Abdullah Abou Ali
Abdullah Abou Ali is an energy professional with eight years of experience in the sector, specializing in renewable energy and global energy transition. He currently serves as an Associate Programme Officer at the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), where he supports communication, engagement, and partnerships across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
At IRENA, Abdullah contributed to more than 30 flagship publications on renewables, energy transition, and climate change, shaping international dialogue and knowledge-sharing in the field. He holds an MBA with distinction in Project Management from the Swiss Business School in Zurich, as well as a B.Sc. in Sustainable and Renewable Energy Engineering from the University of Sharjah.
Dr. Daniel Christof
Daniel is a Partner at McKinsey & Company, based in Stuttgart, where he co-leads the firm’s Automotive Aftermarket and Automotive Supplier practice in Europe. With a deep focus on strategy design and execution, business development, organizational transformation, and performance turnarounds, Daniel brings extensive expertise to clients in the automotive, machinery, and high-tech sectors. His work spans a wide range of impactful initiatives, including corporate strategy development, portfolio optimization, operational improvements, and digital growth strategies.
Before joining McKinsey, Daniel served as Head of Corporate Development and Chief Strategy Officer at TRUMPF Group, a global leader in high-tech machine tools and laser technology. He also gained valuable experience at Bosch, Daimler, KPMG, and Lazard.
Daniel holds a Finance Master’s degree with distinction from Trinity College Dublin, a PhD (summa cum laude) from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, and a Business and Economics degree from the University of Hohenheim and Aarhus School of Business, where he graduated as valedictorian.
With a proven track record of driving strategic transformations and delivering measurable results, Daniel is passionate about helping organizations navigate complex challenges and unlock their full potential in an ever-evolving market landscape.
Fabian Seithel
Fabian Seithel is a professional in the automotive, fleet & mobility industry. As Associate Vice President - Sales & Business Development, EMEA for Geotab, a globally leading engineering & telematics organisation, Fabian & his team are experts when it comes to: connected car & fleet management platform solutions, providing 'return on investment' & digitised products for fleets in the areas of productivity, driver safety, sustainability (EVs), fleet optimisation, expandability & compliance.
Fabian joined Geotab in 2017 following his role at the mobility provider Sixt Leasing in Product Management.
He holds a Master of Science from Bamberg University, Germany, and is a frequent speaker at industry events globally discussing fleet management trends with a focus on connected fleet solutions and improving sustainability, driver safety and efficiency.
Faisal Rashid
Faisal Ali Al Rashid is the Senior Director of the Demand Side Management (DSM) Directorate at the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, where he is responsible for overseeing energy demand management initiatives in Dubai. He has played a pivotal role in the successful development and implementation of the Dubai DSM program since its inception. In addition to his leadership in energy management, Faisal chairs the Advancing Net Zero Volunteering Team, which is dedicated to accelerating decarbonization efforts in UAE cities. Having 16 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, Faisal has led several major EPC projects, demonstrating a strong track record of delivering Mega initiatives. He holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Ohio University, alongside Project Management Professional (PMP) credentials and accredited policy-making certification.
Felix Paul Schäfer
Felix is a Project Leader in McKinsey’s Munich offices and focuses on transformations for Automotive- and Commercial Vehicle OEMs and suppliers with significant value generation in their OE and Aftermarket operations. Felix is a co-leader of McKinsey’s European Automotive Aftermarket practice, focusing on Aftermarket operations (Product, go-to-market, digital enablement)
Helmut Scholze
Helmut Scholze is a Partner in the Middle East office of A.T. Kearney where he is leading the Transportation, Tourism & Infrastructure Practice. He joined A.T. Kearney in 2018 after having worked for more than 15 years as lawyer and management consultant in Europe and the Middle East.
His clients are among the most respected leaders in the railway, mobility and logistics industries in the region. He advises them on all major topics and across geographies. In his recent work, Helmut has focused on developing winning growth strategies, defining long-term investment plans, establishing strategic alliances, and enabling local content development in emerging markets.
Through his work Helmut has continuously helped to shape the transportation landscape of the Gulf region by working on a wide variety of public and private sector projects. In addition to his professional engagement he is an active member of the start-up community in Dubai through a series of investor positions and advisory mandates.
Helmut studied law at the universities of Munich, Paris II and UC Berkeley and holds a German Master of Laws, a Master of Laws in European and International Commercial Law as well as a French Bachelor of Laws. He is a qualified lawyer and admitted to practice law in Germany.
Guru Pranav Viswanathan
Gurupranav Viswanathan is an automotive professional specializing in Vehicle Regulation, Homologation, and Conformity Assessment. At SGS Middle East, he leads vehicle market access initiatives, with expertise in Engines, EV, and infrastructure—supporting OEMs in achieving Type Approval and Certification across the UAE, KSA, and the wider Middle East. He bridges engineering expertise with regulatory strategy, aligning products with regional and international regulatory frameworks. A Certified Lead Auditor for ISO 9001:2015, he ensures safety, performance, and sustainability in mobility solutions, driving the shift towards safer, compliant, and future-ready transport systems.
Ghanim Al Falasi
Ghanim Al Falasi career in Dubai Silicon Oasis spans more than 12 years when he was appointed as Senior Vice-President of Corporate Support Services in 2011. Under his lead, Ghanim managed the HR, Business Excellence, IT & Supply Management, People Happiness and Innovation, and Client Success Department. In 2021, Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) was established to consolidate and integrate the products and services of Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZ), Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), and Dubai CommerCity (DCC). Following to this establishment, Ghanim was assigned by the end of 2021 to spearhead and direct the Technology & Entrepreneurship business units under the DIEZ. Furthermore, Ghanim was entrusted in 2023 with a significant responsibility with his new appointment as the Senior Vice President of the Technology Ecosystem and development office at DIEZ and in 2024 has appointed as SVP of the Director General Office in DSO.
Ghanim has developed an extensive knowledge and know-how in the ICT sector from his previous role as Vice-President of the ICT Unit at Dubai Airports where he provided executive, technological and enterprise administrative leadership employment.
In his earlier association with Dubai Airports, Ghanim successfully established an ICT directorate for DCA based on a study conducted to identify and enhance Dubai Airports ICT infrastructure and services required for the delivery of outstanding performance. Al Falasi also worked for several governmental organizations including the UAE Ministry of Defence, UAE Armed Forces, and the Central Military Command.
In 2013, Ghanim was appointed as the Vice Chairman of the Smart City Project Committee at Dubai Silicon Oasis.
Ghanim holds a BS degree in Computer Science from California State University of Hayward, USA. Moreover, he also holds a Chief Innovation Officer “CCInO” Certification from LEAD, Organization & Relation Systems Coaching Certification from ORSC, and most recently a certification from Neurolink-USA for being a Brain & Emotional Intelligence Practitioner.
Gaurish Wagle
Gaurish Wagle is an Architect-Urban Designer, presently working as Manager, Master planning & Sustainability at Masdar City, a major development in Abu Dhabi which aims to set the benchmark for smart sustainable developments.
Gaurish is a registered Architect & Urban Planner in India and UAE. He graduated as an architect from Goa University, India in 1995 and completed his Post Graduate Diploma in Urban Design from CEPT University, India in 1997.
Gaurish has worked in India in the government sector as Deputy Town Planner & Member Secretary, Town & Country Planning Department, Goa involved in preparing Public Policies and Master Plans for developing towns. In the Middle East, he has worked for international firms like Hyder Consulting, UK and Mouchel, UK and Nakheel, UAE working on major developments like Reem Island, Bahrain Investment Wharf, Palm Jebel Ali and Dubai Waterfront before joining CH2M Hill International, US on the Masdar City project in 2008.
Gaurish has been leading the Sustainable Master planning for Masdar City since 2008 and was instrumental in obtaining the Concept Masterplan in 2009, Detailed Masterplans for Phases 1,2,4&5 over a decade as well as the Sitewide Estidama 4-Pearl Community Rating Strategy in 2018.
Gaurish has been a member of Abu Dhabi Government’s Working Groups on various initiatives like:
- Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council’s - Abu Dhabi Plan 2030; Al Gharbia Towns – Mirfa, Liwa & Ruwais Masterplan 2030 and Tawasul (Development Review Services) Program.
- Abu Dhabi Department of Transport’s – Surface Transport Masterplan 2040; Etihad Rail Alignment Task Force and Low Emission Zone Feasibility.
- Abu Dhabi Quality & Conformity Council’s – Unified Regulations for Urban Planning, Public Realm and Infrastructure Development.
- Digital Data Management Standards by Abu Dhabi Digital Authority.
Gaurish has been actively involved in lectures and workshops on Sustainable Planning at Masdar City with visiting student and business delegations. He has also guest lectured on Sustainable & Smart City Planning at Paris Sorbonne University, Abu Dhabi, UAE; CEPT University, Ahmedabad, India and Khalifa University - Masdar Institute Campus, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
James Tyrrell
James Tyrrell leads Brigade Telematics, shaping the future of connected safety for commercial fleets worldwide. With over a decade in vehicle telematics and AI-driven systems, James has been central to integrating intelligent video and data solutions into fleet operations across sectors.
His work turns raw vehicle data into actionable insight—helping operators reduce collisions, stay compliant, and boost efficiency. From logistics and waste management to construction and passenger transport, James has helped fleets embrace smarter, safer, and more sustainable ways of working.
Collaborating with distributors, OEMs, and technology partners, he delivers solutions that drive safety, productivity, and long-term value. His approach goes beyond technology—fostering a culture of accountability and road safety at every level.
At Automechanika Dubai, James will share how AI-powered, vehicle-centric intelligence is transforming fleet management—enhancing decision-making, protecting drivers and road users, and unlocking lasting value across global markets.
Kaushik Madhavan
- Kaushik currently heads the Mobility Advisory and Consulting practice at MarketsandMarkets as Vice President and Head of Consulting.
- Kaushik comes with over 25 years of experience in the automotive industry, specifically strategic consulting and market research. Expertise in Competitive intelligence and benchmarking, new market entry and diversification strategies, end consumer analysis – automotive technologies and customer purchasing behaviour, strategic planning and technology benchmarking. Kaushik brings with him experience over a wide range of sectors, leveraging long-standing working relationships with Senior Management Executives in the automotive industry. Focus areas include Automotive powertrain in passenger and commercial vehicles, Alternative fuels [Flex fuels, CNG, LPG], Hybridisation / Electrification of vehicles & Ecosystem development.
- Kaushik previously managed Powertrain consulting at the Global level within Frost & Sullivan and also managed the Global Innovation Centre at Frost & Sullivan. Kaushik was also in the long term Product Planning team at at Nissan Motor India and was closely involved in launching of the Datsun brand in India in 2014.
- Kaushik is a Jury member for the Apollo CV Awards for 10 years and has also been part of the Jury for Auto Tech Review Annual Automotive Technology Awards.
- Kaushik is also a Columnist for ET Autologue at Economic Times Auto and has moderated numerous discussions at Auto Tech Review, ACMA, HD Truck, CII Autoserve, CV Forum. He has been a regular Speaker at Engine Expo, CTI’s Transmission Symposium, Future Mobility Dubai, NASSCOM’s Connected Mobility, etc. apart from being quoted in Economic Times, Hindu Business Line, Reuters
- Kaushik has a Master of Science in Automotive Systems Engineering from the University of Technology RWTH Aachen in Germany and a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from the R.V. College of Engineering in Bangalore, India.
Kursad Yuce
Kursad Yuce brings over 18 years of expertise in quality management systems, with a strong focus on Information Security, Business Continuity, and IT Service Management. His experience spans awareness, training, implementation, auditing, and operational management, with specialist knowledge in risk management, secure software development, cloud security, business continuity planning, and organisational resilience.
Currently, Kursad serves as EMEA Head of Associate & META ETS Delivery at BSI, where he also leads Digital Trust Assurance Services across the MEA region. Throughout his career, he has delivered over 400 training programs, including IRCA/CQI-accredited Lead Auditor courses. He has played a key role in developing global training materials for international standards, such as ISO/IEC 27001, ISO 22301, and ISO 31000.
With a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, Kursad has supported leading organisations in implementing and enhancing management systems across diverse industries. An experienced speaker and thought leader, he has conducted global webinars and events, sharing insights on governance, risk, and resilience with thousands of professionals worldwide.
Michael Sonderby
Michael Sonderby is the Acting CEO of SteerAI, where he is responsible for leading strategy, growth, and operations. With over 20 years of experience in digital strategy and consulting, he specializes in venture and product building, go-to-market strategies, and digital transformations, with a focus on logistics and transportation.
Previously, Michael was a managing director and partner at BCGX, where he built and launched successful ventures in Germany, China, and the UAE.
As the head of strategy at eBay, he led corporate strategy as well as mergers and acquisitions development, supported business units in driving e-commerce performance, generated market insights that drove strategic decision-making, and drove implementation of these recommendations.
Michael holds a master’s degree in industrial relations from the London School of Economics and a master’s degree in international management and marketing from Copenhagen Business School.
Lucas Bellieud
Lucas Bellieud is the Managing Director of Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility (AFEM), where he leads the growth and transformation of the new energy vehicle (NEV) sector in the UAE.
An automotive executive with more than 25 years of experience, Bellieud has held senior leadership roles worldwide, including Chief Operating Officer, Aftersales Director, and Commercial Director at Renault. His career reflects extensive expertise in both operational and commercial leadership.
Passionate about the automotive sector’s blend of technology, innovation, and its economic and environmental impact, Bellieud’s vision is to establish the UAE as a global benchmark for accessible green mobility. Under his leadership, AFEM is advancing this ambition by distributing iconic brands such as BYD and Polestar.
Bellieud is a graduate of EDHEC Business School in France.
Oleksandr Danylenko
Oleksandr Danylenko is a solutions builder and strategic leader who creates and scales practical, platform-led solutions across diverse markets. As Managing Director and Founder of boodmo.com, India’s leading online marketplace for vehicle products, he introduced the country’s first online catalogues and helped set the benchmark for transparency in price, availability and part applicability.
His experience spans distributor, importer and e-commerce roles, giving him end-to-end insight into the automotive lifecycle. Combining finance and engineering skills with hands-on operational execution, Oleksandr focuses on supply chain design, ERP rollouts, logistics optimisation and commercially viable platform models that move from prototypes to scalable operations.
He thrives in multicultural environments and builds cross functional teams that deliver measurable outcomes in differing regulatory and commercial contexts — notably in Ukraine and India. Today he concentrates on driving strategic impact through intelligent mobility initiatives and interoperable platforms that simplify vehicle ownership, connect suppliers, workshops and drivers, and improve transparency across the aftermarket.
Rashid Farivar
Rashid Farivar (born 1982) holds a Licentiate of Engineering degree in Electrical Engineering from Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden, with a specialization in semiconductor materials, electronic and optoelectronic devices, and integrated circuits. Since September 2022, he has served as a Member of the Swedish Parliament, actively contributing to the Committees on Transport and Communications, Environment and Agriculture, and Civil Affairs.
Prior to his parliamentary tenure, Rashid spent over a decade in the Swedish automotive industry, primarily at Volvo Cars, where he played a significant role in the company’s transition toward hybrid and fully electric vehicles. His work encompassed vehicle charging functions and user experience, regulatory compliance, internal combustion engine development and calibration, as well as the testing and verification of electrical and electronic systems and functions.
As one of the very few engineers to enter Swedish politics at the national level, Rashid brings a technical and analytical perspective to legislative work, particularly in shaping policies related to infrastructure, transportation, artificial intelligence, energy, and sustainability.
Rashid Al-Manai
Rashid Matar Al Manai has built a distinguished career in aerospace over more than 25 years, spanning engineering, operations, and executive leadership. He began as a lead engineer on the F-16 Block 60 program, directing aerodynamics and structural design. He was part of the core team that established ADASI, later serving as COO and building its commercial operations, and went on to serve as Board Member and Executive Committee Chairman of Tawazun Dynamics, guiding its growth in aerial defense systems. Today, as CEO of LODD Autonomous, he leads development of the Hili Hybrid VTOL cargo aircraft, the first of its kind engineered in the UAE. Rashid earned his B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Summa Cum Laude, from the University of Arizona, an M.Sc. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington, and a Master of Engineering Management from the University of Wollongong, UAE.
Raj Kumar Prasad
Raj K. Prasad is an accomplished expert in sustainability and management systems, with over 25 years of professional experience and more than 14 years of specialisation in management systems implementation. As a certified Lead Auditor and Lead Tutor (IRCA No. 6018807), he has conducted more than 3,000 audit man-days across 20+ countries and trained professionals in over 100 auditor courses.
His industry expertise spans oil & gas, petrochemicals, industrial manufacturing, mining, cement, construction, and financial services. Raj has worked with global organisations such as British Petroleum, Shell, Saudi Aramco, Qatar Petroleum, Oman Petroleum Development, and Emirates NBD.
Holding an M.Tech. in Environmental Science & Engineering, a Diploma in Industrial Safety, and NEBOSH certification with distinction, Raj combines firm academic grounding with extensive hands-on expertise. His career journey includes roles with the Central Pollution Control Board, The Energy and Resources Institute, Asian Paints, Whirlpool, and international oil pipeline projects before joining BSI in 2006.
At BSI Middle East & Africa, Raj leads sustainability initiatives, conducting audits and providing guidance on quality, environmental, health & safety, energy, and integrated management systems, helping organisations achieve operational excellence and sustainable growth.
Roberto Colucci
Roberto Colucci currently serves as the director of EVs at AW Rostamani Group.
His expertise spans across the automotive industry, previously working as Tesla’s Store Manager in Italy, where he advanced his capabilities on the electric vehicle market, mobility solutions, and retail management. Prior to joining Zeekr & smart of AWR, Roberto also contributed to a zero-emission future as Senior Manager of Business Development for Global Markets at EVBox, in the EV charging industry. His responsibilities included EVBox partnerships and projects for the global markets with a focus on Middle-East and Italy.
Roberto has a commitment to excellence, innovative thinking, and an ability to deliver measurable results, dedicated to shaping the future of sustainable mobility.
Roberto holds a degree from Università del Salento as well as University of Antwerp, and a certification in Innovation Leadership from Massachussets Institute of Technology.
Sandeep Arora
Sandeep Arora is a results-driven executive leader with over 20 years of multifaceted experience spanning strategy planning, P&L management, business excellence, digital transformation, and new business development across the automotive and diversified business sectors. As Director – Strategy, Business Excellence, and New Business Development at AW Rostamani Group, he has spearheaded corporate strategy formulation, international expansion, and inorganic growth initiatives while managing strategic projects and stakeholder relations at the Board level.
He has successfully led the introduction of global automotive brands such as Chery, Zeekr, Smart, and Royal Enfield into the UAE market, driving over AED 120 million in new revenue streams. His leadership in digital transformation, corporate venture capital investments, and international M&A (USD 20 million) demonstrates strong strategic foresight and execution capability. Recognized for excellence, Sandeep led his organization to the Harvard Hall of Fame for Strategy Execution and multiple Dubai Quality Awards.
Academically equipped with an MBA from SP Jain and executive certifications from Harvard, MIT, Columbia, and Wharton, Sandeep combines analytical rigor with leadership acumen—building agile, performance-oriented organizations ready for future growth.
Sushovan Bej
Sushovan Bej is PwC’s Global eMobility Manager, leading the Global eMobility Centre of Excellence. With nearly a decade of experience across the mobility and energy sectors, he has advised governments and private clients across Europe, Asia and the Middle East on developing sustainable and scalable eMobility ecosystems. His work spans policy development, charging infrastructure planning, and strategy for accelerating the transition to electric mobility.
Saba Azizi
Saba Azizi is the Head of After-Sales Service Network and Business Development in EMEA at CATL, the global leader in lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles. With over a decade of experience in the automotive industry, she leads the strategic development and expansion of CATL’s service network across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, ensuring operational excellence and customer satisfaction.
Before joining CATL, Saba spent six years at Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi, where she managed aftermarket procurement and supplier performance. Her work focused on achieving critical KPIs such as zero vehicles off road (VOR) and eliminating back orders, playing a vital role in strengthening supply chain reliability and service quality.
Saba is passionate about innovation, sustainability, and building impactful global partnerships. Through her leadership, she supports CATL’s mission to shape a cleaner, smarter future with reliable and forward-thinking energy solutions.
Dr. Stephane Dreher
Dr. Stephane Dreher is Head of Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility (CCAM) at ERTICO – ITS Europe. He is coordinating the EU-funded FAME project aimed at supporting the alignment of CCAM R&I and testing in Europe by facilitating the collaboration and sharing of knowledge within the community of CCAM stakeholders, fostering international cooperation and by developing a European Framework for Testing on Public Roads. He is a member of the Executive Group of the European CCAM Partnership under the Horizon Europe funding programme, leading the coordination cluster. From 2015 to 2017, he was a Transport Data and Statistics Expert with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He advised the Saudi Ministry of Transport on technical and policy matters regarding Transport Data, Analytics and ITS in the frame of the update of the National Transportation Strategy and Vision 2030. Prior to that, he worked 10 years at HERE, in charge of EU Government Programmes in Brussels
Vijay Gummadi
Mr. Vijay Gummadi believes the future of automotive goes beyond machines - it’s about people, data, and intelligent systems working together.
Starting out as a car wash attendant, his curiosity about cars led him to Detroit, where he earned a Master’s in Manufacturing Systems and Information Technology and worked at the heart of the global auto industry.
Vijay can repair cars and program computers with equal ease - a combination that shapes his work today at the intersection of mobility and technology. He is the Founder and CEO of Autorox and Autozilla. Autorox, used by thousands of auto repair shops across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe, combines AI to help workshops run smarter, faster, and more profitably. Autozilla simplifies how workshops find and buy spare parts through its technology-led B2B eCommerce platform, bringing accuracy and speed to a complex supply chain.
Recently, Vijay published The Auto Repair Playbook, a practical guide to help workshops thrive in an increasingly digital and data-driven world. His companies connect car owners, workshops, fleets, insurers, and parts suppliers into intelligent digital ecosystems that are transforming how auto repair works every day.
He believes real progress comes from deeply understanding ground level problems and using technology to solve them effectively - making everyday things like car repair simpler, fairer, and better for everyone.
Vijeet Raj Singh
Vijeet is a seasoned investment and corporate development professional with 16 years of experience in driving strategic growth, establishing new businesses, and expanding into new geographies across the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. Currently leading ADNOC Distribution’s new energy mobility business, Vijeet is at the forefront of advancing EV charging infrastructure and hydrogen mobility solutions in the UAE. Under his leadership, a highly skilled team is spearheading the expansion of ADNOC Distribution’s EVCI business contributing to the UAE’s transition toward sustainable transportation. In his previous roles, he has worked with investment banks.