"Master Your Platform"

Meet Nadim, SRMG Academy's Training Director and a seasoned journalist. During the Lebanese civil war, he revealed the fate of Western hostages and reported on significant Middle East conflicts, including assignments in Algeria in the 1990s. He earned Reuters’ Scoop of the Year award in 2005 for breaking the news of Rafik Hariri's assassination. As former editor-in-chief of Lebanon’s Daily Star, he brings invaluable expertise. Nadim now leads training programs and workshops at SRMG, focusing on writing, breaking news, and field reporting.

Nada, the driving force behind NEOM Digital Media Academy, is a prominent presenter, producer, and advocate. She has made significant contributions at Qatar Radio & Television, Al Dawri & AlKass Sports Channel, Dubai Television, Sky News Arabia, and Abu Dhabi Media Company. With a passion for empowering women and youth in media, she's a key member of NEOM's Media Industry Learning team, shaping the future of digital media education.

Award-winning visual storyteller Tara Todras-Whitehill boasts a decade of photojournalism experience in the Middle East. Her work, featured on 20+ front pages of The New York Times, reflects her expertise. As a founder of two creative agencies, she helps organizations enhance their visual storytelling impact through consulting, bespoke workshops, and coaching. Tara's mission is to empower people and organizations to change the world through authentic, impactful stories, fostering genuine connections with audiences.

As the author of Smartphone Video Storytelling and Mobile Journalism textbooks, he chairs the Mobile Journalism Awards. His documentaries received global recognition, and he trains journalists for major outlets like CNN, Reuters, and The New York Times. His certificate courses, hosted by Smart Film School, are adopted by journalism schools and media organizations globally, establishing his expertise in shaping journalism education and practice worldwide.

Martin is a seasoned leader in communication, with experience in higher education, international journalism, and digital editorial development. His background includes roles as BBC Middle East correspondent and head of its Arabic service. Additionally, he imparts his knowledge as a teacher at the BBC Academy for journalism, showcasing a wealth of expertise in both practice and education within the media industry.

With nearly two decades of experience in print, audio, and television journalism in Lebanon and the region, Christine is a senior multimedia journalist for Asharq Al Awsat. She specializes in social, socio-economic, and lifestyle topics, becoming one of the region's top multimedia storytellers due to her excellent writing skills and television expertise. Christine is among the first trainers certified by SRMG Academy, emphasizing her expertise in journalism education.

Becky, the ex-Editor of Time Out Dubai and former Digital Editorial Project Lead at Conde Nast UK, is a prolific writer whose works have appeared in The Financial Times, BBC Travel, and The Sunday Times, among others. In 2023, she served as the launch editor for List Magazine, SRMG’s luxury travel and tourism publication, showcasing her expertise in the industry.

Janay Boulos, our digital storytelling expert, honed her skills during 12+ years at BBC London. She seamlessly blended television and digital media, excelling in video editing, filming, writing, and digital content commissioning. Holding a master’s in international journalism from Brunel University and a bachelor’s from Lebanese American University, she is fluent in Arabic, English, and French, embodying a diverse and proficient skill set.

Samya is an independent journalist, media trainer, and digital storyteller, renowned for her innovative approach. Formerly a teaching fellow with Google News Initiative in the Middle East and North Africa, she pioneered online video and social media production at CNN Dubai, focusing on Arab cinema. She hosts the podcast "Scene Cinema" and the CNN Arabic show "Poster." Samya conducts workshops emphasizing social media, visual storytelling, and digital marketing, empowering journalists to distribute their content effectively. She is also a children's book writer and leads the initiative "Samya Reads."

Ahmed Bassiouni, a seasoned content creator, has trained 4000+ students worldwide in social storytelling. He mentored 40+ creators from various regions, guiding them to create videos with millions of followers. Teaching at esteemed academies in Singapore and the UAE, he conceived popular social media channels in the Middle East. Ahmed's expertise has made him a respected figure and reference for global content creators.