H.E. Ahmed Taleb Ali Al Shamsi
Chief Executive Officer
Emirates Foundation
About me
Ahmed Taleb Al Shamsi was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Foundation
in September 2019. A pioneer in the field of youth empowerment, over the last five years
Al Shamsi has led the Foundation through an outstanding period mobilization,
engagement and partnership-building that has firmly established the organization’s longterm strategic operations.
In 2023, he spearheaded further evolution within the organization, repositioning
Emirates Foundation within the UAE social sector ecosystem. Taking it from a delivery
agent of beneficiary programs to a sector-level facilitator, under Al Shamsi’s strategic
direction, the Foundation is now responsible for driving social transformation by
deploying active vehicles, like subsidiaries and JVs, that are creating meaningful
societal change.
In addition to his role as the CEO of Emirates Foundation, Al Shamsi continues to hold
the role of the Director of National Experts Program. From 2017 to early 2019, Al Shamsi
was also the Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Youth Council and the first UAE UN Youth
Ambassador.
During his role as the Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Youth Council, Al Shamsi
spearheaded the design and successful launch of multiple youth empowerment
programs and initiatives through forging valuable public and private partnerships. He
also led youth engagement networks and programs, especially in underserved areas in
the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, through establishing corporate youth councils across
government entities. His establishment of value-based youth programs and centers is
based on – and inspired by – the vision laid out by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al
Nahyan, the Founding Father of the UAE.
In his role as the UAE UN Youth Ambassador, Al Shamsi focused on enhancing young
people’s involvement and contributions to the National Development Agenda and
ensuring their voices and needs are heard by different stakeholders.
Al Shamsi also successfully steered and oversaw the organization and execution of
major events, including Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi since 2015, project
managed the UAE-China Week, the events operationand strategic communication for
the Special Olympics MENA, the operation lead for the opening of the Louvre Museum
Abu Dhabi. He alsoheaded many strategic aspects of the visits of Heads of States and
International VIPs.
He is a graduate of the American University of Washington DC with a degree in
International Relations with post-graduate courses from Georgetown University,
Oxford University, Harvard University, Columbia University and Royal Military
Academy of Sandhurst
Is speaking at
Nurturing Tomorrow's Leaders: The Role of Education in Sustainable Development
Thursday, April 25, 2024 7:20 AM to 8:00 AM
Plenary Hall (Regal Ballroom A/B), St. Regis
Safeena Husain · Educate Girls
H.E. Ahmed Taleb Ali Al Shamsi · Emirates Foundation
Nouf AlSaud · King Khalid Foundation
Dato' Shahira Ahmed Bazari · Yayasan Hasanah