving transformative change, this individual has demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, organizing, and implementing organizational objectives while overseeing administrative duties related to patient care. Known for conducting impactful training programs and workshops, they inspire and mentor staff toward achieving excellence and developing new skills. Their commitment to continuous improvement has consistently contributed to the success and innovation of healthcare organizations.

In his role, Dr. Al Baalharith leads initiatives to enhance the hospital’s quality, governance, and institutional excellence, ensuring that it adheres to the highest international standards. Under his leadership, SEHA Virtual Hospital has achieved prestigious recognitions, including the highest level of Canadian international accreditation in the diamond category and four ISO certifications: ISO 27001, ISO 10015, ISO 9001, and ISO 31000. The hospital is also accredited by the Saudi
Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) as a provider of continuous professional development activities.

Dr. Al Baalharith’s leadership extends beyond quality management, having been pivotal in
overseeing innovative projects such as the development of training programs and securing
Program Accreditation from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS). His
contributions have also led to SEHA Virtual Hospital’s accreditation for continuous professional development by the SCFHS, highlighting his commitment to advancing healthcare technology and fostering professional growth within the organization.

In addition to these accomplishments, Dr. Al Baalharith has conducted over 15 research studies and serves as a reviewer for four respected journals. His academic achievements and numerous organizational awards underscore his dedication to excellence and innovation in healthcare leadership. His work has significantly enhanced the quality of healthcare services and professional development opportunities at SEHA Virtual Hospital.

Dr. Amna Kashgari is an AI Lead in healthcare. She is a radiology
consultant based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. She currently serves as
Section Head of Translational Radiology Science at Ministry of National
Guard Health Affairs, where she leads the strategy, implementation,
validation, and clinical integration of artificial intelligence solutions
within radiology practice.

Her work focuses on advancing AI-driven healthcare transformation,
optimizing clinical workflows, and ensuring safe and effective adoption
of emerging technologies to enhance diagnostic quality and patient
outcomes. She is actively engaged in education, innovation, and research
in artificial intelligence applications in medical imaging and digital
health.

Dr. Kashgari is also a strong advocate for responsible and ethical
artificial intelligence in healthcare. She promotes governance
frameworks, clinical validation standards, transparency, and bias
mitigation to ensure that AI technologies are deployed safely, equitably,
and in alignment with patient-centered care principles. Her vision
emphasizes trust, accountability, and multidisciplinary collaboration as
essential pillars for sustainable AI adoption in clinical practice.
Dr. Kashgari holds specialized certifications in artificial intelligence in
healthcare from leading institutions, including Harvard medical school,
Harvard school of public health, Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
the Radiological Society of North America and AI for leaders’
certificate from university of Texas At Autin.

AlHasan AlGhamdi is the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at a confidential
government entity in Saudi Arabia, with nearly two decades of experience in cybersecurity
and information security. He has held key roles across leading financial institutions, including Riyad Bank and The Saudi National Bank (SNB), specializing in risk management, audit, and identity and access management. His expertise spans cybersecurity governance, ISO27001 frameworks, and strengthening enterprise security resilience.

Ahmed AlAwami is a visionary leader and Division Manager of Artificial Intelligence at
Saudi Electricity Company (SEC), where he has dedicated over 16 years to driving
innovation at the intersection of AI and critical national infrastructure. With a proven
track record in both advanced project management and cutting-edge machine
learning implementation, he specializes in transforming traditional power systems
into intelligent, secure, and predictive networks.
As a key architect of SEC’s grid modernization, Ahmed has spearheaded the
deployment of large-scale AI solutions—including load forecasting, fault prediction,
and drone-based transmission inspections—delivering substantial operational
efficiencies and significant cost savings, such as a notable 17 million SAR in a single

project. His leadership extends beyond technology to building and guiding cross-
functional teams of 50+, successfully digitizing operations across HR, legal, and field services.

A recognized thought leader, Ahmed has published multiple technical papers at
prestigious international conferences like CIGRE, sharing his expertise on applying
machine learning to enhance power system reliability and protection. He is now
focused on scaling AI/ML adoption for next-generation power infrastructure, driving
OT/IT integration, and leveraging generative AI to unlock new value.
Ahmed is passionate about building high-impact, ROI-driven teams and is sought
after for his strategic insights on digital transformation, smart grids, and the future of
AI in the utilities sector.

A self-motivated renowned cyber security expert and a frequent conference speaker with
more than 27 years of IT and cybersecurity experience.

Al-Nimari was awarded the Arab Social Media Cyber Security Influencer Award for 4
consecutive years 2019-2022 by the Arab Cyber Security Conference in Cairo. He was also
among the top 2022 IFSEC Global Security Influencers.
Al-Nimari played different roles in government and private sector, in different IT and cyber
security fields.

He holds industry standard cyber security and project management certifications:
CISSP, CISM, CCISO, PMP, GSEC, GCIA, GCIH, GCUX, GREM, GICSP, BCVRE

Eng. Mohammed is a cybersecurity leader, with hands on experience in building cybersecurity operations and engineering teams with a focus on compliance and resilience.

His expertise lies in deep technical knowledge with strategic leadership. He also lead the
security architecture consultations, deliver complex implementations, and drive
enhancement initiatives that significantly improve cybersecurity readiness across multiple
local entities.

Eng. Amer holds a Master’s degree in Executive Business Administration and is a certified
environmental consultant and expert. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Chemical
Engineering and a Master’s degree in Project Management, in addition to completing several professional programs at Harvard University.

With over 25 years of practical experience in various industrial organizations, he possesses
extensive expertise in project management, team leadership, and field and operational
management.

The Awards ITTransformer of the Year 2020
The Awards CIO of the Year 2021
The Awards CIO of the Year 2022

Vision-driven Technology and Cybersecurity Executive with over 22 years of leadership
experience across government, energy, utilities, ports, aviation, telecom, and global
hospitality sectors. Proven track record in building secure, scalable, and resilient digital ecosystems, aligning technology strategy, cyber risk management, and investment governance with Saudi Vision 2030 and enterprise growth objectives.

Led national-scale cybersecurity and digital transformation programs, designed and
delivered 150+ Tier III & Tier IV data centers, and built high-performing organizations of
200+ professionals. Extensive experience managing multi-million SAR CAPEX/OPEX
portfolios, strengthening regulatory compliance (NCA, NCSC), and reducing enterprise risk
across regulated industries.

Expert in CTO/CISO leadership, Zero Trust architecture, cloud and AI enablement,
SOC/SIEM, disaster recovery, critical infrastructure protection, and board-level advisory.
Recognized by executive leadership for transformational delivery and operational
excellence.

Abdulaziz Alruwieshed is the Director of Digital Transformation & Cybersecurity Audit,
leading strategic initiatives that strengthen cybersecurity governance, accelerate digital
transformation, and enhance institutional resilience across government-related
environments. With a background in computer science and an MBA, he combines technical
depth with executive-level insight to align assurance, innovation, and national priorities under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

Mohammed Kishk is a senior digital transformation leader with over two decades of
experience leading large-scale transformation initiatives across diverse industries and
regions. He brings a strong ability to translate strategy into execution, enabling organizations to manage complexity, scale effectively, and achieve sustainable value through architecture-led and data-driven decisions.

I’m an accomplished CIO with more than 25 years of experience leading enterprise-wide digital transformation, cybersecurity programs, and ERP modernization initiatives. Serving as the Group IT Director for Watania for Industries (WFI), I oversee the organization’s Information Technology function, including infrastructure, SAP S/4HANA, cloud strategy, cybersecurity governance, and enterprise applications. 

Throughout my career, I have managed large-scale digital initiatives, including modernization of IT architectures, adoption of hybrid and cloud environments, and implementation of Zero-Trust cybersecurity frameworks. I led the end-to-end management of SAP S/4HANA across Finance, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, HR, and VRM, driving measurable efficiency improvements and enabling data-driven decision-making across the organization. 

As a strategic leadership, I have built and mentored high-performing IT teams, enhanced operational resilience, and implemented governance structures that improved productivity and significantly reduced operational risk. 

With deep expertise spanning ERP systems, business intelligence, cybersecurity, IT strategy, and enterprise governance, I’m recognized as a trusted technology leader and a driving force behind WFI’s digital transformation journey, continuing to shape the organization’s readiness for emerging technologies, intelligent automation, and next-generation digital capabilities.