ARPI KARAPETYAN
Founder and Managing Partner at Cascade People & Business
Founder and Chairman of Armenian HR Association
Armenia
The initiator of Regional HR Conference Arpi Karapetyan is the Founder and Managing Partner of Cascade People & Business. Besides, she is the Chairman of Armenian HR Association. She is an Internationally Certified HR Professional (SPHRi, SHRM-SCP), Internationally Certified Coach (ECC, ACSTH), trainer and consultant. Arpi has a PhD in Social Psychology. With over 20-years of experience in Human Resources Management, Arpi Karapetyan has worked with numerous renowned native and international companies from banking, insurance, production, IT, Telecommunication, retail, NGOs and other sectors. Besides, Arpi acts as a public speaker and facilitator in various local and international events. Arpi Karapetyan is also a lecturer at American University of Armenia and French University of Armenia.
Website: www.arpikarapetyan.com www.cascade.am www.hrcommunity.am
LINA STRYGINA
Leading Partner at Center for Organizational Development "HR Consulting"
Kazakhstan
Lina is Leading Partner at Center for Organizational Development “HR Consulting”.
She is an expert on the topics “Leadership in the VUCA-world”, “Turquoise organizations”, “Stress management”, “Coaching of destructive behavior of managers”, “Designing the development of top managers”. She manages complex projects in the field of management consulting, change management, building an integrated personnel management system and forming corporate training centers, assessment and development centers. Specializations in coaching – management coaching, team coaching.
SABERI SEPAWI
Master NLP Coach and Time Line Therapy practitioner
Malaysia
Saberi is a Master NLP Coach and Time Line Therapy practitioner, certified by the American Board of Neuro Linguistic Programming. He is also a Certified Mentor-Coach with the International Coaching Federation. In February and September of 2018, he attended the “Unleash the Power Within” seminar conducted by Tony Robbins and ESQ Islamic Character Building & ESQ Islamic Coaching Certification. He had also designed and conducted over 20 leadership, management, business, sales, service, coaching and mentoring program. He has trained and certify a group of Senior Vice Presidents to be TAR&H Group’s in-house Mentors and a group of Vice Presidents to be their in-house Coaches in order to increase workforce competency & engagement strategy. He also attended South East Asia Leadership Academy in Bangkok, facilitated Central AsiaLeadership Academy in Bulgaria in 2018 and Middle East Leadership Academy in Oman in 2019 with other facilitators around the world.
He is a Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP-2019) with International Academy of Business and Financial Management, UK. He is a Certified Talent, Competency & Succession Management Practitioner (2013) and a Certified Change Management & Organisation Development Practitioner (2015) with Penn State University and Accredited Training Evaluator Specialist (Kirkpatrick Model) & Certified HRDF Trainer. Previously, he was the Vice President who headed the Employee Development department of Themed Attractions Resorts & Hotels and a “sounding board” to the Head of Group Human Capital. In 2015, the program that he had designed won the Silver Awards for the “Best Employee Engagement Strategy” in Asia Pacific. In 2016, one of his programs won “Best HR Strategy in Line with Business” under Malaysia Best Employer Brand Awards and in 2017 “Best Leadership Development Program for Workers” under the Golden Globe Tigers Awards.
He is a Certified Attractions Executive (ICAE) with University of San Diego, Certified Attractions Manager (ICAM) and APAC Advisory Membership Subcommittee for International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). He is recognised by the KidZania head office in Mexico as the first KidZania Nationwide designated training specialist, having attended 3 different programs with the University of KidZania in Mexico to understand the total business value proposition.
He has designed and conducted 5 business units pre-opening training programs for TAR&H namely KidZania Kuala Lumpur, KidZania Singapore, Hello Kitty Town, Thomas Town Theme Park, two Els Club golf courses in Desaru and Desaru Coast Adventure Water Park. He is also involved in developing the content for The Datai Langkawi Investment in People (DIP) human capital project during the renovation of the resort in 2018. He helped Legoland Malaysia in designing their Edutainment Program “English Mania” for Ministry of Education. He possesses a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Development and a Master of Science in Corporate Communication with University Putra Malaysia. He has completed his Part 1 in Doctorate of Business Administration and currently working on his thesis with University of Wales, Trinity St. David.
RADA HROUT
Human Resources Manager
Jordan
Rada has 17+ years of experience in Human Resources Management, served in leading organizations in the Middle- East both as a Head of HR and as a Consultant. During her journey Rada introduced major transformation projects with focus on Performance Management, HR strategy, Change Management, and Culture.
Integrating the best HR practices with latest technology is Rada’s speciality. Designing and implementing HR solutions that upgrades the role of HR to be more strategic, and elevate the corporate culture to become more attractive for internal and external talent.
Rada has Master’s degree in Enterprising Management from Durham University UK, and a B.Sc. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Jordan. She is an ACC Coach, and Neruo Linguistic Programing (NLP) Master Practitioner. Rada is a certified Competencies’ Assessor, conducted hundreds of assessment centers for employees from all organizational levels.
SAID AL-SHANFARI
CEO at Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre
Oman
Mr. Said Salim Al-Shanfari is one of the Omani competent leaders who has over 17 years of experience working in telecommunication, tourism and international marketing and business development.
Mr. Al-Shanfari has held several executive positions in a number of local and international companies where he managed and developed various services at the individual and the corporate levels. He has also worked on developing the tourism sector in Oman through establishing strategies & bringing regional & international conferences and exhibitions. He is currently the CEO of Oman Convention and Exhibition Center “the world`s new destination for events”.
Before joining Oman Convention & Exhibition Center in 2018, he was the General Manager of Marketing Communication and Performance at the Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) from 2016 to 2018.
Mr. Al Shanfari also, served 8 successful years in the Omani Qatari Telecommunication Company (Ooredoo). During this period, he has held various management positions including; Director of Business Marketing (2013-2016), Department Head of Business Development (2011-2013) and Team Leader of Products & Services (2008-2011). He also worked at Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (DU) as the Product Manager. In Addition, he was part of the international startup team that prepared the company to launch in 2006. From (2005 – 2006) he worked at Oman Mobile as Product Developer and worked at the Information and Telecommunication Research Center at Sultan Qaboos University as Executive Officer from (2003 – 2005).
Mr. Al Shanfari holds an MBA from Hull University in the UK since 2007 and a bachelor’s degree in Computer Management Information System and International Business from Southern Illinois University USA in 2002.
He was selected from among 100 Omani Leadership personnel in the National Chief Executive Officer Program which he completed in 2009.
Mr. Said attended many specialized courses throughout his career, for example, Human Resources Skills Management at the London Business School in the UK in 2014, The IMD Management Leadership Certificate in Switzerland in 2015 and CTI’s self-training courses in the UAE in 2018.
YERGALI BEGIMBETOV
CEO and Board member at Amanat Insurance Company
Kazakhstan
Yergali graduated from the Faculty of Automation of Technological Processes and Manufacturing of Almaty Energy Institute, with a degree in “Automation Engineering”.
From March 2015 to the present day, Yergali holds the post of the CEO, and serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Amanat Insurance Company.
Over the past 15 years, he worked as the CEO of London-Almaty Insurance company JSC, Advisor to the CEO of BTA Bank JSC, Vice-President and Acting CEO of KBS Garant Insurance company JSC.
Member of the Board of Trustees of the Charity Fund “Miloserdie” Voluntary Society”, Member of the Board of Directors of Enactus Kazakhstan, acting member of The International Quality Professionals Guild, practising business coach.
VAN SARKISSIAN
Music Producer
Germany
Van Sarkissian began his studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London, which was a turning point for his artistic development and professional career. Since then, he has been involved in a variety of different collaborations and concerts, which have included performances of his own works and his arrangements for guitar. Van is currently involved in music production focusing on mid and downtempo electronic music.
JOHN K. COYLE
One of the world’s leading experts in “Design Thinking” and innovation Centre
USA
As one of the world’s leading experts in “Design Thinking” and innovation, John K. Coyle is a Stanford and Kellogg graduate, a two-time TEDx speaker, a professor, an Olympic medalist and an award-winning best-selling author. John is a sought-after speaker who has presented to dozens of Fortune 100 companies, Universities, and multiple international conferences. John is the best-selling author of Design for Strengths: Applying Design Thinking to Individual and Team Strengths (2018) and The Art of Really Living Manifesto (2016).
Audiences find great value and meaning with his presentations because he offers a unique combination of 1) rational frameworks and data-driven tools, and 2) emotional activation through inspired storytelling. People leave John’s programs empowered and motivated to make significant, positive changes in their business and personal lives.
ADAM AMBROZY
CEO at Innential.com, Founder & Team Coach at Make Team Work
Germany
Adam graduated from Poznan University of Economics (Poland) with MSc in Finance as well as from Hyper Island / Teesside University (UK) with MA in Digital Experience Design. He has more than 15 years of ‘hands-on’ experience in building cross-cultural strategies & developing teams. He lived and worked in 7 countries, making cultural immersion a centre of his professional life.
Currently, Adam is a co-founder and the CEO of Innential – a Berlin-based HRtech startup, that helps organisations make the most of skill set management and employee development, with the objective to become more competitive now and stay future-proof. Innential is backed by APX VC and operates internationally.
Prior to his entrepreneurial career, Adam worked for 10 years as a marketer, strategy director, and a team coach, organising and leading cross-cultural teams of 5-40 people. He has worked for blue chip companies as well as start-ups, collaboratively leading them to innovate in product development, marketing, and communications. He has worked on many awarded development programs for organizations such as Lidl International, Akzo Nobel, BBC, SABMiller, Naspers Group, just to name a few. Adam is a member of the Hyper Island network and a guest lecturer at Escuela Superior de Creativos Publicitarios in Buenos Aires. Facilitator and speaker, passionate photographer, video maker, and foodie.
HANY MAHMOUD
Former Minister & Chairman at Vodafone
Egypt
Hany Mahmoud has thirty years of global, regional, and national Business experience. He has an extraordinary corporate career spanning some of the world’s largest and most fast-changing companies such as: Xerox, Sanofi-Aventis and Vodafone.
Prior to his appointment as Minister of Administrative Development in 2013, He joined the Egyptian Cabinet as Minister of Communications and Information Technology in 2012. Before that, He was the Chairman of the Egyptian Cabinet’s Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC),
Earlier, Hany worked with Vodafone Group for 11 years. His last job with Vodafone was the Regional HR Director for Central Europe & Africa.
In April 2017, Hany was appointed as the chairman of Vodafone Egypt.
He is also the chairman of Smart for Insurance Brokerage Company, Chairman HM consult and on the board of several organizations.
As for Civil & community services, Hany is the chairman of Special Olympics Egypt. Hany was the also the founder and the President of the Egyptian Human Resources Management Association.
Mr. Mahmoud graduated from the Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University. He regularly participates in international conferences as key note speaker on several subjects; Leadership, Human Resources, Organization Development and Change Management.
ARA KHACHATRYAN
CFO and Board Member at Galaxy Group of Companies
Armenia
Ara Khachatryan is the CFO and Board Member at Galaxy Group of Companies. The investment portfolio includes leading organizations such as Ucom, Yerevan Mall, Megafood, Chronograph, Time, etc. Leads cross-border team of 120 people. During 14 years of experience in the consulting and finance industries, has demonstrated results in the financial management of the organizations in complex environments: coordinating and managing mergers and acquisitions of more than USD 100m, leading projects in Armenia, Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Belarus, Iran, and more. Being a result-oriented person, he drives analytical and conceptual thinking with business that extends beyond the numbers into the strategy. Being passionate about learning and sharing, he has 8 years of teaching experience in the subjects of Financial Management, Performance Management, Leading People and Organizations in the American University of Armenia. He is a Fellow member of ACCA (FCCA) as well as holds two MBA degrees from Columbia Business School, London Business School.Ara Khachatryan is the CFO and Board Member at Galaxy Group of Companies. The investment portfolio includes leading organizations such as Ucom, Yerevan Mall, Megafood, Chronograph, Time, etc. Leads cross-border team of 120 people. During 14 years of experience in the consulting and finance industries, has demonstrated results in the financial management of the organizations in complex environments: coordinating and managing mergers and acquisitions of more than USD 100m, leading projects in Armenia, Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Belarus, Iran, and more. Being a result-oriented person, he drives analytical and conceptual thinking with business that extends beyond the numbers into the strategy. Being passionate about learning and sharing, he has 8 years of teaching experience in the subjects of Financial Management, Performance Management, Leading People and Organizations in the American University of Armenia. He is a Fellow member of ACCA (FCCA) as well as holds two MBA degrees from Columbia Business School, London Business School.
SUSAN SIMONS
Leadership Development Independent Contractor
USA
In 2017 Susan Simons started two new small businesses. The first is an event space management company while the second is a fashion accessories company. Both of these businesses were born out of a belief that people thrive when they are connected, appreciated and confident. Outside of her businesses, Ms. Simons facilitates in at least two leadership development academies a year. Since 2011 she has participated in delivering 14 such immersive programs in four regions- Southeast Asia (SEALA), the Middle East (MELA), Central Eurasia (CELA), and the United States (SIBF-LA). Ms. Simons’ passion for supporting the growth and development of the individuals, organizations, and communities she works with drives every aspect of her work. Ms. Simons began her career creating Internet business and marketing strategies for regional and mid-size companies. She then co-founded and was CEO of Clinetic, a pioneering electronic medical technology company. She served in government as an elected member of the Charleston County School Board. She worked in multiple political campaigns, primarily on the fundraising side. In the public sector, Susan has consulted with and served on the boards of numerous nonprofits. Ms. Simons received her BA from Brown University and her MA from The Fletcher School, Tufts University. Ms. Simons is a member of the International Leadership Association and the International Association of Facilitators. She resides in Charleston, SC with her husband, John Hagerty, while their three children have scattered around the globe.
BURASTAN MOVSISYAN
Director of IT Department, member of Management Board at VTB Bank Armenia
Armenia
Burastan joined VTB Group in 2018.
She has 24 years of experience, of which 6 years – in the financial sector, 18 years – in the field of telecommunications.
From August of 2018, she holds the position of the Director of IT Department at “VTB Bank (Armenia)” CJSC.
Previously held the following positions:
2005-2007 – worked as the head of Mobile Services Department at “ArmenTel” CJSC
2007-2013 – held the position of Director of Customer Service at “Armentel” CJSC, and from 2010 – worked part-time as Director of Sales.
From 2013 to 2018 held the position of Director of Technology and Operations at AmeriaBank CJSC, and from 2014 – a member of the Directorate.
In 1994, she graduated from Yerevan State University with a degree in Physics. Has a master’s degree.
In the course of her labor activity, she underwent numerous nmtraining courses, including at the MACH training international training center in Luxembourg.
ARTAK ORDYAN
Consultant on Marketing, Resource Mobilization, Corporate Social Responsibility and Business Strategy
Armenia
Artak Ordyan is a consultant on Marketing, Resource Mobilization, Corporate Social Responsibility and Business Strategy. Currently, Artak works as Consultant on Resource Mobilization at UNICEF Armenia and trainer at American University of Armenia. He is a TedX speaker and inspirational talker of other platforms. MBA, Nyenrode Business University, the Netherlands.
ANNA KONJORYAN
Senior Talent Manager at Synergy International Systems
Armenia
Anna loves helping people to self-discover their hidden potential, pushing them to recreate themselves and find their new route, bring changes whether in their corporate lives or own project, move them forward and grow. She has also extensive experience in life-long learning and career growth programs, talent and organizational development. Innovation and creativity has become her recent passion and she enjoys any collaboration that boosts innovation in its essence. Currently she works in Synergy International Systems as a Senior Talent Manager and in IAB International Academy of Business as a Business and CMI Trainer.
HAYK LORIKYAN
Deputy CEO of Galaxy Group of Companies
Armenia
Hayk Lorikyan is the Deputy CEO of Galaxy Group of Companies and is primarily in charge of business development, strategic development, expansion of existing business units, as well as the creation of new business units. Hayk’s biggest achievement at Galaxy Group has been the launch of Kinopark, Captain Kid’s Treasure Island, Santa Fe, Pahest33, as well as the expansion of TIME into Belarus and Georgia. Before joining Galaxy Group of Companies, Hayk worked at SAS Group, Monada Consulting, and Schering Plough GMBH. Hayk earned a BA from State Engineering University of Armenia in Biomedical Engineering. He then went on to receive an Executive MBA is from the University of Sheffield. Hayk is also a Stanford Certified Project Manager and has also completed Chartered Management.
