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Dubai, UAE – Dubai once again reinforced its position as a global hub for excellence and innovation at the Global Excellence & Leadership Awards, Dubai 2026, presented by Insights Success Media, which brought together the world’s most influential leaders under one prestigious platform. The ceremony celebrated transformative leadership, breakthrough innovation, and measurable industry impact across diverse sectors.

The ceremony honored leaders across diverse sectors, including electric mobility and sustainable innovation, finance, AI, healthcare, marketing, real estate, aviation, banking, women’s leadership, education, and corporate transformation.

Among the distinguished honorees were.

Electric Mobility & Sustainable Innovation

Leading the charge in sustainable progress and technological advancement were distinguished pioneers redefining infrastructure and environmental responsibility:

• Mr. Samir Hmicho – Leading Electric Vehicle Transformation – Chairman of the Board
• Raymond George – Innovative Building Materials Company of the Year 2026 – Leading the Way in Sustainable Waterproofing
• Abdul Qaiyum Alidin – Visionary Leader in Aerospace & Sustainable Innovation
• Dr. Daere Akobo – Visionary Leader in Energy, Infrastructure, and Digital Transformation

Financial Leadership & Corporate Excellence

Recognizing strategic foresight and financial stewardship, the awards celebrated global finance leaders shaping economic ecosystems and corporate resilience:

• Mr. José Antonio Sánchez Marín – Excellence in Financial Leadership and Strategic Consultancy Award
• Satish Ramakrishnan – Outstanding Financial Executive of the Year
• Safouane Khcherif – Excellence in Corporate Finance Leadership
• Rony Daou – Financial Strategist of the Year
• Peter Ristevski – Outstanding Global Leader in Tax Innovation & Asset Protection – 2026
• Akil Shah – Co-Sponsor / Middle East’s Most Trusted Accounting & Tax Firm, 2026
• Marichelvam R. – Global Excellence in Finance Leadership & Community Impact Award
• Mohamed Bellal – Finance Innovators Transforming Strategy into Growth
• Arindam Sarkar – Global Aviation Finance Leader of the Year
• Abby Liang – Global CFO of the Year (Founder & CFO, Metaworld Consultant)
• LINH T TRỊNH-AN – Women in Finance Leadership & Impact Award

CEO, COO & Executive Leadership

Honoring transformative executive vision and organizational leadership excellence:

• Joel Perri – Number One CEO Coach in the World; First & Only Omni-Platform #1 Top Global Leadership Headliner Keynote Dynastic Star
• Ayman Elbayaa – CEO of the Year 2026
• Shohreh Abedi – NextGen COO 2026: Transforming the Landscape of US Operations
• Noushad Ismail – Most Influential COO in UAE Banking
• Abdulla Altaee – Saudi Arabia’s Top General Manager Leadership Award 2026
• Rohit Chug – Saudi’s Most Visionary Corporate Executive of the Year 2026
• Ronnie Surty – Bahrain’s Most Impactful Leader Powering the Gulf Region
• Abu Bakar – Visionaries of 2026: The Leader Redefining the Future
• Aleksandr Mamasidikov – The Visionary Founder Redefining Banking & Finance, 2026
• Ahmed J. Jabbar – The Global Visionary to Follow in 2026
• Dr. Shweta Narang – Global Excellence & Leadership Award in Medical Diagnostics 2026
• M. Sehzaad Peerbucus – Award for Outstanding Achievement in Business Excellence (Founder and CEO, Hammersmith Management Ltd)
• Rahmah Al-Ali – Leadership Excellence in Risk & Crisis Management 2025
• Gail Courneyea – 35-Year Legacy of AeroSafety Award
• Khaled Haj Younes – Excellence in Business Innovation Award – Medical & Aesthetic Sector

Technology, AI & Digital Transformation

In the rapidly evolving digital era, these leaders stood out for advancing cybersecurity, quantum innovation, cloud transformation, and AI-powered ecosystems:

• Rajan Jha – Global Icon of Cybersecurity & AI Leadership, 2026
• Imad Syed – 2026’s Top Visionary Leader Transforming the IT Landscape
• Rakesh Ramankutty – Global Icon Leading Digital Transformation Across Cloud Platforms – 2026
• Amr Elazab – Next-Gen Quantum Leaders: Shaping the Future Today
• Syed Javeed Shah – Technology & Digital Transformation Leadership – Africa Category
• Bahwan Cybertek – Most Disruptive Tech Product of the Year
• Unmesh Deshpande – IT Infrastructure Visionary of the Year (Technology Leader, Wockhardt Hospitals)
• Mile Jelic – Cybersecurity Strategy & Growth Leader of the Year 2026 (Comtrade System Integration)
• Seinetime (ANH-PHUONG, FELIX TA & SEINETIME) – The World’s First Domain-Independent Agentic Intelligence Platform

Healthcare, Wellness & MedTech

Celebrating impact-driven leadership across healthcare strategy, primary care, wellness innovation, and MedTech advancements:

• Carolyn M. Rubin – Influential Woman Leader in Healthcare Strategy & Organizational Growth
• Katleen Verleysen – MedTech Visionary Leader of the Year 2026
• Sofica Bistriceanu – Excellence in Primary Care Award 2026
• Agnes George – Global Excellence in Diabetes Transformation Coaching
• Dr. Parveen Smith – Global Transformative Leader in Wellness & Empowerment
• Jun Tachibana – Influential Global Business Leader in Oral Healthcare
• Dr. Riza Kadilar – Coaching and Mentorship Leadership Award (Business Leaders, K Ventures)
• Sylvia Dr. Paulig – Global Thought Leadership Award (CEO / Ophthalmic Surgeon, Paulig Eye & Health)
• Dr. Markus Meier – Healthcare CEO of the Year 2026
• Dr. Taj Mohammed Fiyaz Chowdhry – Innovative Healthcare Leadership Award 2026
• Prof. Dr. B. Durgaprasad Reddy – Outstanding Cardiothoracic Surgeon of the Year 2026

Real Estate, Infrastructure & Construction

Recognizing leaders shaping urban landscapes and advancing sustainable construction:

• Dr. Bumal Murchoyea – Visionary Leader Transforming Real Estate Development
• Kavita Doshi – Visionary Leader Transforming Sustainable Real Estate & Community Impact
• Francis Christy Boy – Visionary Leadership Award for Transforming Construction Through Digital Innovation
• Vwakpor Efuetanu – Architectural Visionary of the Year

Banking, Insurance & Corporate Governance

Acknowledging those strengthening governance frameworks, insurance leadership, and financial intelligence:

• Mr. Shahzad Saxena – Leading Insurance Company Driving Confidence in the Middle East
• Hammad Khan – Most Influential Leader in Insurance 2026
• Eng. Mohammad Bamogaddam – Outstanding CEO Shaping the Future of Credit Intelligence
• Jessica Soledad Cáceres – Global Excellence Award in Digital Governance, Compliance & Corporate Ethics

Branding, Marketing & Industry Leadership

Celebrating strategic brand architects and commercial leaders redefining market influence:

• Amir A. Kolahzadeh – Title Sponsor / Innovative Brand Strategist of the Year
• Rana Yakzan – Global Trading Innovation Leader
• Patrick Czerka – Engineering Leadership Excellence Award
• Wail Muhrzi – Logistics Leadership Excellence Award
• Mr. Fayez Awadeh – Marketing Leadership Excellence Award – Pharma Sector 2026
• Mr. Mohamed Metwally – Commercial Leadership Excellence Award – Pharma Sector 2026
• Abdulla Ahmad Faraj – Emirati Leader of Excellence in Sports Media & Marketing
• Cristian Acampora – Keynote Speaker & Impact Leader of the Year (GM – Master Trainer & Mental Coach, Blackship)

Women Leadership & Global Impact

Highlighting exceptional women leaders driving strategic influence and transformative change worldwide:

• Rania Awadallah & Mennan Awadallah – Egypt’s Next-Gen Women Leaders Making Their Mark 2026
• Ruchi Agnihotri – South Africa’s Top Managing Director to Follow
• Miriam Schnyder – Visionary Entrepreneur Redefining Luxury Interior Art & Glass Innovation
• Anu Ruohosto – Emerging Woman Leader in Luxury Wellness & Beauty
• Annie Holmes – Visionary Leader Redefining Human-Centered & Wellness-Driven Leadership
• Nashay Lowe – Global Icon in Leadership Communication & Conflict Transformation, 2026
• Razyka Bel – Middle East’s Most Influential Woman in Government Affairs & Regional Operations
• Boston Moonsamy – Most Visionary Women Leaders Driving Growth in 2026
• Dr. Dianne Kristine Joy Closa Bonsol – Excellence in Care: Woman Doctor of the Year 2026

Coaching, Mentorship & Thought Leadership

Celebrating pioneers in transformational coaching, mentorship, and global thought leadership who inspire individuals and organizations to reach their fullest potential:

• Dr. Riza Kadilar – Coaching and Mentorship Leadership Award (K Ventures)
• Lynn Kleinsmith – Women in Coaching Excellence and Influence Award (elev8 Global Coaching)
• Cristian Acampora – Keynote Speaker & Impact Leader of the Year (Blackship)
• Sylvia Dr. Paulig – Global Thought Leadership Award (Paulig Eye & Health)

Education, Talent & Social Impact

Recognizing institutions and individuals shaping the future of education, recruitment, and social development:

• KAUMEYA Language Schools – Middle East’s Top Academic Hubs Redefining Learning
• Hande Kizir – IT Talent Recruitment Leader of the Year 2026
• Wazma Jawlan – Social Impact Leader of the Year
• Adnan Sab’a Al Aish – Nigeria’s Top Business Icons 2026

Banking and Digital Transformation

Recognizing institutions and individuals shaping the future of banking through digital innovation and transformation:

• Marta Mroz-Sipiora – Excellence in Banking Digital Transformation
• Noushad Ismail – Most Influential COO in UAE Banking
• Aleksandr Mamasidikov – The Visionary Founder Redefining Banking & Finance, 2026

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Katherine Hartley Short, the eldest daughter of actor and comedian Martin Short, has died at age 42. The Short family confirmed her passing in a statement released February 24, 2026, expressing profound grief and requesting privacy during this difficult time.

“It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short,” the family said. “The Short family is devastated by this loss, and asks for privacy at this time. Katherine was beloved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought into the world.”

Katherine Short was found dead at her home in the Hollywood Hills on February 23, 2026. The Los Angeles Police Department responded to the residence around 6:43 p.m. following a welfare check or possible suicide call. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office confirmed on February 24 that the manner of death was suicide, with the cause listed as a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to law enforcement sources cited by multiple outlets including TMZ and PEOPLE.

Short worked as a licensed clinical social worker in Los Angeles, dedicating her professional life to helping individuals navigate grief, trauma, mental illness, and other challenges. She earned her bachelor’s degree from New York University and a master’s in social work from the University of Southern California. Her career focused on service in the community rather than the spotlight, despite her family’s prominence in entertainment.

Katherine Hartley Short was the eldest of three children adopted by Martin Short and his late wife, actress Nancy Dolman. The couple married in 1980 and adopted Katherine first, followed by sons Oliver Patrick Short and Henry Hayter Short. Nancy Dolman died in August 2010 after a battle with ovarian cancer, leaving Short to raise the children as a widower. The family has remained relatively private, with the children largely staying out of the public eye.

Martin Short, 75, known for his roles in “Saturday Night Live,” “Three Amigos!,” “Father of the Bride,” and the Hulu series “Only Murders in the Building,” has spoken openly in the past about coping with loss. He has described grief as a recurring theme in his life, having lost his parents, an older brother in a car accident, his wife, and now his daughter. In interviews, Short has emphasized humor, family, and resilience as ways to navigate tragedy.

The news of Katherine’s death has drawn widespread condolences from fans, colleagues, and the entertainment community. Tributes on social media highlighted her warmth and the family’s strength amid repeated hardships. Short’s representatives have not released further details about funeral arrangements or memorials, respecting the family’s request for privacy.

Katherine’s passing adds to a string of profound losses for the Short family. Martin Short has often reflected on the impact of grief in his memoir “I Must Say: My Life As a Humble Comedy Legend” and in conversations with friends like Steve Martin. He has described finding solace in work, relationships, and maintaining a positive outlook despite sorrow.

The tragedy underscores ongoing conversations about mental health, particularly in the context of suicide prevention. Resources such as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline are available for those in need of support, offering 24/7 confidential assistance via call, text, or chat.

Martin Short’s career spans decades of comedy and acting, earning him Emmy and Tony nominations and a devoted following. His recent projects include continued work on “Only Murders in the Building” and live tours with Steve Martin. The family has asked for privacy as they grieve, and no public events or statements beyond the initial confirmation have been announced.

Katherine Hartley Short’s life, though lived away from the limelight, touched many through her professional dedication to mental health and social work. Her memory, as described by her family, centers on the joy and light she shared with those around her. The entertainment world and her community mourn the loss while offering support to Martin Short, Oliver, Henry, and extended family during this profoundly sad time.