As a thriving business hub, the GCC region is home to powerful leaders who are shaping the business landscape of the current time. With their relentless efforts and passion to drive transformation across industries, the influential business leaders are pushing boundaries. Reflecting a diverse range of businesses, these powerful voices are acclaimed for their passion to bring a change for a better tomorrow.
The influential business leaders featured in this article are not just leading successful businesses, they are turning setbacks into opportunities. Rooted in principles including authenticity, transparency, and community empowerment, these leaders are setting new standards in the business ecosystem of the region.
The Top Influential Business Leaders to Watch
In the sections that follow, you will read about the top 10 influential business leaders in the region and how they are creating a wave of transformation in the Gulf. We will share what they do, their achievements, the choices that led them to their current roles, and their significant contributions in their fields. You will also learn how they are reframing the sectors across the Gulf region.
1. Mohammed Ashif | A Humanitarian Leader Driving Growth and Transformation
A visionary leader, Mohammed Ashif, represents the finest example of the global diaspora. From the coastal village of Karnataka, India, to becoming one of Saudi Arabia’s most prominent industrial leaders, his journey embodies the spirit of enterprise combined with an unwavering commitment to development.
His strong academic foundation from NITTE Mangalore, one of Karnataka’s premier institutions, has helped in shaping his future business acumen while instilling deep respect for education and social service.
Mohammed Ashif has built one of Saudi Arabia’s largest industrial conglomerates – Expertise Company. With a workforce of over 15,000 employees, the company has employees from 24 countries. Specialising in 13 divisions covering petrochemicals, oil & gas, fertilizers, steel, cement, water treatment, power generation, Ashif plays an instrumental role as the group’s CEO.
Ashif is a son of the soil who has achieved extraordinary international success while dedicating his resources, influence, and vision to transforming lives in his homeland. Through charitable contributions, he has even created employment for multiple nationalities. In the healthcare sector, his notable contributions include medical assistance, blood donation initiatives, and offering kidney dialysis equipment.
He contributes to ration distribution and Ramadan food kits, reflecting his commitment to food security, alongside building houses for the poor and offering rental support. As a strong advocate of education, Mohammed Ashif is acclaimed for his educational support, including scholarships for economically disadvantaged students, interest-free educational loans, support for technical education, and infrastructure support for schools.
Leveraging his expertise, Mohammed Ashif has executed several strategic partnerships under his leadership, creating pathways for technical graduates and opening doors for businesses. He also collaborated to support India’s Digital Economy Mission.
A performance-driven leader, Mohammed Ashif is not just adept at driving business growth but has steered Expertise toward sustained revenue expansion and operational excellence with a humanitarian approach. He is leaving a strong legacy for the leaders of the next generation.
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2. Lucia Fuselli | A Pioneering Force in Carbon Circularity and Environmental Sustainability
An international energy, climate and finance executive, Lucia Fuselli brings over 16 years of experience in the field. As the founder of Climate Strategies Consulting, one of the first Gulf-native sustainability consultancy firms, she regularly advise governments, IGOs, investors, family offices and businesses on strategy, policy, and investments connected with energy, carbon circularity, clean-tech and ESG.
A seasoned and widely recognized professional in her field, Lucia has authored several publications on accelerating the energy transition and mainstreaming cleantech investments, climate finance and carbon markets for the World Economic Forum, the Green Grids Initiative and COP29. She is a regular expert and keynote speaker at high-level international events and media, and has co-organized Ministerial events within COP30.
As a strong advocate for sustainable development, Lucia led the Energy Sector of the Green Climate Fund, where she was also acting Head for Transport, Decarbonization, and Infrastructure. During her tenure as a Senior Advisor for COP28 and as a Senior Program Officer for the World Economic Forum’s Energy, Materials, and Infrastructure Platform, she provided thought leadership on energy security and industrial decarbonization. Before that, Lucia was an Investment Officer at AFD and at the European Investment Bank and a Policy Advisor for the EU Parliament. In the MENA region, she has consulted at Director level for big corporations, KSA mega-projects, local Family Offices, GCC Ministerial actors and for UNESCWA.
Currently, as a co-chair of Finance for the Green Grids Initiative (GGI), Lucia led the development of and consultation on Grids Finance Principles that obtained backing from the international community including IRENA and the COP30 presidency. She sits on the Steering Board of the World Association of Public Partnerships (WAPPP), and of the Climate and Water Initiative (CWI).
A visionary in her field, leaders like Lucia Fuselli are reshaping the approach to environmental sustainability, while developing innovative solutions to deal with climate change.
3. Ayman Tayeb | A Visionary in the Aviation and Translation Landscape
Ayman Taleb with his son.
A seasoned business professional committed to transforming the industry, Ayman Tayeb is a leader who drives excellence in any role he holds. Building a career at the intersection of aviation and logistics, he is an acclaimed figure in civil and military air operations. Bringing over three decades of experience in both the military and civilian aviation fields, Ayman has volunteer experience in the civil defense sector, while holding two FAA certificates, one for aircraft dispatcher, and the other for advanced ground instructor. Additionally, he is the founder and Editor in Chief of Ertekaa News.
As a strong advocate for constant learning, Ayman has completed two years of study in English literature at King Abdulaziz University. Tayeb even has a Doctorate degree in Public Relations and Media from Lancaster Academy, and a Doctorate degree in Comprehensive Quality Management (CQM). Currently, he is pursuing a Master’s degree in Occupational Safety and Health (OSH).
From supervising facilities and ground support equipment to coordinating flight operations, and supporting mission-critical military programs, Ayman’s professional journey over the years has shaped him into an adept aviation professional.
With in-depth knowledge and experience in the industry, Ayman decided to start his own business, leading to the inception of Tayeb Maintenance. Offering A/C repair and electrical repairs, the company has a single branch at the moment, with plans for expansion in the future. Additionally, he is a certified Media Content Manager from the Saudi Ministry of Media and publishes aviation news on his Twitter and LinkedIn accounts.
Blending operational leadership with logistics expertise and technical translation within the aviation ecosystem, Ayman Tayeb is redefining leadership in the field.
4. Sylvia D’Costa | Advancing the Future of Scientific Infrastructure in the GCC
As the GCC accelerates investment in research, healthcare, education, and industrial innovation, the region’s progress increasingly depends on leaders who can translate ambition into reliable, scalable infrastructure. Sylvia D’Costa stands out as one such leader—shaping how scientific and laboratory ecosystems are designed, deployed, and sustained across the region.
As Founder and Executive Director of Asterix International General Trading Co., Sylvia has built a specialized enterprise delivering integrated laboratory solutions that extend beyond equipment supply to encompass installation and commissioning, technical training, chemical solutions, and full lifecycle maintenance. Her work supports institutions operating at the intersection of precision, compliance, and performance—where operational failure is not an option.
With over 14 years of leadership experience and a background in international business, Sylvia entered entrepreneurship with a clear long-term vision: to create a solutions-driven organization capable of supporting the GCC’s evolving scientific ambitions. Nearly a decade on, Asterix International reflects that vision through its structured execution, emphasis on accountability, and ability to scale alongside its clients’ growing technical demands.
Looking toward 2026 and beyond, Sylvia’s focus is on future-ready laboratories—integrating advanced technologies, improving operational efficiency, and building resilient systems that can adapt to rapid change. Her leadership approach combines strategic foresight with disciplined governance, ensuring that innovation is supported by robust processes and measurable outcomes.
Beyond business expansion, Sylvia continues to advocate leadership grounded in competence, ethics, and inclusion. By mentoring emerging professionals and promoting high standards across technical and commercial functions, she contributes to building a stronger, more sustainable talent ecosystem for the region.
As the GCC positions itself as a global hub for science, technology, and research excellence, leaders who understand both infrastructure and impact will define the next phase of growth. Sylvia D’Costa’s work reflects this convergence—where vision, execution, and purpose align to create lasting regional value.
Leader Insight: “The future of scientific progress in the GCC will depend not only on advanced technology, but on how effectively we design, implement, and sustain the systems behind it. Leadership, in my view, is about building infrastructure that outlives ambition and enables long-term impact.” — Sylvia D’Costa
5. Khaled Elshafei | A Visionary Expert in the Field of Finance
A trailblazing finance professional, Khaled Elshafei brings over three decades of experience across finance management and financial audit. Known for his ability to streamline operations and enhance efficiency, he has consistently driven profitability and sustainable organizational growth. His attention to detail, paired with a strong commitment to excellence, has positioned him as a trusted leader within complex financial environments.
Khaled currently serves as Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Marassi Holding Company, where he oversees the group’s financial strategy, investment evaluations, financial modelling, and in-depth financial studies. In this role, he plays a pivotal part in strengthening the company’s financial structure and supporting its regional expansion through informed, data-driven decision-making.
Prior to joining Marassi Holding, Khaled spent 11 years with Rawabi Holding, one of Saudi Arabia’s leading conglomerates. This tenure proved instrumental in shaping his strategic and leadership capabilities, providing him with extensive exposure to large-scale operations, corporate governance, and diversified business portfolios.
Academically, Khaled holds an MBA from the International Business Academy of London (IBA) and is a Certified Finance Manager (CFM) accredited by the Global Association of Quality Management. He is also a member of the Egyptian Society of Taxation and the Saudi Organization for Certified Public Accountants. Currently, he is pursuing a PhD in Business Administration at Horizon University, France.
Beyond his executive roles, Khaled is a results-oriented leader who has successfully delivered multiple projects while also mentoring emerging startups across the region. With a clear vision and a growth-driven mindset, he continues to contribute meaningfully to the evolving finance landscape through strategic leadership and disciplined execution.
6. Azhar Murtuza | Redefining the Food Security Ecosystem
Food security in the Gulf is entering a decisive decade, and one of the most under-leveraged strategic assets in the region is also one of the most overlooked: date seeds. Azhar Murtuza, a biotech engineer and founder of Born Maverick Food Innovation Ltd, is leading a quiet but powerful shift in how agricultural by-products can redefine food resilience, sustainability, and economic independence across Arab nations. His work focuses on transforming date seeds, traditionally treated as low-value waste, into high-performance functional food ingredients capable of replacing or significantly reducing reliance on volatile global commodities such as cocoa.
A trained biotech scientist with an International MBA from Queen’s University, Azhar has spent years working at the intersection of science, sustainability, and commercialisation. He has collaborated with Imperial College through the Bezos Earth Fund, Ulster University, and the Medway Food Innovation Centre, successfully licensing multiple food technologies to international partners. Alongside being consistently supported by Invest Northern Ireland and Innovate UK, Born Maverick has been recognised as one of the UK’s top sustainable agri-food startups. Azhar has even participated in multiple Global Business Innovation Programmes across Saudi Arabia and Singapore, expanding his expertise in the field.
Born Maverick’s flagship innovation, Betta Choc, has rapidly gained attention from major food, dairy, bakery, and confectionery companies across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North America. Developed using advanced solid-state fermentation and precision processing, the ingredient platform addresses three global challenges simultaneously: the cocoa supply collapse, ethical concerns surrounding child labour, and escalating raw material costs.
While many alternatives rely on capital-intensive bioreactors or synthetic flavour systems, Born Maverick’s approach is intentionally industrial-ready, designed to scale using food-grade unit operations already familiar to manufacturers, making it particularly well-suited for rapid deployment in date-producing regions.
Azhar’s vision extends beyond product innovation. He believes Arab countries can lead the next chapter of global food technology in the same way they once reshaped global energy markets. “Date seeds have the potential to become more valuable than the date fruit itself,” he notes, pointing to the scale of date production across the GCC and the growing urgency to localise food systems. By converting agricultural surplus into export-grade ingredients, the region can reduce dependency on unstable supply chains while creating new biotech-driven industries rooted in local resources.
As Born Maverick Food Innovation prepares to scale its technologies into the Middle East, Azhar sees collaboration, not disruption, as the path forward. “This isn’t about replacing tradition; it’s about upgrading it with science,” he says. With growing interest from multinational food companies and regional institutions alike, Born Maverick Food Innovation is positioning the Arab world not just as a consumer of future food technologies, but as a global hub for sustainable, ethical, and resilient food innovation.
As the GCC accelerates its journey toward resilient, locally anchored food systems, Born Maverick Food Innovation invites governments, industry leaders, investors, researchers, and innovators to come together and help shape the next global chapter of food security—built in the Arab world, powered by science, and designed for the future.
7. Tamer ElSayes | Strengthening Manufacturing Through Smart and Secure Technology
Tamer ElSayes serves as the Director of Information Technology at SAPIN, where he oversees the company’s IT direction with a clear focus on stability, security, and practical progress. Over the past year, he has led the integration of Industrial Internet of Things systems and smart manufacturing practices into daily operations. His role sits at the center of business and technology, ensuring that digital systems support production goals without adding unnecessary complexity.
At SAPIN, Tamer manages a significant IT budget and is responsible for keeping the infrastructure reliable and secure. He works closely with internal teams to improve processes, reduce friction, and make sure technology serves real operational needs. Rather than chasing trends, his approach is grounded in careful planning, clear priorities, and systems that can scale without disruption.
Security is a constant focus in his work. Tamer leads initiatives that protect data, systems, and operations as manufacturing becomes more connected. He believes strong security starts with good habits, clear policies, and teams that understand why protection matters. By building awareness alongside technical controls, he helps create an environment where growth does not come at the cost of risk.
Partnership also plays an important role in his leadership. Tamer represents SAPIN in discussions with external vendors and service providers, setting expectations and building relationships based on trust and accountability. These partnerships allow the company to adopt new tools while maintaining control over quality and reliability.
Through his work, Tamer ElSayes continues to shape an IT foundation that supports smart manufacturing in a practical and secure way. His focus remains steady: use technology to strengthen operations, protect the business, and support long-term competitiveness in an industry that depends on precision and resilience.
8. Dr. Dalya Al Muthanna | Leading Industrial Growth in the Gulf
Dr. Dalya Al Muthanna is the Managing Director and CEO of Alstom for the Gulf region, a role she took on in January 2024. Based in the UAE, she oversees operations across the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Her work focuses on strengthening industrial capabilities while supporting long-term infrastructure needs across the region.
Before Alstom, she spent over 15 years at GE, where she held senior leadership roles including President of GE UAE and Global Chief Strategy and Operations for GE International Markets. She also served as President and CEO of GE Gulf, a multi-billion-dollar region covering five countries. During this time, she led growth strategies across aviation, power, healthcare, and energy, while keeping a strong focus on operational performance, governance, and talent development.
Dr. Al Muthanna began her career as an entrepreneur. She founded Haya Enterprises in Dubai, building a retail business that managed multiple international brands and exclusive franchises. This early experience shaped her practical approach to leadership, grounded in commercial discipline, partnerships, and financial oversight.
An Emirati leader with a strong academic background, she holds a PhD from Imperial College London focused on business models for a low-carbon economy, along with an MBA from the American University in Dubai. Today, she brings this blend of strategic insight and hands-on experience to Alstom, helping shape the future of manufacturing and infrastructure across the Gulf.
9. Ambarish Jethwani | Building Trust and Performance in Real Estate
Ambarish Jethwani is the CEO of Billion Bricks Dubai and a multi-award-winning leader in the property sector. With more than eight years of experience across the UAE and India, he has built a strong reputation for consistency, discipline, and results. His work reflects a clear focus on long-term relationships rather than short-term wins.
For over nine years, Ambarish has ranked among the highest-performing property advisors in the UAE. He has been recognized year after year by leading developers and partners for his strong market knowledge and steady performance. These recognitions stem from trust earned through clear communication, reliability, and an honest approach to real estate advisory.
Today, he leads a team of focused and driven property consultants who share the same work ethic. Ambarish believes that strong teams are built through clarity, accountability, and shared purpose. He encourages his team to stay methodical, adapt to change, and handle challenges with confidence and care.
At the core of his leadership is a simple goal. He aims to create positive outcomes for clients by guiding them with transparency and sound judgment. For Ambarish Jethwani, success in real estate is measured not just by numbers, but by the trust and satisfaction of those he works with.
10. Cristina Passione Calò | Building a Fairer Creator Economy
Cristina Passione Calò did not enter the tech world with a pitch deck or a grand plan. She came in with lived experience. As a creator herself, with more than one million interactions across platforms, she saw the gaps in influencer marketing from the inside. Delayed payments, unclear expectations, and partnerships that looked good on paper but failed in reality. Instead of waiting for change, she decided to build what was missing.
That decision led to Starflare.AI, where Cristina is now CEO and Co-Founder. The platform was shaped by real frustrations from both sides of the market. Creators wanted clarity and respect. Brands wanted genuine engagement, not inflated numbers. Cristina understood both. “I built what I needed, because the industry didn’t have it,” she says, summing up the mindset behind Starflare.
The early days were far from smooth. The first year was about testing ideas, fixing mistakes, and staying close to the creator community. Cristina focused less on noise and more on solving daily problems. That approach worked. Before active brand outreach even began, Starflare had already grown to over 4,000 creators who trusted the platform enough to invite others in. Growth came through people, not promotion.
Cristina’s leadership style reflects that same thinking. She leads alongside her team, not above them. She values open discussion, quick feedback, and shared responsibility. Internally, the culture mirrors the product itself. Inclusive, practical, and built on trust. Externally, creators feel seen rather than managed, which has become one of Starflare’s strongest points.
Today, as Starflare prepares to raise a $3M seed round, Cristina remains clear on her goal. She wants influencer marketing to be fair, transparent, and human. Her story shows that strong platforms do not always come from big corporations. Sometimes, they come from creators who decide to fix what they once struggled with themselves.
Conclusion:
The influential business leaders featured in this article are a reflection of aspiring professionals who never stopped believing and working for their idea. With a strong sense of commitment and dedication to turn their vision into reality, the journey of these influential business leaders is an inspiration for the next generation of professionals.
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