Dr. Kaoutar El Maghraoui is a research scientist at IBM Research AI organization where she is focusing on innovation at the intersection of systems and artificial intelligence. Kaoutar has extensive and deep expertise in HPC, systems software, Cloud computing and machine learning. Kaoutar holds a PhD. degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, USA. She received several awards including the Robert McNaughton Award for best thesis in computer science, IBM’s Eminence and Excellence award for leadership in increasing Women’s presence in science and technology, and 2 IBM outstanding technical accomplishments. She is a senior member of ACM, IEEE Computer Society, and SWE. Kaoutar is the chair of the Arab Women in Computing organization and avid supporter of women in science and technology. ​

Dr Kaoutar El Maghraoui

IBM and ArabWiC

Has a Bachelor degree in mechanical
engineering from the American University of
Sharjah.
He has work experience in SABIC and
Ma’aden in project management and business
development in deferent fields related to
petrochemical, mining and downstream
industries in Saudi Arabia.
He was appointed at the beginning of this
year as a senior manager in Local Content
Opportunity Identification & Feasibility to
lead “Nusaned” initiative to enable Saudi
Vision2030.​

Eng. Faisal A Addas​

Senior Manager, Local Content Opportunity
Identification & Feasibility.

Dr. Areej is a Principal Investigator in CCES atKACST and MIT, and a Principal Investigator in the Joint Centre of Excellence for Earth and Space Sciences at KACST and Caltech. Prior to joining the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), she was a Postdoc in MIT's Ideation Lab at the School of Engineering and served as the Vice Chair of KSU's Software Engineering Department, Vice Dean for Academic Affairs at Prince Sultan University, Research Associate at the Universityof Texas, and Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Kent's School of Engineering.

Dr Areej Al-Wabil

Principal Investigator in Centre for Complex Engineering Systems (CCES)

KACST and MIT

Susan Malaika

IBM NY and ArabWiC

Susan Malaika is Senior Technical Staff in IBM’s Digital Business Group and a member of the IBM Academy of Technology Leadership Team. Susan is responsible for data related technologies in IBM’s Open Tech group: increasing IBM’s adoption and contribution to open source as well as engagement with developers. Currently she is focused on Data Governance (via the ODPi consortium) and AI ecosystems. Susan was a founder of the JanusGraph project at the Linux Foundation, and she leads workshops, hackathons, and meetups and engages with universities globally - and in the MENA region. Susan also leads a tech community of a few hundred members in the New York area. 

Susan Malaika

IBM NY and ArabWiC

An inspiring leader and a passionate serial entrepreneur dreaming of developing the smart lifestyle market in the Middle East, Faisal is a KFUPM engineer, and started his professionalcareer with Cisco systems where he learned how to be innovative and lead changes. With a proven record of building successful businesses, being recognized by FORBES and ENDEAVOR in the Kingdom he has successfully built / managed amazing technologybrands in IOT and smart buildings such as SmartSpac, LinkersIOT, LEIN Technology, and Helping TAQNIA to lead the Robotics and Smart Systems market in GCC.

Faisal Alkhaldi

Taqnia Robotics & Smart Systems

​

Dr Taghreed A. Alsudais

PNU

Bertrand Rioux is a Senior Research Associate at KAPSARC, where he develops economic models of regulated energy markets, including the KAPSARC Energy Model (KEM). He iscurrently working on the restructuring and liberalization of electricity markets in Saudi Arabia in collaboration with the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC). Bertrand is completing his secondMSc in Digital Currency and Finance provided by the University of Nicosia Blockchain Initiative. Bertrand also works on the disintermediation of artistic talent management and media production services on the AtoA platform hosted by OnYourStar.com.

Bertrand Rioux

Senior Research Associate

KAPSARC

Head of TechSauidya, Dr Artemisa Jaramillo is the current programme director of Marketing, Innovation and Technology-Digital (MINTD) in DCU at PNU. She is also founder of the GCC Blockchain Community, the biggest network on technology and blockchain in Saudi Arabia, and president of the Mexican Talent Network in Saudi Arabia RedGlobalMX.

Passionate about advancing youth and women education to achieve financial inclusion, Dr Artemisa Jaramillo holds a PhD in Digital Consumer Behaviour. With 9 years of international business experience in America, Europe and the Middle East, she has also lectured in Technology, Business Innovation and Digital Marketing for over 6 years, and won teaching awards throughout 

Dr Artemisa Jaramillo

Head of TechSaudiya

DCU at PNU, Blockchain, RexMXArabia

Ali Almussa is the Co-founder and CEO of Stellar Motors, The Middle East's first Autonomous Electric Vehicle Startup providing Electronic Land Carriages and Logistical fleet solutions.

​

A Saudi technology entrepreneur with leadership experience in multiple software companies. An active advocate for driverless technology, and the future of transportation. Saudi Aramco and Penn State University alumnus.

Ali Almussa

Co-founder and CEO of Stellar Motors, Middle East's first Autonomous Electric Vehicle Company

Abdullah Bin Kadasa is a Communication and Media specialist, holding a bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from King Saud University and a master's degree in International Media from the American University at Washington D.C. He worked at Arabian Printing and Publishing House as a Printing and Publishing Director, moving to be the Marketing and Sales Director. From his love for sharing knowledge, he became an academic lecturer at the College of Media and Communication in IMAMU. In mid 2016, Abdullah found a great opportunity in mobile applications and e-commerce business, therefore founded his company, Deem Technology, a company engaged in the development of mobile applications and investments.

Abdullah Bin Kadasa
 

CEO Deem Technology

Eng. Talal Alhashim is a Business Development Specialist at the Home of Innovation, SABIC’s growth initiative, with a Bachelors in Material Science Engineering from Swansea University, and a Masters in Engineering Management from the George Washington University. 
In parallel to his daily job, Talal is the proud President of Mubadara GCC, a non-profit organization that raises awareness and enables youth in the field of entrepreneurship. Talal’s mission and passion in life is influenced by his ambition to make a positive impact in life, for he believes that it’s a true investment to pursue.

Eng. Talal Alhashim​

SABIC Home of Innovation

Norah Alghamdi completed a Bachelor of Computer Science at Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia. She completed a Master of Computer Science and her Ph.D from the Department of Computer Science and Computer Engineering at La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia.

Norah is now an assistant professor at Princess Norah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Her areas of interest are databases, query processing and optimization, e-health, health informatics, big data and data analytics.

Dr. Norah Alghamdi

PNU

Deborah has worked in the aviation sector for 18 years, with a background in the ground handling section, focusing on training, safety and compliance in operations, front of house and ramp department.  A proven record of accomplishment of developing effective professional relationships and influencing GM’s and Senior Leaders.  Deborah is passionate about developing training and performance strategies to shape strong team ethos and cultivate a positive just culture within organisations to meet business expectations. Deborah relocated to Riyadh in May 2016 to assume said role.

Deborah Kearns

DAA International

Haiyan is the founder and CEO of iCryptonia, a Fintech startup specialized in crypto assets fund management. He has 21 years of experience in delivering business-critical ITtransformation and consulting projects. He worked with international firms such as Logica/CGI, SAP, Devoteam, Atos and UNDP. He works with DXC (a US firm) advisingregional clients on new emerging technologies. His Blockchain experience encompasses both technology and business. He won many related awards in the industry such as the blockchain hackathon in Riyadh sponsored by KACST, and IBM.

Haiyan Alsaiyed

Founder and CEO

 iCryptonia

Hanen Karamti completed a Bachelor of Computer Science and Multimedia at ISIMS (High Institute of Computer Science and Multimedia of Sfax) University, Tunisia. She completed a Master of Computer Science and Multimedia at the same University. She obtained her PhD degree from the Computer Science from the national engineering school of sfax (University of Sfax, Tunisia), in cooperation with the university of La Rochelle (France) and the university of Hanoi (Vietnam).

H.Karamti is now an assistant professor at Princess Norah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Her areas of interest are information retrieval, multimedia systems, Image retrieval, health informatics, big data and data analytics.

Dr. Hanen Karamti

PNU