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Healing Through Innovation: Reimagining Women’s Cancer Support with CHIFAA In an era where artificial intelligence is transforming industries and reshaping societies, the true measure of innovation lies not in technological sophistication alone but in its ability to improve human lives. For Maha Jouini, a Tunisian AI ethics researcher, digital transformation advocate, and founder of CHIFAA, technology is more than a tool for efficiency. It is a vehicle for inclusion, dignity, and social justice. Her journey stands at the intersection of artificial intelligence, healthcare, ethics, and women’s empowerment. Through years of research, policy engagement, and advocacy, she has championed responsible AI systems that prioritize human needs and cultural realities. Yet her most transformative work emerged not from academic research or professional achievements, but from one of the most challenging experiences of her life. A breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 38 changed her perspective on technology forever. It exposed the gap between what artificial intelligence promises and what it actually delivers for women navigating illness, vulnerability, and uncertainty. Rather than accepting those limitations, she transformed her experience into a mission. The result was CHIFAA, a survivor-led AI initiative designed to support women living with breast and cervical cancer across North Africa and the MENA region. Today, CHIFAA is becoming a powerful example of how ethical innovation can bridge healthcare gaps, amplify survivor voices, and create technology that truly serves the people it is meant to help. A Journey Shaped by Technology and Purpose Maha Jouini’s career has been defined by a deep commitment to understanding the relationship between technology and society. With an MSc in Applied Technology and Artificial Intelligence, advanced studies at globally recognized institutions, and an Executive Master’s degree in Cloud Computing, Data Governance, and Cybersecurity, she built a strong foundation in both technical expertise and strategic leadership. Her professional contributions have spanned research, education, and public policy. She has served as a Module Lead for UNESCO’s AI Ethics MOOC, contributed to responsible AI initiatives across Africa and the MENA region, and participated in global conversations surrounding ethical governance and digital transformation. As an author, researcher, and advocate, she has consistently explored how emerging technologies can be designed to promote fairness, accountability, and inclusion. Her work has earned international recognition, including the 2026 She Shapes AI Award in AI Thought Leadership. Yet despite her extensive credentials and accomplishments, she often points to a different source of expertise. “Lived experience is not a footnote to expertise. It is expertise.” That belief would become the foundation of her most important initiative. When Personal Experience Becomes a Catalyst for Change While living and working abroad, far from her family support network, Maha was diagnosed with stage-two breast cancer. Like countless women facing a similar diagnosis, she turned to available healthcare resources in search of information, guidance, and reassurance. What she discovered was deeply revealing. Most digital health resources were designed around healthcare systems, social structures, and cultural assumptions that felt distant from her own reality. The information available often failed to reflect the experiences of women in North Africa and the MENA region. Language barriers, cultural differences, family dynamics, religious considerations, and local healthcare realities were frequently absent from the design of existing technologies. As both a patient and an AI ethics researcher, she recognized that this was not simply a usability issue. It was a systemic challenge rooted in how technologies are designed and governed. When communities are excluded from datasets, development processes, and decision-making structures, their needs often become invisible. The result is technology that may function effectively in some contexts while failing entirely in others. Experiencing this gap firsthand reinforced her belief that technology is never neutral. The values, assumptions, and priorities embedded within systems directly influence who benefits and who is left behind. Rather than adapting to a system that did not reflect her reality, she set out to create one that would. The Birth of CHIFAA CHIFAA, derived from the Arabic word meaning “healing,” emerged from a simple yet profound vision: creating a support system designed specifically for women living with breast and cervical cancer in North Africa and the MENA region. Rather than adapting existing healthcare technologies developed elsewhere, CHIFAA was built from the ground up with local realities at its core. The platform combines artificial intelligence with survivor-led insights to provide culturally relevant information, emotional support, educational resources, and guidance throughout the cancer journey. What makes CHIFAA unique is its commitment to placing women at the center of every decision. The initiative recognizes that a cancer diagnosis extends beyond medical treatment. It affects families, careers, finances, relationships, and emotional wellbeing. Women require support that acknowledges these realities and responds to them with empathy and understanding. At its heart, CHIFAA is built on a powerful principle: healing begins when people feel seen, heard, and understood. The platform seeks to create an environment where women can access support without compromising their dignity, privacy, language preferences, or cultural identity. Why Survivor Voices Matter One of the defining characteristics of CHIFAA is its survivor-led approach. Traditional healthcare technologies are often developed by experts for patients. CHIFAA takes a different path by involving survivors directly in the design, governance, and strategic direction of the platform. Through its Survivor Governance Board, women living with and beyond cancer actively shape priorities, safeguards, and future developments. Their lived experiences inform every aspect of the initiative, ensuring that the platform remains relevant, trustworthy, and responsive to real-world needs. For Maha, this approach reflects a fundamental truth. Survivors possess a form of expertise that cannot be found in clinical reports or data models alone. They understand the emotional realities, practical challenges, and deeply personal experiences that accompany a cancer diagnosis. By recognizing survivor knowledge as expertise, CHIFAA challenges traditional assumptions about innovation and leadership. It demonstrates that meaningful healthcare solutions emerge when lived experience and professional expertise work together. This model not only strengthens the platform’s effectiveness but also builds trust among the women it serves. When users see their realities reflected in

Umaimah Mendhro: Building Pathways Where None Existed Reshaping global education and opportunity There are some journeys that feel almost cinematic in their arc, stories that begin in places the world rarely notices and unfold into impacts that the world cannot ignore. Umaimah Mendhro’s story is one of those rare narratives and redefines what success means in the first place. Her life is not simply about achievement, recognition, or accolades. It is about rewriting the invisible rules that decide who gets an opportunity and who does not. She was once a girl dreaming of Harvard from a village that did not appear on Google Maps. Today, she is a Harvard Business School Baker Scholar alumna, a founder of globally recognized ventures, a patent holder, an author, and a leader whose work has reached millions across continents. Yet the essence of her journey lies not in the titles she has accumulated, but rather in the systems she has chosen to challenge. And if that is true, then the work is not just to succeed, but to change who gets to succeed,” Umaimah once reflected.That belief has quietly, yet powerfully, shaped everything she has built. The Early Dream That Refused to Shrink Umaimah’s story begins far from the polished corridors of global institutions. It begins in a place where ambition often has to coexist with limitation, where dreams are not always supported by visible pathways. Yet even in that environment, she carried a vision that felt larger than her circumstances. The idea of Harvard was not just about a university. It symbolized possibility. It represented a world where ideas mattered, where talent could find expression, and where boundaries could be challenged. For many, such dreams remain abstract. For Umaimah, it became a direction. What set her apart early on was not just ambition, but clarity. She did not simply want to reach a destination; she wanted to understand how systems worked. She wanted to see how opportunities were created, distributed, and often withheld. This curiosity led her to pursue her undergraduate studies at Cornell University, where she explored Human Development while also engaging with Computer Science. It was an unusual combination, but one that would later define her approach. She was not interested in technology alone, nor in human systems alone. She was interested in the intersection, the space where human potential meets structural design. “Understanding people without understanding systems is incomplete,” she has said. “And understanding systems without understanding people is ineffective.” This dual lens would become the foundation of her career. Learning to Build at the Intersection of Product and Purpose Umaimah’s early professional journey took her into the heart of the technology and startup ecosystem. She worked at Microsoft, where she served as Director of Product in the Startup Business Group, contributing to incubation efforts around emerging technologies like Xbox Kinect. It was a place where innovation was moving fast, and experimentation was encouraged. But even in these environments, she was not just observing trends. She was learning how ideas become products, how products scale, and how organizations lead growth. Her time at West, a creative collective working with some of the most disruptive tech startups in Silicon Valley, further deepened this understanding. There, she led product strategy and worked closely with early-stage ventures, often stepping into roles that required both strategic thinking and execution. One of her defining strengths during this period was her ability to move from zero to scale. She led initiatives that grew from concept to millions of users, managed P&L for dollar businesses, and drove growth that more than doubled revenue.Yet, even as she achieved success within these systems, a question began to surface. Who gets access to these opportunities?Who gets to learn, build, and lead in these environments?And more importantly, who does not? The Birth of Purpose-Driven Ventures The answers to those questions did not come in theory. They came in action. Umaimah founded VIDA, a global platform that connects creatives and manufacturers to produce original, high-quality products at scale. On the surface, VIDA is a business innovation story. It leverages technology to enable on-demand manufacturing and global collaboration. But beneath that, it is something more intentional. VIDA was designed to create economic opportunities for people who are often excluded from traditional systems. It integrates education and empowerment programs into its model, ensuring that value is not extracted, but shared. The impact is tangible. The company has supported global education initiatives, donated meals to families in need, and contributed to communities in meaningful ways. “Business can be a force for good,” Umaimah has said. “But only if we design it that way from the beginning.” This philosophy extends beyond VIDA. It is evident in her work with dreamfly, a global initiative she co-founded to connect communities in conflict through shared causes. Operating across multiple countries, dreamfly has touched thousands of lives, focusing on creating sustainable, community-driven impact. What makes dreamfly unique is its approach. Instead of temporary aid, it emphasizes long-term sustainability. Initiatives are designed to become financially self-sustaining within a year, ensuring that impact continues beyond initial intervention.These ventures reveal a consistent pattern. Umaimah does not build for visibility. She builds for longevity.One League: Redefining Access to EducationIf VIDA and dreamfly represent her commitment to impact, One League represents her most ambitious attempt yet to reshape a system.Education has long been seen as the gateway to opportunity. Yet access to world-class education remains limited, often determined by geography, privilege, and resources. Umaimah understood this not as an abstract issue, but as a lived reality. One League was created to challenge that.As a global education institution, One League connects high-potential individuals from around the world to world-class education and opportunities. Its curriculum draws from leading institutions, and its programs are designed to equip participants with the skills, networks, and opportunities needed to create meaningful impact.But what truly sets One League apart is its philosophy. It does not focus on credentials alone. It focuses on potential.It does not measure success by selectivity. It measures

The Visionary Group CFO Driving Sustainable Growth Through Strategic Leadership The role of the Chief Financial Officer has evolved significantly over the past decade. Modern CFOs are no longer responsible solely for financial reporting and budget management. They are strategic partners who help shape business direction, strengthen governance, drive operational excellence, and enable organizations to navigate an increasingly complex global business environment. As companies face economic uncertainty, digital transformation, and changing regulatory requirements, finance leaders have become instrumental in building resilient, future-ready organizations. Among the executives redefining this role is Samah Langner Moustafa, Group Chief Financial Officer, whose career reflects an exceptional combination of financial expertise, operational insight, and strategic leadership. Recognized among EMEA’s Most Iconic Business Leaders to Watch in 2026, Samah has consistently demonstrated that finance can serve as a powerful driver of business transformation rather than simply a function focused on numbers. Throughout her career, Samah has viewed finance as the foundation for informed decision-making. She believes financial leadership extends far beyond balance sheets and forecasts. It is about creating systems that support people, improving governance, encouraging accountability, and ensuring that organizations can grow sustainably while adapting to changing market conditions. At the center of her leadership philosophy is a belief that successful organizations are built by empowering people through well-designed systems. Rather than relying on hierarchy or excessive control, she focuses on creating environments where employees are trusted, collaboration is encouraged, and decision-making is supported by accurate information and clear processes. This philosophy has guided every stage of her professional journey. A Career Built on Learning and Growth Samah began her career in accounting and financial management, where she developed a strong technical foundation rooted in discipline, analytical thinking, and financial integrity. While mastering the technical aspects of finance, she quickly realized that financial reports represented much more than historical results. They revealed an organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and future potential. Determined to broaden her expertise, she expanded her experience beyond traditional finance into operations, governance, compliance, business planning, and executive leadership. This multidisciplinary approach allowed her to understand how every department contributes to organizational success and reinforced her belief that finance should work alongside every business function instead of operating independently. As her responsibilities grew, so did her influence. She moved from managing financial performance to shaping strategic direction, helping executive leadership teams make informed decisions that balanced growth with sound governance. Every role became an opportunity to strengthen both her technical capabilities and leadership skills, preparing her to become a transformational Group CFO. Her broad experience enables her to bridge operational realities with long-term strategy. By understanding how day-to-day activities influence financial performance, she brings a comprehensive perspective that allows organizations to align execution with business objectives. Redefining the Modern CFO Today’s CFOs play a far greater role than financial stewardship alone. They are expected to contribute directly to business strategy, digital transformation, operational efficiency, and enterprise-wide decision-making. Samah embraces this expanded responsibility. She believes finance should function as the central source of reliable information that enables confident decision-making throughout the organization. Instead of concentrating solely on budgets and compliance, she focuses on building scalable financial systems that improve governance, streamline operations, strengthen accountability, and support sustainable performance. For Samah, every financial process should create measurable business value. Reporting should provide meaningful insights rather than simply documenting historical results, and every investment should support long-term strategic goals. By integrating finance with business strategy, she ensures leadership teams have the information needed to respond quickly and confidently to changing business conditions. She also believes financial knowledge should be shared across the organization. When operational leaders understand the financial impact of their decisions, organizations become more disciplined, collaborative, and focused on creating sustainable value. Building Organizations Through Systems One of Samah’s defining leadership principles is that exceptional organizations are built through effective systems rather than excessive supervision. Rather than directing every decision personally, she creates clear structures that enable teams to perform consistently and confidently. Whether developing financial planning processes, governance frameworks, compliance systems, or performance measurement tools, her focus remains on clarity, accountability, and continuous improvement. When organizations establish transparent processes and well-defined expectations, employees gain the confidence to take ownership of their responsibilities and collaborate more effectively across departments. For Samah, leadership is measured not by how many decisions a leader makes, but by how successfully an organization performs even in the leader’s absence. Strong systems create resilience, reduce uncertainty, and allow businesses to scale without compromising financial discipline. Her approach has enabled organizations to manage growth while maintaining operational excellence. By replacing micromanagement with structured processes, she creates environments where innovation and accountability thrive together. Leading with Integrity Integrity is the cornerstone of Samah’s leadership philosophy. She believes trust is earned through transparency, accountability, consistency, and ethical decision-making rather than financial performance alone. These values shape every organization she serves. Transparency builds confidence among employees, investors, and stakeholders. Accountability encourages individuals to take ownership of their responsibilities. Innovation drives continuous improvement by challenging outdated practices. Respect strengthens collaboration and promotes a culture where people feel valued. Rather than treating corporate values as statements displayed on office walls, Samah believes they must guide everyday decisions, from financial planning and governance to talent development and investment strategy. She also recognizes that ethical leadership strengthens corporate reputation. In today’s highly regulated business environment, governance is more than a compliance requirement it reflects an organization’s integrity and long-term credibility. Building High-Performance Cultures Financial success alone is never enough to sustain long-term growth. Samah believes organizations thrive when strong financial discipline is supported by an engaged workforce and a collaborative culture. She emphasizes open communication, ensuring employees understand organizational objectives and how their contributions support broader business goals. Clear expectations create stronger engagement, greater accountability, and improved performance. She also believes in balancing global governance with local empowerment. As organizations expand across different markets, leaders should have the flexibility to respond to regional challenges while remaining aligned with the company’s overall strategy and governance standards. By encouraging

Mira Khleif: Designing Connection Through Playful Parenting Redefining everyday family life with intention, empathy, and meaningful tools In today’s fast-paced world, parenting often feels like a constant balancing act. Between managing routines, navigating emotions, and staying present, many parents find themselves searching for approaches that are not only effective but also sustainable in real life. While advice is everywhere, practical solutions that truly fit into daily family life remain limited. This is where Mira Khleif, Founder of MKandM My Kids and Me, is creating a meaningful shift. Mira’s work stands at the intersection of design, emotional intelligence, and modern parenting. Her approach is not rooted in perfection or rigid systems, but in understanding the real experiences of families. Through MKandM, she is redefining how parents and children connect, learn, and grow together by transforming everyday moments into opportunities for engagement, structure, and emotional awareness. From Designing Spaces to Designing Everyday Life Mira’s professional journey began in architecture and design, where she developed a strong foundation in intentional thinking. Architecture is not simply about buildings. It is about how people move through spaces, how environments influence behavior, and how design can shape experience. This perspective stayed with her as she progressed in her career, working across projects that required both creativity and precision. However, one of the most transformative shifts in her life came with motherhood. Becoming a parent changed not only her priorities but also the way she observed the world around her. Instead of focusing solely on physical environments, she began to notice the invisible spaces within family life. These included routines, transitions, emotional dynamics, and the subtle ways children respond to their surroundings. Like many parents, she experienced the challenges that come with raising young children. There were moments of resistance to routines, emotional overwhelm, and disconnection that felt difficult to navigate. During this time, she realized something significant. There was a gap between what parenting theories suggest and what actually works in everyday life, especially during busy and demanding days. This realization did not lead to an immediate pivot, but rather a gradual evolution. Mira began to apply her design mindset to parenting itself. Instead of designing physical spaces, she started designing experiences. Experiences that could support connection, create structure, and encourage emotional understanding within the home. This marked the beginning of MKandM. A Brand Built on Real Experiences MKandM did not start as a business idea in the traditional sense. It began as a personal need. Mira was looking for tools that could help her children feel more secure, more involved, and more connected in their daily routines. She wanted solutions that were simple enough to use consistently and engaging enough for children to respond to positively. Through trial and error, she created small tools and activities for her own family. These were not perfect solutions, but they were practical and grounded in real moments. Over time, these ideas evolved into something larger. What makes MKandM unique is that it is deeply rooted in lived experience. Every product, activity, and concept comes from situations that parents genuinely face. This authenticity is what allows the brand to resonate with families. It does not present an idealized version of parenting. Instead, it acknowledges the challenges while offering realistic ways to navigate them. At its core, MKandM is built on a simple but powerful belief. Children do not need perfect parents. They need parents who are present, engaged, and willing to connect. Bridging the Gap Between Structure and Play One of the key insights Mira identified early on was the divide between structure and creativity in parenting and early education tools. Many existing approaches tend to lean heavily in one direction. Some emphasize strict routines and discipline, which can feel overwhelming or difficult to maintain. Others focus on free play and creativity, which, while valuable, often lack the guidance needed for daily routines. This gap created an opportunity. MKandM bridges structure and play by combining the two in a way that feels natural. Instead of separating learning from daily life, it integrates both into everyday moments. Routines become interactive. Learning becomes engaging. Children are not simply instructed. They are involved. This approach shifts the dynamic within the home. It moves away from control and toward collaboration. Children begin to understand the purpose behind routines rather than simply following instructions. As a result, they develop confidence, independence, and a sense of ownership over their actions. This balance between structure and creativity is one of the defining elements of MKandM’s philosophy. The Importance of Play and Emotional Intelligence Mira strongly believes that the skills children need today extend far beyond academic knowledge. While education remains important, the ability to navigate emotions, build relationships, and adapt to change has become equally critical. Play plays a central role in this development. It is not just a form of entertainment. It is a fundamental way in which children learn about the world. Through play, they explore ideas, test boundaries, solve problems, and process their experiences. Emotional intelligence is another key component. It allows children to understand their own feelings and recognize the emotions of others. It helps them manage challenges, communicate effectively, and build meaningful relationships. In a rapidly changing world, these skills are essential. Creativity, empathy, resilience, and adaptability are not easily taught through traditional methods. They are developed through experience, interaction, and reflection. MKandM is designed to support this process. By creating tools that encourage both play and emotional awareness, the brand helps children build these skills in a natural and engaging way. Addressing Screen Time Through Engagement One of the most common challenges faced by modern parents is managing screen time. Digital devices are deeply integrated into daily life, and children are naturally drawn to them because they are stimulating and easily accessible. Mira approaches this challenge from a different perspective. Instead of focusing solely on limiting screen time, she emphasizes the importance of offering meaningful alternatives. Children are more likely to move away from screens when they are engaged

Andiswa Zanele Msi: Leading the Future of Higher Education Through Digital Transformation, Purpose, and People-Centered Leadership For Andiswa Zanele Msi, leadership is not defined by titles or positions, but by the ability to create meaningful impact at the intersection of people, systems, and vision. As the Campus Chief Director at North-West University’s Vanderbijlpark Campus, she stands as a dynamic force shaping the future of higher education through strategic leadership, digital transformation, and an unwavering commitment to student empowerment. Her journey is one of intentional growth, resilience, and purpose. It reflects a leader who has steadily evolved through roles that demanded both technical expertise and human understanding, ultimately positioning her as a transformative figure in academia and beyond. A Journey Built on Strategy, Systems, and Purpose Andiswa’s professional journey is a reflection of deliberate progression into integrated leadership. With a strong foundation in project management, operations, governance, and digital transformation, she has consistently operated at the intersection of institutional strategy and service delivery. Her earlier roles required her to navigate complex systems while ensuring alignment with broader organizational goals. This experience not only strengthened her operational expertise but also deepened her understanding of how institutions function as interconnected ecosystems. A defining phase of her career came during her tenure as Director of IT Academic Systems. In this role, she led initiatives that enhanced digital alignment within the academic environment, supporting teaching, learning, and research through robust technological frameworks. Her work extended beyond implementation to include governance, risk management, and cybersecurity awareness, all critical components in today’s digital landscape. These experiences laid the groundwork for her current role, equipping her with the ability to lead at a strategic level while maintaining a clear focus on operational excellence and institutional resilience. Stepping into Integrated Campus Leadership Her appointment as Campus Chief Director at the Vanderbijlpark Campus represents a significant milestone in her career. In this role, she oversees a wide range of functions, including student life, residences, facilities, protection services, and information technology, ensuring that all elements work cohesively to support the academic mission. At the heart of her leadership is the belief that universities must create environments where students can thrive both academically and personally. This requires more than efficient operations; it demands a holistic approach that integrates support services with academic objectives. A key priority for Andiswa is fostering alignment across all campus functions. By breaking down silos and promoting collaboration, she ensures that every aspect of the campus experience contributes to student success. This integrated approach not only enhances efficiency but also creates a seamless and supportive environment for both students and staff. Driving a Unified Vision for Institutional Excellence Central to her leadership is the institutional vision of “One NWU,” which emphasizes unity across the university’s three campuses. This vision is about more than consistency; it represents a commitment to shared values, standards, and strategic direction. While each campus has its unique context, Andiswa recognizes the importance of maintaining coherence across the institution. Her role involves ensuring that policies, processes, and service delivery standards are aligned, creating a unified experience for students regardless of location. This focus on integration extends to her broader priorities, which include enhancing the student experience, strengthening governance, and advancing digital enablement. Through these efforts, she is contributing to the development of a future ready institution that is both cohesive and adaptive. The Role of Digital Transformation in Modern Education Andiswa’s background in digital transformation has significantly influenced her leadership approach. She views technology not as an isolated function but as a strategic enabler of institutional success. During her time as Director of IT Academic Systems, she oversaw critical platforms such as learning management systems and research support tools. She also played a key role in promoting cybersecurity awareness, ensuring that both staff and students were equipped to navigate digital environments safely. This experience has shaped her perspective on the role of technology in higher education. She believes that digital transformation must be purpose driven, aligning with institutional goals while addressing the needs of students and staff. In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, universities must embrace innovation while maintaining strong governance frameworks. For Andiswa, this means balancing technological advancement with ethical considerations, data security, and long term sustainability. Preparing Institutions and Students for a Digital Future As higher education continues to evolve, the importance of digital innovation and cybersecurity cannot be overstated. Andiswa emphasizes that these elements are no longer optional but essential for institutional resilience and student success. At North-West University, efforts are focused on strengthening digital infrastructure, promoting awareness, and ensuring that governance frameworks support both innovation and compliance. This approach reflects a commitment to responsible digital transformation. Equally important is preparing students for the future. Beyond academic knowledge, they must develop digital literacy, critical thinking, and the ability to navigate complex technological environments. By integrating these elements into the student experience, the university is equipping graduates with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Extending Influence Beyond the Institution In addition to her leadership role, Andiswa is an author, global speaker, and advisory board member. These roles allow her to contribute to broader conversations حول education, leadership, and digital transformation. Through her work, she shares insights on topics such as student experience, artificial intelligence, and the future of higher education. Her involvement in executive education programmes further enables her to engage with professionals and leaders, helping them build digital capabilities and navigate change. These external engagements complement her institutional responsibilities by keeping her connected to global trends and emerging ideas. They also provide a platform for her to influence thought leadership and contribute to the advancement of the sector. Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders Mentorship and leadership development are central to Andiswa’s philosophy. She believes that universities have a responsibility to go beyond academic instruction and actively shape future leaders. At the campus level, this involves creating opportunities for students to develop leadership skills through structured programmes and initiatives. Student governance structures, such as the Student Campus