IMA Chapters from the GCC, Levant, and North Africa have pledged their support, reinforcing the summit’s role as a platform for knowledge sharing, industry collaboration, and discussions on emerging trends. Chapter leaders are eager to foster a pan-regional dialogue, uniting professionals from multiple countries and industries to drive innovation and excellence in accounting and finance.
Highlighting the value of cross-border knowledge exchange, Professor Francisco Bastida, IMA Riyadh Chapter President and Professor at Prince Sultan University in KSA, emphasized the unique opportunity that FELS provides. “We have a rich tapestry of individuals and experiences within the finance and accounting profession, made even more valuable when we come together from different industries, sectors, and countries,” said Bastida. “That combination offers critical insights that aren’t always available locally, and FELS 2025 is a great platform to share that.”
Mohamad ElBayoumy, IMA Cairo Chapter President and CFO at Amarenco SolarizEgypt, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the summit’s practical value. “The power of FELS is its ability to expose professionals to practical new ideas that can be immediately applied in their work and organizations. We see it as a fantastic regional complement to what we deliver locally and strongly encourage IMA members and finance professionals from Egypt and beyond to join us.”
As the host chapter, IMA Dubai Chapter is excited to build on the success of FELS by extending the event’s reach to professionals from across the region for the first time, following two highly successful summits. Together with the local IMA Middle East office, the chapter has curated a dynamic program covering critical topics in finance and leadership, ensuring attendees gain actionable insights. This year’s discussions will focus on sustainability, artificial intelligence (AI), environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies, and other pressing trends shaping the profession.
“Our mission is to expand this event each year, ensuring it remains inclusive of the most critical issues shaping our field while broadening participation from diverse industry leaders,” said Esther Alexander, IMA Dubai Chapter President and Director of Finance and Operations at Royal Light LLC. “The word is spreading about the high-quality experience FELS delivers, and the enthusiastic support from colleagues across the region is already drawing a wider audience and keen interest.”
IMA’s Middle East Regional Advisory Committee (ME RAC), representing professionals from the UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt and Jordan, has also lent its full support to this year’s summit. “FELS 2025 is a testament to the strength and expertise of the finance and accounting community across this region,” said Elhadi Elimam, ME RAC Chair, IMA Global Board Director and Senior Finance and Planning Manager at CAD Middle East Pharmaceutical Industries LLC. “By bringing together industry leaders, this summit serves as a catalyst for knowledge exchange, innovation, and leadership growth. We encourage all IMA members, as well as finance and business professionals from across our markets, to join us in shaping the future of the profession.”
As the event expands and attracts professionals from across the region, IMA continues to be dedicated to equipping finance and accounting professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving business landscape.
“FELS 2025 is more than just a summit, it’s a pivotal moment for thought leadership and innovation,” said Mike DePrisco, IMA President and CEO. “By addressing key topics such as sustainability, AI, and ESG, we are empowering professionals to tackle the challenges of tomorrow. We deeply value the dedication of all chapter volunteers, members, and RAC members whose hard work makes this event possible.”
For more information and to take advantage of early registration discounts, visit Home – IMA’s Finance Excellence & Leadership Summit (FELS)
About IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants)
IMA® is one of the largest and most respected associations focused exclusively on advancing the management accounting profession. Globally, IMA supports the profession through research, the CMA® (Certified Management Accountant), CSCA® (Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis), and FMAA™ (Financial and Managerial Accounting Associate) certification programs, continuing education, networking, and advocacy of the highest ethical business practices. Twice named Professional Body of the Year by The Accountant/International Accounting Bulletin, IMA has a global network of about 140,000 members in 150 countries and 350 professional and student chapters. Headquartered in Montvale, N.J., USA, IMA provides localized services through its six global regions: The Americas, China, Europe, Middle East/North Africa, India, and Asia Pacific. For more information about IMA, please visit www.imanet.org.
