Patrick Lambrechts is the Head of Cooperation at the European
Union Delegation to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

He has served the European Commission since 1990. He was
previously Head of Unit/Deputy Head of Unit for Eastern,
Central and Southern Africa as well as Deputy Head of Unit for
the Middle East at DG ECHO/European Civil Protection and
Humanitarian Aid Operations. He also worked as Head of Sector
in the EU Delegations in Zimbabwe, Mauritius and Ivory Coast
in the domain of human rights, governance, health and
education.

He graduated in Economics in Belgium and holds the Belgian
and Swiss citizenships.

Manager, Fragility and Resilience Division – Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)

Abdimajid Moalin Abdullahi joined the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) in 2007. As the Manager of the Fragility and Resilience Division, he currently oversees fragility, disaster risk management, resilience, and civil society engagement in member countries (MCs) across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Europe.

As the Head of the Social Development Cluster, he has spearheaded the Bank’s efforts to address fragility, build resilience, engage civil society, and empower youth and women. Abdimajid has been instrumental in developing IsDB policies and strategies addressing fragility, empowering civil society, and reducing disaster risk. He has initiated and led successful transformative initiatives such as the NGO Empowerment for Poverty Reduction Program, the Skills, Training and Education Program (STEP) for refugees and host communities, economic empowerment programmes for refugees and host communities, the IsDB Resilience Index, the Resilience Report, and the application of efficient operational tools and frameworks to address fragility and build resilience in member countries. Previously, he managed a portfolio exceeding US$3.5 billion in social development, including skills development, education for employment (e4e), education for competitiveness (e4c), entrepreneurship development, and leveraging education to address violent conflict and foster sustainable peace and development in MCs.

He holds an MSc in Violence, Conflict and Development from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London, an MA in Education and International Development from University College London, and a BSc in Development Economics from Middlesex University, UK. Additionally, he has completed a programme on leading economic growth at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

Head of Regional Programs at the Abdullah Al Ghurair Foundation (AGF)

Dana Balqar is the Head of Regional Programs at the Abdullah Al Ghurair Foundation (AGF) and the Lead of the Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund, overseeing the Fund and the Foundation’s regional projects with over 30 partner organizations in the UAE, Jordan, Tunisia and Lebanon. She specializes in strategic project management with a focus on youth empowerment, refugee education, and climate-focused initiatives. Dana has designed and launched innovative programs in Jordan and Lebanon, providing vulnerable and refugee youth with training and employment opportunities in the green and digital sectors. Currently pursuing an MSc in Sustainable Development at SOAS University, she is dedicated to addressing pressing environmental and socio-economic challenges in the region.

Head of Women Economic Empowerment Unit – SHETECHS, int@j

Zain Asfour is a distinguished leader and advocate for women’s economic empowerment within the ICT sector in Jordan. As the Head of the Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Unit at SHETECHS, she is at the forefront of transformative efforts to elevate the representation of women in both technical and leadership positions in the ICT industry. Under her leadership, the WEE Unit has emerged as the first specialized initiative of its kind within a private sector association in Jordan, with support from the GIZ-funded ‘Employment-oriented MSME Promotion’ project.

Zain has been instrumental in spearheading national initiatives aimed at dismantling gender barriers in the traditionally male-dominated technology sector, providing critical pathways for women to thrive within the ICT ecosystem. Her leadership and unwavering commitment to gender equality and inclusion have positioned her as a key figure in advancing women’s inclusion in Jordan’s digital economy.

She believes that “Technology is biased towards nothing but talent. Women are analytical, attentive to details, and perfectionists by nature.”

Deputy Head of Unit Directorate General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, European Commission

Ms. Ingrid Schwaiger is the Deputy Head of Regional Co-operation in the Southern Neighbourhood, DG NEAR (Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations) of the European Union, in Brussels. An economist by training, she has worked in the European Commission for more than 25 years, focusing on external relations. She has dealt with different economic and political issues, development cooperation, financial instruments as well as geographic responsibilities in the Eastern Partnership and the Southern Neighbourhood, including in the EU Delegation in Algeria.

In particular, she promotes “an economy that works for people”, a policy priority of the European Commission which focuses on the positive impact of economy on the wider society, promoting concepts, such as social entrepreneurship, green economy, women economic empowerment, financial inclusion and impact finance. Together with 5 EU Member States, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the European Investment Bank, she was instrumental in the launch of the regional Team Europe Initiative on “Job creation through trade and investment” in the Southern Neighbourhood.

Dr Abed Al-Razzaq Arabiyat
Managing Director, Jordan Tourism Board (JTB)

Dr Abed Al-Razzaq Arabiyat serves as the Managing Director of the Jordan Tourism Board (JTB). He holds a PhD in Finance, a Master’s degree in Banking & Financial Science, and a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration & Political Science. His career spans various financial leadership roles, including senior positions at the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission and the Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities, in addition to holding numerous board memberships in tourism and heritage organisations.

Under Dr Arabiyat’s leadership, JTB has transformed its approach to tourism, employing advanced digital strategies such as AI-driven personalisation and a proactive social media presence. He launched the “Jordan Pass” to enhance visitor convenience, fostered partnerships with major travel platforms, and secured agreements with low-cost carriers to expand Jordan’s tourism reach. Dr Arabiyat also led the rebranding of Jordan as the “Kingdom of Time” and bolstered domestic tourism by supporting regional flight connections. As a spokesperson for the tourism sector, he continues to elevate Jordan’s global profile through innovative and impactful strategies.

His remarkable contributions to the travel and tourism industry earned him recognition in Forbes’ Travel and Tourism Leaders 2024.

Aya Al-khayyat is a Jordanian TV host with over 10 years of experience at one of Jordan’s most popular TV channels, Roya TV. For years, she has been the host of “Caravan” a youth-oriented show covering a range of topics, including the latest news, social media trends, and issues important to young people.

As a social media figure, Aya shares content on lifestyle, fashion, and beauty, frequently collaborating with fashion brands and beauty experts to highlight the latest trends and products. She also uses her platform to advocate for women’s empowerment, promoting gender equality, supporting women’s growth, and inspiring them to take on leadership roles in their communities.

Tamer Bsaiso, widely known as “Abu Nasser,” is a celebrated Jordanian content creator and influencer from Aqaba. Through captivating storytelling, Tamer shares the hidden beauty of Aqaba with a global audience, driven by a deep love for his city and a commitment to sustainable tourism.

A passionate advocate for environmental conservation, Tamer leads beach and sea cleanups to protect Aqaba’s unique marine ecosystem. Through his platform, he educates followers on eco-friendly travel and responsible tourism, raising awareness of the importance of preserving natural resources.

Recently honoured with the Silver Jubilee Medal by His Majesty the King, Tamer’s influence embodies positivity, community pride, and dedication to Jordan’s heritage and environment.

Country Director for Jordan and Lebanon – Expertise France.

Lilly Formaleoni, Country Director for Jordan and Lebanon – Expertise France.
With a background in political science and international security, Lilly Formaleoni has built a solid track record with Expertise France, focusing on projects in Middle East and Africa.

Her journey started with projects in economic and financial governance in Mali and Central Africa where her work focused on supporting reforms and strengthening institutional capacities in regions facing crises.
In Libya, she developed her expertise on private sector development, aiding local entrepreneurs and enhancing economic resilience in post-conflict settings.

In Lebanon, from 2019 to 2022, Lilly Formaleoni directed the Anti-corruption & Transparency (Act) project working with both public institutions and civil society organisations. Following the devastating explosion in Beirut in 2020, she coordinated support efforts aimed at the reconstruction of the Port of Beirut, working closely with local authorities and international stakeholders to restore this critical economic hub.

Her field experience led to her appointment as advisor to the Director General of Expertise France, a role she held for more than two years (2022 -2024).

This blend of fieldwork and high-level advisory experience highlights her capacity to address complex governance and development challenges in the MENA region on which she has also published several research articles.

Dr. Izzeddin Teeti is a Senior AI Team Lead and a consultant in applying artificial intelligence to different industries. He holds a BSc in Mechanical Engineering, an MSc in Robotics from King’s College London, and a PhD in Computer Vision and Autonomous Driving. His academic journey is marked by contributions to enhancing computer vision algorithms, numerous published research papers, and a patented.

Dr. Teeti has worked with leading global organisations in the Middle East, the United States, United Kingdom, including Amazon. Specialising in computer vision and large language models, his expertise spans various industries, where he has driven impactful AI solutions. Dr. Teeti applied machine learning to reduce tremors in Parkinson’s patients, developed AI systems to detect financial fraud, proposed cost-cutting solutions for pharmaceutical advertising, automated logistics processes to improve efficiency, and deployed chatbots and document understanding tools for major Middle Eastern organisations.

As a Palestinian refugee, his determination to excel led him to graduate top of his class, earning numerous awards and grants. He actively gives back by mentoring and inspiring students in his homeland, especially refugees, to pursue higher education and research.

With an understanding of AI’s transformative potential, Dr. Teeti advocates for the Middle East to leverage its talent and unique challenges to become an active player in the AI era. He emphasises the importance of regional collaboration, investment in education, and building sustainable AI ecosystems to bridge the global gap in innovation.

Dr. Teeti also enjoys exploring the connections between AI and fields like biology, anthropology, and philosophy, using these perspectives to inform his work and ideas.

Changemaker Europe Lead, Migration Policy Representative

With 15 years of experience in European affairs, including over a decade in the European Parliament, Laura Batalla is an expert in public policy advocacy, specializing in migration, democratic innovation, and foreign policy, particularly in the MENA region, Turkey and the Gulf. At Ashoka, she has spearheaded initiatives that bring social innovation into policymaking, focusing on fostering a transformative approach to democracy and civic participation through the Changemaker Europe initiative.

Former Minister of Labour – Ministry of Labour
Founder – Business Development Center-BDC
Chairman of the Board of the German-Jordanian Vocational Education and Training Council
Nayef Stetieh, former Jordanian Minister of Labour, is the founder of the Business Development Center (BDC), a non-profit dedicated to sustainable socio-economic development through employability and entrepreneurship training. With over 30 years in youth and enterprise advocacy across Jordan and the Middle East, he has focused on job creation, technical assistance, and organisational growth. As Minister in 2021, he championed reforms in technical and vocational education, green workforce development, and labour regulations.
Since founding BDC in 2004, Stetieh has developed evidence-based programmes, including Maharat and SANAD, which have empowered thousands in vocational training, social enterprises, and SME support. His efforts earned him the King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein Order for Distinction in 2018. He also serves as Chairman of the German-Jordanian Vocational Education and Training Council, a Higher Education Council board member, and a UNCTAD “Empretec” Program advisor.

Thana’a Al Khasawneh is a transformative leader in both the private and non-profit sectors in Jordan. Renowned for her pioneering approach to leadership agility, she has a proven track record of successfully navigating organizational change, building cohesive teams, and managing complex business conversations. Her diverse expertise spans across building and restructuring companies to drive sustained growth.

Al Khasawneh formerly served as the Regional Fundraiser and Development Director at Mowgli Mentoring MENA, where she played a critical role in establishing a mentorship-driven approach to support and empower entrepreneurship across the MENA region. Her efforts were instrumental in significantly increasing the growth and visibility of the Mowgli Foundation throughout the region.

Currently, Al Khasawneh is the CEO of the Business & Professional Women Association (BPWA), an association advocating for gender equality and the inclusion of women in the workforce. Under her leadership, BPWA has launched several initiatives aimed at bridging the gender gap and empowering women across various sectors. Her tenure has marked a period of enhanced performance and increased impact for women in Jordan.

Apart from her executive roles, Thana’a is a seasoned public speaker and has served as a keynote speaker and panelist at numerous local, regional, and international events, especially on topics related to women empowerment and entrepreneurship. Her strong communication and facilitation skills have enabled her to empower individuals, foster dialogue, and guide discussions towards innovative and strategic outcomes.

Aurélien Pastouret began his career working in the private sector as lobbyist in Paris and Brussels and his first assignments in the public sector were in the French ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as the French Prime Minister’s Office, where he worked on ACP countries. He moved on to the management of development projects and joined DG INTPA in 2018 with responsibilities on operational and financial cooperation with Sub Saharan African countries. In 2021, Aurelien Pastouret joined DG NEAR unit B2, in charge of regional programmes for the Southern Neighbourhood. He is in charge of several regional programmes in the areas of economic development (on issues such as SME development, entrepreneurship, innovation, trade and investment, green economy, financial inclusion) including blending under the EFSD+.

Co-Founder of Project Sea

Ms. Beisan AlSharif is the Co-Founder of Project Sea, an environmental initiative dedicated to the preservation of marine and coral life in the Red Sea. She also holds the position of Deputy General Manager at Amiral Maritime Services. In addition to her professional endeavors, Ms. AlSharif oversees a community center for Palestinian refugees, which is committed to nurturing artistic and creative exploration among children. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management from the New York Institute of Technology – Jordan in 2010.

Sulafa Mdanat (Jordan) is the current Country Representative of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
Sulafa has over 15 years of solid experience in the development field in Jordan. Prior to her assignment at UNIDO, she worked from 2010-2017 at Global Affairs Canada (GAC) as their Education Program Team Leader, which is Canada’s largest development file in Jordan. In addition she managed other Canadian supported projects in the fields of sustainable economic growth and renewable energy sectors.
From 1999-2007 Sulafa has worked with the GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) where she managed multiple German supported development projects in different sectors (vocational education, solid waste management and others) in Jordan as a well as in the region.
Sulafa is multilingual and has a Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from Germany and a post graduate degree in Management.
Sulafa is married with two children.
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Anna Patton is associate editor and training lead at Pioneers Post, the independent news network for the global impact community, following five years as managing editor. She is also a freelance writer covering social impact and philanthropy, and a solutions journalism trainer and practitioner.

Anna previously worked with international organisations including Euclid Network, Voluntary Service Overseas and British Council, as well as for a Brussels-based communications agency. She ran the communications of the Belgian government’s aid work in Tanzania for a year, and has led community/youth media projects in Uganda, Kenya and the UK. She is a Fellow of the On Purpose social enterprise programme and has degrees in French and German and in European Studies.

Founder & CEO at Alefredo EdTech (International Educational Resources) | Ex-Total | Halcyon Washington Fellow | Top Entrepreneurship Voice @LinkedIn

Ahmad and his team have successfully implemented Alefredo Edtech’s mission in the EdTech industry across Jordan and the MENA region. As a digital platform for school students of all grades, it currently serves 12,000 students in 16 countries. The platform offers educational support materials, interactive mock exams, and a marketplace for buying and selling academic books, which are also available in digital format. The company is valued in the seven digits.

The team has received several national and international awards for innovation and entrepreneurship from UNDP, the Embassy of Switzerland in Jordan, Plan International, and has been recognized with the 30under30 Unicorn Award and the Social Enterprise Award in 2021, as one of the Top 40 companies on the Abu Dhabi Impact List for 2024.

Ahmad holds a BSc in Mechanical Engineering (2011) and an MSc in Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing (2019), both from the University of Jordan. He has ten years of experience in the private sector, working with Izzat Marji Group and Total Jordan in their Renewable Energy and Commercial departments.

Previously, he was the founder of Jo Drive, a carpooling application (2015-2018), and has seven years of experience in the ecosystem and startup business in Jordan and the MENA region.

Ghassan Halawa is a MENA entrepreneurship ecosystem enabler and the founder of PARACHUTE16 with over 15 years of specialized experience in the entrepreneurship and innovation field. He has served as a mentor and a member of the Jury panels to evaluate startups as part of the Crown Prince Award under the Prime Ministry and Endeavor and Landmark 2.0 Program. He is a fellow of the BCAN Network under Beyond Capital, AMENDS network in Stanford University, a fellow of Enpact, Badir, Youth Action Net network, and a board member as part of the International Youth Foundation. As a founder of eight startups in the media, food, education, training, consultancy, and e-learning sectors, he founded PARACHUTE16. PARACHUTE16 is an Impact Design House specialized in entrepreneurship and innovation with an aim to build capacity, connect, inspire and empower entrepreneurs, individuals, communities and corporates through consultancy services, building capacity through edutainment trainings, focused on innovation, and the entrepreneurial ecosystem. His extensive experience and know-how has helped accelerate the growth of over 200 startups and entrepreneurs locally and regionally in partnership with great partners such as; UNDP, The Space and the Saudi Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monshaat), The Garage, GIZ, Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship (MODEE) of Jordan, IRC, INJAZ Al-Arab, King Khalid Foundation (KKF), and others.

Ala Alaeddin is the CEO and founder of InterTech Company for Innovative Technologies Development. InterTech was founded in 1999 and has become one of the largest IT development Companies in Palestine. Since 2004, Alaeddin founded and chaired many startup companies including Nmotion for Multimedia and Animation, and Digital Plus. Mr. Alaeddin is also the vice chairperson and one of the founders of the Palestine Technopark, a national science and technology park established in 2016. He also helped establish the Palestine IT Association (PITA) in 1999, the Palestinian National Naming Authority (PNINA) in 2003, and the Palestine ICT Incubator (PICTI) in 2004. From 2007 until 2011, Mr. Alaeddin served as the Board’s Chairman for PITA and the Palestine ICT Incubator (PICTI). He also served as a board member at many national organizations including PNINA, the Palestine Investment Promotion Agency (PIPA), the Palestine Private Sector Coordination Council (PPSC), the QIF Project, and the Scientific Research Counsel at the Ministry of Higher Education and Palestine Education Initiative (PEI). Mr. Ala Alaeddin holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science and a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering from NJIT in the US. He has over 25 years of experience in IT Management and Leadership, Consultation, Training, Strategic Planning, Business Development, Technology Innovation, and Management Information Systems.

Simon van Melick has been working with SPARK since 2012 as Head of Communication (until 2020) and Programme Manager, focusing on youth employment and engagement in fragile and conflict affected regions. Simon initiated and managed Networks of Change, a programme which prevents radicalisation and violent extremism in the KRI and seeks for expansion in the Middle East. He is also responsible for SPARK’s annual IGNITE conference which focuses on job creation for youth, women and refugees. Before SPARK, Simon worked in the private sector for international campaign and communication agencies. Simon studied history at the University of Amsterdam and the New School for Social Research in New York City.

Eng. Lubna Kayed is the Director of Sarh International and JO Consultancy, and founder of Aloman Association CBO, a women-led consultancy. With over 27 years of experience, Lubna is a certified EFQM Lead Assessor and Gender Specialist, and has consulted for organisations such as the World Bank, USAID, and EBRD.
She holds a BSc in Chemical Engineering from the University of Jordan and has worked in senior HR roles at Luminus Holding, Rubicon Holding, and Kasih Canned Food Productions. Lubna’s expertise includes quality management, HR consulting, and capacity building. She has led over 60 consulting projects in Jordan’s public and private sectors, specialising in process optimisation, policy development, and business growth strategies.

Dr Mohamed is innovation and entrepreneurship consultant. In 2017 he a co-founded NilePreneurs initiative, and the founder of NP INCUBATE. He is the former Associate Director and Head of business Incubators program at NilePreneurs initiative, IECC, Nile University.
He is a professor of Entrepreneurship in Engineering School, Nile University. He got his M.Sc and Ph.D degree in Management Of Technology (MOT) from Nile University with a focus on the Personal traits affecting the success or failure of the Egyptian Entrepreneurs.
He worked as operations director at KD group (The group consists of 4 companies: Techne Company for Conference Management, Alex Angels Angel Investments, Mediterranean Investors Group and Marked For advocacy and advertising).
He had more than 19 years of practical experience working with Entrepreneurs, Startups and SMEs in and out of Egypt. He is the founder of Entrepreneurship unit at ministry of trade and industry in 2012 during his working for 12 years in the Ministry as head of technical support and Entrepreneurship unit supervising 13 technology centers working in 13 industrial sectors. Also, worked in Private sector, NGO, University, and he had his own startups for 4 years.
He is a PFP alumni. (professional fellowship program) funded by US state. He worked as fellow at University of George Washington in the Office of innovation and Entrepreneurship OIE for strategic partnership and student entrepreneurial activities.
He supported more than 1000 of entrepreneurs, startups and organizations as mentor in and out of Egypt to build their business model, system, incubation programs and, matchmaking with investors.

Laith Al-Qasem, USAID Informal Livelihoods Advancement Activity (Iqlaa) Chief of Party.

Al-Qasem has over 25 years of business and development experience. Mr. Laith Al-Qasem is an established leader with over 30 years of business and development experience in Jordan. Mr. Al-Qasem’s professional experience is broad, varied and multi-disciplinary integrating  technology, innovation and economic development. The foundation of his experience and competence
is based on an intimate practical knowledge in technology development, business development, venture
capital financing, business incubation, acceleration and mentoring of start-ups. He indentified, invested
in and was involved in over 25 start-up companies, several of which have become paragons of success in
the Jordanian technology environment. As such, Mr. Al-Qasem has substantial capability in private
sector and economic strategy development, objective setting, planning, coordination and execution.
His substantial hands on work with technology entrepreneurs and venture capital investment has led to
excellent knowledge and experience with technology related private sector development,
entrepreneurship development, managing start-up companies and dealing with entrepreneurs.
In 2000 and 2004 Mr. Al-Qasem led Jordan’s first national private sector led business development
initiative (Jordan Vision 2020 – JV 2020 versions 1.0 and 2.0), in cooperation with USAID. This required
recruiting economic sector leaders from various economic associations to communicate and encourage
private sector players to look beyond Jordan’s existing economic reality and define and articulate sector
development strategies, including required government reforms, to facilitate export led growth and job
creation to create a new economic reality. Mr. Al-Qasem has extensive contacts with the Jordanian
government, science and technology sector, the private sector and with NGOs.

Mr. Al-Qasem is a member of the Jordan Economic and Social Council and has led and participated in
several Jordanian national economic development initiatives such as the Jordan Vision 2020, the
National Agenda and the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor. Al-Qassem is a Jordan Strategy Forum (JSF)
Scholar and was/is a board member of several national associations and NGOs which address gaps in the
economic and social environment. These associations include the King Abdullah Fund for Development
(KAFD), Young Entrepreneurs Association (YEA), Center for the Study of the Built Environment, Partners
Jordan for Democratic Change, International Amman Academy, the Institute of Management
Consultants, Al-Aman Fund for Orphans and Tkiyet Um Ali (hunger alleviation NGO).

Executive Director – Al Hussein Technical University

A dedicated, results-oriented technical director with international experience in full life-cycle project development and 18 years of expertise in solar energy, PV inverters, trackers, and thin-film modules in leading Swiss and German companies, as well as operations experience in the EPC sector.

As a Business Development Manager for SMA Middle East, I supported the expansion of SMA’s distributor network in MENA, adding eight new partners.

In addition to engineering roles, I was appointed as the Executive Director of the German Energy Academy in Jordan, where I led a consortium of Jordanian and German institutes to establish a high-quality training program addressing capacity-building demands in the energy sector across Jordan and the region.

As a Renewable Energy enthusiast, I have participated as a speaker at numerous conferences and provided professional training to promote the advantages of solar energy technologies in the MENA region. Recently, I was elected Vice President of the German-Jordanian Vocational Educational Training Board to support the development of TVET in Jordan.

During my tenure in Saudi Arabia, I worked closely with the Ministry of Energy and Saudi Electricity Company to set policies and legal frameworks regulating the solar energy and electric vehicle markets in the Kingdom.

I hold an MBA in Renewable Energy, with a thesis focusing on the potential of flexible solar modules in light of current regulations in the MENA region.

Afef Ajengui is the Regional Programme Manager for SPARK’s GreenForward programme. Previously, she held roles as International Cooperation Manager at Fondation Tunisie pour le Développement and Senior Regional Programme Officer for the GreenWorks programme at Hivos Foundation.
Afef has significant expertise in the green and climate sectors, encompassing fundraising, project design, budget planning, and network-building at national, regional, and international levels. Since 2013, she has been instrumental in supporting entrepreneurs across Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, and Algeria, advancing green transitions and promoting collaboration between public and private institutions. Her work spans entrepreneurship, civil society, and the NGO ecosystem, with a focus on fostering sustainable, climate-forward communities.

Mourad Hentati is an experienced regional program director and strategic leader with over 15 years of expertise in advancing economic resilience, private sector development, and job creation across North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. In his current role at SPARK, Mourad directs high-impact programs that promote entrepreneurship, sustainable growth, and capacity building, working closely with partners to drive meaningful change. His strategic acumen, coupled with his deep regional expertise, allows him to design and implement forward-thinking solutions in complex environments.

Caroline Haddad-Ayoub is the Country Director for Blumont in Jordan. Blumont works with communities in transition as they recover from conflict, return from displacement, and move from a reliance on aid to a more resilient future. In Jordan, these efforts have included extensive programming at Za’atari refugee camp, rebuilding access to critical services and infrastructure, and expanding livelihood and economic opportunities.

With more than two decades of experience, Caroline has expertise in Micro, Small, and Medium-size Enterprise development and program management. She has worked to support the formulation of policy, strategies, and programs to accelerate private sector development and public-private partnerships. Caroline was selected as a member of the 2023-2024 International Women’s Forum Leadership Fellows class.

Prior to joining Blumont, she worked with Al Jidara Management Consultants and has held various positions in USAID-funded projects. Caroline holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from the University of Jordan.

Chairperson, Tamkeen for Sustainable Tourism Development
Tourism Education Administration Expert
Ethics and Sustainable Tourism Development Consultant
UNWTO – TedQual Program Certification – Auditor
ISO-140001:2015 Lead Auditor “Environmental Management Systems”
UNWTO – World Committee for Tourism Ethics Member

Dr. Suzy Hatough is the Chairperson of Tamkeen for Sustainable Tourism Development Company (TASUD), envisioned to lead sustainable tourism development in Jordan and the Middle East. She has more than 25 years of experience in tourism education administration, curriculum design, human resources development, ethics, and sustainable tourism. She believes that tourism is a force for good, and when managed responsibly, it has the ability to transform the lives of People and Planet, creating a better world for future generations.

In 2023, she was appointed as Dean at the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management at AAU to lead education towards branding Jordan as a hub for culinary arts, hospitality, and sustainable tourism destination.

In 2009, Dr. Hatough was certified as a UNWTO TedQual Certification Program Auditor internationally and consultant to the UNWTO in the Middle East Region. She was commissioned by the UNWTO to conduct auditing missions on several tourism educational programs at universities in Europe, China, Asia, MENA, and Mediterranean regions, relevant to labor market needs in Algeria, Syria, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In 2013, Dr. Suzy Hatough was appointed an Alternate Member by the UNWTO – World Committee for Tourism Ethics (WCTE), representing the Middle East Region for eight years from 2013–2021. Since then, she has advocated for ethics and sustainable tourism development at the policy and strategy level in Jordan, aligning with the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism. In 2017, she facilitated seven tourism companies and national associations to sign their commitment to the UNWTO Private Sector Commitment to the Code of Ethics for Tourism.

In Jordan, Dr. Hatough conducted projects in cooperation with USAID – Jordan Tourism Development Project (Siyaha) and USAID – Building Economic Sustainability in Tourism Project (BEST) consecutively from 2009–2019. These projects focused on reforming the tourism education sector through assessment studies, research, skills and curriculum development, and the development of quality assurance systems for tourism higher education institutions.

Recently, she gained the ISO-14001:2015 Lead Auditor Certificate for “Environmental Management System,” strengthening her qualifications in quality assurance and measurement for environmental practices at institutions.

Mrs. Sallouha Bouzgarrou holds a master’s degree in Environmental Technology (2005–2006) and brings over 26 years of expertise in the fields of green and circular economy. Her professional career spans extensive work in capacity building and institutional support, assisting public administrations and private sector organisations in managing environmental challenges.

Her areas of expertise include pollution control, waste management, biodiversity and ecosystem protection, fisheries, coastal zone protection, renewable energy, and eco-tourism. With a strong commitment to sustainable development, she is highly experienced in training and mentoring green entrepreneurs.

Mrs. Bouzgarrou is a distinguished member of the international network of environmental advisors, affiliated with institutions such as the University of Chicoutimi, Strasbourg, and Belgium. She is also an accredited expert for supporting industrial companies in conducting environmental audits aligned with ISO 14001 standards, a designation recognised by the European Union.

Through her leadership at the International Centre for Environmental Technologies of Tunis, Mrs. Bouzgarrou continues to advance environmental awareness, sustainable practices, and entrepreneurial innovation.

Head of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Unit at the Jordan Chamber of Industry

Hold a Master degree in Project Management for Energy and Environmental Engineering from Ecole Nationale supérieure des Mines de Nantes in France, and Bachelor degree in Industrial Engineering – Engineering Management from Jordan University of science and Technology in Jordan. Also hold different certifications such as certified energy auditor, certified measurement , verification professional , certified advanced building recommissioning and Certified Lead Auditor for ISO 50001 (Energy Management Systems).

Currently, he is the Director of the Energy and Environmental Sustainability Unit at the Jordan Chamber of Industry, which is the technical arm that provides support to all establishments in the fields of energy and sustainability. He has designed and implemented a number of different programs with several entities, such as the Project Manager for Energy Efficiency Networks in the Industrial Sector, in addition to Water Efficiency Networks and Waste Management Networks. In addition, he is the owner of the idea and founder of the Green Factory Award.

He also participates in various activities and conferences related to energy, water and the environment; such as participating as a keynote speaker at the Arab-German Energy Forum on Energy and Water in 2018 in Berlin, and as an expert speaker at the International Conference on Innovation in Water Technologies in Arab Countries in 2019 in Amman, in addition to many local and international conferences and seminars. He was also chosen as one of the most influential people in the energy sector in the Middle East and North Africa region in 2019 according to Solar MENA magazine.

He participated as a representative of the private sector in many committees related to the environment and participated in drafting and amending a number of legislations. He also participated in preparing the National Green Growth Plan and the national plans for the environment and climate change. He also conducted a number of training programs specializing in the environment and recycling.

MSMEs Technical Advisor at JEDCO

With 19 years of extensive experience in manufacturing, consulting, and international funding programs, Mr Osama stands out as a seasoned industrial engineer and business consultant specializing in SME development, industrial growth, and business innovation. Their expertise includes advanced analytical modeling, solution design, and the implementation of best practices to enhance enterprise and sector performance. Having contributed to over 100 SME projects across manufacturing and services, Mr Makki possesses in-depth knowledge of SME policies in diverse contexts, both developed and developing. Their professional background spans entrepreneurship, startups, manufacturing optimization, and the design and execution of technical and financial support programs. Currently serving as the Technical Advisor to the CEO at JEDCO, they are dedicated to fostering entrepreneurial success and driving sustainable industrial development.