The LifeLab

Sanjana Gandhi is a recognized thought leader in tourism and hospitality space with over 15 years’ experience as a management consultant advising governments and private sector organizations in the culture, travel, and tourism industries. One of the youngest ever female partners at Price Waterhouse Coopers in the Middle East, she has built a distinguished career helping clients shape national visions, implement long-term strategies, drive destination development, and embrace digital transformation for sustainable growth.At PwC Middle East she leads strategic and transformation initiatives for public and private clients across the region specializing in tourism, entertainment, and culture.Over the course of her career, Sanjana has advised most of the region’s leading tourism authorities, including Dubai Tourism, Abu Dhabi Tourism, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism, the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, and Qatar Tourism.A strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, Sanjana has designed and led executive sponsorship and mentorship programs aimed at empowering female talent across organizations across the Middle East and beyond.

John Linden is the CEO of Mythical Games, a game company focused on building player-owned economies with top game developers and publishers in addition to own portfolioof games (Blankos, NFL Rivals, Nitro Nation, Pudgy Penguins coming soon). Prior to Mythical Games, John was the President of Seismic Games, developer of Marvel Strike Force and Magic the Gathering: Valor’s Reach). Prior to Seismic Games,he was a Studio Head at Activision Blizzard on the Call of Duty and Skylanders franchises. Before the games industry, John was the Co-Founder / CTO at Adknowledge and at OpenX and built his own startups, Planet Alumni (acquired by Reunion.com) andLitmus Media (acquired by Think Partnership).John is passionate about video games, the future of blockchain technologies and bringing emerging technologies to the mass market.*This episode was recorded in December 2024

Majed Al Tahan is the Founder & CEO, International Applications Company (IACO) and the Co-Founder & CEO of Danube Online. He innovated Saudi Arabia's first online grocery shopping service in 2016 in partnership with BinDawood Holding and led the development and operation of e-commerce channels for Danube and BinDawood retail chains in Saudi Arabia. He has played a pioneering role in Saudi Arabia’s e-commerce grocery market. Majed is also the Executive Director of AlTahan Investments where he leads venture capital funding across fintech, healthcare, food production, technology, and media industries. He has founded and advised several businesses and sits on the boards of several companies and is a key figure in the Middle East’s tech landscape.

Jassem “J” Osseiran is an experienced entrepreneur and operational investor based in London. With a deep understanding of global finance gained through his Economics degree at the University of San Francisco, Jassem began his career as a tech venture builder with Rocket Internet in New York. He then shifted his focus to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), managing media portfolios and founding startups tailored to the region. A sought-after advisor for high-growth brands and cutting-edge technology platforms, Jassem has orchestrated multiple successful exits, including a notable IPO on the London Stock Exchange. In 2020, he founded 611 Capital Investments, concentrating on investments, incubation, and market scalability across the EU, the Middle East, and Asia. Currently, Jassem is the founder and Chief Strategy Officer of PlaysOut Technologies, where he is spearheading the commercial framework for seamlessly integrating mini-games within super apps. This episode is brought to you by Bitsy Ventures. Bitsy Ventures connects unique founders with investors ready to bring new ideas to life.If you are an aspiring entrepreneur looking to build a business, Head to bitsyventures.com and submit an application to be matched with the right investor. www.bitsyventures.com

As a visionary leader, Erika has demonstrated a consistent ability to craft strategies that drive brand growth, cultivate authentic connections with consumers, and seize commercial opportunities. Currently, Erika serves as the Global Vice President and General Manager of adidas /// studio, orchestrating the end-to-end go-to-market strategy, PNL, and business model for adidas's initiatives in blockchain, web3, gaming, and virtual experiences. Her leadership spans product development, content creation, marketing, and communication strategies, ensuring cohesion across all facets of the brand's initiatives. Erika's career encompasses over 15 years of experience across industries including action sports, fintech, accelerated tech, fashion, gaming, and advertising, enabling her to cultivate iconic brands that resonate with diverse audiences. Previously, as the Global CMO of adidas originals, collaborations, and basketball, she led a global team of 90+, introducing 'The New Age of Originality,' a portfolio strategy that secured adidas's appeal to a new generation. Under her leadership, groundbreaking collaborations such as Gucci x adidas, Balenciaga x adidas, and the adidas originals collab with the Bored Ape Yacht Club, Gmoney, and Punks Comics emerged, solidifying her legacy in brand development. In addition to her corporate roles, Erika is a sought-after consultant, speaker, and advisor on topics at the intersection of culture, commerce, and emerging technologies. Her expertise provides valuable insights to organizations navigating these rapidly evolving fields. Erika's mission is to help businesses become a force of positive commercial + social change.