Meet The Judges
Visionary leader with over 15 years of experience across issuing and acquiring payments,
banking, and financial services. Widely recognized for spearheading business transformation,
driving revenue growth, and fostering operational excellence.
Proven track record in managing profit and loss for over 55% of the Middle East processing
business, overseeing a portfolio exceeding AED 1 billion. Demonstrated ability to ensure
financial stability while accelerating growth.
Strategic architect of operational transformation and reengineering initiatives across the
Middle East and Africa, enabling seamless, unified operations. Successfully led Customer
Experience across all first-level channels, significantly elevating Net Promoter Score (NPS)
into the Promoters zone reflecting major gains in customer satisfaction.
Established and embedded industry-leading quality and business excellence frameworks,
integrating global best practices to drive continuous improvement, high performance, and
business continuity risk mitigation.
Renowned for a dynamic leadership style, innovative mindset, and data-driven decision-
making that ensures agility and competitiveness in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.
Future Vision: Dedicated to advancing organizational success through innovation and
adaptability. Committed to leading transformative initiatives that position the organization at
the forefront of the financial sector, leveraging emerging technologies and data analytics to
enhance operational efficiency, elevate customer experience, and drive sustainable growth.
banking, and financial services. Widely recognized for spearheading business transformation,
driving revenue growth, and fostering operational excellence.
Proven track record in managing profit and loss for over 55% of the Middle East processing
business, overseeing a portfolio exceeding AED 1 billion. Demonstrated ability to ensure
financial stability while accelerating growth.
Strategic architect of operational transformation and reengineering initiatives across the
Middle East and Africa, enabling seamless, unified operations. Successfully led Customer
Experience across all first-level channels, significantly elevating Net Promoter Score (NPS)
into the Promoters zone reflecting major gains in customer satisfaction.
Established and embedded industry-leading quality and business excellence frameworks,
integrating global best practices to drive continuous improvement, high performance, and
business continuity risk mitigation.
Renowned for a dynamic leadership style, innovative mindset, and data-driven decision-
making that ensures agility and competitiveness in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.
Future Vision: Dedicated to advancing organizational success through innovation and
adaptability. Committed to leading transformative initiatives that position the organization at
the forefront of the financial sector, leveraging emerging technologies and data analytics to
enhance operational efficiency, elevate customer experience, and drive sustainable growth.
Dr. Shahid Bashir is a full-time Professor of Marketing and Analytics at Tecnológico de Monterrey, ranked among the world’s top 25 business schools and top 25 marketing schools. He holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration (Digital Marketing) and brings over a decade of expertise in marketing research, teaching, training, and consulting.
A recognized specialist in Digital and Analytical Marketing, Dr. Bashir has authored nearly 70 publications, including research articles, books, and conference proceedings. His professional background includes leadership roles as Head of Marketing for multinational corporations and academic institutions, where he successfully developed and expanded market networks.
In addition to his academic contributions, Dr. Bashir has designed and delivered numerous seminars and training programs on Marketing Analytics and Digital Marketing for leading training institutes. His extensive experience has enabled him to mentor and train a wide network of marketing professionals, significantly advancing industry capabilities in digital and data-driven marketing.She has crafted and executed high-impact strategies and led diverse, multicultural teams for some of the world's most iconic media brands, reaching billions of consumers with compelling content and messaging. She is also an International Keynote Speaker & Emcee.
Senior Education Consultant | Youth Empowerment Specialist
Myriam Bonami Hunter is a Senior Education Consultant with over 15 years of experience in climate education, sustainability, and global academic partnerships. She specializes in embedding the UN SDGs into education systems, with a particular focus on SDG4 (Quality Education), SDG13 (Climate Action), and SDG17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Through her work with governments, universities, and international organizations, she has advanced climate literacy, youth empowerment, and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
As the founder of MBH Upskilling, Myriam designs programs that bridge academia and the workforce, emphasizing work-integrated learning, job placement, mentorship, and leadership development. She also serves as a philanthropy advisor, securing access to education for marginalized youth and disadvantaged students. With expertise in strategic partnerships, sustainability innovation, and capacity-building, she is committed to equipping the next generation of leaders with the skills and mindset needed to drive sustainable global transformation.
Myriam Bonami Hunter is a Senior Education Consultant with over 15 years of experience in climate education, sustainability, and global academic partnerships. She specializes in embedding the UN SDGs into education systems, with a particular focus on SDG4 (Quality Education), SDG13 (Climate Action), and SDG17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Through her work with governments, universities, and international organizations, she has advanced climate literacy, youth empowerment, and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
As the founder of MBH Upskilling, Myriam designs programs that bridge academia and the workforce, emphasizing work-integrated learning, job placement, mentorship, and leadership development. She also serves as a philanthropy advisor, securing access to education for marginalized youth and disadvantaged students. With expertise in strategic partnerships, sustainability innovation, and capacity-building, she is committed to equipping the next generation of leaders with the skills and mindset needed to drive sustainable global transformation.
Rachel Letham is Head of Brand and Communications at The Marketing Society, leading strategic brand development and integrated communications for the global membership organisation. With over 20 years of experience, she combines commercial expertise with creative vision to transform organisations through innovative content strategies while serving as a key member of the Leadership Team.
Alongside her corporate role, Rachel is a certified positive mindset coach, working with global organisations including Google and Target. Drawing from her experience of near-burnout in the fresh produce industry, she helps both individuals and organisations align strategic goals with purposeful vision-setting. Her work demonstrates the power of combining strategic brand thinking with positive mindset techniques to drive organisational success.
Alongside her corporate role, Rachel is a certified positive mindset coach, working with global organisations including Google and Target. Drawing from her experience of near-burnout in the fresh produce industry, she helps both individuals and organisations align strategic goals with purposeful vision-setting. Her work demonstrates the power of combining strategic brand thinking with positive mindset techniques to drive organisational success.
Roberta Cianetti is an experienced senior executive, with a robust background in media and international relations, specializing in business growth, strategic partnerships & client solutions, innovation, communications and social media.
She has crafted and executed high-impact strategies and led diverse, multicultural teams for some of the world's most iconic media brands, reaching billions of consumers with compelling content and messaging. She is also an International Keynote Speaker & Emcee.
She has crafted and executed high-impact strategies and led diverse, multicultural teams for some of the world's most iconic media brands, reaching billions of consumers with compelling content and messaging. She is also an International Keynote Speaker & Emcee.
Hasan Genç is the founder of Wiseback, a customer experience (CX) platform trusted by leading brands for over eight years. With 25 years of professional experience, including 14 years as a software analyst and in project development, he combines deep technical expertise with strategic vision. Passionate about transforming feedback into business growth, Hasan helps organizations turn customer insights into competitive advantage through AI-driven and human-centered CX solutions.
Dr. Muhammad Naeem Khan is a digital marketing strategist and educator with over 15 years of experience. With a PhD in Marketing, he specializes in content marketing and social media, helping brands create impactful, data-driven, and evidence-based campaigns. Known for his focus on delivering high-value outcomes, he bridges marketing theory with real-world application to drive growth and engagement..