Philip is passionate about helping e-commerce entrepreneurs realize the full value of their brands. He is the co-founder and co-CEO of Opontia, the only digital-first consumer goods group in EEMEA. Opontia was one of the fastest companies in MENA to raise over 40 million dollars in under 9 months. The company was featured as #12 on the Forbes Top 50 Most Funded Startups list in 2021. Prior to founding Opontia, Philip worked for 2 years at McKinsey in their Dubai office on e-commerce strategy,...

Philip is passionate about helping e-commerce entrepreneurs realize the full value of their brands. He is the co-founder and co-CEO of Opontia, the only digital-first consumer goods group in EEMEA. Opontia was one of the fastest companies in MENA to raise over 40 million dollars in under 9 months. The company was featured as #12 on the Forbes Top 50 Most Funded Startups list in 2021. Prior to founding Opontia, Philip worked for 2 years at McKinsey in their Dubai office on e-commerce strategy,...

Khalid has a passion for breaking things and moving fast. He is an experienced entrepreneur reshaping the tutoring industry in the Middle East. Khalid founded AlGooru in 2018, after just graduating from his business bachelor’s degree, raising over 2 million dollars in seed investments to date and his startup was recently recognized as the “EduTech Business of the Year” during UAE’s regional SME Awards for 2022-2023. He is currently leading a team of over 50 employees across various locations...

Khalid has a passion for breaking things and moving fast. He is an experienced entrepreneur reshaping the tutoring industry in the Middle East. Khalid founded AlGooru in 2018, after just graduating from his business bachelor’s degree, raising over 2 million dollars in seed investments to date and his startup was recently recognized as the “EduTech Business of the Year” during UAE’s regional SME Awards for 2022-2023. He is currently leading a team of over 50 employees across various locations...

Christophe Zoghbi is an experienced software engineer and entrepreneur focused on building the Artificial Intelligence (AI) ecosystem and democratizing AI education in MENA. Chris founded Beirut AI in 2017 which grew to become the largest applied AI community in Lebanon, and enables participants to explore impacts of AI, explore employment opportunities, engage with others, and develop projects. To take things to the next level and on a broader scale outside Lebanon, Chris founded Zaka in...

Christophe Zoghbi is an experienced software engineer and entrepreneur focused on building the Artificial Intelligence (AI) ecosystem and democratizing AI education in MENA. Chris founded Beirut AI in 2017 which grew to become the largest applied AI community in Lebanon, and enables participants to explore impacts of AI, explore employment opportunities, engage with others, and develop projects. To take things to the next level and on a broader scale outside Lebanon, Chris founded Zaka in...

Saadallah Sarkis is an entrepreneur and strategy consultant focused on building a people-centric venture and culture. His experience in Strategy& across clients in the MENA region, has enabled him with the needed skill-set to launch LAZE, a global rolling papers brand with a community invested in art, creativity, and entrepreneurship. In this episode, Saadallah discusses his story in launching the disruptive “People Beyond Papers” brand and encourages young aspiring entrepreneurs in...

Saadallah Sarkis is an entrepreneur and strategy consultant focused on building a people-centric venture and culture. His experience in Strategy& across clients in the MENA region, has enabled him with the needed skill-set to launch LAZE, a global rolling papers brand with a community invested in art, creativity, and entrepreneurship. In this episode, Saadallah discusses his story in launching the disruptive “People Beyond Papers” brand and encourages young aspiring entrepreneurs in...

Peggy Van de Plassche is an author and international speaker focused on microdosing for mental health and personal transformation. In her memoir, “Paris, Mushrooms, and Me” as well as her speaking engagements, she shares her experience from being a banker and venture capitalist for 20 years in the financial services and technology industries, as an executive, investor, board member, and entrepreneur to becoming an author of narrative non-fiction. Her audience acquires a first-hand...

Peggy Van de Plassche is an author and international speaker focused on microdosing for mental health and personal transformation. In her memoir, “Paris, Mushrooms, and Me” as well as her speaking engagements, she shares her experience from being a banker and venture capitalist for 20 years in the financial services and technology industries, as an executive, investor, board member, and entrepreneur to becoming an author of narrative non-fiction. Her audience acquires a first-hand...

Jasmine Navarro is an award-winning family & youth coach, the author of the creative confidence program, and the founder of Nava, a coaching company focused on helping teenagers and adults flourish. Jasmine is on a mission to teach the key tools and techniques that prepare teens and adults to manage the pressures of modern life. She considers her international career in education a great influence on her work today, and is wary of the challenges youth are undergoing today, especially from...

Jasmine Navarro is an award-winning family & youth coach, the author of the creative confidence program, and the founder of Nava, a coaching company focused on helping teenagers and adults flourish. Jasmine is on a mission to teach the key tools and techniques that prepare teens and adults to manage the pressures of modern life. She considers her international career in education a great influence on her work today, and is wary of the challenges youth are undergoing today, especially from...

Omar Al Busaidy is a Fulbright Scholar, Best-Selling Author, Motivational Speaker, Entrepreneur, and the founder of Global Possibilities, the leading boutique agency for business and government leaders to access the UAE & GCC markets. Omar worked in both the public & private sectors in various industries like banking, media, tourism, and diplomacy. At only 21 years old, Omar was the first Emirati to work at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi. He also worked at the Dubai Chamber of...

Omar Al Busaidy is a Fulbright Scholar, Best-Selling Author, Motivational Speaker, Entrepreneur, and the founder of Global Possibilities, the leading boutique agency for business and government leaders to access the UAE & GCC markets. Omar worked in both the public & private sectors in various industries like banking, media, tourism, and diplomacy. At only 21 years old, Omar was the first Emirati to work at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi. He also worked at the Dubai Chamber of...

Rafael Marimon, MegaLaunchers, has focused on making the world a better place. His Web3 experience delves into connecting with others through empathy and emotional intelligence. He talks about the impact his family had on him and the power of curiosity, as well as the ability to lead and guide others with empathy. Rafael discusses diversity and awareness of cultural diversity. His experience in the military allowed him to develop discipline which he has leveraged into other aspects of his...

Rafael Marimon, MegaLaunchers, has focused on making the world a better place. His Web3 experience delves into connecting with others through empathy and emotional intelligence. He talks about the impact his family had on him and the power of curiosity, as well as the ability to lead and guide others with empathy. Rafael discusses diversity and awareness of cultural diversity. His experience in the military allowed him to develop discipline which he has leveraged into other aspects of his...

Kevin Shah AKA, Captain Empathy, is focused on creating a world where people seek to understand one another by making empathy a daily habit. He believes empathy is the superpower we all can learn and become superheroes. His experience navigating toxic spaces in tech as a product leader and facilitating inclusive spaces workshops led him to create the world’s first and only Empathy Gym app and program called Jaago. He has led global product teams and delivered impactful and successful...

Kevin Shah AKA, Captain Empathy, is focused on creating a world where people seek to understand one another by making empathy a daily habit. He believes empathy is the superpower we all can learn and become superheroes. His experience navigating toxic spaces in tech as a product leader and facilitating inclusive spaces workshops led him to create the world’s first and only Empathy Gym app and program called Jaago. He has led global product teams and delivered impactful and successful...

Safwan is a husband, and a dad with a passion for living life to the fullest through family, volunteering, and fitness. Nearly 17 years of managing and developing FMCG and Technology businesses in the Middle East & North Africa region. With a broad skill set, he executed effective sales and marketing practices for Coca-Cola, Nestle, Nespresso, and Samsung. - About Ally Salama Forbes 30 Under 30: https://www.forbesmiddleeast.com/lists/30-under-30-2021/ally-salama/ Linkedin:...

Safwan is a husband, and a dad with a passion for living life to the fullest through family, volunteering, and fitness. Nearly 17 years of managing and developing FMCG and Technology businesses in the Middle East & North Africa region. With a broad skill set, he executed effective sales and marketing practices for Coca-Cola, Nestle, Nespresso, and Samsung. - About Ally Salama Forbes 30 Under 30: https://www.forbesmiddleeast.com/lists/30-under-30-2021/ally-salama/ Linkedin:...

The headline says it all... --- About Ally Salama: 2021 Forbes 30 Under 30 ( Impact ): https://www.forbesmiddleeast.com/lists/30-under-30-2021/ally-salama/Ally's Linkedin Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allysalama/ DM me with your thoughts on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allysalama/ For 1:1 Leadership/Entrepreneurship/ Personal Branding Consultations email me at [email protected] --- Website: https://www.allysalama.com/ --- Support the show by dropping us a rating and...

The headline says it all... --- About Ally Salama: 2021 Forbes 30 Under 30 ( Impact ): https://www.forbesmiddleeast.com/lists/30-under-30-2021/ally-salama/Ally's Linkedin Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allysalama/ DM me with your thoughts on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allysalama/ For 1:1 Leadership/Entrepreneurship/ Personal Branding Consultations email me at [email protected] --- Website: https://www.allysalama.com/ --- Support the show by dropping us a rating and review...

In this episode, I highlight 7 ways you can set better boundaries and spend less energy people-pleasing. It's a critical skill to have. Hope this helps. --- About Ally Salama: 2021 Forbes 30 Under 30 ( Impact ): https://www.forbesmiddleeast.com/lists/30-under-30-2021/ally-salama/Ally's Linkedin Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allysalama/ DM me with your thoughts on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allysalama/ For 1:1 Leadership/Entrepreneurship/ Personal Branding Consultations...

In this episode, I highlight 7 ways you can set better boundaries and spend less energy people-pleasing. It's a critical skill to have. Hope this helps. --- About Ally Salama: 2021 Forbes 30 Under 30 ( Impact ): https://www.forbesmiddleeast.com/lists/30-under-30-2021/ally-salama/Ally's Linkedin Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allysalama/ DM me with your thoughts on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allysalama/ For 1:1 Leadership/Entrepreneurship/ Personal Branding Consultations email...