Dr. Souad is a Multidisciplinary Scholar and Strategic Advisor specializing in MENA Contextualized Leadership Development programs. She brings diverse experience from both the UK and MENA regions. She has held various executive roles, including CEO, Chief Development Officer, Chairperson, Board Member of Trustees, and Advisor to Boards of Directors. Currently, she is a faculty member for the Program for Africa Leadership at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), having previously led the Women in Local Governance Program in Saudi Arabia.
Dr. Souad has developed strategic priorities and plans at the country level to achieve SDG 5, promoting evidence-based solutions for collaborative leadership, focusing on policies that enhance participation in decision-making for all genders.
Renowned for integrating academic research with practical leadership strategies, Dr. Souad specializes in leadership development and women advancement. She has led impactful projects promoting inclusive leadership in the MENA region, engaging multi-stakeholder partnerships from government, NGOs, INGOs, business, academia, and policymakers.
As the CEO of IEL International, Dr. Souad co-develops programs with leading UK universities, benefiting MENA governments, businesses, and universities. Her academic contributions are diverse, covering research in knowledge management, human and sociotechnical considerations in technology adoption, and evidence-based solutions for inclusive leadership development.
Dr. Souad has extensive experience in research and development, executive training, and leadership development, with over 15 years as a senior academic in UK higher education. She has led academic programs at various levels (Doctoral, MSc, MA, and MBA) and has been awarded one of the university’s best academics awards consecutively.
Her expertise includes developing global strategic partnerships and empowering leaders through research and recommendations on regulatory and policy reforms to enhance meaningful participation in decision-making roles across sectors. She has co-authored management and academic papers with experts from academia and industry and led multidisciplinary international research projects.
Dr. Souad is a sought-after keynote speaker and trainer. She has delivered numerous training programs globally in Arabic and English for government officials, senior leaders, and professionals across sectors.
