ATD Saudi Arabia 2025 Wrapped Up As A Huge Success, Full of Insights and Inspiration!
Day One – Monday, 17th November 2025
Conference Begins | Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel & Convention by IHG, KSA
08:00 - 08:50
Registration & Networking Coffee
08:55 - 09:00
Welcome Remarks by the Organiser
Sidh N.C
Director,
QnA International
09:00 - 09:25
Opening Keynote
How Is AI Transforming Talent Development?
Join Dr. Wei Wang, senior global director at ATD, for the opening keynote revealing insights from ATD’s latest annual AI research report on how organizations are using artificial intelligence to advance talent development. Drawing on global data and practitioner perspectives, Dr. Wang will reveal where organizations truly stand in adopting AI—and what’s next for L&D. Through interactive polling, you’ll discover how your organization compares to the broader AI landscape and where opportunities exist to lead responsibly. This opening session sets the tone for the conference, turning research into readiness and strategy into action.
What You’ll Learn:
- The ATD AI Literacy Model and current organizational literacy levels
- The state of AI governance, AI tools, and AI training
- How organizations are applying AI in talent development
- How L&D professionals can prepare and adapt for the AI era
Speaker
Dr. Wei Wang
Senior Global Director,
Association for Talent Development, USA
09:30 - 10:00
International Keynote
Leading Change for Vision 2030 and Beyond: Transforming the GCC Through People
In a region defined by transformation, Vision 2030 stands as a bold blueprint for the future — but its success depends on people, not plans. In this inspiring keynote, Curtis Bateman, author of Change: How to Turn Uncertainty into Opportunity, explores how leaders across the GCC can turn ambition into action by leading change through people. Drawing on practical insights and real-world examples, Curtis reveals how to build change-ready cultures, unlock human potential, and sustain momentum well beyond 2030.
What You’ll Learn:
- The new power skills in agile leadership: How to lead with clarity, confidence, and trust in uncertain times.
- Global approaches to building resilient, high-impact teams.
- Strategies to lead confidently through uncertainty and drive sustained performance.
- Ways to align change leadership with national goals like Saudization and future-ready talent.
Speaker
Curtis Bateman
Co-author of Change: How to Turn Uncertainty Into Opportunity and Senior Vice President of Direct International Offices,
FranklinCovey, United States
10:05 - 10:45
Visionaries Panel
Transforming a Nation: How Saudi Arabia is Embedding Talent Development into Vision 2030
This high-impact session explores how Saudi Arabia is repositioning learning and development as a core pillar of Vision 2030. Moving beyond conventional training models, L&D is being integrated into national strategies to accelerate workforce localization, support giga-projects, and drive economic transformation. Discover how initiatives like the National Skills Strategy and Skills Week are enabling sector-specific capability building across the Kingdom.
What You’ll Learn:
- Understand how Saudi Vision 2030 redefines the role of learning and development as a strategic enabler of economic diversification.
- Explore frameworks like the National Skills Strategy and initiatives such as Skills Week, which map over 8,500 skills across 12 sectors.
- Learn how organizations can embed L&D into their business strategy to support giga-projects, localization, and workforce nationalization.
Speakers
Bandar Al-Duwais
General Manager of Business Development & Enablement,
Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Saudi Arabia
Dr Salah Al Eissa
General Manager of Education Leadership Development,
National Institute for Educational Professional Development, KSA
Turki Al Daghrer
Strategy and Business Intelligence Advisor,
Ministry of Finance, Saudi Arabia
Moderator
Saud Alomair
L&D Executive and Leadership Coach and Consultant,
Saudi Arabia
10:50 - 11:20
Networking Break & Visit to the Boutique Exhibition Lounge
11:25 - 11:40
Expert Insights
Unlocking Human Capital for Saudi Vision 2030: Leadership & Digital Upskilling
AI: Skills First
Our topic carries a decisive title for the future of your organizations: AI: Skills First.
The core message of our lecture is that the biggest impediment to unlocking trillions of dollars in digital value is the human challenge, where ‘people complexity’ hinders most transformation projects today.
To address this, in this lecture, we will unveil Deloitte’s integrated methodology for transforming into a skills-based organization, reinforced by ‘Dual AI Fluency’. This framework not only ensures holistic readiness but also establishes the principle of ‘Trustworthy AI’ as a mandatory skill, allowing for safe and responsible scaling through effective human-machine collaboration.
Speaker
Ibrahim Shawqi
Training & Development Consultant,
Ivory Training, Saudi Arabia
11:45 - 12:00
Transformational Leadership without Belief
5 Steps to Achieve Extraordinary Results Even When You Don’t Believe You Can!
What if you could lead powerfully even on the days you doubt yourself? This session breaks down a proven 5-step method to unlock transformational leadership, even when self-belief is missing. Learn how to shift from hesitation to impact and inspire others while overcoming your inner critic.
What You’ll Learn:
- Discover how to lead with action, not just confidence.
- Learn 5 practical steps to create breakthrough results despite self-doubt.
- Gain tools to shift from fear to forward momentum - and bring your team with you.
Speaker
Hanan Nagi
Founder and CEO,
HNI, UAE
12:00 - 12:40
Leadership Panel
Shaping Talent for Transformation: Empowering Leadership in L&D and HR
As Saudi Arabia continues its journey of transformation, visionary leaders in learning and human resources are driving innovation, building talent, and shaping the future of work. This dynamic session brings together influential voices who are redefining leadership, fostering diversity, inclusion, equal opportunities, and aligning organizational growth with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 aspirations.
What You’ll Learn:
- How forward-thinking leaders are driving workforce transformation.
- Strategies to build and sustain diverse and inclusive leadership pipelines.
- The role of purpose-driven leadership in achieving Vision 2030 goals.
Speakers
Abdulaziz Al Tamimi
HR Executive Director and Advisor,
Confidential Entity, Saudi Arabia
Faris Ahmed Al Abthan
Talent Development Director,
Development Authorities Support Center (DASC),
Saudi Arabia
Reem Algasim
Head of Human Resources,
Airbus, Saudi Arabia
Waleed Al Rashed
Senior Leader of People and Development,
Confidential Govt. Entity, KSA
Moderator
Dr. Marco Serrato
Vice President, Learning Enterprise,
Arizona State University, No.1 University in Innovation for 11 straight years, United States
12:45 - 13:15
Networking Break & Visit to the Boutique Exhibition Lounge
13:20 - 13:35
Engagement Activity
MO MINDSET
This 15-minute segment engages the audience with a fun and surprising mental trick. It’s a playful riddle that guides participants through a series of simple steps—culminating in an unexpected moment where everyone arrives at the same quirky image, creating a “mind-reading” effect.
Beyond serving as an icebreaker, this activity highlights how patterns of thought and cognitive biases shape our decisions.
Key Concepts Covered:
- Mental Association
- Cognitive Biases
- Engagement and Curiosity
- Decision Makers vs. Decision Takers
13:40 - 14:00
Saudi Learning Impact Case Study
From Classroom to Culture: From One-Off Training to Business Growth Driver
Wide Impact unpacks the shift from one-off training programs into sustained, embedded strategies that fuel performance and business outcomes. Featuring case studies from across the region, this session shows how learning becomes a growth engine when integrated into organizational culture.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to create a learning culture embedded in daily workflows
- Aligning L&D initiatives with organizational performance goals
- The role of learning in employee motivation, retention, and productivity
Speaker
Amal Saad
Managing Director,
Wide Impact, UAE
14:05 - 14:25
Saudi ROI Case Study
The ROI Advantage: How IPA Measures and Sustains the Impact of Learning & Development
How can learning leaders prove the true value of training? The Institute of Public Administration (IPA) in Saudi Arabia has made ROI a cornerstone of its new strategy: Linking learning directly to organizational performance. In this session, Nader Bechini and Mona Al-Zaid share IPA’s ROI journey, from strategy and capability building to implementation, case studies, and strategic partnerships. Discover how measuring impact has transformed L&D into a driver of sustainable success.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why IPA made ROI central to its L&D strategy.
- The ROI Methodology explained: levels, steps, and principles.
- IPA’s five-step approach: strategy, capability, guide, implementation, and partnerships.
- Real case insights connecting learning outcomes to organizational performance.
- Practical ideas to apply ROI in your own organization.
Speakers
Mona Yahya AlZaid
General Manager of Training and Quality,
Institute of Public Administration (IPA), Saudi Arabia
Nader Bechini
ATD Master Trainer, Co-Founder and Managing Director,
Growship, Saudi Arabia
14:30 - 14:35
Closing Remarks
14:35 - 15:35
Networking Lunch and End of Day One
Day Two – Tuesday, 18th November 2025
Conference Day 2 | Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel & Convention by IHG, KSA
08:00 - 08:50
Registration and Networking Coffee
08:55 - 09:00
Opening Remarks
09:05 - 09:45
CHRO & CLO Panel Discussion
Designing a Skill-First Workforce: Closing Saudi Arabia’s Talent Gap
As industries across Saudi Arabia face pressure from rapid transformation and talent shortages, the C-suite is rethinking how workforce strategies can meet future demands. In this panel, senior HR and Learning executives will discuss how they’re adopting skills-first models to enable agility, drive nationalization, and ensure long-term talent readiness.
What You’ll Learn:
- Attracting and retaining top talent by positioning L&D opportunities as a key differentiator
- How CLOs and CHROs are shifting from role-based to capability-based workforce strategies
- Succession planning and nationalization tailored to Vision 2030 talent goals
- Using data and workforce insights to close skill gaps and forecast future needs
Speakers
Ibrahim Alyahya
Human Capital Executive Director,
Misk Foundation, Saudi Arabia
Mohammed S. Alharbi
Talent Development Program Director,
stc, Saudi Arabia.
Rakan Ali Al-Sharekh
Chief Human Resources Officer,
Alrajhi Capital, Saudi Arabia
Rania AlGhamdi
Senior Director of HR Systems and Planning,
Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Saudi Arabia
Moderator
Mariana Ignatov
General Manager,
LEORON Institute, Saudi Arabia
09:50 - 10:20
International Keynote Case Study
Brave New World of Work: Trust, Coaching, and AI | Redefining Human Growth in the Age of Intelligence
AI is transforming how we learn, lead, and connect—but its real power lies in how it amplifies our humanity. In this keynote, organizational psychologist and leadership coach Jessica Montenegro explores how trust and coaching can turn technology into a force for authentic growth. Drawing from real-world leadership experiences, she reveals how AI can enable more personalized development, scalable feedback, and cultures of well-being—when guided by human intelligence, empathy, and purpose.
What You’ll Learn:
- How AI enables personalized, scalable, and data-driven learning experiences
- How coaching humanizes technology through trust and authentic connection
- How leaders can use both digital and emotional intelligence to drive transformation and resilience
Speaker
Jessica Montenegro
Senior Director of Coaching,
Panasonic Energy of North America, United States
10:25 - 10:45
The Balance Between AI and Human Capability
Through the session “Promote Human by Design: Human and AI Balance,” you’ll gain a practical understanding of how to integrate AI into the workplace without compromising the human role.
You will learn how to:
- Build a real balance between human judgment and AI-driven decisions.
- Leverage AI tools to enhance productivity while preserving creativity and human connection.
- Design workflows that keep people at the center and position technology as an enabler, not a replacement
- Navigate the ethical and organizational challenges that come with implementing AI in modern workplaces.
In short, you’ll walk away with a clear perspective on how to make technology empower people — not replace them.
Speaker
Abdullah Alhadyan
CEO,
Ertyad, Saudi Arabia
10:50 - 11:05
Leading in the Era of Artificial Intelligence: Redefining Leadership and Purpose
As organizations embrace digital transformation, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not only reshaping business models—it’s redefining what leadership truly means by transforming how people think and behave. Drawing on insights from his latest book, “What Is Leadership For?”, Patrick Faniel, EMEA Managing Director of Management Centre Europe (MCE), explores how leaders can remain human-centered while leading in an AI-driven world.
Grounded in decades of leadership development experience, this keynote connects two essential dimensions from his book—Business and People—to the opportunities and challenges of AI adoption. Patrick invites HR, Learning & Development, and Human Capital professionals to rethink how leadership evolves when decision-making, creativity, and learning increasingly involve human–machine collaboration.
What You’ll Learn:
- Understand how AI reshapes leadership roles and the human purpose behind business success.
- Explore how leaders can balance efficiency and empathy in AI-augmented organizations.
- Learn practical approaches to foster adaptability, trust, and ethical decision-making in AI-enabled workplaces.
- Discover how HR and L&D functions can prepare the next generation of leaders for the human side of digital transformation.
Speaker
Patrick Faniel
Managing Director EMEA,
Management Centre Europe,
Belgium
11:10 - 11:40
Networking Coffee Break and Visit to the Exhibition Lounge
11:45 - 12:00
Engagement Activity
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
Mohamed Elenany
Human Resources Consultant,
Ivory Training, Saudi Arabia
12:05 - 12:20
The Courage to Climb: How Talent Transforms the Future of Work
In a world defined by rapid transformation, organizations and nations alike face steep climbs toward growth and innovation. Just as summiting a mountain requires courage, resilience, and teamwork, the future of work demands bold investment in people. This session explores how talent developed, empowered, and future-ready, serves as the engine of transformation, driving innovation and enabling Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Through stories of overcoming limits and embracing discomfort, we’ll highlight how unlocking human potential can turn challenges into breakthroughs and visions into reality.
What you’ll learn:
- How cultivating talent unlocks resilience and innovation in the workplace
- Practical strategies to prepare today’s workforce for the jobs of tomorrow
- The role of human capital as a cornerstone of Vision 2030 and the future of work
Speaker
Abeer Qumsieh
Founder,
Khibraty, Better Business,
United States
12:25 - 12:40
Beyond AI: The Reflective L&D Leader Redefining Growth in the Age of Intelligent Transformation
How data, AI, and self-awareness are reshaping what it means to learn, lead, and stay relevant.
As technology accelerates, the greatest challenge for L&D professionals isn’t keeping up with AI ; it’s keeping up with ourselves.
Dina K. AlAlami, Harvard MC/MPA graduate and CPTD-certified L&D strategist, shares her journey of growth and reinvention; from designing intelligent learning systems for government to redesigning her own learning identity.
Using the ATD Capability Model as her compass, she reveals how L&D leaders can move beyond dashboards and automation to cultivate reflective intelligence; the human capacity to learn faster than change itself.
Take away practical insights to turn analytics into awareness, technology into empathy, and metrics into meaning
What You’ll Learn:
- How to evolve from L&D professional to “learning strategist” using AI not as a replacement but as a reflection tool.
- How to integrate adaptive leadership and ATD capabilities to guide your own professional reinvention.
- How to measure what matters: personal growth, learning agility, and the human skills that make AI meaningful.
- How to build a reflective growth dashboard: transforming data from performance tracking into self-awareness and development insight.
Speaker
Dina K. AlAlami
Senior Specialist, Learning Design & Development,
Abu Dhabi Gov. Academy, UAE
12:25 - 12:40
Interactive Poll Session
Engage. React. Discover the pulse of the audience through a live interactive poll session.
12:45 - 13:15
Networking Coffee Break and Visit to the Exhibition Lounge
13:20 - 14:10
Roundtable Hackathon
Peer-to-Peer Exchange on L&D Strategies
This high-energy interactive informal discussion blends structured peer learning with a gamified twist. Participants will join one of four roundtable discussion groups; each focused on a top L&D challenge. Every table will be moderated and follow the Idea Roulette format – rotating challenges that keeps the energy high and the ideas practical.
Whether you’re leading transformation, navigating digital tools, or building capability frameworks, this session is designed to share ideas and co-create insights with your peers.
Idea Roulette Challenge Themes:
- AI & Analytics with a Human Core: How are L&D teams using AI to personalize learning journeys, generate analytics, and drive smarter decisions - while keeping culture distinctly human?
- Well-being and Wellness: What role does L&D play in protecting energy, motivation, and psychological safety?
- Future-Readiness and Evolving Role of L&D: How is the function shifting from support to strategy? What’s next for learning leaders?
- From Roles to Capabilities: How are orgs enabling agile talent mobility by training for skills, not job titles?
How it works:
- Each table receives a challenge prompt (randomized by the Idea Wheel)
- Teams have 15 minutes to brainstorm and sketch a quick, creative solution
- Share back their practical solutions for 3 minutes
Speakers
Dr. Thilo Eckardt
Chief Inspiration Officer and Co-founder,
MyLearningBoutique, Switzerland
Jessica Montenegro
Senior Director of Coaching,
Panasonic Energy of North America, United States