Country: 
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
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, she has three decades of experience across various asset classes and regions.

Farah currently serves as the Chair of the Founding Board of a multi-family office and as a Non-Executive Director on the Board of ALEC, a portfolio company of ICD. She has also held positions on individual family boards and investment committees. Additionally, she is an EMEA Non-Executive Operating Partner and Senior Advisor to Energy Impact Partners.

Her dedication to elevating the Middle East financial services industry through leadership and advocacy for best practices has earned her consistent recognition on Forbes Top 100 Power Arab Women list since 2012.

Over the past decade, Farah has developed a personal global venture capital portfolio focused on fintech, wellness, and energy transition. Her global credibility was recognized when she received the International Investment Woman of the Year award in London in 2019.

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

A devoted mother of two young adults, Farah proudly embraces her Saudi and Palestinian heritage. Her commitment to family well-being and legacy is reflected in her values, going beyond professional responsibilities to continuously raise ethical standards and promote responsible behavior in all aspects of her life and 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.