Ridha Meftah - Top 10 Business Minds Defining the Next Era of Leadership, 2026

FROM THE EDITOR

Leading What's Next

History rarely remembers businesses for their size alone. It remembers the minds that changed the

way industries functioned, customers experienced value, and organizations prepared for the future.Everymajorshiftincommercehasbeendrivenbyleaderswholookedbeyondimmediate opportunitiesandaskedamoreimportantquestion:Whatcomesnext?

Every transformative era is shaped by individuals who refuse to accept the status quo. They see opportunitieswhereothersseeobstacles,askquestionsthatchallengeconvention,andcreatesolutionsthat redefineindustries.Thebusinessworldisenteringsuchaperiod,whereleadershipisdrivenbyimagination, strategicthinking,andtheabilitytoprepareorganizationsforafuturethatisconstantlyevolving.

AtCIOViews,wehonortheseempoweringleadersbydedicatingthisissuetitled“Top10BusinessMinds Defining the Next Era of Leadership, 2026” to them. Featuring as the cover story, we have covered the successful&motivatingjourneyofRidhaMeftah,PartneratEY.Wehavealsoincludedtheinspiringstories ofRussellJ.Unrath,CEOofMedCognition,Inc.;DeryaOzkayaMatras,VicePresidentMiddleEastAfrica and Turkey at Meta; Veronica Crisafulli, Co-Founder of MO Technologies; Claire Rutkowski, CIO of Bentley Systems; LyndaAphing-Kouassi, Founder-Director of Kaizene;Yasaf Burshan, CEO & Founder ofTeam Genius; Raffi Jamgotchian, President and CTO ofTriada Networks LLC; Nicole Hart, Managing DirectoratAfrikelp;andMoustafaH.Khataw,ManagingDirectoratSkylinkGroupTanzania.

CIOViews is a business magazine that mainly focuses on business leaders, their journey, views on current economic states, and all other relevant subjects that refer to the business world. Our goal is to be a leading sourceofinformationdedicatedtoprovidingourreaderswithdetailedperspectivesandviewsofsuccessful business leaders who are transforming the business outlook and redefining their goals. With exclusive editionsonvariousindustrieslikesoftware,education,healthcare,technology,realestate,andmanymore, CIOViewsisdriventopromoteexcellenceintheworldofbusiness.

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“THE

10. Ridha Meftah

Derya

RIDHA MEFTAH

Building Leadership Through Trust, Purpose, and Lasting Impact

Business success is defined in terms of growth, profitability, and influence. However, those leaders who leave their legacy are those whose effect goes beyond the results achieved and influences other people and organizations as well. In this era of technological disruption, economic uncertainties, and transformation processes, leadership requires much more than skills. It needs integrity, good judgmentandimplementationofvision.

Ridha Meftah, Partner at EY, is a leader who is guided by all these principles in his professional practice. After working with financial institutions, regulatory bodies, and organizations in Africa and emerging markets, he came to understand that transformation is created not only with the help of strategy but also with integrity, cooperation, and resilience. Throughout his professional practice, Ridha strives to assist organizations in managing the complexity of situations while enabling people togrow,developandleadconfidently.

“Think big to inspire people, start small to learn fast, and scale with purpose to shape the future.”

Building a Career on Purpose and Responsibility

According to Ridha, the concept of leadership does not lie in the title but in the sense of responsibility that one gains through actions and accomplishments. He has learned that at the early stage of his consultancy career, organizations don't hire consultants merely on the basis of their knowledge; rather, they need someone to guide them at uncertain moments when they need to take tough decisions with a lack ofclarity.

The values that have influenced me the most are integrity, resilience,humility,andservice.Integrity,becausetrustisthe verybasicofanyadvisoryrelationship.

Resilience because transformation is bound to take place withinasettingofvolatilityandambiguity.Humilitybecause no leader has all the answers. And service because real leadership consists in helping clients, teams, organizations, andcommunitiesgrowbeyondtheircurrentstate.

Leadership lessons from his time spent working throughout

Africa solidified these principles even further. Instead of transplanting prepackaged solutions, he firmly believes that leaders should tailor global best practices to local conditions, using challenges as catalysts for innovations. Driven by such principles, Ridha developed profound expertise in finance, governance, risk management, and organizational transformation before moving on to strategically important projectsrelatedtofinancialinstitutionsandregulators.

Eventually, he came to understand that clients appreciate judgment as much as knowledge. The journey to becoming a Partner involved many years of dedication, resilience, and teamwork, but Ridha sees it more as a step forward in taking upevengreaterresponsibilities."Itisanhonor,"hesays,"but itisfirstofallacommitment."

Being a partner for Ridha means being accountable not only forbusinessresults,butalsoforpeopledevelopment,building stronger client relationships, and maintaining the firm's reputation.

Creating Meaningful Impact Through People and Transformation

Central to Ridha's approach is the clear goal of building up organizations and empowering individuals to achieve their full potential. Not only does he advise organizations but also helps them transform digitally, improve governance, modernize their financial services, design their operational models, and build for sustainable growth. In today's increasingly complex world, he helps clients take steps from idea conception to implementation through sound decision makingandriskmanagementtechniques.

Notably, Ridha is passionate about building the next generation of leaders. According to him, the consulting business is not just about having knowledge but also being curious, collaborative, ethical, and eager to learn continuously. Coaching young professionals and helping them mature into leaders is what he enjoys doing most.

Moreover, apart from working with individual organizations, Ridha has also been committed to building business ecosystems in Africa and other emerging economies through stronginstitutionsandinnovations.

In contrast, Ridha believes that success goes way beyond just the bottom line. For Ridha, "success equals impact, trust and continuity." Impact entails making sure that the organization becomes stronger because of good decision-making and empowerment. Trust, which is the basis of any successful relationship, involves integrity and consistency. Continuity entails measuring the effect of an individual on an organization in terms of building strong institutions, setting higherstandardsorgroomingthenextgenerationofleadersto addvalue.

“The next era of leadership will belong to those who can combine artificial intelligence with human wisdom, technological power with ethical responsibility, and ambition with purpose.”

Leading with Balance Through Uncertainty

Leading at an advanced level comes with many responsibilities, such as managingclientrelationshipsandleadingchangemanagementinteams. To Ridha, personal balance is not about achieving perfection but about choice."Personalbalanceisnotaluxury;itisaleadershipresponsibility," according to him. He thinks that leaders will make sound choices if they are healthy and present in both the office and their family circles, which givethemabroaderpictureofsuccess.

The modern world is full of uncertainties for leaders. There are uncertainties regarding economic changes, regulatory changes, technologicaldisruptions,andcustomerexpectations.Insuchsituations, according to Ridha, there are three main elements a leader needs: clarity, cooperation, and courage. The leaders need to make things clear and cooperateamongeachothertotakeresponsibledecisions.

As he says, "Waiting for perfect certainty can be inaction in disguise." Themaintaskofeffectiveleadershipistocreateconfidenceandstructure intheorganizations.

Preparing Leaders for a Changing Future

Moving forward, Ridha sees the future of consulting as entering into a very pivotal stage of its existence. Advancements in artificial intelligence, data analytics, cybersecurity, sustainability, and the changing nature of geopolitics have radically altered how businesses work and compete.Whiletechnologywillcontinuetorevolutionizethe way industries conduct business, Ridha sees that future belongs to those individuals who have the judgment and ethicalcompasstogoalongwithinnovation.

"Thepaceofchangewillbeunprecedented,butpacewon'tbe enough," says Ridha. "It will take judgment, ethics, agility, andexecutioncapability."

That means that consultants are going to have to change too. Businesses today do not just need consultants to give them recommendations, but they need partners to help them bring their strategies to life, integrate technologies into their plans, manage risks while creating innovations and navigate the ever-growing web of challenges. Successful consultancy in the future will need to encompass a wider viewpoint, incorporating people, process, governance, regulation and technology.

Leadership in the world of business is experiencing the same kind of evolution. Future leaders need to be both technologyoriented and very much human. They have to accept innovation but not at the cost of their credibility; grow and become resilient at the same time; be global but still be grounded in local considerations. Ridha believes that Africa and other developing markets can play an important role in this vision, contributing to the realms of financial inclusion, entrepreneurship,innovations,andsustainabledevelopment.

This is what Ridha wishes to keep doing for organizations in thoseregionsastheygofromambitiontoimplementation.

“In a world overwhelmed by information, the greatest value a consultant can bring is not more answers, but better questions.”

Creating Leaders Who Empower Others

Among many achievements that marked his professional journey, the one of becoming a Partner is exceptionally valuable since it embodies trust, determination, and collective success. However, Ridha is convinced that some of the best achievements one can make are impossible to measurebytitlesandrecognition.

The ability to assist organizations in transforming themselves, guide clients through a period of strategic changes, and see young people become successful leaders is among those experiences that have a profound meaning. These experiences reinforce his conviction that leadership is never purely about personal success, but rather about helpingotherpeoplesucceed.

These ideas have defined Ridha's leadership approach over the years. At the beginning of his career, the emphasis was placed exclusively on perfectionism,analyticalthinking,andresults.Such qualities are still important for him, yet experience hastaughthimmoreabouteffectiveleadership.

"In other words, leadership does not have to be problem-solving," says Ridha. "It has to be about increasing the capacity of others to solve more complex problems."

In the present day, he values setting high standards, yet fostering a positive atmosphere in which people feelrespected,encouraged,andmotivatedtoexcel.

Performance and accountability still matter, yet sustainable success is possible only through empathy,collaboration,andconstantlearning.

"The best leaders do not make followers," he says. "Theymakeotherleaders."

It is reflected in the way he inspires consultants and business strategists to become true leaders. He tells youngprofessionalstofocusonacquiringthebasics first, to work on gaining the knowledge in finance, economics, technology, regulation, and industry specifics. It is crucial, as the world of business changes too fast for us to be able to rely on our experiencealone.

The same is true about building trustworthy relationships and reputation. Professional relationships should be established through consistent behavior and communication rather than through personal visibility and publicity. Finally, onemoreadviceistogivebacktopeople.Toinspire and motivate others to learn and succeed. To share your knowledge and help people to succeed.That is howleadershipcanactuallybebeneficial.

“The greatest investment any leader can make is not in technology, strategy, or capital. It is in people.”

A Legacy Built on Trust and Lasting Impact

Resilience has played an important role in Ridha Meftah's career throughout his leadership journey. It has been possible because of three key traits, purpose, perspective, and discipline, which enable a leader to be focused in uncertain timesanddifferentiatebetweenwhatisatemporarychallenge and a long-term opportunity. At the same time, resilience is not created by one person. Family, mentors, colleagues, clients, and teams offer perspectives on change, while values like integrity, humility, responsibility, and courage are solid anchors.

TheseprinciplesformthefoundationofthelegacythatRidha wouldliketocreate.ForhisworkinEY,Ridhaplanstocreate greatteams,developfutureleaders,andcontributetoaculture

of excellence, collaboration, and integrity. Beyond the company, Ridha would like to create resilient business ecosystemsandhelporganizationsrealizetheirambitionsand makeprogress.

Ultimately,whatRidhawantstoberememberedforisnotthe various positions he has had, but for the trust he has earned, fortheopportunitieshehasprovided,andthetrusthehasbuilt upalongtheway.Inanerawheneverythingischangingallthe time, his leadership philosophy acts as a constant reminder that true success comes from maintaining your integrity and being constantly learning as well as having a passion for makingotherpeoplesucceed.

“Africa will not be defined by the challenges it faces, but by the opportunities its leaders choose to create.”

Russell J. Unrath

Disrupting the Medical Training Industry with Augmented Reality Simulation Technology

Medical error is the third leading cause of patient death, and in 1997, at the tender age of 13, Russell J. Unrath's young life was abruptly, and tragically, impacted by that statistic, when his mother passed away from a series of complications that could have, and should have, been prevented.

For Russell, his personal tragedy became the driving force to become part of a Health Care Organization that that was willing to take risks, be on the cutting edge of technology, and disrupt the future of medical simulation in a positive way.

The crucial importance of medical simulation in training medical professionals

Russell started his career at Genzyme Genetics, a pharmaceutical company involved in cancer research, where he

watched researchers and developers create products, sparking his interest in lifelong learning.

His journey to health care was not a straight path, and before he joined MedCognition, his biggest achievement was helping create efficiencies in a hospital system network, where he managed to help the hospital go from the verge of bankruptcy to thriving expansion.

As the CEO of MedCognition, Inc., his aim is to create change in healthcare by lowering the barriers of access to medical simulation through leveraging cutting-edge technology. Medical simulation is a highly valuable tool for preparing healthcare professionals and first responders in dealing with low frequency, high stakes life-threatening medical conditions.

Realism, cost, and portability are the three most common barriers to greater use of simulation, and MedCognition's aim is to transform medical simulation training by creating an intuitive clinical experience.

MedCognition's PerSim® holographic patient simulation system is the brainchild of a physician and 101stAirborne surgeon, Kevin King, a brigade surgeon in the field in Iraq, who had to use plastic mannequins that were not training his students the right way.

PerSim® was created by leveraging the experience of seasoned clinicians, educators, and computer scientists. “I absolutely believe that MedCognition's training product, PerSim®, will shape the future of outof-hospital professionals,” states Russell.

Since the COVID crisis, the use of medical simulation has grown as a tool to help bridge the gap in workforce preparedness, and Augmented Reality will be key to solving the problem of medical training.

“The more immersive we can become, the more engaged in an augmented world, where it's safe to train, yet safe but hurts to fail, is the way we've been able to use this disruptive technology,” says Russell. “There are a lot of organizations that offer virtual reality, which is very static. So we're looking at advancement, and augmented reality is still cutting edge.”

PerSim® allows medical professionals the experience of seeing a sim patient experiencing real-world problems and pain in real-time, by simulating these clinical states as they happen and change dynamically.

Delivering dynamic realism in medical simulation with an immersive experience

Russell confirms that the risk of stepping into a disruptive industry like medical simulation training is definitely a balancing act, because MedCognition is fighting battles on several fronts, when it comes to traditional simulation training.

He admits that the risk and the challenge is really about how to position PerSim® to be seen as a standard and common training practice.

“MedCognition is butting up against larger organizations that have been in the simulation industry for decades, and everyone knows who they are. So our big risk is, nobody really knows who we are, despite having 72

customers across the U.S., and doubling our customer base in 2021,” notes Russell. “We're just the underdog at this point, and we'd like to flip the script in that story.”

Russell points out that MedCognition's product truly creates decision-makers, and that when medical practitioners see a product that can help them train in an immersive environment, that allows their mind to understand the logistics and mechanics of what's happening, and helps them become decisionmakers, not box checkers, they get really excited about it.

He explains that while a plastic mannequin is not going to show you what a sick patient looks like, an augmented reality hologram absolutely shows you what a sick patient looks like, and it allows for that cognitive pathway to be opened up to see, for example, that a patient is having a respiratory issue.

“Now the instructor and the student can go on these Choose Your Own Adventure multiple paths to determine the best course of treatment, and that again, creates a decision-maker, not a box checker, and that's really been disrupting the industry so much that the instructors who see our tool say, 'Wow, PerSim® creates the ability to be immersed in a scenario!,” explains Russell.

While MedCognition's target customers are hospital professionals, they're also seeing a great wake of enthusiasm from community colleges with paramedical and nursing programs, and Municipal EMS organizations that see the value of immersive training.

“We have the ability to manipulate the system based on the complexity of the

educator involved, building the scenarios to make this apply for inhospital professionals,” notes Russell.

For medical schools, MedCognition is developing remote instructor capabilities. They also have projects with the government, and hope to go from 75 to over 500 customers, and build Global Partnerships, in the next two to five years.

Russell firmly believes that in the near future, MedCognition will be the standard in frontline medical training. “You can absolutely mark my words on that as well. We're going to completely disrupt mannequin simulation,” he affirms.

Eclipsing the competition with a grassroots approach to outreach Russell points out that MedCognition is slowly starting to eclipse their competition, with a grassroots approach to reaching out to customers. They've given all their customers an opportunity to receive education and external grants, to provide them better access to simulation training.

They also ran a series of trade shows, webinars, and courses in SanAntonio, where they provide deep dive training to help their customers understand the benefits of simulation, versus the traditional methods they're used to.

Russell explains that, in order to reduce that sunken cost bias, they need people to reach out and touch and play with their product. So they provide free trainings, such as demoin-a-box software, and ship units out to customers who are very used to plastic mannequins.

“Our product can be used in tandem with high-fidelity mannequins, and extend the capital or operating

expense budget of small EMS institution, or a large one for that matter,” says Russell, explaining that they offer to create a high-fidelity mannequin for their customers, that will save them money over time, even while spending money with their system.

He notes that when medical professionals see a patient is really struggling, and then get that hologram, and see them go from a position of struggle, to a position of recovery, it helps them overcome some of the competition, and disrupt the industry as well.

“What really motivates us is providing an experience that our educators and students can't get anywhere else aside from a sim, and we do share that common vision and common goal,” says Russell.

Adapting to an evolving vision of leadership

Russell explains that in the early stages of his career, he believed that leadership was about always having a confident answer, telling people what they needed to know, what they needed to do, and when and how to do it.

However, of late, it has become a collaborative engagement of finding ways to support his employees, and asking questions like: What else can I help you with? How can we get you educated? What tools can I provide for you? What can I learn as a leader, so that I'm enabling and empowering my team to produce the best possible work?

“So it's definitely evolved over the years, especially since joining MedCognition. We've shifted our culture to make sure that our employees have the appropriate work-

life balance, and that their mental health is well cared for,” notes Russell.

He explains that they have programs that help them produce good work, and interact and engage with their customers, who absolutely need advocates and cheerleaders and friends, not just a company that's providing a service for them.

“When I joined as CEO, I knew that the company needed a fresh perspective, not from a medical perspective, but a business executive who could look strategically, and say, here are the things we need to change, and here's the order we should change them in. Now almost two years later, we're functioning as a well-oiled machine,” he observes.

Russell admits that employee mental health and wellness has always been very personal for him, as he believes that having an appropriate personal life balance creates a good working individual.As a result, the company implemented more flexible policies during the pandemic, but kept the static work location.

Under his leadership, MedCognition also implemented 401K investment programs, wellness programs, and tools for the team to reach out to mental health and wellness counselors, and stay connected in a remote environment.

“I think our team talks more now, when we're in scattered across five different states, than we did when our team was based in SanAntonio,” notes Russell.

He points out that they have a very light atmosphere which is hard to maintain with remote employees. They do weekly events over Zoom or Teams that keep the team motivated

by allowing them to feel like they're all in this shared journey, and that, at the end of the day, work is not everything.

Russell points out that leadership is simply about being willing to learn on a daily basis, and that his goal is about what new information he can learn each day that will benefit his employees and customers, and as a byproduct, benefit him as well.

For him, success is building up the individuals in his immediate circles, creating sincere connections with those around him, and enabling others to succeed.

Russell believes that taking an organization like MedCognition from where it is to where he wants it to be, requires sacrifice, and he considers himself fortunate to have a wife who understands his driving passion, and supports him unwaveringly.

“Without her, I would not be in the position I'm in. I think our organization wouldn't even be in the position we're in right now, because I have a pillar of support, who also works full-time, by the way, but takes the burden with our ten year old twins, and our two year old Golden Retriever, so that I can pour myself into my work, to be the best for my employees, customers, board of directors, and create new road maps, new visions, a new subset of products, new line of questioning, so that we can truly continue to learn each day,” he concludes.

Derya Ozkaya Matras

Leading the Digital Revolution in Middle East

Every day, Middle Eastern women create magic by designing and sharing ideas, as well as inspiring and empowering millions of other women throughout the region, thanks to their creativity, enthusiasm, and determination. Women in the Middle East are spearheading significant initiatives, building businesses, and forming movements that will inspire future generations of women for years to come across all sectors and industries.

Derya Ozkaya MatrasVice is President for the Middle East and Turkey,Africa at . Derya sees Meta that technology doesn't stand still. She asserts, "The future of social technology is changing, and so are we."

Derya considers herself fortunate to be Meta's first woman vice president, elected from her region and in charge of the company's operations in more

than 70 nations. Derya's work is stretched over multiple nations, diverse teams addressing crossfunctional issues, because she manages a broad territory: the Middle East and NorthAfrica, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Turkey.

Derya used to have many hour-long meetings before joining Meta, as opposed to the 15-30 minute appointments she now has. She has up to ten meetings every day, on issues ranging from product to revenue, influencer strategies, ministerial policy debates, and even roundtable sessions with community leaders.

Meta; the Digital Revolution

Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp are among Meta's "family of apps." These apps and services, which are driven by a mobile-first strategy, allow users to explore new ways of digital storytelling while also

assisting companies in reaching the proper audiences. Derya gets rejuvenated every time she checks her Facebook newsfeed, joins a WhatsApp group to communicate with her family, or looks at a friend's Instagram story.

According to Derya, the metaverse is the next step in online social technology, allowing people all over the world to communicate in ways that aren't currently possible. She asserts, "It will feel like a hybrid of today's online social experiences, sometimes expanded into three dimensions, or projected into the physical world — and seamlessly stitched together so that you can easily jump from one thing to another." Derya says that the team is excited to help bring it to life. She adds, "Our new company brand, Meta, better reflects who we are and what we are building towards."

Vice President Middle East Africa and Turkey, Meta

Finding Your Own Journey's Purpose is the Key

According to Derya, she is frequently asked about the recipe for success, and she believes that the path begins with determining what success means to us: is it building the next unicorn? Getting to a position of political power? Or simply having a peaceful life with loved ones? She argues that this interpretation might vary based on one's life stage and that there is no right or incorrect meaning. She opines, "It is our definition, and we should own it. For me, it is closely linked to purpose."

Derya has been particularly inspired by a quote from Picasso: "The meaning of life is to find your gift; the purpose of life is to give it away." She adds, "We spend the first part of our lives trying to find our gift: the intersection of what we are good at and what we love. It often does not come easily, but once we find it, giving it back to humanity makes our lives full of purpose and helps us leave a mark on this world." She found this process was a long one for her, but she eventually managed to name her purpose while listening to a college professor at a conference: leaving good children to the world and a good world to the next generations.

Joining Tech Sector

Derya was one of the very few women in her engineering class and has always been fascinated by technology and how it could empower people and communities. She has had many years of experience in management consulting, advising companies in different industries, and still hadn't crossed her mind to work for big tech until she got a LinkedIn message from Meta six years ago. She mentions, "The more I learned about the company's mission and values, the more I was convinced that I wanted to work here—so much so that, in my first interview, I said that I would work for this company even if I did

not get the role. I guess that was "finding my gift moment".

Derya is still motivated every day by the scale, relevance, and effect of the company's work, as well as how it empowers and supports the region's communities and businesses. Derya sees her selection as an acknowledgement of the trend toward diversity in business leadership and gender balance as a woman leader in a fast-paced industry like technology.

View on Women Empowerment

Derya believes that women's empowerment and success are the core drivers behind the social and economic development of any country. She says, "When women do better, economies do better." Derya observes that when women's economic security improves, so does their participation in work and leadership, which benefits business, industry, and entire economies. She goes on to say that, as several studies have pointed out, inequities like the gender wage gap not only violate basic conceptions of fairness, but they also jeopardize women's current and future economic security and represent a missed opportunity in human capital investment and potential.

According to Derya, women are critical to post-epidemic recovery. In fact, a new McKinsey Global Institute report warns that failing to take gender-responsive initiatives during the pandemic might result in a $1 trillion loss of global GDP by 2030.

Keeping Priorities in Check

Derya feels everyone is juggling so much at work and at home. The question she always asks herself is, "how many balls can I juggle at once? Because I believe we should be the ones to choose which balls to drop." Personally, Derya prioritizes family, work, and health. She believes in inclusive, strength-based leadership.As per her, this type of leadership requires active listening and making sure one is playing up the strengths of others. She says, "If we can leverage different teams and their various superpowers at the right moment, then we'll drive better results for the entire team."

Initiatives for Digital Transformation

"From everyday users to large global brands, and upcoming entrepreneurs, Meta's products are being used in a variety of ways in the region, which makes our journey here as exciting as it is promising," says Derya. She points out that digital transformation is well underway in MENA, driven by demand for secure, fast, and personalized online experiences across social communities and government sectors, and that this is influencing a number of Meta's projects.

Mentoring, coaching, and financing young outstanding future leaders from marginalized groups gives Derya a lot of meaning and purpose. She asserts, "In the next phases of my career, I'd love to increase my focus on inspiring and growing the next generation of leaders."

AMessage for Woman Leaders

"As young girls, we are always taken care of as princesses. One day, my daughter Mira came to me and said that she wanted to be a Jedi, and not a princess," says Derya. She was curious to know where all this was coming from, so she asked her why. She said: "Mumma, Jedi is strong; you are like the Jedi, and I want to be a strong girl like you." This was the best thing Derya heard and the biggest recognition she could get.

Derya asserts, "Your success in life will never be defined by how you perform on sunny days; it will be defined by how you navigate storms." She claims, Meta has helped her discover that learning from failures is a powerful way to grow. She is a big believer in 'nobody grows in their comfort zone.' Leaving the comfort zone comes with making mistakes and failures. It requires a growth mindset and resilience. But as Derya mentioned earlier, finding one's own purpose is important to find that resilience.As Nietsche said "He who has a WHY to live, can almost bear any HOW".

Derya's message to aspiring business women: "Find your gift, live a purposeful life, prioritize ruthlessly, be resilient, learn and get stronger when you fail. Most importantly, enjoy the journey.”

Co-Founder, MO Technologies

Veronica Crisafulli

Innovatively Transforming the Fintech Industry with Power of Technology

Finance and technology are two massive industries that have cohesively grown and expanded over the years. Financial experts and technology enthusiasts have brought about a phenomenal change in the fintech industry that has redefined the conventional practices. Veronica Crisafulli, Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Mo Technologies, envisioned technology as a complementary facet to the financial sector. This vision led to the foundation of Mo Technologies that aims to revolutionize the credit space empowering credit inclusion.

Throughout her professional and entrepreneurial journey, Veronica was motivated by her passion for finance and technology and overcame every hurdle with excellence. Veronica shares her wonderful journey in this article that profiles her role as a leader and an inspiring businesswoman.

Starting an entrepreneurial journey is not an easy road to take. What inspired you to take the step of faith? What laid the foundation of MO Technologies?

I can say that my path was very seamlessly, as before founding MO, I worked for over 12 years in the TMT space in the consulting industry, so my passion for technology was present, I might say, since the beginning of my journey. It was also very present for

my partner in this journey, Paolo Fidanza; his entrepreneurial spirit was the final push we both needed to make our dream a reality.

Years after starting my professional life, I landed at Mastercard, and it was there where I discovered my love for payments & digitalization and the importance of financial inclusion. I also understood that achieving financial inclusion was mixing my two passions: technology and finance/ payments. This is how an idea started growing, and it was the idea of creating technology to be a complementary one to the traditional financial sector.And this is how MO started. MO, a word that in roman dialect means "now" or "at this moment”, a term representing speed and simplicity. These characteristics define MO: an easy and innovative technology company all cloud based.

Challenges make you stronger. What is your take on this? What were the roadblocks that taught you valuable lessons in your professional journey?

Creating a company and achieving the break-even point is all a roller coaster. It has its ups and its downs, and this is all part of the journey. It has been all very gratifying as we are at the point where our company has turned from being a start-up, and now it is in the scaling period.

But I have to say that like every startup, one of the biggest challenges we faced was the company's initial funding.At the time, this challenge was overwhelming. Thanks to our commercial approach and detailed business plan, we managed to find the right investors for us. The lesson learned is to dedicate the right time to prepare the company's vision, expectations, and financials.

Finding the right and perfect talent was also a big challenge: we wanted to create a powerful team of professional people, and we wanted to have them deeply involved with MO. To do so, our "MOvers" are granted the company's shares after the vesting period, and they have a bunch of benefits compared to the other fintech, such as an Education program.

Another situation presented to us in the last year has been maintaining our cultural DNAin challenging times, as COVID 19, which means keeping people happy and well-motivated in their roles while keeping safe and distant. This is challenging as our goal will always be to remain a team with the same mindset. We are increasing our internal communications plan to keep it human and listen to everyone's needs.

Another challenge has been to grow (team, operations, etc.) at the same pace as the business. In other words, how to grow our team and our

“We created MO to make financial inclusion a reality, to be able to use technology to breach the gap between financial institutions and other FinTech and the limitation of traditional way of assessing the credit worthiness of people´s small businesses.”

PAOLO FIDANZA CEO & COFOUNDER - MO TECHNOLOGIES

capabilities according to the changing market needs.And the way we are tackling this challenge in this scaling period of the company is by proving ourselves as the best technological option. We are demonstrating our technology is the best, and we are generating trust in our clients and investors through our patented technology. Last year we were granted our first patent and this year, we are chasing another one.. fingers crossed.

Tell us in brief about the services of MO Technologies.

MO is a fintech that aims to revolutionize the credit space

empowering credit inclusion, for the past 4 years since late 2016.We are a Credit as a Service (CaaS) fintech with proprietary technology leverage on Machine Learning andArtificial Intelligence.At MO, we have developed an innovative data and credit scoring model to determine the creditworthiness, default probability, and predictive behavior of corporates, merchants, and individuals. Thanks to our modules, we offer an end-to-end solution with several use cases such as Credit Line Definition: improving approval rates of declined credit card applications: Microcredits: payroll advance and merchant cash advance and, Instant Override: second approval

of declined transactions due to insufficient funds in debit and pre-paid portfolio.

Tell us about your contribution in redefining the technological industry. How do you ensure a culture of integrity and innovation in the company?

MO´s DNAis determined by technology and innovation.As the core of our business is developing integral credit solutions, we seek to be at the forefront of innovation through Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning models. Regarding the implementation of our projects, we have the capabilities to integrate with our partners throughAPI.

As innovation means to be constantly aware of the industry's rapid changes, we are always seeking to be ahead of the market needs by rethinking and reinventing our solutions. That's why our value proposition adapts rapidly; for instance, our latest solution, MO Override, seeks to approve declined transactions due to insufficient funds in pre-paid and debit portfolios, which affects the whole ecosystem.

We believe that it is the human talent that determines a company´s success.

At MO, we encourage continuous education and a culture of respect for everyone to speak up and share their knowledge and points of view. We both strongly believe in transparency and continuous education; that´s why we have created a program for our Mover´s to keep learning having MO´s economic support by choosing one course or certification per year that best suits their career´s aspirations.

What are the core values of MO Technologies and how does the company stay abreast with the growing competition in the industry?

Our values are mainly to be: Innovative, disruptive, digital and inclusive.

We practice what we stand for, our people and our teams are the core of our business and Paolo and I are the first ones to encourage the team to think out of the box, which allows us not only to be disruptive and innovative throughout all of our solutions but to adapt seamleasly to any setback.

Compared with our competitors we are faster and we deliver quality, keeping our first mover advantage. But most of all, throughout the years we have kept true to our dreams of making financial inclusion a reality, having clear our goal in each project we onboard.

As a visionary and a business leader, what is your vision for the company? Paolo and I have always worked to position MO as the number one company (top of mind) of alternative credit score and imputs.And to be acknowledged as key players in making financial inclusion a reality worldwide. We ultimately want to leave our footprints improving people´s lives.

“Finding a balance between innovation and humanity to achieve valuable changes.”

VERONICA CRISAFULLI

What are your views on the changing landscape of technology?

I definetly see the pandemic as a turning point and a catalyst for technology itself. Now, more than ever technology became relevant for everyone and every company. For us at MO the pandemic was decisive for different reasons:

Digitization: Virtualization accelerated. With it, companies realized that they required digital solutions to offer

credits in an era of a pandemic. Our 100% digital cloud solution became more relevant than ever.

Reverse effect of the crisis on the credit market: When there was a crisis, companies realized the importance of financially including their clients, thus generating a greater demand for credit products to face the crisis and achieve reactivating the economy. With our services and products we are achieving it.

“We saw the possibility to make financial inclusion a reality giving access to everyone to a credit. We followed the inspiration with the idea to democratize the credit starting from Latin America.”

VERONICA CRISAFULLI CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER & COFOUNDER - MO TECHNOLOGIES

The pandemic forced non-financial companies to offer credit products to their employees in order to amortize the economic effects of it.An example of the above are several of our partners such as Uber, Didi, Cabify, etc. who found in us, MO technologies, the perfect ally to offer micro and nano credits.

The situation of the pandemic exponentially increased the collaborative economy between banks and fintech, creating ecosystems with greater capacities,

on the one hand, the technological knowledge provided by fintech and the financing and customer base provided by the banks. In this way, development times and costs decreased, favoring end users.

What are your responsibilities as the Chief Strategy Officer of MO technologies? Tell us about the rewards and recognitions MO technologies has received.

Due to the expontial growth we have been experiencing in the past couple

of years, I have been focusing my efforts mainly in defining the Strategy, Business Development & financial planning as main role. I am also responsible of People Management, as I believe in the importance of creating the right culture and in passing my knowledge and passion to our MOvers.

Some of the most important recognitions and achievements at MO are:

We are part of the Mastercard family, the Mastercard StartPath, recognized as The World's Best Corporate Accelerator by the International Chamber of Commerce and innovation advisory firm, Mind the Bridge. Being part of the StartPath makes us one of the 10 fintech's of the global network of innovators that will scale the future of commerce.As part of the program, Mastercard will work with us through a six-month program to co-innovate and uncover opportunities that leverage Mastercard's technology, expertise and network to drive the future.

We were granted our first patent: The United States Patent and Trademark Office issued the US Patent on December 29, 2020 covering our Artificial Intelligence Default Prediction System. This proprietary technology is applicable to the issuance of loans to businesses and consumers considered creditworthy through a bad debt forecast system. Veronica was named as one of The 10 Most Successful Businesswoman To Watch, 2020 by and was CIOlook recently featured as one of The 10 Most Inspiring Business Women Making a Difference, 2021. Beyond Exclamation also named her one of The 10 Most Successful Women Revamping The Future in Technology, 2021.

How do you keep your employees and yourself, motivated to deliver the best services?

We are constantly thinking on ways to get to our MOvers needs and keep them motivated, currently we have these benefits:

Work from another office: this program intends to motivate our employees to travel and live life abroad while having the experience of meeting other MOvers around the globe. The first ones living this experience will be traveling this month to work from the Miami office.

Education: we have created an education program for everyon to keep learning having MO´s economic support by choosing one course or certification per year that best suits their career´s aspirations.

Shares:After the vesting period, the MOvers will receive the Official Certificate of the Shares.

Additional vacation days throughout the year. Private health program: MO employees are added to the company's private health insurance at not cost for them.

Home office

Besides these benefits, we believe in communication and transparency. This is why we have various channels

to communicate the company's significant milestones and every important news for the people to feel part of the company and get involved in important decisions.

What are your plans for the future of MO Technologies? How does the company plan to extend its services, globally?

We want to make financial inclusion a reality worldwide, and this is why our plans in the short term are to have presence by opening our offices not only inAmerica but to expand our technology throughAPAC (Singapore) and Europe (Spain). We just opened our first office in Europe, in Spain, Madrid.

Through our partnership with Mastercard; specially through Start Path, MastercardAdvisors and Middleware; we aim to scale our business and boost our expansion by stretgntening our relationships with issuers (banks) and any other clients with credit scoring needs and other complementary credit demands.

Claire Rutkowski

A Zealous Leader With Brilliant Abilities To Deliver IT Solutions

Lynda Aphing-Kouassi

Leading Transformation in the African Continent through Mentoring, Coaching, and Training

Women's leadership is not a new phenomenon in Africa. Women have been critical problem solvers throughout Africa's history, leading militaries during the pre-colonial period, freedom fighters during independence movements, transitional leaders during post-conflict periods, and leaders during some of the worst economic, political, and health crises of the twenty-first century. Moving forward, Africa must use women's expertise, skills, and abilities at all levels of problem-solving in order to reclaim the continent's future.

After recognizing the need to provide quality infrastructure toAfrican countries in order to support and accompany their desire for emergence, LyndaAphing-Kouassi left the London banking community to establish the Kaizene firm inAbidjan and the United Kingdom, which organizes training and conferences to strengthen the continent's infrastructure and construction sector.

LyndaAphing-Kouassi, a Stanford School of Business graduate, a qualified Learning Performance Institute (LPI) of the World Bank, and holder of a certificate in business direction, created KAIZENE, a business consulting, training, coaching,

Institutional Conference organizing and working with SME, in 2015.

Prior to joining KAIZENE, Lynda spent 15 years in the banking sector, working as a team manager, investment director, and investment banker in London for Santander, Société Générale, and Vaultex (a subsidiary of the HSBC group), giving her solid expertise in the financial and banking sector, as well as in the field of social responsibility and people management.

Lynda decided to return to her country a few years ago in order to share her experience through the activities of her firm, KAIZENE, and thus contribute to the development of theAfrican continent, to the empowerment of women and young people through mentoring, coaching, and training, and by organizing the annual infrastructure and construction conference since 2015. Lynda's multiple projects, as well as these CSR activities, have gained her distinction as a development actor by ForbesAfrique and FinancialAfrique publications.

KAIZENE

The team at KAIZENE is specialized in capacity building, organization of institutional conferences and

accompanying VSEs/SMEsKAIZENEAccelerator. Lynda says, "We aim to be agent of change for SME, Women our continent."

The workplace has as a leitmotiv the worth of the people that is never seen on the balance sheet. Lynda thinks that every company strives because of its people; therefore, KAIZENE tries to bring people's potential to life and show businesses how to leverage on their employees.

KAIZENE has solid partnerships with firms that place their confidence in it and its skills. It also concentrates its services on technical and emotional skills, and it has established a womenonly accelerator to have an influence on their everyday lives, activities, and money. Lynda says, "Mostly we innovate and reinvent ourselves as the market changes."

Have Faith in the Process

Lynda sees challenges as giving experience, which is what's needed to get better. She says, "Trust only God. Many people have been great disappointments and trusting them obviously caused some roadblocks, I now look up, believe in myself, and keep going. Those roadblocks, thankfully, have not created resentment

in me but a stronger desire to carry on."

Lynda defines success as living in peace, finding delight in her religion, being humble, bringing fulfillment into people's lives, being the pride of her children, and being resilient.

Lynda improved her competence, took some classes, researched her business, and trusted in her success through God to assure her success.

According to Lynda, many individuals she admires have influenced her, but her experience and capacity to believe in herself, as well as her ambition to be an agent of change, have also pushed her along this route. She adds, "With knowledge, you can do anything, hence my choice of sectors."

Keeping Work and LifeAligned

Lynda has many hobbies that allow her to recharge her energy and escape. She also spends a lot of time with her family. She shares, "I mostly communicate about my activities to involve my family in my professional

life and my work and dissociate work from my personal life by setting boundaries and sticking to it no matter what."

Contributing to Evolution

Lynda hopes to contribute to the progress of theAfrican continent through her services. In her neverending drive for growth, she firmly believes that the will to achieve and progress must overcome hurdles and problems. Some of the topics covered in KAIZENE conferences include mining, oil, and gas (December 2015)United Kingdom, London Challenges and Opportunities in the Petroleum Industry (April 2016) —Abidjan, Ivory CoastAfrican Electrification (October 2016) - SouthAfrica, Cape Town, Infrastructure and Construction (December 2017) - Dakar, Senegal Infrastructure and Construction (December 2018) – Kigali, Rwanda Infrastructure and Construction (October 2019) –AddisAbeba, Ethiopia.

Lynda is a member of the board of directors of theAfrican Diaspora

Network (ADNE), situated in Brussels (Belgium), and a member of the London Institute of Directors (IOD). She is also a member of the Concordia network in the US.

Message for Woman Visionaries

Women have achieved significant progress at the grassroots level, as seen by data comparing the previous two decades.Although there is still a long way to go in terms of empowering women, we are certain that this positive trend will continue.

As a passionate woman leader herself, Lynda reveals that she began at the bottom and always believed she could work her way up. Her biggest gratitude is for the numerous accolades she and her team have received for the high quality of their work. She says, "I think what we are doing is making a difference by giving confidence, strength, belief, hope, and power to women. We also encourage networking women to work together so that we can be stronger.

Lynda is enthusiastic about KAIZENE's ongoing progress. She said she plans to develop new collaborations, train more individuals to be tomorrow's leaders, and open offices in other nations.

Her message to aspiring female leaders is to "Know your tribe, value them, and have faith." She advises believing in yourself and doing it with dexterity and seriousness; no matter what obstacles arise, stay determined and stay the course; you will succeed.

Yasaf Burshan

Effectively Integrating Digital Technology into All Areas of Your Business

Through providing an unparalleled customer experience, I applied all the wisdom and skills I gained in my career as an IT executive managing large-scale projects and programmes into the customer journey and project management methodology of Team Genius, "says Yasaf Burshan. He is the CEO and Founder of Team Genius, a firm that makes it easier for coaches, influencers, and mentors to succeed online by removing all technological barriers.

Yasaf had a successful career as an IT executive before founding Team Genius. He worked in the defence, financial, and retail sectors for 25 years, and is best known for his job as Head of IT for IKEAIsrael which he successfully fulfilled for almost a decade and had the pleasure of being a part of and contributing to the success of such an incredible business. He says "We scaled up from 1 to 6 stores, implemented massive upgrades to the infrastructure and laid the foundations for additional future growth. It was an amazing experience on both the professional and personal levels."

Yasaf has invested significant resources on personal development in the

previous five years, from events and seminars to a Platinum partnership with Tony Robbins, to earning an NLP master's certification, and more. Throughout this journey, it became obvious to him that his creativity and voice had been stifled by his surroundings as he grew up, awakening him to make the decision to let them out. Team Genius plays an important part in this healing process, not only by allowing Yasaf to express himself creatively, but also by allowing creators all around the globe to unleash their creativity as well. He says, "I do have to give one special credit to Gay Hendricks for his book "The Big Leap" that inspired the name Team Genius. Gay, if by any chance you get to read this, I can't thank you enough. You inspired me beyond words."

According to Yasaf, Team Genius' approach, along with its enthusiastic and dedicated team, creates a one-of-akind experience that results in 40% client retention. In such a competitive industry, he considers seeing such a high proportion of return business to be a great achievement.

Team Genius; a True Digital Partner

The aim of Team Genius is to inspire

and empower creators to make an impact. The team does this by bridging the technological and human divide. That is to say, it offers Digital Strategy Consulting Services and assists customers in selecting the appropriate technologies to operate their businesses efficiently. The team also provide Business in a Box solutions, in which they identify a specific collection of tools that each creator, coach, or mentor requires based on the type and stage of his business, without compromising on the personal touch each creator, and business so rightfully deserve.

Team Genius is a Thinkific agency partner, and it provides its customers with cutting-edge online course creation and marketing services, including everything from setting up the course and website to integrating with every other aspect of the business by harnessing the power of business automations, to creating highconverting sales funnels and paid advertising campaigns. Because the path to the zone of genius is not one that can be taken alone, knowledge brokers may obtain all of the resources and assistance they need in one spot. Yasaf asserts, "We are there to support,

CEO & Founder, Team Genius

Raffi Jamgotchian

Protecting Small Businesses by Becoming Cyber Shield for Them

Small businesses in the financial sector face a growing threat from cyber-attacks that covers a wide range of channels. Cyberattacks are a modern world challenge for small Fintechs and other financial services organizations that harm both credibility and integrity of the business. For attackers, small businesses are easy targets. It occurs primarily due to insufficient funds for the IT infrastructure or security framework of the business that is not as strong as required.

As cyber-attacks are more likely to happen with any organization despite its size, it must be taken as one of the high priorities from starting of the business.

With all the advancements and digital disrupting techs, this is high time for businesses to acknowledge cybersecurity as a significant element for business growth and not just considering it as an afterthought.

Raffi Jamgotchian, President and CTO of Triada Networks

understands the potential effects of cyber-breach and believes having cyber-security is essential to protect the business that must be improved over time. Triada Networks started in 2008 to help small investment firms control and harness their technology and reduce cyber risk. The company uses pragmatic security practices and an ever-evolving framework which is the primary reason behind its apparent growth.

At Triada Networks, learning is part of its culture. The team at the company, including Raffi, is part of a greater community of people. He says, "The technology space, especially in the small business world, is very giving. I believe the more we give, the more we get, and it has panned out."

Understanding Client's Requirement

The cybersecurity space is one of the fastest-growing competitive sectors

where any new advancement and even a new threat can push the competition a step ahead. Raffi reveals evolution is part of Triada Networks' process; it's baked in. The team is constantly re-evaluating the market to see if they can help with providing better security solutions without slowing their clients down. The critical part is to provide comprehensive solutions to understand the businesses the clients are working. The company states, "Because we focus primarily on one vertical, we can converse with them and understand where their risks are."

Stepping into the Industry

One can say, the only thing that is certain in the corporate world is uncertainties. So when the market crashed in 2008 and new funds were starting up, Raffi saw an opportunity and took a shot to create something. He started in cybersecurity as part of his work at an investment firm. He says, "We were getting online to the Internet and needed to build out firewalls to protect the environment.

At the time, these were all done from scratch. It wasn't something you could order and install." But, as per Raffi, the actual moment was when the Code Red virus popped up and started to spread. He asserts, "We were all scrambling trying to contain it. The situation fascinated me. Trying to figure out how the malware worked, how to stop it, and the motivations of people that would write it."

Challenges and Success

Raffi had received an MBAwhile he was working at an investment firm. During that period, he didn't prepare to be a business owner. He recalled the time starting as a business owner and how he had made many mistakes along the way. But every mistake comes with learning. For example, Raffi says, "We learned how to hone our finances, and as we developed relationships with our peers, we got better control of our numbers."

Raffi's vision to strengthen the financial sector with advanced cybersecurity defense has come true in the form of Triada Networks. He asserts, "Success is a state of mind. It's about being able to enjoy life while enjoying the work you do. Being able to provide small business owners peace of mind gives us meaning."

Ensuring the Promises get Fulfilled

At the company, Raffi sees himself responsible for two primary roles. The first one is leading his team to the company's vision, and the second one is ensuring that his team has the tools they need to do the best job they can for the clients. Except for this, everything else is secondary. He further says that people deserve

Cybersecurity and IT without compromise.At Triada Networks, the team knows the clients put their trust in the company, and the team has to keep on to that trust with humility. The team makes sure that clients will always have an honest answer to their questions without pretentiousness.

Small Breaks for Self Improvement

To ensure that everyone gets align with the company's vision and feels motivated, Raffi has to tell his team to dial it back sometimes. He opines, "There is always some work to be done, but sometimes you need to take a rest. I have to tell this to myself this sometimes too." From his own experiences and practices, he shares that the more gaps and quiet time he puts into the schedule, the better ideas come out. He further adds, "We have our days where things get tough. But we all pull together on our Teams

chat, and we throw jokes and memes around to keep the levity up."

Capturing the US Market

There is exponential demand for Cybersecurity and IT services. With its years of experience and expertise, Triada Networks is focusing on providing comprehensive solutions to its clients and visioning to do the same in the future. The company states, "We aren't planning to build an empire. We do have clients that have overseas team members, but the nature of our work is wrapped up into the US regulatory market, so for now, we'll stay here." This statement clears the company's expansion plans for the future and appears expansion across the US is certainly in the cards.

Breaking Barriers and Nurturing Growth: The Dynamic Leadership of Nicole Hart at Afrikelp

Nicole Hart, the CEO of Afrikelp, stands as an inspiring figure in the business landscape, contributing significantly to the agricultural sector. In this exclusive interview, Nicole shares her thoughts on success, details aboutAfrikelp, her leadership journey, and her vision for the future. Let's delve into the story of a woman who has not only thrived in her industry but is also paving the way for future businesswomen.

Afrikelp's Seaweed Solutions: Sowing Sustainability in Agriculture

Under Nicole's visionary leadership, Afrikelp stands as a beacon of excellence in the agricultural sector. This proudly SouthAfrican company, specializing in seaweed solutions extracted from kelp, Ecklonia maxima has flourished under her guidance. The liquid kelp extracts, which serve as the cornerstone of their agricultural

formulations, have found their way to over 45 countries, making a global impact on crop production.

Nicole's strategic approach atAfrikelp prioritizes the business's growth and the ecosystem it operates in. The company's formulations go beyond agricultural enhancements, symbolizing a commitment to sustainable practices. The success of Afrikelp is measured not only by sales volumes but also by its positive environmental footprint. Nicole's leadership narrative aligns with Afrikelp's commitment to sustainability, overcoming global and local challenges and establishing the company as a responsible agricultural player.

The success ofAfrikelp reflects Nicole's dedication to aligning business goals with environmental responsibility. The company's impact stretches far beyond its SouthAfrican roots, reaching agricultural

landscapes across the globe. In Nicole's words, "We commit that what we do today will have a positive impact on the earth's future." This forward-looking approach not only drivesAfrikelp's operations but also positions it as a key player in the global pursuit of sustainable agriculture.

Journey to Success: Navigating Life's Complexities Through Leadership

Success, in Nicole's perspective, is a tapestry woven from diverse life experiences. Whether in personal relationships, health endeavors, career accomplishments, or societal contributions, she sees success as a dynamic concept, evolving daily. For Nicole, the essence of success lies in finding contentment in the continuous pursuit of personal and professional goals, with a profound emphasis on deriving joy from giving rather than receiving.

Managing Director, Afrikelp

However, leading a company presents its own set of challenges, and Nicole has gained valuable insights from her leadership journey.Acknowledging the complexity of her role, she underscores the significance of integrating purpose, integrity, and ethics into decision-making processes. Nicole advocates for effective communication and collaboration as the linchpin in overcoming challenges, emphasizing that the additional time invested in these aspects can be the differentiator between triumph and setback.

Breaking Barriers & Thriving as a Woman in Leadership

Nicole Hart challenges the notion that women's leadership success is solely about overcoming challenges. She believes that success lies in delivering value, staying prepared, and remaining fully engaged in the professional landscape. She emphasizes there are advantages to being a female leader, highlighting the unique contributions women bring to leadership roles. By highlighting the positive aspects, she advocates for a paradigm shift, celebrating the inherent strengths and perspectives women bring to the table.

Nicole's approach is not just about personal success; it's a broader call to action. She envisions a future where women in leadership roles are not just acknowledged for overcoming challenges but are celebrated for the unique qualities they bring to the professional arena. By setting examples, challenging societal norms, and showcasing the advantages of diverse leadership, Nicole paves the way for future generations of women leaders.

AVision forAfrikelp: Nurturing Growth Sustainably

Afrikelp is focused on leveraging and investing in science to maximise the benefits that are possible from quality biostimulant technologies. The company aims to strengthen partnerships and expand its presence in the USAmarket. They prioritize people and scientific knowledge to unlock the full potential of their offerings.Afrikelp's commitment to sustainability and innovative solutions aligns with their commitment to science. Under Nicole's leadership, the company aims to be at the forefront of transformative changes in the biostimulant sector.

On the back of great success in SouthAfrica, LatinAmerica and Europe,Afrikelp is investing into the USAmarket to bring their sustainable solutions to the Ecklonia maxima major food producing regions. The company's vision

emphasizes partnerships and a collaborative approach, highlighting the interconnectedness of people, partners, products, performance, and the planet.Afrikelp's future plans acknowledge the invaluable role of their team and foster a work environment that nurtures excellence and growth. Nicole's commitment to sustainability and people-centric leadership, positionsAfrikelp as a beacon in the evolving agriculture landscape, valuing both profits and positive impact.

AJourney Rooted in Chemistry

Nicole Hart's professional journey unfolds as a narrative of academic prowess and dynamic career

experiences, all of which converge to shape her impactful role as the Managing Director ofAfrikelp. Armed with a Ph.D. in Chemistry, Nicole embarked on a trajectory that seamlessly blended technical expertise with a strategic business mindset.

Her early career saw her transitioning swiftly from technical roles to commercial positions, where she demonstrated a knack for integrating acquisitions, people and product lines to foster growth. Over 16 years, she played a pivotal role in developing new products and sales globally, leaving an indelible mark on companies such asAECI, and Omnia Fertilizer, both JSE-listed entities. In

2019 she was elected Chair of the FertilizerAssociation of Southern Africa and the following year became the first female Chair of their Board of Directors.

The varied experiences gained in leading sales teams, orchestrating acquisition integrations, and steering product development and research, positions her as a seasoned leader well-versed in the intricacies of the agriculture and fertilizer industry.

It was in 2020 that Nicole's journey converged withAfrikelp, marking a significant chapter in her career. This shift reflects her commitment to sustainable solutions for agriculture, a theme that has consistently threaded

through her professional pursuits. JoiningAfrikelp as CEO offered her the platform to bring her extensive knowledge and passion for sustainable agriculture to the forefront.

Nicole's journey is a testament to her continuous pursuit of roles that align with her values and aspirations. The transitions from technical positions to commercial leadership roles underscore her adaptability and strategic acumen. Her experiences in global portfolio management and integration equipped her with a holistic understanding of the industry, positioning her as a leader capable of steeringAfrikelp toward greater heights.

Motivation and Passion - Driving Excellence in Service

Nicole Hart, a coastal KwaZulu-Natal native, is driven by her passion for agriculture and sustainability. Her dedication to the economy, environment, and people of South Africa is fueled by her connection to the ocean and her belief in the symbiotic relationship between nature and human progress. Her role at Afrikelp allows her to channel her passion for making a positive impact on the world, making her an asset to the company.

Nicole is a dedicated individual who drives positive transformation within the biostimulant industry. She believes in pushing boundaries for constant improvement. Her proactive approach to challenges is not just strategic but also a reflection of her mindset. By refining and optimizing processes, she ensuresAfrikelp operates at the pinnacle of efficiency, delivering excellent products and services.

Harmony in Life andAmbition

In the intricate dance between personal and professional realms, Nicole embraces the challenge of maintaining equilibrium. For her, meticulous planning is key to the delicate balancing act, ensuring that vital family engagements take precedence even as the demands of a thriving career persist.

At the core of Nicole's ambitions as a businesswoman lies a perpetual commitment to nurturing a highperformance and value-adding workplace. LeadingAfrikelp, she envisions growing the brand of South African people and products on the

global stage. Her aspirations extend beyond corporate borders to significantly contributing to sustainable global food production. This vision reflects her steadfast commitment to a responsible and ethical approach to feeding the planet.

Message toAspiring

Businesswomen: Seek Excellence and Collaborate!

In parting words, Nicole encourages aspiring businesswomen to seek and deliver excellence, emphasizing the contagious nature of passion. Her advice includes continuous networking, resilience in the face of rejection, and delivering high-level performance while finding joy inside and outside of work. Her journey serves as a beacon, lighting the way for those who aspire to make a lasting impact in the business and natural world.

Nicole Hart's story is not just about success in business; it's about a journey of purpose, sustainability, and inspiring future generations.Afrikelp, under her leadership, continues to sow the seeds of growth while staying rooted in values that go beyond profit. As we navigate the future, Nicole's story stands as a testament to the transformative power of passion, perseverance, and purpose in leadership.

Managing Director, Skylink Group Tanzania

Navigating the Skies of Success

An Insightful Journey with Moustafa H. Khataw

In the dynamic world of travel and tourism, few names resonate as profoundly as Moustafa H. Khataw. With a career spanning nearly three decades, Moustafa has not only witnessed but also significantly contributed to the evolution of the industry. As the Managing Director of Skylink Group Tanzania, his leadership and vision have propelled the company to new heights. His role as President of theAssociation of Eastern & SouthernAfrica TravelAgents (AESATA) and Associate Director of the United Federation of TravelAgents' Associations (UFTAA) underscores his influence and commitment to shaping the future of travel in the region.

This article delves into Moustafa's journey, his guiding principles, and the innovative strategies that have cemented Skylink's position as a leading travel Management Company in Tanzania.

APassion for Travel

Moustafa H. Khataw's journey in the travel and tourism industry began with a deepseated curiosity and love for exploring new cultures and places. “From an early age, I

was captivated by the idea of experiencing the world beyond my immediate surroundings,” he explains. This passion for travel has evolved over the years, shifting from personal exploration to creating exceptional experiences for others. Moustafa emphasizes the transformative power of travel, noting how it broadens perspectives, fosters connections, and enriches understanding.

Over the years, Moustafa's enthusiasm for travel has embraced the evolving aspects of the industry, such as sustainable tourism and digital advancements. “My journey in this industry has been as much about personal growth as it has been about professional achievements,” he asserts, highlighting the endless opportunities for exploration and innovation that continue to inspire him.

Guiding Principles of Leadership

At the helm of Skylink Group Tanzania, Moustafa's leadership is anchored in core values: integrity, customer-centricity, innovation, and sustainability. “Integrity is fundamental to everything we do,” he asserts. This commitment to transparency

and honesty has built essential trust and credibility. Customer-centricity drives Skylink's dedication to exceptional service, while innovation keeps the company ahead of industry trends. Sustainability reflects a responsibility towards the environment and local communities, aligning with global trends and resonating with clients and partners. These principles have been crucial in shaping Skylink Group Tanzania's growth and success.

Skylink Group Tanzania's longevity and success in the competitive travel industry can be attributed to several key factors: commitment to excellence, adaptability, deep local knowledge, strong ethical foundations, and investing in people. “Our focus on providing outstanding customer service has built a strong reputation,” Moustafa notes. The company's ability to adapt and innovate, coupled with a deep understanding of the Tanzanian market, has set it apart from competitors.

“Integrity and transparency in our operations are fundamental to building and maintaining lasting relationships,” Moustafa asserts. Investing in the professional development of employees has also been crucial, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation that ensures Skylink continues to deliver top-notch service.

Balancing Multiple Roles

In addition to his role at Skylink, Moustafa is actively involved in various organizations, including the Tanzania Private Sector Foundation and the Tourism Confederation of Tanzania. “Through my roles in

TPSF and TCT, I gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the private sector and the tourism industry at large,” he explains. Balancing these responsibilities requires careful time management and clear prioritization.

Moustafa relies on a skilled and dedicated team at Skylink to manage day-to-day operations, allowing him to focus on his broader industry roles. “By empowering my team and delegating effectively, I ensure that both Skylink and my external responsibilities receive the attention they need,” he states.

Navigating Challenges

The travel industry faced unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Skylink was no exception. Moustafa highlights the severe decline in travel demand, financial strain, and the need to maintain team morale as significant challenges. “We quickly pivoted our focus to domestic travel and local experiences,” he recalls. By promoting local tourism and implementing cost-saving measures, Skylink navigated the downturn and emerged stronger. The experience reinforced the importance of adaptability and proactive planning.

“Transparent and proactive communication helped build trust and loyalty during uncertain times,” Moustafa explains. Strengthening partnerships and collaborating closely with suppliers, local businesses, and industry organizations were also crucial strategies that helped Skylink navigate the challenges of the pandemic.

Promoting Tanzanian Tourism

As Chairman of the Tourism Confederation of Tanzania, Moustafa has championed several initiatives to promote tourism in the country. These efforts include advocating for sustainable tourism practices, improving infrastructure, capacity building, policy advocacy, and community engagement. “Our emphasis on sustainability has enhanced Tanzania's reputation as a responsible travel destination,” he asserts. These initiatives have collectively contributed to the growth and resilience of Tanzania's tourism sector.

“By organizing training programs, workshops, and certification courses, we have elevated the quality of service and created a more knowledgeable workforce,” Moustafa explains. Engaging and supporting local communities has also been a key focus, ensuring that the benefits of tourism are shared with local populations and contribute to their economic development.

StayingAhead of Trends

Staying ahead of industry trends and embracing new technologies is crucial for Skylink Group. Continuous market research,

adoption of cutting-edge technology, personalization through data analytics, agile adaptation, and feedback-driven improvements are key strategies. “We invest in thorough market research to stay informed about the latest trends and

consumer preferences,” Moustafa explains.

Moustafa emphasizes the importance of leveraging data analytics to personalize travel experiences for clients. “By analyzing booking

patterns, preferences, and feedback, we can tailor recommendations and offers to meet individual needs,” he notes. This approach not only enhances the customer experience but also helps Skylink stay competitive in a rapidly evolving industry.

Financial Management and Strategic Planning

Moustafa's approach to financial management and strategic planning at Skylink is comprehensive and data-driven. Integrated financial planning, strategic resource allocation, data-driven decisionmaking, risk management, stakeholder engagement, innovation, and ethical considerations are central to his strategy.

“Effective financial management starts with a solid financial plan that aligns with our strategic goals,” he notes. This approach ensures Skylink remains agile, financially sound, and well-positioned for sustainable growth.

Moustafa also highlights the importance of scenario planning and diversification in managing financial and operational risks. “Developing various financial scenarios helps us anticipate potential challenges and opportunities,” he explains. By diversifying revenue streams and markets, Skylink reduces dependence on any single source of income or market segment, ensuring business continuity and resilience.

Future Goals

Looking ahead, Moustafa's long-term goals for Skylink Group and the broader Tanzanian travel industry

International Perspective

Serving as the Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic in Tanzania has provided Moustafa with a unique international perspective. This role has enriched his strategic vision, enhanced cross-cultural communication, strengthened international networks, and inspired the adoption of global best practices. “My role as Honorary Consul has broadened my understanding of global economic and political dynamics,” he explains. This perspective has significantly shaped his approach to business

and leadership.

Moustafa emphasizes the importance of international collaboration and cooperation. “Engaging in cross-border initiatives and participating in international travel forums enhance our global reach and contribute to our ongoing growth and success,” he asserts. Exposure to international standards and practices has also inspired Skylink to integrate advanced technologies and embrace sustainable practices, ensuring the company remains competitive on a global scale.

focus on sustainable growth, innovation, and enhancing global position. Expansion and diversification, promoting responsible tourism, technological innovation, strengthening industry partnerships, global marketing, and investing in workforce development are key priorities. “Our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and global engagement will drive our efforts to enhance Tanzania's position as a leading travel destination,” he asserts.

Moustafa also highlights the importance of fostering collaborations and participating in industry forums. “By engaging with local businesses, international partners, and tourism boards, we can enhance our offerings and expand our network,” he explains. These efforts will ensure Skylink continues to deliver exceptional travel

experiences and contribute to the growth and development of the Tanzanian travel industry.

Conclusion

Moustafa H. Khataw's journey in the travel and tourism industry is a testament to his passion, vision, and unwavering commitment to excellence. His leadership at Skylink Group Tanzania and contributions to the broader industry have left an indelible mark.As he continues to navigate the skies of success, Moustafa remains dedicated to creating exceptional travel experiences, promoting sustainable practices, and driving the growth and development of tourism in Tanzania.

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