Banu Ekşi is a seasoned External Affairs professional with over a decade of experience navigating complex regulatory landscapes across Turkey, the Middle East, Africa, and the global travel industry. Her expertise encompasses public policy, regulatory affairs, government relations, and stakeholder management. With a proven track record of building and maintaining strategic relationships, she has successfully managed complex regulatory environments while driving advocacy initiatives across multiple markets.

Since 2021, she has served as Global External Affairs Manager, Duty Free, at Philip Morris International, based in Dubai. Previously, from 2019 to 2020, she held the position of External Affairs Manager, Middle East and Africa, in Switzerland. Prior to these roles, Banu gained extensive experience in Turkey and Switzerland, where she held external affairs, government relations and fiscal affairs positions within Philip Morris International from 2012 to 2019.

Banu holds a master’s degree in international affairs from The New School, New York, USA, and a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Bilgi University, Turkey.

Ms. Sorlini has over 20 years of aviation industry experience and currently holds the position of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Abu Dhabi Airports.

She is also a member of the board at Abu Dhabi Airports, Etihad Airways, Abu Dhabi Aviation and ADQ Aviation and Aerospace Services.

Ms. Sorlini has held executive positions globally in the wider aviation ecosystem, including Vice President of Strategic Planning at Oman Aviation Group and Director of Strategy at Copenhagen Airports. Prior to that, she was Vice President at Macquarie Airports, one of the largest private airport owners and operators, where she was responsible for the asset management activities of Rome Airports and Copenhagen Airports.

Ms. Sorlini holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, majoring in Planning and Control from Bocconi University, and a Master’s degree in Corporate Finance. She also holds an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) from Copenhagen Business School.

Rania Abou Hussein is a leader in the world of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) as the Chanel Development Head for Mars in Asia & the Middle East. With an extensive background in the industry, Rania has been an integral part of the Mars team since 2002, working across different markets including Egypt, the United Kingdom, and the Gulf region.

In her current role, Rania oversees the international travel retail business for the Middle East and Asia, showcasing her strategic mindset and strong leadership skills. Beyond her responsibilities at Mars, Rania has successfully managed private businesses in Egypt, demonstrating her entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen.

Passionate about women’s empowerment and fostering inclusivity, Rania is actively involved in initiatives aimed at developing female talent and driving positive change in the region. As a key leader in the MEA Women of Mars group, she focuses on empowering women, influencing change, and making a meaningful impact on society.

Educated at the American University in Cairo, where she studied integrated marketing communication, Rania was actively involved in student union activities and committees, showcasing her leadership abilities from a young age. Currently based in Dubai with her husband and two children, Rania finds joy in traveling, exploring different cuisines through cooking, and cherishing quality time with her family.

With nearly two decades of experience in the tourism industry, Marina Giuliano has dedicated over ten years to refining the intersection of retail and travel. She now leads Retail, Brands, and Media at Amadeus, where she leverages travel analytics to enhance global retail strategies and foster sustainable growth within global brands.

As an advocate for introducing innovative data-driven approaches in retail and travel retail to drive strategic decisions, her work includes helping companies anticipate market trends and transform how international travelers are targeted by integrating real-time travel data and insights. Marina’s tenure includes collaborations with top-tier consultancies and industry giants like L’Oréal and LVMH.

Educationally enriched with a specialization in “Circular Economy and Sustainability Strategies” from the University of Cambridge, Marina is passionate about pioneering positive change in the tourism and retail landscapes. Her motivation lies in reinventing decision-making processes within global brands and collaborating with industry leaders to set new benchmarks in travel retail.