Past TEDx event

TEDxAl Wasl Salon

The Evolution of Leadership for a Global Context

Took placeMay 23, 2026
LocationDubai, Dubayy, United Arab Emirates
FormatSalon
The TEDx Al Wasl theme for 2026, “The Evolution of Leadership for a Global Context,” builds on our ongoing exploration of leadership in an increasingly interconnected world. It examines how leadership must adapt without losing its core values, to remain effective across cultures, industries, and generations. As globalisation accelerates, digital systems reshape influence, and societal expectations of leaders shift, traditional leadership models are being tested. This theme invites a deeper inquiry into how leadership is practised today, what must change, and what must endure in order to lead responsibly and credibly on a global stage. Dubai - home to over 200 nationalities and a dynamic crossroads of cultures, commerce, and ideas - provides a powerful setting for this conversation. It is a living example of global leadership in action, where diversity, innovation, and collaboration are not theoretical ideals but daily realities. The event will explore the guiding question: “How must leadership evolve to remain relevant, trusted, and effective in an increasingly complex global context?” Our goal is to: Re-examine how leadership is expressed and practised across cultures and systems Spotlight original ideas and lived experiences that reflect global complexity Inspire leaders and change makers to lead with adaptability, cultural intelligence, and purpose The TEDx Al Wasl speaker lineup brings together a diverse and dynamic group of voices, each offering a unique perspective on leadership’s evolution. Through powerful stories, bold ideas, and deep lived experience, this curated group will create a rich, multi-dimensional dialogue—one that reflects both the challenges and possibilities of leading in today’s global context.

Speakers

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

  • Debbie Nicol

    Debbie Nicol is an Australian-born leadership strategist and founder of UAE-based business en motion. For over three decades, she has helped strengthen leadership, culture and change capability, guiding senior leaders and organizations through complex transformation, often in environments defined by diversity, rapid growth and continual change. A long-term resident of the UAE, Debbie is a trusted advisor recognized for bridging human dynamics with systemic design. Describing herself as a 'body of curiosity’, Debbie continually stretches her own growth through sea and mountain-based outdoor pursuits and adventures.

  • Dr Oudi Abouchacra

    Dr. Oudi Abouchacra ii an Amazon best-selling author of Work Your Network with the 4Cs, and six other titles. A peak performance expert and founder of Inspired Results®, a global coaching and training company headquartered in Abu Dhabi, he draws on over two decades of experience as a chiropractor, coach, and speaker to deliver thought-provoking insights that help professionals maximize their ROI and achieve greater results in both their personal and professional lives.

  • Jonathan Low

    Jonathan Low is an entrepreneur, diplomat and fintech innovator who has dedicated his career to bridging the gap between traditional banking and blockchain technology. As the founder of a pioneering financial infrastructure platform, he is building the rails that connect Web2 and Web3 - making cross-border payments, stable coin corridors, and decentralized finance accessible to millions across Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. Jonathan's work sits at the intersection of financial inclusion, emerging technology and global systems change.

  • Lilit Avetikyan

    Lilit Avetikyan is the Founder and CEO of VOYEX, the MENA region’s first female-founded private aviation and global travel company, headquartered in Dubai. With over 20 years of experience across aviation and hospitality, she has built a multicultural organization that connects clients to a worldwide network of more than 20,000 aircraft. Her work focuses on leading across cultures, managing complexity in international environments, and building trust-based systems in high-stakes industries. Today, she advocates for a more conscious model of global leadership - one that balances ambition with accountability and adapts to complexity without losing its core.

  • Marilyn Zakhour

    Marilyn Zakhour is the founder and CEO of Cosmic Centaurs, an organizational and leadership development firm. Marilyn is former CMO of EMAAR and CEO of Dubai Opera. She blends the agility of startups and the excellence of multinationals in every mission. She is a two-time Harvard Business Review author, a university lecturer, and the host of two podcasts where she examines the evolving nature of leadership and the workplace. Through her writing, research, and open-source frameworks, Marilyn is on a mission to redefine what great leadership looks like and where the world looks for it.

  • Sabahatt Habib

    Sabahatt Habib is the Chief People and Culture Officer at The Giving Movement, where she works at the intersection of organizational growth and human behavior within one of the region’s most diverse workplaces. Her work has focused on navigating growth across cultures, expectations, and working styles while ensuring that trust and clarity are not casualties of change. Her work explores how leaders can navigate complexity, difference, and pressure while remaining credible and grounded, challenging traditional models built on control rather than capacity.

Organizing team