The professionals behind the practice
Elevate is led by operators who have built, scaled, and advised organizations across continents — and an extended bench of senior consultants assembled per engagement.
Dr. Khurshid Khan
Dr. Khurshid Khan is the Managing Director of Elevate Management Consultancy. A seasoned management consultant and learning architect, he leads the firm's practice across business consulting, human capital, and large-scale capability programs.
With deep expertise in banking & finance, organization design, and executive development, Dr. Khan has partnered with institutions across the Middle East, South Asia, and beyond to design talent systems and learning architectures that compound over time.
Before founding Elevate, he held senior advisory and L&D leadership roles with leading financial institutions and consulting firms — work that shaped his conviction that capability, not strategy, is the binding constraint for most organizations.
He brings a practitioner's perspective to every engagement — pairing rigorous methodology with the operating realities of the organizations he serves, and a long-view bias toward building internal muscle rather than dependence on advisors.
Designing talent systems, competency frameworks, and assessment architectures that scale with the institution.
Building regulatory, Islamic banking, and capability programs for financial institutions across the region.
Re-engineering structures, governance, and operating models to match strategy and market conditions.
One-on-one and group coaching for C-suite leaders, founders, and high-potential successors.
Multi-year learning architectures, leadership academies, and campus-to-corporate transitions.
Acting as a sounding board to boards and management teams navigating change and transformation.
Senior trainers across disciplines
B. Samad Musthafa
Over two decades of experience in retail and consumer banking, sales management, digital transformation, and contact center management across Oman and India. Began his career at ICICI Bank and BHW-Birla Home Finance, then joined National Bank of Oman (NBO) in 2005, rising to Senior Executive Manager & Head of Retail Sales and Virtual Banking — where he revamped retail structures, launched customer acquisition strategies, and pioneered digital distribution models. In 2021 joined Sohar International Bank as Senior Vice President & Head of Retail Sales & Contact Center, leading end-to-end retail sales and multi-channel contact center operations.
- MBA in Marketing
- BA in Political Science & International Relations
Khaldun Awad
A seasoned business leadership trainer, executive coach, and MBTI specialist with over 30 years of experience across customer service, learning and development, financial management, and executive coaching. Has worked in the Middle East, Gulf Region, Europe, Asia, and Africa, holding senior executive roles in multinational organizations. Has designed and delivered training programs for DEWA, FEWA, Central Bank Abu Dhabi, Ministry of Finance UAE, FAB Bank, ADIB, Maaden Company Saudi Arabia, and the Institute of Banking Studies in Jordan.
- Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Yarmouk University, Jordan
Lysa Warren
Three decades of educational experience including presenting, teaching, course development, proofreading, copywriting, and research editing. Began her career at the British Council in Kuwait developing curriculum for multiple educational stages. Has taught and presented at universities and colleges, both in-house and online. Has delivered a broad range of bespoke soft skills courses including Leadership and Management, Time Management, Communication Skills, Team Building, Critical Thinking, and Public Speaking. Has managed public speaking events for Oman's Oil and Gas sector, presenting to the Minister of Oil and Gas and representatives from the Ministry of Education.
- MA in Applied Linguistics and TESOL (University of Leicester, England)
- HND in Arts and Literature (University of Wales)
- BA Honours (University of Wales)
Yelduz Obaid Al Hatmi
Over two decades of training experience spanning English language instruction (British Council, Muscat) and banking (Bank Muscat). Began her career at the Ministry of Defense Engineering Services in Oman as a Micro Computer Programmer before transitioning to the British Council, where she facilitated English as a second language and taught foundation, intermediate, and technician stages of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT). At Bank Muscat she assessed language levels and developed CELTA-based courses delivered across all regions of Oman, later stepping into the banking field with diplomas in Compliance and Islamic Banking. A highly motivated trainer with proven competencies in Accounting, English as a Second Language, and Banking systems and operations.
- Diploma in Islamic Banking (CIMA)
- International Diploma in Compliance (ICA)
Three principles
shape every engagement
Operator-led
Every recommendation passes the test of: would we be willing to execute this ourselves?
Outcome-anchored
We measure success in capability built, not slides delivered.
Locally fluent
Methodology meets the operating realities, regulation, and culture of each market.
A curated network, assembled per RFP
Beyond the core team, Elevate draws on a vetted network of senior consultants, executive coaches, and subject-matter specialists — assembled for each engagement based on the institution, market, and outcome required. This keeps teams sharp, contextual, and free of bench-padding.