The Arab Leaders

Some leaders excel in transforming complex national visions into executable, high-impact projects that span real estate, hospitality, and large-scale sovereign investments. Rakan Al-Thobaiti, Director General of Misk Foundation, is a distinguished strategy, governance, and PMO executive with extensive experience in leading giga projects, real estate developments, and sovereign-backed investments aligned with national priorities. He has successfully driven high-impact initiatives including Expo-scale events and urban district transformations, demonstrating expertise in building agile performance systems and aligning diverse stakeholders to achieve strategic objectives. Known for his ability to deliver results under pressure, Rakan combines deep portfolio management and business analysis skills with executive coaching to empower leadership excellence. Currently pursuing an MBA at EHL, he integrates global trends in finance, hospitality, and transformation leadership to advise ventures on bridging capital, innovation, and sustainable growth. The Arab Leaders proudly recognize Rakan Al-Thobaiti for his exemplary leadership in shaping Saudi Arabia’s visionary projects and future development. Share your story with us at thearableader@gmail.com or WhatsApp https://wa.link/o0r4ty +971 557424632. Visit us at: www.thearableader.com

Dr. Tahani Mahsoon Named Among “Top Arab Leaders in Shariah Compliance & Islamic Finance Governance” by The Arab Leaders The Arab Leaders proudly recognize Dr. Tahani Mahsoon as one of the “Top Arab Leaders in Shariah Compliance & Islamic Finance Governance” for 2025. As Assistant Vice President of Shariah Compliance & Business Products Support at The Saudi Investment Bank, Dr. Mahsoon plays a pivotal role in advancing Shariah governance frameworks and ensuring ethical financial practices within Saudi Arabia’s banking sector. Read more about her inspiring journey: https://lnkd.in/dT7Hnjkm Share your story with us at thearableader@gmail.com or WhatsApp https://wa.link/o0r4ty +971 557424632. Visit us at: www.thearableader.com

Some leaders excel in driving strategic growth and innovation across diverse sectors by leveraging strong leadership, business acumen, and transformational vision. Saud Alsulaiman, CEO of Alsulaiman Group and Chairman of the Board at Taajeer Finance | تأجير للتمويل, leads multiple prominent enterprises in Saudi Arabia, steering them toward sustainable success. He serves as Deputy Chairman and Chairman of the Executive Committee at L’azurde, and holds key leadership positions including Chairman of GNRC and various board memberships at Zamil Industrial, Livspace GCC, Saudi Logistics Academy, Salasa, and others. Saud plays an influential role in the Saudi business ecosystem as Vice Chairman of the National Trade Committee and Vice President of the Saudi-Swedish Business Council. With executive education from INSEAD and the University of Hull, Saud’s strategic leadership drives innovation in retail, logistics, finance, and sustainability, fostering a dynamic business environment aligned with Vision 2030. The Arab Leaders proudly recognize Saud Alsulaiman for his visionary leadership and impactful contributions to Saudi Arabia’s economic and industrial development. Share your story with us at thearableader@gmail.com or WhatsApp https://wa.link/o0r4ty +971 557424632. Visit us at: www.thearableader.com

Some leaders excel in driving sales and marketing excellence within the hospitality industry, delivering exceptional guest experiences and commercial success. Sameh El Shelkami, Director of Sales & Marketing at IHG Hotels & Resorts in Riyadh, brings over 14 years of progressive leadership in hotel management and leisure travel. Having held key roles including Director of Sales at Crowne Plaza Riyadh Al Waha and Pre-opening Assistant Director of Sales at InterContinental Durrat Al Riyadh Resort & SPA, Sameh has consistently demonstrated expertise in yield management and hospitality sales strategies. His commercial acumen and deep knowledge of the leisure and hospitality sectors enable him to craft effective marketing initiatives that boost revenue and market positioning. Graduated from Alexandria University, Sameh’s strength lies in merging strategic vision with operational execution to enhance customer satisfaction and business performance. The Arab Leaders proudly recognize Sameh El Shelkami for his outstanding leadership and commitment to hospitality industry growth in Saudi Arabia. Share your story with us at thearableader@gmail.com or WhatsApp https://wa.link/o0r4ty +971 557424632. Visit us at: www.thearableader.com

Some leaders excel in pioneering transformative change at the crossroads of philanthropy, education, and systemic innovation, creating scalable and lasting impacts where they are needed most. Sonia Ben Jaafar, CEO of the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education, leads one of the largest educational philanthropies dedicated to inclusive and equitable quality education in the Arab region. With over two decades of experience, she has helped governments, foundations, and multilateral partners turn complex challenges into actionable strategies that deliver measurable outcomes. Sonia is renowned for her ability to foster trust and align global vision with grassroots realities, building human-centered systems that truly work. Her leadership extends to influential roles globally, including membership on Generation Unlimited’s Global Leadership Council and chairing global councils on Sustainable Development Goals at the World Government Summit. A skilled speaker and advisor, Sonia drives narrative shifts and talent unlocking, championing bold ideas that make a difference. The Arab Leaders proudly recognize Sonia Ben Jaafar for her visionary leadership in advancing education and social innovation across the Arab world. Share your story with us at thearableader@gmail.com or WhatsApp https://wa.link/o0r4ty +971 557424632. Visit us at: www.thearableader.com

Some leaders excel in driving digital transformation and innovation in the public sector by leveraging cutting-edge cloud technology to optimize performance and amplify strategic value. Simon Al Khaled, Public Sector ECEMEA Functional Leader at Oracle, brings over 20 years of experience as a visionary sales executive dedicated to transforming government operations with Oracle Cloud solutions. With a strong focus on delivering secure, scalable, and mission-critical systems, Simon has led large-scale projects and built high-performing teams across Eastern and Central Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. His strategic leadership has empowered ministries, agencies, and municipalities to accelerate digital modernization, ensuring compliance, security, and local relevance while fostering smarter and more resilient public services. Simon’s commitment to innovation and operational excellence solidifies Oracle’s leadership in the public sector and drives impactful government transformation stories throughout the region. The Arab Leaders proudly recognize Simon Al Khaled for his exceptional leadership in advancing government digital transformation and public sector innovation. Share your story with us at thearableader@gmail.com or WhatsApp https://wa.link/o0r4ty +971 557424632. Visit us at: www.thearableader.com

Some leaders excel in transforming sustainability ambitions into actionable, high-impact climate solutions that drive real change across emerging markets and global ecosystems. Omar Saif, Vice President at the Global Climate Finance Centre, has played a pivotal role in evolving this platform from the foundation laid by COP28 into a powerhouse for climate innovation and finance. He leads major initiatives such as the Africa Green Investment Initiative, a landmark $4.5 billion effort designed to accelerate clean energy deployment, blended finance, and comprehensive project de-risking to unlock capital in emerging economies. Omar’s extensive expertise, gained through cross-sector experience in government advisory, consulting, and academic research, spans critical areas including climate technology, smart cities, urban resilience, energy systems, waste management, and food security. His pragmatic leadership style focuses on pragmatic delivery ensuring that the right climate technologies are not just discussed but financed, developed, and scaled to maximize sustainable impact. Omar is recognized for his commitment to integrating climate-tech innovations into real-world applications, bridging the gap between ambition and implementation with measurable outcomes. The Arab Leaders proudly recognizes Omar Saif for his visionary and dedicated leadership in advancing climate finance, ecosystem innovation, and sustainable development on a global scale. Share your story with us at thearableader@gmail.com or WhatsApp https://wa.link/o0r4ty +971 557424632. Visit us at: www.thearableader.com

Some leaders excel in mentoring and advancing technology transfer and sustainability initiatives, alongside fostering leadership development and innovation in the health sciences. Dr. Ahmed Al-Qahtani currently serves as a Mentor at Refaq.ai and the Saudi Leadership Society, where he provides coaching and leadership development to Saudi Arabia’s emerging leaders. As a Board Member of the Technology Transfer & Sustainability Development Association, he contributes to innovation development and biotech research in the Kingdom. Dr. Ahmed also holds a position as Executive Partner at the Qimam Foundation, supporting youth mentorship and career guidance, and serves on the CLS Program Advisory Board at Prince Sultan Military College of Health Sciences, helping shape academic and training standards. With a rich background in healthcare, education, and scientific research, Dr. Ahmed combines mentorship with strategic expertise to nurture the next generation of leaders dedicated to sustainable progress and healthcare excellence. The Arab Leaders proudly recognize Dr. Ahmed Al-Qahtani for his multifaceted contributions to leadership development, technology transfer, and sustainable innovation in Saudi Arabia. Share your story with us at thearableader@gmail.com or WhatsApp https://wa.link/o0r4ty +971 557424632. Visit us at: www.thearableader.com

Some leaders excel in integrating people, technology, and sustainability to drive organizational excellence and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Ali Al Lawati, Cert Director, Chief People & Technology Officer at OQ, brings over 20 years of executive leadership experience with a strong international portfolio. He oversees digital transformation, human resources, sustainability, corporate communications, and HSSE, focusing on leveraging technology for business growth and embedding safety and sustainability throughout the organization. Prior to this, Ali served as Global Human Resources Director at SLB, managing diverse corporate functions across Paris, London, and Houston, and as Regional Managing Director for Oman and Pakistan, leading over 3,000 employees and securing strategic partnerships. His visionary leadership has been instrumental in advancing alternative energy technologies and establishing the largest integrated operational base in Oman, aligning with national sustainability goals. The Arab Leaders proudly recognize Ali Al Lawati, Cert Director for his outstanding contributions to executive management and sustainable business transformation. Share your story with us at thearableader@gmail.com or WhatsApp https://wa.link/o0r4ty +971 557424632. Visit us at: www.thearableader.com

Some leaders excel in advancing digital strategies and driving healthcare marketing innovations that enhance patient outcomes and operational excellence. Waad Alrashidi, Digital Lead at Merck Group, brings a dynamic blend of expertise in healthcare marketing, digital transformation, and research. With a strong foundation built through roles at Merck and internships at leading medical companies, Waad leads initiatives that integrate cutting-edge digital tools to optimize healthcare marketing strategies. Her proficiency in key account management and collaborative team workshops empowers frontline healthcare teams to achieve impactful results. Her passion for continuous learning and dedication to elevating healthcare services underscore her commitment to making a meaningful difference in the industry. The Arab Leaders proudly recognizes Waad Alrashidi for her innovative leadership in digital healthcare marketing and transformation. Share your story with us at thearableader@gmail.com or WhatsApp https://wa.link/o0r4ty +971 557424632. Visit us at: www.thearableader.com