The Global Performance Audit Unit (GPA Unit), The KPI Institute’s strategy and performance audit division, is inviting organizations and practitioners to one of the year’s key gatherings in strategy and performance management. On November 17, senior leaders and industry experts will convene in Riyadh for the Performance Excellence Forum & Awards Gala 2025, a full-day program focused on advancing performance maturity and organizational excellence across sectors.

More than an event, the gala unites visionaries shaping Saudi Arabia’s future in performance, strategy, and transformation. Attendees will gain actionable insights, practical frameworks, and forward-looking perspectives to enhance capabilities and support the Kingdom’s long-term goals.

This year’s forum brings together leaders from government, private, and global organizations with expertise in strategy, transformation, performance management, and human capital. Participants will learn best practices in organizational excellence, digital transformation, and high-performance cultures from experts across aviation, investment, construction, HR, publishing, and technology—leaders driving Vision 2030 and global business standards.

Featured speakers

Below is the curated lineup of speakers leading this year’s forum:

 

 

• Badreddin Ibrahim Alharithy – Strategy & Transformation Director at Albawani Holding
• Led major strategy offices and enterprise project management offices (PMOs), delivering complex transformation programs aligned with Vision 2030.
• Title of the talk: Case Study: From Maturity Assessment to Organizational Impact. A Leap from Emergent to Advanced Practices (along with Cristina Mihăiloaie)

 

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• Anas Alkeaid – Head of Strategic Planning, at Literature Publishing Translation Commission
• Guided strategic initiatives that advance Saudi Arabia’s cultural ecosystem and support national transformation goals.
• Title of the talk: Focus Over Volume: How Performance Maturity Redefines What Gets Measured in Performance Management Systems

 

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• Abdulmohsen K. Alraimi – Excellence Programs and Quality Monitoring Director at ZATCA
• Drove major improvements in digital platforms and quality systems, securing top national excellence rankings.
• Title of the talk: From Local Fixes to Institutional Learning: Advancing Performance Improvement Maturity Across the Organization

 

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• Abdulhadi Al Ghamdi – Performance Management Senior Manager at Riyadh Airports
• Led workforce planning and performance initiatives that strengthened organizational effectiveness across Riyadh Airports.
• Title of the talk: The Performance Management Journey at Riyadh Airports Company​: From engagement insights to execution excellence

 

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• Ahmed Bin Shuail – Senior Director, Head of Strategy & Planning at Public Investment Fund (PIF)
• Spearheads PIF’s corporate strategy management and has contributed significantly to Vision 2030’s national transformation agenda.
• Title of the talk: Panel Discussion: How Strategy and Corporate Performance Leaders Use Maturity Assessments to Drive Business Impact (along with Abdullah Almofleh, Alyn Bailey, and Diogenis Paplomytis, moderated by Cristina Mihăiloaie)

 

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• Zainab Hamidaddin – Executive Director – Engagement & HR Business Partners at Red Sea Global
• Architected high-impact human resource programs that enhanced culture, wellbeing, and engagement across major Saudi organizations.
• Title of the talk: Panel Discussion: Performance with Purpose – Aligning People, Culture and Strategy (along with Akram Felemban, Manal Kutbi, Fahad Al-Qadhib, and Yara AlSikhan, moderated by Teodora Gorski)

 

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• Abdullah Almofleh – Vice President of Corporate Strategy at SAMI Advanced Electronics Company
• Over 16 years of leading strategic transformation initiatives that support Saudi Arabia’s industrial and national growth goals.
• Title of the talk: Panel Discussion: How Strategy and Corporate Performance Leaders Use Maturity Assessments to Drive Business Impact (along with Ahmed Bin Shuail, Alyn Balley, and Diogenis Papiomytis, moderated by Cristina Mihăiloaie

 

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• Mohammed Sulieman Al’Mohd – Head of EPMO at Red Sea Global
• Established one of Saudi Arabia’s most advanced PMO practices, enabling large-scale strategy execution and governance excellence.
• Title of the talk: When Leadership Listens: Building a Culture that Drives Performance Through Trust (along with Talal AlMalki)

 

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• Talal AlMalki – Senior Director of Corporate Planning & Performance, Red Sea Global
• Designed modern business frameworks that drive efficiency, innovation, and long-term performance alignment.
• Title of the talk: When Leadership Listens: Building a Culture that Drives Performance Through Trust (along with Mohammed Sulieman Al’Mohd)

 

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• Dr. Majid Alsubaie – Director at The KPI Institute for Training
• Expert in key performance indicators (KPIs) and digital transformation with extensive research contributions in strategy, agile project delivery, and performance.

 

 

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• Akram Felemban – Vice President, Strategy and Transition Sector at Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions General Authority (SCEGA)
• Led national performance and governance frameworks that drive accountability and Vision 2030 alignment across the public sector.
• Title of the talk: Panel Discussion: Performance with Purpose – Aligning People, Culture and Strategy (along with Zainab Hamidaddin, Manal Kutbi, Fahad Al-Qadhib, and Yara AlSikhan, moderated by Teodora Gorski)

 

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• Alyn Bailey – Group Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer at Albawani Holding
• 20-year global career leading multi-sector transformation programs, organizational restructures, and enterprise strategy.
• Title of the talk: Panel Discussion: How Strategy and Corporate Performance Leaders Use Maturity Assessments to Drive Business Impact (along with Ahmed Din Shuail, Abdullah Almoleh, and Diogenis Papiomytis, moderated by Cristina Mihăiloaie)

 

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• Tor Inge Vasshus – Founder & CEO at Corporater
• Built one of the world’s leading Business Management Platforms, supporting Fortune 500 companies worldwide.
• Title of the talk: How Connected Enterprises Use GPRC to Advance Performance Excellence – Aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Transformation

 

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• Dr. Aurel Brudan – Founder & CEO, The KPI Institute
• Global authority on performance systems with 300+ publications and advisory experience across major global institutions.

 

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• Manal Kutbi – Organization Development & Performance Management Director at Soudah Development
• Developed comprehensive human capital and performance systems that strengthen organizational agility and alignment
• Title of the talk: Panel Discussion: Performance with Purpose – Aligning People, Culture and Strategy (along with Zainab Hamidaddin, Akram Felemban, Fahad Al-Qadhib, and Yara AlSikhan, moderated by Teodora Gorski)

 

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• Fahad Alqadhib – Human Capital General Director at MODON
• Integrates advanced HR technologies to drive talent development, change management, and organizational excellence.

 

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• Diogenis Papiomytis – General Manager of Strategy & Business Plan at Matarat Holding
• Oversees strategy and performance across 27 Saudi airports, backed by two decades of global aviation expertise.
• Title of the talk: Panel Discussion: How Strategy and Corporate Performance Leaders Use Maturity Assessments to Drive Business Impact (along with Ahmed Bin Shuail, Abdullah Almofleh, and Alyn Bailey, moderated by Cristina Mihăiloaie)

 

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• Yara AlSikhan – Associate Director, Talent & Performance Management at Tourism Development Fund
• Specializes in talent management and career development within high-growth national sectors.
• Title of the talk: Panel Discussion: Performance with Purpose – Aligning People, Culture and Strategy  (along with Zainab Hamidaddin, Akram Felemban, Manal Kutbi, and Fahad Al-Qadhib, moderated by Teodora Gorski)

 

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• Adrian Brudan – Co-Founder & General Manager at GPA Unit
• Global leader in performance maturity assessments, shaping TKI’s key certified programs and research initiatives.
• Title of the talk: Conference Chair Welcome Message and GPAU 3.0 Official Launch

 

 

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• Doina Popovici – Head of Maturity Assessment Services at GPA Unit
• Leads global maturity assessments that strengthen strategic alignment, operational excellence, and capability development.
• Title of the talk: How to Get Recognized for Performance Excellence

 

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• Teodora Gorski – Head of Strategic Partnerships & Growth at GPA Unit
• Delivered strategy and performance advisory across 15+ countries and authored 25+ publications in sustainability, leadership, and strategy.
• Moderator for Panel Discussion: Performance with Purpose – Aligning People, Culture and Strategy

 

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• Cristina Mihăiloaie – Head of Innovation & Product Design at GPA Unit
• Founding member of The KPI Institute with a decade of research and advisory expertise shaping global performance frameworks.
• Title of the talk: Case Study: From Maturity Assessment to Organizational Impact. A Leap from Emergent to Advanced Practices (along with Badreddin Ibrahim Alharithy)
• Moderator for Panel Discussion: How Strategy and Corporate Performance Leaders Use Maturity Assessments to Drive Business Impact

 

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For a full schedule of sessions, speaker lineups, and detailed timings, explore the Performance Excellence Forum & Awards Gala 2025 agenda here.

The Global Performance Audit Unit (GPA Unit) is inviting organizations and practitioners to join one of the year’s most significant gatherings in strategy and performance management. 

On November 17, senior leaders and industry experts will come together in Riyadh for the Performance Excellence Forum & Awards Gala 2025, a full-day program dedicated to advancing performance maturity across sectors.

“Every transformation starts with a conversation,” said Adrian Brudan, General Manager of the GPA Unit, who noted that the forum serves as a critical platform for dialogue and collaboration, bringing together perspectives on strategy, performance, culture, and governance to support the development of future-ready organizations.

The event is more than a conference; it is a movement focused on strengthening how organizations plan, measure, improve, and lead. Throughout the forum, participants will examine how long-term vision can be translated into actionable strategy, what mature performance measurement entails, and how improvement, culture, and leadership contribute to overall organizational maturity. 

Discussions will also highlight the importance of people and capability-building in driving sustainable transformation, along with pathways for achieving recognition through certifications, accreditations, and performance excellence awards. As Adrian Brudan affirms, “Performance excellence is enabled by people who listen, collaborate, and take accountability.”

The Forum includes a dynamic mix of the following:

• Expert talks on strategy, performance measurement, organizational culture, and leadership

• Case studies showcasing real transformation journeys

• Panel discussions with leaders shaping performance across major Saudi organizations

• Networking opportunities throughout the day

• The official launch of GPA Unit 3.0, marking a new phase in maturity assessment

• The prestigious Performance Excellence Awards Gala, celebrating outstanding achievements across six major capability areas

To explore the full timetable, speakers, and session topics, you can download the complete agenda and event brochure here: https://gpaunit.org/performance-excellence-forum-and-awards-gala/agenda 

Seats are limited for both the physical venue and the virtual broadcast. Join the GPA Unit at the Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residence and be part of a global dialogue shaping the future of strategy and performance management. Secure your spot now! Register here: https://gpaunit.org/performance-excellence-forum-and-awards-gala/registration 

The KPI Institute, a global leader in performance management, strategy, and business excellence, proudly brings two of its most sought-after certification programs directly to professionals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) through its newly established local hub.

Building on its continued presence in the Kingdom, The KPI Institute is now delivering training programs from its dedicated facilities, reinforcing the company’s commitment to offering enhanced access to its globally recognized learning experiences.

The opening of the KSA hub for open-house training also strengthens The KPI Institute’s mission to empower organizations across the Kingdom in driving transformational agendas, fully aligned with the aspirations of Saudi Vision 2030.

Inaugural open-house programs

The two flagship certifications that will be offered this December to mark the beginning of this chapter are:

• Certified Strategy and Business Planning Professional (C-SBP): This program aims to strengthen long-term organizational performance by equipping participants with practical strategic planning tools and frameworks. It focuses on the key elements of effective strategy development and execution, guiding professionals in crafting actionable strategic plans and communicating them clearly across the organization.
• Certified KPI Professional and Practitioner (C-KPIPP): This dual-level certification develops both theoretical and practical expertise in performance measurement. The Professional component focuses on mastering key performance indicator (KPI) selection, documentation, and use, while the Practitioner component builds hands-on skills through applied exercises in scorecard and dashboard design. Participants complete a full KPI implementation case study—from planning to data visualization—preparing them to manage performance systems effectively.

In support of greater learning convenience, The KPI Institute has introduced a more flexible delivery format for both programs. The C-SBP course, traditionally conducted over three full days, will now be delivered across five shorter evening sessions (December 7–11, 2025 | 17:00–21:00). Similarly, the C-KPIPP program has been streamlined from eight full days to five (December 14–18, 2025 | 09:00 – 18:00).

These adjustments offer participants smooth accessibility without compromising the depth, interactivity, or quality of content that define The KPI Institute’s globally recognized certifications.

With the introduction of open-house course delivery, The KPI Institute underscores its dedication to building local capacity, fostering innovation, and empowering professionals to achieve excellence in performance and strategy implementation.

For more information about The KPI Institute’s inaugural open-house training programs in Saudi Arabia or to register, please contact Alex Muntean, Head of Sales – EMEA, via email at alex.muntean@kpiinstitute.com or by phone at +40 747 060 997. 

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About The KPI Institute

The KPI Institute is a leading global research institute specializing in business performance. It operates research programs in 12 practice domains, ranging from strategy and KPIs to employee performance, as well as customer service and innovation performance.

Insights are disseminated through various publications, subscription services, and a knowledge platform accessible to registered members. Support in deploying these insights in practice is offered globally through training and advisory services.

The KPI Institute developed the first KPI Management Framework and operates smartKPIs.com, an online portal resulting from a dedicated research program focused on documenting and cataloging KPI usage in practice. It hosts the largest collection of documented KPI examples.