Why Attend RISE Expo?

Mark Olson

Managing Partner

Lumiere Capital Partners

Mark Olson is a Dubai-based private and alternative investment banker with over 25 years of experience advising single and multi-family offices on global private investment and private credit strategies. He is a founding professional at Lumière Capital Partners, a Luxembourg-based investment banking and multi-family office advisory firm that focuses on private markets with a cross-border investment opportunities.

Zach Witkoff

Executive Vice President Development

Witkoff Group

USA

Zach is highly recognized for leadership in digital asset and blockchain ventures, acting as President of Witkoff Capital, a New York-based, vertically integrated real estate firm, and co-founding World Liberty Financial.

Jean Francis Dusch

Global Head Infrastructure & Structured Finance/ Chief Investment Officer, Infrastructure Debt (BRIDGE)

Edmond de Rothschild Asset Management & CEO BRIDGE UK

UK

Jorge Cantonnet

Founder and CEO

A7i Strategic Partners Limited

United Arab Emirates

Andrei Rotaru

Managing Director and Head of Middle East Private Equity

Gaw Capital

Gaw Capital is a major Hong Kong-based real estate private equity firm with over US$35 billion in AUM. It is ranked No. 16 globally in the 2024 PERE 100 list of the largest private equity real estate firms worldwide.

Tiow Chye Chua

Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer

Mapletree Investments Singapore

Singapore

In FY24/25, under Tiow Chye Chua’s leadership, Mapletree Investments recorded a record SGD 80.3 billion in assets under management, driven by logistics development across the Asia Pacific, student housing acquisitions in the UK and Germany, and launching private real estate funds targeting tech-sector workplaces in India and logistics assets in China and Japan.

James Wilkinson

Global Head, Infrastructure and Real Estate Securities

BlackRock

United Kingdom

James is known for actively shaping thought leadership at major industry events, leveraging deep market insights and driving forward BlackRock’s expertise in listed real estate securities on a global scale.

Jonathan Levy

President

Seminole Real Estate Fund (SEMREF)

USA

Jonathan Levy is President of the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Sovereign Wealth Fund and is responsible for the Seminole Tribe’s real estate holdings. He has 20 years of experience in real estate and finance. Prior to joining the Tribe, Jonathan was SVP of Asset Management at Fifteen Group where he was responsible for the asset management of 2,500 multifamily units across the country as well as acquisitions, dispositions, and capital markets. Prior to that, Jonathan spent eight years as Director of Asset Management at Rialto Capital, an opportunistic real estate fund where he managed a billion-dollar portfolio of equity and debt across the country and was responsible for portfolio dispositions. Previously, Jonathan was VP Acquisitions at Triple Five Worldwide, a multinational diversified conglomerate where he oversaw real estate acquisitions, leasing and asset management of a portfolio of multifamily, retail and office assets. Jonathan began his career at KPMG’s Financial Institutions and Real Estate (FIRE) group in Toronto, where he advised governments and REITs on tax related issues. He graduated from Yeshiva University with a degree in Economics and holds a JD from Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, Canada.

Stephen Braun

Chief Investment Officer

Seminole Real Estate Fund (SEMREF)

USA

Stephen has over 25 years of experience in real estate and finance, with notable leadership in acquisitions, asset management, and financing for the Seminole Tribe's SWF.

H.E. Dr. Nayef AlHajraf

Former Secretary General, GCC, and Chairman & Co-Founder

Capital Asset Management

Engaged in significant real estate deals focused on transformative urban development and innovative investment models. Capital AM is involved in projects that support mega-city developments linked with long-term residency pathways such as the 10-Year Golden Residency.

Mohammad bin Essa

Chief Asset Management Officer

Sharjah Asset Management

United Arab Emirates

Under his leadership, Sharjah has seen the successful revitalization of flagship projects like Maryam Island, which achieved a 99% sell-out, reflecting strong investor confidence.

Jad Ellawn

Managing Partner, Regional Head of the Middle East

Brookfield

United Arab Emirates

Overseeing the firm’s growth to manage over $12 billion of assets under management (AUM) across private equity, real estate, and infrastructure in the Gulf region.

Ruslan Alikhanov

Chief Executive Officer

Azerbaijan Investment Holding

Azerbaijan

Ruslan has led AIH in forging significant partnerships and advancing Azerbaijan’s economic diversification and modernization. Guided the strategic partnership with UAE’s ADQ through a Memorandum of Understanding in 2025 to collaborate on projects across agriculture, technology, pharmaceuticals, and energy infrastructure in Azerbaijan and the broader region.

Lakshmi Narayanan

Vice Chairman and Managing Partner, Patel Family Office, & Chairman

Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute (SWFI)

USA

Lakshmi Narayanan is a renowned global investor and business strategist known for leading the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute (SWFI) as Chairman, fostering transparency in capital markets, and driving investment in over 100 tech companies. He was honored as a Freeman of the City of London (2024) and acts as Managing Partner of the Patel Family Office.

Eng. Suwaidan Al-Dhaheri

Chief Executive Officer

Imkan

United Arab Emirates

Suwaidan Al-Dhaheri, CEO of IMKAN Properties since 2020, is renowned for pioneering research-driven, "soulful" communities and sustainable, purposeful architecture in the UAE. He is credited with leading projects like AlJurf and Sheikha Fatima Park, focusing on blending technology, wellness, and bespoke community design.

Carl Ge

Hillhouse Investment & Co-Head Real Assets

Partner, Rava Partners

China

Carl is known for leading one of Asia’s largest real estate buyouts totaling over $20 billion. Famous for building one of Asia’s largest investment firms with a long-term value investing focus.

Zed Ayesh

Group CEO, Dejem Real Estate Development Board Member

Confidential Private Family Office

United Arab Emirates

Zed has over 30 years of leadership across real estate, construction, investment, and finance sectors. Known for steering sizable regional and global businesses, driving strategic growth, and delivering complex development projects.

Anthony Ghosn

Founder & General Partner

Pharsalus Capital

USA

Anthony is Founder of Pharsalus Capital, an early-stage fintech fund focused on accelerating the commercialization and application of blockchain technology to modernize the global financial system and improve access to cryptocurrencies for emerging markets.

Chip Rogers

Former President & CEO

American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA)

USA

Under Chip’s leadership, AHLA was named as “100 Associations That Will Save the World” by ASAE, was honored with the White House “Presidential Award for its Pledge to America’s Workers” and was recognized with the PR Week Purpose Awards 2020.

Ludwig Bouldoukian

Regional VP of Development for MEA

Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Recognized for leading Hyatt’s rapid transformation and expansion in the luxury, lifestyle, and resort segments across the region.

Hakim Datawala

Senior Director - Real Estate

Damac Properties

United Arab Emirates

Hakim is recognized for his expertise in executing cross-border investment strategies that drive long-term value creation for the firm.

Paul Boots

Head of Sector Development

Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA)

United Arab Emirates

Paul is best known for shaping Dubai’s regulatory framework for virtual assets, pioneering the region’s digital finance and real estate tokenization initiatives.

Imad Barrakad

Chairman & CEO

Moroccan Agency for Tourism Development (SMIT)

Morocco

Imad recent acheivments includes driving Morocco’s rise to becoming Africa’s top tourist destination, welcoming 17.4 million visitors in 2024, surpassing Egypt.

Thierry Delvaux

Chief Executive Officer

Equitativa (Emirates REIT)

United Arab Emirates

Thierry is known for his transformative leadership in managing Emirates REIT, where he has driven record growth and operational efficiency. Increasing total property income by 79% year-on-year to USD 133 million in 2024.

Matthias Neuling

Head of Asia Pacific - Real Estate

Mubadala Investment Company

United Arab Emirates

Matthias was recently responsible for spearheading Mubadala's partnership in a multi-family property investment venture in Japan with Proprium Capital and Manulife Investment Management, targeting high-quality, sustainable living spaces in Tokyo and Osaka.

Shri Parveen Jain

President

National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO)

India

Parveen is known for his leadership in driving transparency, policy reforms, and sustainable growth within India’s real estate sector. As the Founder and Managing Director of Tulip Infratech, he has delivered landmark residential and commercial projects across North India.

Liam Findlay

Chief Executive Officer

Miral Destinations

United Arab Emirates

Liam had significant leadership in transforming Yas Island and Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi into world-class entertainment and cultural tourism destinations.

Dr. Mahmoud AlBurai

President

FIABCI Emirates

United Arab Emirates

Mahmoud is recognized for spearheading Dubai's real estate innovation agenda including the Dubai Real Estate Strategy 2033, the Real Estate Tokenization Project, and advancements in proptech.