Emil Jimenez
MindBank AI
Founder & Chairman
Emil Jimenez is a Founder and Chairman with a track record of building, scaling, and commercializing technology and creative ventures across consumer and enterprise markets. He is the Founder and Chairman of MindBank AI, a Mindfund Technologies Corp. company established in 2020, where he conceptualized and launched an innovative consumer and B2B platform for AI digital twins of the workforce. Under his leadership, the company executed data-driven go-to-market strategies that delivered industry-leading unit economics and has overseen organizational scale-up over five years, owning P&L, KPIs, while leading cross-functional teams spanning product, marketing, and operations. Previously, he founded Passion Communications, a boutique creative agency he scaled into an international operation, managing $60M+ in campaign budgets and leading global teams of 20+ creatives. His work delivered measurable commercial impact for global brands including Porsche, Molson Coors, and Hard Rock Café, earning industry recognition from the Golden Effie, Epica Awards, Adobe Cutting Edge, and other leading institutions. Emil Jimenez holds a Global Executive MBA from IESE Business School, a Master’s degree in Communication and Art Direction, and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. His work and perspectives have been featured in international publications including Gulf Business, Der Spiegel, Voice of America, The Japan Times, and Wired.
Speak with Emil's AI Digital Twin: https://my.mindbank.ai/emil/dt
Emil Jimenez is a Founder and Chairman with a track record of building, scaling, and commercializing technology and creative ventures across consumer and enterprise markets. He is the Founder and Chairman of MindBank AI, a Mindfund Technologies Corp. company established in 2020, where he conceptualized and launched an innovative consumer and B2B platform for AI digital twins of the workforce. Under his leadership, the company executed data-driven go-to-market strategies that delivered industry-leading unit economics and has overseen organizational scale-up over five years, owning P&L, KPIs, while leading cross-functional teams spanning product, marketing, and operations. Previously, he founded Passion Communications, a boutique creative agency he scaled into an international operation, managing $60M+ in campaign budgets and leading global teams of 20+ creatives. His work delivered measurable commercial impact for global brands including Porsche, Molson Coors, and Hard Rock Café, earning industry recognition from the Golden Effie, Epica Awards, Adobe Cutting Edge, and other leading institutions. Emil Jimenez holds a Global Executive MBA from IESE Business School, a Master’s degree in Communication and Art Direction, and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. His work and perspectives have been featured in international publications including Gulf Business, Der Spiegel, Voice of America, The Japan Times, and Wired.
Speak with Emil's AI Digital Twin: https://my.mindbank.ai/emil/dt
Ceren Gokoglu Akdemir
Oliver Wyman
Ceren Gokoglu is a distinguished leader at the intersection of strategic management and cutting-edge technology. Currently a Partner at Oliver Wyman, she brings a wealth of experience in scaling AI solutions and driving enterprise-wide digital innovation across the Middle East and global markets.
As a Partner, Ceren advises organizations on navigating the complexities of the 2026 AI landscape, focusing on the strategic deployment of Generative AI and high-impact digital transformations. Prior to joining Oliver Wyman, she served as the Head of the AI Acceleration Office. In these roles, she was instrumental in building Careem’s AI infrastructure, moving beyond experimental tech to implement scalable, production-ready AI ecosystems that enhanced customer experience and operational efficiency.
Before Careem, Ceren spent over a decade as an Associate Partner at McKinsey, leading tech-enabled transformation projects across the GCC, Europe, Asia, and the US. Her work centered on emerging technologies and digital strategy for top-tier, cross-sector clients.
A founder at heart, she co-founded Foodiena, a food-tech startup in the MENA region that utilized AI-driven opportunity identification.
Beyond her corporate roles, Ceren is committed to global progress, serving as a mentor for the United Nations Young SDG Innovators Program, where she guides young professionals in aligning business innovation with Sustainable Development Goals.
She holds an MSc in Development Studies and Finance from the London School of Economics (LSE) and a BSc in Economics and International Studies from Koç University, currently busy with her pre-PHD program at MIT.
As a Partner, Ceren advises organizations on navigating the complexities of the 2026 AI landscape, focusing on the strategic deployment of Generative AI and high-impact digital transformations. Prior to joining Oliver Wyman, she served as the Head of the AI Acceleration Office. In these roles, she was instrumental in building Careem’s AI infrastructure, moving beyond experimental tech to implement scalable, production-ready AI ecosystems that enhanced customer experience and operational efficiency.
Before Careem, Ceren spent over a decade as an Associate Partner at McKinsey, leading tech-enabled transformation projects across the GCC, Europe, Asia, and the US. Her work centered on emerging technologies and digital strategy for top-tier, cross-sector clients.
A founder at heart, she co-founded Foodiena, a food-tech startup in the MENA region that utilized AI-driven opportunity identification.
Beyond her corporate roles, Ceren is committed to global progress, serving as a mentor for the United Nations Young SDG Innovators Program, where she guides young professionals in aligning business innovation with Sustainable Development Goals.
She holds an MSc in Development Studies and Finance from the London School of Economics (LSE) and a BSc in Economics and International Studies from Koç University, currently busy with her pre-PHD program at MIT.
Narrimane Benakcha
Oracle
Director Government Affairs
Narrimane Benakcha is Director for Government Affairs at Oracle for the MENA region. She is responsible for driving the company's strategic engagements with the government and advocacy efforts on cloud, AI and frontier technology adoption. Prior to joining Oracle, Narrimane was the Head of Public Policy for the Middle East & Africa at Amazon Web Services. She started her career in banking, in the Financial Intelligence Unit of HSBC and Government Affairs Director for Standard Chartered Bank for the Middle East & Africa.
Narrimane Benakcha is Director for Government Affairs at Oracle for the MENA region. She is responsible for driving the company's strategic engagements with the government and advocacy efforts on cloud, AI and frontier technology adoption. Prior to joining Oracle, Narrimane was the Head of Public Policy for the Middle East & Africa at Amazon Web Services. She started her career in banking, in the Financial Intelligence Unit of HSBC and Government Affairs Director for Standard Chartered Bank for the Middle East & Africa.
Max Clark
Parsons
SVP - EMEA CTO
Dr Max Clark’s career of more than 25 Years, spans academia, private and public organizations in the United States, United Kingdom, and the Middle East. Dr Max has a set of unique skills and experience were over the last 25+ years he has successfully solved complex technical issues, deployed innovative solutions and delivered business objectives.
Currently Dr. Max’s primary role within Parsons is, as the EMEA CTO, where he provides strategic leadership and direction to accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies and processes with the business currently focused on:
• AI application
• Digital delivery
• Application of innovation
• Engagements with start-ups and others
• Maximizing global technology relationships with key partners.
In addition, he is centralizing and optimizing both EMEA Operations and Delivery Services into one unifying organization to support business delivery. This is being achieved by;
• promoting uniformity and alignment with best practice to improve delivery of all core business,
• embedded innovation solutions and culture within business practices
• focused training and initiatives, embedding a culture of continuous improvement.
Dr Max also acts as the Sector Manager for Qatar and Europe, providing operational direction and leadership.
Dr Max Clark’s career of more than 25 Years, spans academia, private and public organizations in the United States, United Kingdom, and the Middle East. Dr Max has a set of unique skills and experience were over the last 25+ years he has successfully solved complex technical issues, deployed innovative solutions and delivered business objectives.
Currently Dr. Max’s primary role within Parsons is, as the EMEA CTO, where he provides strategic leadership and direction to accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies and processes with the business currently focused on:
• AI application
• Digital delivery
• Application of innovation
• Engagements with start-ups and others
• Maximizing global technology relationships with key partners.
In addition, he is centralizing and optimizing both EMEA Operations and Delivery Services into one unifying organization to support business delivery. This is being achieved by;
• promoting uniformity and alignment with best practice to improve delivery of all core business,
• embedded innovation solutions and culture within business practices
• focused training and initiatives, embedding a culture of continuous improvement.
Dr Max also acts as the Sector Manager for Qatar and Europe, providing operational direction and leadership.
Ian McGovern
Parsons
Ian is a Chartered Civil Engineer with over 32 years of international experience, including 20 years in senior management consultancy roles. He has a proven track record of delivering value creation, operational synergies, and profitability across diverse markets.
Ian’s expertise includes leading multicultural teams, strategic planning, and managing large-scale projects funded by organizations such as USAID, ADB, and the World Bank. Having lived and worked in Afghanistan, Cambodia, Thailand, Hong Kong, India and the UK. Ian brings a truly global perspective to his role.
Ian’s expertise includes leading multicultural teams, strategic planning, and managing large-scale projects funded by organizations such as USAID, ADB, and the World Bank. Having lived and worked in Afghanistan, Cambodia, Thailand, Hong Kong, India and the UK. Ian brings a truly global perspective to his role.