18 Creative Stars Speaking Out at SYNC Summit This October

Online creative platform SYNC is venturing outside of its digital constraints and organising their very first on-ground summit. As they bring together the region's biggest entrepreneurial minds, creatives, visionaries and industry professionals, the summit will also facilitate a whirlwind of discussions from like-minded educational pioneers at their three-day intensive conference. Taking place at Le Lac du Caire on October 27th, 28th and 29th, the summit convenes a plethora of speakers; in light of their upcoming venture, we’ve curated a list of 16 speakers to look out for... 

ALI ALI  | Director & Co-founder of Good People Films 

Advertising Track

Ali Ali is a prolific director who consistently scales the Cannes Global Rankings chart as part of their ‘Top Ten Commercial Directors’. Having co-founded one of the most award-winning agencies in the region, Ali Ali is taking to the SYNC Summit’s advertising track to put forth his expertise, give insight into the inner workings of the industry and share his success with the creative school’s young audience.

AMR KWASHTI | Co-founder & Managing Partner of In Your Shoe 

Creative Entrepreneurship Track

Channelling the same fresh outlook his brand provides, Amr Kwashti is tackling creative entrepreneurship and unpacking precisely what put his apparel brand, In Your Shoe, on the map. As he shares his expert advice, he simultaneously paves paths for those newly navigating the scene to tread.

MAGED NASSAR | Director, Creative Director & Co-founder of Good People Films

Advertising Track

Film director and co-founder of Good People Films, Maged Nassar, is (arguably) one of the world’s most distinguished creatives. As a director, his work has won awards for global brands like Coke, Vodafone, Orange, and Du Telecom Dubai. His renowned Coke spot won a Gold at Cannes and a Grand Prix at the London International Awards. Partaking in SYNC Summit’s Advertising Track, the famed director is set to hand over his backlog of knowledge to younger generations. 

AHMED EL-SAMMAD | Food Blogger & Content Creator 

Content Creation Track 

Garnering success on TikTok, food blogger and content creator Ahmed El-Sammad is set to share his online success and all the innovative ways his work has changed the trajectory of food-centric content.

SHOSHA KAMAL | Award-winning Designer & Founder of Shosha Kamal Design House

Art & Design Track

Shosha Kamal - an award-winning innovative interior designer - is known for her subversive take on form and structure, designing chairs that found homes amongst prestigious homes, such as the White House. Bringing her disruptive outlook to the table (pun intended) the designer will imbue up-and-coming artists with the same cutting-edge sentiments she draws upon. 

NORA ZEID | Illustrator & Visual Artist

Art & Design Track 

Known for her powerful re-imaginings of Cairo and its dexterous culture, Nora Zaid made headlines as the illustrator capturing the city in unseen ways. Taking part in SYNC Summit’s Art and Design track, Zaid will imbue attendees with the same passion her artwork channels. 

EZZ TAREK | Co-founder & Managing Partner of In Your Shoe 

Creative Entrepreneurship Track 

Much like his brand, Ezz Tarek has surpassed corporate labels and built a brand that speaks to him and his outlook on life. Believing everything should symbolise our innermost creative selves, Tarek is the SYNC Summit speaker advocating for unconventional ideas.  

RAMEZ YOUSSEF | Co-founder & Commercial Director of Tayarah 

Content Creation Track 

One of the masterminds behind leading creative agency Tayarah, Ramez Youssef is bringing his unwavering passion for fostering innovative ideas to the SYNC stage and letting everyone in on what it means to challenge traditional advertising.  

KARIM ELHAYAWAN | Architect, Creative Director, Photographer & Artist 

Art & Design Track 

Eclectic designer, photographer and all-out visionary Karim ElHayawan has culminated unbridled passion for disruptive art. Subversive in nature, ElHayawan is transposing his surrealist perspective on life and art onto the summit stage.  

LANA SAWIRIS | Founder of &Lana

Creative Entrepreneurship Track 

The MENA ecosystem has witnessed an influx of incubators dedicated to cultivating talent from all walks of life. That being said, very few rise to the occasion when it comes to fostering creative talents. Lana Sawiris - founder of &Lana - is tapping into that scene, filling a market gap and sharing her story with the SYNC crowd.  MARIA MUNOZ | Co-founder of Maison Pyramide

Creative Entrepreneurship Track 

Forging a land of lux and lavish designs, Maria Munoz’s unyielding love for the global fashion scene enabled her birth a community of spearheading individuals that consistently strategize and work to pave new paths for fashion to thrive. 

AMR HELMY | Founder of Amr Helmy Design House 

Art & Design Track 

Famous for his culturally entrenched designs and outspoken standpoints, Amr Helmy is injecting the summit with his long-standing expertise. Whilst his interpretation of domestic kitchens put him on the map, his design house cemented him as a force to be reckoned with and, in turn, a father to young designers and SYNC students alike. 

OMAR HILAL | Director, Writer & Producer 

Advertising Track 

A prolific director, Omar Hilal is the true embodiment of a one-man show. Writing, producing and directing trailblazing commercials, the intersectional artist will imbue a much needed expert opinion on all the facets that inevitably mould a piece of content.  

DEANA SHABAAN | Fashion Designer & Founder of Deana Shaaban Studio & Co-founder of Ignite 

Art & Design Track 

Luxury couture designer Deana Shaaban tackles the rigour by which fashion is born and walks attendees and budding designers through the ways in which they can also dress artists and actors for regional events. Intertwining that with her expert knowledge on entrepreneurship, Shaaban serves to guide the younger generations through the various ways she’s built empires. 

ESLAM HOSSAM  | Creative Director & Comedian 

Advertising Track 

Comedian-come-creative director, Eslam Hossam is no stranger to the fast-paced world of media consumption. That said, Hossam’s creative output is taking centre stage as he highlights the multifariousness by which he tackles art production. 

KARIM ABOU GAMRAH | CEO of Peace Cake 

Content Creation Track 

Having worked with global brands such as Pepsico, Durex and Netflix and producer of YouTube hit shows ‘Emsek Nafask’, ‘Romacya Mancya’ and ‘El Faker Faker’, Gamrah is set to bring his unconventional expert opinions to the SYNC Summit podium. 

SARAH ABULKHAIR | Architect and Co-founder & CCO of 2oolameme

Creative Entrepreneurship Track  

Architect, content creator and social media personality Sarah Abulkhair made her way through social media by pretending to have NASA respond to her rocket-grilled BBQ pitch. Having stirred massive discussions (global and otherwise) Abulkhair rose to fame after creating her own board games brand 2oolameme. Tackling every creative venture she’s embarked on, Abulkhair is set to bring her disruptive outlook to the SYNC Summit stage.  

TAHA DESSOUKY | Actor, Comedian & Member of The Elite 

Content Creation Track 

Known for igniting laughs and playing outlandish roles in films like ‘Farq Khibra’, ‘Truth or Dare!’ and ‘Fi Baytena Robot 2’, Taha Dessouky brings a youthful outlook on the film and theatre industries as he invites attendees on a personal creative journey.