Professions: 
Chairperson
Chief Executive Officer
Consultant
Field(s) of expertise: 
Entrepreneurship
Finance
Areas of Impact: 
Decent Work and Economic Growth

Personal information

Farah Foustok
Chief Executive, Board Member, Strategic Advisor, and Principal Investor

Community/Lebanon Impact

Farah Foustok is a seasoned and recognized leader in Financial Services. An avid Investor and Entrepreneur, with three decades of experience across various asset classes and regions.

Farah is currently the Chair of the Founding Board of a Multi-Family office and serves as a Non-Executive Director on the Board of ALEC, a portfolio company of ICD. Farah has also held positions on individual Family boards & Investment Committees. She is an EMEA non-Executive Operating Partner & Senior Advisor to Energy Impact Partners.

Farah’s dedication for elevating the Middle East Financial Services industry through her leadership and advocacy for best practices has earned her consistent recognition by Forbes Top 100 Power Arab Women’s list since 2012.

Farah has developed a personal global venture capital portfolio over the last decade, focussed on Fintech, Wellness and Energy Transition. Her global credibility resulted in her award of International Investment Woman of the Year in London, in 2019.

Farah has been a vocal and action orientated advocate for gender diversity and women’s leadership, launching multiple initiatives in the Middle East, with global reach.

A devoted Mother of two young adults; Farah proudly embraces her Saudi & Palestinian heritage.

Farah’s commitment to family wellbeing and legacy reflects in her values of going beyond professional responsibilities to continuously raise ethical standards and drive responsible behaviour in all aspects of her life and the community.

Social Media

Education

Education: 
  • 2023: Leadership and Innovation with Impact, Singularity.
  • 2023: Engineering, Design Thinking, Stanford University.
  • 2018 - 2019: Fintech Certification, Finance, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.
  • 2020: Foundations of Positive Psychology, University of Pennsylvania.
  • 2021: Sustainable Finance, University of Cambridge.
  • 2018: Finance Leaders Fellowship, The Aspen Institute.
  • 1989 - 1992: Bachelor of Science, Mathematic and Management.
  • 1993 - 1994: MBA, Finance Specialisation, Imperial College Business School.

Work history

Previous Professions: 
  • 2024 - Present: Operating Partner and Senior Advisor, EMEA, Dubai, UAE.
  • 2024 - Present: Member Board of Directors, ALEC, Dubai, UAE.
  • 2023 - Present: Board Member and Strategic Advisor, GIC Family Group, Dubai, UAE.
  • 2020 - Present: Chair of Founding Board, GIC Family Group, Dubai, UAE.
  • 2020 - Present: Board Member, Room to Read Middle East, Dubai, UAE.
  • 2020 - Present: Founder, Tara Global.
  • 2013 - 2024: Co-Founder and Advisory Committee Member, Reach Mentoring, Dubai UAE.
  • 2015 - 2023: Member of Global Advisory Committee & Co-Founder of MENA Chapter, 30% Club, Dubai, UAE.
  • 2014 - 2023: CEO Middle East and Board Member of Lazard Gulf, Dubai, UAE.
  • 2014 - 2023: Vice Chair of Lazard, KSA.
  • 2020: Co Chair, B20 Women in Business Action Council, KSA.
  • 2018 - 2019: Advisory Committee Memeber to new Asset Management Program, American University of Beirut.
  • 2008 - 2014: CEO, ING Investment Management, Middle East.
  • 2006 - 2008: Head of Asset Management, NBD Investment Management, Dubai, UAE.
  • 2005 - 2006: Senior Portfolia Manager, EFG Hermes Holding, Dubai, UAE.
  • 2002 - 2005: Founding Partner, Real Estate Advisory and Interior Design, Argentina and Spain.
  • 2001 - 2002: Business Development, Angelstreet.com, London, United Kingdom.
  • 2000 - 2001: Equity Sales, Morgan Stanley, London, United Kingdom.
  • 1995 - 2000: Equity Strategy, Deutsche Bank.