AUD Podcast Channel

Dr. Heba Chehade is a foresight researcher and Head of Foresight Research at the Dubai Future Foundation, one of the world's leading organisations dedicated to anticipating and shaping what comes next. At the intersection of academia, social sciences and strategic foresight, she helps governments, institutions and communities navigate a world defined by uncertainty. In this episode we get int...

Dr. Sonia Ben Jaafar is an education expert, former cancer researcher, and CEO of the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation, one of the largest education-focused philanthropic organizations in the Arab world. She walked away from a career in research and stepped into education, driven by a single belief that everyone deserves the opportunity and the resources to learn.  In this episode we discuss why teac...

Shant Oknayan is a global technology and strategy leader and the VP of Global Business at Bytedance/Tiktok. He has spent his career at the intersection of innovation, culture, and digital transformation, with experience across consulting, big tech, and emerging platforms, he has helped organizations and governments navigate how technology reshapes industries, economies, and communication. Key Lear...

Marisa Kamall is a leadership professional and Founder of GAIA, a community focused on supporting and empowering women. Built on exploring how identity, expectations, and workplace culture shape the way women grow in their careers. In this episode we discuss why many women are impacted by imposter syndrome, the challenges of navigating male-dominated environments, the likability tax, and why real...

Luca Allam is an entrepreneur, public speaker, and communication coach with over 20 years of experience in marketing and media. In 2024 he left the corporate world to focus on speaking and coaching full-time, launching the MasterPitch public speaking program and hosting Luca’s Insight Track, an online talk show that has rapidly become one of MENA’s fastest-growing podcasts. Key Learnings: How to r...

Jeff Strachan is the Associate VP at the Dubai College of Tourism (DCT), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). A hospitality expert with over 30 years of industry experience on a mission to train & develop the next generation of Dubai’s tourist facing workforce.  Key Learnings: The skills you need to succeed in the hospitality industry How travel will change across the reg...

Tina Chagoury is a DHA-license Clinical Dietician, Functional Hormones Expert & Founder of Savoir Anti-inflammatory Meal Plans. She brings over 20 years of experience in weight management and therapeutic nutrition in the UAE helping clients achieve optimal well-being through personalized nutrition strategies and her curated line of anti-inflammatory meal plans. Key Learnings: The dangers and r...

Mahmoud Bartawi is an Exited Emirati Entrepreneur and Host of BxB Podcast. From learning business lessons at his father’s side to exiting his own brand Under 500, he shares the raw truth behind building from zero, surviving failure, and knowing when to scale. Key Learnings: When to scale your business The struggle entrepreneurs face Where to find your target customer The importance of starting wit...

Suraya Turk is an award winning lawyer, entrepreneur & Managing Partner of Legal Circle. She brings 20+ years of experience, advising 650+ startups to support their growth and development in the region. Key Learnings: How to pick the right lawyer for your needs? The importance of scaling organically Why entrepreneurs need to have a basic understanding of law The reason communication is the cur...

Dr. Labib Riachi is a double board certified, internationally recognized leader in robotic gynecologic surgery, female pelvic medicine, and surgical education. With over two decades of clinical, academic, and entrepreneurial success across the U.S., Middle East, and Europe he bridges medicine, technology, and global collaboration to tackle the leading disease affecting women's health today. K...

Modhar Khan is the Regional Director of Artificial Intelligence - Middle East & North Africa - SLB. He is a Business leader and Data expert with global expertise across North America and the MENA region. Currently leading AI strategy for SLB in MENA, driving digital transformation, automation, and AI adoption to enhance efficiency, optimize operations, and create long-term value across the ind...

Anna Hazlett is Founder & CEO of AzurX and AzurX Space Ventures companies focused on space and strategic technologies based on the foundation that space plays a unique role in addressing the world’s most pressing problems. She is a globally recognized voice and contributor to the global space industry since 2017 & serves as a Member of the Fund Advisory & Decision Committee of the Moha...

Iyad Alsabouni is the Program Coordinator, Bachelor of Science in Game Design and Development at AUD. He brings over 20 years of professional experience as an artist and animator working with game studios in Japan and indie developers worldwide, accumulating extensive experience and knowledge in the field of entertainment design. Key Learnings: Why gaming has become a national strategic objective...

 Ashraf Younis is a media veteran with over 30 years of experience & the Director of Channels MBC 3 & MBC Action at MBC Group. From launching TV channels, to his role as an international judge for media and an acting adjunct professor at AUD he shares insights on innovation, human connection, and what it takes to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry. Key Learnings  How has the media lands...

Samia Hasan is the Founder of Unwind the Grind, a Millennial/Gen Z leadership development platform empowering them to achieve what they are capable of & enabling them to excel in their careers. She is a corporate veteran turned career coach, who spent over 10 years climbing the ladder at a Fortune 50 company before pursuing a passion for authentic living and is now on a mission to help you fin...

Muhammed Mekki is the Founding Partner of AstroLabs, previous co-founder of Namshi & holds a PhD in Innovation & Entrepreneurship. He has been actively building the Middle Eastern entrepreneurial ecosystem since 2011, secured one of the largest venture-backed exits in the MENA region in 2017 with Namshi, and has built AstroLabs to become the leading business expansion platform in the Gulf...

Aamir Allibhoy is the Regional CMO - Tim Hortons MENA, a trusted team leader with extensive experience in marcoms, branding, strategy and new business development. He spent 21 years with Impact BBDO, most recently as the General Manager, spearheading the business and client relationships across key clients, such as PepsiCo.  His success is largely attributed to being “fearless" in doing the r...

We are honored to have Dr. Caroline Faraj on the show today. Dr. Caroline is the CNN Vice President & Arabic Editor-in-Chief, an award-winning journalist with over 30 years’ experience. She joined CNN in 2001 and has overseen the content and management of CNN Arabic, which she launched in 2002. She was named winner of the Arab Woman of the year Awards 2022 as a leader in media, and in 2021 she...

We are honored to have Fares Akkad on the show today. Fares is the Regional Director for Meta across MEA. He is a global media and tech thought leader with a rich experience in new media growth across emerging markets. His career spans over 25 years leading growth for media and social media giants and has been recognized by Forbes Magazine as one of the top 50 leaders in MENA. In addition, he has...

We are honored to have Dr. Kyle Long on the show today. Dr. Kyle joins us as the new President of AUD. He is an internationally recognized authority on American higher education outside the United States. With a career spanning various leadership roles, he brings with him a wealth of experience and an innovative approach to higher education rooted in the American liberal arts tradition. His missio...

We are honored to have Sally Moussa Hajjar as our guest on the show today. Sally is a media veteran with over 20 years of experience working for the region's largest broadcast networks. She is currently the Managing Director of Humanagement and along with her Husband Hady have built the region's Leading Agency in Innovative Marketing and Media Solutions representing some of the region’s...

We are honored to have Siwar Zein as our guest on the show today. Siwar is Human Resources Expert and brings with her over 15 years of experience working at some of the worlds largest brands such as Nestle and is currently the EMEA Talent Management Director at Microsoft. She is someone who is extremely passionate about supporting people and enabling them to achieve their desired success within an...

We are honored to have Saleem Karsaz as our guest on the show today. Saleem is the Group CEO of AEON & Trisl Real Estate and is one of the most distinguished realtors in the UAE. He has played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of Dubai Real Estate and was awarded the highest honor of being the #1 Broker by the Dubai Land Department. Key Learnings The importance of building your support s...

We are honored to have Dr Edward Srour as our guest on the show today. Dr Eddie has been a professor and researcher at Indiana University for more than 30 years. The main focus of his research has been primarily on stem cells and their efficacy, in addition to exploring other areas such as veterinary medical sciences and hematology.

We are honored to have Omar Al Busaidy as our guest on the show today. Omar is an AUD alumnus,entrepreneur, author and speaker with over 13 years of experience in the UAEs corporate environment. He is currently the President of Future Pipe Industries and Founder of Global Possibilities which provides commercial advisory services to companies that want to scale and operate in the UAE Key Learnings:...