Laila Faridoon

Miss Laila Faridoon is a thought leader, public speaker and author. Laila is the CEO and founder of Looking Forward Consultancy specialized in digital and business transformation services; with her current role, Laila advises corporates/boards in their transformation journeys with her strong mix of business and technology skills.

She has 20 years of deep experience in technology, project, and corporate management, she started her career in 2000 as a data analyst, next became IT PMO manager in 2007 and then moved to a higher position, Executive Director of Chairman Office -RTA Dubai for the following 13 years. She has played the role of a digital advisor to the chairman and the board, led many digital projects and major initiatives on the government level such as Dubai World Challenge for Self-driving Transport.

Laila received a BSc in Computer Science with first class honors from Ajman University, and then graduated with distinction from the University of Sharjah with an MSc in Computer science. Her passion for technology and its role in advancing humanity caused her to pursue her PhD currently in the field of Big Data Analytics in King’s College London. She is an active researcher and public speaker in the field of digital transformation, she has authored many papers and chapters in different books and given many talks globally.

She is passionate about challenging the status quo, leveraging science and technology for the good of the humanity. In addition of being a big advocate for Women in STEM through her different roles and endeavors.

She has been selected among the top 30 women leaders to look out to in 2023 by the NYC Journal and has been chosen as an ambassador of a goodwill in 2019 by the League of Arab Organization.

Ms. Faridoon has extensive experience in boards management, she served in many regional and international boards with different roles: PMI UAE Chapter (President), Dubai International Project Management Forum (President), Hamdan Award for innovation in Project Management (General Secretary), RTA board of directors (General Secretary), UITP Centre of excellence (Board member) and Dubai Quality Group (board member).She has authored a book “Looking Forward To the Bright Side” that is based on her own journey in life and gives you a guide on how to transform your life to the one that you want.

Ms. Faridoon has received several awards, the latest being the Middle East Woman Leader in Corporate Management Excellence.