Valerie HAWLEYAdvisor, MEng Photonics, MBA

Until recently Valerie Hawley was serving as the Executive Director of the Sorbonne Centre for Artificial Intelligence (SCAI project), a pivotal entity aimed at enhancing AI capabilities across the Middle East. She positioned SCAI as a preeminent education and research provider in the region. Her expertise is deeply rooted in advising companies on disruptive innovation strategies, particularly in developing use cases and competencies in AI and related technologies.

Holding a MSc in Optical Engineering from the prestigious 'Grandes Écoles' in Paris, and 2 MBAs including one with a focus on innovation and technology from HEC Business School, Paris, Valerie’s academic background is as robust as her professional journey. She brings over 15 years of experience in disruptive innovation, initially as an entrepreneur in two ventures, then as a leader in establishing the digital innovation and entrepreneurship program at HEC Paris. In her recent role as Head of Innovation at Daman, the National Health Insurance Company, Valerie played a transformative role, reshaping the organization’s legacy culture to architect highly productive external innovation partnerships with Plug&Play and DOH. Her strategic consulting acumen was refined at KPMG, managing multiple cross-disciplinary teams and collaborating with auditors in complex business environments across France, the UK, and Sweden.

Valerie is passionate about emerging technologies and is invested in quantum technologies and AI infrastructure. For over 8 years, she was also a general partner at True Global Ventures (TGV), a global venture capital firm composed of serial entrepreneurs, focusing on investments in startups that incorporate blockchain and AI as competitive advantages. Having worked in the UAE for over 12 years, she has cultivated an extensive network within the innovation and tech ecosystems, particularly in healthcare and financial services. Valerie is a thought leader, regularly engaging in public speaking and mentoring young women leaders through the REACH mentoring program.

Valerie holds multiple board directorships, notably with the French UAE Chamber of Commerce and FrenchTech UAE where she brings emotional maturity and deep expertise in disruptive innovation.