is the creative force behind her design offices of Mona Hussein Design House -MHDH- & Mahally. She first launched a lighting showroom ‐Temple of Light‐ in 1992 in the World Trade Center of Cairo. In 1993, Mona established -MHDH- Office, a 28-year-old company today. -MHDH- is an award-winning medium sized design firm housing 50 employees and has a design history of over 400 projects locally and internationally. It is regionally recognized for its comprehensive and individualistic design solutions for residences, offices, commercial spaces, hospitality, medical institutes, sales centers, retail spaces, exhibition booths, mock ups and yachts that are channeled through an equilibrium between a cultural environment and a contemporary design. Honing her passion for design, she expanded her interior design house to include landscape design, architecture design, product design, signage & wayfinding, branding, an interior design academy MHIDA and the MAHALLY AWARD competition. As a designer, Mona Hussein understands the importance of creating unique and inspiring yet functional spaces for her clients whether the project is residential, commercial, hospitality, architecture or landscape.
Having been part of award-winning projects such as Designopolis and Na3na3 restaurant (which won the Interior Bronze A’ Design Award), The Ripple Applique, and The Positive & Negative screen (which won the Golden A’ Design Award), Mona Hussein has made her mark on many of Egypt’s most unique, distinctive, and elegant interiors, projects, and products. In addition to leading a creative and ambitious team of designers and architects, Mona Hussein encourages the team to seek inspiration from the smallest of details that surround them. She also keeps them updated on the latest international developments to ensure the team continues to evolve with the rapid changes in the design world. "It is the understanding of the client's vision for their project and translating that into a creative yet functional design is what makes this job so gratifying." Mona Hussein.
Winning awards:
I am a Partner at Knight Frank, leading the Project & Development Services (P&DS) business across Egypt and Africa. A PMP-certified Project Manager, I bring over 24 years of experience in project management, design, and construction across the UAE and Egypt within the MEA region. My role focuses on driving the strategic growth and delivery of P&DS services in Egypt and Africa. I have worked with leading multinational consultancy firms across Egypt and the Middle East and have a proven track record in leading delivery teams for major international projects, including global corporate occupiers and hospitality developments across MENA.
Co-founder and managing partner of Style Design Hisham Ghorab is the co-founder and managing partner of Style Design, a Cairo-based multidisciplinary architecture and design firm that provides design, contracting, retail, and maintenance services. After earning his architecture degree from Cairo University, he began his career as a professor, but his entrepreneurial passion for human-centered design led him to establish Style Design in 1989, focused on creating timeless and functional spaces. His lifelong fascination with crafting and manipulating materials inspires his design philosophy. Style Design has become known for exceptional quality and personalized experiences for diverse clients. In addition to his work at Style Design, since 2019, Hisham has been teaching an elective interior design course at the American University in Cairo. The firm has built strong partnerships with international designers, delivering high-profile projects across various sectors, including Khufu’s Restaurant & Bistro at the Great Pyramids of Giza, Silversands Resort in Grenada, the Tahrir Cultural Center & Cafeteria at the American University in Cairo, ZED Sales Center & Italiano Restaurant, as well as the Consoleya Co-Working Space in downtown Cairo. Additionally, Style Design operates two showrooms featuring contemporary furniture, lighting, flooring and finishing materials for residential and commercial use.
Mohamed Mamdouh El Haddad is an Architect and Furniture Designer with over a decade of experience in the design industry. He is currently a Lecturer at Newgiza University (NGO), specializing in Interior and Furniture Design, and an Instructor at the Information Technology Institute (ITI), where he leads the Furniture Design and Visualization track. In 2021, after years of working with leading architectural firms, he founded El Haddad Design Studio, focusing on high-end furniture and home accessories. His work is characterized by a blend of architectural precision and creative storytelling, earning him prestigious accolades including the Cairo Design Award '22 and the Ahmed Helmy Award '23. Recognized as one of Egypt's top young designers, Mohamed represented the country in Denmark (2021 & 2023) with exhibitions at the Trapholt Museum. His studio was also selected for incubation by NilePreneurs (Nile University/QNB) and represented Egypt at the Creative Business Cup in Copenhagen in 2023 after being named the country's best creative industries company. Beyond his practice, Mohamed is a dedicated educator and speaker, sharing his expertise at major events like the Cairo Wood Exhibition and platforms such as the Arab Architecture School. His mission is to bridge the gap between academic theory and industrial excellence, championing Egyptian design on the global stage.
Arab Contractors Company stands as a premier engineering and construction firm and one of the most distinguished contracting companies across the Middle East and Africa. Since its establishment in 1955 by the visionary Eng. Osman Ahmed Osman, the company has been at the forefront of driving transformative development, shaping modem infrastructure, and delivering landmark projects of national and strategic importance. With a proven track record of excellence, the company plays a pivotal role in executing mega-scale projects spanning smart mobility solutions, fourth-generation cities, and integrated infrastructure networks, including roads, bridges, airports, water, and wastewater systems, in addition to monuments restoration. Operating in more than 29 countries, Arab Contractors has established a strong global footprint, reflecting decades of accumulated expertise and international trust. The company's success is driven by its highly skilled workforce and its adoption of cutting-edge technologies, ensuring uncompromising standards of quality, safety, and operational excellence. Committed to sustainable development and innovation, Arab Contractors continues to deliver resilient, future-ready infrastructure that supports economic growth and enhances quality of life. Guided by a clear vision and a legacy of excellence, the company remains dedicated to creating long-term value for its clients, partners, and communities, while shaping a more sustainable and prosperous future for generations to come.
He surely is one of the strong believers in the concept of ‘less is more’, being the son of an architect he always fancied watching his father creating blue prints with a T-square and a right-angled triangle, which resulted in developing an early passion for design and architecture. After his graduation with a bachelor of science in Construction Engineering form the American University in Cairo in 1994, he started working for an architecture firm in Cairo Called Ultima Design in a job that offered a versatile scope ranging from building architecture models and designing interiors to supervising sites. His interest in interiors grew bigger which led him to pursue further independent design and furniture studies for 2 years at Rhodec international, England. A year later Mohamed changed jobs and joined Living In interiors for a year where he gained allot of site experience, that was later followed by him joining Orascom Projects for Touristic Developments (OPTD) in 1996, in which he was working as a design coordinator for a number of projects being built at the time in Gouna. In 1997 he founded Ebony & Ivory, and that was the beginning of a long ride that kept changing and evolving over the years until today, at the moment he is the CEO as well as the design director of the company. In 2003 Mohamed developed a production facility called Form, which mainly focuses on producing furniture. Form was also serving other furniture companies for which he was playing the role of a design editor. As a result of Ebony & Ivory’s progressive development in 2005 Mohamed decided to launch a product line under the brand name of ‘Alphabet’, a young Egyptian furniture line inspired by modern life and local tradition at the same time. Through out his design career Mohamed kept changing from one phase to another, but if there’s a constant through out the process it’ll be the decision to embrace evolution and experimentation. Another very important element in all Mohamed’s work is the reduction of ‘visual clutter’. Mohamed believes that design and architecture is not about over decoration and ornamentation, it actually is about having enough light and air to make the space alive and attractive even when it is empty, furniture and accessories should add to the space by making it breathe more, and not the other way round. That concept is reflected in all the work performed by Ebony and Ivory, whether it be a building, an interior or a product.
Cherif is the logical outcome of a multicultural upbringing, resulting in a different vision of the world surrounding him. His approach to design probably best expresses his personality through his instantly recognizable design language. In 1999, he entered the international design competition organized by Alessi, the famous Italian household name. The competition’s theme was “Objects For Life On The Go”. Out of 750 international designs, his Yoyo torch was a finalist and went on to receive a Special Mention. That was his first contact with product design or design at large. He is a staunch believer all fields of design are intricately connected, each field strengthening the other and bringing new approaches and solutions to the other. As long as the project is challenging, whether it is architecture, interior, furniture, exhibition or graphic, Cherif will bring his unique vision. Cherif is one of a handful of designers from the Middle East to have designed products for some of the most respected international design brands such as Sawaya & Moroni (Italy), Covo (Italy), Droog Design (The Netherlands), Chi Ha Paura (Italy / The Netherlands) etc. since 2004. His work has been published in L’Officiel Du Design (France), L’Officiel Du Design Maroc, Elle Deco Italia, Elle Deco Singapore, Monitor,WallPaper, Corriere Della Sera amongst others. He likes his work to fall under the banner “Creative Simplicity” whichis clear in his approach and is the link between all of his projects to date. He is considered as one the protagonists of Egyptian contemporary design
Chairman & Founder of Raef Fahmi Architects Architect Raef Fahmi is a recognized leading and prominent name in the ecosystem of architecture design and urban planning in Egypt and MENA region. He began working in the field of architecture after graduating from the Faculty of Engineering at Ain Shams University in 1986. Raef Fahmi established his practice Raef Fahmi Architects in 1991, and since the beginning of his journey in the world of architectural design and urban planning, he has contributed to creating exceptional architectural projects for numerous clients and developers, in both the public and private sector inside and outside Egypt. Raef Fahmy’s architectural works can be considered to have contributed significantly to changing the architectural concept in Egypt and the Middle East in general, and helped many real estate developments win international awards in global competitions overseen by major institutions and companies. Raef Fahmi Architects mission has always been to push the boundaries of architectural innovation, to reimagine spaces, and to create environments that inspire and transform. With state-of-the art methods and decades of experience, RFA strives to exceed expectations, delivering designs that not only fulfill clients' needs but also elevate human experience. Raef is also currently serving as a visiting Lecturer in the American University in Cairo (AUC), Teaching Architectural Design theories and methods. Most recently Raef was selected as a member of the Architecture Committee of the Supreme Council of Culture among a select group of esteemed names, responsible for shaping and directing the regulations and procedures for the future of the Egyptian Built Environment and Urban development.
A Game Changer in Design and Craftsmanship Pioneering a new era of Egyptian design and craftsmanship, Hisham El Essawy is an international award-winning designer and interior architect who bridges heritage with contemporary innovation. His work transforms traditional artistry into modern, globally competitive creations, proving that design is not just an aesthetic pursuit but a powerful tool for cultural and economic impact. As Chairman of the Design Committee at ALPA – Arab League and the Export Council for Handicrafts in Egypt, Hisham is a game changer in the creative industries. His leadership fosters innovation, sustainability, and global opportunities, ensuring that Egyptian artisans and designers are not just preserving the past but shaping the future. Through Designed in Egypt, HEDS Designs, HEDS Academy, and Ka Style, he leads initiatives that empower designers, artisans, and creative entrepreneurs, redefining how Egyptian craftsmanship is perceived and positioned worldwide. By challenging conventions and embracing new possibilities, he is not just part of the industry—he is reshaping it.
Business Development Director, GLC Paints With a master’s Degree in interior architecture, Mohamad has an expansive knowledge of color, color forecasting, color design and architectural coatings. With over 18 years of experience in marketing and communication in the paint industry, working for one of the top multinational paint brands. He has lead the brand identity transformation of GLC Paints and is thoroughly involved in product research and development within the organization.
Khalid is a leader and strategist for ICT and Smart technology field for more than 25 years. Khalid managed and shared in alot of projects in Europe and middle east and supporting multidomains, Hopsitality, FMCG,Software industry, oil and Gas ,Healthcare , Education and NGO
Ziad Tarek is a seasoned Architect with a decade of experience in delivering practical and design-driven engineering solutions. As the founder of Fibonacci Concept for Engineering Solutions, he combines academic knowledge with real-world expertise to create impactful projects. With an educational background across multiple Egyptian universities, Ziad brings a diverse perspective to the field. In his talk, he explores how ITI scholarships play a key role in bridging the gap between academic learning and the evolving needs of the design industry.
Co-Founder of Artistico Furniture Artistico was founded in 2003 by Zikri's brothers skilled designers creates innovative furniture solutions to enhance productivity and employee well-being. Today, Artistico produces contemporary office Furniture Designs with international quality in a modern and efficient Factory.
Ahmed is the Head of Fit-out Egypt at JLL, bringing over 18 years of expertise in construction consultancy and project delivery. As seasoned Projects Management Director, and across his successful career, he has managed a diverse portfolio of high-end, large-scale projects, including fit out, commercial, residential, and mixed-use developments, specializing in delivering turnkey projects in different sectors for multinational clients. Ahmed has a track record in leading cross-functional teams to deliver turnkey projects, managing multi-million-dollar budgets, and ensuring strict quality and timeline adherence. With a master’s in architecture from La Sapienza University of Rome and a real estate diploma from the American University in Cairo, Ahmed combines technical expertise with strong management and a thorough understanding of the construction and fit out industry, as well as a solid understanding and awareness of the Egyptian real estate market.
With over 20 years of experience in the office furniture and contract sector, Nicola Sacilotto currently serves as Global Sales Director at Frezza, a leading company in the design and production of professional office furnishings. Thanks to his extensive international background, he is also Managing Director of Frezza's Dubai branch, overseeing business development in the strategically important region that includes the Middle East and Egypt. In addition to these key responsibilities, Nicola is currently involved in the opening of a new Frezza showroom in London, a major step in the brand's expansion into international markets. Throughout his career, he has gained a deep understanding of market dynamics in culturally and commercially diverse contexts, a skill that enables him to precisely identify and address the specific needs of each market.
Sherien Shatta is a commercial and brand leader working across design, manufacturing, and strategic growth within the textile and home-furnishing industry. She holds a degree in Business Entrepreneurship from the American University in Cairo, an academic foundation that shaped her early interest in building scalable businesses, developing products with purpose, and understanding how brands evolve within competitive markets. Beyond formal education, Sherien’s professional perspective was deeply influenced by growing up within a family-run manufacturing business. This environment gave her early exposure to the realities of production, market dynamics, and long-term brand building, allowing her to understand the industry from the inside rather than through theory alone. This combination of structured business education and hands-on experience became a defining element of her career. Sherien began her professional journey in product design and marketing, where she worked closely on shaping collections, brand language, and customer-facing experiences. Over time, she expanded into business development and research & development roles, gaining responsibility across product innovation, market expansion, and strategic partnerships. This cross-functional progression enabled her to bridge creative vision with commercial strategy and operational execution. In 2023, she was appointed Chief Commercial Officer at Shatta Fabrics, one of Egypt’s leading textile and home-furnishing companies. In this role, she oversees commercial strategy across retail, hospitality, and project-based sectors, aligning product development, brand positioning, and growth initiatives. A key milestone in her leadership came in 2024, when Sherien led Shatta’s comprehensive brand facelift. The transformation extended beyond visual identity to include retail experience, communication tone, and market positioning, with a clear focus on modernizing a legacy brand while preserving its heritage and credibility. Today, Sherien works closely with designers, architects, manufacturers, and hospitality professionals, contributing an industry-led perspective on materials, performance, and long-term value. She is guided by the belief that heritage should be a launchpad rather than a limitation, and that “Made in Egypt” brands can stand confidently on a global stage when built with clarity, intention, and informed decision-making.
Founder & CEO ICONIC Engineering consultant. Linked in profile : Ahmed Assem | LinkedIn After getting his BSC in architecture in 2001 from Helwan University as one of the top-ranked graduates in his year, ahmed started to gain wide experience in many positions in well-known companies and consultant offices in the architecture field which gave him the ability to understand the needs of all projects parties in additions to his ability for the continuous studies in the field of architecture and management. After gaining the needed experience and being a part of many successful projects and working in many great companies during his experience he decided to be specialized in leading a consultancy office managing and leading the process of all types of buildings Especially office buildings, retail stores, and other types of public buildings. In 2014 Ahmed Founded ICONIC Engineering consultancy to express his special unique vision for consultancy and engineering services providers and show his designs known for strong and clean lines & comfortable Modern style, especially in the administration and commercial buildings, and his ability to change the client mindset to get impressive practical and unique designs mixing between unique style and the well-designed from the engineering perspective. Under the umbrella of his beloved quote (as much as your ambition and hard work as big as you gain success chances) he works hard with ICONIC’s team (partners in success) who are a diverse set of experts and talents to deliver a wide range of project types in many counties in Middle East which led the company to be one of the well-known consultants in the field of office spaces design and innovation. In 2021 crowned his projects’ success stories by announcing an unprecedented achievement, the Schneider Electric HQ building gained the LEED Gold Certificate ID+C LEED Ver.4, to be the 1st consultant to gain it in Egypt with 70 points to be the 2nd highest score in Egypt generally and the 1st one according to V4 which shows to the market a new vision of his company to concentrate on sustainability and environmental studies in his buildings.
Magdi N. Rizk brings over 35 years of extensive expertise in the construction industry as a seasoned executive leader and structural engineering professional, holding both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in structural engineering. His credentials include certifications as a Project Management Professional (PMP) from the PMI and as a LEED Accredited Professional, underscoring his commitment to project excellence and sustainable building practices. Throughout his distinguished career, he has progressed through pivotal roles—from site and construction engineer to project and site manager, and ultimately executive leadership—gaining comprehensive experience across all phases of project delivery. In 1997, he founded Nextep Construction, positioning the company as a leading provider of commercial fit-out solutions with +29 years of excellence in delivering +400 premium projects. Under his leadership, the company has developed an extensive project portfolio and a highly skilled team of over 350 engineering professionals, reinforcing its reputation as a market leader in the commercial fit-out sector. He also spearheaded the fit-out of Egypt’s first LEED Gold-certified building, a milestone achievement reflecting the organization’s dedication to environmental responsibility and sustainable construction practices. Magdi’s leadership philosophy centers on excellence, innovation, and sustainability, driving the company to consistently meet international quality standards and client expectations across diverse sectors. His strategic vision and commitment to operational precision have established Nextep as a trusted partner for complex, high-profile projects, setting benchmarks for quality and performance in the construction industry.
Karim Wally is an Egyptian multidiscipline designer, Founder / Chief designer of 'The Studio' (est.2014), Karim Graduated from 'faculty of fine arts - 2007' achieving different experiences in design and execution for 6 years Before establishing 'The Studio', his design house work doesn't limit in Egyptian market only, but extended to the gulf region too. Karim known with his signature in design scene as he doesn't follow certain style or trend, he loves to create fusions of styles with a core of modern lines, believing that design should follow humans' souls and should be looks like them to reflect their identity. His passion in design didn't stop in interior design sector, he has interested trials in Fashion, Jewelry and furniture design as well, moreover exhibition curating. He also uses his experience in giving back to community by collaborating with other entities and universities in teaching and giving lectures and mentorship sessions to young designers and students. Believing in power of design and its impact on community, Karim is also a partner in Kairos CDC since 2024 which known with its activities in design community.
Ehab Mokhtar is an Egyptian architect and systems thinker whose work sits at the intersection of architecture, human experience, and spatial intelligence. Over thirty years of practice across residential, commercial, cultural, and urban projects, he has developed a conviction: that the design industry solves brilliantly for aesthetics and function but remains largely illiterate about how space shapes the people inside it. Ehab holds a BSc in Architecture from Cairo University, a Master’s from the American University in Cairo, and executive credentials from MIT, INSEAD, and Harvard Business School.
Eng. Hany has over 23 years of experience in construction, fit-out, and office furniture for administrative buildings, working with both multinational and governmental organizations. He is the Co-founder and Vice President of United Group for Engineering & Investment (UGEI), an Egyptian group operating across multiple sectors including construction, fit-out, and waste management. UGEI is also the official representative of Frezza, the leading Italian office furniture brand with more than 70 years of global experience.
Heba El Dessouky has continuously initiated Interior design and Hospitality departments across multiple leading design & development firms. Heba is currently leading the development portfolio of International & local hotels at Mountain View Developments as ‘Hospitality Innovation Director’ and previously from 2023-2026 she was heading the Hospitality Development team at City Edge Developments- with Ministry of Housing & Urban Development in Egypt with the most diverse portfolio of international chains of hospitality projects across Egypt’s 2030 new investment destinations. For 16 years, Heba was heading the Interior Design department at EMAAR MISR- leading over 6 several luxury lifestyle communities across residential, commercial & hospitality projects.