The Middle East & North Africa Stevie® AwardsTechnology & AI Awards Judging Committee | The Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards

Technology & AI Awards Judging Committee

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Saif Al Zaabi

Chairman, Trustegic Chartered Accountants & Consultancy, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Saif Alzaabi is an accomplished Emirati business leader, strategist, and founder, and a member of the Emirates Association of Accountants and Auditors (UAEAAA). He holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Abu Dhabi University, and is best known for his role as Founder and Chairman of Trustegic Chartered Accountants and Consultancy, a dynamic and fast-growing audit and consulting firm headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Born and raised in the UAE, Saif demonstrated an early passion for leadership, analytical thinking, and business development. These qualities laid the foundation for his entrepreneurial journey and his commitment to building a firm grounded in trust, excellence, and partner- and client-focused impact. Under his leadership, Trustegic has evolved into a multidisciplinary firm offering a comprehensive range of professional services, including Audit and Assurance, Risk, IT Risk and Cybersecurity, Consulting, Tax, and Fraud Risk and Investigations. Trustegic’s services are tailored to the needs of modern enterprises, with a primary focus on UAE federal entities and family-owned groups, as well as forward-thinking small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are often underserved or overlooked by large global audit and consulting firms. This targeted approach reflects Saif’s deep understanding of the local and international business ecosystem and his commitment to delivering practical, high-impact directions. Saif’s professional philosophy is anchored in the belief that trust, the cornerstone of any effective business relationship, must be earned daily through diligence, integrity, and consistently high performance. This principle is embodied in the name “Trustegic,” a fusion of trust and strategic insight, and is evident in the firm’s approach to every client and partner engagement. Trustegic’s mission is to Maintain the trust between its experienced team of professionals, strategic partners and clients, where it naturally acts as the catalyst in its clients’ journey to support them in achieving their objectives. Beyond his executive responsibilities, Saif is recognized as a thought leader and collaborative partner within the UAE’s professional community. He actively engages with academic institutions, industry associations, and strategic partners to support talent development, particularly through internship programs and mentorship initiatives aimed at nurturing the next generation of Emirati professionals. Under Saif’s guidance, Trustegic has also embraced a broader role in societal and national development. The firm regularly participates in national celebrations and community awareness initiatives, reinforcing its identity as a socially responsible organization that values national pride, workforce diversity and inclusion, and corporate citizenship. Saif’s leadership style is defined by strategic foresight, resilience, and the ability to inspire teams toward shared objectives. He places strong emphasis on continuous learning, innovation, and ethical practice, ensuring that Trustegic remains agile and responsive to evolving market demands and regulatory landscapes. In summary, Saif Alzaabi represents a new generation of Emirati leaders, visionary, values-driven, and dedicated to elevating the standards of corporate consultancy and audit in the UAE. His journey reflects a balanced blend of entrepreneurial ambition, community engagement, and strategic leadership that continues to shape the future of professional services across the region.

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Emad Bakir

Director Data and Analytics, EPAM Systems, London, United Kingdom

A Data & Analytics leader with over 27 years of experience leading enterprise-scale data engineering and transformation initiatives for global organizations (FTSE 100/Fortune 500). Proven track record in designing and scaling connected data ecosystems that deliver AI-ready data products and drive operational efficiency.

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Caner Çakir

Service Manager, Akbank T.A.S., Sancaktepe, Istanbul, Türkiye

Caner Çakır is a seasoned Technical Product Owner with expertise in banking and finance, driving innovation and delivering transformative results. With a proven track record of leading large-scale software systems and cutting-edge solutions, he combines technical excellence with value-driven leadership. Caner has spearheaded initiatives that have elevated performance standards.

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Kedaresh Deshpande

Senior Director and GM - Product Management, Chamberlain Group, Naperville, Illinois, United States

Kedaresh Deshpande is the General Manager of Access Control Solutions at Chamberlain Group. He is an AI/ML & IoT product management executive with 15+ years of experience transforming hardware portfolios into digital ecosystems. He has delivered recurring revenue growth for several technology-driven product portfolios and scaled digital services adoption.

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Michael Angelo Estallo

Senior Business System Programmer, Saudi Aramco, Khobar, Dammam, Saudi Arabia

Data Scientist with over 10 years of experience delivering data-driven solutions across diverse domains. Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Data Science. Experienced in applying advanced analytics, machine learning, and statistical modeling to solve complex business problems and drive strategic decision-making.

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Reha GerçEker

Senior Vice President, Akbank, Istanbul, Turkiye

As Head of Platform and Resilience Engineering at Akbank, Reha Kamil Gerçeker drives efforts to strengthen software reliability across the bank’s digital platforms. His work focuses on scalable system design, operational excellence, and building resilient technology infrastructure that supports modern financial services and ensures seamless experiences for millions of customers.

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Saleh Hamed

Head Of Qdata, CanCan Digital L.L.C, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Senior executive with 25+ years driving AI, data, and digital transformation across UAE sovereign entities. Led government cloud migration, built AI/data platforms at QData, and delivered AED 64M+ in cost savings at ENEC. Featured speaker on AI strategy across Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Experience spans government digital transformation, enterprise AI deployment.

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Sam Cherub Hameem Pillay

Senior Manager - IT Delivery Cognizant Tech Solutions US Corp, Pflugerville, Texas, United States

Over 22 years of experience in Quality Assurance, specializing in Automation and Manual Testing across a wide spectrum of applications, including Web, API, Mobile, Cloud, and Client-Server-based systems. Experience in Program management, QA process governance, Business development and Client engagement. Proficient in multiple platforms and technologies.

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Shabana Ajamal Hannure

MMG Business Analyst, Moffitt Cancer Center, Osprey, Florida, United States

Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and highly organized. With over 9 years of experience in data analysis, data visualization, and business analytics, Shabana is passionate about solving real-world problems using data and delivering insights that drive and enhance business decisions and strategies.

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Princess Irabor

CTO, PI Engineering LLC, Chicago, Illinois, United States

Princess is a Technology Leader bringing over 14 years of expertise in Engineering and IT. Passionate about leveraging contemporary technology to implement efficient enhancements to business processes. Princess holds a Master's degree from Georgia Institute of Technology and is a certified Project Management professional.

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Hisham Juneidi

CTO, The EdgeNode LLC, Stamford, Connecticut, United States

Hisham Juneidi is an AI engineer and entrepreneur, founder of The EdgeNode LLC, where he builds automation and decision infrastructure for service businesses. His work includes applied AI systems for operations, pricing, and governance, including Quotix, a rules-based quoting and pricing platform.

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Mohamad Kaddoura

Director, Orgrow Limited, Harlow, United Kingdom

Mohamad Kaddoura is a seasoned organizational design and business transformation leader whose career spans more than twenty-five years across human resources, consulting, and strategic advisory work in the Middle East and Europe. Known for bridging people strategy with operational execution, he supports organizations through periods of growth, restructuring, and complex change.

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Rudresh Kumar

Vice President , Goldman Sachs Bank, Prosper, Texas, United States

Rudresh Kumar is a financial technology leader with over 19 years of experience driving scalable platforms, operational resilience, and digital transformation. He leads high-impact engineering initiatives, builds strong teams, and bridges technology with business outcomes while shaping the future of AI enabled financial services.

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Tina Liu

Manager, Sales Transformation, Goosehead Insurance, Grapevine, Texas, United States

Tina is currently leading multiple initiatives at Goosehead Insurance to drive customer acquisition and topline growth. She graduated from McKinsey Growth Marketing & Sales practice, with 7+ years of professional experience serving clients in sectors including Consumer, TMT, and Manufacturing.

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Sridhar Mannava

Distinguished Architect, FICO, Spring Hill, Tennessee, United States

Sridhar Mannava is a Distinguished Architect specializing in CPM and Financial Systems. As Lead Architect for clients like FICO, he designs complex integrations connecting OneStream XF with Snowflake and Cloud ERPs. A recognized expert, Sridhar is a technical author on DZone and an active judge.

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Mallesh Miryala

Salesforce Solutions Architect – Business Continuity, ITDR & Emergency Management, University of California, Davis, California, United States

Software developer and technology leader with 15 years of full-cycle experience, currently working as a Salesforce Technical Lead. Mallesh designed and built AI-enabled, resilient systems that support business continuity, ITDR, and emergency management across multiple campuses and health systems, with a focus on automation and practical, human-centered digital solutions.

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Wilfred Obi Jr

Founder, OBTECH Enterprise, LLC, Frisco, Texas, United States

Wilfred Obi Jr. is a technology entrepreneur and CEO of Obtech Enterprise, leading digital transformation, AI, and software innovation. He developed FoodieKit, an AI FoodTech platform, and coordinated the Digital Learning Assistance project with Junior Achievement of Dallas. A recognized community mentor, Wilfred has supported over 10,000 students.

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Thai Bao An Phan

Staff AI Solution Architect, Diligent Corporation, New York City, New York, United States

Annie Phan is a data and AI leader driving enterprise impact through AI/ML innovation and digital transformation. She is Staff AI Solution Architect at Diligent, previously led AI/ML programs at Fanatics Collectibles and McKinsey, and is a Founding Member of the AI Think Tank, Forbes Business Council member, and published author.

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Seema Rajaram

Global Program Test and Validation Lead (Digital and AI), 3i Info Tech, Edison, New Jersey, United States

Seema Rajaram is a QA Program Manager and COE Leader (Digital, AI) specializing in digital transformation, automation, and AI-driven quality engineering within the pharmaceutical, Healthcare and BFSI industries. She has 19+ years of IT experience leading complex, multi platform programs with a strong focus on data integrity, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence.

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Gowdhaman Sadhasivam

CTO, Labelbees AI, Mountain View, California, United States

Gowdhaman Sadhasivam is a builder and operator with over a decade of experience driving innovation across defense, insurance, and space intelligence. He has led AI engineering, product development, and digital transformation initiatives, helping organizations bridge research and scalable production deployment.

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Kabi Prasad Samal

Vice President, State Street Corp, Wrentham, Massachusetts, United States

Lead Solution Architect for Big Data and AI applications (Vice President) in State Street Corp. PMP and Sig Sigma Green Belt (SSGB) certified Manager. At State Street Corp for 20+ years. 25+ years of diverse experience across IT services involving design, architect and delivery. Certified Deep Learning specialization and Tensorflow.

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Abhinay Kumar Reddy Seella

Senior Software Engineer, Roku, San Jose, California, United States

Abhinay Kumar Reddy Seella's brings 19 years of experience in software engineering and technology leadership. He specializes in designing scalable applications and tools that drive business growth, including automated content systems and ad management platforms. He has also played a key role in scaling operations and supporting growth at early-stage startups.

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Praveen Shiveswara Sridharamurthy

Principal Architect, Katy, Texas, United States

Praveen Shiveswara Sridharamurthy is an accomplished Principal Solution Architect with over 21 years of experience in the energy sector, specializing in real-time operational data management, cloud computing, and AI integration. He is recognized for leading major digital transformation initiatives that modernize industrial operations and bridge legacy OT systems with advanced cloud-native platforms.

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Dr. Mona Taman

Cofounder and Academic Manager, European Educational Group, Alexandria, Egypt

Co-Founder and Vice president of the Future leader International Group in Kuwait and Egypt. International consultant and lecturer in IT and AI implementation. CTO in prime consultant for software solutions in Qatar. Academic Manager for European Educational Group in Kuwait. A Software engineer and programmer and Founder of Future Leaders Academy.

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Nisrine Turky

CEO, Iotree, Beirut, Lebanon

Nisrine Turky is a professional engineer, AI and IoT expert, educator, innovator, and a tech entrepreneur. She is the Founder and CEO of IoTree, an award-winning innovation that is transforming the agriculture sector on a global scale. With over two decades of cutting-edge R&D experience, she also launched Mazraatek and AquaTenta, pioneering smart agri-tech solutions for a more sustainable future.

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Muberra Uyar Yildirim

Retail Bank Fraud sk Senior Group Manager, CitiGroup NA, Lithia, Florida, United States

Muberra Uyar Yildirim is a senior fraud risk professional with over 20 years of experience in financial services. She has held senior fraud risk management roles at major banks in Turkiye and currently serves as Retail Bank Fraud Policy Senior Group Manager at CitiGroup in the U.S., focusing on enterprise fraud strategy, governance, and risk mitigation.

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Werner van Rossum

Business Venture Manager - Performance Management, ExxonMobil, Spring, Texas, United States

Werner van Rossum is a finance and enterprise transformation executive with nearly two decades of experience across finance, performance management, and enterprise systems in global organizations. His work focuses on strategic business management and designing systems that integrate global financial operations, governance, and performance oversight.

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Mariam Zakaria

Technical Customer Experience Senior Manager, TelecomEgypt, Giza, Egypt

Mariam has more than 20 years experience in the telecommunications field. Starting at Alcatel, she moved on to Vodafone Egypt and Etisalat Misr. Now she is a senior manager at TelecomEgypt, one of the biggest telecom operators in the Middle East.

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Pankaj Zanke

AI and Technical Product Lead, Sapiens, Cumming, Georgia, United States

Pankaj Zanke is an AI and technical product leader with 17+ years of experience in product and data strategy, road mapping, and management across insurance, banking, retail, and healthcare. He specializes in AI-driven product innovation, legacy system modernization, cloud transformation, and data quality, delivering enhanced customer experiences and measurable business impact.