Join PwC at LEAP 2026

Ali Almiman

Senior Manager, Cybersecurity and Digital Trust Consulting, PwC Middle East 

Ali is a Senior Manager in the firm’s Cybersecurity and Digital Trust Team with a particular focus on data governance, AI governance, and securing AI-enabled applications. Ali brings extensive leadership and advisory experience across major government entities, where he has led application and application security teams and advised organizations on technology and digital transformation initiatives. Ali holds PhD in Computer Science. Specializing in AI, combining deep technical expertise with practical experience in governance, security, and responsible AI adoption. 

As a Partner at PwC Middle East in SAP Technology Consulting, I specialize in SAP implementation and advisory services, enterprise asset management, supply chain, managed services, SAP restructuring and carve outs, S/4HANA transformation, and SuccessFactors transformation, with extensive experience across the ERS sector. My focus lies in driving impactful business and technology transformations by leveraging my expertise in SAP solutions, artificial intelligence, and resiliency.

At PwC, I contribute to strategic program governance, risk and issue management, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring seamless delivery of complex technology driven transformations. My goal is to help organizations across the energy and resources sector in the Middle East achieve operational excellence through innovative, resilient, and value driven technology strategies.

Asit Agarwal is a digital transformation and Oracle consulting leader with over 14 years of experience across Big 4 consulting firms, leading complex transformation programs across the Middle East, India and Africa.

At PwC Middle East, he has led Oracle Fusion transformation initiatives in healthcare, including serving as Engagement Manager and Solution Architect for a multi-hospital implementation spanning core business functions and technology enablement.

His experience focuses on helping organizations move beyond legacy systems through business process re-engineering, cloud ERP and digital transformation. At LEAP 2026, Asit will share practical perspectives on how healthcare organizations can build more connected, efficient and future-ready operations.

Chady Smayra is a Partner with Strategy& and a member of the firm’s Technology, Media, Telecommunications, and Digital practice in the Middle East. 

He has more than 19 years of strategy, consulting, and management experience in information and communication technologies (ICT) focused on the telecommunications sector in the Middle East and Africa.

He specializes in mergers and acquisitions, investment strategies, corporate strategy, the CFO agenda, strategy-based transformation, cost optimization, organizational restructuring, and ICT strategies and strategic partnerships.

In addition to his client work, he has authored the reports, including:

• Overcoming regional ecosystem challenges in AI

• GenAI: The difference maker in a vibrant KSA economy

• Commit to the cloud

• Becoming a tech champion

• Localizing high tech industries to build resilience and economic growth

Chady holds an MBA from McGill University with a strategy and finance focus, and a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering in telecommunications from École Polytechnique.

Ciara Henry Armanazi is a Senior Manager and Legal Service Design Lead at PwC Legal Middle East, working at the intersection of legal operations, legal technology and AI, and service design. Ciara has led complex transformation initiatives for major government entities, corporates and legal teams across the Middle East, helping organisations redesign how legal work is structured, delivered, governed and enabled by technology.

Dana Toughoz is a Product Development Management Lead at PwC Middle East’s Assurance Digital Factory, with experience leading the delivery of enterprise AI and digital platforms. She drives release planning and delivery governance, shapes UI/UX strategy across core digital products, and connects business, design and engineering to turn ideas into scalable solutions. Her expertise spans applied AI, project management, product delivery and UI/UX strategy, with a focus on accelerating adoption, improving operational efficiency and delivering sustainable business value.

Dan Poots is a Manager at PwC Middle East, specialising in innovation management and the space sector. He helps organisations explore, develop and implement emerging technologies and new approaches to innovation, with a particular focus on the opportunities emerging across the space sector.

Hafiz Yamin is a Partner and Indirect Tax & Tax Technology Lead within Tax & Legal Services at PwC Middle East. He leads technology-enabled tax transformation initiatives across the Middle East, helping businesses navigate complex regulatory change through digital innovation, automation and e-invoicing solutions. His work focuses on building future-ready tax functions that improve compliance, efficiency and long-term business value.

Justin is a Director at PwC with 14+ years’ experience in physical security, public safety and IoT. He has led the design and delivery of integrated physical security systems and mission-critical command centres for government agencies, critical infrastructure, stadia, and large-scale developments across Europe, the Middle East, and South East Asia.

Khaled Al Masri is a Products Development Lead and Solutions Architect at PwC Middle East’s Assurance Digital Factory, leading enterprise digital transformation initiatives across multiple lines of service and business units. He leads the Automation Stream and translates complex business needs into scalable, practical technology solutions. His expertise spans AI, intelligent workflows, workflow orchestration, automation and solution architecture, with a focus on building business-driven platforms that strengthen operational efficiency, governance and user experience. At LEAP, he brings a practitioner’s perspective on transforming enterprise processes through intelligent, scalable technology.

Mamdoh Alzhrani is a Digital Trust & Cybersecurity Senior Executive Advisor at PwC Middle East, advising boards and executives on cybersecurity, digital risk, privacy, and operational resilience. With more than 18 years of experience across leading Saudi financial institutions, he has served in senior roles including CISO and Chief Cybersecurity Risk

Officer. He leads complex advisory engagements, builds security functions and service offerings, and combines deep technical expertise with executive leadership across governance, regulation, security operations, architecture, resilience, AI, post quantum computing  and data protection.​

Dr. Malek Al-Zewairi is a cybersecurity, digital forensics, and AI security expert with more than 15 years of experience helping organizations strengthen cyber resilience and develop future-ready security capabilities. As a Senior Manager at PwC Middle East, he leads the design and delivery of large-scale cybersecurity upskilling and workforce transformation programs across the GCC. A published researcher, international conference speaker, and certified trainer, Dr. Al-Zewairi has trained and mentored thousands of professionals and leaders, helping bridge the gap between emerging technologies, cybersecurity, and business innovation.

Marvin specialises in the delivery of complex Digital Transformations. He focusses on large-scale front and middle office transformation projects helping his clients design and execute their strategy through the use of technology. He has 26 years’ experience in the technology consulting industry mainly in Financial Services. He leads PwC’s Salesforce practice in the Middle East.

Mohammad Salim is a Director in Tax Technology at PwC Middle East. He has extensive experience advising financial institutions on tax compliance matters, including FATCA, CRS, CARF and the US Qualified Intermediary regime, with a particular focus on technology-enabled compliance and regulatory reporting. His work focuses on helping organisations harness automation and AI to simplify regulatory reporting, strengthen compliance and drive technology-led tax transformation.

Mohannad Barghash is the AI Solutions and Software Engineering Lead at PwC Middle East’s Assurance Digital Factory, where he leads software engineering and enterprise AI solution development. He architected a governed no-code platform for building intelligent AI agents, alongside an AI-enabled workflow and forms studio used across the practice. His expertise spans agent orchestration, enterprise-grade retrieval, solution architecture and security-aware AI system design, with a focus on building scalable, governed AI platforms that translate emerging technologies into practical enterprise capabilities.

Muath leads Digital Innovation within Strategy & Growth at PwC Middle East’s Assurance Center of Excellence. He turns emerging technologies into practical enterprise solutions across governed AI, workflow automation and data-driven operations. With more than 15 years of experience in technology-enabled transformation, including deep expertise in AML and compliance, he established the Assurance Digital Factory and AI Lab and has scaled digital platforms, intelligent automation and GenAI capabilities. He believes the future of enterprise is AI-native, and at LEAP will share PwC’s perspective on combining governed AI and intelligent workflows to deliver secure, scalable and measurable business outcomes.

Oliver is a seasoned executive advisor of PwC’s Technology,Digital and Space Practice. He has led strategy andtransformation engagements for government and private sectorclients in all major GCC economies. ​

Trained in technology, economics and political sciences, Oliver isleading our service offerings for technology-led policy, regulatoryand economic advisory. Recently, his focus area has extended tospace technology and innovation. ​

Oliver is internationally versed with more than fifteen yearsexperience in the GCC. Prior to joining PwC, Oliver worked forBooz & Co. (today Strategy&) and Emirates Group as aTechnology Strategist.​

Omara Islam is a Partner and Middle East Connected Tax Compliance Leader within Tax & Legal Services at PwC Middle East, specialising in Indirect Tax. With over 14 years of experience across PwC and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), she specialises in indirect tax, technology-enabled tax transformation and AI-driven compliance solutions. She helps businesses navigate complex regulatory requirements while leveraging technology to enhance compliance, improve efficiency and transform the way tax functions operate. 

Peter is a Senior Executive Advisor at PwC Middle East with 25 years of global experience in commercial strategy, marketing, and business transformation in sport. As a Founding Partner of marketing agency Six Sport and former Global Head of Sponsorship at the FA, he has led initiatives that blend commercial growth with impactful community engagement; the ground-breaking Wembley Stadium partnership with mobile brand EE, is just one example. At PwC he has developed commercial strategies for mega-events in the region and is delivering elite sport development projects in KSA. Peter is currently leading a digital transformation project focused on fan engagement for one of MENA's biggest football clubs. His strategic leadership across both public and private sports sectors reflects attention to sustainable stakeholder engagement and long-term commercial impact.

Prateek Avasthy is a technology and transformation leader at PwC Middle East, advising organisations on large-scale digital, cloud and AI-enabled transformation. He specialises in connecting technology strategy with real-world execution, helping businesses modernise core platforms, redesign operating models and turn emerging technologies into measurable outcomes. His work spans major transformation programmes across the Middle East, with a particular interest in the practical adoption of AI at enterprise scale.

Raddad Ayoub​

Partner, Cybersecurity and Digital Trust Consulting, PwC Middle East​

Raddad is a Senior Partner in the firm’s Cybersecurity and Digital Trust Team, leading the Critical Infrastructure and Energy & Resources sectors in the region. With 28 years of experience spanning North America, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East, he has worked with leading global organizations to address complex challenges in Digital Transformation, Cybersecurity, Risk Management, and Digital Trust. 

Education & Qualifications:​

• BSc. Industrial Engineering​

• Certifications: CISSP, CISA, PMP, RMP, GICSP​

Areas of Expertise:​

• Energy and Critical Infrastructure Security​

• Emerging Engineering and Technologies in the O&G and P&U Industries.​

• Safe, Resilient and Secure AI​

• Cybersecurity and Resilience Platforms​

Thought Leadership:​

A recognized speaker and thought leader, Raddad frequently addresses topics on the convergence of technology in the Energy Sector, operational resilience, and risk automation. He has authored multiple publications on these subjects.​

Radwa is a Technology Director at PwC with over 14 years of experience leading large-scale digital transformation, innovation and technology programmes, with a strong focus on the sports sector. She has played key roles in technology transformation across major giga projects, helping organisations shape and deliver technology strategies, digital platforms, AI-enabled solutions and emerging technology capabilities that enhance operations, stakeholder and fan experiences, and long-term business value. Radwa has also developed and contributed to extensive thought leadership in sports technology, digital transformation, innovation and AI, bringing together industry insights, global trends and practical perspectives on the future of the sector. Her experience sits at the intersection of technology, sports and complex transformation, with a focus on translating emerging technologies into practical, scalable and impactful solutions.

Rami Maalouf is the Head of the AI Lab at Strategy& and a core member of the firm’s Digital practice in the Middle East. 

He has 18 years of experience in strategy consulting and technology across MENA, Europe, and Southeast Asia, supporting both public and private sector clients on large-scale technology transformations and innovation-led growth. 

He specializes in artificial intelligence, blockchain technologies, digital product development, and venture building. Rami has led large-scale digital transformations, set up and operated AI product factories, and advised both public and private sector clients on emerging technologies and innovation strategies. 

Prior to rejoining Strategy&, Rami was the Head of SNGLR XLabs, where he established and led a product factory specializing in AI and blockchain innovation. He led the strategic design, setup, and full-scale operationalization of the lab, overseeing a multidisciplinary team of product managers, data scientists, and engineers to accelerate the incubation and delivery of platforms. He also served as Head of ConsenSys MENA, a global blockchain software company, where he led the ideation and development of blockchain use cases for clients across sectors. Earlier in his career, he was a Principal at Strategy& focused on digital strategy, technology-enabled transformation, and new business models. 

Rami has also led the end-to-end delivery of several digital ventures, including: 

• A proprietary AI-powered investment screening platform for the venture capital industry. 

• A machine learning–based portfolio manager for digital asset funds. 

• A Blockchain Platform-as-a-Service (BPaaS) in partnership with a Tier 1 GCC cloud provider. 

• A national digital academy for a GCC government focused on smart city enablement. 

Rami holds an MBA from INSEAD (France and Singapore), a MSc in Mathematical Trading and Finance from Bayes Business School (London), and a Bachelors in Computer Engineering from the American University of Beirut. 

Ramzi Khoury is a Partner with Strategy& and a member of the Technology, Media, Telecommunications, and Digital practice in the Middle East. 

He helps telecom operators and technology providers develop growth strategies and build digital and technology capabilities. He also works with ICT policymakers and regulators on telecom and technology sector development.

Ramzi’s main engagement areas cover corporate and technology strategies, business-to-business go-to-market plans, business development and innovation, policymaking, and regulatory management.

In addition to his client work, Ramzi has authored reports on emerging technologies and digitization topics, including “Telecom operators in the age of drones: Preparing for the new era,” “Mission critical: How GCC telecom operators can enable public safety communications,” “Blockchain for MENA telecom operators: Seizing the opportunity,” and “The fastest track to becoming a smart city.” 

Prior to joining Strategy& in 2011, he worked in the telecom sector at Orange Group, focusing on Europe and the MENA region.

Ramzi holds a master’s degree in telecommunications engineering from Telecom Paris.

Richard Parsons is a Director at PwC Middle East, leading the firm's Salesforce Alliance across the region. He works with organizations to accelerate digital transformation, helping them enhance customer experiences, streamline operations, and unlock greater business value through cloud technologies. With extensive experience delivering complex transformation programs, Richard partners with business and technology leaders to drive innovation and achieve sustainable growth. He is passionate about helping organizations reimagine how they engage customers in a digital-first world.

Sami Al Shatri has spent the past decade working at the forefront of emerging technology and currently leads PwC Frontier Labs across the Middle East. His work focuses on applied R&D, rapid prototyping and helping organisations explore, test and apply frontier technologies across AI, immersive tech and robotics.

Sami is a Partner in PwC Middle East's Government and Public Sector – Consulting, where he leads strategy and transformation work with centres of government and institutions across the foreign affairs, defence, and national security sectors. He has delivered numerous transformation programmes that have reshaped public service delivery, improved operational efficiency, and unlocked intelligence through digitisation. Most recently, he has been at the forefront of applying AI-powered decision support to strategic foresight, helping governments anticipate change, make faster decisions, and strengthen national competitiveness.

Sandro Andric is the AI Business Lead for the Tax & Legal Services practice at PwC Middle East, where he is responsible for shaping AI strategy and designing enterprise AI solutions for government and corporate clients across the Middle East. He also provides subject matter expertise on AI adoption and implementation. His work spans compliance automation, multi-agent systems and executive AI enablement, and his contributions to AI have been recognised through leadership awards from NYU. His focus is on enabling organisations to adopt AI with confidence and translate emerging technologies into practical, business-driven outcomes.

With over 14 years of experience in public safety and command centre transformation, Sharang Gupta leads PwC’s Public Safety Technology Practice in the Middle East. He has delivered large-scale security programmes, including the largest city surveillance system and multiple giga project command centres. Sharang specialises in next-generation CCC design for mega events and stadiums, working closely with regional governments and global tech partners. Recognised with the Best Security Consultant Award (2024), he holds 30+ OEM certifications. A wildlife conservation advocate, he actively supports biodiversity initiatives and mentors young professionals in public safety and smart infrastructure.

Sreedhar Nair is a Principal with Strategy& and a member of the Technology, Media, Telecommunications, and Digital practice in the Middle East. 

Sreedhar advises telecommunications, technology, and ICT players across the Middle East on strategy, growth, inorganic expansion, operating model transformation, and commercial innovation. His experience also includes selected advisory work with public-sector stakeholders on sector development and national technology priorities

In addition to his client work, Sreedhar contributes to Strategy&’s thought leadership on the future of technology and digital markets. His publications include “A new talent model for the digital age” and “Pragmatic AI sovereignty: Architecting AI value chains for control and continuity in the Gulf countries.”

Sreedhar holds an MBA and an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Sreenivasan is a Senior Manager in Enterprise Solutions at PwC Middle East, with a strong background in data and analytics. He brings extensive experience in SAP-led enterprise transformation programs, with a focus on solving complex business challenges and enabling better outcomes through data and technology.

He is currently managing key data restructuring, analytics, and ERP transformation initiatives, helping organizations modernize their enterprise platforms, strengthen analytics capabilities, improve operational efficiency, and support broader business transformation

Taimaz Soltani is the Chief Technology Officer for Tax & Legal Services at PwC Middle East, where he leads the technology, product, engineering and AI agenda across the region. With over 15 years of experience in technology, a PhD in Engineering, and leadership experience across Europe and the Middle East, he specialises in transforming emerging technologies into scalable business capabilities. His work focuses on helping businesses turn AI and emerging technologies into practical solutions that create measurable impact and long-term value.

Yasmeen Dabbagh is a technology consultant manager working at the intersection of sports, technology and digital innovation. Her work spans artificial intelligence, data-driven strategy, digital platforms and emerging technologies, with a focus on translating technology into scalable, real-world impact. She has delivered digital transformation initiatives across the sports, cultural and public sectors, covering digital platforms, IT operating models, national digitization strategies and technology governance. Her published work explores the evolving role of technology in sport, from connected and digital stadiums to motorsports innovation and the future of golf, examining how AI, data and emerging technologies are reshaping the fan experience, athlete and organizational performance, and the wider sports ecosystem.

Zeina is a Partner and Health Industries Regional Sector Leader at PwC ME. Zeina brings over eighteen years of experience in healthcare quality management with a focus on performance and patient safety improvement; process efficiency, optimization and re-engineering; and patient-experience mapping and enhancement, through deploying diagnostic tools and digital solutions. Prior to joining PwC, Zeina was leading the Saudi Practice for GE Healthcare Leaders, which is the consulting arm of GE Healthcare. Zeina also brings an extensive understanding of the Saudi healthcare systems and its various dynamics at multiple levels (regulator, payer and provider), given her exposure to ground-level implementation of improvement projects.