She Innovates Debuts with Lifestyle Innovation Focus
The Technology Express, in partnership with Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus (DTEC), successfully hosted the first edition of She Innovates, a curated leadership and innovation forum focused on high-impact conversations shaping the future of brands and technology.
Designed as a year-long initiative, She Innovates will unfold through multiple sector-led editions. Each edition explores how leadership, innovation, and technology intersect across industries, driving economic and cultural change. The inaugural gathering focused on Lifestyle and Consumer Brands, examining how design, technology, payments, and marketing innovation are redefining brand building and consumer engagement.
Held on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, at DTEC, the event welcomed a diverse audience of C-suite executives, founders, technology professionals, and business leaders, reflecting the initiative’s inclusive and forward-looking vision.
Opening Remarks and Welcome Addresses
The event opened with a welcome address from Sinji Washnam, Ecosystem Builder at Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus, who highlighted DTEC’s role in enabling innovation-led communities and entrepreneurial growth.
This was followed by Abhinay Bhartia, Head of Commercials at McFill Media & Publishing Group, who outlined the vision behind She Innovates and emphasized the importance of collaboration, leadership visibility, and cross-industry dialogue.
The sessions were hosted by Mommina Asif, Senior Partnerships Executive – Content Alliances at McFill Media & Publishing Group, who set the tone for the discussions and guided the audience through the day’s agenda.
Panel Discussions Driving Insight and Exchange
Panel 1: From Click to Loyalty – Tech Decisions That Drive Repeat Customers
Moderator:
Tanishqa Kambli, Editor, The Technology Express Magazine
Panelists:
Jennifer Cohen Solal, Co-founder & CEO, Hushday
Noora Ahmed, SVP – Managing Director, Strategic Business, Network International
Vibha Suvarna, Creative Director, noon.com
Rishi Kishor Gupta, Regional Director – Middle East & Africa, Nothing Technology
Insiya Shahna, Senior Marketing Manager, Sharaf DG
The discussion examined how technology decisions influence customer loyalty beyond traditional rewards models. The conversation focused on experience design, payments infrastructure, luxury access, and consumer technology, highlighting how seamless and emotionally resonant experiences now define brand retention.
Panel 2: Payments Infrastructure in Transition – What’s Working, What’s Next
Moderator:
Ayushi Sharma, Editor, Finance World Magazine
Panelists:
Sajini Jacob, Marketing Director, CoinMENA
Alexandra Will, Partner – Risk Advisory & Financial Crime Compliance, Grant Thornton UAE
Arushi Goel, Advisor, Chainalysis
Khalil Alami, Founder & CEO, Telr
Kashif Ahmad Khan, Founder & CEO, Peko
This panel explored the evolving payments ecosystem, separating practical innovation from market hype. Topics included embedded finance, digital wallets, BNPL, regulatory frameworks, compliance, and security, with a focus on how payments innovation is reshaping consumer and lifestyle sectors across the region.
Panel 3: MarTech That Matters – How Leaders Drive Growth
Moderator:
Enas Allozi, Acting Director – CTI NexGen Center, Zayed University
Panelists:
Ulyana Vilkina, Regional Marketing Manager, Fix Price Retail Group
Jessica Schroeder, Head of Corporate Communications & Government Relations – Middle East & Egypt, BASF
Lobna Saad, FMCG Brand Building Expert
Rand Alkhushman, Founder & Director, Jathwa for Environmental Development
Larisa Tseng, General Manager, Vecow Tech Trading LLC
The discussion centered on how modern MarTech stacks, data-driven strategies, and purpose-led communication support sustainable brand growth. Panelists shared insights on aligning creativity with technology, performance marketing, and long-term brand equity.
A Platform for Inclusive Leadership and Collaboration
While She Innovates highlights women driving innovation, the panels also featured male leaders and founders, reinforcing the initiative’s commitment to inclusive dialogue and collaborative progress. The event concluded with an active networking session, enabling continued exchange of ideas and connections within DTEC’s innovation ecosystem.
The strong engagement, quality of discussion, and diversity of perspectives marked a successful beginning for the She Innovates series and set the foundation for future editions.
About She Innovates
She Innovates is a leadership and innovation forum by The Technology Express, presented in partnership with Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus (DTEC). The initiative features multiple editions annually, with upcoming sessions scheduled for 14 April, 21 July, and 24 November, each focused on sectors shaping the future of innovation and technology.
