Editors Insights
Welcome to The Fortune Leader's special feature,
“The 10 Most Innova ve Leaders Reforming Business in 2024,” where we celebrate visionary leaders driving transforma ve change across industries. These trailblazers are redefining business prac ces, pushing the boundaries of innova on, and shaping a more dynamic and sustainable future. Through their bold leadership, crea ve strategies, and commitment to excellence, they are revolu onizing how we approach challenges and crea ng las ng impact in today’s everevolving business landscape.
In this issue, we are honored to feature Dr. Hany Saqr, CEO of Life for Relief and Development, on our cover. Dr. Hany stands at the forefront of global humanitarian efforts, embodying compassion and innova on in his leadership. With a background as a physician, Dr. Saqr has channeled his medical exper se into broad-scale humanitarian work, driving LIFE’s mission to alleviate suffering and restore dignity to communi es in crisis. Under his guidance, LIFE has grown into a globally recognized organiza on, leveraging cu ng-edge technology and sustainable solu ons to deliver aid efficiently. His commitment to transparency, community empowerment, and partnershipbuilding con nues to posi on LIFE as a leader in impac ul global relief efforts.
We also highlight Kunal Sawarkar, Dis nguished EngineerGen AI & Chief Data Scien st, of IBM. He leads groundbreaking AI innova ons, driving IBM’s global partner ecosystem toward enterprise AI excellence. With a deep passion for solving complex challenges, Kunal has shaped IBM’s AI Lab into a hub for cu ng-edge R&D, collabora ng with partners like SAP, Adobe, and AI startups. His bold leadership and exper se in product development have propelled the growth of genera ve AI, crea ng significant value for both IBM and its ecosystem.
These leaders represent innova on, resilience, and vision, se ng a new standard for the future of business leadership. At The Fortune Leader, we honor their remarkable contribu ons and invite you to delve into their inspiring stories. As they con nue to break barriers and pave the way for the next genera on, their work not only transforms industries but also shapes the global business landscape.
Join us in celebra ng their journeys and the powerful impact they’re making around the world.
Editor-in-chief
Business
Business Development Execu ve
DR.
C O N T HANY SAQR 10
Dr.HANY SAQR
LIFE: Promote dignity among those affected by crises
CoverStory
Thehumanitarianservicesareinfluencedby
severalkeyfactors,includinggeopolitical dynamics,climatechange,technological advancements,andevolvingdonorexpectations. Ongoingconflicts,suchasthoseinUkraine,Syria,and Sudan,continuetodrivesignificanthumanitarianneeds, includingemergencyreliefandlong-termsupportfor displacedpopulations.Naturaldisastersexacerbatedby climatechangeareincreasingthefrequencyandintensity ofhumanitariancrises.Eventslikefloods,droughts,and hurricanescreateurgentneedsforreliefandrecovery efforts.LIFEforReliefandDevelopmentwasbornout ofacollectivevisiontoprovidesustainablesolutionsto communitiesinneed.Foundedin1992ontheprinciples ofcompassion,integrity,andequality,LIFEstartedasa smallinitiativeandhasgrownintoaglobalmovement.
Theinceptionstory
“Ourmaingoalistostopsufferingandpromotedignity amongthoseaffectedbycrisesthroughemergencyrelief, medicalcare,education,cleanwaterinitiatives, communitydevelopment,familyassistance,andrefugee support.Inthelastthreedecades,LIFEhasdistributed justunder$600millioninglobalhumanitarianaid.For itsefforts,ithasearneda99%ratingonCharity Navigator,isrecommendedbyUSAID,andwasvoted oneofthetophumanitarianorganizationsintheU.S.by ImpactfulNinja.Ourinceptionstoryisoneofhope, whereadedicatedteamcametogethertoturnadversity intoopportunity,layingthefoundationforafuturewhere ourcommonhumanitycomesfirst,”saysDr.HanySaqr, CEO,LIFE.
Themanbehindthecurtain
Dr.HanySaqrisdrivenbyadesiretohelppeople.His journeybeganasaphysician,wherehesawtheprofound differencethatcompassionandcarecanmake.This experiencesparkedapassioninhimtoextendhisefforts beyondindividualpatientsandintobroaderhumanitarian work.Movingintothenon-profitsectorallowedhimto channelhisskillsandenergyintotacklingsomeofthe world'smostpressingchallenges.
Thedifferentiatingfactor
“Ouruniquesellingpropositionsincludeourholistic approachtohumanitarianrelief,ouremphasison empoweringcommunitiesthrougheducationand sustainabledevelopment,findingsolutionstourgent needsthatareculturallyrelevantandbasedinthe community,andourabilitytoswiftlymobilizeresources intimesofcrisis.
Wealsoprideourselvesontransparencyand accountability,maximizingeverydonationandensuring thatitgoestowardshelpingthepeopleweserve.Our innovativeuseoftechnology,suchasdataanalyticsand satelliteimagery,revolutionizesourapproachtoaid distribution,ensuringrapidandprecisedeliverywhile growinglocaleconomicgrowthandcommunity engagement.”
Theinitialchallenge
“OneofthesignificantchallengesLIFEfacedwas duringtheearlydaysofourexpansion,wasscalingour operationswithoutcompromisingonquality.We addressedthisbyinvestinginpartnershipsthatshared ourvision.Havingadiverseandstrongnetworkhas allowedustoincreasethequalityofourworkwhilestill reachingfartherandhelpingmorepeople.Additionally, navigatinglegalandpoliticalcomplexitiesincrisiszones hasrequiredpersistentadvocacy,strategicdiplomacy, andstronglocalpartnershipstoensuretheimpartiality andeffectivedeliveryofouraid.”
Leveragingtechnology
“Weareattheforefrontofintegratingtechnologyinto ourhumanitarianefforts.FromutilizingAItoenhance logisticsanddistribution,toemployingdigitalplatforms fortransparencyandcommunication,weensurethatwe areusingeverytechnologicaladvancementatour disposaltoamplifyourimpact.Theseinnovationsallow ustodeliveraidmoreefficiently,monitorprogressin real-time,andengagewithourdonorsandbeneficiaries inmeaningfulandeffectiveways.Wehavealso
digitalizedouroperationsandupdatedoursoftwareto streamlineprocessesandreachmorepotentialdonors,” saysDr.Hany.
A
sustainableapproach
“Oneofabusinessleader’srolesisbeingastewardof positivechange.AtLIFE,weintegratesocialand environmentalconsciousnessintoourstrategiesby promotingsustainabledevelopmentpractices,reducing ourcarbonfootprint,andinitiatingprogramsthatuplift underprivilegedcommunities.Anexampleofthisisour waterwellprojects.Wehavebuilthundredsofwater wellsallovertheworldusingthelatesttechnology We assesseachareaforthebest,andmostenvironmentally friendlycleanwatersolutionthatwilllastwellintothe future.”
Achievements
Withover13,000orphansunderitssponsorship,LIFE providesessentialsupporttochildrenworldwide.The OrphanSponsorshipProgramensurestheyreceivefood, shelter,andeducation.SpecialeventsliketheGlobal OrphanPartybringjoytothesechildren,offeringfun, games,andgiftstoshowthemtheyarevaluedand cherished.The2024GlobalOrphanPartythattookplace inJunehosted7,871orphansworldwide.
Intimesofcrisis,LIFE'sEmergencyReliefProgram respondsquicklybydeliveringcleanwater,food, clothing,hygieneproducts,bedding,shelter,andother essentials.In2023alone,LIFEassisted27,000 individualsaffectedbyglobalemergencies.LIFE addresseshealthcareneedsbydistributingmedical supplies,settingupclinics,andupgradingfacilities.In 2023,wedistributed$16millionworthofmedical supplies.The'HeretoHear'projectsupportsthehearing impairedwithessentialservices,thisprograminstalled 500hearingaidsin2023.
LIFE'scleanwaterinitiativesarecrucial,especiallyin Gaza.With2.2billionpeoplelackingsafedrinking water.LIFEhasbuiltover850cleanwaterwells
worldwide,helpingtobreakthecycleofpovertyand improvehealth.
TheEducationProgramensuresthatchildrenhave accesstoschoolsupplies,equipment,andeducation throughschoolconstruction,scholarships,and operationalsupport.Ourmostrecenteducationprojectis buildingtentclassroomsinGaza.ManychildreninGaza donothavetheabilitytogotoschoolduetotheongoing crisis.LIFEdecidedtochangethatandprovidetents, chalkboards,desks,chairs,schoolsuppliesandtrained teacherstochildrenofdisplacedfamilieslivingincamps inGaza.
InourCommunityDevelopmentefforts,LIFEconstructs infrastructuresuchascommunitycenters,medical clinics,schools,andwaterwells,growingself-sustaining environmentsinunderdevelopedareas.TheFamily AssistanceProgramsupportsvulnerablesinglemothers anddisabledheadsofhouseholdswithmonthly essentialsandopportunitiestorebuildtheirlivesafter experiencingloss.LIFE'sWinterReliefinitiative provideswarmthandessentialsuppliestodisplaced communitiesfacingharshwinters,includingthosein AfghanistanandSyria.Forindividualsdisplacedby conflictanddisaster,LIFE'sRefugeeAssistanceprogram offersvitalsupport,includingfood,water,healthcare, housing,andeducation,tohelpthemrebuildtheirlives andfindstability
Advicetothefutureleaders
“Leadwithpurposeandintegrity.Understandthattrue leadershipisaboutserviceandmakingadifferenceinthe livesofothers.Stayadaptable,bewillingtolearn,and neverlosesightofyourobjectives.Theworkyoucreate isadirectreflectionofthevaluesyouholddear. Embraceinnovativethinking,encouragecollaboration, andremaincommittedtocontinuousimprovement,” addsDr.Saqr
Thebottomlines
LIFE’smissionisdeeplyrootedinthebeliefthatsaving
livesshouldbeapriorityofallmankind.Forthisreason,LIFEisdedicatedtoalleviating humansufferingregardlessofrace,color,religion,orculturalbackground.Inresponseto poverty,famine,socialandeconomicturmoil,naturaldisasters,war,andothercatastrophes, LIFEworkstoprovideassistancetopeopleacrosstheglobebyofferinghumanitarian servicessuchasfood,water,andtemporaryshelteraswellashealthcareandeducation.
“Additionally,ourrecentexpansion,includingnewofficesinYemen,Kenya,Malaysia,and Somalia,areexcitingnewventurethatwillenableustoreachmoremarginalized communitiesandenhanceourglobalimpact,”concludedDr.Hany.
ExaminingtheFinancial St tegiesofSymbolic Hospitality Est lishm ts
ExaminingtheFinancial St tegiesofSymbolic Hospitality Est lishm ts
Renownedhotelsandresorts,forexample,areiconic hospitalityestablishmentsthatneedtoemploycomplex financialtechniquestobeprofitableandupholdtheir reputation.Duetotheparticulardifficultiestheseinstitutionsface suchashighrunningexpenses,erraticdemand,andintense competitioncarefullyconsideredfinancialplanningisnecessary.
Thediversificationofrevenuestreamsisoneimportanttactic. Iconicestablishmentsfrequentlybranchoutintonewmarketslike gourmetdining,eventhosting,andspaservices,eventhoughtheir traditionalsourceofincomeishotelreservations.Providing uniqueexperiences,likefamouschefcollaborationsoropulentspa treatments,drawsinalargeraudienceandbringsinmoremoney
Usingbrandstrengthtojustifyhigherpricesisanothercrucial tactic.Theseestablishmentsestablishareputationforelegance, whichenablesthemtochargemoreforservicesand accommodations.Furthermore,VIPmembershipsandloyalty programsmayestablishenduringconnectionswithcustomers, guaranteeingconsistentincomeevenduringoff-peaktimes.
Costcontrolisalsoessential.Renownedhospitalitycompanies makesignificantinvestmentsinstate-of-the-artfacilities, technology,andemployeedevelopment,buttheyalsohaveto controloperatingexpenses.Onewaytocutcostswithout compromisingqualityistousetechnologyforstaffingand inventorymanagement,aswellasenergy-efficientsystem implementation.
Finally,strategicalliancesandcooperativeeffortsareessential.Profitabilitycanbeincreasedby coordinatingwithwell-knowncompanies,travelagencies,orculturaleventstoincrease awarenessandoffermarketingopportunities.
Iconichospitalityestablishmentsmaintaintheirillustriousreputationwhilesimultaneously adjustingtomarketshiftsandassuringlong-termfinancialviabilitybyimplementingthesevaried financialstrategies.
Kunal Sawarkar, Distinguished EngineerGen AI & Chief Data Scientist, IBM Ecosystem
IBM
Solving the World's Problems Through AI
BM,witha100-yearhistory,is
nowfocusedonHybridCloud andAIasthecentralpillar The AIPartnerEcosystemplaysacrucial roleinitsglobalstrategy.Withinthe AIecosystem,IBMactsasabuild partnertoconductAIR&Dforits partners,helpingthemembedAIinto
theirsoftwareproducts.These partnersrangefromlarge,strategic companieslikeSAPandAdobeto hundredsofstartupsjustbeginning theirjourney.TheAIecosystemserves astheirengineeringandR&Dpartner, notonlyco-creatingbutalsocoinvestingandco-marketing.
Thepartnerecosystemhasgrown tremendouslyatIBMinthepast coupleofyears,andwithGenerative AI,ithasbeengearedtowards enterpriseAI,focusingondelivering ROIfromAIandtakingpilotsto production.
MyJourney
“Iloverockclimbing,hardhiking, andflying(asatraineepilot).When notdoingthat,Idomachinelearning. Ifindthetwopersonasquite compatiblewitheachother,asboth arealwaysseekingnewproblemsto solve,whetherinthemountainsor machinelearning.Rockclimbingis neveraboutreachingthesummitbut findingthebestpathtogetthere. Thereareinfinitewaystosolvea problem,andthebestpathisoftenthe hardest.Astheysay,‘Theharderthe path,themorethefun!’It’sthosehard problemsthatareworthyofour passion,andIbringthissameattitude tomywork.Solvingunsolved problemsinmachinelearningand convertingthemintoimpactful productswithpositiveimpacton societyandindustrydrivesme. IbegandoingDataSciencelong beforeitwasconsideredthesexiest jobintheindustry,knownbackthen as'DataMining'orbysomeobscure statisticalprogrammingterm.My educationalbackgroundreflectsthis journey.Afterafewyearsinthe industry,Ireturnedtoschooltogeta master'sdegreefromHarvard University,focusingonapplied statistics.Thisdecision,atthetime, wasnotdrivenbyafutureplumjob butpurelybymyintellectualcuriosity, asIfoundstatisticstobeatthecoreof everydiscipline(frompsychologyto astronomy)andabeautifulallegoryto thegameofchanceandcertaintythat definesourexistenceintheuniverse.
Thishasbeenpivotalinmycareer,” addedKunalSawarkar,ChiefData Scientist,atIBMEcosystem.
TheEarlyChallenges
“Initially,asayounggraduate,the challengewasfindingwhatexcitedme inthetechworldversuswhatwould helpmeclimbthecorporateladder.I chosetofocusonProductR&Drather thanITconsulting,changing companiesuntilIfoundtherightrole withchallengingprojects.Laterinmy career,itwasaboutfindingprojects worthyofsignificantAIinvestments. WhenIwasstartinginleadership roles,Ifounditchallengingto convinceexecutivesofAI'svalueand theneedforsubstantialinvestment. Theneedfordeepskillswascrucial, asAI'slongdevelopmentand productiontimelinestestpatience. Overcomingthisinvolved demonstratingthetangibleimpacts andbenefitsofAIprojects,alongwith creatinganarrativethatbusiness leaderscouldrelateto,”saidKunal.
MyRoleatIBM
“AtIBM,asaDistinguishedEngineer forGenerativeAI&ChiefData Scientist,IleadtheAILabtobuild cutting-edgeproducts.MyAILab workswiththeworldwidepartner ecosystem,embeddingAIintotech companies'products.Weactasan externalAIR&Dpartner,co-creating productsandbringingthemtomarket tofindtheproduct-marketfit.Ileada worldwideteamofdatascientists,AI engineers,designers,andarchitects, sittingattheintersectionofcore research,productdevelopment,and marketadoptionfunctionstodrive GenAIgrowthatIBM.AsmyAILab isfocusedprimarilyontheadoption ofAItechnology,wecomeacross
problemsinAIthatourpartners(other largetechcompanieslikeSAP,Adobe, D&B,etc.aswelldisruptiveAI Startups)findhardtosolvethemselves withtheirAIteams,andthat’swhere myorganizationstepsintoactasa buildpartnerforthem.Thisapproach hasworkedverywellforIBM,asthe revenueimpactoftheAIecosystem hasseentremendousgrowthoverthe lastfewyears,whilealsocreating valueforourpartnersby turbochargingtheirAIideasto production,”addedKunal.
MyLeadershipStyle
“Whenasked,mypeersand teammatesdescribedmyleadership styleas‘bold,meticulous,and decisive’…someonewhoknowsthe rightthingtodoandhowtogetthings done.Myleadershipstyleinvolves pushingboundariesandemploying Socraticthinkingindecision-making, followedbyexecutingdecisionswith focuseddetermination.Iadvocatefor movingfastbyembracingbold, unprecedentedactions.
Asaleader,Ialwaystrytoinspiremy teambyfuelingintellectualcuriosity andmatchingittothesecondmost importantthing,whichis ‘impact’—impactonbusiness,society, andthefield.
Asaleader,Ibelievethathierarchy andcreativitycan’tco-exist.So,Itend tofocusonideasratherthanonwho theycomefrom.Freeexchangeof ideaswithradicalcandorgoesalong wayinensuringsuccessfortheteam. Iamalwaysaskingthemtothinkbig andbold.Itellthem“There'snocost toimaginingthings—thereareno rulesofphysicsthatyouhavetobend tocomprehendanAI,andsokeep challengingthestatusquo!“,”Kunal responded.
Innovative
Strategy
“Irevampedtheexistingoperating modeltofostera‘movefastandmake things’culture.Havingmyself publishedover20+papers&patents intheML,Ifocusoninspiringmy teamtomakemoreoriginal contributionstothefieldofAI.
Insteadoflargeteamsresultingin interactionoverhead,Ibelievein ‘pizza-size’teamsforeach areas—small,expertteamswithlaser focus.Thenewchallengesbringa senseofvolatilityandcomplexityto myrole,andItrytocaptureitwith oneword:‘scaling.’Canyouscaleto problemsthathavemuchmore heterogeneousdatastructures,much morecomplexuserinputs,and,of course,amuchlargervolume?
Istrategicallytargetmindshareto growmarketshare,transitioningfrom relationship-ledtoproduct-ledgrowth,
IBMAchievementsUnderMy Leadership whereopencontributionsarevalued equallywithclientcontributions.”
“Overtheyears,I'vefoundedmultiple AILabs,growingthemintoalarge departmentwithsignificantrevenue impactandeminence.Undermy leadership,westartedAImissionfor Ecosystempartnersandachieved better-than-expectedrevenueimpacts, becomingafirst-moverAIproducts, andoveradozenpatentsthatprotect ourcompetitiveedge.
Ifocusedoncreatinganarrativethat specificallytargetsthepartner ecosystemandisnotarepackaged versionofclient-basedproducts.This includesbringingnewproductslike WatsonNLPLibrariestomarket, whicharedesignedaroundembedding AIandcreatingfirst-of-its-kindopensourceGenAImiddleware
frameworkslikeSuperKnowa(for RAG),QueryCraft(fortext-to-SQL), andJudgeIT(forevaluatingGenAI). DesigningproductsandSDKlayers focusedonembedding,witha narrativethattargetsnotjustbusiness leadersbutdevelopers,hasbeenakey transformationthatIdrove.Thishas proveneffectivewiththehypergrowth we'veseenfrompartnerswiththeir adoptionoftheseenterprise-gradeAI solutions.”
PersonalAchievement
“Mygreatestachievementwas buildingapassionate&committed teamthatwasdedicatedtothe mission.AnysuccessI'vehadisdue tobeinglucky:findingtheright challenges,havingthesupportof familyandhealth,andleadingateam thattrustsanddedicates110%tomy vision.”
AdvicetotheYoungEntrepreneur
IalsoworkasStartupAdvisorsinceI spentmostofmycareeractingasan in-houseentrepreneurforlargetech companiesbystartingnewteamsor ProductR&Dlabs.Asan entrepreneur,it'scrucialtofindpaths inambiguityandsetacrystal-clear vision.Aleader'sjobistosetthelongtermvisionforthestakeholders,the product,thebusiness,andtheteam. Beingagileandbeingfocusedarenot antonyms,andagoodleadercanbe firmonthegoalwhileflexibleonthe details.Day-to-daymanagementis aboutmanagingexistingtasks,but growthcomesfromtakingaholistic view,seeingtheforestabovethetrees, formulatinglong-termvisions,making bolddecisions,andexecutingthem effectively,”concludedKunal.
What Is Bancassurance & How Does It Help Customers?
Throughtherelationshipknownas
bancassurance,financialinstitutionscanprovide insuranceproductsinadditiontotheirstandard bankingservices.Byfusingthesecurityofinsurance withtheeaseofbanking,thisintegratedstrategyoffers clientsasmoothexperience.Here'sacloserlookat bancassuranceanditsadvantagesforclients.
WhatisBancassurance?
Thepracticeofbanksworkingwithinsurancecompanies todistributeinsuranceproductsthroughtheirbranchesor onlineisknownasbancassurance.Withtheuseofthis approach,thebankmayprovideavarietyofinsurance products,includingaslife,health,andproperty
insurance,byutilisingitscurrentinfrastructureand customerbase.
HowItBenefitsCustomers
Convenience
Theeaseofobtainingbankingandinsuranceservices fromasinglesourceisprovidedbybancassurance. Clientscanhandleboththeirinsuranceandfinancial affairswiththesameorganisation,whichsavestimeand eliminatestheneedforseveralaccountsandinteractions.
TailoredSolutions
Banksarewellknowledgeableaboutthefinancial
demandsandprofilesoftheirclients.Theycanprovide customisedinsurancesolutionsthroughbancassurance, includingcombiningasavingsaccountwithlife insuranceorahomeloanwithpropertyinsurance.
StreamlinedProcesses
Theapplicationandclaimsproceduresarestreamlined bythecombinationofbankingandinsuranceservices. Duetothesmoothconnectionbetweenthebankandthe insuranceprovider,customersbenefitfromless complicatedpaperworkandquickerprocessingtimes.
EnhancedCustomerService
Bancassuranceoffersitsclientsdevotedrelationship
managerswhocanoffertailoredguidanceandassistance fortheirbankingandinsurancerequirements.Amore thoroughserviceexperienceisensuredbythisallencompassingapproach.
Conclusion
Customerscanbenefitgreatlyfrombancassurance becauseitoffersaconvenient,integratedservicethat combinesinsuranceandbanking.Bancassurance improvescustomerexperiencebymeetingavarietyof financialneedswithcustomisedsolutionsandefficient proceduresbyutilisingthebank'sexistinginfrastructure andclientrelationships.
