On every ITIC agenda, our speakers bring their unique insights and extensive expertise directly to the challenges facing our industry. Take a look at our ITIC MENA speakers below
Marco's expertise is in Strategic Advisory, Business Development, and Executive Management. He held Director positions in Corporate and Leadership positions in Start-Ups and NGOs. He brings an international and intercultural mindset. Marco has worked and lived in Italy, the USA, Denmark, Ghana, and Malta.
Laila is the founder & CEO of Health Beyond Borders in Dubai. Health Beyond Borders is a bespoke Dubai based health care advisory firm focused on the following services; Healthcare Strategy and Research, Health Investment Facilitation, Healthcare Marketing and Business Development in UAE, Medical Tourism Consulting and advising. HBB can help your business navigate through the challenges and leverage the opportunities and bring considerable economic benefit in a sustainable and effective manner.
Prior to this Laila was the CEO of Health Policy and Strategy sector at Dubai Health Authority (DHA). She was responsible for the development of the policy and legislation for the health system in the Emirate of Dubai driven from Dubai Strategic Plan (DSP). Overseeing the implementation of the DHA Health strategy and conducting sector planning and forecasting. She has extensive knowledge of the healthcare systems, Health reforms, strategic direction, planning and delivery of healthcare services.
She was leading the process of Dubai health reform that took place in 2007, and the Dubai medical tourism initiative which was launched in 2012 to place Dubai in the world health tourism map.
Laila is a graduate from the College of Allied Health Science, Kuwait University and secured her Masters in Executive Healthcare Administration with honorary from Zayed University in affiliation with state university of Arizona. She is a graduate of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Executive leadership program, and Sheikh Rashid Award for Scientific Outstanding .
Laila was also awarded the Feigenbaum Excellence Leadership Award for " Women's leaders". Recently she is been awarded as one of the 50of “GCC Women leaders” by World CSR Day & World Sustainability in Dubai. Also Laila been awarded as one of the 50 Women in Health Care & Wellness in Mumbai, and one of the World's Greatest Women Achievers by URS Asia One.
Dr Ibtesam AlBastaki
Director Investment and Public Private Partnerships
Dubai Health Authority
Dr Ibtesam AlBastaki
Director Investment and Public Private Partnerships
Dr. Ibtesam Al Bastaki’s current role as the Director of Investment and Partnership in the Dubai Health Authority focuses on driving healthcare investments into and within Dubai. Her expertise lies in developing its public-private partnership projects.
She graduated as a medical physician from RCSI and became Arab Board certified in Family Medicine. She completed a Master’s degree in Healthcare Management from the same institute. Furthermore, she is a graduate of the MBR Leadership Program.
Dr. AlBastaki’s wealth of experience spans the extensive years she worked in both the public and private sector entities such as the Prime Minister Office, MOH, VPS Healthcare, and DHA.
Dr. AlBastaki is a woman leader in healthcare, serving as a scientific chair for International Family Medicine, as well as, heading the Jury Committee for Special needs since 2014.
Soraia Arroyo Lynch
Director of Business Development & Client Accounts
GMMI, Inc.
Soraia Arroyo Lynch
Director of Business Development & Client Accounts
Soraia joined GMMI in 1996 and has worked in many capacities from Account Management, Product Development, to Business Development and Marketing. In October 2014 Soraia was promoted to Vice President of Marketing & Client Accounts. Soraia is responsible for managing the GMMI brand of cost containment solutions and superior customer service across all marketing channels. Her commitment to quality and proven ability to improve work-flows and implement complex processes earned her the appointment of Quality Manager / ISO Management Representative for GMMI’s ISO 9001 : 2008 QMS in December 2012.
Soraia's hands-on experience is backed by a solid business education: a Bachelor of Arts in International Business from Loras College, and an MBA from Nova Southeastern University. As a member of GMMI's Senior Management Team, Soraia brings with her vast experience in the international cost containment industry and managed care industry, and is part of a growing success of our company. She is fluent in English, Portuguese and Spanish.
Sebastien Bedu is the General Manager of GCC for the Middle East team, based at the International SOS office in Dubai. He joined International SOS as the Branch Manager of MedAire, the Aviation & Maritime division of International SOS in 2015. During this time, Sebastien was predominantly responsible for the growth and delivery of the Middle East & Africa’s book of business of the company. In July 2020, Sebastien was given an additional hat and lead the development of the World’s First Travel Pass App called AOKpass following the COVID-19 Pandemic. The pass was adopted by over 50 airlines and helped shape the travel recovery from 2021 onwards.
In August 2021, he was then promoted into his current role of General Manager, GCC for International SOS where he now manages and oversees the Commercial and Operations teams for the region.
Prior to joining International SOS, Sebastien worked for several large corporations such as GE where he was the Director of Sales for the Middle East.
Sebastien holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the U.S. and a Master’s degree in International Business from Paris, La Sorbonne.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastien-bedu-491874b7/
Jonathan Cooper (JC) is the managing director and founder of WIS Group Ltd; through its group companies WIS provides technology and marketing management solutions to insurers and distributors across the GCC that enables efficient distribution of travel related products. With a career spanning over 30 years in insurance, JC has worked with the world’s leading providers in the travel & retail sectors and crafted some of the most innovative and impactful customer solutions. JC has been based in Dubai for the last 9 years, has a passion for travel, and considers it his personal mission to improve traveller protection in the market, while realising the full commercial potential that this presents.
Christian Deloughery
International Business Development EUROPE/MENA/ASIA
Penfield Care
Christian Deloughery
International Business Development EUROPE/MENA/ASIA
Christian Deloughery, Business Developer at Penfield, responsible for Europe, Asian, MENA and African markets.
Born in Ireland by Danish/Irish parents he was raised and educated in Denmark. Christian has a broad operational experience from the Danish Armed Forces with whom he served 18 years at various postings throughout the NATO alliance. In addition to this he has a Vast experience from his Diplomatic career serving as a Consul and DHOM at various Danish Embassies and at the Foreign Ministries Crisis Management Center, throughout his career he has been dealing with everything from tsunamis, earthquakes, kidnappings etc.
After leaving the Danish Foreign Service, he worked as VP at Swan International Assistance building up their Global Assistance program as well as being a special advisor to the Chairman. Later he established Assistance Group MENASA in Dubai, worked for Trust Re / Afro Asian Assistance in setting up a TPA in Oman and later worked as special advisor to the CEO. Following that he worked for Securite, Lebanon as Head of Operations in charge of setting up their Alarm Center and their Assistance Services. However, due to the unfolding crisis in Lebanon he and his family chose to move back to Scandinavia, where he now represents Penfield.
Christian has a very broad understanding of the Insurance and Assistance Industry, and he is a keen believer in transparency and cost savings, thus a proud member of Penfield.
With more than 40 years of work-related experience Christian is a interesting person to discuss new trends and other assistance related ideas with.
In his spare time Christian is passionate of helping the weaker in society, and just now he is very much engaged and active in assisting in the Humanitarian crisis related to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Charlotte Estipular is the Business Development Manager of LGA Assistance and leads the organization across all its geographies.
Charlotte has more than 10 years of experience in customer service and operations across industries like Health Insurance Sector, Academe, and Financial Services. Prior to joining LGA, Charlotte has worked with Hinduja Global Solutions through Humana, one of the biggest Insurance Companies in United States of America.
Charlotte holds a post-graduate degree in Management from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and gained her Master’s degree in Public Administration from the same university with significant level of high academic achievement.
Michel Faucher
Chief Commercial Officer
Michel joined the company in 2019. He was previously Managing Director for the Middle East & Africa region and is currently the Chief Commercial Officer for the business. He is based in our Dubai office.
As Chief Commercial Officer he oversees all commercial aspects of the business including underwriting, marketing, and regional compliance.
Michel is a seasoned executive with more than 30 years’ experience working on both the insurer and consulting side of the industry. He has extensive global commercial experience having previously worked across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, North America, and Europe.
He has wide ranging expertise and has managed multiple lines of insurance including accident & health, retail, expatriate medical, as well as multiple distribution channels including intermediated, agency, affinity, and Digital/Direct Marketing. A respected and well-known commercial leader, Michel has a proven track record in delivering dynamic distribution strategies and leading mergers and acquisitions in emerging markets.
Simon is a Partner and Head of Insurance at our Dubai office. Previously Head of Kennedys’ Corporate and Regulatory Insurance MENA practice, he is a qualified barrister who was called to the Bar in 1998, practicing commercial and company law matters in the English courts. A specialist in international health regulation and health insurance law as well as general corporate law, Simon advises insurance companies and intermediaries on placement of risks and products in foreign markets including underwriting agents and brokers. He has extensive experienced in corporate insurance transactional work including setting up international insurers and agents in foreign markets through local incorporation, reinsurance arrangements and partnering with local licensed primary insurers in all lines of insurance, specifically life and health. With nearly 20 years’ experience representing international insurers and international intermediaries in the insurance markets globally, Simon is a member of the DIFC Insurance Association and sits on the Regulatory and Life & Health committees. He holds a BA(Hons) from Sheffield University and LLB(Hons) from the University of Hertfordshire.
Dr. Fatih Mehmet GUL Chief Operating Officer Fakeeh University Hospital A Senior Executive Physician, Dr. Gul spent several years in healthcare business development and management for
Clinic operation development, medical recruitment, business development and management
International medical services (medical tourism, assistance, evacuation, repatriation)
On-Site / remote medical services (occupational health, onshore – offshore clinic management)
Having had the opportunity to become affiliated with different countries and cultures, Dr. Gul holds significant experience in health, insurance, aviation sectors, mainly in the Middle East and North Africa region. Dr. Gul is passionate for CSR & Sustainability and founder and Executive Director of CSR Middle East platform (2005) leading thousands of corporate members on their regional initiatives. Dr. Gul is on the prestigious list of 2011 TOP 100 THOUGHT LEADERS in Europe and the Middle East.
Dr. Claudia Mika is the Founder and CEO of Temos International Healthcare Accreditation, a German-based international accreditation body. Claudia brings years of dedication to developing and improving the Temos accreditation programs, assessing hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, reproductive care centers, and dental clinics worldwide. Having worked globally with healthcare providers, she has first-hand experience in building quality management systems as well as international patient departments from Brazil to the Philippines. With her team of experts in clinical and non-clinical services, Dr. Mika has created accreditation programs for hospitals and clinics that cater to domestic and international patients across a wide spectrum of healthcare disciplines. She actively participates in the accreditation process, spending time with clients to share her years of experience with the Continuous Quality Improvement process that is at the heart of successful accreditation. Her commitment to quality outcomes, patient safety, risk reduction, and the patient experience as well as her track record for excellence and innovation is mirrored by the accreditation standards; always aiming at adding value for the users of the standards. Dr. Mika is regularly invited to international Conferences and advises different associations and governmental institutions regarding quality related topics, patient experience and international patient management. She is the Vice Chairwoman of the Diplomatic Council Healthcare Forum, supported the 2018 Dubai Health Authority (DHA) Medical Tourism Conference as a member of the Scientific Board and has been a judge for the International Medical Travel Awards since 2013. In 2017, Dr. Mika was awarded the Dr. Sanjiv Malik Lifetime Award for her significant contribution to the development of the medical travel sector. In 2019, Dr. Mika successfully spearheaded the rigorous process of submitting Temos standards for accreditation by the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua now known as IEEA) to firmly cement Temos’ place among the world’s elite international accreditation organizations.
John Spears joined Global Excel in 2003 as VP Marketing. His expertise in the field of U.S. health care, combined with his strong understanding of the needs of Global Excel’s clients, provides the solid foundation upon which many of Global Excel’s new sales and marketing strategies are built. John’s lively and informative presentations are also seen as essential tools for clients and Global Excel employees alike, helping them better understand the realities of both the U.S. health care system and the cost containment industry in general.
Throughout his career, John has developed innovative sales and marketing strategies, created and built new brands, developed market research systems, and managed several diverse departments. His international experience and multilingual background make him a strong presence in Global Excel's continued development.
John holds a degree in Honors Economics and has a great deal of international experience at the executive level. Before joining Global Excel, he worked in the U.S. as the director of sales and marketing for a leading designer and manufacturer of factory automation technologies. Previous to that, he spent ten years working in Germany, initially as a marketing consultant at a design and advertising agency and, later, as the international marketing manager for a major consumer goods manufacturer.
Corporate URL: www.globalexcel.com
Coporate Linkedin: https://ca.linkedin.com/company/global-excel-management-inc-
Dr. Hayder Al Zubaidy, M.B.Ch.B., MSc Healthcare Management, is the Chairman and Managing Director of Occucare Middle East. He began serving in this position since June 2019.
A medical practitioner by background, Dr. Hayder Zubaidy most recently served as Chief Executive Officer at Al Futtaim Healthcare in Dubai and Nation Hospital in Abu Dhabi. From its commissioning to its operational strategy roadmap focused on Legacy, Engagement, and Patient Experience, Dr. Hayder championed the projects. Prior to this, Dr. Hayder worked at Canadian Specialist Hospital, Dubai, which he transformed from a poly-medical center to a 150 bedded multi-specialty tertiary care center. Dr. Hayder Zubaidy is one of the few CEOs in the region with expertise on healthcare planning, hospital strategy, operations and quality performance.
Dr. Hayder earned an undergraduate degree at Al Mustansiriya University. He later received a master’s of Healthcare Management from Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dubai in Healthcare Management and completed additional study in statistical medicine at Brownel University, UK.
He has received several national and international awards for his roles and contributions in healthcare.
Under Dr. Hayder’s leadership, Al Futtaim Group Healthcare is continuing its focus on implementing best clinical and operational practices designed to advance its mission of helping people live the healthiest lives possible.