CEO & Executive Director, American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)
Group Chief Executive Officer, The Oil and Gas Holding Company (nogaholding)
Darlene Schuster, Executive Director & CEO, American Institute of Chemical Engineers. Dr. Schuster is an accomplished chemical engineer, who holds a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from West Virginia University and has earned degrees from West Virginia University and the University of Pittsburgh. Previously worked as the of Chief of Technical Operations, Membership & Business Development. Dr. Schuster has also worked as the Director of the Institute for Sustainability and held various other roles at AIChE. Chief Global Events Officer, Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)
CEO, Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC)
Michelle Boyd joined the Society of Petroleum Engineers in 2011 and was recently promoted to the position of Chief Global Events Officer. Previously she was Director, Middle East, Africa and South Asia Events and led key events such as the International Petroleum Technology Conference and Exhibition (IPTC), the Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition (ATCE), and SPE’s contribution to Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC).
Before SPE, Michelle was head of conferences for Reed Exhibitions in Abu Dhabi and executive director of conferences and training for IIR, now Informa Group. She holds a BA degree from the University of New England and a MA degree in communication management from the University of Technology, Sydney.
Nadia Al-Hajji is Deputy CEO for Kuwait’s Petrochemical Industries Company, leading PIC’s business development and mega projects sector. She was also a WINNER in the Energy Woman of the Year Award at this year’s Middle East Energy Awards.After spending about 24 years working in Kuwait National Petroleum Company leading technical services departments two of its 3 refineries, as well as leading the process design for Clean Fuels Project and Al-Zour refinery project. Nadia spent over 2 years playing a lead role in the new oil sector company (KIPIC) startup phase, setting the company’s strategic plans and medium term performance and optimisation. As Deputy CEO for KIPIC, she was responsible for the worlds largest LNG import terminal and also lead the world scale petrochemicals plant to build Aromatics and Olefins project in addition to an FCC block, along with integration project with the Al-Zour refinery.
Executive Director, iSAW
International Strategic Accelerator for Women
Senior Vice President, WPC Energy
Nancy is the Founder and CEO of iSAW, international Strategic Accelerator for Women, an organization aimed at accelerating gender equality worldwide, using award winning digital technology capabilities to enable women’s organization and corporations to have a greater reach and bigger impact.
Prior to iSAW, Nancy spent 27 years in information technology in High-Tech and Energy industries, as a senior leader running major global IT programs and activities. She is an expert in IT Competitive Intelligence Benchmarking.
Nancy has been involved in women advancement initiatives for over a decade. Along with the women’s organizations she co-founded, she co-launched a corporate IT Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) program. She has been a keynote speaker on “Women in the Workplace” in Saudi Arabia, Zimbabwe, Brazil, Spain, South Africa, South Korea, Bahrain, United Kingdom, United States and on virtual forums across 50 countries.
Pinar Yilmaz is Advisor Upstream External Projects, Business Development, at ExxonMobil Exploration Company. She is responsible for coordinating upstream geoscience external activities with universities and research centers globally for ExxonMobil business regions, manage interfaces with professional societies and ExxonMobil, and enhance network & relationships with partners. She joined ExxonMobil in 1980, working in different technical assignments in research, production and exploration functions.
She received numerous awards for her work from both the professional societies and organisations. These include American Association of Petroleum Geologists Honorary Membership Award (2010), Distinguished Service from Association of Brazilian Petroleum Geologists (2009), President’s Award, ExxonMobil Exploration Company (2008), and Hamilton College Science Medal (2006).
R&D Portfolio Manager,
KAUST Catalysis Center
Dr. Anissa Bendjeriou-Sedjerari is currently R& D Portfolio Manager at KAUST Catalysis Center (KCC, Saudi Arabia). She received a Ph.D. in Materials Science from the University of Science and Technology of Montpellier (France). She occupied a post-doc position at Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon (ENSLyon, France) and CALTECH (Pasadena, USA) followed by different research scientist positions at CNRS (Centre National de Recherche Scientifique, France), and then at KCC. In 2018, she was appointed Center Liaison Officer to ensure successful and sustainable partnerships with the industry. She has broad expertise in materials science, organic and organometallic chemistry, and specifically in the designs, characterizations, and applications of heterogeneous catalysts in the Oil & Gas industry. Her research portfolio applied to the industry encompasses a range of projects such as Oil to Chemicals, Green & Blue Ammonia, Carbon Capture & Valorization, Hydrogen Production and Storage, E-fuels, Plastic Recycling, etc.
Besides, she is an active member of the MEPEC (Middle East Process Engineering Conference and Exhibition), GDA (Gulf Downstream Association) and ADIPEC (Abu Dhabi International Progressive Energy Congress). She is also involved in women programs with Aramco (LEWAS-GRWx) and promote female scientists’ not just at KAUST but also in the Middle-East in order to empower Women in Oil and Gas Industry, one of the challenge of the Saudi Vision 2030 program”
Pedro Miras Salamanca is the serving President for the World Petroleum Council, for the cycle which will culminate with the 24th World Petroleum Congress in Calgary, Canada in September 2023.
He has over 30 years of experience in the energy sector and performed within the private and public entities, specifically in REPSOL (institutional, international, refining, strategic planning), National Energy Commission (regulation of oil & biofuels), International Energy Agency SEQ/SOM (security of supply) and CORES (security of supply for oil & gas). In addition to the engagement in the WPC network, he has been President of the Spanish Strategic Petroleum Reserves Corporation (CORES), Chairman of the Standing Group on Emergency Questions (SEQ) and Market (SOM) of the International Energy Agency, Institutional Affairs & Organisations and Chairman’s Office Director (Repsol) and Member of the Steering Committee and the Board of Directors of Enerclub (Club Español de la Energía) among other relevant positions.
Vice President - Non-Operated Assets (MENA & Russia), Mubadala Petroleum
Salma Al Hajeri is the Vice President for Non-Operated Assets for MENA & Russia at Mubadala Petroleum. Salma is responsible for overseeing the performance of the non-operating JVs and directing the portfolio of MP in MENA and Russia regions. She has more than 20 years of experience in the Oil & Gas Industry. Salma joined Mubadala Petroleum in 2012, and prior to that she worked at ADNOC - Onshore as a Reservoir Engineer.
Salma holds a BSc in Electrical Engineering from U.A.E University, and MEng in Petroleum Engineering from the Petroleum Institute – UAE, and MBA from Abu Dhabi University. Most recently, Salma has been awarded the “Women of Achievement” from LEWAS 2021 – Bahrain.
Performance Improvement Consultant (ret.), Aramco
A versatile leader with 41 years of extensive experience working for Saudi Aramco in HR development, partnership management/advocacy, innovation ecosystem consultation, and industry-university stakeholder engagement. Today, Waleed operates as an independent consultant and is an effective driver of partnerships, champion of D&I, woman empowerment and development. He currently advises the Ministry of Investment in Saudi Arabia.
Mark brings over 40 years of experience in all aspects of the oil and gas industry to nogaholding. Prior to joining the company, Mark served as the Head of Group Chief Executive’s Office working as chief of staff to bp CEO Bob Dudley. Mark stewarded bp’s executive processes and worked directly with the executive team and Board of Directors where he had oversight of investment governance and strategy development.
Previously he has served as a regional president of bp’s North Sea business, in which he transformed the core business to improve profitability by doubling production in a period of five years. Earlier Mark was the Vice President of Operations at bp Azerbaijan, where he was the operational leader for one of bp’s top three global business, accountable for the safe and reliable operation of two mega-fields, that produced one million barrels of oil equivalent daily.
Chief Wellness Officer
In Sync Wellbeing
Victoria Baverstock is Chief Wellness Officer of In Sync Wellbeing, an organisation providing evidence-based wellness solutions to individuals and workplaces. Based in Saudi Arabia since 2014, she brings over 25 years’ experience working across a diverse range of industries in the UK and Middle East.
A respected thought leader in health and wellness, she is the first woman to be granted the prestigious role of Global Wellness Day Ambassador for Saudi Arabia. Passionate about raising awareness of preventative health and wellness, with particular emphasis on the impact of mental health and burnout in the workplace, she has received industry and regional recognition for her expertise in workplace wellbeing. Most recently the corporate wellness program she created for Red Sea Global, won Best Employee Health and Wellbeing Program at the CIPD Middle East People Awards in 2022.
Victoria holds a Master’s Degree in Organisational Psychology from the University of Essex, she is a Certified Acupuncturist, Functional Medicine Health Coach, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Master NLP Practitioner, Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher and an ILM and CIMA accredited advanced trainer.
Organization Development Director
Group HR
TAQA Corporate
Zein Attar currently serves as the Director of Organization Development at Industrialization & Energy Services Company (TAQA), headquartered in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
With a distinguished career spanning over 15 years in the field of Human Resources, Mrs. Attar is a recognized expert in Organization Development.
She launched her career in a pioneering financial start-up, where her early experiences ignited a deep-rooted passion for entrepreneurship and the art of building organizations from their foundational stages. Zein then transitioned to a significant chapter of her professional journey as an HR consultant at Mercer, where she honed her expertise in driving human development and unlocking the untapped potential within individuals to enhance organizational performance.
Zein also plays a key role in representing TAQA in various regional and international forums, where she actively moderates sessions related to trending HR topics, showcasing her expertise as a thought leader in the industry.
Zein serves in a Nomination and Remuneration Committee (NRC) of a reputable company, where she plays an integral role in steering the organizational strategy, further attesting to her strategic acumen and influence in the corporate landscape.
Talent Learning and Potential Director
Johns Hopkins
Aramco Healthcare
Dr. Rania AlGhamdi is the Director of Talent learning & Potential where she is responsible for strategizing, developing, and implementing employee engagement and leadership assessment & development programs and other key functions such as Performance Management, Career Management, Succession Planning, and wellbeing Programs to name a few. She contributed in multiple organizational initiatives in support of D&I, learning, and person-centered care.
Rania has also served as the HR Services Director at Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, in which she directed all daily HR operations and various employee services which include HR support services, government and employee relations. She also developed talent acquisition and retention strategies and implemented key initiatives that focus on enhancing employee experience.
Rania has participated as a speaker locally and internationally in several HR and T&D events. She has completed several certification programs and is a Certified Knowledge Specialist, Certified Employee Performance Management Professional, Certified Leadership Coach Practitioner, Certified Human Resources Professional and a Certified Human Resources Manager, and a Certified Career Services Provider.
Rania is one of the ATD Saudi Arabia Advisory Board members holds a Master’s Degree in Human Resources Development from Texas A&M University, USA and has completed her Doctorate Degree from the University of Leicester focusing on the knowledge transfer Practices in Healthcare.