Alia Al Assaad is a French-Lebanese art historian based in Paris, where she works at contemporary art gallery Almine Rech. After completing her studies at the Courtauld institute in London, with a thesis on the international acclaim of Lebanese artists, Alia pursued a career in the auction house field. She then joined the Almine Rech team in 2024 and has recently been appointed as the gallery’s representative for the Middle East. In this role, Alia is dedicated to fostering meaningful connections between the gallery’s global network and the dynamic artistic landscapes of the MENA region. She works closely on the development and expansion of Almine Rech’s program across the Middle East, with a particular focus on supporting and amplifying the gallery’s visibility.  Alia is committed to pursue Almine Rech’s vision of cultivating a truly international and inclusive platform for contemporary art.

Almine Rech, founded in Paris in 1989, is an internationally recognized gallery renowned for its dedication to minimal, perceptual, and conceptual practices. With spaces in Paris, Brussels, London, New York, Shanghai, Monaco and Gstaad, the gallery continues to expand its global presence through art fairs and diverse artistic programs, upholding its distinctive curatorial vision. It is proud to have placed a significant number of its artists in major institutional and private collections worldwide.

Kavita Chellaram is the founder of kó, an art gallery based in Lagos, Nigeria, specialising in modern and contemporary art in Africa, and the founder of Arthouse Contemporary, an international art auction house. Born in India, Mrs. Chellaram studied at Heathfield and Bedford College, University of London before moving to Nigeria. An avid art collector, with private collections in Mumbai, London and Lagos, Mrs. Chellaram was inspired to open an auction platform in Nigeria to provide a base for the transparency in price and structure of the art market. She has been a major force in developing the modern and contemporary art market in Nigeria. Her exhibitions and projects over the years have contributed to the global recognition of numerous modern African masters. In 2015, Chellaram founded the Arthouse Foundation, a non-profit artist residency programme in Lagos which has organised over thirty artist residencies. In 2020, Mrs. Chellaram opened kó, which organises a rigorous programme of exhibitions at its gallery in Lagos and has participated in numerous international art fairs, including Frieze Masters, Frieze Sculpture, The Armory Show, Art Dubai, Abu Dhabi Art, 1-54 New York, 1-54 Marrakech, 1-54 Paris at Christies, EXPO Chicago, Art X Lagos, and Untitled Art Fair Miami Beach. Mrs. Chellaram is a member of the African Acquisition Committee of the Tate Modern and served as a Trustee of the Prince’s School of Traditional Arts.

Heba El Moaz is an art advisor and curator dedicated to advancing the contemporary art scene in Egypt. She has played a pivotal role in fostering meaningful connections among artists, galleries, and collectors, thereby strengthening the cultural ecosystem from within.

Through Iris Projects, a contemporary art gallery based in MiZa, Abu Dhabi, Maryam Al Falasi represents leading regional artists, manages multiple art and cultural projects throughout the UAE, and is a trusted advisor to top collectors. Through her work, she aims to bridge regional artists with international audiences. In addition to her professional achievements, she is a renowned art collector and is dedicated to preserving the history of the UAE through her personal archive, which has significantly enriched exhibitions and museums across the UAE. She holds a Bachelor's degree in History of Art and Archaeology from Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi and has completed multiple courses at Sotheby’s Institute of Art. Maryam is an influential speaker on the regional art scene, having participated in panels organised by Christie's and FIKR Institute. In 2022, Maryam was recognised as one of the 50 Emirati Women Achievers by StartAD. She also serves as a brand ambassador for Skira and Museum Studio, and is a member of Young Arab Leaders.