Qatar’s business landscape continues to evolve as entrepreneurs, technology leaders, educators, and industry specialists explore new growth opportunities. From digital innovation and healthcare to sports development and professional services, the country’s expanding ecosystem is creating space for different forms of leadership and expertise.
The 10 Top Voices You Should Follow in Qatar (2026) represent a diverse range of professional perspectives. Their work spans entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, marketing, commercial law, talent development, and business strategy.
Together, these professionals offer insights into how individuals and organisations can navigate change, develop stronger capabilities, and contribute to Qatar’s long-term economic and social development.
Highlights
Editorial Note:
This feature is independently curated by the NewInAsia editorial team and is not a paid or sponsored listing. It highlights professionals with meaningful connections to Qatar’s business and innovation ecosystem through their work, expertise, or sustained professional contributions, regardless of nationality or residence.
Selections are based on publicly available information, primarily from LinkedIn, and consider expertise, the quality and consistency of public contributions, professional credibility, and relevance to the featured market. This is an editorial selection, not a definitive ranking.
Hamad Mubarak Al-Hajri
Founder & CEO, Snoonu
Hamad Mubarak Al-Hajri brings an entrepreneurial perspective to Qatar’s growing digital economy, with a focus on business model development, investment, and the leadership decisions required to build successful ventures.
With more than two decades of experience in international business and innovation, he has contributed to both private-sector entrepreneurship and national economic development.
As the founder of Snoonu, he helped establish a technology venture that reports several milestones in Qatar’s startup ecosystem, including reaching a valuation of QAR 1 billion and securing successive investment rounds. His earlier work as Director of Economic Competitiveness at Qatar’s Ministry of Finance also involved economic diversification, public-private partnerships, and initiatives supporting the knowledge-based and startup economies.
His contributions draw on the practical challenges of entrepreneurship, from evaluating opportunities and developing business models to making difficult decisions during periods of growth. He also explores the importance of organisational culture, leadership development, and recognising potential within teams.
For founders, investors, and business leaders, Al-Hajri offers insights shaped by experience across entrepreneurship, investment, and economic policy. His perspective highlights how business success depends not only on identifying market opportunities but also on developing the judgement, resilience, and organisational capabilities needed to pursue them.
Alanoud AlMesnad
Executive Director, Qatar Foundation
Alanoud AlMesnad brings together experience in strategic marketing, sports development, and community engagement, with particular attention to initiatives that expand opportunities for women and girls.
As Executive Director at Qatar Foundation, she contributes to an institution focused on education, research, and community development. Previously, she served as Director of Marketing and Communication at Aspire Academy, where she led branding, stakeholder engagement, communications strategy, and major promotional initiatives. Her earlier experience at Aspire Zone Foundation included managing events and coordinating programmes that brought different communities together through sport.
Her contributions highlight women’s participation in sports, community development, and the role of inclusive programmes in creating long-term social value. Through discussions of initiatives such as BAL4HER and Qatar Sports For All, she draws attention to the importance of making opportunities more accessible and encouraging participation beyond traditional boundaries.
For professionals working in sports, communications, and social development, AlMesnad offers a perspective that connects strategic engagement with community outcomes. Her work highlights how well-designed initiatives can strengthen participation, visibility, and opportunities for future generations.
Tamer Yousry Tharwat
Senior Manager of Technology (CTO), Qatar Development Bank
Tamer Yousry Tharwat examines how organisations can use technology to improve performance while maintaining the governance, security, and operational resilience required for sustainable transformation.
With more than 20 years of experience across banking, government, and enterprise technology, he currently leads an integrated technology function at Qatar Development Bank. His responsibilities span engineering, cloud infrastructure, applications, architecture, governance, and technology project management. During his progression through senior roles at the bank, he developed enterprise governance frameworks, supported digital service modernisation, and led technology initiatives involving regulatory reporting, business intelligence, and customer-facing platforms.
One notable achievement from his earlier governance leadership was establishing technology standards and risk-management processes that, according to his professional profile, helped maintain three consecutive years without high-risk audit findings. His experience also includes modernising legacy systems and strengthening disaster recovery capabilities.
His contributions explore AI adoption, digital transformation, technology strategy, and the evolving responsibilities of technology leaders. Rather than viewing AI or cloud migration as isolated projects, he examines how organisations can connect these investments to business priorities, regulatory requirements, and human decision-making.
For technology executives and transformation leaders, Tharwat offers a perspective grounded in institutional implementation. His work highlights why successful digital transformation requires more than adopting new tools: it depends on strong governance, clear priorities, and the ability to translate technology investments into operational value.
Iqra Mazahir
Digital Marketing Executive, Al-Ahli Hospital
Iqra Mazahir explores the intersection of healthcare communications, brand strategy, and public awareness, focusing on how organisations can make important health information more accessible and engaging.
Trained in pharmacy, she has built a career across pharmaceutical marketing, healthcare services, and regional commercial strategy. Her experience includes brand management at Getz Pharma, marketing leadership at KIMSHEALTH in Qatar, and regional marketing responsibilities at D&B Co. Her professional profile highlights contributions to cardiometabolic brand development, healthcare revenue growth, and medical education initiatives involving healthcare professionals.
Currently serving as Digital Marketing Executive at Al-Ahli Hospital, she applies her marketing experience to healthcare communications and public engagement. Her contributions include awareness initiatives such as the Pink Circle breast cancer campaign, alongside reflections on creative campaign development and the importance of communicating health messages effectively.
Her perspective combines an understanding of healthcare with practical marketing experience. She examines how storytelling, campaign design, and audience engagement can support awareness while maintaining the credibility and sensitivity required in health-related communications.
For healthcare marketers and communications professionals, Iqra offers insights into balancing commercial objectives with public education. Her work highlights how thoughtful communication can strengthen awareness, encourage engagement, and support more informed health decisions.
Dr AlHasan AlSammarraie
Founding Managing Partner, Applab Qatar
Dr AlHasan AlSammarraie examines how emerging technologies can create practical value for businesses, public institutions, and communities, with a particular interest in artificial intelligence and digital platforms.
As Founding Managing Partner of Applab Qatar, he has helped develop software solutions and digital platforms serving government organisations, private businesses, and entrepreneurs. His entrepreneurial experience includes co-founding software-as-a-service products, including Social Charity, a donation-management platform used by three major charitable organisations in Qatar, according to his professional profile. He is also a founding member of Entrepreneurs’ Organization Qatar.
His academic work adds another dimension to his technology perspective. His doctoral research focuses on AI frameworks combining large language models and retrieval-augmented generation to support patient education in Arabic. This connects developments in artificial intelligence with questions of healthcare accessibility and the availability of digital information for Arabic-speaking communities.
His contributions explore AI investment, financial technology, cybersecurity, banking automation, and the infrastructure required to support emerging technologies. He considers both the commercial opportunities and the governance challenges associated with wider AI adoption.
For entrepreneurs, technology investors, and public-sector decision-makers, AlSammarraie offers a perspective informed by research and practical product development. His work highlights how technological innovation can become more meaningful when it addresses identifiable needs and is supported by responsible implementation.
Mahmoud Abo-Shady
Head of Litigation and Enforcement Department, Omani & Partners LLP
Mahmoud Abo-Shady focuses on the legal and commercial decisions that help businesses manage disputes, protect contractual rights, and reduce avoidable risks.
With more than 15 years of legal experience, he specialises in commercial litigation, arbitration, enforcement proceedings, and construction-related disputes. As Head of the Litigation and Enforcement Department at Omani & Partners LLP, he oversees complex commercial, corporate, and contractual disputes, guiding cases from initial assessment through court proceedings, final judgment, and enforcement.
His responsibilities include developing litigation and dispute-resolution strategies, advising local and international clients on Qatar’s legal and regulatory matters, and supervising legal teams. He also supports domestic and international arbitration proceedings and leads efforts to modernise internal legal operations through digital transformation.
His contributions translate complex legal issues into practical guidance for businesses and decision-makers. Through contract review checklists, explanations of legal terminology, and discussions of arbitration and enforcement, he highlights how unclear agreements, weak documentation, and delayed decisions can create significant commercial exposure.
A recurring theme in his work is the importance of addressing legal risk before a disagreement escalates. He encourages businesses to view contract drafting, documentation, and legal planning as essential parts of responsible commercial management.
For founders, investors, contractors, and business executives operating in Qatar, Abo-Shady offers insights into the relationship between legal clarity and business continuity. His perspective highlights how proactive legal decisions can support stronger commercial relationships and more effective risk management.
Raifa Basheer
Recruitment Specialist, SGS
Raifa Basheer brings a people-focused perspective to recruitment and professional development, exploring how individuals can improve their career opportunities while organisations strengthen their approach to identifying talent. She has also been actively involved with global youth leadership organisations and social innovation communities across Qatar and the UAE, supporting initiatives focused on youth and women’s empowerment, employability and personal development.
Currently working in recruitment for onshore and offshore projects at SGS, she combines talent acquisition experience with training, career guidance, and youth development. Through her independent training and community initiatives, she has delivered more than 50 workshops and training sessions, reaching 4500+ of students, job seekers, and working professionals across the GCC and India.
Her work includes CV development, LinkedIn strategies, interview preparation, communication skills, and practical strategies for navigating the employment market. Those insights have been featured on TEDx, MediaOne, Gulf Madhyamam, Radio Suno Qatar, and Kerala Insider.
Through her contributions, she explores recruitment practices, professional development, and the challenges faced by candidates entering or progressing through the workforce. She also shares perspectives from recruitment, including why employers should consider a candidate’s potential, adaptability, and broader capabilities rather than relying entirely on performance during a single interview.
Beyond recruitment, her work in training and mentorship reflects an interest in making career knowledge more accessible. She uses practical guidance and personal experience to encourage continuous learning and greater confidence among young professionals.
For recruiters, students, and early-career professionals, Raifa offers insights into both sides of the hiring process. Her perspective highlights how better preparation, thoughtful assessment, and ongoing skills development can create stronger outcomes for employers and jobseekers.
Francisco Miguel Sousa
Strategic and Scale-up Advisor | Part-time Lecturer, University of Doha for Science and Technology
Francisco Miguel Sousa examines how businesses can scale sustainably, develop profitable operating models, and respond to changing market conditions.
His experience spans e-commerce, quick commerce, business development, and international expansion across multiple markets. As the former Managing Director of talabat Qatar, he led the company’s local operations for more than eight years, overseeing commercial growth, service expansion, and operational performance. His professional profile highlights achievements including developing a profitable dark-store operating model, expanding delivery services into new categories, and introducing an online donation initiative through the platform.
Earlier in his career, he helped develop Zomato’s business in Qatar, reporting that the operation reached break-even within ten months. His wider experience includes supporting international expansion initiatives and advising companies on growth strategies across different markets.
Today, Sousa combines strategic advisory work with teaching at the University of Doha for Science and Technology, where he covers strategy management, sustainability, and professional sales management. His contributions explore business models, entrepreneurship, AI applications, and the opportunities available to established companies seeking to modernise their operations.
For founders and business executives, Sousa offers a perspective grounded in commercial execution and organisational growth. His work highlights why scaling a business requires more than increasing sales: it also depends on sound unit economics, operational discipline, and the ability to adapt strategy to changing conditions.
Dr Muhammad Fahmy
Business Consultant and Instructor, Qatar Finance and Business Academy | Founder, Tatweer Initiative | CEO, Qimah Organisation
Dr Muhammad Fahmy focuses on leadership development, organisational performance, and the practical application of management and financial knowledge.
His professional experience combines academic teaching, business consultancy, and corporate training. He serves as a Business and Finance Instructor at Qatar Finance and Business Academy and delivers training for Qatar’s Civil Service and Government Development Bureau. His work involves developing programmes in management, marketing, and finance for professionals in government institutions and charitable organisations.
He also serves as an Associate Professor of Business Management at the Islamic University of Minnesota.
Beyond academia, he founded the Tatweer Initiative, which focuses on personal and corporate development, and serves as CEO of Qimah Organisation, a UK-based organisation specialising in accreditation and consultancy. His training experience includes delivering more than 50 batches of Project Management Professional (PMP) preparation courses, helping professionals prepare for the certification examination.
His contributions explore project management, financial management, Islamic management principles, professional training, and internal auditing. Through articles and practical guidance, he shares perspectives on strengthening professional competencies, improving decision-making, and applying management principles across different organisational settings.
For managers, educators, and professionals pursuing career development, Fahmy offers a perspective that connects structured learning with real organisational challenges. His work highlights how practical knowledge, professional certification, and continuous development can strengthen individual capabilities and organisational performance.
Steve Mackie
Founder, Business Start Up Qatar
Steve Mackie works with entrepreneurs and businesses to help them enter new markets, build meaningful professional relationships and turn growth opportunities into practical outcomes.
His career spans entrepreneurship, business development, marketing and advisory services. For more than two decades, he has supported businesses across different industries. Through Business Start Up Qatar, he has advised entrepreneurs, business owners and international organisations on market entry, company establishment and commercial strategy.
Earlier, through Solutions Four, Mackie helped deliver measurable marketing results. He implemented a customer loyalty programme across 300 Domino’s stores in the United Kingdom. For Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, he developed a digital marketing strategy and helped build its first online ticket sales platform, which generated £1.6 million in its first year.
Beyond consultancy, Mackie has built platforms that connect people and share professional experience. Through the I Wanna GROW podcast, he gives entrepreneurs and business leaders a platform to discuss leadership, business development and personal growth, sharing the lessons behind their work as well as their successes.
His work focuses on the practical challenges of building a business: testing whether an idea has a market, attracting investment, developing a sustainable model and understanding Qatar’s commercial environment.
For founders, SMEs and international companies exploring Qatar, Mackie brings a practical perspective shaped by years of hands-on business development. He helps clients understand the market, make the right connections and work through the steps between an idea and a business that is ready to grow.
Final Thoughts: Turning Expertise into Progress Across Qatar’s Industries
From entrepreneurship and AI to healthcare, commercial law, and talent development, these ten professionals offer distinct perspectives on Qatar’s evolving business landscape.
Their experiences demonstrate how innovation, informed leadership, and practical expertise can strengthen organisations, create opportunities, and support long-term development.
Explore their insights, engage with their perspectives, and apply the lessons that matter most to your own professional journey. Whether you’re building a business, leading a team, or exploring new opportunities, these voices offer valuable ideas to help turn ambition into action.
Highlights
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