The LifeLab

Fares Jammal is a photographer and a founder of Shadow Studios, a Dubai-based leading creative and production house known for its prominent work in photography and videography in the region. Originally from Lebanon, Fares has been based in dubai for almost 20 years. His camera has taken him to the four corners of the globe, and he’s worked with global and regional leading companies creating high end content and photography and is the personal photographer for many celebrities, singers, performers, and politicians from the Arab world. Fares has won many international and local awards including the 2010 International Photography award in New York for his aerial photography of Yas island.

Nitin Khanna has over 40 years’ experience in auditing, transaction services and corporate finance, and has executed some of the Middle East’s most landmark deals.  He has been nominated for ‘Deal of the Year’ on four different occasions. Post-retirement he founded consulting firm Nucleus, a boutique advisory firm specializing in corporate finance, financial due diligence ("FDD"), valuations and debt restructuring. 

Mercedes Torres is a restaurateur and founder of Copala in Dubai's Onyx tower.  Mercedes’s passion for food has been a lifelong journey. Following many years as a lawyer working in the corporate world, she followed her passion and made the dream of Copala come to life. A Mexico city native, listen to Mercedes' journey of show she founded Copala, delivering a restaurant with a menu that epitomizes authentic Mexican cuisine and the lessons she's learned along the way. 

Justina Eitzinger is a media and marketing professional with over 19 years of experience in the MENA region. Justina moved to the UAE in 2001 and her career has spanned the hospitality travel and media industries. As the COO at Images Group Middle East, her current role is to lead all brand initiatives including editorial, marketing, distribution and sales for the highly respected Images RetailME and Middle East Retail Forum brands.

Prior to joining Images, Justina was the Chief Revenue Officer at Forbes Middle East. She was a member of the pre-launch team, looking after all revenue streams, marketing, brand essence, brand image, etc. Prior to Forbes, she worked with Gulf News and Jumeirah Group.