2026 Highlights

Cristina Diaz

Chief Commercial Officer

Fleet Force Global

Cristina is a global supply-chain and logistics leader whose career spans the intersection of operations, technology, and international trade across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. She has scaled global logistics and ERP platforms, built and expanded freight-forwarder ecosystems, and is now leveraging AI to significantly enhance the speed and efficiency of logistics execution. With hands-on warehouse experience as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and strengthened by an MBA from Georgetown University, she brings a rare combination of operational rigor, digital innovation, and global commercial strategy.

Shashi Mishra

Joint General Manager

Larsen and Toubro Energy Hydrocarbon

Charlotte Verhaert

Certified Business Coach

Charlotte, founder of C Coaching.Consulting, is a highly experienced business executive and leader with decades of experience in Fortune 500's. A multilingual Leadership Development Consultant, she has spent many years managing teams, mostly at times of great organisational change, bringing both expertise and insight to complex transitions. 

She helps organisations in the region to develop their people to improve business efficiency, by delivering bespoke training and consultancy solutions based on personalized requirements, practical industry experience with a human- centered approach. She worked across different countries and continents for more than 19 years, providing an excellent awareness of cultural diversity and complexity. She has experience in start-ups, company mergers and was member of the board of directors in Belgium.

Charlotte has a passion to connect people, grow talent within the organization and improve performance. She wants YOU to thrive. She is a Certified Coach and has masters in Criminology, Management & Communication. 

Benedicte Hennebo

Managing Director & Founder

BCB Services

Benedicte is a seasoned B2B fractional CMO, NED and founder of BCB Services, a   boutique Advisory dedicated to helping businesses transform commercially in the digital age. With a career spanning across more than 25 years in leading roles at Vontier, Honeywell, British Telecom, and Dun & Bradstreet, she has driven transformation across technology, transport and logistics, and energy sectors.

luent in seven languages and with first hand experience across Middle East and Africa, India and APAC, Benedicte is known for guiding companies from product-focused to customer-led strategies. Multiple CEO Kaizen wins and double-digit margin improvements highlight her impact, alongside mentoring MBA students and championing females on Boards.

 

Marco Poisler

Adjunct Professor, University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering, COO – Global Energy & Capital Projects, UTC Overseas, Inc.

Marco Poisler, a key figure in global logistics, serves on UTC's Global Executive Management Team and Board of Directors. Born in Jersey City, he studied economics at Georgetown University and earned a Master's in Transportation from SUNY Maritime. Fluent in Portuguese and Spanish, with working knowledge of Ukrainian, Mr. Poisler has been instrumental in establishing strategic Global Energy & Capital Project offices worldwide.

As an Adjunct Professor at the University of Houston's Cullen Engineering Supply Chain & Logistics Technology Program, Marco teaches "Project Logistics" developed by Margaret Kidd. He is currently pursuing an Executive Doctorate in Business Administration at UH Bauer, focusing on the intersection of AI and logistics under the guidance of Dr. Meng Li, founder of the Human-Centered AI Institute. This cutting-edge research complements his extensive industry experience, bridging theoretical advancements with practical applications in global supply chains.

Mr. Poisler’s community involvement includes serving on the Houston Maritime Education Center board and various trade associations. He co-authored the textbook "Project Logistics: The Universal Transportation Course."

With a strong background in economics, transportation, global logistics, and insights into emerging technologies, Mr. Poisler continues to make significant contributions to UTC Overseas and the industry. His leadership, combined with his commitment to education, innovative research, and community involvement, positions him as a key figure in shaping the future of global transportation and logistics.

Captain Anuj Chopra Extra Master FNI FICS ACUE

Managing Director

MaritimESG Middle East Projects Management LLC

Captain Anuj Chopra is a globally recognized maritime executive and enterprise risk strategist with over 40 years of experience. He navigates geopolitical disruptions from Red Sea attacks to piracy surges, and sanctions, enabling resilient supply chains and uninterrupted cargo flows in volatile trade 
lanes.

As co-founder of ESGPlus LLC, he advises on enterprise risk management, supply chain resiliency, and sustainability integration. In 2024, he founded MaritimESG Middle East in Abu Dhabi and in 2025 joined Shipfinex as Non Executive Director for Strategy and Sustainability. Previously, as RightShip's Vice President - Americas, he crafted bespoke risk mitigation strategies.

A master mariner with Extra Masters certification, he co-authored seminal works on maritime resilience and leads ESG programs across industry boards, fostering strategic innovation and long-term stability.

Shahab Al Jassmi

Chief Commercial Officer, Ports & Terminals

DP World GCC

Shahab Al Jassmi is the Chief Commercial Officer, Ports & Terminals- Commercial at DP World GCC, a global provider of end-to-end supply chain logistics. He is responsible for leading the commercial strategy for DP World ports across the region.

In his previous role as SVP, Ports & Terminals – Commercial, he led the core commercial operations at Jebel Ali Port, covering container terminals and general cargo i.e. Ro-Ro, Bulk and Breakbulk as well as Customer Care and the overall terminal business portfolio.

Shahab joined DP World in 2010 and has extensive commercial expertise in managing strategic relationships with key customers across the shipping lines, general cargo and trader segments, with an extensive background in business development and real estate.

He is responsible for delivering compelling value propositions, ensuring DP World’s credibility is always upheld in the UAE region with customers, and driving all Ports & Terminals Commercial project from conceptualisation to execution and completion.
 
Prior to joining DP World, Shahab handled key commercial responsibilities in Dubai World Central, a strategic initiative of the Government of Dubai to support economic development, and Dubai Aluminium, one of the largest aluminium smelters in the world.

Dr. Muhammad Usman Tariq

Chair of Research Development and Doctoral Studies

Abu Dhabi University, UAE

Dr Muhammad Usman Tariq is a strategic higher education leader with more than 18 years of international experience across the the Middle East, and Asia. He holds dual doctorates—a PhD in Artificial Intelligence (Applied Computational Intelligence) and a DBA in Management Management—supported by an MA in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education and an MS in Computing (Software Engineering). A Principal Fellow of Advance HE (PFHEA), Chartered Fellow of the CIPD (CFCIPD), Senior Fellow of SEDA, Senior Member of IEEE, and Certified Management and Business Educator (CMBE).

Dr Tariq combines academic credibility with strategic and operational leadership. His expertise spans accreditation and quality assurance, digital learning transformation, institutional governance, and strategic human resource development.

Dr Tariq has led programme and curriculum design, academic incubators, research laboratories, and international partnerships across higher education, aviation, finance, and technology sectors. Passionate about future-focused universities, he is committed to advancing innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable institutional impact at scale.
 

Eman Altamimi

Director of Program - Development and Quality Office

ZHO

Eman Hamad Altamimi is a dynamic and mission driven Director with over 20 years of experience advancing care, empowerment, and inclusion for People of Determination across the UAE. Proven track record in policy development, program quality, strategic planning, and project leadership within government and non-profit sectors. 

She is an expert in managing national initiatives, vocational qualification programs, and integrated care systems. 

Recognized for building inclusive frameworks, driving operational excellence, and leading multi-sector collaborations to improve service outcomes for individuals with disabilities and senior citizens.

 

Vanessa Welch

Managing Director

V3 Consulting

Vanessa Welch is a senior operator and strategist with extensive experience across supply chain, commercial shipping, and strategic relations in complex operating environments. With over two decades across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, she has led and advised businesses where operational decisions, contracts, and commercial risk intersect.

She works at senior leadership level as a fractional executive, advising on market entry, business transformation, and operational execution, challenging established approaches to strengthen delivery and long-term outcomes.

Her perspective is shaped by time spent inside operations, from vessel movements and supply chains to governance and project frameworks,  working across industries aligned to shipping, energy, and infrastructure.

Walid Dziri

CEO

Pangea Shipping Group

Walid I. Dziri embarked on his professional journey in the shipping industry in 1993, starting at African Shipping Agency, a dedicated set up for containers ex USA to Tunisia and Trailers between France and North Africa. Over the years, he honed his skills and gained valuable experience through various roles and training periods.

His career has led him to develop and demonstrate strong leadership and management skills. Recognized by the shipping community, he was elected Vice-President of the Tunisian Chamber of Ships Agents.

Walid holds a Master’s degree with special distinction from the High Institute of Commercial Studies (H.E.C.) Carthage

Walid's leadership abilities and fluency in Arabic, French, English, and Spanish, plays a key role in his success in the shipping industry. 

Elizabeth Green

Technology Executive and Emerging-Technology Strategist

Alonix Technologies

Elizabeth Green is a technology executive and emerging-technology strategist working at the intersection of AI, logistics modernization, and security. She is a co-founder and executive leader at Alonix Technologies, where she helps global logistics and industrial organizations apply AI to unstructured data, fragmented systems, and complex supply-chain operations.

A contributor to Fast Company’s Executive Board and author of Post-Quantum Ready, Elizabeth advises executives on where AI delivers real ROI today—and why quantum-ready security is becoming a board-level issue for global trade and infrastructure leaders.

Jamilya Garajayeva

Logistics Project Manager

GE Vernova

Jamilya Logistics Project Manager is based in the UAE, at GE Vernova focusing on Middle East, Africa & South Asia. 
A supply Chain professional with solid foundation in managing complex onshore / offshore project logistics, later transitioning in EPC Logistics for major energy infrastructure projects.

With nearly 7 years in the EPC sector including renewable energy, she recently joined GE Vernova supporting Gas Power HDGT Project logistics operations. 

Her experience spans global logistics execution and supply chain management across GCC, APAC and CIS regions. 


 

Farid Belbouab

GT Group CEO

Gulftainer

Mr. Farid Belbouab is a distinguished global leader in maritime, port, and logistics.
With over two decades of international experience, he has successfully led some of the world’s 
most prominent shipping and logistics organizations, shaping their strategic direction and 
driving operational excellence.

His career spans CMA CGM, one of the world’s largest container shipping groups, and Meratus 
Group, the largest ship owner in Southeast Asia.

During his 13 years at CMA CGM, Mr. Farid held senior leadership roles across Indonesia, 
Singapore, Hong Kong, North of Africa, Saudi Arabia, the Horn of Africa, and at the Dubai 
Regional Office, where he oversaw operations across Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian 
Ocean. He played a pivotal role in expanding regional networks, optimizing trade routes, 
improving terminal performance, and launching digital and customer-centric supply chain 
solutions.

His contributions strengthened CMA CGM’s presence across emerging markets and 
demonstrated his deep expertise in global trade, maritime operations, and logistics 
transformation.

Mr. Farid brought this global expertise to MeratusGroup, where he made a lasting mark on Asia’s 
maritime and logistics landscape.
He led the management and operation of a fleet of over 100 vessels including container, bulk, 
and tanker ships, overseeing more than 8,000 employees across 40 ports and routes. Under his 
leadership, Meratus launched digital platforms such as Meratus Smart Financing, expanded 
into advanced cold-chain logistics, and implemented sustainability initiatives to reduce 
greenhouse-gas emissions. He also drove the development of Indonesia’s largest private port 
network and successfully established 22 inland container logistic hubs within five years, 
reinforcing the group’s position as a national logistics champion.

Building on his global experience, he is now steering Gulftainer into a new era of integrated 
maritime and logistics leadership. While the company has long excelled in port operations, 
terminal management, and logistics, he is driving its strategic expansion into industrial parks 
and shipping, connecting markets across the U.S., Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and beyond.
Under his guidance, Gulftainer is evolving into a fully integrated, future-ready logistics 
powerhouse.

Educated at Sorbonne University in International and Private Law and INSEAD, he is driven by a 
passion for people development, innovation, and supply chain transformation.
He fosters a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and operational excellence, ensuring 
that the organizations he leads achieve measurable impact on both regional and global scales.
Mr. Farid is widely respected in the maritime and logistics industry for his strategic vision, 
decisive leadership, and ability to drive large-scale transformation, leaving a lasting impact on 
the industry and inspiring the next generation of maritime, port, and logistics leaders

 

Captain Gagan Dhillon

CEO

West of England Insurance Services (Luxembourg) S.A.

Captain Gagan Dhillon is the CEO of West of England P&I’s UAE office. He is a Master Mariner, who was in command on oil tankers before transitioning into the P&I marine insurance sector in 2010. 

He also holds a first-class degree in English Law and has an MBA in Shipping from Copenhagen Business School. 

After being based in the UK for well over a decade, he relocated to Dubai in 2024 to open and lead the first International Group P&I Club in the region and is currently responsible for the continued growth of West P&I Club’s Membership across the Middle East and Indian subcontinent.

Olivier Laurent

CEO

RailDirect

Olivier Laurent is a seasoned logistics leader with more than 17 years of experience across the GCC, combining strategic rail-corridor development with a deep operational foundation in freight forwarding.

As CEO of Rail Direct, he drives the expansion of multimodal rail-and-road freight solutions between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, promoting ESG-focused modal shift, cross-border compliance, and seamless customs connectivity.

His earlier career—spanning senior roles such as Vice-President at Toll Global Forwarding, Country Manager & Regional sector Head as DHL —equipped him with hands-on expertise in air, sea, and land freight operations, P&L management, carrier negotiations, and leading large multicultural teams.

This combined background positions him as a compelling voice on the future of integrated logistics and the evolution of freight networks across the Gulf.

 

Captain Zarir Irani

Chairman

Constellation Marine Services

A Master Mariner with over 35 years of experience in the maritime and yachting sectors, including 14 
years at sea with command experience and over 21 years based in the UAE. He is the Chairman of the 
Board at Constellation Marine Services, headquartered in Dubai with branches in London, Singapore, the 
Netherlands, and China. Since 2007, under his leadership, the firm has executed over 30,000 independent 
global consultancy nominations, with a specialist team of 24 full-time professionals.

Capt. Irani is a strong advocate for ethical conduct in maritime business—a principle he spotlighted in his 
widely appreciated TEDx talk on Ethics in Maritime Consulting. He continues to use his platform to raise 
awareness on integrity, professional independence, and responsible leadership in the industry.

He currently serves as the Chairman of the Nautical Institute’s UAE Branch, the Honorary Fellow and 
Board Member of the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) HQ in UK, and a Committee 
Member of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) UAE Branch. He also represents the Baltic Expert 
Witness Association (BEWA) as their Middle East Ambassador, and serves as a Director on the Board of 
the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce – Globally.

Mathew Oommen

Vice President

SAS International Marine Services

Group VP – Sales & Strategic Planning at SAS International Marine Services LLC. 
A seasoned marine services and supply chain leader, he specializes in scaling multi-geography operations, driving profitability, and building integrated logistics solutions through strategic partnerships and operational excellence.
 

Leslie Meredith

Product Director

Breakbulk Events & Media

Ziad Abourizk

CEO

Logiswift

Ziad's journey in the technology and logistics sector commenced with his pivotal roles in a leading multinational logistic company, where he played a pivotal role in shaping information systems and technology strategies. With over 20 years of invaluable experience in the logistics domain, he held prominent positions, leveraging technology to streamline operations, optimize supply chains, and enhance overall efficiency. 

His tenure in the multinational logistics company was marked by conceptualizing and implementing cutting-edge information systems that revolutionized logistics operations. 

Ziad is a visionary leader and technology enthusiast with a proven track record of driving innovation and transformation in the logistics and software industry. As the CEO and founder of Logiswift, he spearheads a dynamic team committed to revolutionizing the landscape of logistics technology.