Conference Speakers

Aayush Tekriwal

CEO, PT Van Aroma

Aayush Tekriwal is the CEO of PT Van Aroma, one of Indonesia’s most dynamic and globally recognized producers of essential oils, aroma molecules, and botanical extracts. A first-principles thinker with a strong inclination toward technology and software, he has championed the use of digital tools to deliver traceability, sustainability, and efficiency across Indonesia’s natural ingredient supply chains.

With over a decade of leadership experience, Aayush has guided Van Aroma’s transformation into a climate-positive industrial player, known for producing high-value ingredients that serve the global flavors and fragrances industry. His work reflects a vision that sits at the intersection of nature, innovation, and long-term sustainability.

Adrien Iltis

Fragrance Trends Director, Al Majed Al Oud

Adrien Iltis is Fragrance Trends Director at Al Majed Al Oud, where he leads fragrance trend forecasting and the development of future perfume concepts for the brand. A graduate of the IFF × ISIPCA program, Adrien has built an international career having worked across France, New York, and the Middle East. Having spent part of his childhood in Saudi Arabia before returning to the region professionally, he has developed a deep understanding of Middle Eastern fragrance culture and consumer expectations. His work combines trend insights, market understanding and creative development to help shape the next generation of fragrances.

Alexandre Helwani

Global Experience Director, Nishane

A perfumer, author and historian, Alexandre HELWANI has developed a practice rooted in sensorial archaeology, reviving lost gestures, rituals and landscapes to reshape our perception of space and time.

His expertise has been sought by numerous cultural and academic worldwide, including the Institut du Monde Arabe, Sorbonne Université and the Osmothèque in Paris, as well as the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp and the French Biblical and Archaeological School of Jerusalem as well as by industry leaders IFF and dsm-firmenich.

Anchoring olfaction in a transdisciplinary field where memory, culture and subjectivity converge, his work and insights have been show at the Carmignac, Dries Van Noten, Pernod-Ricard and La Napoule foundations and featured in The Telegraph, Le Figaro, WWD, AD and Nez, and on TF1 and RFI.

In 2024, he joined NISHANE as Global Training Manager and has served as Global Experience Director since March 2026, leading the House's cultural outreach programme.

Ajit Vaze

CEO & Managing Director, AARAV FRAGRANCES AND FLAVORS PVT LTD

Ajit Vaze is the Founder, CEO, and Managing Director of AARAV, established in 2007. A distinguished Master Perfumer with over 40 years of industry experience, he began his career as one of the promoter of S.H. Kelkar & Company Limited in 1989. Renowned for crafting fragrances for leading brands, he has been instrumental in shaping India’s fragrances and flavors industry. He also served as the youngest-ever President of FAFAI (2007–2009). Ajit holds a Master’s degree in Chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay.

Amandine Nikuzе

Vice-President- Perfumery, AJMAL PERFUMES

There are certain scents that stay with us from our childhood.

For me, these fragrant memories, like the smell of dewy tuberoses in my parents’ garden, or the passion fruit vines, so prevalent in Rwanda where I grew up, were particularly special and would go on to fuel my curiosity in the world of perfumery.

Trained at ISIPCA School of Perfumery in Versailles, I discovered the profession in Dubai with IFF and moved to Firmenich where I was able to bridge the gap between the Gulf heritage and the French perfume craftmanship.

Each fragrance development is for me an empty canvas that I shape through my emotions, creativity, sensitivity and sense of detail.

My talent and expertise are renowned in the GCC and worldwide, constantly expecting elements of surprise from new briefs.

Amal Al Gertani

Partnerships & Experience Lead, Dullberg Konzentra GmbH & Co KG

Amal Al Gertani is the Partnerships & Experiences Lead at Düllberg Konzentra, where she focuses on building strategic partnerships, developing brand experiences, and creating meaningful connections within the fragrance industry.

With a background in sales, account management, and product development, Amal brings together commercial thinking and creative storytelling. She specializes in turning ideas into market-ready fragrance and packaging concepts.

she leads collaborations, creative initiatives, and experiences that strengthen Düllberg Konzentra’s presence and connections across the global fragrance community. Her approach combines curiosity, relationship-building, and a strong belief in the power of fragrance to create memorable experiences.

Amrita Kriplani

Founder & CEO, Scendira

Amrita Kriplani is the founder of Scendira (www.scendira.com), an AI fragrance discovery platform - the Spotify for Scent, helping shoppers choose perfumes they are less likely to regret buying.

She has spent 16 years building consumer eCommerce and recommendation products for ASOS, Fab.com, Rocket Internet, BurdaLuxury and Supernova, and published research on eCommerce recommender systems at Eurofuse 2013. After moving to Dubai she smelled 1,100+ perfumes in her first year and saw how difficult fragrance discovery remains online.

Scendira brings recommendation-system thinking to scent through Dira, its consumer discovery chatbot, and Scentral OS, a shared intelligence layer built from catalogue data and structured community evidence across Reddit, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Fragrantica, Amazon and Sephora. She holds an MS from NYU.

Angelina Patchouli

Content Creator

Angelina Patchouli has been sharing her passion for fragrance across Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for over 7 years. Today, she is the largest female German-speaking fragrance content creator in the DACH region, with a strong community of over 580K followers and a million-plus audience across the German-speaking market.

Through honest reviews, personal recommendations and authentic storytelling, Angelina makes the world of fragrance approachable and inspiring. As an independent creator, she works directly with brands and companies across the fragrance industry, creating content that feels genuine while staying true to her own perspective and community.

Anver Gal

CEO, IRomaScents

Avner Gal is a serial entrepreneur and innovation strategist, with more than 25 years of executive leadership in biotech, beauty tech, and wellness innovation. As CEO and Co-Founder of multiple technology ventures—including iRomaScents and Integrity Applications—Avner has redefined how human senses, data, and wellness intersect.

With academic roots in Electrical Engineering (BSc, Technion), Electronic Warfare (MSc, Naval Postgraduate School, USA), and an MBA in Marketing Management (University of Derby, UK), Avner blends deep technical expertise with commercial foresight. He has held C-suite roles in both private and public companies, successfully leading R&D, commercialization, and global expansion strategies.

 A published author (NINGA™ – Your Path to Venture Success), multiple patent holder, and speaker at global tech and healthcare forums, Avner is recognized for turning cutting-edge science into scalable, human-centered solutions. His leadership helped bring to market GlucoTrack, a non-invasive glucose monitor, and now iRomaScents, an AI-powered fragrance platform revolutionizing scent sampling and consumer experience.

Avner’s work reflects a commitment to emotional wellness, sustainable innovation, and functional beauty—championing technologies that don’t just enhance appearance, but uplift human experience.

His diverse background—military precision, scientific rigor, and entrepreneurial vision—makes him a compelling thought leader at the forefront of next-gen beauty and wellness.

Aram Boyadjian

Head of Fine Fragrances, IFF

Aram Boyadjian is a seasoned leader in the fine fragrance industry, with over 13 years at IFF driving commercial excellence across the AMET and ASPAC regions.

As Vice President and Regional Commercial Director, he spearheads strategic growth initiatives, blending creative innovation with deep market insight.

At Beauty World Middle East, Aram brings his expertise to the stage with a compelling session on “Unlocking China and India’s Market Potential,” offering a deep dive into evolving consumer preferences and winning strategies in two of the world’s most dynamic economies.

Archana Pandey

Senior Fine Fragrance Evaluator, Iberchem

Archana Shandilya is a fragrance professional with over 15 years of experience in the perfumery and fragrance industry.

Throughout her career, she has worked across different regions of India, gaining valuable experience in fragrance development and the perfume industry. She later moved to Dubai, where she expanded her expertise by working in an international market and collaborating with global teams.

Passionate about fragrance innovation, learning, and mentoring young professionals, Archana believes in combining traditional perfumery knowledge with modern technology and global perspectives.

Aurelien Guichard

Master Perfumer at TAKASAGO and Founder of MATIERE PREMIERE

Aurélien Guichard is a French perfumer from Grasse, born into a family of flower growers and perfume creators spanning several generations. He has signed creations for prestigious houses such as Gucci, Burberry, Versace, and Narciso Rodriguez.

Aurélien Guichard is the only perfumer in the world who cultivates his own ingredients. In 2016, he established a perfume plant farm where he grows centifolia rose, tuberose, and lavandin in the Grasse region.

He creates perfumes for various brands within the TAKASAGO fragrance house, and in 2019, he founded MATIERE PREMIERE, where he serves as Creative Director and Perfumer. Aurélien works between his two studios, located in Grasse and Paris.

MATIERE PREMIERE highlights the raw beauty of natural ingredients, with each fragrance built around an overdose of a central raw material. Through MATIERE PREMIERE, French perfume craftsmanship is celebrated by preserving and promoting local cultivation and savoir-faire. The brand is now present in 60 countries worldwide, recognized for its creativity and the quality of its fragrances.

Notable perfumes created by Aurélien include Burberry Hero, Versace Eros, Gucci Guilty and Pour Homme, and Narciso Rodriguez Narciso.

Ayoob Ibrahim

Co- Founder, Fragrance Network factory

Mr. Ayoob Ibrahim is the Co founder of Fragrance Network Factory, where he leads the company’s commercial strategy, sales and international growth.

With a strong background in business development and consumer-led growth,Mr. Ayoob is focused on how creators, communities and social commerce are reshaping the way fragrance brands are discovered and built. At FNF, this thinking is reflected in a creator-first approach, using influencer collaborations, authentic UGC and digital communities to turn fragrance discovery into conversation, advocacy and ultimately sales.

As FNF expands across international markets, Mr. Ayoob is particularly interested in bridging influence and commerce, exploring how brands can move beyond traditional influencer campaigns to build creator relationships and communities that contribute directly to long-term brand growth.

Bader Nasser Marzooq

Founder & Chairman, GHAFF

Dr. Badr Nasser Marzooq is the Founder & Chairman of GHAFF, an Emirati niche fragrance house based in Dubai. He leads the brand’s strategy, development and international expansion, with a focus on building a modern fragrance house that reflects Emirati identity while appealing to a global audience. Under his leadership, GHAFF’s Luxury Fragrance Collection was named a finalist for Luxury Packaging of the Year at the Beautyworld Dubai Awards 2026. His interests include the business of fragrance, brand positioning and the opportunities for Middle Eastern fragrance houses to grow internationally while maintaining their identity and authenticity.

Benjamin Ogrizek

Managing Director Middle East & Africa, Robertet

-          Born in Paris, France in 1989.

-          Graduated from Business School in 2013.

-          Worked in Finance from 2013 to 2017.

-          Joined Robertet in Paris, France in 2017.

-          Set up the Robertet Middle East & Africa subsidiary in Dubai in 2022.

Finalized the construction of the Taif Rose Company for Perfumes production unit in 2026. 

Catherine Dolisi

Fine Fragrance Marketing Director, dsm-firmenich

Catherine Dolisi is Global Fragrance Marketing Director at dsm-firmenich, where she leads the global marketing vision and strategy for Fine Fragrance. With extensive experience in the fragrance and beauty industry, she works at the intersection of creativity, consumer culture and business, shaping strategies that build desirability and bring fragrance stories to life.

Celine Carrasco Douroux

Applied Reasearch Director EAME, Symrise

Céline Carrasco Douroux is a senior innovation and applied research leader at Symrise, with 19 years of experience in fragrance technologies, neuroscience, sensory science, and international R&D management. Throughout her career, she has combined scientific expertise with strategic leadership to advance the development and evaluation of innovative fragrance solutions for Consumer Fragrances and Fine Fragrance.

Since 2022, Céline has led Innovation/Applied Research for EAME, overseeing teams and laboratories in France and Germany. In this role, she manages multidisciplinary programs targeting fragrance performance and neuroscience through patents, scientific communication, and research excellence. Her work supports the translation of scientific insights into consumer-relevant fragrance benefits and differentiated technologies.

Céline’s research interests focus on the emotional, cognitive, and physiological effects of fragrances, as well as their impact on wellbeing, performance perception and sillage. She has shared her scientific work at international conferences including IFSCC, contributing to the dialogue between fragrance science, consumer understanding, and applied innovation.

Dirk Lauven

Master Perfumer & Global Head of Creation & Sales, Düllberg Konzentra GmbH & Co. KG

Düllberg Konzentra's Master Perfumer Dirk Lauven brings more than 30 years of experience in fragrance creation, innovation, and business leadership. Before joining Düllberg Konzentra, he held senior leadership positions at IFF, including VP Senior Perfumer and CEO Europe, and began his career at Dragoco, today Symrise, where he built expertise across personal care, home care, and fine fragrances. Today, Dirk combines creative excellence with strategic leadership to develop innovative fragrance solutions and shape the future of perfumery.

Dominique Bortoloni

Founder, Cosmus Luxury Consulting

With over 25 years of expertise in luxury and fine perfumery, my journey began with an early passion for the scents of the Middle East, where I grew up. From my training at the Perfumers’ School in Grasse to leading the Dubai office for a global leader in raw materials, and developing niche brand in Saudi Arabia, I am dedicated to shaping and sharing the art of fragrance through education, innovation, and a deep understanding of cultures.

Enric Juve

CPO & Founder, Scentral Market

Enric is a Digital Product leader based in Barcelona with over 16 years of experience building customer-centric products across multiple industries, with a strong focus on user experience, automation and data-driven decision-making.

For the past five years, he has dedicated his career to digitalising the Fragrance industry — four of them at Scentmate by dsm-firmenich, where he contributed to developing AI-powered fragrance recommendation tools and a Project Management ecosystem designed to take operational efficiency to the next level.

He is now an independent Fragrance consultant and Founder of Scentral Market, a B2B platform designed to transform how consumer brands and Fragrance Houses collaborate digitally to improve time-to-market and creative outcomes.

Faiza Hussain

Founder, The Skin Shrink Consultancy

Faiza Hussain is an award-winning cosmetic scientist, formulation strategist and the founder of The Skin Shrink consultancy, NEX and SciFhy Labs. She operates as a global brand consultant, industry judge, public speaker, scientific writer and specialises in navigating Middle Eastern and international cosmetics, fragrance and skincare brands with product development, patents, innovation, ingredient and growth acceleration. 

Farah K. Ahmed

President and CEO, Fragrance Creators Association

Farah K. Ahmed leads the Fragrance Creators Association, the principal U.S. trade association for the North American fragrance industry, where she directs multistakeholder policy engagement including with the White House, USTR, Congress, a dozen federal agencies, and select foreign trade delegates. A biochemist, attorney, and industry strategist, Farah built her career at the edge of what's possible and what's permissible — leading a collective of the world's most inventive companies and running the organization that gives a multibillion-dollar fragrance industry its voice.

FCA’s trade advocacy has blocked nearly $2 billion in tariffs on fragrance materials, secured real-time legal counsel for companies navigating tariff classification and refund claims, and produced original economic research on the industry’s trade exposure — work that benefits every company in the global value chain that sources, manufactures, or trades materials into or through the U.S. market.

Florence Roghe

Founder & Director, Collateral Projects

Florence Roghe is the founder of collateral projects., a project management and new product development agency specialising in the beauty industry. The agency offers fractional senior-level support, bringing the flexibility and agility modern brands need to scale smarter. With over 20 years of experience, she brings a unique blend of corporate and entrepreneurial insight, having worked with leading UK brands such as Beauty Pie, Soaper Duper, and Soap & Glory.

Through Collateral Projects, Florence has supported a range of premium and purpose-driven brands including Gallinée by Dr. Marie Drago, pioneers in microbiome skincare; MZ Skin by Dr. Maryam Zamani, a luxury doctor-led brand; and MIRROR WATER by Estée Lalonde, focused on self-care and wellbeing— along with various other brands and bespoke projects across the beauty industry.

Florence leads projects from concept to shelf, overseeing formulation, packaging, positioning, and strategy—ensuring each launch aligns with brand values and market needs. Passionate about innovation and product excellence, she helps brands build relevant products in a fast-moving and competitive landscape.

Collateral Projects offers fractional senior-level support, bringing the flexibility and agility modern brands need to scale smarter. Their approach is rooted in clear planning, strong processes, and a deep love for beauty done well.

Fulya Yahya Ozsan

Founder & Strategic Fragrance Consultant, FYO ARTISAN Consultanc

Fulya Yahya Özsan is a fragrance expert, perfume designer, and founder of FYO ARTISAN Consultancy and Soul of Caria Artisan Perfumery.

An ISIPCA Paris graduate, she has nearly two decades of commercial and creative experience, with a career spanning IFF, MANE, and Givaudan across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Most recently, she served as Fragrance Director for the Unilever NAMET–RUB account at Givaudan.

Today, she combines B2C brand building with B2B fragrance consultancy for brands and fragrance houses. Her creation Fig Royale won Best Unisex Fragrance at the Marie Claire Türkiye Fragrance Awards 2026.

Gaelle Dore

General Manager Middle East & India, Centdegres

Gaelle Dore is the General Manager for Middle East and India of centdegrés, a strategic and creative agency specialized in building and elevating brands of the fragrance and beauty industry. With over 11 years of experience in the region, she brings her deep expertise in supporting local and regional clients, to craft meaningful, culturally relevant, and forward-thinking brand experiences.

Guillaume Audy

Director of Communications, Iberchem

Guillaume Audy is a highly creative PR and communications specialist with 19 years of experience spanning both public and private sectors. Currently serving as Director of Communications at the fragrance house Iberchem, he brings over a decade of expertise in the fragrance industry. Guillaume has led award-winning PR campaigns for international brands, consistently leveraging creativity and emotional storytelling to connect brands with global audiences. With professional experience in more than 30 countries, he combines a deep cultural awareness with strategic insight, making him a sought-after expert in brand engagement and communications on the international stage.

Hani Jabbour

SVP – Beauty, Luxury Tech & Media, Chalhoub Group

Hani Jabbour is Senior Vice President Beauty, Luxury Tech & Media at Chalhoub Group, the partner and creator of luxury experiences in the Middle East. He serves as the main point of contact for the Group’s joint venture partners and participates in Board meetings, bringing deep category, consumer and market knowledge to support partners in navigating and growing their businesses across the region. He also connects partners with the Group’s wider capabilities and support services, helping create long-term value and strengthen their presence in the Middle East.

Hani brings more than 33 years of experience in the beauty industry across the Middle East, with extensive expertise spanning distribution, retail and e-commerce, as well as franchise and joint venture business management. From 2004 to 2012, he directly managed Coty Middle East, a joint venture business, before taking on the role of Managing Director for all markets outside the UAE and Saudi Arabia from 2012 to 2016. He later served as President Beauty for the Group’s franchise business from 2017 to 2020.

Haydn Williams

 Journalist, Podcaster, You Smell Great! What Is It?

Haydn Williams is an award-winning writer, podcaster, event host and fragrance expert whose work explores the connections between scent, self-expression and storytelling. Haydn is also the creator and host of the acclaimed podcast ‘Man in the Mirror,’ now in its eleventh season. Designed to encourage open conversations between men about self-care, self-image and grooming, the show features interviews with leading figures from across the beauty, wellness and creative industries.

Ines Guendouz

Global Brand Communications Manager, Nishane

Inès Guendouz leads NISHANE’s global communications, campaign development, PR and media strategy, shaping the house’s international brand image.

Based in Dubai for the past 12 years, Inès has built a career at the intersection of editorial, fashion, luxury and fragrance. Beginning in editorial at Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, she moved into communications agencies before specialising in luxury and niche perfumery, working across brand image and global storytelling.

Today, she brings that cross-disciplinary perspective to NISHANE, translating the DNA of a distinctive fragrance house into compelling narratives and creative ecosystems designed to resonate across markets.

Jacques Cavallier Belletrud

Master Perfumer, Louis Vuitton

Perfume runs in his blood. Trained by his father in Grasse and shaped by more than two decades at Firmenich, Jacques built a body of work long before Louis Vuitton, including Classique, L'Eau D'Issey, and Opium pour Homme. Since becoming Louis Vuitton's Master Perfumer in 2012, he has created every fragrance to carry the House's name, from the debut women's collection in 2016 to a men's line built on masculine energy without cliché. He introduced oud to the Maison through Ombre Nomade, launched a made to order Haute Parfumerie service, and partnered with Frank Gehry on La Collection des Extraits, a radical extrait format built without the traditional top, heart, and base note structure. His most recent creation, LVERS, was made in collaboration with Pharrell Williams.

Jasmina Ilic

Fragrance Development Manager, CPL Aromas

Jasmina is a seasoned professional with a Masters in Chemical Engineering and a certification in Leadership Essentials from IMD. With a decade of experience in the fragrance industry, including eight years in fragrance development, Jasmina has a rich background that spans various roles and sectors. Starting her career as an analytical chemist, Jasmina moved to Dubai in 2011 to work as a Chemical Engineering the Oil and Gas sector. Her passion for cosmetics and fragrances led her to CPL Aromas Dubai in 2015, where she began as an Analyst in Quality Control. Her fascination with the emotive power of fragrances propelled her to transition to the evaluation department after nearly two years in QC. Currently, as the Fragrance Development Manager, Jasmina leads a team of evaluators at CPL's Dubai office. Her role involves staying abreast of market trends, engaging with customers on new products, and leading cross-category fragrance development. Her exposure to marketing, branding, strategy, and process improvements through internal projects showcases her versatility and commitment to excellence in her field. Jasmina's journey reflects a blend of technical expertise and a deep appreciation for the art of perfumery, making her an asset to the fragrance development realm.

Jay Suneja

Paper Specialist, Sona Commercial LLC

Jay Suneja helps designers, creative directors, and brand-led entrepreneurs turn a brand's essence into a physical packaging experience that people can feel, not just see. By choosing materials and designing around the emotion a brand needs to evoke, he creates packaging where every physical detail reinforces the story and moves the customer toward action.

He has helped over 500 brands select the right paper and packaging materials for their products. An INSEAD MBA, he works on the link between material and perception. Design is what people see, paper is what people feel, and feelings cannot be faked. That makes packaging one of the easiest ways for a brand to be perceived as genuinely different. Every brand should be able to tell its story honestly through the materials it chooses, not just the premium ones. The starting point is never budget or category. It's what the brand wants its customer to feel.

Jenine Guerriero

Head of Marketing & Consumer Insights- Fine Fragrance, Givaudan

Jenine Guerriero is a recognized fragrance industry leader and Head of Marketing and Consumer Insights for Fine Fragrance North America at Givaudan, where she helps shape the future of fragrance. Recognized for combining creativity, AI-enabled consumer understanding, and strategic vision, she partners with some of the world's most iconic fragrance brands to identify what's next for beauty, scent, and consumer experience.

Named one of Cosmetic Executive Women's Beauty's Top Talent, Jenine serves on the Fragrance Advisory Board at the Fashion Institute of Technology, supporting mentorship and the development of future industry talent. Her passion for the sensory world extends beyond fragrance: she trained at The French Culinary Institute in New York, deepening her appreciation for the powerful connection between taste, scent and emotion.

Beyond her professional work, Jenine is committed to giving back through her volunteer work with For Goodness Cakes, helping create celebratory moments for at-risk youth and reflecting her belief in the power of creativity, connection, and community. Known for her curiosity, warmth, and inventive spirit, she leads with a future-focused vision for fragrance, beauty, and consumer connection.

Julie Contat Desfontaines

Founder, SILLAGE and Partner, CINQUIEME SENS

With over 15 years of experience in the Fine Fragrance industry, Julie has held key leadership roles, most notably as Sales & Marketing Director at a leading international fragrance house.

She has been deeply engaged in shaping the olfactive landscape of the Middle East, collaborating closely with perfumers and brand creators—both global and regional.

Driven by a profound appreciation for the emotional and cultural dimensions of scent, Julie sees fragrance as a powerful element that bridges heritage, identity, and innovation.

Today, she is the Founder of SILLAGE, an olfactive consulting company and Partner of CINQUIEME SENS in the UAE and KSA, dedicated to advancing fragrance knowledge across the region.

Justina Mejia- Montane

Chief Product Officer, KAYALI

Justina Mejia-Montane is a globally recognized beauty industry executive with more than 20 years of experience spanning product development, innovation, and marketing. As Chief Product Officer at KAYALI, she leads the brand’s product development and innovation strategy, working closely with founder Mona Kattan to shape KAYALI’s next chapter of global growth.

A passionate advocate for consumer-led innovation and inclusive beauty, Justina brings extensive experience across fragrance, skincare, makeup, and beauty technology, with a career that includes senior leadership roles at Huda Beauty, Dyson, Aveda, and The Estée Lauder Companies. She is known for combining creativity, consumer insight, technical expertise, and strategic leadership to create products that resonate across cultures and markets.

Kareema Toutounji

Founder, Oud Grading Institute

Kareema Toutounji is the Founder of the Oud Grading Institute and the author of the world’s first structured 100-point quality grading system for oud oil. Her GGI framework brings measurable standards and shared language to an industry that has operated without universal grading standards for centuries.

Based in Tropical North Queensland, Australia, Kareema is one of the few oud cultivators outside Southeast Asia. With a background in public health research and over a decade of experience in the global oud and agarwood industry, she combines scientific rigour, cultural sensitivity and deep knowledge of one of the world’s oldest aromatic traditions.

Through her work, Kareema is advancing greater transparency, consistency and sustainability across the oud and agarwood industry.

Karen Marin

Content Director & Consultant, Essencional

Karen Marin is a Cosmetics and Fragrance industry executive with experience in global marketing, merchandising and strategic planning, skilled at identifying innovative brand building opportunities across all channels.  In her career she established the fragrance strategy at Sephora US for nearly ten years before moving to France to take on the role of Business Development Manager at Parfums Givenchy overseeing North and South America.  She also authored and taught an online class on Cosmetics and Fragrance Merchandising for the Academy of Art in San Francisco.

Currently she is the Content Director and a consultant for Essencional, an independent media, knowledge and business platform that connects the global artistic perfumery community.  Since 2015 she has also been a moderator at Esxence, the world’s largest artistic fragrance tradeshow, Pitti Fragranze and World Perfumery Congress.

Kevin Mathys

Senior Perfumer, CPL Aromas

Kevin Mathys is a Senior Perfumer at CPL Aromas, based in Dubai and known for his thoughtful and evocative approach to fragrance creation. His passion for perfumery began in the French countryside and developed through formal training and experience across fragrance houses in Europe before joining CPL Aromas in Dubai.

Inspired by nature, art, memories and everyday experiences, Kevin views fragrance as a powerful way to evoke emotion and connect with others. Drawn to complex ingredients such as vetiver, leather, woods and amber, his work combines creativity and storytelling with a strong belief in a more sustainable and transparent future for perfumery.

Khalid Iqbal

Commercial Manager, Abd Majid Oud

Khalid Iqbal represents the family business, Abd Majid Oud, as Commercial Manager. He specializes in agarwood oil, its production, distillation, and use in perfumery. He regularly shares his practical experiances of oud with perfumers, fragrance professionals, and students through presentations and writing, and he authored Beyond the Scent of Agarwood Oil.

Lana Glazman

Chief Marketing Officer, FREYI.A

Lana Glazman is a global executive and innovation leader with deep expertise across the beauty, fragrance, and personal care industries. With a career spanning executive roles at dsm-firmenich, Aptar, and The Estée Lauder Companies, she has a proven track record of driving business growth, leading high-performing teams, and spearheading end-to-end innovation.

Since October 2025, Lana has been the founder and leader of FREYI.A, a consultancy dedicated to leveraging her unique expertise at the intersection of beauty, perfumery, neuroscience, and AI to solve complex industry challenges.

Lana holds an MBA from the Wharton School of Business and has completed executive education at the University of Oxford. She combines advanced analytical capabilities—including data science and neuro-sensory research—with creative problem-solving to help organizations navigate competitive global markets. 

Mahdi Zahreddine

Managing Director, Dullberg Konzentra GmbH & Co KG

Mahdi Zahreddine is the Managing Director of Düllberg Konzentra Middle East, where he drives growth and creative excellence in the region’s fragrance industry. With an entrepreneurial mindset and a background in engineering, he brings over 12 years of experience in the fragrance, perfume, and cosmetics world, having developed products and businesses across 30+ countries in Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Mahmoud Mokhtar

Global Project Manager, Al Majed Oud

Mahmoud Mokhtar is the Global Projects Manager at Al Majed for Oud. With over 15 years of diverse experience across the MENA region, he has built a robust career driving strategic functions and operations. He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Human Resources Management from Paris ESLSCA Business School.

Throughout his tenure at Al Majed for Oud, Mahmoud has successfully navigated various leadership roles, advancing from Admin Operation Supervisor for the GCC to Head of Administration Operations Department, and subsequently to Administration Operations Manager - Global, before assuming his current role leading global projects.

As a Certified Key Performance Indicators Professional, his core competencies include strategic planning, performance management, and organizational development. This deep multidisciplinary background in regional operations and management provides him with a unique, holistic perspective on the internal frameworks and operational excellence required for fragrance brands to successfully scale, enter new markets, and build strong partnerships with international distributors.

Marie Urban Le Febvre

 Independent Perfumer - Creator, Urban Scents 

Marie Urban Le Febvre is a perfumer-creator and founder of Urban Scents. Trained at ISIPCA in Versailles, she began her career with international fragrance houses before establishing her independent path in 2014.

As an independent perfumer, she creates both under her own name and for numerous international and local brands, developing official signature fragrances as well as working discreetly as a creative ghostwriter.
Her work bridges classical French craftsmanship with a free, contemporary vision shaped between Berlin and Trieste, always grounded in the roots and deeper purpose of each fragrance she is entrusted to create.

Deeply committed to transmission and the cultural heritage of scent, she is a professor at ISIPCA and serves as Secretary General of the Osmothèque. She collaborates with institutions on historical perfume reconstructions alongside her modern authorial creations.

For Marie, perfumery is both discipline and instinct, a lifelong dialogue between memory, raw materials, and inner vision.

Marie-Eugenie Bouge

Marketing & Communication Director, Expressions Parfumes

With over 20 years of experience in the fragrance industry, she oversees the company’s global marketing strategy and communication, contributing to its international development. Her responsibilities include market and consumer insights analysis, trend anticipation, brand positioning, and the development of communication strategies that strengthen Expressions Parfumées’ growth and global visibility.

She began her career as an Evaluator at Robertet before joining Payan Bertrand, where she held several managerial positions and ultimately became Director of Creation and Communication, leveraging her dual expertise in fragrance compositions and natural ingredients.

Mashael Al Kuwari

Founder & CEO, Maison Mirwad 

Mashael Al Kuwari is Founder, CEO and Creative Director of Qatari perfume house Maison Mirwad. Through her visionary entrepreneurship she has built Maison Mirwad into a highly successful niche fragrance brand that is internationally recognised for its masterful fusion of cultural richness, heritage and modern luxury approach. Prior to founding her brand Mashael studied perfumery in Grasse, where she developed her skilful reinterpretation of ingredients and olfactive experimentation that has become a signature of her collections. She combines this insightful knowledge with an instinctive creativity to bring something new, different and distinctive to the global fragrance industry. Mashael’s pioneering style extends to Maison Mirwad’s Place Vendôme Flagship Store that is reshaping fragrance retail through its innovative concept and scent experiences.  

Mathieu Loury

CEO, Predicity

Entrepreneur and investor. Founder of Predicity, where AI decodes how consumers perceive scent, giving fragrance designers and beauty brands a better way to craft products people genuinely love.

Mehrnoush Shafiei

 Consultant, Euromonitor International

Mehr Shafiei is a Consultant with Euronitor International, covering beauty and fashion industries and payments and services. With a focus on the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, she provides global and regional clients with valuable insights into consumer behaviour and market trends.

Meriem Bennami

Sales Manager MENA, Anaik

Meriem Bennami is a Sales Manager at Anaïk, a French company specializing in bespoke packaging, gifting and accessories for leading beauty and luxury brands. Based in Dubai, she manages projects across the Middle East and Africa, working with Anaïk’s in-house design and sourcing teams to bring concepts from idea to production. With a strong interest in Ecodesign and consumer experience, she focuses on creating solutions that balance desirability, functionality and environmental impact.

Mia Collins

Director Of Beauty, Harrods

With over two decades of expertise in luxury, Mia Collins is an influential figure in the UK retail sector for leading the world-renowned Beauty business in Harrods.

Across her impressive career, Mia has harnessed innovative thinking and insights-led business planning to position Harrods Beauty at the pinnacle of global luxury retail.

Under her leadership, Harrods has been named the Fragrance Foundation’s “Fragrance Retailer of the Year” an unprecedented ten times; a testament to her talent for exceptional curation and her instinct for identifying emerging trends.

Mia’s strategic focus and creative direction has shaped many of Harrods most defining milestones: the launch of Salon de Parfums in 2014, a pioneering concept that reframed and redefined the world of fine fragrance; the opening of The Harrods Wellness Clinic in 2017, a visionary destination bridging aesthetics and integrative wellbeing; and the complete transformation of Harrods’ 46,000-square-foot Beauty Halls in 2019, setting a new global benchmark for immersive retail.

Most recently, Collins has extended the Harrods Beauty experience to new UK destinations, with the rollout of H beauty; a network of six specialty stores bringing the brand’s hallmark of luxury beauty to new audiences across England and Scotland.

Beyond her role at Harrods, Mia’s influence extends across the luxury sector. Collins is an award-winning leader, having received the CEW UK Achiever Award in 2014. A passionate advocate for mentorship and emerging talent, Mia continues to shape the future of the industry as a member of the CEW UK Board. Mia also collaborates closely with Walpole, the official governing body for UK luxury, where she is instrumental in guiding and inspiring the next generation of luxury industry leaders.

Miche Whitehouse

Head of Brand & Digital, Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics

Miche Whitehouse has spent over 20 years within Lush, building her career from the shop floor to executive brand leadership. She joined the business in 2008 as a part-time sales associate in New York while studying the business of fashion, quickly moving up through store management. After turning around key US locations–including elevating the Mandalay Bay Las Vegas shop to the third highest-performing location in North America–she joined the US retail support team to train and develop store managers nationwide.

In 2014, Miche relocated to Dubai to lead Lush’s retail operations across the MENA region, establishing structure, leadership pipelines, and growth strategies across regional shops. Driven by a deep alignment with Lush’s core ethics and campaigning roots, she transitioned to the brand side of the business in 2020. Today, she oversees regional localisation, content creation, digital strategy, PR, and experiential events as Head of Brand and Digital for Lush MENA.

Miche’s primary objective for the region is expanding Lush’s footprint beyond bath products, establishing the brand as a go-to destination for effective skincare, haircare, and fine fragrance across Middle Eastern households. She focuses on authentic local storytelling, ensuring Lush’s values and product benefits resonate with the diverse communities living in the region.

Her leadership style centers on collaborative development, hiring for work ethic, and providing her team with the autonomy to innovate. A certified MBTI trainer, Miche facilitates soft-skills development, coaching, and resilience training across the regional business.

Minal Siyal

Founder, Siyate 

Minal Siyal is the Founder & Nose of Siyate, a Dubai-born contemporary luxury fragrance house redefining fragrance through memory, design and storytelling. Drawing on her background in global brand strategy, she has developed an emotion-led approach to fragrance creation, where every collection begins with a story before becoming a scent. From the globally celebrated Chai Karak to nostalgic gourmand creations inspired by childhood rituals and everyday moments, Minal creates fragrances that combine emotional storytelling with genuine consumer appeal. Today, Siyate reaches customers in more than 30 countries across the GCC, Asia, Europe, the UK, South Africa and wider Africa, establishing itself as one of the region's most exciting emerging luxury fragrance houses.

Mohamed Abdelghany Abdelhamid

Senior Technology Manager MEA - F&B, Technology SAMEA, Givaudan

A Senior Fragrance Technology Manager with more than 15 years of experience across the Fragrance, Household, Personal Care, and FMCG industries in the Middle East and Africa. Currently at Givaudan, she leads Fragrance & Beauty Technology initiatives across the MEA region, driving innovation, customer collaboration, and technology implementation.

With previous leadership roles at WACKER and Henkel, she brings a balanced combination of technical, commercial, and innovation expertise in formulation development, consumer-centric solutions, and product technologies, with contributions to multiple patents in Household Care applications.

Mohammad Ibrahim

Chairman, Emirates Pride Perfumes

Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim is the Chairman of Emirates Pride, a UAE-born international fragrance house bringing distinctive fragrance concepts and contemporary perfumery to consumers across global markets.

Under his leadership, Emirates Pride has evolved by combining cultural heritage, international perfumery expertise, innovation and modern storytelling. His vision is to create fragrances that go beyond ingredients, translating meaningful ideas, traditions and emotions into experiences that resonate with today’s global consumer.

This philosophy has shaped initiatives including the Future Tradition collection, where technology reimagines traditional fragrance rituals for a new generation, and the brand’s Guinness World Record™ Largest Perfume Testing Event, which placed consumers at the heart of fragrance creation.

As Emirates Pride continues its international expansion, Mr. Mohammed believes the future of perfumery lies not only in what a fragrance smells like, but in the story, emotion and meaning consumers choose to carry with them.

Muadh Al Sinawi

Co-Founder, OMANLUXURY

Muadh Al Sinawi is Co-Founder and Commercial & Marketing Director of OMANLUXURY, an Omani luxury fragrance house dedicated to sharing the richness of Oman’s heritage, culture, and olfactory traditions with the world.

As part of OMANLUXURY’s founding journey, Muadh has played a key role in shaping the brand’s commercial vision, global positioning, and international expansion. His work spans brand strategy, marketing, retail development, international partnerships, and building meaningful connections between Omani heritage and contemporary fine perfumery.

Under his commercial and marketing leadership, OMANLUXURY has expanded its presence to more than 50 countries and over 600 points of sale worldwide, establishing a growing international presence while remaining deeply rooted in its Omani identity.

Muadh is passionate about building an authentic Omani luxury house with a global perspective. His approach focuses on cultural storytelling, craftsmanship, innovation, and creating fragrance experiences that resonate with a new generation of consumers while preserving the authenticity and character of Oman.

Namita Shrivastava

Passionate Marketeer, Industry Expert and Brand Story-teller

Namita Shrivastava has built her career at the intersection of luxury fragrances, beauty, Cosmetics, colour cosmetics, retail, and technology, with experience spanning organizations such as AVON UAE, ARMAF, HAMIDI, COSMO COSMETICS, L&T Infotech, and BELLAVITA LUXURY. Her journey reflects both a deep understanding of the UAE’s perfume industry and the ability to translate that knowledge into globally relevant product creation, development, and marketing strategies.

She has contributed to award-winning launches that have strengthened brands and earned recognition across the beauty industry. Known for approaching marketing with a 360° perspective from product ideation and retail experience to digital storytelling and consumer engagement. Namita combines strategic insight with hands-on execution to bring ideas to life.

Her work is guided by a belief in learning, sharing, and mentoring, which has led her to support young professionals and career aspirants who are shaping the future of beauty and retail. As a speaker at conferences worldwide, she values opportunities to exchange knowledge and foster dialogue that drives the industry forward.

Natasha Vaughan-Jeremy

Founder, The Luxe Narrative

With 15+ years of experience in marketing, brand building, and market expansion, Natasha helps consumer and lifestyle brands shape strategy, enter new markets, and scale sustainably.

Originally from the U.K. and having been based in the UAE for around 13 years, she has significant experience developing campaigns targeted to the dynamic retail and consumer landscape in the Middle East.  Natasha’s background is from large multinational corporations leading within the beauty, health, wellness, FMCG, and luxury sectors, with a strong track record of leading regional launches, retail growth, and 360 campaign development and execution.

She has launched numerous award-winning campaigns and market firsts to drive brands’ awareness and gain market share, including leading the Estée Lauder niche fragrance portfolio to grow double vs the average category rate over the last few years.

She has now launched the Luxe Narrative to leverage her expertise in supporting numerous brands and businesses with their growth story in a sustainable and efficient way.

Nayana Tharoor

Fragrance & Brand Marketing Expert

Nayana Tharoor is an award-winning global marketing leader with over 17 years of experience building and transforming brands across the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and Europe. Her expertise spans brand strategy, integrated marketing, digital transformation, consumer insights, influencer marketing, innovation and global go-to-market planning.

She is also the Founder of Set The Tempo, a leadership and business platform featuring conversations with influential business leaders on branding, entrepreneurship, innovation and personal growth. A sought-after speaker, moderator and industry commentator, Nayana regularly shares her perspectives on global marketing, brand building, consumer behaviour and the future of business.

Nicole Nitschke

Managing Director, FACES – Chalhoub Group

Nicole is the Managing Director at Faces, one of the leading beauty retailers in the Middle East and the owned beauty brand of Chalhoub Group.

She joined the Group in September 2024 with a clear mission: to elevate Faces, strengthen its customer relevance, and become the leading omnichannel beauty destination in the region.

A passionate strategist and international business leader, Nicole brings more than 30 years of experience across nearly all beauty categories - both on the industry side and within retail. Her career spans senior executive roles in Europe, USA and The Middle East at Henkel, Coty, and Shiseido, where she built strong foundations in brand building, portfolio management, and transformation.

Before joining Faces, Nicole served as CEO for the DACH region at Douglas, where she led the company’s shift from a traditional retailer to a modern omnichannel beauty leader, delivering double-digit growth in both revenue and profit.

Today, Nicole leads the brand’s next chapter in her role of Managing Director at Faces.

Nuwan Delage

Founder & CEO, Verger Naturals PVT LTD

Nuwan Delage is the Founder and Managing Director of VERGER, with extensive experience spanning financial management, risk, business operations, entrepreneurship, and the natural ingredients industry. He founded VERGER in 2014 with a vision to build a global natural ingredients company rooted in integrity, innovation, and positive impact.

With a strong focus on sustainable growth, Nuwan works closely with communities and farmers to deliver premium natural solutions to customers worldwide. His leadership approach centres on transformation, empowerment, resilience, and developing high-performing teams, while embedding sustainability throughout the value chain. A member of Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) since 2018, he is passionate about building meaningful global relationships, exchanging ideas, and creating lasting positive impact.

Pascal Gaurin

VP Perfumer, IFF

Over the past 30 years at IFF, Pascal has created leading fragrances for global, regional and niche luxury brands, marrying his two life passions: music and perfume, as music feeds into every one of his creations. From Armani to Calvin Klein, Boticario to Ralph Lauren, Killian to Henry Rose, Tom Ford, Amouage, Hugo Boss and many more, his creations are infused with sincerity and elegance.

Pascal’s successful career spans Europe, Asia, and North America — and now continues in the Middle East, as he recently joined the IFF Dubai Creative Center. 

Pierre Guéros

Fine Fragrance Senior Perfumer, Symrise

Pierre Guéros grew up in Paris. His father, a fashion designer, owned a studio there imbued with the scents of leather, fur and polished wood. It was during an open house day at the ISIPCA perfume school that Pierre discovered the profession of perfumer, which deeply resonated with his creative yet scientific mind. He embraced his vocation as a perfumer, seeing it as a valuable opportunity, all the while feeding his natural curiosity with reading, trips and encounters. His taste for knowledge and passion for discussing anything remotely related to perfume served him well on many occasions. After 15 years abroad in Germany and the USA, he joined the Symrise family in 2015, initially in Dubai and then in Paris, bringing a little bit of his different  expatriations with him.

Raja Palaniswamy

Director, Jasmine C. E. Pvt. Ltd.

Mr. Raja Palaniswamy has been associated with Jasmine Concrete Exports Private Limited since its early days and has played a strategic role in guiding the company's growth and commercial development. As Chief Commercial Officer and co-owner, he has been instrumental in building and nurturing long-standing relationships that have contributed to sales growth and new business opportunities.

His commercial leadership has supported the company's sustainable growth while maintaining a strong focus on long-term business value. He was also an early advocate of sustainable farming practices within the organisation, recognising their importance in building a resilient and sustainable business model. Today, this forward-looking approach continues to create new opportunities for Jasmine Concrete Exports and its partners.

Ramy Fathi

Human & Consumer Insights Manager – Fine Fragrance, IFF

Brining over a decade of experience in Human & Consumer Insights across the Middle East and North Africa, with a career spanning both agency and client-side roles. He spent seven years on the agency side managing major accounts across FMCG, telecom, hospitality and services, gaining broad exposure to a wide range of research methodologies and business challenges.

He then moved into the telecom sector, where he partnered closely with senior leadership and C-suite teams to translate insights into strategic direction and performance impact.

Most recently, at Givaudan, Ramy led Consumer & Market Insights for Personal Care across MENA while also supporting Fine Fragrance, helping strengthen consumer-centric thinking across categories.

Now at IFF, Ramy is leading the Human & Consumer Insights – Fine Fragrance for Africa, Asia, & Middle East, based in Dubai.

Rawya Catto

General Manager, CPL Aromas- Dubai Sales  

Meet Rawya Catto, a visionary leader and the General Manager of CPL Aromas - Dubai Sales, whose journey in the world of fragrances has been nothing short of extraordinary. With a specialized academic background, Rawya is a graduate of ISIPCA, setting the foundation for her passionate career in the fragrance industry.

With over 18 years of enriching experience, Rawya has seamlessly navigated the diverse realms of both global giants and local brands, as well as renowned fragrance houses like CPL Aromas. Her journey has been marked by a passion for scents that transcends boundaries, showcasing her versatility and ability to adapt to different houses & brand landscapes.

Rawya's expertise extends beyond her role as a General Manager, making her a sought-after Fragrance Consultant. She lends her keen insights to brands aiming to tailor their offerings for the dynamic Middle Eastern market. Her profound understanding of cultural nuances and regional preferences positions her as a valuable guide for those striving to create fragrances that resonate with the unique essence of the Middle East.

As a Fine Fragrances & Middle East Expert, Rawya Catto is not merely a manager; she is a curator of olfactory experiences, crafting scents that tell stories and evoke emotions. Her dedication to the industry, combined with her business acumen, has earned her a well-deserved place at the forefront of the fragrance industry.

In this scented world where innovation and tradition meet, Rawya aims to shape the future of perfumery in the heart of the region.

Rebecca Kirchmeier

Perfumer, Düllberg Konzentra GmbH & Co. KG

Trained first as a food chemist and then as a perfumer at ISIPCA in Versailles, Rebecca brings a flavourist's palate to fragrance. Her creative portfolio spans a wide range of olfactive styles and ingredients, with a particular expertise in gourmand compositions featuring notes reminiscent of chocolate, desserts and other sweet treats. Shaped by her Bavarian roots and a belief that scent is built on emotion, she creates versatile fragrances with distinctive character.

Remi Le Druillenec

CEO & Co-Founder, Heroine

Remi Le Druillenec is a retail and brand experience expert with over 15 years of experience in the luxury industry. In 2020, he co-founded Héroïne with Quentin Obadia, a brand experience and design agency that partners with prestigious Houses including Amouage, Cartier, Chanel, Bottega Veneta & LVMH. The agency is distinguished by its proprietary R.O.X.™ (Return On eXperience) methodology, which lies at the heart of its strategic approach. Today, Rémi advises leading luxury brands on how to transform customer experience into a strategic driver of desirability, differentiation and business performance.

Remi Pulverail

Remi Pulverail, CEO & Founder, l’Atelier Francais des Matières & co-founder, Eden Ecosystem

Remi Pulverail is one of the few figures in Haute Parfumerie to have built an entire ecosystem — from field to fragrance.

After nearly two decades in the fragrance industry  from Charabot in Grasse to Givaudan, where he served as Global Purchasing Director for Natural Ingredients and shaped the company's ethical sourcing program across more than 15 countries, Rémi founded l'Atelier Français des Matières (AFDM) in 2014: a fully integrated Haute Parfumerie laboratory built around an exclusive palette of some forty natural "Grands Crus" ingredients, much like the finest single-vineyard crus of Burgundy.

In 2020, he co-founded Eden Ecosystem to industrialize a proprietary ultrasound-based extraction technology aligned with green chemistry principles.

With his wife Valérie, he also co-founded the niche perfume house Les Indémodables, distributed today in more than 30 countries through a highly selective network of independent boutiques.

Rithika Gupta

Director & CEO, FP Aromatics

Rithika Gupta is the CEO of FP Aromatics Singapore Pte. Ltd., a third-generation family business specialising in the sourcing, distillation and global supply of sandalwood oil and other natural aromatic ingredients.

Having grown up around the sandalwood trade, Rithika combines generations of traditional knowledge with a strong focus on building a more sustainable future for this precious resource. Her work spans the sandalwood supply chain - from farmers and forests to distillation and the finished oil - with an emphasis on traceability, responsible harvesting, regeneration, farmer-grown sandalwood and greater value creation within producing communities.

Under her leadership, FP Aromatics works across key sandalwood-producing regions, developing long-term sourcing relationships and exploring models that balance commercial demand with conservation, regeneration and local livelihoods. Rithika is also actively engaged in the broader conversation around the future of sandalwood, including plantation development, changing regulations and the need for more transparent and resilient global supply chains.

A computer networks graduate, Rithika began her career in investment banking technology before becoming an entrepreneur. She is also the founder of Ollie, a Singapore-based plant-powered home and personal care brand.

Robert Sabet

Director of Global Sales & Education, Kayali 

Robert Sabet is Director of Global Sales & Education at Kayali, the Dubai-born fragrance house known for its layerable scents. He has spent more than 20 years in prestige beauty, including roles at LVMH and The Estée Lauder Companies. He’s lived across Asia, the Middle East & Europe. At Kayali, he drives global consumer experience and expansion into new markets, and leads education, shaping how the brand is introduced and transmitted to customers in store worldwide via over 50,000 salespeople. 

His approach is consumer-first, grounded in how people discover and choose fragrance, what they want to know before they buy, and how the right guidance turns a first try into a lasting ritual. For Robert, fragrance is the most personal part of beauty: it carries a lifelong memory, sets a mood and says who you are before you speak.

Samit Gambhir

Founder & CEO, OLFI.ai

Samit Gambhir is the Founder of Festora and the creator of ScentScript, an AI-powered fragrance formulation platform designed to assist perfumers and fragrance houses in creating, analysing, and refining perfume compositions. Alongside building AI tools for perfumery, he is formally training in fragrance creation, combining traditional perfumery principles with modern computational approaches.

His work focuses on making fragrance development more intelligent, efficient, and accessible while respecting the craft and science of perfumery. At Beautyworld, Samit will share how artificial intelligence can empower creativity rather than replace it in the future of fragrance development.

Sarah Boulkhemair

Marketing & Communication Director Fine Fragrance SAMEA, Givaudan

Sarah is Marketing & Communication Director for Fine Fragrance SAMEA at Givaudan, where she leads regional marketing and communication strategies across one of the world’s most dynamic fragrance markets. She works closely with international and regional brands, turning cultural and consumer insights into business opportunities and brand growth.

With extensive experience in fragrance marketing and a deep understanding of regional market dynamics and evolving consumer behaviors, Sarah currently leads ArabZ, a pioneering Givaudan initiative exploring the values, aspirations and fragrance habits of Gen Z across the Arab world.

Through her work, she helps brands anticipate emerging trends, connect meaningfully with consumers and shape the future of fragrance across the region.

Sarah Mestoura

CEO, S7M Groupe

Sarah Mestoura is the founder and CEO of S7M Groupe, a Dubai- based Luxury and beauty niche fragrance Consultancy and distribution company.

With over 10 years of experience in the luxury sector and deep expertise in the Middle Eastern Market, she has worked with some of the world’s prestigious beauty and fashion brands, helping them grow and expand across the GCC and MENA Region.

Passionate about entrepreneurship, luxury retail, and artistic perfumery, Sarah specializes in Brand development, market entry, distribution, strategic growth, and consumer insights for niche houses through the middle East.

Sarim Zaman

Strategic Partnerships, Mercado Libre

Sarim Zaman is Strategic Partnerships lead at Mercado Libre, Latin America's largest e-commerce and fintech platform, where he works with brands entering and scaling across the region's diverse markets. Born in Pakistan and raised in the United States since early childhood, Sarim brings a personal, cross-cultural lens to how brands connect authentically with multicultural audiences — a perspective that informs his work helping beauty brands navigate LATAM’s  varied cultural and commercial landscape. He is based in Miami, USA.

Shaneela Rowah Al-Qamar

Founder, House of Shaneela

Shaneela is a fragrance entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in prestige retail, having represented brands including Valentino, Comme des Garçons, Prada, Carolina Herrera, and Christian Louboutin across Selfridges and Harrods, before moving into fragrance e-commerce leadership. She is the founder of House of Shaneela, an invitation-only luxury fragrance house currently in development, and the founder of Beauté Boulevard, a UK niche fragrance and beauty retailer. She is currently writing The Encoded Elixir: The Two Souls' Journey, an epic fantasy and alternative history novel weaving perfumery, mythology, and cultural identity into a single narrative arc. Shaneela holds a judging seat at the IPF New Luxury Awards and advises founders and brands entering the GCC market on positioning, clienteling, and regional expansion.

Sonia Leretz

Co-Founder & CEO, Revalue

Sonia is a founding Partner of Revalue, and former Senior Manager of Havas Middle East. She conceived branding & PR strategies and operations for leading distributors such as Al Tayer Group, Chalhoub Group, Al Malki Group; and organized notable campaigns for Bloomingdale’s, Sephora and Harvey Nichols.

Over the years, she has established over 60 International brands such as Peugeot, L’Occitane, Shiseido, La Prairie, La Perla, Chaumet, Saks Fifth Avenue, Ralph Lauren, Level Shoe, Vilebrequin, Lacoste, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Officine Universelle Buly, Byredo, Diptyque, Matiere Premiere and Mind Games to name but a few.

Pioneer in the industry by having created the new PR model in the GCC which has enabled brands to gain market share and become market leaders. 

Tarek Anbar

General Manager, Symrise 

Tarek immerses himself in sensory experiences, translating culinary adventures into rich cultural insights. Known for his vibrant energy and strong community focus, he thrives in fast-paced environments, bringing curiosity and intensity to every project.

For over 13 years at Symrise, Tarek has transformed the Fine Fragrance landscape in Africa and the Middle East, leading innovative strategies and building dynamic teams that have positioned the company as a regional trendsetter. With a zest for life, he continues to inspire through his work and adventures.

While his academic background lies in Business and Hotel Management, his true passion lies in the art of scent.

Vaishnavi Sudarsan Perumbully

Fragrance Adventurer, Dullberg Konzentra

Chemical Engineer and Grasse Institute of Perfumery Dubai's first batch graduate and now fragrance adventurer at DK, I love studying raw materials and storytelling around them. I believe a fragrance is a true expression of nature and what humans can create out of it by merging science and art; the two fields that I am passionate about. Studying raw materials, evaluating fragrances and the trends throughout history fuel me to represent the youthful future of fragrances.

Valerie Lovisa

Global Perfumery Expert & Educator

Valerie Lovisa specializes in embedding sustainability into the fragrance and cosmetics industry. A pharmacist by training, Valerie also holds a master's degree in fragrance and cosmetics from the prestigious ISIPCA school and a Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Business from the University of Cambridge. 

With over 15 years of experience, including significant exposure to emerging markets, she founded ABTYS in 2019; a purpose-driven consultancy dedicated to leveraging sustainability as a catalyst for change and growth within the industry.

Beyond her consultancy work, Valerie is committed to education and industry collaboration. She actively contributes to the ISIPCA school in France, working to enhance sustainability education and its impact on future industry leaders. 

She contributes to the industry’s transformation through:

• Supporting IFRA, notably in co-organizing the Global Fragrance Summit
• Curating and moderating expert discussions with the Beautyworld organization
• Promoting the adoption of AI and LCA as tools for sustainable innovation
• Writing for Premium Beauty News, sharing forward-looking insights on regulation, innovation, and best practices in fragrance.

Vincent Gallon

Managing Editor & CEO, PREMIUM BEAUTY MEDIA

Based in Paris, France, Vincent Gallon reports on the cosmetics industry worldwide. He studied Political Sciences, Law and Marketing in Lyon and in Paris. Vincent has a long-standing experience in the cosmetics industry. He started his career at the French beauty federation (FEBEA) and SoGeCos Bologna Fiere, the Milan based organizer of the Cosmoprof trade shows.

In 2008, he cofounded PremiumBeautyNews.com, in 2009 the tradeshow MakeUp in Paris. BrazilBeautyNews.com was launched in May 2014, to pay tribute to the strong development of the Brazilian beauty and personal care market. Both websites have become a reference for the cosmetics industry around the world.

Virginie Gervarson

Founder & CEO, Resperfuma

Virginie is the founder and CEO of Resperfuma, a marketing, communication, and events agency dedicated to the metiers of perfumery, she launched in 2021.

An engineer by training, she spent over 10 years leading globally marketing development and communication for perfumery ingredients – both naturals and molecules - at one of the world's leading fragrance houses.

Her expertise? A deep knowledge of the perfumery industry’s “behind the scenes” and a sharp understanding of its challenges.
Her passion? Beauty and Savoir-faire, the science of marketing… and Resperfuma – created to support industry players, from ingredient producers to brands, with tailored strategies: brand platforms, storytelling, art direction, graphic design, photo and video, immersive experiences, events, and responsible communication.

From raw materials to emotion, Resperfuma shines a light on what makes fragrance so rich and unique.

Youness Amharar

Fragrance chemist

Youness Amharar is a PhD chemist and expert in fragrance chemistry. He has been active as a lecturer and researcher in physics and chemistry since 2008. He completed his PhD in Materials Chemistry at the University of Rouen-Normandy in 2011, before spending two years as a researcher at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, where he led research projects in pharmaceutical technology.

Since returning to France in 2014, Youness has been lecturing and consulting in fragrance chemistry for major fragrance houses and leading perfumery schools. His main areas of expertise include perfume chemical stability, extraction processes, and animal-derived perfume raw materials.

Zalfa Al Achkar

Senior Creation Director, dsm-firmenich

• Born and raised in Lebanon
• Graduate of ISIPCA, the renowned perfumery school in France
• Over 17 years of experience in the B2B fragrance industry
• International career across France, Mexico, and the UAE, giving me deep expertise in the Latin American, European, African, and Middle Eastern markets
• Currently Senior Creation Director for the AMET region at DSM-Firmenich, leading the regional development teams and driving creative strategy for diverse markets