Featured Presenters 2025

Opening Plenary

Mr Mehdi Benchaabane

Mehdi Benchaabane is the Vice President of Qatar Foundation Schools, where he leads QF’s network of world-class schools dedicated to innovation and excellence in education. Over the past decade, he has played a key role in advancing QF’s mission, previously serving as Director of the Education Development Institute, Director of Qatar Academy Doha, and Executive Director of QF IB Schools. Before joining Qatar Foundation, Mehdi worked in international schools across Egypt and Canada and contributed to the International Baccalaureate as a Deputy Chief Examiner and workshop leader. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Université des Sciences et de la Technologie Houari Boumediene (Algeria) and a Master’s in International Education from the University of Bath (UK). A passionate advocate for educational reform, Mehdi focuses on empowering teachers, fostering leadership, and developing systems that prepare students to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Closing Plenary

Ms Khadijah Amusat

Khadijah Amusat is a Developer Relations Engineer, Research Scientist, and Founder passionate about the intersection of AI, blockchain, and cryptography. She is pursuing a Master’s in Blockchain and Cryptography at the University of Nicosia, where she researches secure, ethical, and transparent digital systems. With over four years in developer advocacy and community leadership, she has trained more than 8,000 developers and cultivated thriving tech communities across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Khadijah has collaborated with institutions including Google, Imperial College London, the University of Doha for Science and Technology, and the Central Bank of Nigeria. She is the Founder of Nuva—a Sharia-compliant insurtech platform supported by Qatar Science and Technology Park and the Blockchain for Good Alliance—leveraging AI and blockchain for transparent, ethical insurance solutions. Through Women Techmakers Doha, she has empowered over 200 women in Qatar to excel in technology and leadership.

Juanita Vorster

Juanita Vorster is a South African entrepreneur and leadership advisor dedicated to helping individuals and organizations turn complexity into clear, practical action.

• AI-Q: The new superpower for future leaders Fri, 7 Nov — Session 2 (12:30–14:00) — Workshop Room 8
• How real leaders get heard in a noisy world Sat, 8 Nov — Session 5 (12:00–13:30) — Workshop Room 5

Mohammad Jamal Uddin

Director and Strategic Planner at Bidyanondo Foundation, leading community-driven programs that emphasize dignity, sustainability, and self-reliance.

• Plastic Exchange Store – A Truly Sustainable Solution to the Environment Pollution! Fri, 7 Nov — Session 1 (09:30–11:00) — Workshop Room 1
• Breaking the Broker Cycle – Bringing Justice to Marginalized Farmers! Sat, 8 Nov — Session 6 (14:00–15:30) — Workshop Room 1

Swapan Das

Bangladeshi software engineer and cybersecurity expert focused on accessible, empowering technology for social good.

• Plastic Exchange Store – A Truly Sustainable Solution to the Environment Pollution! Fri, 7 Nov — Session 1 (09:30–11:00) — Workshop Room 1
• Breaking the Broker Cycle – Bringing Justice to Marginalized Farmers! Sat, 8 Nov — Session 6 (14:00–15:30) — Workshop Room 1

Md Mizanur Rahman

Humanitarian leader and storyteller with Bidyanondo Foundation, leading national relief, education, and food security programs.

• Plastic Exchange Store – A Truly Sustainable Solution to the Environment Pollution! Fri, 7 Nov — Session 1 (09:30–11:00) — Workshop Room 1
• Breaking the Broker Cycle – Bringing Justice to Marginalized Farmers! Sat, 8 Nov — Session 6 (14:00–15:30) — Workshop Room 1

Sameen Zehra

Philanthropy strategist connecting youth, government, and funders to tackle complex challenges; programs that turn values into measurable impact.

• Pitching for Impact – Fundraising & Philanthropy for Social Change Fri, 7 Nov — Session 2 (12:30–14:00) — Workshop Room 6 Sat, 8 Nov — Session 5 (12:00–13:30) — Workshop Room 4

Dr. Suresh Devnani

Award-winning strategist and coach blending consciousness and modern leadership science to help people and organizations thrive.

• Bridging Inner and Outer Worlds: Awakening Leaders for a Changing Future Fri, 7 Nov — Session 1 (09:30–11:00) — Workshop Room 5
• Leading with Humanity in the Age of AI Sat, 8 Nov — Session 6 (14:00–15:30) — Workshop Room 2

Md Rezwan Al Islam

Business and technology strategist focused on AI, IoT, and data-driven innovation; mentor and award-winning filmmaker.

• Ideas to Unicorns Fri, 7 Nov — Session 1 (09:30–11:00) — Workshop Room 9
• Ready, Set, Apply! : Mastering Resumes, Interviews, and Professional Etiquette Sat, 8 Nov — Session 5 (12:00–13:30) — Workshop Room 6

Paco Briz

Senegalese rapper from Yoff (Dakar), also known as King Lébou, blending Wolof and French to turn lived stories into socially conscious hip-hop rooted in Lébou heritage.

• From Story to Song: Paco Briz’s Journey & Your Creative Flow Sat, 8 Nov — Session 5 (12:00–13:30) — Workshop Room 2 Sat, 8 Nov — Session 6 (14:00–15:30) — Workshop Room 7

Ayan Said

British-Somali educator and entrepreneur centered on equity, sustainability, and systems thinking through Voicing Voices.

• Preparing for 2030: Leading With a Vision Fri, 7 Nov — Session 1 (09:30–11:00) — Workshop Room 8
• Leading for 2030 – Turning Vision into Action Sat, 8 Nov — Session 6 (14:00–15:30) — Workshop Room 5

Lequeu Laurent Jean Michel Ghislain

Financial professional and macro strategist; founder of “The Macro Butler,” delivering concise, actionable market insights.

• The Permanent Portfolio: The Blueprint to Lifelong Financial Freedom (Part 1) Fri, 7 Nov — Session 1 (09:30–11:00) — Workshop Room 4
• The Permanent Portfolio: The Blueprint to Lifelong Financial Freedom (Part 2) Fri, 7 Nov — Session 2 (12:30–14:00) — Workshop Room 4

Sujit Sukumaran

Senior lecturer, coach, and board director; research on entrepreneurship and family business in the Gulf diaspora.

• The Leader’s Voice : Communicating with Impact in a Digital World Fri, 7 Nov — Session 2 (12:30–14:00) — Workshop Room 9
• From Idea to Impact: Entrepreneurial Skills for the Next Generation Sat, 8 Nov — Session 6 (14:00–15:30) — Workshop Room 6

Katja Anger-Delimi

International education specialist co-leading SDSN initiatives on global learning and youth engagement; systems-thinking advocate.

• Connecting Past, Present & Future: Systems Thinking for Sustainable Economies Fri, 7 Nov — Session 3 (14:30–16:00) — Workshop Room 3
• Shaping Digital Futures – AI, Algorithms, and Digital Literacy Sat, 8 Nov — Session 6 (14:00–15:30) — Workshop Room 3

• Pitch Perfect: how to share ideas that inspire action Fri, 7 Nov — Session 1 (09:30–11:00) — Workshop Room 10 Sat, 8 Nov — Session 4 (09:30–11:00) — Workshop Room 9

Dr. Hamza Mahoney

Psychotherapist supporting students in IB settings; research and practice in addiction recovery, loss and bereavement, self-care, and burnout prevention.

• Fuel Up: Why Self-Care Isn’t Selfish Fri, 7 Nov — Session 1 (09:30–11:00) — Workshop Room 6
• Mind Myself Before the Meltdown Fri, 7 Nov — Session 3 (14:30–16:00) — Workshop Room 9

Chimdi Onwudiegwu

Associate Partner and Country Director at Dalberg Lagos; designs inclusive, human-centered strategies across sectors.

• Problem solving/solution designing toolkit Fri, 7 Nov — Session 3 (14:30–16:00) — Workshop Room 6 Sat, 8 Nov — Session 4 (09:30–11:00) — Workshop Room 4

Lamia El Goutabi

Senior consultant at Dalberg Advisors; leads multi-country initiatives in financial inclusion, youth employment, and climate resilience.

• Problem solving/solution designing toolkit Fri, 7 Nov — Session 3 (14:30–16:00) — Workshop Room 6 Sat, 8 Nov — Session 4 (09:30–11:00) — Workshop Room 4