Forbes Center East simply dropped its “World Meets Native 2024” record, spotlighting high execs who’re making waves by mixing international methods with native experience.
Of the 100 corporations, 55% are primarily based within the U.S., with the remaining primarily based in 15 different international locations. They symbolize 30 sectors, demonstrating the position that these multinational companies play in diversifying the area’s economies.
The expertise sector tops the record with 19 entries, adopted by 9 pharmaceutical corporations and 7 corporations working within the automotive trade.
The 104 executives symbolize 40 nationalities. Lebanon leads with 17 executives, adopted by eight from India, and 7 every from the U.Ok. and France.
1. Samer Abu-Lteif
Position: Company Vice President & President—Central & Japanese Europe, Center East & Africa, Microsoft
Bio: Samer Abu-Ltaif, a Lebanese govt, has led Microsoft’s operations throughout Central & Japanese Europe, the Center East, and Africa since 2023. He performed a key position in Microsoft’s $1.5 billion funding in U.A.E.-based G42 to spice up AI abilities. Abu-Ltaif additionally serves on the board of the Abdulla Al Ghurair Hub for Digital Instructing and Studying, supporting digital schooling within the area.
2. Yasser Abdul Malak
Position: Chairman and CEO—MENA, Nestlé Center East
Bio: Yasser Abdul Malak, main Nestlé Center East since January 2022, oversees a big regional operation with over 13,000 workers throughout 19 international locations. Beneath his management, the corporate launched the Nestlé Academy and achieved practically $2.7 billion in gross sales in 2023. Abdul Malak can be driving a $2 million solar energy undertaking and joined the board of Dubai Worldwide Chamber in 2023.
3. Thierry Sabbagh
Position: Divisional Vice President, President Saudi Arabia, Center East, CIS – Nissan, INFINITI
Bio: Thierry Sabbagh, an Italian-Lebanese govt, was appointed to his present position in April 2024. He has been with Nissan since 2018, main the corporate’s growth in Saudi Arabia, the Center East, and CIS areas. Sabbagh has been instrumental in securing key distribution agreements in Iraq and Saudi Arabia, solidifying Nissan’s presence in these markets. He’s additionally a member of the Younger Presidents’ Group, reflecting his dedication to management and progress within the automotive sector.
4. Samir Cherfan
Position: COO—Center East and Africa, Stellantis
Bio: Samir Cherfan, a French-Lebanese govt, has served as COO of Stellantis for the Center East and Africa since January 2021, following the merger of Groupe PSA and Fiat Chrysler Cars. In July 2024, below his management, Stellantis introduced a two-phase acquisition of Moroccan firm Sopriam, with plans to take full possession by early 2025. Cherfan additionally oversees Stellantis MEA’s Industrial and Industrial Complexity and Electro Micro Mobility departments and serves because the vice chairman of Tofaş Türk, additional highlighting his important position within the automotive sector.
5. Aziz Koleilat
Position: Vice President, Gross sales & Advertising and marketing and Common Supervisor—Center East, Türkiye, Japanese Europe & Russia/CIS, GE Aerospace
Bio: Aziz Koleilat, a Lebanese-Canadian govt, has led GE Aerospace’s operations within the Center East, Türkiye, Japanese Europe, and Russia/CIS since April 2017. He beforehand served as President and CEO of GE in Iraq and the Levant. In 2023, below his management, GE secured main offers, together with Riyadh Air’s order for 90 engines and Emirates’ deal for 202 engines. Koleilat can be an govt sponsor of regional worker useful resource teams, selling variety and wellness inside the firm.
6. Naji Skaf
Position: President—MEIAA, Xylem
Bio: Naji Skaf, a Lebanese govt, has been main Xylem’s operations within the Center East, India, Africa, and Asia since September 2021. In September 2023, he spearheaded Xylem’s collaboration with iot squared in Saudi Arabia to reinforce water sustainability by sensible metering. Skaf’s earlier roles embrace President of the Center East and Türkiye at Air Merchandise, CEO of Gulf Cryo, and senior administration positions at Air Liquide in Houston, Paris, and Cairo.
7. Fares Akkad
Position: Managing Director—Center East & Africa, Meta
Bio: Fares Akkad, an American govt, has been the Managing Director for Meta’s Center East and Africa operations since 2022, after becoming a member of the corporate in 2017. In April 2024, he led the launch of Meta’s first MEA advisory board. Akkad additionally holds board positions with varied organizations, together with the Younger Presidents’ Group, Binghatti, and the TAKREEM Basis. Earlier than Meta, he performed a key position in growing MBC Group’s Shahid VOD service.
8. Nadim Najjar
Position: Managing Director—Central & Japanese Europe, Center East & Africa, London Inventory Trade Group (LSEG)
Bio: Nadim Najjar, a Lebanese govt with 30 years of expertise, has been with LSEG since 2021, overseeing operations throughout Central & Japanese Europe, the Center East, and Africa. He performed a key position within the $27 billion acquisition of Refinitiv and manages a workforce of over 1,000 folks. Najjar additionally serves on the advisory board of Attain for LSEG and has held senior roles at Thomson Reuters and Refinitiv.
9. Olfat Sami Berro
Position: Space Head—Center East, Roche
Bio: Olfat Sami Berro, a Lebanese govt, has led Roche’s Center East operations since 2019. Beneath her management, Roche has partnered with key establishments just like the American College of Beirut and the Iraqi Ministry of Well being to advance healthcare analysis and consciousness. In 2024, Roche signed an MoU with Abu Dhabi’s Division of Well being to reinforce analysis and medical trials. Berro can be a member of the manager committee of PhRMA Center East & Africa and the Center East Inclusion & Variety Council of the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Affiliation.
10. Khaled El Dabag
Position: CEO—MENA Area, Managing Director, Funding Banking, Barclays
Bio: Khaled El Dabag, a Lebanese govt, has been with Barclays since 2014 and assumed his present position as CEO for the MENA area in 2021. Beneath his management, Barclays has expanded its enterprise throughout all divisions, serving key shoppers reminiscent of sovereign wealth funds and huge corporates. El Dabag’s prior expertise consists of roles at Goldman Sachs in Dubai and Stephens Inc. and Merrill Lynch in New York.
11. Ahmad Nasser
Position: Common Supervisor—MEA, The Hershey Firm
Bio: Ahmad Nasser, a Lebanese govt, took on the position of Common Supervisor for the Center East and Africa at The Hershey Firm in 2023, after becoming a member of the corporate in 2014. Beneath his management, the corporate reported $11.16 billion in internet gross sales in 2023 and launched an e-waste donation marketing campaign in Dubai. Earlier than Hershey, Nasser held senior roles at Common Mills and Unilever.
12. Hussein Freijeh
Position: Vice President—MENA, Snap Inc.
Bio: Hussein Freijeh, a Lebanese govt, turned Vice President for Snap Inc.’s MENA area in 2024, the place he oversees greater than 130 folks. In October 2023, he led Snap’s collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tradition and the Saudi Style Fee to launch TASAWAR, an revolutionary augmented actuality initiative. Earlier than becoming a member of Snap in 2016, Freijeh was the Managing Director of Yahoo Center East, Africa, and Türkiye. He additionally serves on the advisory council of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economic system.
13. Ronald Boueri
Position: Regional Managing Director, Olympus MEA
Bio: Ronald Boueri, a Lebanese govt, turned the Regional Managing Director of Olympus MEA in 2022. He rapidly made an impression by securing a key tender with the Egyptian UPA, the buying arm of Egypt’s Ministry of Well being. Earlier than becoming a member of Olympus, Boueri was the Common Supervisor for the Center East at Zimmer Biomet.
14. Joe Naoum
Position: Common Supervisor—MENA, Stryker
Bio: Joe Naoum, a Lebanese govt, joined Stryker in 2018 and took on the position of Common Supervisor for MENA in January 2022. In March 2024, he oversaw the opening of Stryker’s regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia. Naoum’s profession consists of management roles at Carestream, Wolters Kluwer, and Kodak.
15. Rawad Sarieddine
Position: Vice President—META, CrowdStrike
Bio: Rawad Sarieddine, a Lebanese govt, has been with CrowdStrike since 2017 and have become Vice President for the META area in 2020. He leads efforts to guard enterprise danger areas, focusing on as much as 10,000 month-to-month incidents throughout 3,500 endpoints. Sarieddine beforehand held regional gross sales roles at corporations like Attivo Networks and FireEye.
16. Elda Choucair
Position: CEO—MENA, Omnicom Media Group
Bio: Elda Choucair, a Lebanese govt, has been the CEO of Omnicom Media Group MENA since 2021, after becoming a member of the corporate in 2006. In February 2023, she led the launch of TRKKN, Omnicom’s Google-focused company within the Center East. Choucair is vice chair of the Promoting Enterprise Group and serves on the boards of Endeavor and IAB MENA. She can be a founding board member of the Unstereotype Alliance, Convened by UN Girls, and an advisory council member of the Center East Inclusion and Variety Council.
17. Omar Boulos
Position: Market Unit Lead—Center East, Accenture
Bio: Omar Boulos, an American govt, took on the position of Market Unit Lead for the Center East at Accenture in September 2023. He joined Accenture in 1997 and has held varied management positions throughout the Center East, North Africa, and Türkiye. In December 2023, Boulos led a strategic settlement with Riyadh Air to reinforce their cloud and cybersecurity infrastructure. Previous to this, he was the consumer group lead for U.S. South Sources and the sources trade group lead for North America.
Methodology
Forbes compiled the World Meets Native 2024 rating by analyzing high executives from corporations on the Forbes World 2000 record with important operations in MENA. To qualify, executives needed to be primarily based within the area.
Executives have been ranked primarily based on:
- Their impression on regional markets.
- Achievements and efficiency over the previous 12 months.
- Management in sustainability and CSR initiatives.
- Their position and the realm they oversee.
- Enterprise dimension, together with workers, revenues, and undertaking scope.
- Trade expertise and tenure.
- The worldwide rating of their firm on the Forbes World 2000 record.