Leadership
Our leadership team brings together deep experience across investment, technology, entrepreneurship and business transformation, connecting founders, investors and strategic partners across the MENA ecosystem.
Introduction
Keiretsu Forum MENA is led by executives and investment professionals with experience across capital, entrepreneurship, technology, strategy and international business supported by the knowledge and relationships of the wider Keiretsu global network.
The team is responsible for developing the chapter’s investment activity, strengthening its member community and building relationships across the region. Through its committees and wider network, Keiretsu Forum MENA connects entrepreneurs and investors with the expertise, capital and relationships needed to create long-term value.
We believe strong ecosystems are built by bringing the right people together; experienced investors, ambitious founders and leaders who understand how to turn opportunity into sustainable growth.
team
Meet the leaders shaping our investment strategy, growing our community and connecting MENA with the global Keiretsu network.
Board Member
Mahmood Jassim serves on the board, contributing governance oversight and strategic direction. He supports long-term planning and helps guide the organization’s growth and accountability.
Board Member
Abdulla M. Alashram is a board member focused on strategic direction and organizational governance. He helps shape priorities, strengthen oversight, and support sustainable growth.
Board Member, Head of Global Keiretsu Forum
Adam Henderson connects Curazzo to global capital and networks. As Head of Global at Keiretsu Forum one of the world’s largest angel investor networks he opens doors to investors and partners worldwide and helps guide the company’s funding and expansion strategy.
Mohamed Board Member
Dr. Salem Mohamed brings a clinician’s discipline to the Curazzo board. A US board-certified interventional cardiologist practicing across Dubai, he helps raise the company’s standards, guide high-stakes decisions, and keep quality and long-term wellbeing at the center of how Curazzo grows.
Board Member
Saurabh Jha brings a founder’s eye for building and scaling to the Curazzo board. A Stanford GSB graduate and former PepsiCo leader who has founded and run consumer and health ventures, he helps sharpen strategy, growth, and how the company turns ideas into scalable businesses.
Chief Operating Officer
She holds an MBA from the University of California and a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering from the University of Kuwait, with executive education at MIT, Cornell and Harvard.
Chapter Manager · Qatar & North Africa
As Chapter Manager for Qatar & North Africa, Naima Driouich leads regional operations and ecosystem expansion across the Middle East, North Africa, and GCC markets. She oversees member relations, LP engagement, and strategic government and corporate partnerships, driving cross-border angel investment syndication, startup acceleration, and deal flow integration between regional portfolios and global markets.
Business growth associate UAE, kuwait & qatar
Samir Alkhaja brings extensive banking and financial industry experience to Keiretsu MENA. His expertise spans negotiation, business planning, analytical skills, sales, investment and wealth relationship management.
Samir plays an active role in managing deal flow, connecting startups with investors and creating strategic growth opportunities. His understanding of financial markets and investment strategies supports both entrepreneurs and investors across the Keiretsu network.
He holds a degree in Business Information Technology.
Head of Advisory Board
Dr. Manal Rifki chairs the advisory board, providing strategic guidance and expert counsel to leadership. She brings an advisory and research-driven perspective to the organization’s direction.
Advisory Board Member
Zaid Darwazeh works at the intersection of enterprise AI and venture building, focused on accelerating AI Data Cloud adoption and connecting entrepreneurs with venture capital. Based in Abu Dhabi, he helps organizations across the region move from data strategy to real AI value.
advisory board
His work covers corporate transactions, M&A and investment-related matters. He has successfully closed more than 100 M&A and corporate transactions.
legal advisory board
Hisham Kassim is a corporate lawyer with more than a decade of experience in the Middle East, advising international and MENA-based clients including venture capital and private equity firms.
Strategic Business Leader & PMO Expert
Peter Janho is a strategic business leader with extensive experience establishing and managing PMOs, improving operational efficiency and driving business growth.
Building the next generation of the MENA investment ecosystem.