Listen Now

Samih is responsible for open banking and digital transformation at Bahrain's biggest bank. He is a Business Transformation, Digitization and Innovation Leader with global experience in conceptualizing and driving large business transformation projects at CXO levels to enhance organizations’ core businesses across multiple functions.Key Discussion Points:- How new technologies are transforming the industry;- Transferrable skills would one focus on, that can be applied else where;- What new skills should someone learn that are deemed critical to have, even if it’s not necessarily related to their job?- What are the trends that will shape work in 2021-2022?

Hamed Mashal brings over 15 years of banking experience and is the author of the book, Islamic Real Estate Investment Trusts: A Property Selection Methodology. He holds a bachelor’s degree with honors in Computer and Business Studies and an MBA from the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom and is a PMP and CFA charter holder followed by MRICS qualification from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors in 2017>Key Discussion Points:- Importance of investing in the creation of multiple sources of income;- Views on starting to invest or save in a period of low-interest rates and high inflation;- Common mistakes people do with money management;- Advice to people who are currently loaded with debt;- The right mindset to adopt when it comes to money

David O’Loan is the Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer – Treasury and Investments at Ahli United Bank Bahrain. He is the former Group Treasurer for J. Sainsbury Plc, UK; Deputy Group Treasurer, RBS Group, UK; Senior Vice President, Swiss Re Asset Management, Switzerland; Investment Director, Standard Life Investments, UK; Head of Treasury, BGB (Ireland) plc, Ireland; Manager, Citibank N.A, Ireland. He received an MBA from The University of Edinburgh and a graduate degree from Dublin City University.Key Discussion Points:- How can you tell if you fit in your job's culture- What does a positive workplace culture look like?- How can someone sustain positivity under pressure?- How can we foster a culture where there is trust between each other?- Office politics is usually seen in a negative notation especially in the workplace. But can it be deemed in a positive light as an opportunity to influence in a positive way?

Mr. Bucheery is currently chairman of Bahrain Bourse, Chairman of Bahrain Clear Co. Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Executive Committee of Naseej Co. and a Board Member and Chairman of the Audit & Risk Committee of Al UBAF Bank in Bahrain.Mr Bucheery holds a BSc in Economic Sciences from Aleppo University, a High Certificate in Credit Programme (CAD) from Citi Bank Athens and a Management Diploma from Darden Business School, Virginia.Key Discussion Points:- View on motivating and inspiring others in the workplace- How to uncover how people seek to be appreciated- Building confidence from within to step up into a leadership role

Wafa AlObaidat is the founder and CEO of Obai and Hill, an award-winning PR agency in Bahrain oOver time, Wafa also created successful brands like Sukkar, Barrel & Drum, Milk, among others. Wafa also initiated and spearheaded a lot of empowering initiatives for women including the women power network, a podcast that acts as a platform where women learn from shared experiences and her latest venture, Women Who Read.Key Discussion Points:- Importance of stepping outside our comfort zone- How to approach stress and burnouts- Saying yes to challenges- How to expose yourself to more opportunities

Hasan Haider has over 10 years of experience investing in MENA startups. Hasan is the Founder and Managing Partner of +VC, an early stage venture capital firm focused on the MENA region. Hasan was previously Managing Partner, MENA at 500 Startups and led the firms growth in the MENA Region over the last 5 years, turning 500 Startups into the most active VC fund in the MENA region, raising and deploying the 500 Falcons fund, building partnerships and running programs in the region to help build the regional ecosystem. Hasan has invested in more than 180 startups in the region over the course of the last 10 years.Prior to 500, Hasan was the co-founder and CEO of Tenmou, the first business angel’s organization in Bahrain and one of the first in the MENA region. Hasan’s work in developing angel investment in emerging markets through Tenmou has been picked up as a case study by the World Bank and was taught to Entrepreneurship Policy makers at Babson College. Previously, Hasan’s career was in finance and investment banking at Sico where he spent a number of years.Key Discussion Points:- What it's like to work in a Venture Capital in the MENA region;- What it takes to be a fund manager;- The role VC's play in the economy and its growth;- How to recognize a good investment opportunity from a bad one;- Main themes in the next 12 months for VC deal activity and fundraising

Mrs. Amina Ahmed AlHaddadHead of Equal Opportunity Unit / Legislature and Civil Society DepartmentSupreme Council for WomenKingdom of Bahrain Currently occupying the position of Head of Equal Opportunity Unit / Legislature and Civil Society Department within the Gender Balance Center at the Supreme Council for Women in Bahrain, Amina Ahmed AlHaddad is responsible for Executing the Equal Opportunities impact in the National Plan for the Advancement of Bahraini Women and Implementing of the National Gender Balance  Model in both the legislative field and within civil society organizations as well as executing the political participation programme. Amina has over 9 years of expertise in the field of women advancement and was in charge of executing and following up on a range of programmes aimed at advancing Bahraini women.Key discussion points:- Gender balance and career development opportunities  in Bahrain- Private sector’s best practices’ current implementation  - Challenges women face in the workplace and how can we work through them- What is causing this gap and keeping women from advancing to the top? - What can women do today to reach executive positions?

Hisham Abu Alfateh is the Head of Corporate Communications at National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) with a mandate to rebrand the 62-year old bank and position it in the media as the leading financial institution regionally. Hisham’s financial experience ranges from credit underwriting, investment banking, venture capital and private equity. Most of that experience came from Venture Capital Bank where he worked as Head of Corporate Communications & Investment Placement Manager. He contributed to the team who managed to place the Bank as a regional pioneer in Islamic investment, in addition to attracting considerable investments from government bodies, private investment firms and high-net-worth individuals. Hisham further stretched his financial knowledge by working at Bahrain Institute of Banking & Finance as Head of Marketing where he was given a two-year project to establish the Marketing function, employ the responsible calibre and increase the institute’s reach locally, regionally and internationally. Hisham’s aviation experience was gained through Gulf Air when he worked as the Head of Corporate Communications & CEO Office Manager. Through diligent execution of a robust communication strategy and managing a strong team, Gulf Air’s reputation reached new heights allowing it to compete with regional giants.Key Discussion Points:* Why it’s important for someone to have their own brand*Benefits of personal branding*How to start creating your own brand*How to leverage online tools and utilize social media in bringing yourself out there*How can women navigate their personal brand around the workplace

Khalid Saad is a FinTech entrepreneur and advisor that is passionate about starting new ventures and supporting existing ones. Khalid has worked closely over the years with numerous startups and companies on their digital, market entry and business development strategies.Khalid Saad is a board member of Oqal - Bahrain Chapter, which is the largest and most active angel investing network in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the region. He is also a Board Member of CoinMENA, a regulated crypto assets exchange. He is a member of the Finance, Insurance and Tax Committee of the Bahrain Chamber.Khalid Saad was the Founding Chief Executive Officer of Bahrain FinTech Bay, which is the largest FinTech platform in the MENA region. It is also Bahrain's first FinTech platform development platform which brings together around 100 different stakeholders from the public and private sector. These stakeholders include public agencies, regulators, banks, asset managers, technology companies, FinTechs, Telcos, family businesses, educational bodies and others from Bahrain, the region and internationally. It is also home to around 50 companies focused on blockchain, data analytics, robo advisory, crypto assets, crowdfunding, artificial intelligence and payments. Bahrain FinTech Bay was recognized by S&P Global Ratings as one of the two most advanced FinTech ecosystems in the MENA region.Previously, Khalid Saad was a Business Development Manager for the Bahrain Economic Development Board, which is a dynamic public agency that is responsible for attracting inward investment into Bahrain, enhancing the investment climate and driving economic development. In this role, Khalid Saad focused on promoting Bahrain's financial services sector and attracting new investments into this sector. Successes include expanding existing companies and attracting new ones such as banks, asset & wealth managers, insurers and ancillary services providers. Khalid Saad also works with existing financial players, financial associations, central bank, lawyers and others to drive development in the sector and make it more conducive and attractive for business.Before joining the Bahrain Economic Development Board, Khalid Saad worked for Ernst & Young where his work centered on conducting feasibility and market studies, strategic documents and others for a wide array of clients. Khalid Saad also led the implementation of a governance, risk and compliance platform in the Bahrain office and trained all advisory staff. Prior to that, Khalid Saad worked in SEI Investments in London focusing on UK and European Equities.Khalid Saad has an MSC from Imperial College London and a BSc from the University of Exeter (First Class Honors).Key Discussion Points:* Making the right decisions in your 20s* The right mindset to adopt when students first step into the real world after graduating from college?* Importance of being compassionate to ourselves when dealing with uncertainties and anxiety* Importance of balancing important aspects and areas of our lives

MARK HIRST is the Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer - Private Banking and Wealth Management at Ahli United Bank, Bahrain with total of over 35 years of experience in the banking industry. He is the former Chief Executive Officer & Head of Private Banking, Standard Chartered Bank, Switzerland; Chairman of CS UK Ltd & Market Area Head UK/ International - Credit Suisse Group, Switzerland; Executive Board Member & Market Area Head Middle East & Africa - Deutsche Bank, Switzerland; CEO - Deutsche Bank International Ltd, Channel Islands; CEO & Chief Investment Officer – RBC Global Asset Management UK Ltd; Head of Asset Allocation & Senior Portfolio Manager - Manufactures Life International Investment Office, UK. Economist - Confederation of British Industry, UK. Mark holds Masters in International Management from McGill University in Canada, Diploma in International Practicing Management from INSEAD, Bachelor of Science from University of Swansea and is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors, member of the CFA Institute and STEP.In this conversation, Mark discusses mentorship and its importance. Key Discussion Points:-       Why do we need a mentor?-       What differentiates a good mentor from a terrible one?-       What can mentors do to become better mentors?-       How can mentors transition from guidance to advocating diverse talents?