Within this monthly forum, O2 takes a look at some of the most influential Arab business leaders shaping today’s markets.  These individuals have achieved incredible success while advancing best practices in their respective industries.  If you know someone who you think fits this description, let us know at editor@pr2live.com.

Ahmed Humaid Al Tayer
Governor of DIFC
Ahmed Humaid Al Tayer has led an exceptional life of public servitude in the UAE and has previously received the”Lifetime Achievement Award” from the Annual Banker Middle East Industry Awards.  Those that know him say Al Tayer has dedicated his working life to the development of the UAE, to advancing of the interests of the private sector, and to implementing the bold strategic vision of state and federal governments. Last month, Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum appointed Al Tayer to head up the DIFC as part of efforts to “improve performance in Dubai government and semi-governmental departments”.

After graduating in economics and political sciences from Cairo University in 1973, Al Tayer rose through the UAE government ranks, taking on a number of portfolios that included a 14-year spell as Minister of State for Finance until 1997, when he became Minister of Communications.

Today he counts the governorship of the DIFC as one of his manifold high-profile responsibilities.  He holds a number of positions including chairman of Emirates NBD, Commercial Bank of Dubai, vice chairman of Dubai Aluminium Company, chairman of Board of Trustees of Emirates Nationals Development Programme and chairman of Emirates Institute for Banking & Financial Studies.

He is also deputy chairman of the Emirates National Oil Company, director of the Dubai Corporation for Government Investment, and vice chairman of the Emirates Bank Association.

In the world of banking, Al Tayer is the man making things happen.

Helen Thomas
Former UPI Bureau Chief and Correspondent
The 89 year old Helen Thomas has served as one of the most distinguished media reporters in the history of the United States.  She was born to Lebanese Christian immigrants from Tripoli, Lebanon, which at the time was part of Syria.  She was brought up in Detroit, Michigan, and attended Wayne University (now Wayne State University), graduating with a bachelor’s degree in 1942.  Since then she has worked tirelessly as a news service reporter, a Hearst Newspapers columnist, a member of the White House Press Corps, and distinguished author.

She served for fifty-seven years as a correspondent and, later, White House bureau chief for United Press International (UPI). Thomas has covered every President of the United States since John F. Kennedy. She was also the first female officer of the National Press Club, the first female member and president of the White House Correspondents Association, and, in 1975, the first female member of the Gridiron Club.

She has also written five books and spoken at numerous occasions about international politics and the business she loves most, journalism.

George Shaheen
Director at NetApp and former CEO of Siebel Systems
Few people have more experience in the world of IT consultancy than George T. Shaheen.  He was appointed to the Board of Directors at NetApp—one of the world’s leading IT storage and protection companies—in June 2004.  His distinguished career in the technology industry spans over 30 years, including being CEO of Siebel Systems; CEO and chairman of Webvan Group Inc.; and CEO and Global Managing Partner of Andersen Consulting—which later became Accenture.

After conquering the IT world, Shaheen decided to branch out and use his consultancy experience in a number of other industries from real estate to healthcare.  He currently serves on the boards of PRA International, Univita Health, 24/7 Customer, newScale and Voxify. He is a member of the Advisory Board of the Marcus & Millichap Company and the Strategic Board of Advisors for Genstar Capital.

Outside of the office, he has served as an IT Governor of the World Economic Forum and as a member of the Board of Advisors for the Northwestern University Kellogg Graduate School of Management.

Shaheen has a master’s degree in business administration and a Bachelor of Science degree from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, where he has served on the University’s Board of Trustees.

Ned Mansour
Author and former CEO of Mattel, Inc.
Known amongst his friends as an incredibly sincere, down to earth individual, Ned Mansour’s success in the corporate world is only matched by his charitable contributions.  Perhaps some of that inspiration comes from the 21-year career that Mansour had with the world’s largest toymaker Mattel, Inc. 

Working from the ground up, Mansour was involved in every aspect of the company’s operations from 1979-2000.  After graduating with a J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law, he started with Mattel, Inc. as an attorney, inching his way up the corporate ladder as President of Operations and Executive Vice President.  In 2000, after being promoted to President of Mattel, Inc., Mansour decided that he needed a new challenge.

In 2008, Mansour joined the Board of Directors of The Ryland Group with a wealth of experience in operations, international expansion, marketing, and corporate governance.  He is also a Director at Blue Nile, Inc.—a leading online retailer of diamonds and fine jewelry.
Outside the office, Mansour is a acclaimed author of children and young adult literature.  He works include Divided Roads, White Canvas and A Cedar Valley Christmas, and he co-wrote Florian’s Special Gift. All his books have served to benefit a variety of worthy causes.  He holds a B.A. in Finance from the University of Southern California and a J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law.