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Keynote Speakers
Ahmed Soliman
Country Manager – UAE
Pure Storage
Pure Storage
Ahmed Soliman
With 20 years of experience in the technology industry—15 of which I’ve spent working with market-leading vendors such as Pure Storage and Oracle—I specialize in helping organizations across the Middle East unlock the full potential of their data while optimizing performance, efficiency, and cost. As the Country Manager for the United Arab Emirates at Pure Storage, I work closely with UAE customers across all industries to simplify and modernise their IT infrastructure, accelerate cloud adoption, transition to cloud native applications, and ensure seamless data mobility.
I take a consultative approach to problem-solving, helping businesses eliminate complexity, reduce downtime, and drive innovation. Whether it’s improving application performance, enhancing data resilience, or leveraging AI-driven insights, I focus on delivering real business outcomes.
My customers know me as a strategic thinker and a trusted advisor who builds long-term relationships based on transparency, collaboration, and results. My passion lies in enabling businesses to modernize their technology landscape while staying ahead in an ever-evolving digital world
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Thomas Rizkallah
Regional Sales Director – MENA
CITRIX
CITRIX
Thomas Rizkallah
Thomas Rizkallah is the Regional Director for Citrix across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), where he oversees the full spectrum of sales operations and spearheads the company’s go-to-market strategy. His role is rooted in building connections with customers, partners, and the wider ecosystem while ensuring Citrix remains a key player in a region that moves fast and demands even faster.
Thomas brings a sharp commercial instinct and a knack for cutting through the noise, shaped by years spent with some of the world’s most recognizable tech names. Prior to Citrix, he held senior roles at Microsoft, Juniper Networks, Nokia, and McAfee Inc., where he learned that influence isn’t about volume, it’s about clarity, timing, and knowing when to listen and adapt in real time. His soft skills and mindset are informed by both global experience and a deep understanding of the regional dynamics. He approaches leadership with a mix of precision and pragmatism, believing that the best solutions come from those who stay curious, ask better questions, and challenge the conventional.
Whether he’s in a boardroom or a hallway conversation, Thomas Rizkallah is focused on what really matters – shifting perspectives and leaving a mark that outlasts the moment.
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Panelists
Francois Van Deventer
Director & CTO – Emerging Markets
CITRIX
CITRIX
Francois Van Deventer
Francois van Deventer is an award-winning technology and business leader with over 20 years of experience driving growth, innovation, and operational excellence across high-potential emerging markets—spanning Eastern Europe, Turkey, the Middle East, and Africa.
Currently serving as Director & CTO at Cloud Software Group, Francois is recognized for his ability to bridge deep technical expertise with strong commercial acumen. His leadership has helped shape Citrix’s regional success, earning him accolades including EMEA Networking Sales Specialist of the Year, World Wide Sales & Services Excellence Award, and most recently, a place in the Circle of Excellence 2024. He has also achieved Presidents Club and Headwaters Club distinctions during his time at Riverbed Technology.
Certified as a CISSP and with a suite of top-tier technical certifications (Cisco, Citrix, HP, Microsoft), Francois continues to stay at the forefront of cybersecurity and cloud-driven architectures. His approach blends strategic clarity, technical depth, and people-first leadership to build high-performing, cross-functional teams that deliver measurable outcomes.
Known for his reflective and empathetic leadership style, Francois champions environments where team members are empowered to grow, innovate, and succeed. His reputation for thoughtful problem-solving and calm, focused leadership—especially under pressure—is consistently echoed in peer recommendations.
In parallel, he is pursuing a Master’s – Business Administration with the University of London and Generative AI from Digital Data Design Institute at Harvard, reinforcing his commitment to lifelong learning and multidimensional leadership. Outside the professional realm, Francois is a passionate learner, devoted husband, and father of three, with a love for literature, podcasts, and personal growth.
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