Executive Managment

As the founder and CEO of Ottu, Talal AlAwadhi is responsible for leading the company's fast growing business in Kuwait and across the region. A seasoned technology entrepreneur, Talal oversees all aspects of Ottu's business and has a special interest in fintech and Internet infrastructure. A visionary by nature, Talal has a strong track record of executive management and a rich experience of bolstering growth within the technology industry in Kuwait. Talal is a recognized expert in Blue Ocean Strategy, capturing markets and utilizing balanced scorecards which augments to achieve strategy based execution. He is well-versed in a range of technology fields, including fintech, cloud, e-commerce, domains, internet infrastructure, online payments and innovative technology. His renowned capability to deliver premium financial platform such as Ottu has enabled businesses in the region to scale and grow.

Throughout his time providing winning industry solutions for the fintech and innovative technology, Talal's focus has been on value-creation for customers. Talal has worked in most organizations and startups where this factor has been the driving force. With his proven leadership in his field making him an invaluable asset and highly regarded innovation expert. Under his leadership, Ottu has also been selected for the award for the best Fintech Company from the 25 Fintech companies in the Middle East for 2022. This achievement is in lieu with how Ottu has been revolutionizing the fintech industry in the Middle East. It is a proud moment for the leadership team and its employees as it is breaking down the barriers for its merchants.

Talal's adept strategic direction for his company and his creation of highly efficient business modeling have resulted in the forging of strong and rewarding business partnerships and facilitated successful growth and expansion. His position at the helm of Ottu involves him in creating a culture of growth and financial probity that enhances his organisation's operations, further engendering confidence and restructuring the fintech arena. Talal holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Kuwait University, College of Business Administration and an MBA from London Business School.

As Deputy CEO at Ottu - the leading Fintech solutions provider - Munaf Bukhari oversees the company's business operations and international expansion. Applying a meticulous approach to his work, Munaf has a keen eye for developing opportunities that will lead to the full realization of Ottu's potential for inspiring positive change. Key highlights of Munaf's career with Ottu to date have been the building of a dynamic ecosystem with financial institutions and the acquiring of several large merchants for the company's expanding portfolio. He has been instrumental in combining the latest technological developments with financial services and applications to develop Ottu and successfully propelled its ambition to disrupt the industry and provide better fintech services to businesses.

Among Munaf's current array of responsibilities are developing and enhancing Ottu's product offerings, onboarding key talents, mentoring the team and fostering relations with banks and schemes. Munaf's long career in telecommunication and mobile financial services has encompassed all aspects of the Fintech industry. He started his career path in 2002 and has held important positions in the telecom industry with international experience in strategy and business modeling.

He was involved in developing multicultural teams delivering multi-million US dollar products and solutions, spearheading strategic initiatives across continents. Forging a reputation for his strong pragmatic approach Munaf became a noted resource for leading operators and fintech companies in the region, helping them to grow their business. Munaf Bukhari holds an MBA degree from the London Business School, certificationsfrom The Wharton School - Leadership, Cornell University - Building resilience and is an Electronics & Communication engineering graduate.

Danah Taqi is the Chief Communications Officer at Ottu, bringing over 14 years of expertise in communications, marketing, and media. A highly driven communications professional, Danah spearheads Ottu’s marketing, communications and strategic partnerships on both local and international scales. She is responsible for shaping and executing the company’s strategic vision across its newly expanded regions.

Beyond her role at Ottu, Danah has successfully launched multiple tech-driven projects, including ARCH: The Architectural Platform, Kuwait Guide, and KSA Directory—all designed to support and empower SMEs. Her dedication to fostering innovation and community-driven initiatives underscores her commitment to meaningful impact in the tech and business sectors.

Prior to her tenure at Ottu, Danah accumulated diverse experience, holding several positions in both the public and private sectors. This extensive background equips her with a unique perspective and the ability to navigate complex markets effectively.

Danah holds a Master’s degree in Marketing, Communications, and Media from Sorbonne University , an Executive Degree in Launching New Ventures from Harvard Business School , and a Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems from the American University of Kuwait .

With her unwavering passion for innovation, leadership, and empowering businesses, Danah continues to play an integral role in driving Ottu’s growth and success.

Muhammad Hrishiah is the Chief Technology Officer at Ottu, leading the charge in scaling the company's products and services across the GCC market. With over 17 years of experience in the technology sector, Muhammad has a robust background in implementation, development, and support operations. Prior to joining Ottu, he served as the Chief Operating Officer at KUWAITNET, where he excelled in steering strategic direction, customer success initiatives, and operational excellence. His previous roles at Zain Kuwait and Gulfnet Communications highlight his expertise in digital channels technologies and enterprise application systems analysis.

A seasoned professional, Muhammad has dedicated his career to fostering innovation and building high-performing teams. His areas of expertise include enterprise infrastructure, product and service development, cloud operations, and project management. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and visionary approach, Muhammad has also contributed to various publications on social network modeling and testing engineering, with notable work presented at the 2016 IEEE/ACM International Conference on Advances in Social Networks Analysis and Mining.

Muhammad holds a Master's degree in Computer Engineering from Kuwait University, where he also earned his Bachelor's degree. His academic and professional journey is distinguished by his commitment to streamlined processes and optimized performance. His recent focus on developing SaaS solutions and online services, particularly in the fintech industry, positions him as a pivotal asset in achieving Ottu's strategic goals.

S.N. Prasad leads Ottu’s operations in the Asia-Pacific region, driving strategic growth and expanding the company’s footprint across ASEAN markets. With over three decades of experience in banking, cards, payments, and financial technology, Prasad brings a unique blend of hands-on market development, strategic partnerships, and regulatory consulting across both APAC and MEA regions.

Before joining Ottu, Prasad held senior leadership positions at Visa International and MasterCard International. He was instrumental in establishing MasterCard’s issuing and acquiring business in the Middle East and laid the foundation for Visa’s Analytics and Consulting units across APAC and MEA. These pioneering initiatives reshaped how financial institutions across regions approach data, insights, and digital payment innovation.

Prasad has worked with over 50 banks across 20 countries and has advised multiple central banks including SAMA, Bank Negara Malaysia, Bank Indonesia, and the Central Bank of Kuwait. His work spans card infrastructure development, digital payments strategy, and regulatory transformation initiatives.

Previously, he played a key role in transforming payment acceptance at major institutions such as Kuwait Finance House and National Bank of Kuwait—introducing QR payments, link-based transactions, and modernizing rewards ecosystems. His leadership has consistently elevated merchant acceptance networks and accelerated financial inclusion.

Prasad holds a B.Tech in Aeronautical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras and an MBA in Marketing from Lubin School of Business, Pace University, New York.

A firm believer in ethical leadership, his personal philosophy is simple yet profound: "Always be a good human to others."

Khurram is an accomplished team builder with a remarkable 17 years of experience in leadership, sales and team management, operational plans, critical role in driving revenue growth, collaboration partnership engagements, and SaaS business solutions, he has honed expertise in communication, sales enhancement, and innovative product monitoring.

His visionary approach has propelled businesses to new heights while staying ahead in the ever-evolving digital landscape. 1st person to onboard for Ottu (in 2016) , currently serving as the Regional Business Director for Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Oman, KSA and in the verge for the expansion of business in other regions as well, he swiftly propelled Ottu to conquer regional frontiers, leaving competitors trembling in its wake.

An undisputed leader, he has successfully spearheaded time-sensitive, cross-functional initiatives within a fast-paced and highly entrepreneurial environment. His ability to deliver structured and organized work, coupled with their self-discipline, has earned him the admiration of peers and superiors alike. With a keen business eye that sets him apart, he has been adding the perfect touch of magic to Ottu's journey of triumph since its inception. His insatiable hunger for knowledge propels him forward, solidifying his status as a visionary luminary in the field.

Saud is a seasoned finance director with a wealth of experience in both the banking sector and the dynamic world of fintech. With a career spanning over 12 years, Saud graduated from Kuwait university bachelors in finance and developed a deep understanding of financial systems, risk management, and strategic decision-making in the finance industry.

Saud began his professional journey in the banking sector, where he gained comprehensive knowledge of financial products, regulatory frameworks, and customer relationship management. His early years in banking exposed him to a range of roles, from retail banking to corporate finance, allowing him to cultivate a holistic view of the industry. Recognizing the transformative potential of technology, Saud transitioned into the fintech space, seeking new challenges and opportunities.

He joined Ottu in 2020, eager to leverage his banking experience and contribute to the company's growth and innovation. Currently serving as the Finance Director at a prominent fintech firm, Saud is responsible for overseeing the company's financial operations, driving strategic financial planning, and ensuring regulatory compliance. He leads a team of finance professionals, collaborating closely with internal stakeholders to develop and execute financial strategies that align with the company's goals.

Shibeeb AlMadhahekah is the Regional Business Director at Ottu, overseeing business operations and strategic growth across Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Qatar. With a strong track record in the banking and fintech sectors, Shibeeb leads the company’s expansion efforts, drives regional sales strategy, and cultivates high-value partnerships with major enterprises and luxury brands.

At Ottu, Shibeeb has played a key role in onboarding some of the company’s largest and most prestigious merchants. His deep understanding of market dynamics and client needs has been instrumental in reinforcing Ottu’s presence and credibility across the Gulf. He brings a disciplined, results-driven approach to leadership, consistently delivering growth through structured execution and strategic foresight.

Prior to joining Ottu, Shibeeb held senior roles in banking and technology. As General Manager for Dabdoob App in KSA, he led the company’s successful entry into a competitive digital market. His earlier roles at Gulf Bank of Kuwait and Kuwait Finance & Investment Company saw him lead international banking, investments, and asset management initiatives, further sharpening his financial and operational expertise.

Shibeeb holds a Bachelor's degree in Marketing from Ajman University and an MBA with a concentration in Finance from the American University of the Middle East. His career has been marked by cross-functional leadership in high-pressure environments and a clear focus on delivering tangible business value.

Recognized by colleagues and leadership alike, Shibeeb combines strategic insight with a passion for driving innovation and sustainable growth across the region.