From workforce mobility and talent shortages to AI and economic shifts, ME organizations are navigating constant change. Discover how leading HR and business leaders are building the agility and resilience needed to perform through it.
21 July, 2026
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM GST | Virtual | Middle East | Free
Workplace Culture Partner
HR Community Partner
Built for the questions you've been sitting on all year.
10:00 AM – 10:15 AM GST
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Nishat
Keka
Vishal Chopra
Keka
Katalyst comes to the Middle East with a dedicated edition built around the region's workforce realities: nationalization mandates, talent shortages, workforce mobility, AI transformation, compliance complexity, and the need for continuity through change. This opening address sets the context for the day and frames why workforce agility is now a business priority for Middle East organizations.
Panel 10:15 AM – 11:00 AM GST
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Vishal Chopra
Moderator
Mursaleen Ahmed
Cara Jewellers
Dr. Cindy Erasmus
Tapan Acharya
Keka
From Emiratization and Saudization to Qatarization and Omanization, national talent priorities are reshaping workforce strategy across the region. This panel explores how organizations are building local talent pipelines, addressing skills shortages, and preparing future-ready workforces without slowing business growth.
Panel 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM GST
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Nishat
Moderator
Seema Hallon
Deriv
Ritesh Arora
Bank Muscat
Fadi Bachir
GLFL (KSA)
Every Middle East organization is exploring AI. Far fewer can show measurable workforce outcomes. This panel cuts through the hype and discusses how leaders can move AI from pilots to scaled adoption, define metrics that leadership teams trust, and turn AI investments into real productivity gains.
Keka Session 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM GST
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Manan Gupta
Moderator
Manish Mittal
Keka
Most organizations are adding AI on top of existing workflows. But what happens when HR is designed to be AI-native from the start? This session explores how AI can reshape workforce decisions, HR operations, employee experience, and the role of HR teams in building organizations ready for the next decade.
Masterclass 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM GST
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Harsha
Keka
For years, HR tech ROI was measured through process automation, time saved, and employee adoption. That playbook is no longer enough. This masterclass explores how leading organisations are moving from systems that simply store workforce data to intelligent platforms that predict, recommend, and improve decisions. Learn how to evaluate HR technology through outcomes that matter to the business, build a stronger ROI case, and identify where intelligence can create the greatest impact across productivity, performance, retention, and workforce planning.
Panel 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM GST
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Abhijit Rao
Moderator
Rabiullah Shaikh
Al Mezoon Marbles and Granites
Charlotte Dumont
Sirva
Deena Seoudi
HR Director
Too many HR technology projects stall after implementation. This buyer-side masterclass explores how Middle East organizations can choose, implement, and scale HR tech that actually works, from scoping the right requirements to managing localization, data residency, adoption, change management, and ROI.
Closing note 1:45 PM – 2:00 PM GST
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Nishat
Keka
We close with a practical action plan for Middle East HR leaders. From talent and AI to technology, continuity, and workforce strategy, this session highlights what leaders should prioritize now, what can wait, and how organizations can build the foundations needed to perform through change.
Director, HR, Sirva
Advisory Board Member and NRC chair, GLFL (KSA)
HR Director
Senior Human Capital Advisor and Consultant
CHRO, Deriv
Head of Human Capital Development, Bank Muscat
Chief Human Resources Officer, Cara Jewellers
Group HR Head, Al Mezoon Marbles and Granites
CRO, Keka
CPO, Keka
SVP - Marketing, Keka
VP - People & Culture, Keka
Manager, Community & Communications, Keka
Associate Director - Presales, Keka
VP - Product Marketing, Keka
The more HR leaders you bring in,
the better your odds.
Katalyst Speakers: Our previous Katalysts brought together CHROs, founders,
and business leaders from Middle East's most recognised organisations. Here's who was in the room.
Co-Founder & Principal,
The RBL Group
Vice President
TASC Corporate Services
Founder and CEO,
People Matters
Director of People and Culture,
Land Sterling
Group CEO,
XLR8
Group Head of People and Culture,
Chinese Palace Group
Head HR,
Desertcart
HRIS Specialist,
Alphamind Group
PMO Director,
Seer Solutionz
Senior HR Manager,
IdeaCrate
Founder - Sr Aviation Headhunter & Consultant,
8 Fold HR Consultancy
Managing Director,
TeamLease Digital
Director,
HR EMEA
Head HR - Sabena Technics
Chief People and Purpose Officer,
Snoonu
HR Manager
Family Pharmacy Group
What HR leaders said after previous Katalyst editions, and why the GCC asked for one of its own.
Katalyst has spent years building a community of practitioners who show up for each other, not just for an agenda. These are the numbers behind that community so far.
countries
events
sessions
delegates
