Digital Version Over the last few years, Saudi Arabia has undergone substantial development and reform. Under the banner of Vision 2030, the Kingdom has been rapidly reshaping its economy, society, and industries—becoming a global magnet for talent, investment, and innovation. At the heart of this remarkable journey is a new generation of leaders driving change with vision and resilience. Among them is Emon Shakoor, Founder and CEO of Blossom Accelerator, a pioneering investment and innovation platform that has become synonymous with empowering startups, fueling inclusion, and shaping the future economy of Saudi Arabia and the broader MENA region.   Established in 2016, Blossom Accelerator has quickly become one of the most rapidly growing platforms in the Middle East. For Shakoor, its creation was not just about starting a company—it was about answering a national call to action. “What inspired me to launch Blossom was the announcement of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 that very same year,” she recalls. “I saw a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build an innovation economy—one that would not only support privatization but also generate new jobs, with locally founded and globally attracted startups serving as the essential building blocks of our future economy.”   The gap was clear. While talent and ambition were abundant, the region lacked a catalyst that could empower entrepreneurs from the ground up while also connecting them to global ecosystems of capital, corporates, and government institutions. Blossom emerged to fill that gap—designed as a grassroots, inclusive, and innovation-driven platform where startups could scale and institutions could learn to adapt alongside them.   Laying the Foundations of Blossom   From the outset, Blossom distinguished itself with a clear philosophy: inclusion, accessibility, and impact. Shakoor and her team designed sub-programs with a gender-focused lens, ensuring that women founders were not only included but actively spotlighted. International initiatives such as the Blossom Soft-Landing Program brought startups from diverse industries and geographies into Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning innovation market. Their work with partners like NEOM Masterclass extended this inclusivity further, supporting entrepreneurs with disabilities and ensuring that no innovator was left behind.   “This philosophy of building an inclusive, grassroots-driven innovation ecosystem is what shaped Blossom in 2016,” says Shakoor. “And it continues to guide everything we do today.”   What Sets Blossom Apart   In a region with growing interest in entrepreneurship, accelerators and innovation hubs are no longer scarce. Yet Blossom stands out as something different—more than just an accelerator, it is a catalyst and a full ecosystem builder. “What differentiates Blossom is that we empower startups from A to Z,” explains Shakoor. “We’re not just here to help them start, but to set up, scale, and ultimately succeed.”   Among Blossom’s most distinctive contributions is the Blossom Open Library, a free bilingual (Arabic and English) platform providing entrepreneurs with every startup and business document imaginable. For founders navigating the complexities of launching and growing a business, such resources have been game-changing.   Partnerships are another cornerstone of Blossom’s model. By working closely with leading corporates, semi-government entities, international organizations, and government agencies, Blossom provides its startups with direct access to markets and opportunities—whether through pilot projects, strategic partnerships, investments, or acquisitions.   The accelerator also supports the full company setup process, including legal, HR, and compliance requirements—removing barriers that often distract founders from focusing on growth.   But perhaps Blossom’s greatest differentiator lies in its culture. “Blossom has always been entrepreneurial-first,” says Shakoor. “whether that unicorn is a startup or a legacy institution ready to reinvent itself.”   Redefining the Role of Women in Innovation   Shakoor’s journey as a female tech founder in Saudi Arabia is deeply intertwined with the broader evolution of the Kingdom’s entrepreneurial landscape. When she started Blossom, the idea of a young Saudi woman leading an accelerator was unusual, even radical. But the transformation over the last decade has been profound.   “Today we see women not only participating but also leading startups, managing investment funds, and driving corporate innovation initiatives,” she notes. The numbers underscore this shift. According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2024/2025, 23.2% of Saudi women are engaged in early-stage entrepreneurial activity, positioning Saudi Arabia second globally for female entrepreneurship. This rate surpasses the U.S. at 18.8% and Germany at 7.6%. Even more, studies show that 34% of Saudi women now identify as entrepreneurs, and a remarkable 78% are considering launching their own businesses in the near future.   These statistics highlight a narrowing gender gap once thought impossible to overcome. “What excites me most is not just the participation, but the ambition,” says Shakoor. “I see young women in their 20s and 30s building companies with global outlooks from day one. Saudi women are not just entering the entrepreneurial stage—they are helping define the future of innovation.”   Challenges and Triumphs   Scaling Blossom was not without hurdles. Shakoor founded the company at the age of 23, and while her youth gave her energy and boldness, it also meant she had to work harder to build credibility. “Blossom was never just about being an accelerator—it was about creating an entire innovation economy catalyst and ecosystem builder. In the early days, not everyone understood the scale of the vision.”   The journey required persistence, consistency, and tangible proof of impact. Over the years, Blossom has delivered just that—helping startups raise significant funding rounds, driving job creation, and building bridges between public and private sectors. “That track record became our flywheel, and today the results speak for themselves,” she reflects.   She is quick to credit the wider transformation of Saudi Arabia as a crucial factor in Blossom’s growth. “None of this would have been possible without the bold reforms and leadership of our Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has empowered young people—and women especially—to step forward and lead change. Blossom’s success is not mine alone; it is a testament to the ecosystem created under Vision 2030.”   Aligning with Vision 2030   Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 has become a guiding framework for innovation in the Kingdom,

Digital Version The climate crisis is not only a story about carbon emissions, policies, or global agreements; it is fundamentally a story about people—their health, their livelihoods, their dreams, and their future. As the world grapples with the escalating threats of climate change, leaders who understand this human dimension and dedicate their lives to bridging science, policy, and action become indispensable. Among these leaders are Dr. Saroj Pachauri and Dr. Ash Pachauri, who guide the Protect Our Planet (POP) Movement with vision, compassion, and a relentless commitment to empowering young people. POP, founded by the late Dr. R.K. Pachauri, the Nobel Laureate who chaired the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for over a decade, embodies the conviction that the future of climate action must be shaped by the youth of today. In this exclusive feature for Remarkable Leaders Shaping the Future of Climate Action 2025, we explore the personal journeys of Dr. Saroj and Dr. Ash, their leadership within POP, and their collective mission to build a truly intergenerational and inclusive climate movement that blends science, health, innovation, and hope. How Experiences Shaped Their Roles at POP Every leader carries with them the weight of their past experiences—moments that shape their convictions and carve their paths forward. For Dr. Saroj Pachauri, her lifelong work in global health provided profound lessons about the intimate link between human well-being and the health of the planet. “My work in global health has shown me how deeply connected human well-being is to the health of our planet,” she reflects. “From reproductive health to infectious diseases, I have seen how climate change amplifies vulnerabilities, especially for women, children, and marginalized communities. These experiences have strengthened my conviction that addressing climate change is central to protecting lives and livelihoods. At POP, I bring this perspective to ensure our climate action work also speaks to human health and dignity.” For Dr. Ash Pachauri, the journey was marked by an enduring passion for young people and their role in shaping the future. “My journey has always been centered on young people—their potential, creativity, and urgency,” he explains. “In global policy spaces, I often witnessed decisions being made about the future without the active participation of those who would inherit it. This pushed me to create avenues for young people to lead, not just follow, in climate action. My role at POP is to amplify the voices of young people and build bridges between generations, sectors, and regions.” Together, their perspectives—rooted in health and youth leadership—create a unique synergy that drives the ethos of the POP Movement. The Birth of POP: A Legacy of Leadership The vision for POP was born from the leadership and legacy of Dr. R.K. Pachauri, whose contributions to climate science and policy left an indelible mark on the world. Having served as Chairman of the IPCC for 13 years and Vice Chairman for 5 years before that, Dr. Pachauri was at the forefront of shaping global understanding of climate change. In 2007, he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the IPCC, alongside Al Gore. Despite these achievements, Dr. Pachauri recognized that scientific evidence and policy decisions alone would not suffice. He became convinced that real change could only come from a groundswell of knowledge-inspired action led by youth. His principle, “youth inspired by knowledge,” remains the cornerstone of POP’s philosophy. Young people, he believed, although the least responsible for climate change, bore its greatest burdens. Yet, through education and empowerment, their values and behaviors could transform families, schools, and communities. To realize this vision, he co-founded the POP Movement with his son, Dr. Ash Pachauri, and later established the World Sustainable Development Forum (WSDF) as POP’s sister organization. While POP empowers young people to take action, WSDF connects them with leaders in policy, business, and science, bridging generational divides. Today, POP is led by both Dr. Ash and Dr. Saroj Pachauri, continuing Dr. Pachauri’s mission of intergenerational solidarity. By 2026, POP will mark its 10th anniversary on Earth Day, celebrating a decade of youth-led climate leadership. Intergenerational Collaboration: A Non-Negotiable The POP Movement thrives on the principle that intergenerational collaboration is not optional—it is essential. Experience brings wisdom and context, while youth bring urgency and creativity. Together, these elements create transformative action. This balance was central to Dr. R.K. Pachauri’s vision. By establishing both POP and WSDF, he designed platforms where knowledge could flow across generations, empowering youth to take ownership while benefiting from the wisdom of seasoned leaders. At POP, initiatives are deliberately structured to model this exchange, ensuring that collaboration, not competition, defines the relationship between generations. As Dr. Ash emphasizes, “When these strengths converge, transformative action becomes possible.” Health and Climate: The Inseparable Nexus The climate crisis is also a public health crisis, and Dr. Saroj Pachauri has been a global voice in highlighting these connections. The impacts are already visible—rising respiratory illnesses from air pollution, vector-borne diseases moving into new regions, malnutrition driven by food insecurity, and the escalating mental health toll of climate anxiety. “Mental health, in particular, is emerging as a crisis of pandemic proportions,” Dr. Saroj warns. “Communities—especially young people—are struggling with the uncertainty and trauma of climate-related challenges.” POP addresses these urgent issues through education, research, advocacy, and innovation. The organization is currently editing its fifth publication on climate and health, while its POP Academy delivers world-class courses to equip young leaders at the nexus of health and climate. One of POP’s pioneering innovations is POPPix (mypoppix.com), an award-winning app dedicated to climate and mental health. Available in 129 languages and even accessible via WhatsApp, POPPix helps young people build resilience and access community support. POP also works with partners worldwide on projects ranging from clean cooking technologies to sustainable food systems, ensuring that climate solutions are also health solutions. Empowering Youth as Leaders At the heart of POP’s mission is youth empowerment. According to Dr. Ash, three strategies have proven most effective: Trust—Young people must be given real decision-making power, not just symbolic roles. Mentorship—Pairing youth

Digital Version In today’s rapidly evolving digital era, the story of artificial intelligence is not only about algorithms, data pipelines, or computational breakthroughs. It is also about the visionaries who bridge technology with humanity, translating innovation into meaningful outcomes for people, organizations, and society. Robin Sutara, Field Chief Data Strategy Officer at Databricks, is a true representation of innovation, with a career that began in maintaining Apache helicopters in the U.S. Army to advising global enterprises on data and AI strategy highlights how technology, when guided by purpose-driven leadership, can be truly transformative. Her story is both unconventional and deeply inspiring—a reminder that innovation is not confined to linear career paths but often shaped by curiosity, resilience, and the desire to solve real-world challenges. With more than two decades of experience across Microsoft and Databricks, Sutara has emerged as one of the most influential voices in advancing responsible AI, democratizing data, and helping enterprises translate cutting-edge technology into measurable impact. A Non-Traditional Journey with a Purpose Robin Sutara never followed the typical path into data and technology. Her foundation was laid in the U.S. Army, where she worked on repairing the weapons and electrical systems of Apache helicopters. In that high-pressure environment, she discovered a love for problem-solving and the precision of technology. Yet what truly set the course for her career was a deeper realization: data had the power not only to transform organizations, but also to improve the lives of the people within them. Over more than two decades at Microsoft, Sutara’s journey reflected this belief. From her early days in consumer support to overseeing Azure Data Engineering Operations, she advanced to become Microsoft UK’s Chief Data Officer. Through each role, she witnessed the same truth—technology alone is not the endgame. The real impact comes when people are empowered to harness data, turning information into insight and insight into better decisions. Her move to Databricks in 2022 represented both a natural progression and a bold new chapter. Having experienced firsthand the frustrations of fragmented data ecosystems, Sutara was drawn to Databricks’ mission of unifying structured and unstructured data with AI into a single governed platform. Today, she collaborates with hundreds of global customers, helping them not only implement technology but also transform their cultures into data-driven organizations. As she explains, “Technology alone is never enough. True transformation happens when organizations embrace cultural change—when people are empowered to solve problems, innovate, and make decisions informed by trusted data.” How AI Is Reshaping Data Strategy in 2025 In her role as Field Chief Data Strategy Officer, Sutara sees firsthand how AI is fundamentally altering enterprise data strategies. The shift, she notes, is not incremental but transformative. She outlines three major changes defining 2025: Democratization through natural language.Tools like AI/BI and Genie allow business users to query data in plain English, opening insights to employees far beyond data science teams. This democratization ensures decision-making is no longer the privilege of a select few but an organizational capability. The rise of the Data Intelligence Platform.Unlike traditional platforms, Databricks’ intelligent Data Intelligence Platform understands the semantics of an organization’s data, enabling automatic optimization, intelligent infrastructure management, and natural language interfaces. The critical importance of unified data foundations.As AI adoption accelerates, the cost of data silos becomes clearer. Fragmentation undermines security, governance, and AI effectiveness. Databricks addresses this by combining lakehouse architecture with generative AI, creating a platform capable of optimizing performance and managing infrastructure within the context of specific business goals. For Sutara, this evolution reflects more than a technical milestone. It is a shift toward future-oriented innovation, where AI does not merely report on the past but predicts, prevents, and empowers organizations to act proactively. Translating AI into Tangible Business Value Her leadership is marked by an exceptional ability to bridge innovative thinking with tangible business outcomes. She emphasizes that deploying sophisticated models is not enough—organizations must align people, processes, and technology with clear objectives. She points to a powerful example from the manufacturing sector, an industry generating more than 1,800 petabytes of data annually. A leading client suffered significant financial setbacks, running into millions, because of unforeseen downtime. By unifying IoT sensor data, ERP maintenance records, environmental information, and technician notes within Databricks’ platform, they could implement predictive maintenance models. The results were transformative: 67% reduction in unplanned downtime within one year Over $12 million in cost savings 23% improvement in product quality A cultural shift as teams moved from reactive firefighting to strategic planning Perhaps most importantly, the initiative built trust in AI recommendations. Maintenance teams, production managers, and data scientists collaborated in new ways, empowered by a shared, data-centric mindset. As Sutara reflects, “The success came not just from the technology, but from changing how people worked together, trusted insights, and embraced a culture of data-driven decision-making.” Principles for Responsible and Ethical AI As AI becomes more embedded in daily life, concerns about fairness, transparency, and inclusivity grow louder. To Sutara, responsible AI isn’t a choice but a necessity for fostering trust and driving lasting innovation. Her approach rests on six guiding principles: Fairness and Inclusiveness: AI must reduce bias, not amplify it. This requires diverse teams that challenge assumptions and question data sources. Reliability and Safety: Systems must be consistent with human values and monitored continuously to prevent harm. Transparency and Clarity: Individuals impacted by AI should have a clear understanding of how decisions are reached. Accountability: Responsibility for outcomes must be well-defined, ensuring both organizational and societal accountability. Privacy and Security: Robust governance, encryption, and risk management are non-negotiable. Human Oversight: AI must augment rather than replace human judgment, with diverse voices guiding design and deployment. At Databricks, these principles are operationalized through frameworks like the AI Security Framework, which identifies 62 technical risks and provides pathways for balancing innovation with safety. Sutara insists that building trustworthy AI requires continuous vigilance: “Responsible AI is not a compliance checkbox—it is a commitment that must guide decisions across the entire lifecycle.” Leadership Lessons from AI Transformation Over decades of guiding