Jad serves as the Vice President of Support Services at Shade Corporation, where his commitment to leadership principles and strategic execution have driven his career, leading to diverse roles across various business verticals.

Throughout his managerial journey, Jad's has been anchored by his firm belief in cultivating the right teams and fostering a robust organisational culture. With a diverse background encompassing work experiences in the US, Middle East, and Africa across industries ranging from construction, trading, tech, real estate, and food processing, he possesses a global perspective to the art of creating effective, goal-oriented, agile, and team-driven organisations.

Armed with a wealth of trainings and certifications, including PMP, SHRM-SCP, and ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems, Jad has systematically established and revamped strategies, systems and policies, leveraging cutting-edge technology solutions to streamline operations. His involvement in various businesses, coupled with a passion for investments, has honed his financial expertise; enabling him to effectively manage companies and craft successful corporate strategies.

An alumnus of the University of Michigan, Jad holds a Master's degree in Construction Engineering & Management, complemented by a technical background as a Civil Engineer. His early years in the construction field equipped him with the adaptability, technical prowess, and business acumen needed to excel in high-stress work environments.

Santosh Kher is a seasoned HR leader with around 20 years of International HR experience. He has led key HR portfolios in leading organisations such as FedEx, JP Morgan Chase & Co., Hutchison 3G that include Learning & Development, Rewards, Talent & Organisation Development, HR Analytics, HR Business Partnering, Health and Safety, Culture & DEI. He has led a few M&As and facilitated organisations to transform into a Great Place to Work. Santosh has been awarded the CHRO of the year by Future Workplace Awards Middle East and also at the Global HR Excellence Awards presented by World HRD Congress. Santosh is on the Advisory Board and a Jury for few institutes and organisations. He continues to be a speaker in various HR Forums and as a passion he takes up lectures in management institutes.Santosh Kher is a seasoned HR leader with around 20 years of International HR experience. He has led key HR portfolios in leading organisations such as FedEx, JP Morgan Chase & Co., Hutchison 3G that include Learning & Development, Rewards, Talent & Organisation Development, HR Analytics, HR Business Partnering, Health and Safety, Culture & DEI. He has led a few M&As and facilitated organisations to transform into a Great Place to Work. Santosh has been awarded the CHRO of the year by Future Workplace Awards Middle East and also at the Global HR Excellence Awards presented by World HRD Congress. Santosh is on the Advisory Board and a Jury for few institutes and organisations. He continues to be a speaker in various HR Forums and as a passion he takes up lectures in management institutes.

Kathy Sorenson, Director of Human Resources at Premier Inn MENA, is a seasoned HR professional with nearly 30 years’ global experience through inhouse and consultancy roles in New Zealand, Canada and, for the last 14 years, the UAE.

After running a successful Dubai-based HR consultancy for six years, Kathy joined Premier Inn MENA in 2018 to redesign and centralise the HR function, focussing on driving team engagement and company culture as well as overseeing all HR activities at the company’s Middle East corporate office and 11 hotels in the UAE and Qatar.

Kathy plays a leading role in delivering new team member-focussed initiatives, including Premier Inn’s inhouse Moon & Stars Awards programme and One Team One Heartbeat, the company’s culture, training and development programme. She is also pivotal in achieving the company’s continued record-breaking team member engagement scores, and is the driving force of Premier Inn’s team member development policy of promoting from within wherever possible.

Ibrahim Elsharkawy is a Learning and Organization Development senior manager with 12+ years of experience in the HR/L&D space, currently working and living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. His area of expertise as an HR/L&D professional are building a high-performance culture, upskilling/reskilling, and drive change in organization to help develop the performance and improve productivity of the overall organization relying on its human capital.

Ibrahim has worked with many organizations in MENA region like Arabian Oud, Landmark Group, Zohoor, Etisalat, and Vodafone. During his journey he trained thousands of a diversified people.

Ibrahim has a bachelor’s degree with honors in business administration technology and a CIPD Diploma in L&D.

Besides working with big retailers, Ibrahim is a master trainer and performance coach who has helped many professionals and organization achieve their desired objectives.