CMI Middle East

Maha has had a varied career across industries, companies and disciplines. She has had managerial and leadership roles in banking and consulting. Maha has also founded her own companies and been a Director of others. Her professional journey has taken her across the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, equipping her with intercultural fluency to bridge diverse environments and approaches.

Her achievements have centred on specialisms in strategy and strategic consulting, business development and stakeholder management.

Maha has focused on building her executive coaching practice for the past five years and is a Senior Practitioner of the EMCC and a member of the ICF. Among a number of instruments she is qualified to use is Gallup’s Global Strength and Positive Intelligence.

Massimo Brebbia is a seasoned leader with nearly three decades of international experience in the marine, offshore, and energy sectors, currently serving as Regional Director for the Middle East and Caspian at Global Maritime. He holds Chartered Manager status with CMI and has built a career around strategic transformation, operational excellence, and technology-led innovation.

An early advocate for AI integration, Massimo began working with AI technologies in 2015 through a pioneering collaboration between Fugro and Amazon Web Services. Today, he leads digital transformation initiatives across multiple regions, focusing on embedding AI in core business operations to improve efficiency, compliance, and service delivery—while navigating the human, legal, and ethical dimensions of change.

His leadership spans mergers, regional restructuring, and business turnaround strategies. He is known for aligning digital tools with real-world workflows, driving AI adoption without losing sight of the people and purpose at the heart of an organization. In his current role, he has successfully implemented AI to support hybrid teams, streamline decision-making, and foster cross-functional collaboration across culturally diverse environments.

Massimo is also an advocate for psychological well-being in leadership, serving as a UN-affiliated mental health ambassador, and brings a human-centred perspective to technological change. He has a strong record in training, assessment, and upskilling, and is committed to developing the next generation of AI-ready, ethically grounded leaders.

Dynamic and results-driven CEO and Executive Director with over 20 years of leadership experience in the education and finance sectors. Demonstrated expertise in driving organizational growth, leading digital transformation, and establishing strategic partnerships on a global scale. Adept at managing multi-site operations and steering institutions towards long-term success and industry recognition. Proven ability to innovate and execute strategic initiatives that enhance organizational performance and market positioning.
As CEO of Westford University College, Westford Uni Online, my leadership is defined by a commitment to educational excellence and a strategic approach to partnerships and program development. With a focus on people management and persuasive communication, my tenure has seen the expansion of our educational offerings to a diverse international student body.

Mark is the Institution of Civil Engineers Chair for the Middle East and North Africa, having previously been the MEA Council Member for 6 years and Country Representative for the UAE for 13 years. He sits on various committees involved in Policy, Strategy, Finance and International matters. He is also a Member of the Nominations committee and Project13 Steering Group (an ICG / ICE initiative).

His day job is Executive Director – Development for Qiddiya, with responsibility for several Districts and Precincts across the 360km2 city. Previously Mark was Head of Projects for HanmiGlobal overseeing delivery of all projects across the region and prior to that was Senior Vice President for PMKConsult, leading their expansion into KSA (also held the post of General Manager). Following multiple years leading projects, Mark was an Executive at 2 major PMC / Engineering companies.

A Civil Engineer with over 30 years’ global experience in construction and engineering, Mark has delivered major construction projects from nuclear to rail and infrastructure to regional mega and giga projects. Mark’s current ICE roles focus on looking after the interests of the 3000 members resident or seconded into the MEA region.

Mark’s Non-Executive Directorships include Chairman of Darjeeling Cricket Club, Dubai, BARC Solutions – a Security consultancy and as a member of the Engineering and Technology Advisory Board for the University of Birmingham.

Salman is an accomplished and forward-thinking Deputy General Manager with over 13 years of cross-functional leadership experience spanning Human Resources, Operations, and Organizational Development in the financial services sector. Currently serving on the leadership team at Al Ahalia Money Exchange Bureau, one of the top-ranked remittance and money exchange companies in the Middle East, Salman oversees the strategic direction and operational execution for a workforce of over 450 employees across 30+ branches in the UAE.

Widely recognized for delivering transformational change and fostering inclusive, high-performing cultures, Salman has played a central role in driving double-digit revenue growth and elevating employee engagement across the organization. Key achievements include restructuring the HR function, designing a regionally inclusive talent acquisition strategy, and launching leadership development programs that enhanced internal capability and succession planning.

With a strong foundation in corporate governance, people analytics, AI, and blockchain in HR and finance, Salman brings a future-ready perspective to board-level discussions, particularly around digital transformation, regulatory compliance, and sustainable growth. Salman is a Chartered Fellow of both the CIPD and CMI (UK) and holds advanced executive certifications from global institutions including Oxford, INSEAD, MIT, and London Business School.

Dr. Abdelrhman Meero, CMgr MCMI, PMP, SFHEA, is the Dean of the College of Business Administration at Kingdom University, Bahrain, and a seasoned academic leader with over 17 years of experience. He previously served as Vice President at Kingdom University (2015–2018), and earlier as Vice Rector and Head of the Banking and Finance Department at the Higher Institute of Business Administration (HIBA), Syria. Since 2013, he has led major academic and strategic initiatives at Kingdom University.

He holds a PhD in Management Sciences (Finance) from the University of Bordeaux IV, France, and has published extensively in Scopus-indexed journals on corporate governance, leadership, FinTech, Islamic finance, and AI in business. Certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and recognized as a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), he actively advances innovation, governance, and management excellence across the region.

I am an experienced Business Development Manager based in Dubai, UAE, with a strong background in the healthcare sector. My professional journey has focused on driving strategic growth, building international partnerships, and developing initiatives that improve patient access to world-class medical services.

My expertise lies in medical tourism and healthcare business development, where I have successfully promoted cross-border healthcare collaborations and created innovative patient engagement programs. I specialize in market analysis, strategic planning, corporate event management, and international client relationship management, consistently delivering sustainable business growth for healthcare organizations.

Over the years, I have managed numerous corporate wellness initiatives, health awareness campaigns, and international marketing strategies, helping enhance both patient satisfaction and organizational success. I am passionate about advancing healthcare standards and committed to building bridges between medical service providers and international communities, ensuring access to quality care for patients worldwide.

Tahir is a seasoned professional with more than 28 years of experience spanning the private, public, and third sectors. He began his career in software development and management before founding and successfully leading his own company. His diverse background includes a key role as a Director of Finance in the third sector, where he successfully implemented streamlined policies and procedures to enhance operational efficiency.

Academically, Tahir holds a BSc in Computer Studies from Glasgow Caledonian University and has recently completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Educational Assessment and Examinations from the University of Cambridge, demonstrating his commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

At the Scottish Qualifications Authority, Tahir excelled as a Qualifications Co-ordinator, leading Continuous Professional Development (CPD) initiatives for educators throughout Scotland. His responsibilities extended to critical areas such as business continuity and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), showcasing his multifaceted skill set.

Tahir’s leadership extends to the professional community. As a member of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), he served on the CMI Scotland Board from 2014 to 2020, where he held the position of Vice-Chair for two years. He played a pivotal role in the development and implementation of the CMI Scotland Social Media Strategy and its highly successful Annual Conferences.

Committed to community and skill development, Tahir served on the Pollokshields Development Agency Board, where he oversaw staff management, funding, and the upskilling of both staff and board members.

His expertise was formally recognized in February 2022 with the attainment of Chartered Manager status, the pinnacle of professional recognition in management and leadership.
Additionally, Tahir provided valuable advisory services for Skills Recognition Scotland. In this capacity, he guided individuals through the skills recognition process, helping them compile evidence-based portfolios. He meticulously assessed and benchmarked these portfolios against the Scottish Credit Qualifications Framework, ultimately contributing to the creation of comprehensive Skills and Experience profiles.

Currently, Tahir is an Awarding Specialist at Rabdan Academy, a role he has held since February 2022. He is the central point for the awarding management process, ensuring all activities comply with the Military Qualification Centre and regulatory requirements. His responsibilities are comprehensive, from registering learners and processing applications to issuing certificates and maintaining the integrity of the Learner Record Database (LRD) and its integration with the Military Credit Framework (MCF).

Dr. Shehara Rizly is the Managing Editor, Middle East at DDP Group, and a seasoned leader in strategic communication, governance and influence.

With over three decades of experience across journalism, corporate communications and public affairs in Sri Lanka and the UAE, she has worked at the intersection of leadership, policy and societal impact.

A Chartered Manager (UK/Australia) and Honorary Doctorate recipient from Collège de Paris, she brings a values-driven approach to decision-making, ethical leadership and inclusive governance.

Passionate about empowering women and shaping responsible narratives, she believes strong leadership begins with accountability, empathy and the courage to create meaningful change.

Accomplished business leader and board-level contributor with Fellowship of the
Chartered Management Institute (FCMI), Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of
Marketing (FCIM), and Associate of CIPD (ACIPD). With over 24 years of international
experience across the Middle East and Asia, I have consistently driven market growth,
innovation, and revenue expansion in diverse industries, including education
management, telecommunications, and consumer goods.

Currently serving as Director at PwC Academy Dubai, I provide strategic oversight for non-financial qualifications, leading market growth strategies, programme innovation, and
revenue management exceeding USD 5M+ annually. Recognized as a thought leader in education and talent development, I have forged strategic partnerships with regional blue-chip clients and delivered transformational business growth, with career revenue contributions exceeding AED 100M in the last five years.

My expertise spans strategic planning, brand and marketing leadership, digital innovation, organizational design, governance oversight, and stakeholder engagement, with a proven record of shaping sustainable growth and organizational excellence.

Accomplished and credentialed business leader with over 30 years of executive experience across FMCG, retail, and financial services sectors, specialising in enterprise growth, commercial transformation, and governance excellence in complex, multicultural environments across the GCC and South Asia. Currently serving as General Manager at a leading multi-national company in the UAE, I lead regional sales strategy and multi-channel integration. A Chartered Manager, Chartered Marketer, and Fellow of multiple global institutes, I was conferred an Honorary Doctorate in Strategic Leadership and nominated under Australia’s Global Talent Independent (GTI) program. I bring proven P&L ownership, operational agility, and cross-cultural leadership to board-level and C-suite mandates.

Professor Naveed Yasin is a leading scholar and educator in entrepreneurship and management with over 20 years of academic and professional experience across the UK, UAE, Oman, and Asia. He is the first and only Chartered Companion of the Chartered Management Institute (CCMI) in the UAE, a Chartered Management Consultant (ChMC), and a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA), reflecting his sustained contributions to higher education leadership and management practice.

At the Abu Dhabi School of Management, he serves as Professor of Entrepreneurship and Director of the Abu Dhabi Management Incubator, where he leads the development of multiple graduate business incubators that bridge entrepreneurial education with practice. His research focuses on immigrant and transnational entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship education, and strategic leadership in higher education. He has held several senior leadership roles at several International Universities including the roles of Head of Creative Industries and Entrepreneurship Departments, Academic and Executive Dean and Vice President of Academic Affairs at British Universities in the UAE.

Professor Yasin has published scientific works in international and elite journals and has also edited three books with Palgrave and Routledge. He contributes regularly to platforms such as Entrepreneur.com and Bizpreneur Middle East, and has held senior academic roles across leading institutions in the UK and the GCC.

He is committed to advancing entrepreneurship education that is culturally grounded, globally relevant, and socially impactful.