Meet The Jury

Dr Debbie Kristiansen has over 30 years’ experience in Venue Management, Entertainment, Events and MICE Tourism. She has an extensive understanding of public and private sector organisations with a track record of driving growth and business development. Dr. Debbie was Vice President for Global Sales at Regent Exhibitions – IMEX Frankfurt from 2001. In 2005 she moved to the Middle East and helped establish the Bahrain Exhibition & Convention Authority, later assuming the role of CEO. She became the first female CEO of NOVO Cinemas in Dubai, until she joined Exhibition World Bahrain as General Manager in 2021.

It is this level of leadership that landed her many recognitions and awards, most recently: Top 150 Global Women in Leadership Award Winners 2022, UN Women USA Rise & Raise Others Award 2022, Top 50 Global Inspirational Women to look out for in 2022, Top 50 Women in Global Cinema & Entertainment 2020

Carolyn is currently working for Emerge Consulting Services as the VP of Innovation and CX, her role is to advise customers in the EMEA region on the latest innovative technologies, and help them get closer to their customers by digitally transforming their businesses.

Carolyn has a total of 17 years of experience where she has worked on projects where she assisted various organizations with implementingCustomer happiness departments and implementing/drafting CX strategies.

She has also worked in customer success roles with various multinational organizations.

In today’s world, organizations will have to rapidly re-engineer themselves and be more responsive to the changing customer needs and ensuring their happiness. EMERGE Consulting is well-positioned to be a partner and co-innovator to businesses in their transformation journey, identifying new growt

Liz Berks is a Customer and Employee Experience specialist helping clients to transform their business
to align with customer needs and deliver improved business performance.
She has spent 18 years working across the globe, from the UK to Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, and
now Saudi Arabia, helping clients define their CX strategy, as well as working on the frontline of CX
definition and development for a global airline.
In 2021, Liz co-founded the CX consultancy, 4SiGHT CX, focusing on the ‘human experience’ and the
importance of customer understanding in CX. She is also a Founding Member of Women in CX, a
global online community championing the role of women in the industry.

Head of Customer Experience & Marketing at City Mall – Jordan
Judge member at the Customer Experience Judge Club – ICXA Judge
Awarded Top CX Professional – CXM Star #10 by CXM Magazine 2022

Throughout my extensive experience over the past 20 years, I was able to adapt to the fast-evolving changes surrounding the continuous shifting in customers’ needs, expectations, and behavior by visualizing the end-user experience and then work backwards to plan, strategize and execute CX efforts to deliver great experiences through using the right technologies.
My presence in the MENA Region and working in different industries enabled me to embrace different cultures, strengthened my ability to foresee market changes & dynamics in customer expectations which all lead to strategizing CX in this fast-evolving digital world.

"Yugeshree Frylinck is the founder of The CX Group, which is a leading management consulting, coaching and training business that specializes in Customer Experience. Her business is entrenched in keeping abreast and ahead of what matters to the customer always. She is committed to assisting businesses with understanding their customers and taking them on the journey of “outside-in” thinking. She has worked with leading brands to close the gap between their CVP and the customer expectation and assisting them by align the essence of their customer strategy and promise.

She resigned from an executive position as Chief Experience Officer in 2017 to start her own business called The CX Group. She was driven to educate Africa’s corporate leaders to understand and adopt a critical respect and commitment to Customer Experience.

Her experiences have allowed her to work across industries, exposure to various leaders and business maturity levels.

Quote:
Raising the bar on Customer Experience is of VITAL importance for any business’s success. Leader from the front, be brave, bring empathy back to the business table and always put your people first."

Edwin Best, global trusted advisor for Customer-centric business. He is the owner of edwinbest.org, guiding organisations for the transformation towards Customer-Centric business. Edwin combines the disciplines of CX and CRM/ tech to create a unique mix that is adapted to the context and issues specific to the company. Edwin has collaborated with a lot of customers in Europe, Middle East and North America with a wide range of CRM & Customer experience issues; CX strategy, CRM and CX tools selection & implementation, Customer journey mapping.

Edwin is a Award winning Customer experience judge in the Gulf region. He has been judging in the Gulf region since 2018. His mission is to make an active contribution to the discipline of customer-centric business. CX judging is one of the activities to fulfil this mission.

Ashley Boots was the Group Chief Human Resources Officer at NMC Healthcare, responsible for developing and executing the human resources strategy to support NMC’s business plans and transformation agenda to exit Administration. She has more than 20 years of international experience in both developed (US, Europe) and emerging (Middle East, Africa, Asia) markets.

Ashley developed her passion for change management and delivering organizational transformations through her experience working in leadership roles at multiple Fortune 100 companies. An experienced coach and change leader, Ashley’s strength is in data-led business and digital transformations, with a focus on culture, team enablement, and operational excellence. Having lived and worked across different geographies, she values diversity and is passionate about empowering others.

Ashley is SHRM-SCP certified and has a Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a concentration in Finance and Economics from Babson College, MA, USA, which she complemented with an Executive Master’s in Business Administration, earning a distinction from Hult International Business School, Dubai, UAE.

Rabih Farhat is the Founder and Managing Partner behind Related, a 5X award-winning martech agency that builds cutting-edge rewards’ solutions for a best in class customer experience. With over 20 years of cross-industry expertise, he became a thought leader in driving the most successful programs across the region. Rabih is a strong believer of using innovation to create moments of happiness throughout any customer journey.

In 2022, Rabih, was awarded Industry Entrepreneur of the year from UK based association, The Incentive Awards, for his positive contribution and growth impact on the industry.

Rabih serves on the board of multiple SAAS companies. He has contributed to several Publications, Panels and award Jury in leading regional and international tech events.

Soha, a distinguished corporate coach, trainer, author, and founder of Forward Training and Consulting, has dedicated over a decade to the realm of human resources management. Specialising in Emotional Intelligence, resilience, and leadership training, she has etched a unique imprint in her industry.

A certified professional from the Chartered Institute of Personal Development (CIPD), Soha brings with her a Master's degree in Human Resource Management and Training. Her academic achievements are complemented by an array of certifications, including the Certified Human Resources Management Professional (CHRMP), Diversity & Inclusion, Advanced Practice in Positive Psychology, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Team Coaching, and Lego Serious Play facilitation. Her deep proficiency in various psychometric assessments equips her to understand and coach individuals and teams in diverse settings effectively.

An award-winning force in her field, Soha also contributes her expertise to numerous industry board committees and serves as a judge for international awards. Her mission lies in empowering organizations and their people to reach their full potential, nurturing a resilient and driven workforce ready for the future of work. Her approach, centred around the skills and competencies needed in tomorrow's professional landscape, cements her reputation as an expert in crafting resilient individuals and teams prepared to surmount life's challenges. Soha's multifaceted career, as a coach, trainer, author, and industry leader, reflects her unwavering commitment to the personal and professional development of individuals and organizations alike.

Dr. Heike Lieb-Wilson is a dynamic entrepreneur based in the United Arab Emirates, and the founder of both Brightly Labs and a boutique consultancy firm. Her positive energy and bubbly personality have earned her the nickname Mrs Brightly, which she has used as the name for her wellness brand.

Heike is a single mother of two beautiful children and a seasoned business leader with extensive experience in the fashion industry, having worked for some of the world's high-end leading fashion brands. Her entrepreneurial spirit and endless energy have enabled her to become an innovative, creative, and selfless person who dedicates her time and resources to bettering the lives of others.

Wellness is a huge part of Heike's life, and she remains committed to helping others live a healthy lifestyle through her Brightly Labs brand. As a C-level management consultant, she also provides business strategy services to mainly European corporations, start-ups, and smaller brands seeking to enter the GCC market. Her consultancy firm combines an in-depth understanding of the local and regional markets with the know-how from hands-on operational experience to devise optimal strategies for her clients.

Heike is an influential leader with international experience and a sustained record of success in the retail marketplace. Her expertise includes strategic thinking, business development, sales and marketing, e-commerce, operations and logistics, people management, customer relationship building, financial planning, and regional experience across the Middle East, Europe, and America. She is a trusted advisor to some of the region's influential businesses and is often called upon to solve business challenges that defy conventional solutions.

A. Santhakumaran (Santha) is an experienced customer experience (CX) consultant based in Kuala Lumpur. He has over 20 years of corporate experience across multiple industries, including property development, telecommunications, and international trade exhibitions.

Santha has a decade of experience advising multinational corporations on customer acquisition and engagement strategies, customer insights, and building customer-obsessed cultures. He is particularly well-versed in the local culture of South East Asia, making him a highly sought-after CX consultant in the region.

Santha has founded CX Expert Asia, through which he offers consulting, coaching, and training for businesses and professionals looking to improve their customer experience management. He has worked with a variety of well-known organizations in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei Darussalam, including Sirim Group, PruBSN Takaful, Bursa Malaysia, Affin Hwang Investment Bank, and the Empire Hotel and Country Club.

Ankesh is a seasoned CX practitioner with a passion for driving business value creation by crafting memorable customer experiences via consumer understanding, digital transformation, and organization alignment. He is a top 100 global CX thought leader, a top 250 global insights professional and a CX awards judge with 18 years of experience in successfully managing CX advisory, CRM, E-comm, and Insights engagements across the Middle East and Indian sub-continent. Currently with Majid-Al-Futtaim managing their CX programs and supporting the group CX strategy. Prior to this, he was with Al-Futtaim, a large, diversified business group, setting up their VoC and brand health programs, and Kantar, a leading marketing consulting, deploying/ activating large-scale CX programs for a diversified set of clients. He also worked with an agile software product startup, Capillary Technologies, ensuring customer success and deploying CRM and E-Comm solutions for enterprise clients.

He brings a holistic perspective on CX consulting, client-side understanding, entrepreneurial zeal, and stakeholder management to his Customer Experience engagements.

Anindyo is a seasoned Leadership & Talent Development professional with 22+ years of global experience. Having recognized for demonstrating a natural aptitude for training leadership, as well as for piloting new transformations and projects, Anindyo has a verifiable history of contributing directly to company’s growth and expansion throughout his career. Currently, as the Deputy General Manager – Learning and Development Corporate COE- he heads the Learning & Development Portfolio and manages the Centre Of Excellence of Learning. Anindyo,s responsibilities include partnering with 10+business units across GCC & Levant regions for all Learning , Leadership, Talent, Localization & change initiatives for the Group. Anindyo is a multi award winning CIPD, ATD & ILM Certified Learning & Development professional with specialization in designing & developing learning solutions from Leadership Development to Senior Managers. Anindyo is a Franklin Covey Leadership Master Trainer and one of the First certified Coach in the Middle East on Resilience Coaching. His colleagues would describe him as a progressive, driven, down-to-earth, innovative and managerial expert who can be relied on to offer superior solutions that deliver learning results on time with proven ROI.

Professional focal points include Leadership Development, Talent management, Succession Planning, L&D Strategy, L&D Consulting, Learning Academy Designing and implementation, Change Management, Coaching, & Mentoring, Transitioning to Digital Learning technologies, and Customer Experience Improvement.

Anindyo lives with his family in Dubai which includes his wife Sujata, daughter Aashi and Pet Coco he loves reading, listening to music, and traveling.

Imad has nearly 20 years of success in customer service experience working in banking, consulting, event management, training, and insurance and has trained more than 7,000 employees and provided consulting services with more than 40 companies in the Arab world. He has a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in Marketing, Imad is the first Palestinian to hold a Certificate of Accreditation in Customer Experience Management (ACXS) from James Dodkins, who is one of the Customer Experience influences in England and he is the first Palestinian to hold a Certificate of Accreditation in Customer Experience (CXS) from CX University, USA. Imad is a Judge and ambassador for the Gulf Customer Experience Awards and International Customer Experience Awards, UK Business Award as well as Turkish Customer Experience Awards, Member of the Jury of the Customer Centricity World Series Award to select the best customer-centric companies in the world and participated with 17 customer experience experts around the world to select the best customer experience professional (CX Stars) in England. Imad is one the speakers in TEDx Al-Manara Square 2022 in Palestine. Imad is #12 globally as Customer Experience Influencer based on CX Magazine.

Ghenwa Habbal is a renowned Global HR, Talent Management, and Workplace Culture expert, also certified as a Brain-Based and Resilience Coach. She co-authored "Shaken Stirred But Deterred," and is celebrated as an award-winning Best Influential Coach and Asia’s Top 100 Women Power Leader. With two decades of experience, Ghenwa excels in advancing start-ups and Fortune 500 companies through her insightful "Navigating VUCA" strategies, leadership, change management, and human-centric cultures. Beginning in Lebanon's Environmental Services sector, she embraced risk-taking and innovative ventures, collaborating with leadership to drive results and inspire teams. Ghenwa's transformative global assignment broadened her mindset, unveiling her passion for coaching. This led to certifications and a focus on aiding leaders to chart their paths. Leveraging her expertise, she empowers individuals and teams, enhancing resilience and unlocking their fullest potential.

Arpit is a Certified Customer Experience Professional (CCXP) with over 17 years of experience in Middle East consulting clients in UAE and KSA. He has worked in various senior level roles with Kantar – a leading insights consultancy based out of Dubai and Riyadh.

Arpit has led multiple Voice of customer and NPS programs for leading Telco’s, Retailers and Banks in Middle East.

He has helped design and review CX KPI’s for many organizations and worked with Senior Management to get them embedded across the organization.

Arpit is a strong believer that that brands need to have clarity about what they mean to customers and deliver to their brand promise.

Euan Campbell has worked in the professional development space in the MENA region for almost a decade, having managed and led companies throughout the GCC. During this period, Euan has worked with organisations on a number of key nationalisation projects, working with individual students for qualification programmes, and supporting the professional development of the region. At the heart of this lies customer happiness.

When it comes to development, the individual learner must be the main focal point, and as such, with each organisation Euan has managed, and more specifically at qpeople – customer happiness is at the core of all business principles. qpeople are passionate about ensuring that businesses keep happiness as a key value of business, and as such Euan is uniquely positioned to act on the customer happiness jury panel.

Jules is a leadership and learning and development expert, consultant and certified coach who delivers with high-energy and is passionate about applicable learning and excellence.

An experienced Head of Learning and Development she has a strong background in people management, performance management and change initiatives. Jules works with individuals and organizations throughout the Middle East and beyond to make a positive impact, guiding her students and clients to effectively strengthen and elevate their leadership, thought process and strategies. With over 24 years of corporate experience nothing excites Jules more than learning that makes a difference.

Highly proficient in all areas of Learning & Development, Human Resources and coaching with a career history working in Regional, National and International Operations, HR and L&D roles across the hospitality sector in the UK and Middle East, Jules possesses a track record of success delivering and impacting to the highest standards.

A CIPD tutor and ILM facilitator, a qualified coach, IQA and Assessor.

In 2019, Praveen Nijhara became CEO of Hansa Research Group, the largest Indian consumer insights & market research organization headquartered in India with offices in Singapore, Bangladesh, UAE, and USA.
Praveen has been a part of the market research industry for more than 27 years having started his career as a researcher working with Market & Opinion Research International (MORI) in London. Prior to Hansa Research, he was with Kantar IMRB (now Kantar) in a senior leadership role. In his last assignment at Kantar, he was the Head of the Customer Experience (CX) business for the South Asia region.
He is an internationally recognized CX Thought Leader and Keynote Speaker and was recognized with the ‘CEO with the Highest Quality Orientation Award’ in 2023 and named in the top ‘50 Most Impactful CX Consultants’. He is a Jury Member of many prestigious international and Indian awards such as the International Customer Experience Awards - Amsterdam, Gulf Customer Experience Awards - Dubai, and Customer Fest - India. He was the Chairman of the Steering Council meeting at the Asia Customer Experience Awards 2022 and has been a part of their steering council at the International Customer Experience Awards in 2021. He was the Secretary of the Market Research Society of India (MRSI) in 2021-22 & is a part of the managing committee since 2019.
He holds a Bachelor’s in Commerce degree from Mumbai University and a Master's in Business Administration from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS).

As a seasoned CX Domain expert with over 19 years of diverse experience in market research and customer engagement & experience across various sectors, including BFSI, e-commerce, durables, telecom, retail, real estate, auto, FMCG, and manufacturing, among others, Piyali has played a pivotal role in building and driving the success of the CX business at Hansa Research.
In her career journey, she has led significant strategic initiatives across the organization, orchestrating the integration of new product initiatives through tie-ups and international partnerships, revamping back-end research operations, and successfully launching new international offices.
Her expertise and views on customer experience and strategy have been recognized both nationally and internationally, with her contributions being published and presented in various reputable forums and publications. Moreover, she had the honor of serving as a judge in several forums including D2C brand leadership awards , GCXA 2022-23, lending her expertise as a distinguished industry expert.

Sally Alswelem is a highly accomplished and results-driven professional with a proven track record as a Strategic Human Resources Business Partner. With a passion for fostering organizational growth and optimizing human capital, Sally Alswelem has consistently delivered exceptional results throughout her career. Her expertise lies in aligning HR strategies with business objectives to drive performance, cultivate a positive and inclusive work culture, and maximize employee engagement and productivity.

Sally is an ICF certified professional coach & Neuro Linguistic Programming practitioner, with more than 17 years’ experience in the field of Human Resources & IT, working in different industries including Oil & gas, EPC & telecommunication. Sally has a solid experience and strong knowledge as Strategic HR Business Partner & Diversity, Equity & Inclusion lead in business-driven operational & a multinational corporates environment. Expert in Talent review, succession planning & conducting training sessions.
 
Sally possesses a diverse educational and professional background that has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of human resources management. she hold a master's degree in Strategic Human Resources Management from University of Wollongong, where she gained a solid foundation in organizational behavior, labor relations, talent acquisition, and performance management. & a Bachelor's degree in Management Information system from Sharjah University.

Throughout her career, Sally has excelled in various HR roles, consistently driving positive change and delivering measurable results. Notably, the most significant achievement to date has been earning the prestigious award of outstanding employee engagement leader. This esteemed recognition signifies her exceptional expertise and contributions to the field.

As a Strategic HR Business Partner, Sally has successfully partnered with senior executives and business leaders to develop and implement HR strategies that align with overall organizational goals. By conducting thorough needs assessments, they have identified critical gaps and implemented innovative solutions to enhance talent acquisition, employee development, and performance management systems. Their data-driven approach has resulted in increased efficiency, reduced turnover, and improved employee satisfaction.

Sally possesses a breadth of expertise in various facets of HR, including:

1. Strategic Workforce Planning: Sally has a strong understanding of organizational dynamics and the ability to develop comprehensive workforce plans that address current and future talent needs. They leverage data analytics and industry trends to make informed decisions and ensure the right people are in the right roles.

2. Change Management: Sally has successfully managed complex organizational changes, such as mergers, acquisitions, and restructuring. They excel in creating change management strategies, fostering employee buy-in, and ensuring a smooth transition while minimizing disruptions.

3. Employee Relations and Engagement: Sally has a deep commitment to fostering a positive work environment where employees feel valued and engaged. We have implemented initiatives to enhance employee morale, increase communication channels, and develop recognition programs that have resulted in improved retention and productivity.

4. Leadership Development: Sally has a passion for cultivating leadership talent within organizations. We have designed and implemented leadership development programs, mentorship initiatives, and succession planning strategies to nurture a pipeline of future leaders.

5. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Sally is a strong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. We have spearheaded initiatives to foster a culture of inclusivity, promote diversity recruitment strategies, and implement training programs to enhance cultural competency.

Claire Boscq is the No1 woman Customer Experience Global Gurus with three decades of expertise, Claire, is an authority in the customer experience industry.

International best seller author with 4 published books, she is an international media influencer with her work published in Brazil, Philippines, India, US & Europe.

Claire has spoken in over 20 countries; in delivering fast paced and high-energy presentations in French and English. Winner of the Institute of director award, she is also a on the board of Virtual Speaker Association.

She brings a more holistic and comprehensive approach to organisations and individuals with her BizShui™ Method; creating powerful flow in businesses by integrating a blend of the traditional Feng Shui principles with modern business & personal needs, energizing people and places into prosperity.

Sharara has an extensive professional background, having occupied the role of Head of Customer Service for the world's largest company within its industry for an extensive span of time, totaling 23 years. Over the course of Sharara's illustrious career, a notable transformation has been observed within the realm of customer service. This evolution has seen customer service evolve from mere individual business interactions into comprehensive customer experiences.

Throughout this journey, Sharara firmly acknowledges the unwavering significance of customers as the central focal point for any thriving organization. With the rapid emergence of novel business models on a day-to-day basis and the dynamic shifts in customer behavior, Sharara emphasizes the indispensability of organizational adaptation to effectively acquire and retain customers.

Driven by an unwavering passion and an unyielding commitment to perpetual advancement, Sharara's overarching mission revolves around facilitating corporate entities in embracing a forward-looking ethos. This is achieved through cultivating the requisite skill sets and mindsets within their teams, all aligned with the overarching organizational vision and strategic objectives. The ultimate goal remains ensuring the perpetual satisfaction of customers, regardless of the notion that the customer may not always be right, they unequivocally remain of paramount importance.

Serra Tileylioglu is a graduate of German Highschool and earned her bachelor’s degree from Koc University in Economics. She completed her Executive MBA at Bogazici University Istanbul. Starting her career at BSH Hausgeräte, Serra has directed award-winner programs and teams in marketing communication and brand strategy, digital loyalty, digital transformation, NPS and Customer experience Design & CX oriented culture change in telecom, consumer good and retail sectors in Germany, Turkey and since 2018 in UAE.

She is a proud contributor to Turkish Women in International Business community. Her marketing and CX projects were awarded by various local and global entities including Vodafone HQ in UK, European Excellence and Stevie awards.

Ghadah Altaleb is a dedicated advocate of a belief that drives her passion for customer happiness and satisfaction. She strongly holds the view that genuine success in any endeavor extends beyond the mere delivery of features or products; it encompasses enhancing the entire end users' experience and addressing their pain points. This perspective has motivated her to explore innovative approaches for enhancing customer happiness and creating significant experiences.

Throughout her professional journey, Ghadah has actively participated in diverse customer-centric roles, spanning from customer experience to product development. These roles have granted her invaluable insights into the significance of comprehending and empathizing with customers' requirements. By concentrating on their pain points, she has been able to devise effective solutions that genuinely have a positive impact on their lives.

Having personally witnessed the favorable outcomes of prioritizing customer satisfaction, Ghadah Altaleb eagerly seeks to contribute as a judge in the esteemed Customer Happiness Experience Summit. She firmly believes that this event will serve as a platform for exchanging ideas, strategies, and experiences that foster the well-being and satisfaction of customers across various industries.