Future 50 list of Young Rising Leaders features five changemakers from the Middle East and North Africa
Project Management Institute (PMI) has identified five changemakers from Middle East & Africa (MENA) out of the 50 rising leaders in its second annual Future 50 list for 2021. The MENA honourees that represent Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iraq, and Egypt include Omran Sharaf, Senior Director and Project Manager of Emirates Mars Mission, Basrah Gas Company’s Haneen Tuama, Hanan Al Maziad of King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, Emaar Properties’ Khaleel Baba, and Mohammed Baly of Orange Business Services. All five have played leading roles in pioneering ground-breaking advancements for the region.
The five chosen changemakers from the MENA region have gone above and beyond in affecting positive change and create a lasting social impact in the post-pandemic world. As opposed to stymying their efforts, COVID-19 only served to inspire and spur them on, accelerating their work and innovations. Be it distinguishing the UAE as the first Arab country to reach Mars or safeguarding the wellbeing of communities with the transformation of Saudi Arabia’s healthcare system, the honourees’ user-centric and forward-focused thinking allowed them to bring their ideas and initiatives to life across the region, making it a better place.
PMI research reveals that only 40 per cent of organisations say they prioritise attracting and hiring the next generation of project professionals. This year’s iteration of the Future 50 list underlines the importance of innovation and empowering young leaders to develop new solutions to the challenges we face across the world. The list showcases what the MENA region’s new generation of gifted thought leaders and changemakers can accomplish, spotlighting their ability to drive value for business and society now and in the future.
To identify this year’s Future 50 honourees, PMI reached out to hundreds of experts and stakeholders across the globe for nominations. A special committee vetted the rising leaders and narrowed the list of nominees. Finalists were then individually researched or interviewed to create a list representing a full spectrum of regions, industries, and achievements in The Project Economy – one in which people have the skills and capabilities they need to turn ideas into reality. While some honourees are Project Management Professional certification holders, others would not even describe themselves as project managers. What unites the Future 50 is a commitment to project work as the foundation for positive impact today and tomorrow.
