Professor Hajar Mousannif is a Full Professor of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence at Cadi Ayyad University, Morocco, where she founded and leads the Master’s program in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science.
With nearly two decades of experience in AI research and innovation, she has authored more than 100 scientific publications and patents and has led numerous national and international research projects in collaboration with academia, industry, and international organizations. Her research focuses on trustworthy and applied artificial intelligence, with applications in industrial safety, healthcare, education, cybersecurity, and digital transformation.
Professor Mousannif is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and previously served as Vice-Chair of its Working Group on Artificial Intelligence.
An internationally recognized keynote and TEDx speaker, she has received several prestigious distinctions, including the L’Oréal–UNESCO Award and the Global AI Inclusion Award, in recognition of her contributions to advancing responsible AI and fostering innovation with societal impact.
Dr Munif Mohammed is the CEO of Lagardère Travel Retail Middle East. Munif joined Lagardère Travel Retail in 2011, as a Financial Consultant in the Pacific region, where he later became Chief Business Officer. Munif moved to Saudi Arabia in 2017 and has been instrumental in developing the group’s activities in the country, in structuring various enterprises in the region and in establishing the regional support center in Dubai in 2019.
Munif holds a BA in Economics from Auckland University and an MBA in Corporate Strategy from UNSW Business School. He also holds a Doctorate in Business Administration & Sustainability from the Business School of Lausanne.
Ramesh Cidambi is the Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free reporting directly to H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Duty Free.
Prior to his current role, Ramesh spent eight years as the retailer’s Chief Operating Officer, responsible for all aspects of the company’s operation.
He joined the company in 1988 as head of the IT division. Over the years he took on a variety of senior positions in the company with responsibility for areas such as IT and logistics and overseeing the major retail developments at both of Dubai’s airports, covering over 40,000 square meters of retail space. Ramesh also oversees the Dubai Duty Free Leisure business which includes The Creekside Hotel Dubai and The Irish Village Bar and Restaurant (in two locations), the Century Village and the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.
During his 38-year tenure, Dubai Duty Free has grown to be one of the world’s largest airport retailers in a single location with sales of US$2.378 billion in 2025.
Cidambi maintains his links with the domestic retail market through the chairmanship of a Merchants Advisory Board and as a treasurer of Dubai’s Retail Business Group.
His primary leisure interests are sailing (with his wife Alpana) and the practice of Iyengar yoga.
As President of the Duty Free World Council, Sarah Branquinho is an active advocate for the duty-free and travel retail industry and the key role it plays in enhancing transport infrastructure and the passenger experience.
Sarah began her career in duty-free and travel retail as TFWA’s first Commercial Director. A decade later, she moved into industry advocacy, serving as Secretary General of the European Travel Research Foundation from 1995, where she played a pivotal role in the successful campaign against the abolition of intra-EU duty-free sales.
She subsequently joined BAA and its retail division, World Duty Free (now part of Avolta), as Director of External Affairs. She later served as Global Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Dufry and as External Affairs Advisor, with Avolta supporting her ongoing contributions to the Duty Free World Council (DFWC).
Alongside her executive roles, Sarah has held numerous senior industry positions, including Chair of the UK Travel Retail Forum (2009–2018), President of the European Travel Retail Confederation (2012–2018), and World Business Partner observer on the ACI Europe Board.
In December 2025, Sarah was elected as President of the leading global industry association, TFWA.
She is also Chair of Women in Travel Retail+ which offers networking opportunities and career support to women in the travel retail industry.
Saskia Möller is Director Legal, Compliance & Sustainability at Gebr. Heinemann. In this role, she is responsible for the company’s global legal, compliance and sustainability agenda and advises senior management on governance, risk and strategic business matters.
Since joining Gebr. Heinemann in 2021, Saskia has been instrumental in advancing the company’s responsible business practices and sustainability ambitions across international markets and complex value chains.
A qualified lawyer with an LL.M. in Information Law and Information Technology, she brings extensive international experience in compliance, governance and risk management from multinational organizations, including Swiss Steel Group and Archer Daniel Midlands (ADM).
