Since October 2016, Dr Hisham Aljadhey has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), leading a transformative journey to position SFDA as a globally recognized, science-based regulator dedicated to protecting and promoting public health. Under his leadership, SFDA has strengthened its systems and partnerships to ensure the safety and effectiveness of food, human and veterinary medicines, medical devices, cosmetics and animal feed, safeguarding the health of miilions.

Dr Aljadhey plays a central role in shaping national health and regulatory strategies. He is a member of numerous high-level boards and councils, including the Saudi Health Council, the Public Health Authority, the National Unified Procurement Company, the Saudi Patient Safety Centre, the Saudi National Institute of Health, the National Centre for Palms & Dates, the National Centre for Inspection and Control, the Board of Trustees of Prince Mohammed Bin Salman College for Business and Entrepreneurship, the Council of King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences and the Grace Preservation Foundation.

His academic journey reflects a lifelong commitment to excellence. Dr Aljadhey holds a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from King Saud University and a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and master’s degree from Purdue University and completed an ASHP-accredited residency at Winchester Medical Centre in Virginia. In 2008, he earned a Ph.D. in Health Policy with a degree focus on pharmacoepidemiology and medication safety from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, one of the leading programmes in the United States.

Prior to joining SFDA, Dr Aljadhey built a distinguished academic and leadership career at King Saud University and KSU Medical City. His roles included Dean of the College of Pharmacy, Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, Vice Dean for Graduate Studies and Research, Director of the Medication Safety Research and Chair and Supervisor of Pharmacy Services at KSU Medical City. He has held adjunct appointments at the University of North Carolina, the University of Aberdeen (UK) and the University of Science, Malaysia.

He serves as Associate Editor of the Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety journal and as a peer reviewer for several international journals. As the founding chair of the Gulf Chapter of the International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology he has helped advance the Region’s scientific capacity in drug safety and population health.

During his career, he has supervised more than 25 graduate students, authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications and delivered more than 80 scientific lectures. His work has been recognized by numerous institutions, including the World Health Organization, where he has served on expert committees on patient safety. He has also advised several universities and served on the board of directors of the Asian Association of Schools of Pharmacy.

Dr Aljadhey’s leadership blends scientific rigour with visionary strategy. His career reflects a deep commitment to building institutions, mentoring future leaders and shaping policy frameworks that elevate public health at national and global levels.

Ayesha Raza Farooq is a dedicated public servant with a passion for children's rights and public health. Her distinguished career spans more than 27 years in law, academia and public service and includes the successful leadership of polio eradication efforts.

She currently serves as the Prime Minister of Pakistan’s Focal Person on Polio Eradication. From 2013 to 2018, she was Focal Person for Pakistan’s Polio Programme,  a critical period when the country was seen as posing a global polio spread threat. She was awarded the President’s Civil Award, Sitara-e-Imtiaz, for her contributions to polio eradication.

Ayesha Raza Farooq is the second Chairperson of the National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC), an independent statutory body established by the Government of Pakistan for the promotion, protection and fulfilment of children’s rights. Drawing on her extensive experience in advocating for the well-being of children and vulnerable populations, under her leadership NCRC has adopted a proactive and evidence-based approach to upholding children’s rights across Pakistan, with a strong focus on policy advocacy and systemic reforms. Her strategic guidance has steered NCRC towards addressing issues such as child domestic labour, birth registration, early and forced marriages, out-of-school children and violence against children.

She serves as Chairperson of the Special Statutory Committee under the Anti-Rape Investigation and Trial Act, 2021. She led the development of Pakistan’s Anti-Rape Crisis Cells and played a key role in establishing the country’s first Sex Offender Register. She has been a member of Pakistan’s National Assembly and of the Senate, serving as Chairperson of Senate committees on Delegated Legislation and Rules of Procedure and Privileges.

She is also a member of the Immunization Agenda 2030 Partnership Council, a global-level immunization partner leadership group.

During the course of her distinguished academic career, she received the Gold Medal for her LLB from the University of Punjab and was placed on the Deans Honour List for her MBA at the Lahore University of Management Sciences.