Community

The Forum of Young Global Leaders is a community of innovators from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Search current members and alumni by year awarded, sector or region.

Nick Allardice

I start, grow and support ambitious companies, organizations and teams that aim to put a positive dent in the universe.

I was previously CEO and Chief Product Officer at Change.org, growing the worlds largest platform for grassroots change to 75m+ monthly users, $70m+ revenue, and 350+ staff. As GM International at Change.org I established go-to-market, campaigns and PR teams in 20 countries. I co-founded Live Below the Line, a fundraising and awareness campaign that’s raised $20m for fighting extreme poverty. I’ve led social and political campaigns in support of democracy, global health and climate action across the US, Asia and Australia. I’ve served on the board of Paid Leave for the United States, MakePovertyHistory, OzGreen and the AYCC. I started my career as an independent facilitator, and perhaps my hardest job was my 6 months as a Boner at an Abattoir in rural Australia.

I’ve spoken, keynoted or taught on entrepreneurship, product development/growth, AI and social impact at Reforge, Oxford University, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Melbourne University, Products that Count, Personal Democracy Forum and RightsCon.

I’ve degrees in Law and Philosophy / Political Science from Monash University, and studied AI at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. I was recognized as a ‘Young Global Leader’ by The World Economic Forum, as one of Melbourne’s 100 most influential people by The Age, and received an Australian Leadership Award by the Australian Davos Connection.

Brooklyn, New York is home since 2014. I grew up in rural Australia, and have lived and worked in San Francisco, Melbourne, Sydney, Bangkok, New Delhi and Jakarta. I spend down time running, playing pickleball and thinking about or investing in community and relationships.

Hamad AlMahmeed

Director-General, Office of the Prime Minister of Bahrain, Bahrain

Director General of Bahrain Prime Minister's Office

Abdulrahman Essa Al-Mannai

Chief Executive Officer, Milaha Group, Qatar

Abdulrahman Essa Al-Mannai has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Milaha Group (Qatar Navigation) since 2015. He sits on the Board of Directors of Nakilat and QTerminals, a joint venture between Mawani and Milaha. Prior, Al-Mannai held various leadership positions at Qatargas, the world's largest LNG company where he oversaw the largest LNG supply chain, Europe's largest regasification terminal and the South Hook LNG Terminal. Throughout his career, Al-Mannai has developed extensive experience in multiple fields, including shipping, energy and commercial activities. He has a degree in aeronautical engineering.

Mohamed Almaraj

Chief Executive Officer, ila Bank, Bahrain

Mr. Almaraj is the Chief Executive Officer of Bank ABC’s Digital Retail Bank “ila” in Bahrain, joining the bank in 2015. Before this appointment, Mohamed served as the COO of ila Bank. Previously, he played a key role in several Group level initiatives, including establishing Bank ABC’s DIFC office, launching the Debt Capital Markets practice, and the overall fintech strategy for Bank ABC. Before joining Bank ABC, Mr. Almaraj was a Senior Associate with the investment bank Perella Weinberg Partners in New York, focusing on mergers & acquisitions transactions and corporate restructurings in the technology, media, telecom, and financial services sectors. He has 13 years of experience in corporate finance, restructurings, fintech, and digital transformations across the GCC and the U.S. He holds a B.S. in Finance and Accounting from the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania, United States.

Moath Alnaeem

Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer, Alpha Capital, Saudi Arabia

Moath has co-founded Alpha Capital and built a profound organization, which has been a well-respected entity both locally and regionally, evidenced by the recognition received in 2021 from Forbes as it became among the 30 most prominent asset managers in the Middle East. Before Alpha Capital, Moath worked in Saudi Aramco and was entrusted by Saudi Aramcos Senior Management to be part of a carefully selected solid team to manage several asset classes of Saudi Aramcos USD multi-billion Global Pension Plans. Throughout the journey of Alpha Capital, Moath attracted top-tier investment professionals, delivered top-quartile public equity performance consistently, successfully exited from the first private equity investment at an impressive return and advised on the fundraising and structuring of the first Saudi digital bank that the Council of Ministers has licensed. Moath has demonstrated strong leadership skills while serving on various government and non-government boards and committees.

Wafa Al Obaidat

Chief Executive Officer, Obai and Hill, Bahrain

Wafa Alobaidat is the Founder and CEO of PLAYBOOK - A fast-growing digital membership networking platform focused on connecting and supporting women and executive leaders in MENA. With an award-winning leadership team that is fully female-founded, our network has been making waves regionally and internationally. Wafa is an award-winning serial entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, and public speaker represented by The Middle East leading speaker’s bureau, MENA Speakers. Her expertise lies at the nexus of growth and scaling up, with underlying themes of empowering women and youth, entrepreneurship in the Middle East, and starting and scaling companies. She was named one of the top 50 most influential women leaders in business by Business in the Gulf. She is a graduate of the University of the Arts London.

Suren Aloyan

Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Dasaran EdTech Company, Armenia

Suren is a social entrepreneur, the Founding President of Dasaran Ed-Tech Company, an Armenia-based software-as-a-service company providing innovative solutions in K12 education. In 2016 Dasaran was recognized as one of the best 5 innovative enterprises in the world by the UNDP. Suren brings more than 12 years of experience towards education system modernization through innovation and modern technologies, contributing to extensive data-driven policymaking, developing equal educational opportunities for all. Suren as a keynote speaker has delivered speeches for large auditoriums in different corners around the world – “Impact Investment and Innovation for SDGs” forum at the UN Headquarters in New York (USA), UNDP’s Social Good Summit in Switzerland, UNESCO MGIEP Conference in India, Global Education and Skills Forum in Dubai (UAE), RISE Tech conference in Hong Kong, World Bank’s Understanding Risk Forum in Mexico, UAE-Armenia Investment Forum in Abu Dhabi, et al. Suren has served as a chief expert in RA Ministry of Defence for 11 years and received Admiral Isakov Medal of Honour awarded on RA Level. Military rank is captain in reserve. Suren has received Golden Commemorative Medal, the Highest award of RA Ministry of Education Science, was honored with the High state award by the President of RA.

Elham AlQasim

Chief Strategy and Technology Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Holding, United Arab Emirates

Elham Al Qasim serves as Digital14’s Chief Executive Officer, steering the organisation’s strategic direction, and leading over 1,000 staff in their purpose-driven work to deliver trust in digital so that clients can innovate and fulfil their potential. Prior to joining Digital14, Elham enjoyed a global career with executive roles in investment and asset management. More recently, Elham served as CEO of Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and Executive Director of the Ghadan 21 programme at the Abu Dhabi Executive Office where she led the strategic planning for the government’s three-year, AED 50 billion investment programme aimed at accelerating Abu Dhabi’s economy. Prior to this, Elham was a Director of Mubadala Investment Company, focusing on Mubadala’s Technology and Industry portfolio. Her responsibilities included building investment/entry strategy, business development, value creation, and post-acquisition asset management in sectors including Metals & Mining, Semiconductors, and Technology. During this time, Elham also served on the executive leadership team of Emirates Global Aluminium and delivered a two year post merger integration program. Elham has served on a number of boards and is currently a Board Member of Amanat Holdings, AlAin Farms, and Phoenic Group. Elham’s international career includes JPMorgan Investment Bank, where she was part of the Global Diversified Industrials Team based in London handling M&A transactions in chemicals, metals and mining, and infrastructure. Elham holds an MSc from the School of Social Policy at the London School of Economics and a Bachelor of Business from the American University in Dubai. In April 2010, Elham became the first Arab woman to ski to the North Pole.

Noura Bint Faisal Al Saud

Founder and Managing Director, Global Culture House, Saudi Arabia

Her Highness Princess Noura bint Faisal Al Saud founded Culture House as a Saudi boutique consultancy providing advisory and implementation services related to culture, creativity, and sustainable business. Culture House signifies Her Highness’s return to the private sector after successfully establishing the Fashion Commission at the Ministry of Culture. Princess Noura joined the Ministry of Culture in June 2019. She led Strategy Development for the fashion sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, building local and international partnerships with fashion institutions and nurturing Saudi fashion talent. She was part of the team that developed the Commission’s flagship outreach projects, including the Fashion Futures annual conference, digital platform, and mentorship program Saudi 100 Brands. Through her appointment as the Commission’s Ecosystem Integration & Program Delivery General Manager, Princess Noura oversaw the implementation of the strategy’s initiatives, ensuring their delivery at standards of excellence with measurable impact. Princess Noura’s entrepreneurial career commenced in 2009 in the United States. In 2015 she co-founded her first business, which focused on talent and lifestyle, before launching Global Fashion House, a fashion consultancy based in Riyadh. In April 2018, Princess Noura organized the Saudi Kingdom’s first fashion Week with this company, bringing together international and local stakeholders.

Alanoud Bint Hamad Al Thani

Executive, Hamad Bin Abdulla Holding, Qatar

Alanoud bint Hamad Al-Thani is the Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Business Officer of Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority, where she plays an integral part in achieving QFC’s vision of transforming Doha into a leading global financial and commercial hub by attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) towards developing a sustainable local economy.

Previous to her current role, Alanoud was instrumental in driving the organization’s record growth over the past five years and sustaining growth even during the pandemic- increasing by almost 80% the number of firms registering on the platform in 2020.

Prior to joining QFC, Alanoud served as the Qatar Country Representative and Director for Silatech, a Qatar-based social initiative that connects young people to employment opportunities across the Arab region. Out of her deep belief in the need to support Arab youth empowerment, Alanoud greatly expanded Silatech’s operations within Qatar, helping to connect thousands of young people to private sector opportunities and supporting economic development across the Arab region. Her efforts here extend several positions with UN agencies and international organisations specialising in economic development, education, and youth employment.

A recipient of numerous honours and awards, including Young Arab Achiever in 2011 and His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani Education Excellence Awards in 2008 and 2012, she was recently selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.

A graduate of the London School of Economics, the University of Oxford, and HEC Paris, Alanoud has authored numerous reports in the area of private sector development and FDI.

Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi

Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Ministry of Economy of the United Arab Emirates, United Arab Emirates

His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi is the United Arab Emirates’ Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Minister in charge of Talent Attraction and Retention. As Minister, he is responsible for leading the development and expansion of the country’s non-oil foreign trade, enhancing national polices and measures to promote foreign direct investment in the UAE, and implementing initiatives to attract and retain strategic global talent in the UAE.

H.E. Dr. Al Zeyoudi is also the former Minister of Climate Change and Environment for the UAE, where he was instrumental in elevating the UAE’s global presence and contributions in climate mitigation and adaptation. Over the course of H.E. Dr. Al Zeyoudi’s career, he has led and contributed to shaping international policy and legal frameworks in areas including energy, environment, and sustainable development. H.E. Dr. Al Zeyoudi’s considerable expertise, dynamic leadership, and track record for driving the formation of global alliances have been fundamental to his success in delivering on his various mandates and in furthering the UAE’s efforts on economic growth and diversification.

In 2020, H.E. was Dr. Al Zeyoudi was named a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader for his outstanding international efforts in the field of environment and climate. H.E. Dr. Al Zeyoudi holds a B.S. in petroleum engineering from the University of Tulsa, two Masters degrees from the New York Institute of Technology and the British University in Dubai, and completed his PhD at the Skema Business School in France.

Katharina Amann

Chief Executive Officer of Volkswagen Autoversicherung, Allianz, Germany

Katharina Amann is an Allianz executive with more than 11 years of general management experience in top-tier strategy consulting, product management and digital business development, specializing in insurance and mobility and their beneficial impact on society. She leads the German Automotive Business of Allianz and is CEO of Allianz subsidiary Volkswagen Autoversicherung AG. Amann has managed P&Ls of up to €400 million and large teams comprising more than 150 members. She strives for societal impact, focusing on a safe and sustainable future of mobility as her core ambition. By connecting the insurance and mobility industry, she creates innovation that not only serves customer needs but also increases safety and sustainability on the road. Amann introduced the first insurance tariff reflecting ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) in the German market.