Top 10 emerging directors of the month: Directors’ Institute Highlights

The Most Awaited Prestigious List from the Global Community of Directors, Featuring Leading Middle East Professionals for Organizations Seeking High-Caliber Board Expertise to Support Growth and Scale.

World Development Corporation Directors’ Institute - World Council Of Directors, proudly unveils its Top 10 Emerging Directors of the Month, spotlighting leaders accomplished to drive impact across listed companies, private enterprises and startups. With expertise spanning technology, finance, manufacturing, energy and ESG, these professionals exemplify the vision and governance needed in today's boardrooms. Through BoardSearch.ai, the Institute connects such senior leaders with organizations worldwide, shaping the future of corporate leadership.

1. Mr Jose Roberto Giro

José Roberto Giro’s 35+ year career spans technology leadership across Brazil, Germany, the Middle East, and multinational automotive businesses. Currently serving as Chief Information Officer and Director IT & Digital Transformation at Al Abdulghani Motors, he works closely with executive leadership on strategic projects, digital transformation strategy, cybersecurity, investment, and enterprise risk.

His experience leading large-scale SAP, cloud, CRM, DMS, and digital programs across seven markets, while governing significant technology budgets, adds strong board relevance in technology governance, transformation, and risk oversight.

2. Dr Devang Trivedi

Dr Devang Trivedi brings over three decades of experience across banking, financial services, consulting, and manufacturing, with a strong focus on risk, finance, audit, and governance. In his current role as Assistant Vice President – Risk Management at First Abu Dhabi Bank, he oversees risk appetite, ESG, fraud risk, audit remediation, and IFRS 9 compliance. His experience in business continuity and enterprise resilience adds a distinctive perspective for boards navigating regulatory, operational, and strategic risks.         

3. Mr Shaik Faiazuddin

Across 30+ years in senior leadership roles, Shaik Faiazuddin has managed claimd, complex contracts, commercial operations, procurement, infrastructure, energy, and Giga/Mega projects across the Middle East and international markets. As a Program Director at Confidential Government, he currently leads strategic initiatives, governance frameworks, KPIs, commercial decisions, and stakeholder engagement.

His experience includes Saudi Aramco, SABIC, Bechtel, Qatar Petroleum, and Qatari Diar, with responsibility for projects and contracts worth billions. His background in governance, compliance, risk, cost control, and cross-sector stakeholder management adds strong strategic depth at the board level.

4. Dr Bassil Zeidan

Dr Bassil Zeidan brings over two decades of senior sales leadership experience, with deep expertise in commercial strategy, market expansion, key account management, and organizational development.

As Senior National Sales Director at Unicharm Gulf Hygienic Industries, he has directed sales operations across highly competitive FMCG markets, most notably securing a landmark retail partnership that delivered 30% growth in sales volume and drove a single baby diapers brand to a 61% market share which allowed Unicharm to be Number 1 player in baby diapers in GCC.

This blend of commercial results, negotiation acumen, and leadership capability positions him as a strong contributor at the board level, particularly in growth strategy, customer relationship management, and talent development.

5. Dr Riaz Abdul Aziz Khan

Dr Riaz Khan is a seasoned healthcare management professional with over 30 years of global leadership experience as CEO/ COO/CSO across UAE, India, and Africa. He brings a robust background in corporate governance, institutional risk mitigation, and large-scale business turnarounds to the board.

A specialist in P&L optimization, joint venture oversight, and cross-border M&A, Riaz has successfully directed the integration and financial transformation of over 30 healthcare entities. Holding a Ph.D. in Hospital Management, his extensive background in institutional risk mitigation, stakeholder management, and joint venture oversight makes him an invaluable Independent Director capable of driving robust board-level compliance, strategic growth, and corporate oversight.

6. Ms Jagruti Nilesh Samani

Jagruti Samani’s three decades of experience span governance, internal audit, risk management, and compliance across India and the Middle East. As Group Chief Internal Auditor at W J Towell Group and an Independent Director at Entremonde Polycoaters Ltd., she provides oversight across audit, risk, and governance matters.

Her leadership in SAP ERP transformation, fraud prevention, and enterprise controls positions her to contribute effectively to board discussions on risk, compliance, operational resilience, and organizational accountability.

7. Mr Iswar Chetri

Iswar Chetri’s 30+ years of experience across the energy sector cover strategic planning, business performance, risk management, finance, and large-scale project development. In his current role at ADNOC Offshore, he leads the 5-Year Business Plan for the Upper Zakum Business Unit and serves as its ERM Risk Champion, while also driving sustainability and low-carbon initiatives. His experience aligning operational, financial, risk, and ESG priorities provides strong board relevance in energy strategy, governance, and long-term value creation.

8. Mr Hasmaath Parkar

Hasmaath Parkar is a technology leader with 24+ years of experience across the GCC, spanning enterprise IT, digital transformation, cybersecurity, technology governance, and strategic technology leadership. As Head of Information Technology at Al Gharbia Pipe Company LLC, he leads enterprise technology strategy, infrastructure modernization, cybersecurity governance, and digital enablement initiatives aligned with business objectives.

His experience across ERP transformation, AI-enabled automation, enterprise digital ecosystems, and cybersecurity frameworks positions him to advise at the board and executive level on technology strategy, digital transformation, technology investments, cyber risk, governance, and operational efficiency.

9. Mr Spyridon Fafoutis

With over 28 years of experience, Spyridon Fafoutis has built expertise across recycling, resource recovery, industrial infrastructure, and sustainability in Europe and the Middle East. As Project Director at TADWEEER National Environmental Recycling Co. in Riyadh, he leads the development and commissioning of large-scale recycling and metallurgical facilities.

His experience delivering a $100 million, 500,000 TPA integrated facilities and developing strategic and feasibility plans for a $150 million USD Metallurgical and waste to energy projects supports board-level contribution in sustainable infrastructure, capital projects, ESG, and regulatory strategy.

10. Ms Unathi Mpekula

A 16+ year career in HSSE, risk management, compliance, and ESG has shaped Unathi Mpekula’s expertise across logistics and infrastructure. As the founding Director of InteliSHEQ Advisory and Management Services, she now applies this experience to advising organizations on HSSE, risk, and governance.

Previously, as Senior Manager – HSSE Implementation at Abu Dhabi Ports Group, she was responsible for a 25-terminal portfolio, including 11 active terminals, while supporting risk and sustainability assessments during M&A activities. Her experience with Abu Dhabi Ports Group, Maersk, and Transnet spans operational risk, compliance, ESG, and governance across complex international environments.

Through its BoardSearch.ai platform, World Development Corporation Directors’ Institute– World Council of Directors connects distinguished directors from their pool with meaningful mandates—bridging opportunities between seasoned leaders and organizations seeking strategic governance leadership.