Future Talent Forum
NYU Abu Dhabi
November 12-13, 2025
An exclusive gathering of executives, academic thought leaders, and HR innovators as we explore AI’s transformative role
Hosted at the NYU Abu Dhabi campus, housing students from over 120 countries, built for global collaboration and exchange.
Transformational Leadership
The demands of leadership today have never been more complex. In the face of rapid change and instability, it means finding direction in the noise, making sense of what feels uncertain, and pulling people with you into the unknown.
The Future Talent Summit at NYU Abu Dhabi is an invitation-only gathering of senior executives, policymakers, and university leaders from across the globe. Together, they will explore how leadership at this moment can address the profound challenges, but also opportunities, reshaping the future of talent.
Over two days, participants will engage with keynotes, panels, and roundtable dialogues, co-creating approaches to building resilient and secure systems for work and learning.
Dates
November 12-13, 2025
Location
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Venue
NYU Abu Dhabi
Saadiyat Marina District
Register Participation
Welcome to Abu Dhabi
The City
A capital that embraces change while honoring tradition, Abu Dhabi has become a trusted stage for global dialogue. Its mix of heritage and modern ambition mirrors the conversations that will take place during the Summit. This balance, a thriving resilience in the face of transformation, highlights the themes of the gathering and makes the city a natural host.
The Venue
Located in the capital’s cultural district, NYU Abu Dhabi is home to students from more than 120 countries and a hub for world-class research and exchange. The campus was built as a meeting ground for ideas across borders and stands as a symbol of Abu Dhabi’s investment in education and global collaboration.
Agenda Highlights
Leading in Times of Disruption
How can leaders provide clarity and direction when technology, economies, and institutions are in constant flux? What defines effective leadership in an unpredictable world?
The Future of Skills and Learning
As AI reshapes work, what skills will matter most? How should education systems and employers adapt to prepare people for jobs that don’t yet exist?
Trust and Responsibility in the AI Era
As AI moves from experimentation to implementation, how can organizations ensure its use strengthens, not undermines, trust, ethics, and accountability?
Featured Speakers
Daniel Kjellsson
Director-General
Future Talent Council
“A unique event welcoming government officials, university leaders, and corporate executives from all corners of the world.”
El Iza Mohamedou
Head of the Centre for Skills
OECD
Leading international research and policy to help countries design and implement effective, whole-of-government skills strategies that drive stronger economic and social outcomes.
Dr. Christian Schmeichel
SVP and Global Head of People & Culture Services SAP
Driving the design and delivery of world-class, innovative people and culture services for SAP’s 100,000-strong workforce, shaping agile leadership and HR transformation in the AI-powered future of work.
Dr. Saeed Al Dhaheri
Director Center for Future Studies
University of Dubai
Sharan Singh
Vice President Strategic Partnerships
Minerva Project
Baishakhi Taylor
Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
NYU Abu Dhabi
Fabio Piano
Interim Vice Chancellor
NYU Abu Dhabi
Richard Mosley
Managing Partner
C-YourCulture
Chloe Tattanelli
Founder & CEO
C-YourCulture
Monroe France
Global Leadership Strategist & Professor of the Practice, Tisch College
Tufts University
John Fischetti
Global Chair FTC Center for Higher Education Transformation
Rosseweater Usayi
Chief People & Culture Officer
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe
Mohsin Siddiqui
Head of Talent, Development and OE
IHS Towers / Fikrah Advisory
Sean O. Ferguson
Vice President, Strategy & Innovation
Bentley University
Samantha Pugh
Institutional Academic Lead for AI
University of Leeds
Hyun Ja Shin
Director, Graduate and Postdoctoral Career Services
Yale University
Maha Kassim
Head of HR
Aujan Coca-Cola
Fiona McBride
CEO
Emile Woolf Middle East
Henrik Jonson
Director Employer Engagement
INSEAD
Dr. Deena Elsori
Program Chair
Rabdan Academy
Rob Henderson
President, CEO
BioTalent Canada
Dina Helal
Chief Human Resources Officer
GCGRA
Iain McLaughlin
Partner
Leadership Talent Advisory
Massimiliano Savarese
Exec VP, Organization & Culture Transformation
First Abu Dhabi Bank
Sohna Cham
Regional Head of HR IMEA
A.P. Moller – Maersk
Mario Bastoni
Executive Director, People & Development,
Abu Dhabi Department of Finance
Nancy Gleason
Professor & Director of Undergraduate Academic Excellence
MBZUAI
Ali Orr
Director of Future Skills
Kingston University
Mark Patterson
Executive Director
Magnet / Toronto Metropolitan University
Lisa Umenyiora
Executive Director, Careers & Student Life
Imperial Business School
Will Jennings
Associate Vice Provost for Global Learning and Impact
University of Tennessee
Waleed Minhas
MENA Director
Kaplan
Luke McKeever
CEO
Thomas
Dr. Sharmla Chetty
CEO
Duke University
Nandita Saggu
Chief Growth Office
Liwa
Previous Events
Membership
Memberships are organizational and by nomination
Governance
A limited corporation governed under Swedish law, and the EU Transparency Act
Independence
Future Talent Council is independent, impartial and not tied to any special interests
Locations
Globally distributed organization headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden
Member
Member login
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