In this special feature, we proudly highlight the journeys of five distinguished leaders who are making significant contributions across their respective fields. Each of them exemplifies excellence, dedication, and innovation, setting benchmarks for others to follow.
Cassandra Maria Defazio stands out for her strategic expertise and forward-thinking approach in business leadership. Tasnim Al-Kufaishi brings a strong legacy of impactful work, driving meaningful change through her commitment and vision. Safaa Almajthoub showcases remarkable leadership, demonstrating resilience and excellence in every endeavor she undertakes.
Paola Surdo's dynamic approach and entrepreneurial spirit have led to noteworthy achievements, inspiring those around her. Meanwhile, Dr. Srividhya Sukumar exemplifies academic and professional excellence, combining research, leadership, and innovation to create lasting impact in her domain.
Together, these leaders represent a powerful collective of talent, vision, and determination, shaping industries and inspiring future generations.
Cassandra Maria Defazio
Cassandra Maria Defazio, based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. With an academic background in sociology and law, she brings a multidimensional lens to her work in complex, compliance-driven sectors. For over 10 years, Cassandra has built deep expertise in export controls, trade compliance, and commercial management, primarily within the Defense & Security and Aerospace industries. In her current role as Commercial Manager and Export Control Officer at CAE MME LLC., she plays a strategic role in managing regulatory frameworks and supporting sustainable business growth across the region.
Recognized for her innovative and forward-thinking leadership, Cassandra is passionate about identifying opportunities, overcoming challenges, and driving purposeful change. She is a strategist at heart, committed to building collaborative relationships and creating solutions that support both immediate objectives and a long-term vision. Her approach reflects a strong belief in innovation as a driver for growth and resilience, whether in business or in a broader organizational culture.
Cassandra is also an advocate for equity in the workplace, with a particular focus on advancing opportunities for women. As the Chair of the Professional Women’s Network at CAE for the Middle East Chapter, she promotes mentorship, advocacy, and open dialogue to foster inclusive, empowering environments. She believes strongly in the value of diverse perspectives and the importance of cultivating an environment where everyone can thrive.
Beyond her corporate role, Cassandra serves as the Secretary on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Business Council of Abu Dhabi. In this capacity, she supports efforts to build bridges between Canadian and UAE industries, encouraging bilateral cooperation and strategic growth across sectors. Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to community-building, international collaboration, and making meaningful, lasting impacts.
Tasnim Al-Kufaishi
Tasnim Al-Kufaishi stands as a dynamic force at the intersection of engineering, leadership, and sustainability. Currently leading strategic initiatives at Ma’aden, Saudi Arabia’s leading mining company, Tasnim plays a pivotal role in driving quality assurance, project governance, and compliance across critical projects that align with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. With over 15 years of international experience spanning Australia, Kuwait, the UAE, and now Saudi Arabia, her journey has been one of consistent impact, technical innovation, and transformational leadership.
Tasnim’s career began in Australia, where she quickly ascended through the ranks at SA Power Networks. From managing major engineering programs to leading emergency response during some of the most challenging operational events in Australian history, including the 2016 South Australian state blackout, her expertise became synonymous with resilience and precision. Her leadership in optimizing distributed energy resources and managing complex control systems laid the groundwork for a career defined by solving high-stakes challenges.
Her tenure at BHP further cemented her reputation as a strategic engineering leader. As Manager of Strategic Services Power, she spearheaded decarbonization initiatives across some of the world's largest mining operations. Her innovative approach to diesel displacement and electrical infrastructure planning for mining machinery positioned her as a trailblazer in sustainable mining practices. She led agile, cross-functional teams to deliver integrated energy solutions that not only reduced emissions but also ensured economic viability and operational efficiency.
In addition to her corporate achievements, Tasnim’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to found AusTech Renewables, where she advised on renewable energy strategies for government bodies like the Kuwaiti Ministry of Electricity and Water. Her global perspective and sharp technical acumen made her a valuable advisor for offshore wind and large-scale solar projects, as well as regulatory frameworks that support foreign investment in renewables.
What distinguishes Tasnim is not just her technical credentials, though they are formidable. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Mechatronics Engineering with First Class Honours, an MBA, and is a Fellow of Engineers Australia. She also holds the prestigious Engineering Executive certification and is recognized as an APEC Engineer and IntPE(Aus). But beyond the accolades, it’s her mission that resonates: to harness innovation, knowledge transfer, and automation to elevate national capacity and redefine the role of engineers as global changemakers.
Tasnim is also deeply committed to empowering the next generation. Through mentorship roles with Women in Mining South Australia and academic institutions like the University of South Australia, she has dedicated herself to shaping inclusive, accountable, and forward-thinking engineering teams. Fluent in English and Arabic, and equipped with a strategic mindset, she continues to bridge cultures, industries, and technologies.
Now based in Riyadh, Tasnim is channeling her global experience into projects that will shape the future of Saudi Arabia’s mining and energy sectors. Whether she is implementing project governance at Ma’aden, advising on international investment strategies, or mentoring future engineers, she leads with clarity, compassion, and conviction.
In a world that demands both technical brilliance and human-centered leadership, Tasnim Al-Kufaishi exemplifies what it means to be a leader of tomorrow, driving innovation, sustainability, and inclusive progress on a global scale.
Safaa AlMajthoub
In a region where ambition meets transformation, Safaa AlMajthoub stands at the forefront of a new era in healthcare, one that blends clinical excellence, strategic foresight, and cutting-edge innovation. A force to be reckoned with, she is not just a pioneer in digital health, but a commanding leader across the entire healthcare ecosystem.
As the CEO of a publicly listed healthcare company, Safaa is known for driving high-impact initiatives that are shaping the way care is delivered, accessed, and experienced across the Gulf. Her leadership has not only introduced game-changing models in healthcare accessibility, but has also raised the bar for governance, quality standards, and patient-centered service.
Safaa's influence spans hospitals, homecare, specialized health services, and digital platforms. She is a co-founder and the Chief Strategy Officer of Seha Virtual Hospital, the world’s largest and the first virtual hospital in the Middle East, where she helped establish the regulatory foundations and operational strategy that positioned Saudi Arabia as a global leader in virtual care. Yet her vision goes far beyond screens and platforms. She is equally invested in strengthening primary care, enhancing specialized services such as general practice (GP), and building sustainable, scalable healthcare systems that work for every patient, in every setting.
Armed with a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) and multiple advanced degrees, including in Healthcare Administration (MHA), Business Administration (MBA), and Organizational Sustainability, Safaa brings academic depth to her bold, real-world approach. Her portfolio includes top-tier professional certifications like Strategic Project Professional (SPP) and Certified Change Management Professional (CCMP), reflecting her commitment to disciplined, transformative leadership.
What sets Safaa apart is her ability to operate across both clinical and strategic domains. She has been instrumental in integrating home healthcare with general practice and telemedicine, using technology to complement, not replace, the human side of care. Whether it’s launching remote monitoring systems or designing chronic disease programs that rely on strong primary care foundations, she ensures that innovation never comes at the cost of compassion.
Her reach extends to health economics, insurance collaboration, and investment. As a board member and advisor to multiple investment funds in healthcare, Safaa plays a crucial role in identifying high-impact opportunities and guiding capital toward scalable, innovative models of care. She has also led national and corporate health initiatives for powerhouses like SABIC, Aramco, Saudi Airlines, and leading insurers, developing models that are both high-impact and cost-efficient.
At the Saudi Health Council, she chairs the National Committee of Telemedicine, driving forward national strategies that align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Her work has helped bring to life the National Virtual Center, as well as the Regulatory Sandbox for Health Tech, both of which are now foundational pillars of the Kingdom’s healthcare future.
Internationally, she represents the Ministry of Health (MoH) in global forums, including partnerships with the World Health Organization (WHO). She has co-authored globally referenced materials such as the Consolidated Telemedicine Guide, Overview of Regulatory Concepts on AI for Health, and Cross-Border Telehealth Services, each one a testament to her role in shaping not just national, but international health policy.
Safaa’s accolades include the Middle East Women Leaders Award (2022), recognizing her not only as a trailblazer in healthcare strategy, but also as a role model for the region’s next generation of women leaders.
Her north star remains clear: to build a healthcare system that is smart, accessible, equitable, and deeply rooted in clinical integrity. From executive boardrooms to frontline services, Safaa AlMajthoub is championing a future where technology and human care go hand in hand, and where every patient, regardless of background or location, receives the quality care they deserve.
Paola Surdo
Paola Surdo is a proud mother of two beautiful kids. Like many parents, she has faced her share of challenges, but one particular experience transformed her life and career in ways she could never imagine. It all began when her kids one day came home with an unwelcome visitor: head lice. As any parent knows, dealing with lice can be frustrating and stressful, and her experience was no different, for more than a year.
When she discovered that her children had lice, she felt a wave of panic wash over her. She immediately turned to the internet and local resources for help, but surprisingly, she found that there was a lack of support in her region. The conventional treatments available were filled with harsh chemicals, which made her uneasy. She wanted a solution that was not only effective but also safe for her children. After numerous unsuccessful attempts to rid her kids of these pesky parasites, she realized that she was not alone in her struggle. Many families in her community were facing the same issue, and there was a significant gap in the market for a specialized, organic solution.
This realization sparked a fire within her. She decided to take matters into her own hands. With no prior experience in the beauty or health industry, she began researching lice treatments and natural remedies. She immersed herself in studies about essential oils, herbal solutions, and organic ingredients that could effectively eliminate lice without the harmful side effects associated with traditional treatments. The more she learned, the more passionate she became about creating a safe space for families dealing with lice infestations.
Opening her own salon dedicated to lice removal was not an easy task. She faced numerous challenges along the way. First and foremost, she had to overcome her own self-doubt. She questioned whether she could truly make a difference in this field. Would parents trust her with their children? Would she be able to provide a solution that worked? These questions weighed heavily on her mind as she took the leap to start her business.
Once she opened the doors to her salon, she quickly realized that her mission extended beyond just providing lice removal services. She wanted to educate families about prevention and the importance of using organic solutions. She began hosting workshops to teach parents about lice prevention and the natural products she had developed. The response from the community was overwhelmingly positive, and she felt a sense of fulfillment knowing that she was making a difference. She opened four salons across the UAE, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Al Ain, and also provided home services.
As she continued to work with families, she discovered that many parents were looking for products they could use at home to prevent lice infestations. This inspired her to develop her own line of organic lice prevention products. She worked tirelessly to create shampoos, conditioners, detangler, and sprays that were not only effective but also gentle on the scalp. Her goal was to provide families with a holistic approach to lice management, ensuring that they had the tools they needed to keep their homes lice-free.
Through perseverance and dedication, what began as a struggle has blossomed into a thriving business that helps countless families. She has had the privilege of meeting and supporting many parents who share similar experiences. Hearing their stories and knowing that she can provide them with a solution has been incredibly rewarding.
Today, her salons stand as a beacon of hope for families dealing with lice. She has built a team of compassionate professionals who share her vision and values. Together, they work to create a safe and welcoming environment where families can come for help without fear of judgment. They treat each child with care and respect, understanding that lice infestations can be a source of shame and anxiety for many.
Looking back on her journey, she is grateful for the challenges she faced along the way. They have shaped her into the person she is today, resilient, resourceful, and passionate about helping others. Her experience with lice not only changed her career path but also ignited a mission to empower families in her community. She is proud to say that she has turned a personal struggle into a meaningful purpose, and she will continue to advocate for safe, organic solutions for lice management for as long as she can.
As she watches her children grow, she is reminded of the importance of resilience and the power of turning obstacles into opportunities. Her hope is that her story inspires other parents to take charge of their challenges and transform them into something positive. Together, families can create a world where they feel supported, educated, and empowered in their journey to overcome lice infestations.
Dr. Srividhya Sukumar
Dr. Srividhya Sukumar is an inspiring educationist, a dedicated QA expert, a visionary strategic transformational coach, and a passionate ESG advocate, devoted her years of experience and expertise to advancing sustainable education and empowering communities locally and globally.
A determined Changemaker, trendsetter and trailblazer as she is widely known as, with her stellar philosophy of life, "Celebrate Every Single Of Life, so as to evolve as Self, Community, and Terrane," she drives change incessantly, through proactive, pragmatic and innovative programs and solutions towards achieving SDG Goal 4, that will ensure inclusive and equitable quality education, promoting human values and lifelong learning opportunities to all.
Dr. Srividhya's life journey is firmly anchored in her Tamil Brahmin Iyer heritage from India, and is renowned for its commitment to serving humanity. Motivated by this legacy, her tireless advocacy for accessible education to the deprived, has transformed countless lives on both national and global scales. Adorned with a prestigeous Doctorate in Educational Management from the World Human Protection Commission Council and advanced certifications in management and transformational coaching, she is fully prepared to lead with determination and purpose, ensuring that her vision of inclusive education becomes a reality.
Aligning the above, Dr. Srividhya has played a pivotal role in shaping the educational landscape and the fabric of governance with policies aligned with UNESCO’s 2050 goals, the UAE National Agenda, and India’s National Education Policy. With her prolific mission of, “Every Child Matters Here,” she drives her efforts to create safe, sustainable and futuristic learning environments, including pioneering satellite-based education systems to reach underserved communities, across the globe. Dr. Srividhya has been a guiding force committed to advancing innovative frameworks that seamlessly integrate AI, augmented reality, and crucial 21st-century skills.
With the pride of being a member of government, non-government and other social welfare organisations, including the United Nations, she has contributed and led many international initiatives, as a visionary leader including the G20 and COP 2030 conferences, that underscores her determination to champion sustainability and the fundamental principles of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance). Through her decisive influence, she is unequivocally shaping a brighter future for both education and the planet.
As an accomplished author, Dr. Srividhya’s works, such as Education Evolution 360 and Innovator's Mindset, The Winner’s Edge, inspire global audiences. Her accolades, including the Mahatma Gandhi Global Peace Award, the Outstanding Educational Consultant Award and many many more, underscore her remarkable impact on education and sustainability.
As a passionate professional, her message resonates deeply:
“Experience the past, Experiment with the present, and Evolve for the future, such that Every single step is a big leap to fly high.” Through her trailblazing efforts, Dr. Srividhya Sukumar continues to redefine education as a tool for empowerment, transformation, and sustainable growth.
To Conclude, Dr. Srividhya always believes in Aham Brahmasmi, from Hindu Mythology, We are like stained - glass. We sparkle and shine, through the gleaming beauty of our own spectrum, We mirror and create our own selves …. as she confesses with pride, saying, “I don’t paint my dreams, I paint my own reality”............
For more insights into her groundbreaking work, visit www.vid-yeah.com., https://www.youtube.com/@SCHMALTZ-786
Conclusion
As we celebrate the achievements of Cassandra Maria Defazio, Tasnim Al-Kufaishi, Safaa Almajthoub, Paola Surdo, and Dr. Srividhya Sukumar, it becomes clear that leadership today is defined by resilience, innovation, and a commitment to progress. Their journeys serve as powerful examples of what is possible through dedication and vision. We look forward to seeing how each of these outstanding individuals continues to shape the future with their contributions.
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