26
Nationalities
20 years
28%+
Female representation
Board of Directors
Badr Al-Olama
Hamda Eid AlMheiri
Darwish Alketbi
ASAD HUSSAINI
Issa Khoory
Chairman
Badr Al-Olama
Badr Al-Olama is the Director General at Abu Dhabi Investment Office — the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development arm responsible for driving economic diversification and sustainable growth.
As a former Mubadala executive, Badr managed a diverse portfolio of investments ranging from aerospace and defence, to healthcare services and satellite technologies. During his tenure at Mubadala, Badr held chief executive roles at Strata — the Arab world’s first aerospace manufacturing facility, and at Hub71 — Abu Dhabi’s tech startup incubator and accelerator.
Over the past two decades, Badr has served extensively on a number of company boards in different parts of the world. More notable is his current chairmanship of both 7X (formerly known as Emirates Post Group) and the publicly-listed asset management and investment bank Shuaa Capital, and Abu Dhabi Ports subsidiary Maqta Gateway, as well as his board membership with the Emirates Drug Establishment, the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Yas Holding, and GEMS Education.
In terms of his public engagements, Badr was the former President of the Harvard Club of the UAE and was also a member of the UAE Ministerial Council on the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This led him to establish the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit alongside the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to promote disruptive technologies that are shaping the global manufacturing sector.
Nominated as a ‘Young Global Leader for the Middle East and North Africa Region’ in 2016 by the World Economic Forum, Badr began his career as a lawyer after graduating from both the UAE University and Harvard Law School.
Vice Chair
Hamda Eid AlMheiri
Hamda Eid AlMheiri is the Executive Director of Government and Sovereign Relations at ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company. In her role, Hamda oversees the organization’s interactions with senior government stakeholders across local, state and federal jurisdictions. Her responsibilities include the establishment and maintenance of a comprehensive strategic framework to govern all organizational initiatives and engagements.
She also exercises authority over ADQ’s collaboration with industry advocates, aiming to leverage areas of mutual interest, while ensuring the continuous monitoring of relevant government activities globally.
Hamda currently serves as a board member of Etihad Airways, Presight AI, SHUAA Capital, and Arcera, a global holding company in the life sciences sector formed by ADQ.
Her professional career encompasses roles with the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, where she served as a Project Manager responsible for financial policy and efficiency, and the General Secretariat of the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi, where she worked as a Financial Policy and Efficiency Specialist. Prior to these, Hamda held the position of Manager of Commercial Analysis for the Strategy and Planning department at Etihad Airways.
She holds a Master’s degree in Global Affairs and Diplomatic Leadership from the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, a Corporate Director Certificate from Harvard Business School and is also an alumna of the Georgetown Leadership Seminar. Hamda has a keen interest in exploring new perspectives in art and drawing inspiration from various cultures.
Director
Darwish Alketbi
Mr. Darwish Abdulla Alketbi is a highly accomplished finance leader with years of experience in driving investment strategies, portfolio optimization, and corporate governance. As Chief Investment Officer (CIO) at Saif Bin Darwish, he plays a pivotal role in overseeing the company’s investment strategy, ensuring alignment with the group’s overall goals and policies. His expertise spans diverse markets, with a proven track record of delivering substantial growth and value creation.
Darwish is responsible for devising efficient, goal- oriented investment plans, developing growth strategies for new investments, analyzing market trends, and identifying emerging opportunities. He brings extensive knowledge in the stock market, alternative investments, structured products, private equity, and portfolio optimization. His comprehensive understanding of risk assessment, global market research, and data-driven decision-making further strengthens his ability to deliver sound investment decisions.
As a dynamic and results-driven finance professional, Darwish focuses on managing the group’s financial assets to maintain a well-balanced portfolio and implement strategies that generate strong returns and consistent cash flow. His leadership has been instrumental in optimizing investments and driving the group’s success.
During the global market downturn caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and geopolitical uncertainties, Darwish played a crucial role in protecting the company’s investment objectives. Through strategic portfolio rebalancing, he identified opportunities to invest in high-quality assets at discounted prices, positioning the group for long-term growth while actively monitoring the market’s recovery.
In addition to his role at Saif Bin Darwish, Darwish serves as an independent director on the boards of prominent organizations, including GFH Financial Group BSC (GFH), Waha Capital, Shuaa Capital, and Union Properties. He also chairs the Investment Committee and the Risk and Governance Committee at Shuaa Capital and actively participates in several other board committees.
Darwish holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Zayed University, Abu Dhabi and completed his primary and secondary education at The British School Al Khubairat.
Director
ASAD HUSSAINI
Asad Hussaini is Managing Partner UAE at Fortinbras, a New York based asset manager focused on structured credit and special situations investing.
Mr Hussaini is also the head of a US Family Office based in the ADGM. Mr. Hussaini is a board member of Osiris Acquisition Corp listed on the New York Stock Exchange and a board member of Keyper, a UAE based proptech firm.
Asad Hussaini is the Vice Chairman Peninsula Real Estate, an Abu Dhabi based Real Estate Investment Company. Mr. Hussaini is an investment partner at Altana Wealth, a Monaco-based asset manager.
Mr. Hussaini is a Venture Partner at Niya Partners, a Miami based venture capital firm focus on Seed and Series A investments covering Insurance, Healthcare, Financial Services, Wearables and Fem Tech.
Mr. Hussaini has been a seed and early stage investor in a large number of US & Middle Eastern based startups.
Mr. Hussaini is a member of the Global Advisory Council of the Wilson Center, a Congressionally funded bi-partisan think tank based in Washington D.C. focused on issues of US and global trade, economic, national security & defense matters.
Mr. Hussaini recently received an award from the Middle East Policy Council based in Washington DC for contribution to Middle East- US engagement.
He was educated at Georgetown University in Washington D.C.
Director
Issa Khoory
Issa Khoory is a highly accomplished executive and seasoned investor with a strong track record of steering diversified investment portfolios, driving capital growth, and delivering governance excellence across various industries, including financial services, agriculture, real estate, international trade, and family business. He is the Deputy CEO of Ghitha Holding PJSC, a key IHC Abu Dhabi subsidiary listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), where he leads operations, expansion, and capital-deployment strategy across the Group’s trading and distribution platforms. Prior to this, Issa founded and has served as Managing Director of INK Investments since March 2017, a private-equity firm focused on SME acquisitions, equity investments, and portfolio management. From 2013, he also served as Managing Director of Al Sultana Investments, overseeing a high-value real estate portfolio in the UAE and UK. Before that (since October 2010), he steered Mirak Group, a regional agribusiness and international-trade leader, combining operational management with strategic investment and cross-border expansion.
Alongside his executive roles, Issa brings deep governance experience as a Board Member of Al Ain Farms Group (since October 2023), one of the region’s largest dairy and poultry operations, and of the Dubai Fruits & Vegetables Trader Group (since April 2015), which he was appointed to by the Dubai Chamber to advise on industry policy and economic development. He also served on the Board and chaired the Investment Committee of Apex Investments PJSC (March 2022 – January 2024), overseeing capital allocation, risk management and strategic asset management in a listed environment.
Issa holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master’s degree from the American University in Dubai.
Management Team
Wafik Ben Mansour
Ziad Mansour
Islam Mahrous
Otto Dreyer
Aarthi Chandrasekaran
Mazen Farah
Roberta Calarese
Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO)
Wafik Ben Mansour
Wafik is the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) at SHUAA Capital psc.
He joined the Group in May 2023 from Credit Suisse, where he was a Managing Director in charge of Investment Banking and Capital Markets across the Middle East and North Africa region.
Wafik advised on high-profile transactions in the region across M&A and ECM, including Omantel’s USD 2.2 billion acquisition of a stake in Zain Group, ADQ’s USD 740 million acquisition of Amoun Pharmaceutical, Noon’s USD 335 million acquisition of Namshi, Careem’s USD 500 million private placement, Aramco USD 29.4 billion IPO, etc.
Wafik holds a Master’s Degree in Finance from ESCP Europe, Paris.
Chief Operating Officer
Ziad Mansour
Ziad is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at SHUAA Capital PSC.
In 2007, following a successful three-year tenure as a Back Office Section Head at Blominvest Bank, he joined SHUAA Capital PSC where he became an integral part of the operations team in both the Capital Market and Asset Management divisions.
In 2012 he was promoted to Head of Operations, and subsequently to Head of Operations and IT in 2017.
With nearly two decades of professional experience, Ziad has occupied various roles within SHUAA, consistently showcasing efficacy in executing strategic plans, identifying as well as implementing enhancement opportunities across multiple lines of business.
Ziad holds an MBA from KEDGE Business School – Bordeaux France.
Chief Compliance Officer
Islam Mahrous
Islam is the Chief Compliance Officer at SHUAA Capital psc.
He joined the Group in July 2016 after transitioning from his role as a Manager in the Markets division at the Financial Regulatory Authority.
Islam is an accomplished compliance professional with over 14 years of experience in regulatory compliance and AML across the MENA region. He is renowned for his strategic oversight in compliance protocols, his adept management of complex interactions with regulators, and ensuring robust compliance cultures within financial institutions.
Beginning his career in audit, Islam has advanced through significant roles in regulatory authorities and private firms before assuming his current leadership position.
Islam holds a BCom degree in Audit and Accounting, as well as an International Diploma in Governance, Risk, and Compliance. He is a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS).
Head of Real Estate Development
Otto Dreyer
Otto is the Head of Real Estate Development. He hosts a wealth of experience in managing and leading development projects internationally throughout their entire lifecycle.
Otto has a range of leadership skills, placing trust as a key value by which to lead and aiming to bring about the best in people and the communities within which we operate. He built a career in real estate investment and development across asset classes and multiple jurisdictions.
With a Real Estate and Finance background, Otto achieved an MBA from the Graduate School of Business in Cape Town.
Head of Asset Management
Aarthi Chandrasekaran
Head of Capital Markets
Mazen Farah
Mazen is the Head of Capital Markets at SHUAA Capital PSC.
He joined the Group in May 2024, bringing over two decades of professional experience through a variety of distinguished roles across the industry, regionally at HSBC and ADCB and internationally, offering a wealth of expertise to our clients.
Mazen holds a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s in Finance from Imperial College London.
Chief Legal Officer (GCLO)
Roberta Calarese
Roberta is the Group Chief Legal Officer (GCLO) at Shuaa Capital PSC, overseeing legal, regulatory, and governance matters across the group’s operations.
With over 25 years of legal experience, Roberta specializes in corporate law, financial services regulation, investment banking, board governance, and regulatory compliance.
She previously served as Chief Legal Officer and Secretary General of the DIFC Authority, where she played a key role in developing the capital markets in the region and DIFC’s legal and regulatory framework.
In the private sector, she held senior legal roles at Goldman Sachs, ABN Amro, Prudential Bache, and Majid Al Futtaim, advising on complex transactions and corporate governance.
Roberta holds an LLB from Warwick University and an LLM in International Legal Finance from University College London (UCL).
