The Chair: Thought Leaders

The Chair brings together a select group of preeminent Leaders who have been influential within their own unique sector, shaping narratives and leaving lasting impacts on industries and viewers.

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Ramia Farrage

Ramia is the Senior Producer and Presenter at Forbes Middle East, where she produces and presents a variety of online programming, including The Daily Brief, a twice-daily show focusing on breaking business news.

From its launch in 2007 until 2021, Ramia led the Emirates News broadcast on Dubai One TV as the Presenter and News Bulletin Editor. From 2002 to 2007, Ramia presented and produced the program Business Arabia, which aired internationally on CNBC.
She has interviewed General Pervez Musharraf, President of Pakistan, Mohammed Khatami, President of Iran, Gerhard Schroeder, Chancellor of Germany and Jimmy Carter, US President.
Ramia moderates at major events, including the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh and the World Government Summit in Dubai.

Kelly Rutherfold

Best-known to television audiences as Lily van der Woodsen on the hit show Gossip Girl, Kelly played the sophisticated, fashionable matriarch on the Upper East Side of Manhattan for all six seasons. Kelly is also known for her roles in television shows Melrose Place, Homefront, and Brisco County Jr, and the film Scream 3.

Her most recent projects include Quantico Dynasty and an online talk show for The View. Currently Kelly can be seen in the French series Escort Boys on Prime video . She is the mother of two and is co founder of the social media app @whyzzer for the sharing of knowledge and expertise. Kelly has been an advocate of multiple women’s and children’s charities, including StepUp Women’s Network and Healthy Child Healthy World, and she is currently a member of the Board of Directors for Free Arts NYC.

Lauren O'Connell

American beauty expert Lauren O’Connell is the Beauty Editor for Cosmopolitan Middle East Magazine and a science geek, or “geek chic” as she likes to say. Lauren has a Bachelor of Science in bio-mechanical engineering and a Master of Science in nursing, as well as a memorable way with words.

She is a New York Film Academy certified broadcast journalist.

Always thinking outside the box, Lauren combined her beauty, wellness, and science passions to create skincare and make-up ingredients-focused content with a cosmic twist for her social media platforms and website, Planet Lauren. The launch of Lauren’s weekly Instagram Live show, Cosmic Chats with Lauren O’Connell, was an instant success.