An exclusive session in collaboration with WHOOP featuring the authors Unstressable, Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer at Google [X], and Alice Law, stress and resilience specialist, moderated by Kristen Holmes, Vice President of Performance Science at WHOOP. Together, they explore how data and psychology intersect to redefine resilience in leadership — offering insight into the four dimensions of stress that influence performance, and how mastering them can sharpen clarity, decision-making, and long-term success.

An illuminating discussion on how artificial intelligence is reshaping the pharmaceutical landscape — from drug discovery to patient care. Moderated by Khawar Mann, co-founder and CEO of Auxilium Services, the panel brings together Mo Khodadadi Executive of AI at PureHealth, Alex Aliper of Insilico Medicine, and Charlie Regis of HKX Capital. Together, they will explore how AI is advancing personalised medicine, transforming research and development, and redefining the future of healthcare.

A timely conversation as the region prepares to welcome one of its most significant cultural moments of the year, Abu Dhabi Art. This discussion will explore how the contemporary art landscape is being reshaped in an era where collectors build direct relationships with artists and digital platforms redefine access. Art fairs, too, are navigating this transformation — evolving from market hubs into spaces for visibility, exchange, and connection.
Moderated by Suzy Sikorski, Founder of MidEast Art, and featuring Sunny Rahbar, Co-founder of The Third Line, Amina Debbiche, Co-founder of The Open Crate, artist Chafa Ghaddar and Mohammed Afkhami, Art Collector, this discussion will examine how institutions are adapting to a rapidly changing ecosystem.

An insightful conversation on one of today’s most talked-about medical and cultural phenomena, the rise of weight loss medication. As these drugs transform approaches to weight management, they are also reshaping the pharmaceutical industry, clinical practice, and public perception. We welcome Gastroenterologist Dr. Rahul Nathwani and Endocrinologist Dr Katia Sibai, moderated by Dr. Sheen Gurrib, award-winning podcaster, TEDx speaker, and former strategy consultant, to explore with us the science, controversies, and cultural impact of this fast-evolving field.

In the lead-up to World Mental Health Day, we welcome Dr. Naif Al Mutawa for a workshop on recognising and reframing negative thought patterns, building emotional resilience, and prioritising mental wellbeing in both daily life and the workplace. Through practical, guided exercises, participants learn to cultivate greater self-acceptance and transform unhelpful patterns into rational, positive perspectives. 

Writer and former New York Times journalist Sara Hamdan joins us at The Arts Club Dubai to discuss her debut novel, What Will People Think? — an intergenerational story moving between 2011 New York and 1947 Jaffa, exploring identity, legacy, and the tension between tradition and ambition.

A Palestinian American raised in Greece and based in Dubai for two decades, Hamdan brings a global perspective shaped by a varied career in journalism, finance, and technology, including roles at Merrill Lynch, Google, and her Netflix short story award. In conversation with Ahlam Bolooki, CEO of the Emirates Literature Foundation, she reflects on her creative process and the growing influence of regional voices in today’s literary landscape.

When Paul Griffiths arrived in the UAE in 2007, he took a bold leap from his role as MD of Gatwick Airport. Since then, he has led the remarkable transformation of Dubai Airports — guiding its rise from just over 34 million passengers a year to one of the world’s busiest international hubs.

In conversation with journalist Rosanna Lockwood, Griffiths reflects on the records broken and world firsts achieved under his leadership, and shares his vision for the future of aviation in Dubai and beyond.

Fresh from the Fashion Weeks, this conversation brings together leading voices in the industry to unpack the season’s defining ideas and aesthetics. Featuring Sujata Assomull, Contributing Editor at Vogue Business and Founding Editor-in-Chief of Harper’s Bazaar India; Sharifa Al Hashemi, founder of ONORI; and Jessica Michault, Senior Editor at Emirates Woman, the panel explores standout collections, emerging trends, and the creative statements shaping the runways. 

We are pleased to have welcomed Angelo Zegna, EMEA CEO and fourth-generation member of the Zegna family, for an evening exploring the remarkable legacy of Ermenegildo Zegna — the visionary founder who helped define Made in Italy. Angelo reflects on how his family has carried these values forward for over a century, and how craftsmanship, innovation, and responsibility continue to shape Zegna’s vision for the future of luxury while honouring its rich heritage. 

What happens behind the scenes to preserve the artworks we love? Tune in for an engaging conversation on the craft, care, and complexity of art conservation led by industry experts, including Ekaterina Plastinina, Associate Director at Green Art Gallery; Vedika Kochhar, Founder and Head Conservator at Partum Restauro; and Collector Salvatore Lavallo. The discussion sheds light on the complex process behind artwork preservation, an exacting science that focuses on aesthetics, in which every decision leaves a mark. With real personal anecdotes and hidden stories that are revealed in the process, this is a poignant look into the invisible hands that keep art alive.