Champions of Change : Top 5 Personalities Driving Impact in 2025
Dr. Max Caruso Co-Principal at WUIS – The CIO Today
Champions of Change : Top 5 Personalities Driving Impact in 2025 Read More »
Dr. Max Caruso Co-Principal at WUIS – The CIO Today
Champions of Change : Top 5 Personalities Driving Impact in 2025 Read More »
Joseph Tung Houston Office Director at Litigation, Corporate, and Transactions Practice Groups Grable Martin, PLLC – The CIO Today
Christopher Kirman Chief Information Officer – Brittany Ferries – The CIO Today
UNSTOPPABLE BUSINESS ICONS REDEFINING SUCCESS IN 2025 Read More »
Dr. Fohad A. Latiwala: A Game-Changing Leader in Logistics In the ever-changing world of global trade, logistics is no longer just a support function—it has become the backbone of economic growth and business success. Driving this transformation are visionary leaders who blend innovation with execution. Among them, Dr. Fohad A. Latiwala stands out as a true game-changer. With entrepreneurial foresight and an unwavering commitment to excellence, he has steered Saami Tradestar Logistics Ltd. (STL) from its modest origins into one of India’s most respected and trusted logistics enterprises. When Dr. Latiwala founded STL in 2009, his mission was ambitious yet crystal clear: to transform logistics into an intelligent, customer-driven ecosystem. For him, logistics was never simply about transporting goods—it was about solving complex supply chain challenges with accuracy, speed, and care. By placing clients at the center of every decision, listening to their needs, and creating tailor-made solutions, Dr. Latiwala positioned STL as a reliable partner to both businesses and individuals. His leadership quickly established the company’s reputation for handling fragile and time-critical freight with unmatched precision. Each milestone in STL’s journey reflects Dr. Latiwala’s relentless drive for innovation, reliability, and customer satisfaction—qualities that have become the company’s hallmark. Today, STL operates with a strong workforce of over 1,500 logistics professionals across India. This vast network ensures that every delivery is not only secure and on time but also handled with personal attention. Despite its expansive operations, STL continues to embody a customer-first approach, balancing efficiency with empathy—a defining characteristic of Dr. Latiwala’s leadership style. At the heart of STL’s success are the four guiding values that Dr. Latiwala champions: integrity, engagement, innovation, and customer-centric service. These principles not only shape STL’s organizational culture but also drive its growing reputation in the logistics sector. By embracing sustainable practices, staying adaptable to shifting market dynamics, and encouraging forward-thinking solutions, Dr. Latiwala has positioned STL as a future-ready leader in logistics. As global supply chains become increasingly complex and technology-driven, Dr. Latiwala envisions STL at the forefront of this evolution—pioneering eco-friendly, intelligent, and technology-enabled logistics solutions. His forward-looking strategy is set to strengthen STL’s footprint in India while expanding its influence across international markets. The journey of Dr. Fohad A. Latiwala and Saami Tradestar Logistics Ltd. is a remarkable story of vision, integrity, and innovation. From a modest start in 2009 to becoming a trusted name nationwide, STL’s growth reflects his passion for building smarter, more resilient supply chains. With his unwavering commitment to excellence and a clear vision for the future, Dr. Latiwala is not just leading STL—he is shaping the future of logistics itself.
Dr. Cathy Greenberg International Best Selling Author – The CIO Today
SheInfluence: The 10 Most Outstanding Women Making a Difference, 2025 Read More »
Soura Madani Owner of Soura Madani House of Design Soura Madani: Crafting Identity-Driven Design With Heart, Vision, and Quiet Mastery A Creative Origin Rooted in Culture and Conviction The story of Soura Madani begins in a vibrant cultural landscape where art, architecture, and everyday aesthetics were inseparable from daily life, shaping a keen eye for detail and a deep sensitivity to how spaces make people feel. This early immersion in beauty and craft led her to pursue Architecture Engineering, a foundation that honed her technical rigor and ability to balance vision with feasibility. Her first professional chapter unfolded at a leading regional firm ranked first in the Middle East and fifth globally, an experience that broadened her horizon across residential interiors and commercial spaces while instilling discipline, teamwork, and the power of thoughtful project management. The decision to found Soura Madani House of Design was not merely entrepreneurial; it was personal and purposeful. She envisioned a studio that did more than decorate environments, one that created spaces with meaning that reflect people’s identities and serve communities with clarity and respect. That ethos remains the North Star of SMHD’s practice, guiding its approach to each commission from concept to completion. The Essence of a Founder: Resilience, Creativity, and Empathy in Practice Three personal qualities define Soura’s leadership and design philosophy: resilience, creativity, and empathy. Resilience has been indispensable in an industry that demands constant adaptation, where shifting client needs, schedule pressure, and complex stakeholder dynamics are the norm. Creativity is the engine of her work, informed by a lifetime of curiosity and mentorship that elevated her standards and sharpened her voice as a designer. Empathy is the lens through which she evaluates every decision, ensuring that the experience of the people who live, work, and gather in her spaces is always at the center of the design. Her commitment to innovation and craft was further influenced by exposure to iconic design houses and creative leaders associated with brands like Henredon, Barbara Barry, and Ralph Lauren, whose work set benchmarks in quality, materials, and timeless form, and whose collections have shaped luxury interiors for decades. These influences are not imitated in her work; they are metabolized into a personal language that is quietly luxurious, contextually sensitive, and deeply intentional. A Studio Where Identity Comes First She illustrated the point with an example from SMHD’s founding: merging strong architectural foundations with a narrative-driven interior language that honors culture, materiality, and human experience. Based in Amman and recognized regionally and internationally, SMHD quickly earned trust by delivering high-end projects that never sacrificed integrity for spectacle. The studio’s work spans hospitality, residential, retail, and workplace environments, with a reputation for projects that feel lived in from the day they open because they are designed with memory, ritual, and daily patterns in mind. SMHD’s portfolio includes collaborations with leading global brands and landmark properties, reflecting a consistent ability to adapt vision to context while maintaining a clear signature: clarity of form, rich but restrained palettes, craftsmanship-forward detailing, and a precise orchestration of light. Projects featured on the firm’s platforms and across design publications include The Ritz Carlton Hotel & Residences Amman, St. Regis The Residences Amman, St. Regis Sales Gallery, Saraya Conference Center, Chopard and Tufenkjian jewelry boutiques, Alraya Palace, and culinary spaces like LeNotre and Dunia Rooftop Restaurant, among others. The breadth affirms a design practice as comfortable with hospitality icons as it is with the intimacy of a private residence. Crafting a Design Language At the heart of SMHD’s approach is a sophisticated fusion of Middle Eastern aesthetics with global design standards, a balance that avoids pastiche and pursues authenticity through material, proportion, and light. Rather than rely on overt motifs, the studio often builds identity through layered textures, artisanal techniques, and quietly luxurious compositions that honor place without resorting to cliché. This has made SMHD a go-to partner for clients seeking spaces that both belong to their environment and perform to international expectations for functionality, sustainability, and experience quality. That duality is visible across projects: a conference center that hosts civic gatherings with ceremony and warmth, a rooftop lounge that frames the horizon with sculpted seating and sensorial lighting, a jewelry boutique that transforms light into narrative as it speaks to craft and precision. The work demonstrates fluency in identity-driven design that is emotionally resonant, operationally robust, and aesthetically enduring. Project Highlights: From Hospitality Icons to Retail Jewels The Ritz Carlton Hotel & Residences, Amman: A landmark project where SMHD supervised the interior design to completion, meticulously staging every space with precision and artistry. The branded apartments were delivered as turnkey designs, embodying luxury at its highest level. Widely regarded as one of the finest Ritz Carlton destinations in the Middle East, the project set a new benchmark for hospitality and residential excellence. Regis The Residences Amman and St. Regis Sales Gallery: Elevated residential and sales environments that articulate sophistication through proportion, material honesty, and hospitality-grade detailing, reinforcing the brand’s international pedigree while grounding it in local sensibility. Chopard and Tufenkjian Jewelry: Retail environments that use light not as utility but as narrative, shaping circulation, focus, and intimacy to celebrate craftsmanship and rarity without cluttering or competing with the product. LeNotre Restaurant and Dunia Rooftop Restaurant: Culinary spaces that honor provenance and palette while delivering operational flow and acoustic balance, translating brand and cuisine into spatial storylines guests can feel. Soleil Restaurant: Recognized for luxury commercial interior design, Soleil brought the ethos of an artisanal glasshouse to life, where indoor and outdoor experiences merge and materiality underscores a fresh, farm-to-table sensibility. Saraya Conference Center and cinematic concepts: Large-format civic and entertainment environments that required rigorous coordination, technical exactness, and user-centric functionality without sacrificing grace. Alraya Palace: A project of cultural and civic significance, recognized with the Centennial Arab Revolt Medal — an honor that underscores both design excellence and historical stewardship. People, Process, and Precision She drew on a recent project to explain SMHD’s leadership model, which balances authorship with collaboration, inviting
Diana Richardson 10x Founder | Multiple Award-Winning Global Entrepreneur | Chief Philanthropy Officer for Mahila Udyami -The Glowgetter Mentor Dr. Diana Richardson: The Glowgetter Mentor Setting a New Standard for Entrepreneurial Excellence In the world of modern entrepreneurship, the most compelling leaders are those who marry relentless ambition with service, lifelong learning with practical execution, and innovation with integrity. Dr. Diana Richardson stands at the crossroads of all three. A 10x founder, multiple award-winning global entrepreneurs, and Chief Philanthropy Officer for Mahila Udyami, she has built a body of work that is as substantive as it is inspiring. Through The Glowgetter Mentor and Signature D Ltd, her journey encompasses advanced aesthetics, business mentorship, strategic innovation, and philanthropy, spanning multiple sectors and borders to empower entrepreneurs, executives, and communities. This is a story of sustained evolution. It begins with a young professional who relocated to the United Kingdom in 2003 to earn qualifications in beauty therapy. It advances through years of progress into international advanced aesthetics and business building, with awards and recognition punctuating her ascent. Most strikingly, it culminates in a distinctive leadership ethos that blends education, regulatory stewardship, and high-level mentoring. The result is an entrepreneurial career defined by impact, inclusion, and intentional growth. A Career Forged Through Education and Enterprise Early in the conversation, Dr. Richardson reflected on the central belief guiding her journey: the key to success is to keep educating yourself. Her early training in beauty therapy was never a terminal credential. It became a launching pad for ongoing professional development, culminating in academic and executive education that has shaped her strategic approach. She earned a first at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School in the Strategic Innovation Program, studied at Harvard Business School, and completed Harvard Medical School’s Lifestyle Medicine Coaching course with distinction. She has also been nominated for an honorary doctorate at Azteca University for her commitment to entrepreneurial endeavours. These milestones are not decorative. They illustrate a consistent philosophy that privileges study, practice, and refinement. Education, in her framing, is not merely formal or institutional. It is a mindset that requires curiosity, discipline, and humility. By actively seeking advanced learning in business strategy and health-focused coaching, she has equipped herself to operate at the intersection of leadership, wellness, and enterprise growth. That perspective now permeates her work as a mentor and advisor through The Glowgetter Mentor, where she provides strategy sessions, community programs, a podcast, a blog, best-selling books, and structured further education to help founders and executives build durable, resilient businesses. Signature D Ltd When we sat down with Dr. Richardson, the discussion began with Signature D Ltd, the company she led before becoming globally recognized as The Glowgetter Mentor. At its inception, Signature D Ltd focused on helping students turn ambition into enterprise and supporting intrapreneurs to transition into solopreneurs. This early work placed her close to the raw reality of business creation. She was not building in theory but guiding people through their first real decisions about risk, positioning, and structure. Over time, that mentorship model scaled. During the global pandemic, Dr. Richardson expanded her work to include spas, salons, and beauty entrepreneurs who faced existential challenges. She provided guidance not only on how to survive a once-in-a-century disruption but how to recalibrate business models. Her focus was pragmatic and immediate: keep businesses open, keep teams safe, and keep clients engaged. This period sharpened her operational judgment and provided a crucible for leadership under pressure. Her involvement went further than advisory support. Dr. Richardson was asked to help the government write regulations for the beauty and aesthetics industry during the pandemic. In collaboration with medical personnel, she helped define standards and protocols that would allow businesses to operate with safety and confidence. This regulatory stewardship gave her niche expertise in what it means to run a Covid-secure business and showcased her ability to translate high-level health guidance into workable operational frameworks. It also affirmed her credibility as an industry voice trusted at the policy level. Leading Through Crisis and Change Throughout our conversation, it became clear that Dr. Richardson views entrepreneurship not as a glamorous pursuit but as a test of resilience. Injury tested her strength. Team management challenged her instincts. Customer service scenarios refined her systems and communication. Technological advancements forced adoption and reinvention. These experiences did not deter her. They became catalysts for growth. Her framing of obstacles is instructive. Each one presents an opportunity to grow, develop, and learn. In practice, this means designing feedback loops, adopting the right tools, and staying adaptable. It also means refusing complacency. The Glowgetter Mentor operates with the recognition that business is dynamic. Skill sets must evolve. Processes must be updated. Leaders must stay flexible. Under her guidance, entrepreneurs are trained to interpret friction as a signal, not a verdict. From Founder to Force Multiplier As she articulated, the evolution from founder to force multiplier is one of the most significant transitions in any entrepreneurial career. Dr. Richardson made this move by transforming her operational expertise into a replicable mentoring model. She did not limit her influence to the boundaries of a single company. Instead, she built platforms that amplify others. Through The Glowgetter Mentor, she convenes a community of entrepreneurs and executives who learn from her experience and from one another. Her strategy sessions are practical and focused on business fundamentals. Her educational content spans innovation, execution, leadership, and wellness. Her communications platforms, podcast, blog, and books ensure that insights are accessible, evergreen, and actionable. The result is a multilayered ecosystem that supports founders at every stage of the journey. Operating Principles That Scale Dr. Richardson’s approach to leadership can be distilled into a set of operating principles that scale across industries and business sizes: Keep learning by designOngoing education is a strategic imperative, not a luxury. Whether through formal programs or targeted courses, the ability to assimilate new frameworks and apply them quickly is a competitive advantage. Build systems that survive stress Resilient businesses are not lucky. They are
Kelvin Trott CEO of Alexander Charles Associates – The CIO Today