TEDxLUBM

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

• Ahmad Haffar

  Voice of Dubai Government

  Ahmad has been a musician since the early age of 8, and by the age of 17 had created music for the likes of Melhem Zein, Vivian Mrad, Nancy Ajram & others. A school dropout to focus on his dream. Now, he is the business owner of Mindloop Studios and is establishing the groundbreaking ‘’OnThefield’’ academy, offering 1-on-1 custom made programs for the creative field. Ahmad’s voice-over work can be heard everywhere, from public transport and the welcome videos of the Expo to many of the popular audio visual promos in Dubai. He is the voice behind several audio visual promos of scores of much loved and popular entities such as Etisalat, Majid Al Futtaim, Dubai Metro, Emirates Airline, Dubai Opera and more.

• Barbara Biro

  Digital Banker, Economist

  Barbara Biro is an award-winning digital banker, economist, and AI & blockchain strategist with over 17 years of experience leading transformation across 22 countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. Positioned at the intersection of economics, finance, IT, and data science, she has led digital transformation programs for Citibank, Standard Chartered, RAKBANK, and Mashreq, and was a founding member of Bank Clearly, the UAE’s first mobile-only challenger bank. She has received the Global Finance Award for digital banking excellence, contributed to The Financial Brand, served as a columnist for the Annual Global Digital Banking Report, spoken at international forums, and advised governments, central banks, sovereign funds, and leading institutions. She is also the author of The Rise of New Empires – What Will Survive the Death of Capitalism?

• Dr. Aakash Ramchand Dil

  Risk Executive

  Dr. Aakash Ramchand Dil is an award-winning Risk Executive, author of seven books, and a visionary leader with nearly two decades of experience guiding global financial institutions through complexity. With a unique background that blends a PhD in Mathematics, a Doctorate in Risk Management, and direct counsel to boardrooms, Dr. Dil has pioneered a transformative approach to uncertainty. He challenges the conventional view of risk as a constraint, advocating instead for its power as a strategic compass for growth and innovation. His talk unveils how this mental shift, pressing CTRL+R on our perception of fear, can empower anyone to make smarter, more courageous decisions in business and life. Dr. Dil's insights have been recognized with international awards, including the MENA Banking Award for Excellence in Predictive Analysis.

• Dr. Rekha Pillai

  Assistant Professor

  Dr. Rekha R. Pillai is an Assistant Professor and Head of Programme for BSc Business Management at The British University in Dubai. She holds a Master of Commerce in Finance and Accounting from the University of Kerala, India, a Ph.D. in Finance from Banasthali University, India, and completed post-doctoral research in Management at Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Malaysia. With over 20 years of teaching experience in the UAE, including at Ajman University and Emirates Aviation University, she has received several honors: the VIVA Award: Outstanding Women Award for Research in Corporate Governance (2025), Global Titan Award (2024), Best Reviewer Award 2024 from the SEE Global Sustainability Summit, Best Adjunct Faculty Award 2023 from Ajman University, and Outstanding Faculty Award 2019 from Emirates Aviation University. Her research interests include behavioral finance, corporate governance, ESG, Internet financial reporting, and organizational behavior.

• Dr. Rex Bacarra

  Ethics, Philosophy, and Leadership Educator

  Dr. Rex Bacarra is a professor of Ethics, Leadership, and Organizational Behavior in the UAE, where he has taught for nearly two decades and is currently with Rabdan Academy. Recognized by Khaleej Times as an “Extraordinary Inspirer for Students,” he has touched the lives of thousands through his teaching and public speaking. His journey is one of profound restarts - overcoming early hardships in the Philippines that led to a period of homelessness, becoming a contemplative monk, and later serving as Director for Administration at San Beda before moving to the UAE. Over the years, he has become a multi-awarded educator, celebrated public speaker, and published researcher. His story embodies resilience, purpose, and transformation, showing how life’s interruptions often lead to its deepest meanings.

• Kelly Lundberg

  Personal Brand Strategist

  Kelly Lundberg transforms ambitious professionals into magnetic leaders who command attention before they've said a word. A bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and international keynote expert, Kelly has spent over two decades helping executives and entrepreneurs turn their expertise into influence that opens doors and drives revenue. Her clientele spans from global luxury brands like Chanel and Louis Vuitton to major financial institutions including HSBC and Visa. Kelly launched her first business in Dubai at 24, a bold move that taught her the power of strategic storytelling and unshakeable confidence in unfamiliar territory. Through her top-rated Kelly Lundberg Podcast and bestselling book Deseed the Lemon, she combines strategic brand positioning with the mindset shifts required to show up authentically. Known for her high-energy delivery and practical insights, Kelly believes confidence is built through intentional habits and doing the inner work as much as the outer.

• Kim A. Page

  Voice Architect

  Kim specializes in helping leaders and high-performing teams turn presence into impact. Through voice mastery, strategic storytelling, and embodied communication, she supports professionals in navigating power dynamics, building influence, and showing up with confidence, especially in high-stakes moments. Whether she is coaching an executive before an investor pitch or running a workshop for emerging talent, the goal is always the same: to make sure your voice, story, and leadership land with power. Over the past 20+ years, Kim has worked across three continents with organizations in sectors such as hospitality, healthcare, logistics, finance, technology, and higher education. Her first book, The Right Kind of Loud: Finding Your Communication Voice, is part of the curriculum at several business schools. She is also an avid choir leader and she speaks six languages.

• Saeed Alghafri

  CEO of Yuwab Coaching || Wellbeing Executive Coach

  Saeed Alghafri is an Emirati CEO, entrepreneur, and wellbeing advocate who bridges corporate leadership with personal growth. Trained as a Chemical Engineer, he spent over 20 years in manufacturing and the oil & gas sector, culminating in his role as CEO of Emirates Steel. There, he led a USD 2.5 billion organization with 2,500 employees and a global supply chain across 70 countries, driving growth and international expansion. Experiencing the pressures of executive life, Saeed pursued certifications in wellbeing, resilience, and emotional intelligence. His journey into mindfulness, yoga, and meditation helped restore balance and shaped his approach to leadership. He is now CEO of Yuwab Consulting and founder of Oloaa, a UAE-based healthy snack brand. As a certified wellbeing coach and yoga instructor, Saeed blends leadership expertise with mindfulness to support sustainable personal and organizational growth.