Judging

Hakan Ozkasikci is an internationally recognized hospitality development advisor, architect, and design executive with more than 30 years of experience delivering some of the world's most prestigious luxury hospitality, branded residential, and mixed-use developments.

Throughout his career, Hakan has held senior leadership positions within the global hospitality industry, including Executive Vice President – Global Design & Technical Services at Kerzner International, Group Corporate Director of Design, Construction & Technical Services at Aman, and Director of Architecture for the InterContinental brand across Europe, Russia, and the CIS.

Having worked across 36 countries and four continents, he has led the planning, design, development, repositioning, and delivery of projects exceeding USD 5 billion in value, ranging from landmark urban hotels and resorts to ultra-luxury residences, private islands, and destination masterplans.

Today, as Founder and CEO of 3 Square Meters LLC, Hakan advises investors, developers, hotel operators, family offices, and institutional owners on the strategic creation of hospitality and lifestyle assets. His consultancy specializes in aligning commercial objectives, guest experience, operational efficiency, and design excellence to maximize long-term asset value.

Since joining Hirsch Bedner Associates in 1998, Andrew has been privileged to participate in two of the most dynamic decades of growth in Asia Pacific, especially China.

Andrew has led his design team in Singapore in creating some of the region's most important hospitality projects, and developing lasting relationships with HBA clients.

Bedour AlSwayeh is the Development Hospitality Design Director at King Abdullah Financial District Development and Management Company (KAFD DMC). She brings extensive experience in the delivery of luxury hospitality and mixed-use developments across the region.

In her role at KAFD DMC, Bedour leads the design and development of hotels, branded residences, and food and beverage destinations, overseeing all phases of the design process in collaboration with internationally recognized operators, brands, and consultants. She is responsible for ensuring that each project successfully balances design innovation, operational functionality, and commercial performance while meeting brand standards and market objectives.

Bedour also plays a key role in shaping guest experiences across KAFD, one of the Middle East’s leading business and lifestyle destinations, contributing to the district’s vision as a world-class urban environment.

She holds certifications in Interior Architecture from Prince Sultan University, Hotel Planning and Design from Cornell University, and Hotel Development and Real Estate Investments from EHL University.

As Regional Director of Design and Technical Services MEA for Six Senses, Diana drives the regional growth, design, and development of multiple projects across the Middle East & Africa, working hand-in-hand with Hotel Owners and together with some of the best designers in the world.

Diana is originally from Mexico where she trained as an Architect and joined the luxury hospitality design industry shortly after graduating. Her adventurous spirit drove her to relocate multiple times following her career and passion for design, as well as the opportunity to experience new cultures in Asia, Europe and more recently the Middle East.

Prior joining Six Senses, Diana collaborated in projects for several luxury brands of the likes of Aman Hotels, Four Seasons, GHM and Mandarin Oriental, amongst others, while working for award-wining international architecture and design studios, such as Denniston International, Kerry Hill Architects and GA Design.

Having always been passionate about nature, travelling, well-being and sustainability, Diana strongly identify with Six Senses’ unique ethos. She is a conscious traveller and an avid recycler/up-cycler who is constantly on the lookout for the newest sustainability and design trends.

Diane is the Design Principal and Global Hospitality Lead at Gensler, the world’s #1 design firm with 5,700 professionals across a global network of offices. Based in the Middle East for the past 18 years, she brings deep regional insight and a passion for curating hospitality experiences that reflect local culture. With a strong foundation in interior architecture, she believes great design begins with understanding the client’s vision and cultural context. Her award-winning work is known for its refined style, human-centric focus, and commitment to creating meaningful experiences from the inside out.

Dr. Fadi Jabri joined Nikken Sekkei in 2000 as an Architect after earning a Ph.D. from the University of Tokyo, where his research focused on the aesthetics of light and shadows in traditional Japanese architecture. He was mentored by Professor Ohno Hidetoshi, Hisao Koyama, and the renowned architect Ando Tadao. In 2014, he became a member of the board of executives, taking responsibility for overseeing and expanding Nikken Sekkei's international projects, with a particular emphasis on the MENA and CIS regions.

With experience spanning over 20 cities, Dr. Jabri has contributed to a wide range of projects, including urban planning, mixed-use high-rises, residential, hospitality, and unique projects. He played a pivotal role in winning major international competitions, such as One Zaabeel in Dubai, the Gazprom complex in St. Petersburg, and a multi-cultural complex for Sberbank in Moscow. Additionally, he was instrumental in establishing Nikken Sekkei’s offices in Dubai, Riyadh, and Moscow.

Currently, Dr. Jabri leads a design studio in Dubai as Executive CEO. He works closely with clients and design teams to blend contemporary reinterpretations of Japanese architectural design principles with cutting-edge technologies, always balancing respect for history with a vision for the future.

Fluent in English, Japanese, Arabic, and Russian, Dr. Jabri excels at bridging cultural and linguistic gaps, facilitating seamless communication across international teams and clients.

Jamie is the Managing Director of SKS Studio’s Dubai office. SKS Studio is a leading landscape architecture consultancy specialising in luxury hospitality and high-end residential projects across the Middle East and internationally, with offices in Kansas City, USA, and Dubai, UAE. With over 24 years of industry experience across the UK, Qatar and 11 years in the UAE, Jamie has delivered landmark projects such as Atlantis, The Royal and Six Senses Southern Dunes. His background spans civil engineering, landscape construction, client-side project management and consultancy, providing a unique perspective across all stages of development. Under his leadership, SKS Studio’s Dubai office has rapidly grown since its establishment in 2021, achieving major successes within the region’s luxury hospitality sector.

Leila's 35 years of experience in interior design, spans luxury hospitality, residential, retail and large-scale commercial projects. Leading complex developments from concept to delivery, Leila has built a strong reputation for designing refined, highly functional, culturally nuanced and emotionally resonant built environments.

Beginning of this year, Leila joined Kempinski as Global VP of Design, working closely with Product, Development, Operations and owners to ensure design excellence, brand consistency and deeply culturally relevant experiences across the portfolio bringing Kempinski 2.0 to life. Prior to that, Leila served as Director of Design – Architecture, Design & Construction, at Hilton, based in Dubai, where she led luxury hospitality interior projects across the Middle East. Her portfolio includes landmark developments for brands such as Waldorf Astoria (Lusail Doha, Diriyah, Madinah), LXR Collection (Laheq and Wadi Hanifa), and Conrad (Arzana Rabat and Riyadh) among others. In this role, she oversaw interiors from pre-signing through to opening, working closely with owners, consultants and suppliers to ensure design excellence, brand alignment and quality of delivery across multiple geographies.

Leila held senior leadership roles with leading international design firms, including Bilkey Llinas Design as Regional Managing Director, Hirsch Bedner International (HBA) as Director, and Dileonardo International as Principal and Regional Director for the Middle East. In all these positions, she led high-end hospitality and residential projects for prestigious brands, while also managing branch set-ups, teams and business development for the consultancies.

Earlier in her career, Leila founded and led her own design practice in Los Angeles, completing high-profile commercial, hospitality and corporate projects for clients including DreamWorks, Warner Bros., MGM, Toyota and BMW. In addition to her extensive hospitality portfolio, she has also had the unique privilege of being involved in the design of the NASA space station interiors.

Leila holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Environmental Design, awarded with distinction by the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, and gained her formal training in interior architecture at Otis Parsons. Fluent in English, French, German and Arabic, she brings a rare multicultural perspective shaped by her international background and professional experience. As a respected authority, she is also a frequent contributor to industry publications and forums on design, hospitality and the built environment.

Liam is currently seconded to Majid Al Futtaim, where he leads direct procurement for Ghaf Woods, a major lifestyle led masterplan in Dubai. With over 15 years' experience delivering luxury hospitality, branded residences, and F&B destinations across the Middle East, Liam has played a key role in flagship developments including Emaar's Address Hotels and Resorts, Vida Hotels and Residences, Rove Hotels, and the Dubai Opera House.

His portfolio also spans global events such as Expo 2020, COP28, and the FIFA World Cup. With a focus on operational readiness, guest experience, and commercial delivery, Liam ensures high performing outcomes across every phase of the project lifecycle.

Maliha is Director of Interior Design, with a focus on Luxury Brands in Global Design for Marriott International across the Middle East and Africa. Marriott International’s luxury portfolio has eight leading brands including The Ritz-Carlton, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, St. Regis, W Hotels, The Luxury Collection and JW Marriott, and an addition of 22 Premium and Select brands.

Within her role at Marriott International, Maliha influences independent design decisions throughout Middle East, Africa, Turkey and Pakistan, and is responsible for creating memorable guest experiences in line with each of Marriott’s brands through her persistent and uncompromising drive for forward thinking design in the luxury space. Through her process of initiation and coordination of directed design, Maliha understands the complexity of high profile developments at all scales from inception to completion. Within her role, Maliha is highly experienced in hospitality design with 24 years’ experience in the hospitality design sector. An influencer in the Middle East hospitality design market, Maliha has a global mindset having worked across a range of projects in the Middle East, Asia, Australia and Africa both as an international hospitality design consultant for over 16 years and at Marriott International where she has spent the last 7 years. Innovation, creativity, and energy are the cornerstones of Maliha’s design thought process, injecting enthusiasm, passion and personality into every project. Working on new builds, renovation and conversions, she has a keen eye to transform environments.

Maliha oversees design and the strategic direction and delivery of the company’s diverse luxury hotel and residence projects across the region while harmoniously managing internal and external stakeholder relations. Recent highlights from across the region include the Marriott International’s first luxury safari lodge, JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge, the arrival of Saudi Arabia’s first St Regis with St Regis Riyadh, and the most recent opening of the St Regis Red Sea.

Mark joined Ennismore in 2018 from Los Angeles as part of the Accor acquisition of the SBE Lifestyle Brands. Bringing with it his in-depth knowledge of the SLS, Mondrian, HYDE, and Delano legacy brands, Mark was part of a small team based out of Singapore, instrumental in the growth of Ennismore in Asia-Pacific.

Now under a global role from Dubai, Mark co-leads the Ennismore Global Design Team with Charlie North. Working as a ‘hand-to-glove’ link between the Ennismore brands and regional design teams, Mark is responsible for high-level design direction along with defining the design and product strategy for Ennismore brands, ensuring they remain future-proofed and true to their unique brand DNA and purpose.

Prior to Ennismore, Mark spent more than 19 years working in London, New York and Shanghai, training under renowned architects, designers, and hospitality groups such as Soho House, OMA, Richard Rogers, Softroom, HBA and Philippe Starck’s YOO.

A trailblazer in the realm of modern mixed-use developments, Marloes has shaped the industry by emphasizing ESG as a central aspect of operations, business processes and the entire value chain. Her approach transformed a single brand in one country into a global lifestyle group encompassing over 45 projects. Unwavering in her commitment, Marloes seeks to expand the lifestyle footprint in carefully selected destinations where collaboration and shared purpose unite all stakeholders.

Marloes' career began at Hilton, where she held prominent operational and commercial management roles. Today, she serves on multiple industry boards and actively supports the next generation of professionals.

The Red Sea is one of the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism destinations, being developed on the west coast of Saudi Arabia. It is forging a new relationship between luxury tourism and the natural world.

Prior to joining TRSDG, Simon was a principle at Aedas based in Singapore. In that role he managed hospitality design in Asia and the Middle East, as well as having a guiding hand across all project’s complete restoration and redevelopment of Raffles Hotel Singapore and the iconic Marina Bay Sands™ Singapore.

Simon brings with him a wealth of experience in global cutting-edge hospitality design. He is responsible for driving design standards, quality and innovation within the developments working the world’s leading global interior and architectural design firms.

Surrounded by the world's fourth-largest barrier reef system and spanning over 28,000-square-kilometers, The Red Sea offers world-leading experiences across its archipelago of more than 90 pristine islands, idyllic beaches, dormant volcanos, sweeping desert dunes, mountain canyons and historical cultural sites.

The Red Sea developments are creating 70,000 new jobs, both directly and indirectly, and is set to contribute as a much as 22 billion Saudi riyals (USD 5.3 billion) to the nation’s GDP. It is creating opportunities for local businesses, entrepreneurs and supporting industries, ensuring the local community is a central part of the destination.

The Red Sea destination opened its first resort in 2023 with the Six Senses Southern Dunes and the St Regis Red Sea Resort with Nujuma a Ritz Carlton reserve hotel, Desert Rock Resort, Sheybarah resort and Thuwal Private Retreat opening in 2024. The Red Sea first phase will be completed in 2030 with 50 resorts. while AMAALA's first phase with eight resorts is due to open in 2025 and will be completed in 2030 with 29 resorts. Other projects include staff villages, amenities, marinas, golf courses, an international airport and residential properties.

Will is Partner at Foster + Partners and currently heads up the Dubai office of Foster + Partners. He received his education in architecture from the University of Newcastle and London Metropolitan University, graduating in 2007. Before joining Foster + Partners, he gained valuable site experience on a variety of award-winning residential and educational projects, including Crouch Hill in London and the UK's first zero-carbon in-use school.

Since joining Foster + Partners in 2011, Will has worked on a number of significant projects around the world, including Sao Paulo’s sustainable Brooklin Tower in Brazil and a 200-meter skyscraper for a Marriott hotel and a private developer in Hangzhou, China.

Will has also been heavily involved in the LANA project by Dorchester Collection, a new hotel and residences development in Dubai. The project features a striking contemporary design that seamlessly blends into the city's urban fabric with seven beautiful gardens. With his extensive experience in luxury and hospitality architecture.

Wissal is an accomplished interior architect and currently serves as the Director of Interior Design at Beyond Properties.

With over 20 years of experience across hospitality, residential, and commercial sectors, she brings a wealth of knowledge and creativity to every project. Wissal began her career in FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment) design and progressively transitioned into a client representative role, which deepened her understanding of the full project lifecycle.

Her passion lies in spatial planning and the art of creating detailed, thoughtful environments. Known for her meticulous attention to detail, Wissal has led complex design projects, consistently maintaining high standards of quality and innovation. In leadership roles, she oversees multidisciplinary teams and coordinates with consultants to ensure smooth project execution, always addressing site-specific challenges with well-considered, creative solutions.

Throughout her career, Wissal has contributed to a wide variety of projects, including luxury hotels, resorts, private residences, office spaces, and retail environments. Her ability to tailor her approach to the unique demands of each project showcases her versatility and deep industry knowledge.

As Director of Interior Design at Beyond, Wissal continues to shape exceptional spaces, blending functionality with refined aesthetics and reinforcing her reputation as a leading figure in the field of interior architecture.