Article: HR Meets Innovation: Tech-Evangelist HR Leaders in the Middle East

Leadership

By Gabriela Paz Y MiñoMay, 19 2025 @3:56pm IST

In the Middle East, many HR leaders are emerging as champions of digital transformation, change management, artificial intelligence, and strategic advisory.

They are not necessarily professionals from the new generation of “digital natives”; though some are. In many cases, they are senior leaders who have successfully adapted to the technologisation with vision and clear strategies. Just a few years ago, their work was largely analog, operational, and administrative in nature. Today, they are experimentalists who believe in trying, failing, and trying again—using experience as a catalyst for success.

Why are HR Leaders rising as Tech Evangelists?

During a conversation with Nicolas Manset, we reflected on the evolving roles and responsibilities of HR leaders in the Middle East region, highlighting the need for them to adapt to the shift driven by technological disruption.

Nicolas emphasised how crucial it has become for HR leaders in the region to fully understand the implications of artificial intelligence—and to view it not as a threat to jobs, but as a powerful tool for transformation. "If a CHRO dismisses AI as simply job-killing, they’re missing the bigger picture and won’t be able to guide their organisation effectively. They need to reassure their teams, provide training, and help everyone understand AI’s potential—whether in governance or business operations."

He added: "CHROs also need to be able to think strategically, not just focusing on the operational side of HR (like hiring, retention, and social responsibility). They need to be able to lift their eyes up and see the bigger picture. They should understand how their global counterparts are approaching AI, sustainable leadership, and cybersecurity, even if they aren’t experts in those areas. For example, CHROs must know how cybersecurity impacts their organisation and be able to communicate its importance, especially in a world where digital risks are increasing."

"Another key area is Sustainability, where CHROs need to have a view, not just about understanding climate change; it’s about knowing how innovative sustainable practices can drive long-term success."

CHROs in the Middle East need a 360° view of these evolving issues, with technology at the core of everything they influence. This is why more and more HR leaders are emerging as tech evangelists—to lead the change the world needs.

Tech-Evangelist HR Leaders in the Middle East

These HR leaders, who have made the technological leap and are now leading its spread, do not see technology as a support function, but as a strategic lever that enables human capital to generate business value. They are the tech evangelists of HR, with a keen sense of innovation and a mind prepared for disruption. In addition, of course, they have a heart rooted in employee experience and engagement, which is the essence of the HR role.

From reactive personnel management to proactive talent coordination, digital tools are enabling HR to be predictive, personalised, and performance-oriented. With a growing number of organisations in the GCC and across the MENA region investing heavily in digital HR systems, automation, AI-driven recruitment, and predictive analytics, the demand for tech-savvy HR leaders has never been greater.

These professionals have more than just a basic understanding of digital platforms; they have visionary thinking. Whether it's cloud-based HR information systems, AI-powered learning platforms, or analytics dashboards that track engagement and productivity in real time, these evangelists don't just implement tools—they reinvent HR from the ground up.

What sets them apart is not only their willingness to experiment, but also their ability to influence and inspire. They communicate the value of HR technology clearly, aligning executive buy-in with operational execution. Whether speaking at conferences, publishing thought leadership articles, or mentoring the next generation of HR professionals, their presence is catalytic. Their footprint can be found in high-impact projects: seamless onboarding platforms, AI-powered hiring processes, people analytics dashboards, and digital workplaces ready for hybridisation.

Their implementations are rarely theoretical: they deliver measurable ROI, operational efficiency, and a better employee experience. In short, they lead by example.

As the transformation of HR accelerates across the region, driven by remote work, Gen Z expectations, and the need for resilience in the wake of the pandemic, these Middle East-based HR leaders are at the forefront.

Below, we spotlight a selection of them who exemplify the spirit of HR technology evangelism.

Awadh Almur - HR Director and Chief AI Officer at Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation

Standing out as a prime example of an HR leader turned tech evangelist, Awadh Almur is leading FANR toward AI-regulated excellence, fostering continuous improvement and technological growth. He is a champion of AI initiatives, digital transformation, and strategic direction—driving the testing and deployment of innovative solutions, training employees, embedding a culture of AI within the organisation, and setting AI advancements benchmarks for HR leaders across the sector.

He believes that the responsible and ethical use of AI will uplift society rather than expose it to harm, and that equipping people with AI skills will help dispel fears of job disruption.

Dr. Jassim Al Awadhi - Senior Director & Digital Transformation Principal at du

A well-respected name in AI implementation and digital transformation, Dr. Jassim Al Awadhi is not merely participating in the digital shift—he’s leading it. With an acute focus on embedding artificial intelligence into HR and operational workflows, Dr. Al Awadhi helps organisations turn data into decisions. His efforts in the UAE, a country investing heavily in AI and smart governance, place him at the forefront of regional innovation. His work has helped large institutions move from manual HR practices to intelligence-led workforce planning—one algorithm at a time.

He recently delivered a keynote on 'AI Implications on Employability Readiness," underscoring how AI is redefining jobs, redefining industries, and replacing tasks, particularly those exclusively performed by humans.

Dr. Mostafa Ahmed Ghanima - Group HR Transformation Director at Saudi German Health

As the Group HR Transformation Director, Dr. Ghanima is steering a monumental shift in how HR operates within the healthcare sector. Under his guidance, the HR function is leveraging cloud-based systems, HRIS upgrades, and AI-driven analytics to optimise hiring, learning, and performance management. His role isn’t just operational—it’s strategic. With healthcare being one of the most people-dependent industries, his influence ensures that HR becomes a linchpin of digital patient care through empowered employees.

Safeer B Mohammed - CHRO and COO of GCCs at Sobha Constructions

Wearing multiple hats as COO and Director of HR Transformation at SOBHA Constructions, Safeer Mohammed blends operational leadership with HR innovation. His efforts to digitise HR across recruitment, payroll, and workforce planning have turned legacy systems into lean, tech-enabled engines. His unique position—straddling operations and HR—enables him to align business goals with human capital strategy through the intelligent use of technology. Safeer exemplifies how transformation at scale begins with tech-empowered talent.

As the voice of HR community, he participates in key discussions, and recently shared his thoughts on how giving younger generations a strong purpose, sharing experiences, and being open to technology adoption can co-create innovate and better workplaces.

Maan Fatani - Group Vice President HR & Shared Services at MEPCO

Maan Fatani is a key thought leader in the global HR community, offering remarkable insights into how AI innovation and digital transformation require strong governance and responsible adoption—especially when driving tech-enabled efficiency for both business and people. He emphasises that while AI and automation bring significant benefits to HR, they also raise concerns around data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the displacement of human jobs. Organisations must tread carefully, ensuring transparent and ethical AI implementation, while also reskilling HR professionals to navigate the evolving technological landscape.

Najib Makarem - Group CHRO at National Holding

Najib Makarem stands out as a strategic HR leader, believing in power of strategic transformation to drive tangible results. His leadership philosophy emphasises building strong relationships, empowering teams, and aligning business goals with people strategies to create sustainable impact across industries

Recently, sharing his thoughts on strategic HR leadership in the age of AI, he emphasised that by combining technical and financial expertise, HR leaders can make data-driven decisions that truly matter. He added that "AI and analytics are changing the game but they only mean something when used to create better, more human experiences in the workplace."

Rola Fattal - Head of People at Almosafer Group

Rola Fattal is not just driving HR operations—she’s redefining them for the digital era. Leading HR for multiple brands across six countries, she is instrumental in rolling out data-led talent strategies, digital learning ecosystems, and analytics tools that provide actionable insights across geographies. Her focus on digital transformation is deeply embedded in her leadership style, making her a standout figure in tech-forward HR leadership in the Kingdom.

Throughout her journey with Almosafer since 2018, she has successfully executed and transformed HR processes—from establishing centralised HR analytics and reporting for key stakeholders of the company to developing the group’s first central L&D platform and learning programs for employee upskilling. She has spearheaded the company’s growth and transformation.

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Abhishek David - AVP & Head of Talent Management & Leadership Development at Dubai Islamic Bank

A strategic change leader with over 17 years of experience, Abhishek David operates at the confluence of digitalisation and talent strategy. Based in Dubai, he has led initiatives around AI in HR, future-of-work research, and HR system upgrades. His recent focus on embedding digital tools into every stage of the employee lifecycle—from recruitment to exit—marks him as a genuine agent of change. His leadership proves that HR digitalisation is not a one-off project, but a mindset of continuous reinvention.