The UAE's Next Mastermind Awards 2026, founded by Dr. Mansoor Al Obeidli and co-founded by Dr. Navana Kundu, convened professionals from business, corporate, coaching, and authorship sectors alongside industry pioneers and changemakers on Saturday, June 27, 2026. The event celebrated excellence in leadership, innovation, education, and personal development.
Event Opening and Dignitaries
The ceremony commenced with a red carpet reception, followed by the UAE National Anthem. Dr. Mansoor Al Obeidli delivered welcome remarks, emphasizing the platform's mission to recognize individuals and organizations creating meaningful impact across industries. Chief Guests included H.E. Sheikha Dr. Ayesha Bint Saud Al Qassimi and Salma Saeed Salem Musallam Alkitbi. Distinguished Guests of Honour comprised Rashad Haddad, Khaled Diab, Nidal Abou Zaki, Frank Beckmann, representatives from Gulf News, the Art of Living Foundation, and Ms. Nasra Mohammed Ali.
Key Partnerships and Recognitions
Gulf News was recognized as the Official Event Partner, with Vijay Vaghela (CEO), Mark Thompson (Editor-in-Chief), and Tina Bhaktha (Director of Events and Special Features) representing the organization. The Art of Living Foundation served as the Official Wellbeing Partner, reinforcing the importance of wellness and mindful leadership. The Foundation showcased its Intuition Process for Children, where participating students demonstrated intuitive abilities by identifying or predicting information while blindfolded, highlighting the potential of enhanced intuition through specialized training.
A special recognition segment featured DP World ILT20, with CEO David White and Head of Activations Arushi Mishra sharing the league's vision, commitment to grassroots cricket, and plans for the upcoming season. Special recognition awards were presented to H.E. Saeed Mohammed Hareb, Gulf News, Ajay Mathradas Khimji of the Art of Living Foundation, Sriman Japadas, and Lalchand S. Rajput.
Book Launch and Keynotes
A standout moment was the official launch of CHARM: The Five Elements of Lasting Wealth by internationally acclaimed author and wealth strategist Sriman Japadas. The launch, followed by a ceremonial book signing with dignitaries and award recipients, captivated the audience and underscored the event's commitment to thought leadership, innovation, and lifelong learning. Keynote addresses were delivered by Ajay Mathradas Khimji, Ery Sanchez, Salman Kafeel, Khaled Diab, Dr. Catherine O'Farrell, and Mohammed Murtuza.
Panel Discussion and Award Categories
An engaging panel discussion moderated by Khaled Diab featured Frank Beckmann, Sriman Japadas, Maurits Mannaert, and Laurens Mannaert, who shared insights on leadership, entrepreneurship, innovation, and building lasting impact across industries. Awards were presented across business, media, healthcare, education, coaching, entertainment, technology, fitness, and literature. Recipients included Hubert Sepidnam (Mr. Taster), Ebraheem Al Samadi, Abdu Rozik, Ahmed Ben Chaibah, Ahmad Almarzooqi, Faizan Khan, Henrietta Newton Martin, Hafsah Babirye, Sofia Ibrahim, Mohammed Murtuza, Karl-Alexandre Chiniara, WASAKA Musical singer Sajid Khan, Fahmil Khan, Pankaj Rangari, Dr. Rozhin Pahlevani, Lilya Hasbini, Misha Sharma Gambhir, Mariam Murtuza, Khushbu Chirag Jain, Salome Muhonja, and Toby Ayres.
Conclusion and Future Events
The evening concluded with a networking dinner celebrating shared success. The Next Mastermind Awards will continue on November 21, 2026, focusing on Healthcare Leaders, Sports Leaders, Technology Leaders, Wellness Leaders, and Aesthetic Leaders. For more information, visit the official website at https://mastermindglobalawards.com/ or follow @mastermind_awards on Instagram. Email inquiries can be directed to Mansoor@wearebedazzled.com.
