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Mark Wyllie

CEO of Beyti Egypt,

A subsidiary of Almarai, is a driving force behind Beyti Egypt’s success. His impressive track record includes risk control and direction of a £ 100 million set of Asian subsidiaries and JVs with UK Biscuits and steering companies to multiply their market capital and push them out of the red. Wylie has also consulted, directed, and managed businesses and personal investments in SMEs and renewable energy, among others.

Wyllie read Engineering Science, Economics and Management at Hertford College, Oxford University, is a fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants (FCCA), and advanced his business acumen through various certifications in leadership management.

Abdallah Sallam

CEO of Madinet Masr and Shark Tank jury member,

Has managed and co-founded several ventures in multiple industries including manufacturing, retail, media, and technology before venturing into real estate. Labeling himself a serial entrepreneur, Sallam co-founded and managed several businesses throughout his career. Most recently, he was the founder and CEO of ‘Minka Real Estate Investment’, a unique property innovator and developer with subsidiaries and interests in a multitude of ventures (Construction, Consultancy and Renewable energy). In October 2021, Minka was acquired by Madinet Masr, formerly known as Madinet Nasr for Housing and Development (MNHD), one of Egypt’s leading and most influential urban developers where Sallam was appointed as the new President and CEO. Sallam received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the American University in Cairo and attended several executive programs in the Harvard Business School and Kellogg School of Management.

Mostafa Bedair

CEO of Giza Seeds and Herbs and board member of ASTA,

Has for the past 5 years been leading Giza Seeds and Herbs as GM and now as CEO. He joined the 80-year old company and was tasked with preparing it for the upcoming 80 years, launching a company-wide transformation across all supporting functions.

He has, therefore, led several key initiatives to drive company growth, improve operational reliability, scale up contract farming to secure quality supply, build a strong leadership bench, and institutionalize the business overall. Prior to joining Giza, Bedair worked as a consultant at McKinsey&Company in Germany and the Middle East. He holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from Technische Universität Darmstadt, and an MBA with distinction from INSEAD.

Tarek Kamel

Chairman and CEO of Nestlé Egypt and Sudan,

Has over 25 years of experience in sales and marketing, 17 of which were with Nestlé. Kamel's wealth of experience in strategic management and investment has equipped him with the skills to enhance businesses and achieve accelerated growth across all positions that he has held.

Prior to his current position, Kamel held various leading positions in several companies. In 2021, he was appointed as the CEO of O West City, Orascom Development Group, where, under his leadership, the company recorded unprecedented sales in West Cairo projects. Notably, in 2019, Kamel also led El Gouna City as its CEO until 2021.

Kamel received his Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Faculty of Economics and Political Science at Cairo University, and acquired his Master’s degree in Business Administration from Maastricht University, Netherlands.

Nada El Ahwal

Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) at Transmar International,

Has been with the company for 6 years, a group of vertically integrated companies operating in shipping and logistics, consisting of a regional shipping line, Transmar, and a terminal operator, TCI. In her capacity Nada is responsible for strategic partnerships, M&A and growth initiatives for the group.

Previously, Nada served as the Chief Experience Officer at Tabibi 24/7 a medical services start up introducing primary healthcare in Egypt. She also worked at a leading impact investing private equity fund, Bridges Ventures in London, UK, which specializes in investing in social businesses, as well as designing and managing social impact bonds (SIBs).

Nada started her career at CID Consulting in Cairo, Egypt, managing the firm's business development activities, and leading local and regional expansion. Nada holds an MBA from IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain.

Mohamed Talaat Khalifa

CEO of Concrete for readymade garments,

Brings more than 20 years of experience in the finance, investment and retail fields. He started his career in corporate banking, then moved to investment banking, eventually co-founding the Egyptian Subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi-based Investment Company where he led several international investments for the Group in the renewable energy, real estate, financial services and hospitality fields.

Talaat joined Arafa Holding as the Chief Investment Officer in 2010, since then he led some key restructuring and international investment ventures. By the end of 2016, he was appointed to lead the retail and wholesale business of Arafa Holding in Egypt where he is now the Vice Chairman and CEO of Concrete, the largest men’s wear retailer in Egypt, along with his duties as the Managing Director of Investments and Board Member of Arafa Holding.

Talaat is also serving as a board member and head on internal audit and risk committees of the leading NBFS - Tamweel Holding which owns the largest mortgage provider in Egypt. Talaat received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Cairo University, and his corporate lending education from Fitch Ratings, while he is also a CFA charter holder.

Talaat served as a board member and Treasurer of the CFA Society in Egypt for 2 years and served as a part-time instructor at the American University in Cairo for the CFA Program for 5 years.

Yassir Zouaoui

A Partner with McKinsey,

Initially joining the Morocco office in 2005 and relocating to the Middle East in 2017. Yassir Zouaoui finds his purpose in supporting leaders in the Middle East, Africa and beyond to foster economic development and help build a prosperous and sustainable future for the people of the region.

During his tenure with McKinsey, Yassir Zouaoui has led economic development work in more than 15 countries. He has developed expertise across the topics of investments, competitiveness and sectoral development, global trade and export, special economic zones, and regional development.

Yassir Zouaoui also leads McKinsey’s Global Economic Development Practice, which develops in particular economic analytics solutions and models, bringing evidence-based approaches to policy making. Yassir holds an MBA from the Columbia Graduate School of Business in NYC, and an MS from ESSEC Business school.

Karim Aboughali

Co-owner and CEO, Regina Co. for Pasta and Food Industries

Since 2005 he has been a driver of progress as he propelled the company's food products and secured the success of new market entrants. This led to the company's different brands to breakthrough in over 30 markets in Africa,Middle East, Eastern Europe and the Americas. He managed to brand Regina as a household name and position Regina Company as one of the top food manufacturers in the Region, targeting a wide plethora of different socio economic segments. Aboughali will be bringing his wealth of experience from beginning as an export officer in Regina to being at the helm of Regina’s future export strategies. At present, he is a member of the Egyptian Business Association (EBA) and a member of the Committee of International trade at the federation of Egyptian Industries. He is also a Board member of the chamber of cereals industry and an active member of the food export council (FEC). He further sits on various boards involving his family's auto-trading and car rental business, furniture business,tourism and real estate conglomerates. He is also an Angel investor, behind several startup successes, most significant of which is Kult Creative productions in the entertainment industry. Aboughali graduated from Boston University Mass, USA in 2002 with a Double Bachelor Degree in Business Management, with a concentration in Finance, and Bachelor of Arts in Economics. 

Tarek Hosny

Head of investments and projects at Fertiglobe,

A strategic partnership between Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and OCI N.V. Fertiglobe is the world’s largest seaborne exporter of urea and ammonia combined, the largest producer of nitrogen fertilizers by production capacity in the MENA region, and an early mover in clean ammonia.

Hosny is currently overseeing Fertiglobe’s green ammonia projects in the Middle East, as well as Harvest, a 1mtpa low carbon ammonia project in Ruwais, which is being developed in partnership with Ta’ziz, Mitsui, and GS Energy. Prior to joining Fertiglobe, Hosny was the Business Development Director at Egypt Kuwait Holding, the largest publicly listed company in the EGX 30, with activities ranging from fertilizers, petrochemicals, and electricity generation. Other positions include Deputy General Manager for Orasaqualia, a project financed wastewater treatment plant, and the first project in Egypt to be developed under the Public Private Partnership model in 2010. Tarek holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Stanford University, and a master’s degree in Business Administration from UC Berkeley.

Hossam Abou Moussa

Partner at Apis Partners,

A private equity and venture investor that backs growth financial services innovators who create transformative impact in their communities. Hossam has over 20 years of professional experience investing in growth markets, dedicating over ten years to the financial services sector. Before joining Apis Partners, Hossam was a Partner at Actis, leading a team of investment experts focused on the Financial Services sector throughout Africa, South, and Southeast Asia. Throughout his career, Abou Moussa has played a key role in numerous investments across Africa and Asia. Some of these include the Commercial International Bank (Egypt’s largest private sector bank), Fawry (Egypt’s premier digital transformation and e-payment platform), Emerging Markets Payments (the pioneering pan-African payments platform with a presence in Africa and the Middle East), GHL Systems (a top payment service provider and merchant acquirer in the ASEAN region), and MNT-Halan (Egypt’s most extensive and rapidly growing lender for the unbanked and underbanked population). Hossam is a CFA charter holder, and holds an MBA from the University of Oxford and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Finance from the American University in Cairo

Mohamed El-Gebely

Team leader at USAID Trade,

Is an accomplished executive with leading expertise in delivering profitable strategies and implementing company vision. Experienced in export development, project management, business development, sales and marketing and general management best practices. He has delivered successful and effective sales and marketing strategies, customer service, people management, and profitable business operations, leading and managing cross-functional teams. ElGebely has over 25 years of experience in the Food Industry in Egypt and internationally, he held leadership roles in Heinz, Farm Frites, and Americana Food in which he led and participated in several transformation projects focusing on improving overall competitiveness.

His latest position was Managing Director at Americana Food. He is currently working with USAID Trade to develop and enhance the capacity of Egyptian SMEs in selected sectors to export. Mohamed has a BA in Economics from the American University in Cairo, an MBA in International Business from ESLSCA, Paris and is a graduate of Kellogg’s Senior Management Program Northwestern University, Chicago.

Khaled Morsy

CEO at DB Shenker,

Is a logistics entrepreneur who has played a vital role in shaping Egypt’s modern logistics market. Since co-founding Swift Group in 1991, he has gone on to co-found over 20 companies including global 3PL giants UTi Worldwide (DSV A/S) and DB Schenker’s Egypt subsidiaries, leading them both as CEO from establishment to market leading positions.

In both his corporate and private positions, Morsy has overseen companies and activities across the logistics & supply chains; from freight to customs clearance, warehousing and distribution to strategy and restructure, consulting, training and development and more.​ With an established group of companies, a vast network, exposure to strategic opportunities, and an unwavering belief in the potential of both logistics and supply chain, as well as Egypt’s aspiring generation of young entrepreneurs, Morsy mentors and invests in logistics and supply chain startups through Swift Ventures, providing early-stage financial and non-financial support to promising startups in Egypt.

Hossam El-Sallab

CEO and vice-chairman of Sallab Group and Royal Ceramica,

Is leading Egypt’s key ceramic and porcelain manufacturer. Since acquiring this role in 2010, he has been able to expand production from a capacity of 8 mn sqm to 22 mn sq and exports to Europe, the U.S, East and West Africa, and Japan. He also operates with the biggest supply chain groups in the tile industry in the U.S and Europe and other Fortune 500 companies. He also implemented enhanced vertical integration through investing in mining companies to guarantee stability and the long term availability of raw materials, as well as the ability to expand business through exporting raw materials to other manufacturers. He further enhanced the overall sustainability of the company through a strong corporate governance system in place as well as the integration of ERP system “SAP” as the only ceramics manufacturer in Egypt. As CEO of Royal For Industrial Development since 2015, he oversaw the construction of a 2 mn sqm Industrial park development in Ain Sokhna, Suez Economic zone, and eventually developed a world class industrial park in partnership with leading engineering consultancy firm EHAF. As co-chairman of El Sallab Company, he spearheaded a ceramics and home finishing retail company in Egypt and expanded the retail footprint from Cairo to 6 governorates and retail space from 10,000 sqm to 80,000 sqm. He was also able to boost the product range from ceramics, porcelain and bathroom furniture to home furnishing products, wood products and kitchens. Sallab received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the American University in Cairo.

Yasmine Khamis

Chair of The Orientals Group,

Is recognized as a dominant force in the carpet industry. Since starting with Oriental Weavers Carpets in the Marketing and Sales department she has worked hard to maintain the group’s position as the world’s leading carpet and rug manufacturer. She oversaw the expansion of the group over the past twenty years and has been instrumental in expanding product lines globally and implementing a strategy focusing on sustainability and technological innovation. Her phenomenal accomplishments have been recognized by industry publications and she has been named as one of the top inspiring women in the home furnishings industry, where she was recognized for her strategic vision and charitable works. Khamis’ accolades are several, most notably she has been listed on the Forbes’ Top 100 Most Powerful Arab Businesswomen successively during 2017 and 2020; the 50 Most Powerful Businesswomen in the MENA region in 2022; the Top 100 Arab Family Businesses 2021 and 2022 and The Middle East's 100 Most Powerful Business Women 2023. Khamis graduated from the American University in Cairo in 1999 with a B.Sc. in Integrated Marketing Communication and post-graduation she embarked on several design courses in New York’s PRATT and textile courses in North Carolina.

Nada El Ahwal

Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) at Transmar International,

Has been with the company for 6 years, a group of vertically integrated companies operating in shipping and logistics, consisting of a regional shipping line, Transmar, and a terminal operator, TCI. In her capacity Nada is responsible for strategic partnerships, M&A and growth initiatives for the group.

Previously, Nada served as the Chief Experience Officer at Tabibi 24/7 a medical services start up introducing primary healthcare in Egypt. She also worked at a leading impact investing private equity fund, Bridges Ventures in London, UK, which specializes in investing in social businesses, as well as designing and managing social impact bonds (SIBs).

Nada started her career at CID Consulting in Cairo, Egypt, managing the firm's business development activities, and leading local and regional expansion. Nada holds an MBA from IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain.

Nadia El-Tawil

Investment Officer in AfricInvest,

A Pan-African multi-asset platform with a 30-year history, which has raised over USD 2 billion in funds. AfricInvest manages multiple alternative asset classes including private equity, venture capital and private credit. El Tawil has over 12 years of experience in private equity and strategy having previously been a Director of Private Equity at Compass Capital. Prior to working at Compass, she was part of the Corporate Strategy Team at Orascom Telecom Holding. Nadia holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from Dalhousie University, Canada.

Omar Elsahy

The General Manager of Amazon Egypt,

Elsahy initially joined Souq.com in late 2012, bringing with him nearly a decade of management, outsourcing and e-commerce business development experience. In his role, Elsahy led the launch of Amazon Egypt, as he continues to spearhead the business, guided by four principles: obsession around customers (buyers and sellers) instead of driving focus around competition, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and creating long term value creation vs. short-term gain. Since Amazon acquired Souq.com in 2017, Elsahy has been focused on integrating Souq.com’s local know-how with Amazon’s global expertise, providing significant value to customers in Egypt. In his earlier career, Elsahy founded and managed multiple e-commerce business ventures including Odezy.com, a private online boutique shopping club, and Dealwaty.com, a high-end luxury daily deal website. Before entering the e-commerce industry, Elsahy co-founded the E Group Corp., a US-based outsourcing company with operations in Egypt. Elsahy currently serves as the co-chair of the Industry and Trade Committee at the American Chamber of Commerce to facilitate the advancement of industrial development, tackling challenges facing the business community and working to enhance the climate for economic progress and investment.

Omar is also on the Dean’s Strategic Advisory Board of the American University in Cairo’s School of Business to uphold the School’s academic excellence, quality, and prestige. Elsahy also served as a business development services consultant with Silatech, an NGO that provides financing and business development support to regional SMEs in order to create sustainable employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for young Arabs. He is also an Endeavor Egypt mentor. Elsahy has a Master of Science in Engineering Management and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Florida Institute of Technology.

Shady William

Managing director of IDG,

Started his career in Canada in the pharmaceutical field where he held different positions in regulatory affairs, sales and management over a period of 15 years. He then established a franchise chain specialized in diabetes care which was later sold to American investors. He then moved to Egypt and joined Samcrete Investments as the director of business development of the holding company. Following that he was responsible for the management of the newly established medical company within the Samcrete group of companies. He currently holds the position of managing director in Industrial Development Group (IDG) and sits on a number of boards within the Samcrete group of companies. William holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Concordia University and a graduate management degree from McGill University.

Shams Eweis

Corporate manager for North Africa and the Levant at Mars,

She has a rich and extensive background in corporate affairs in the FMCG market prior to her present post. In her capacity as head of corporate affairs in Heineken Egypt, she led the corporate affairs agenda, mobilizing the function towards becoming a strategic business enabler. She emphasized implementing a strong sustainability agenda, as well as enhancing relations with the company’s external stakeholders. Before joining Heineken Egypt, Eweis held various corporate affairs and marketing roles in British American Tobacco in Egypt and across North Africa since 2004. Eweis received a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science from Cairo University. 

Cheick-Oumar Sylla

IFC’s Regional Director for North Africa and Horn of Africa,

Is based in Cairo, Egypt. He covers Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Sudan, South Sudan, Djibouti, and Eritrea. Before joining IFC in Dakar in May 2017 as Principal Investment Officer- Africa Infrastructure and Natural Resources, Sylla held leadership positions in a range of different industries in Africa and Europe, including the pharmaceutical, real estate, banking, and energy sectors, and was instrumental in creating a number of successful business ventures. Most recently, he served as Executive Vice President, Business Development Africa at ContourGlobal. Prior to joining ContourGlobal, Sylla was Director of the Investment and Financing Department at ICD, the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector, a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Sylla also served as general manager of Pharmafinance (Ubipharm Group), one of the leading pharmaceutical distribution companies in Africa, and also as Chief Business Development Officer at Teylioum Group in Geneva, Switzerland. In July 2019, Sylla became IFC’s Country Manager for the Horn of Africa covering Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Sudan and South Sudan. He was based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In this last position and despite the challenges, Sylla succeeded in increasing IFC’s footprint and growing IFC’s pipeline in the region. Sylla is a graduate of École des Hautes Études Commerciales (HEC) in Montréal, Canada. He is also a member of the Institute of Directors (IoD).

Hassan Massoud

Associate Director and Head of Private Equity in the Southern Mediterranean at EBRD,

In that capacity, Massoud leads the EBRD’s efforts to invest across all industries in private equity and growth capital transactions, typically taking significant minority stakes. EBRD’s equity portfolio in Egypt includes Infinity Energy, Global Lease, Cairo Scan, and Ibn Sina, among others. Prior to EBRD, Massoud was a private equity principal at Qalaa Holdings, with a focus on the firm’s expansion into Sub-Saharan Africa. Massoud started his career as an analyst at A. T.Kearney in Chicago.  He is also a partner at elmenus; the leading food-tech company. Massoud received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Knox College.

Helmy Ghazi

Deputy CEO and Head of Global Banking at HSBC Egypt,

He is responsible for leading the Bank’s coverage of its biggest corporate, financial, and government clients in Egypt. Ghazi has over 25 years of experience in corporate and investment banking, with a significant focus around the energy, infrastructure, and the general industrials sectors. He is also responsible for driving the Sustainability Strategy for the bank in Egypt. Over the course of his career, he has originated and executed numerous complex and high-profile structured financing and advisory transactions in Egypt and the MENA region, as well as leading client relationships in other key sectors. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Foreign Trade and is a CFA Charter holder.