Shiba Khan
ARTIST & FOUNDER – DIRECTOR, FUNUN ARTS GROUP
Shiba Khan, honored with the UAE Cultural Visa for her contribution towards art as an artist and founder of Funun Arts Group. She is an acclaimed artist known for her abstract expressionism. Utilizing textures and colors, she conveys unique narratives on canvas. Her dedication to the arts extends to conducting workshops and masterclasses, nurturing the next generation of artists. Recognized by leading newspapers and magazines in the UAE, India, and beyond, her award-winning artworks feature in luxury hotels and various private and commercial projects.
Amr Wadea
Architect & Artist
An architect and artist, his love for art began when he felt the magical power of paint mirroring the hidden beauty of nature, serving as the sound of unuttered words or weaving a well-knit story with just a touch of a brush. His medium of painting is oil, he had participated in many art exhibitions and shared his expertise through masterclasses.
Abraham K Samuel
Architect & Educationist
With 22 years in architectural and interior design education, Abraham have led programs for 9 years, honing his leadership in creative work environments, team collaboration, and program management. He had organized numerous design talks, workshops, and tours, and completed over 120 projects across various sectors, with 20+ in the GCC region.
Mussarat Yasmin Abid
Artist & Educator
Mussarat Yasmin Abid is an artist and educator, currently serving as the head of the arts department at North American International School, Dubai. Her contributions have been recognized by leading newspapers, and she has been felicitated for her work. Additionally, she has served as an art mentor for the Annual Student Art Show for three consecutive years.
Maryam Ebrahim Taheri
Artist & Civil Engineer
An ambitious artist with a background in civil engineering, currently working as a facilities specialist in corporate, seeks extensive adventure in everything. Conte and pencil drawing provide her with an opportunity to step out of her comfort zone and explore new horizons. Her drawings are a testament to her expanding abilities and a step towards her passion.
Rafah Abdul Razzak
Artist & Gallery owner
Rafah Abdulrazzak is a Syrian artist and gallery owner of Reem gallery. She actively challenges herself to improve her art and loves to experiment with contemporary techniques. She has produced various artworks throughout her life consisting of drawing, embroidery, oil painting, acrylic, charcoal, graphite and watercolors, to name a few.
Parv Sondhi Anand Sondhi
Founder and Managing partner, PSQ Paper Trading LLC
Managing suitable Paper Trading Company.
Revenue Generation & Increasing Operational Profitability.
Eye for Detail & Quality Focus Process Orientation.
Organization Development. Human Resources and Training. Business Plan & Budgeting.
Setting up Service & Operational Procedures. Cost Controlling Procedures.
Staff Planning & Training.
Developing and executing the company’s business strategies and policies. Providing strategic advice to the board and chairperson. Preparing and implementing comprehensive business plans and budgets. Planning and managing cost- effective operations and market development activities. Establishing and enforcing company policies and legal guidelines
Purva Grover
Author
Purva Grover is an author, journalist, and creative entrepreneur.
She has authored The Trees Told Me So, It was the year 2020, She (translated into seven languages), and #icouldhavebeenaninstapost.
She is the founder-editor of digital publications: The Indian Trumpet, a quarterly magazine for Indian expats; The Junior Trumpet, a monthly magazine for children & young adults; and stories over art, a monthly magazine for those who find solace, inspiration, & purpose in the arts.
With a career spanning over 19 years (and counting) in journalism, she has left an indelible mark across genres, platforms, and brands. Her life is a whirlwind of headlines, deadlines, and timelines, with her words transcending traditional boundaries. From podcasts to theatrical productions, talks to art pieces and other disciplines, her creative output knows no bounds, and she continues pushing the envelope as a creative educator and entrepreneur.
In recognition of her contributions to literature, the Dubai Culture Arts & Authority awarded her the prestigious UAE Golden Visa for ten years in 2021. This was the first culture visa in the world, and she was honored under the Class of Creators from the People of Culture and Art category as a Writer.
She is not an 'influencer' but a storyteller who is addicted to writing tales to discover her favorite word.
She resides in Dubai, UAE.
Ritesh Gupta
Area Sales Manager, Ittihad Paper Mill LLC
Ritesh Gupta is a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in business development across the Middle East, India, Africa, and Southeast Asia. With a passion for consultative selling, he has consistently excelled in driving business development, sales, and marketing for tissue, graphical and packaging grades of papers and paperboards, packaging films, agro commodities, and services related to carbon credits and sustainability management.
His expertise encompasses establishing sustainable business operations and management protocols, including merchandise procurement, branding, logistics management, trading, trade financing, and importation and distribution. As a trailblazer in his field, Ritesh's industry insight has made him a highly sought-after guest speaker at various conferences, and he remains dedicated to staying at the forefront of market trends.
Reesha Floripes Almeida Coutinho
Founder and Creative Director, Pret A Papier Design
Founder and Creative Director of Pret a Papier Design, an award winning Fine Stationery design Studio, based in the Dubai, UAE.
Her ingrained talent for working with type, color, layout, print finishes, packaging, magazines interior design, art, book & fashion led her to pursue a BFA, Fine Art Degree in Applied Art with a specialisation in Audio Visual Communication.
Following a career in advertising and marketing, Reesha’s pursuit of simplicity and elegance in her personal style has led her away from corporate advertising, back to her lifelong passion for paper, art and design. Her professional training has helped mould her passion into a satisfying and thriving career as an artisanal stationer for more than 12 years. Her love for travel and cultural diversity has led her to work with clients and events in more than 50 counties worldwide.
Richa Bansal
Founder, Ecobee
BIO With over 20 years of global operations and sales experience in research and consulting, Richa brings a wealth of expertise in understanding client challenges and optimizing ROI through actionable insights. Her extensive career has honed her skills in building strong customer relationships, excelling in solution-based selling. Richa's comprehensive understanding of diverse markets and her ability to drive strategic initiatives have consistently delivered exceptional results for her clients.
Richa's entrepreneurial journey began with a mission to save Mother Earth, leading her to found Ecobee.ae —a platform dedicated to fostering eco-consciousness and sustainability. Ecobee.ae serves as a beacon for environmental advocacy, offering unique ecological products and engaging workshops designed to inspire and educate individuals and communities about sustainable living practices. Through Ecobee.ae, Richa aims to create a significant mindset shift towards environmental sustainability, empowering people to make more environmentally conscious choices in their daily lives.
Sahar Karoubi
Founder, Bambuyu
Sahar is a mother of two and the founder of Bambuyu Tissues. Fueled by her passion for sustainability and her desire to create a better world for her children and future generations, she challenged conventional norms in the tissue industry, giving rise to the UAE’s first tree-free & plastic-free tissue brand.
With 10 years' experience in digital marketing, and having worked with some of the world's most influential consumer brands, she strives to transform the way everyday products are manufactured and consumed, paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable future.
Shruti Dhok
Licensing Manager, K2S Media- Geekay Group
She is the Licensing Manager for Netflix, PlayStation, Pac-man, Paddington and other gaming intellectual properties in the MENA region.
Starting her career in retail with Landmark and Aditya Birla Group, she transitioned from the creative side to the business side of licensing, bringing a unique perspective to the role.
With over 15 years of work experience and seven years of licensing experience in the Middle East, she has gained exposure to wide range of brands like Warner, Universal, Disney, Nicklodeon etc.
Tomasz Skowroński
Business Area Manager Eastern Europe and Middle East, Avery Zweckform GmbH
Experienced Business Manager present in the Office and Schools’ industry for 25 years. He is responsible for Eastern European and Middle East markets for Avery which is the leading brand in labels’ industry worldwide.
Yuvraj Bahl
Director, Kaagaz Trading LLC
Yuvraj Bahl, with a decade of experience in international paper trading, is the driving force behind Kaagaz. Under his leadership, the venture embodies a commitment to quality and sustainability. His strong industry relationships and strategic tie-ups have propelled Kaagaz to new heights, making a global impact with paper products that touch lives every day.