MEPRA  VISIONARY  AWARD  -­‐  Shortlist    

Government/Not-­‐For-­‐Profit    Ibrahim  Al-­‐Zu’bi  –  Executive  Director,  Emirates  Diving  Association      The  Senior  Adviser  for  Sustainability  at  the  Dubai  Land  Department,  Ibrahim  is  an  18-­‐year  veteran  of  the   Sustainability   sector.   Ibrahim   manages   the   Dubai   Centre   for   Sustainable   Cities   –   a   regional  center  in  collaboration  with  the  United  Nations  Environment  Porgramme  (UNEP).    Ibrahim  was  selected  as  one  of  the  Top  100  Thought  Leaders  in  Europe  and  the  Middle  East  in  2011  by   the   Center   for   Sustainability   and   Excellence   in   the   US   for   promoting   environmental   and  sustainability  issues  in  the  Middle  East  through  awareness  campaigns  for  environmental  issues  such  as  climate  change.    As  an  avid  diver  and  environmentalist,  Ibrahim’s  passion  led  him  to  help  establish  the  environment  and  research  department  at  the  Emirates  Diving  Association  (EDA),  a  UNEP-­‐accredited  NGO,  where  he  currently  acts  as  Environmental  Advisor  and  Executive  Director.  A  driving  force  behind  the  NGO,  Ibrahim   also   acts   as   editor   of   EDA’s   quarterly   diving  magazine   ”Divers   for   the   Environment”,   the  first  diving  magazine  in  the  Middle  East.    ***    Majida  Ali  Rashid  –  Assistant  Director  General  and  Head  –  Real  Estate   Investment  Management  and  Promotion  Center,  the  investment  arm  of  the  Government  of  Dubai  Land  Department  (DLD)    Majida  Ali  Rashid  began  her  career  at  the  Ministry  of  Public  Works  in  Dubai,  moving  on  to  work  for  the   Land   Department   in   2007.   She   has   risen   through   the   organization   to   become   the   Assistant  Director  General  and  Head  of  the  Real  Estate  Investment  Management  and  Promotion  Center.    Her  work   at   DLD   and   her   success   in   promoting   Dubai’s   real   estate   sector   has   resulted   in  Majida  being  hailed  as  a  leader  in  her  own  right.  In  2015,  Majida  was  voted  as  number  24  on  the  list  of  the  World's  100  Most  Powerful  Arab  Women  from  Arabian  Business.   In  2014,  Majida  was  selected  as  Female  CEO  of  the  Year  at  the  CEO  Middle  East  Awards.  Majida  also  received  the  Innovative  leader  award   from  Sheikh  Mohammed  Bin  Rashid  Al  Maktoum  as   part   of  Dubai  Government   Excellence  Award  ceremony  in  2015.    ***              

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

   Pantelis  Stathis  –  Qatar  International  Boat  Show  Director    The  27  year  old  Pantelis  heads  up  Qatar’s  leading  boat  show.  Stathis  has  transformed  the  show  into  one  of  the  largest  of  its  kind  in  the  Gulf  region.  Pantelis,  who  is  also  a  Greek  national,  has  supported  a  range  of  projects  to  help  educate  Qataris  and  residents  of  the  country  on  issues  related  to  safety  on  the  water.  Stathis  and  his  team  have  grown  the  Qatar   International  Boat  Show  year  after  year  through  effective  partnerships  with  the  media  and  effective  communications.  

Communications Agency Atul Dhawan – CEO, Sakshi Advertising & PR The CEO of Sakshi Advertising and PR, a bespoke agency that has been operating in the UAE for almost 16 years, Atul has built a business that has expanded from its beginnings in Dubai to include operations in India. With a clientele that has included the Emaar Group, Al Ghurair Mall, the LandMark Group, Sharjah Islamic Bank and various Dubai Government entities including Dubai Duty Free, Atul has built a business to last. Atul is most proud of his work for those with special needs. He has been associated with Al Noor Training Centre for children with Special Needs for the past two years. Sakshi has strategised and executed PR activities for the centre. This year Atul was presented a Certificate of Honour by Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Supreme Committee for the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, on behalf of Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs. *** Sconaid McGeachin – President + CEO Africa, Middle East + Turkey at Hill+Knowlton Strategies In H+K’s 30th year of business in the Middle East, Sconaid is showcasing more than ever her influence in the region’s comms industry. She’s a frequent contributor of opinion on an array of topics including the value of corporate reputation, the evolution of the regional communications industry, and talent & flexible working. As H+K’s President & CEO Africa, Middle East & Turkey Sconaid leads a diverse & multicultural team of over 200 employees across offices in 14 markets - in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt, Turkey, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, Rwanda, Ghana & Nigeria. Sconaid has regularly sought to give back to the comms industry; she was the treasuer of MEPRA from 2009 to 2012 and Chair from 2012 to 2014. Sconaid has championed issues such as reputational communications, developing local talent and flexible working practices for the industry.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Tara Rogers – Co-founder & Managing Partner of Mojo PR Over the course of her 25+ year career in the communications sector, Tara has left an indelible mark on the region's PR industry. Tara has spent over two decades in senior comms positions, such as General Manager of Fortune Promoseven and Weber Shandwick PR, the Marketing and PR Manager for Dubai Duty Free, the General Manager of d’pr and d’events, and the PR Director for MBC Group. Throughout her years in the industry Tara has always sought to give back to those around her, most notably young up-and-coming talent in the region. There are many senior PR practitioners operating in the Gulf today who credit her with being the most inspiring leader and mentor they've encountered. Tara is an experienced PR practitioner, business leader, mentor and friend who has not only found success through her work, but has also helped others achieve success as well.

Corporate Mohammed Al Ali – CEO, National Bonds Corporation Mohammed Qasim Al Ali was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of National Bonds Corporation PJSC in January 2008. In his capacity, Mr. Al Ali spearheads the management of the company's growing portfolio of enterprises and development of new and innovative savings initiatives. As part of his mandate, Mohammed Qasim Al Ali has become a thought leader in his field through his continuous efforts to nurture the culture of saving in the UAE's. His aim has been to educate both UAE Nationals and the country’s residents on what they need to bear in mind to support regular saving, which in turn will enable them to enjoy financial stability. Mohammed Al Ali’s work with the media and his leadership in talking about financial literacy has contributed to the country's economic and social well-being. *** Hussain Al Qemzi – CEO, Noor Bank & Group CEO, Noor Investment Group Hussain Al Qemzi is a seasoned banker with over 28 years of experience working with the leading financial institutions in the UAE. He currently leads Noor Investment Group, and its flagship entity Noor Islamic Bank. Prior to being Group CEO, he was Chief Executive of Sharjah Islamic Bank and a former Board Member of Dubai Financial Market and Dubai International Financial Exchange. He also served as COO of the Dubai International Finance Center. In his position as the CEO of Noor Bank, Hussain Al Qemzi has become one of the UAE's leading advocates for innovation in Islamic Finance, and is committed to using all platforms to encourage communication and engagement with internal and external stakeholders. Also, he ardently advocates digitisation in banking and use of technology to get closer to customers

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Hussain Al Qemzi can often be foundtalking about Islamic Banking and often promotes his views via his own personal social media accounts. *** Ala’a Eraiqat – Group CEO, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank CEO Ala’a Eraiqat has pushed the bank ahead in a number of areas, to set the stage for the bank becoming a leader in its core markets, including leading in online banking and mobile applications; biometric voice recognition; deep and growing engagement with affluent customers; and a strong and growing Islamic Banking business. These include the evolution of ADCB’s ‘Ambition’ campaign in 2015 that puts real people at the heart of ADCB’s communications as well as the launch of “SimplyLife,” a basic banking value proposition focused on serving and tapping the potential of the mass-market segment of the UAE. Ala’a Eraiqat has been a consistent spokesman within the business community as ADCB continues to build a leading presence in the small and medium-size enterprise (SMEs) and mid-corporate businesses sectors and have built award-winning businesses in cash management and trade finance. He has championed the creation of mutually beneficial, long-term relationships with the business sector, affirming ADCB’s strategy to focus to serve this vital sector of the UAE economy.