Our Advisory Board
WELCOME
The Harbor House Advisory Board brings together a distinguished group of regional and international leaders whose expertise spans industrial development, investment strategy, digital transformation, and policy innovation. Each member contributes deep sector knowledge and executive insight to guide Harbor House in advancing national programs, public–private initiatives, and sustainable economic growth across Bahrain and the wider GCC.
Mohammed Abdulmalek
Investment Strategy & Financial Governance
Mohammed Abdulmalek is a senior investment executive with over 30 years of experience leading financial institutions and managing global investment portfolios. He currently serves as Head of the Middle East and Chairman of PGIM International Limited, part of PGIM, the global asset management arm of Prudential Financial (NYSE: PRU). Previously, Mohammed held key leadership positions, including CEO of Capivest Investment Bank, Managing Director at Deutsche Asset Management, and senior roles at UBS Global Asset Management, Lend Lease, and JPMorgan Chase. His expertise spans private equity, alternative investments, and strategic fund management across regional and international markets. A Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA), Mohammed also holds an MBA in Financial Management from the University of Exeter and a BSc in Management from the University of Bahrain. His strategic insight bridges institutional finance and national economic development, enabling sustainable investment ecosystems.
Ammar Hina
Sports Strategy, Media & Broadcast Innovation
Ammar Hina is a senior broadcast and sports strategy leader with more than 2 decades of experience transforming how sports are produced, distributed, and commercialized across the Middle East. His career spans significant international properties, including the FIFA Club World Cup, the AFC Asian Cup, and the English Premier League, where he led large-scale broadcast operations and strategic development initiatives. He has held senior roles with NEP Group, the UAE Pro League, and the Saudi Pro League, where he built end-to-end production departments and introduced groundbreaking innovations, including the region’s first VR football broadcast and vertical live formats. His strategic leadership expanded the Saudi Pro League’s international broadcast footprint to over 170 countries. Ammar’s advisory focus blends sports strategy, broadcast innovation, and league commercialization, helping federations, investors, and production entities align their media operations with long-term growth objectives. His work continues to shape the evolution of sports media and its connection to national economic development.
Amb. Vardan Toghanyan
International Industrial Investment Advisor & Strategic Partnerships
Ambassador Vardan Toghanyan is a senior diplomat and international relations strategist with decades of experience representing Armenia’s interests on the global stage. He served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to the Russian Federation, where he played a pivotal role in strengthening Armenian-Russian relations and advancing cross-cultural and economic cooperation. During his tenure, Ambassador Toghanyan worked closely with government institutions, media organizations, and business communities to expand bilateral trade, investment, and educational collaboration. His leadership was recognized with the Order of Friendship, awarded by the President of the Russian Federation for outstanding contributions to strengthening allied relations between Armenia and Russia. Ambassador Toghanyan’s career reflects a consistent commitment to building bridges between nations, promoting mutual understanding, and supporting sustainable development through diplomacy and partnership.
Dr. Humaid Ali Al Kindi
Government Transformation, Industrial Development & Environmental Policy
Dr. Eng. Humaid Al Kindi is a transformational leader and policy architect with more than 25 years of experience advancing government excellence, industrial development, and sustainability policy across the United Arab Emirates. His leadership combines strategic foresight, governance expertise, and a deep understanding of how institutional innovation can drive national competitiveness. He has held senior advisory and executive positions with the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), the Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Agricultural Excellence Award, and the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD). Through these roles, Dr. Al Kindi led major initiatives in organizational transformation, business continuity, risk management, and environmental governance, developing frameworks that connect policy objectives to measurable industrial and societal impact. His contributions include designing institutional innovation systems, crafting environmental and food safety regulations, and steering industrial sustainability programs that align with Abu Dhabi’s and the UAE’s long-term economic and environmental visions. Recognized globally, he received the 2024 DRI Public Sector Program Leader of the Year Award and the Abu Dhabi Government Excellence Award, reflecting his commitment to operational excellence and resilient governance. Holding international certifications such as PMP, EFQM, ISO Lead Auditor, NEBOSH, and BSC, Dr. Al Kindi continues to advise public entities and strategic programs on policy design, environmental management, and industrial transformation, ensuring that development frameworks are both sustainable and innovation-led.
Sarah Awad, MSc, PMP, PMI-PBA, CAPM
Commercial Strategy & Industrial Development
Sarah Awad is a strategic advisor and transformation specialist with over a decade of experience leading commercial strategy, investment planning, and business transformation across the Middle East, North America, and Europe. Her expertise bridges financial modelling, M&A integration, and industrial establishment, guiding organizations through growth, restructuring, and cross-sector expansion. She currently advises the leadership of 4Refuel / Freedom CNG (Canada) on renewable energy and infrastructure transformation, overseeing asset optimization and capital allocation totaling more than $29 million. Previously, she served as a Commercial Analyst at twofour54 (Abu Dhabi), where she supported the $1 billion Yas Creative Hub development by aligning public and private stakeholders to drive value creation and regional industry growth. Her earlier roles with Novartis and Habtoor Hospitality strengthened her capability in commercial due diligence, project finance, and operational transformation, supporting sustainable development across healthcare, energy, and real estate sectors. Sarah holds a Master’s in Finance and Investment (University of Essex, UK) and professional certifications from the Project Management Institute (PMI).
Karen Khachatryan
Tourism Strategy & Destination Development
Karen Khachatryan is an international tourism strategist and marketing executive with over 25 years of experience developing new destinations and driving global visitor growth. As Vice President of Visa Concord Group (Cyprus), he has led the creation of new tourist markets through strategic data analysis, large-scale international events, and partnership programs with national tourism boards and investment agencies. His career includes senior leadership roles in advertising and media production, directing promotional campaigns and documentary films to strengthen the global image of countries and resort destinations. Karen’s experience spans destination branding, event marketing, and cross-sector tourism development linking real estate, education, healthcare, and media promotion. He continues to advise public and private stakeholders on tourism-led economic growth strategies, helping nations attract diversified visitor segments and strengthen their global presence through integrated marketing and investment promotion.
Eng. Rashed Shaheen
Digital Transformation & Industrial Development Strategy
Eng. Rashed Shaheen is a senior executive and technology strategist with more than 35 years of international experience bridging government, finance, telecommunications, and industry. His career has focused on digital transformation, industrial innovation, and public–private collaboration, helping national institutions align policy, technology, and economic growth. As CEO of ICON Bahrain since 2007, Rashed has led digital and industrial modernization initiatives in partnership with public agencies, advancing Bahrain’s move toward an innovative, diversified economy. His earlier leadership roles at the Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK) and Batelco saw him develop strategic technology roadmaps, operational frameworks, and infrastructure models that enhanced national capabilities across industry and services. A Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and member of IEEE, ACM, PMI, and BCS, Rashed combines engineering depth with strategic foresight. He is recognized for his leadership in governance, innovation frameworks, and advisory roles supporting Industry 4.0 adoption and digital infrastructure development across the GCC.
Muhammad Habib, CFA, ACCA
Investment Management Expert & Deal Advisor
Muhammad Habib is an investment professional with more than 12 years of experience in financial advisory, investment management, and cross-border transactions across Europe, the GCC, and South Asia. A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA), he has executed and managed transactions exceeding $1 billion across real estate, venture capital, and private investment sectors. He currently manages investments for the Alsager Family Office in Kuwait, overseeing real estate and venture capital portfolios across Europe and the Middle East. His previous roles include Head of Investments & Accounting at Golden Gate Bahrain Bay, where he led a $200 million real estate project, and Investment Analyst at RiverCrossing Investment Manager, focusing on regional family office portfolios. Habib’s financial acumen, due diligence expertise, and valuation leadership enable institutions to optimize capital deployment, manage governance risks, and build resilient investment structures across diverse markets.
Eng. Adnan Halwani
Digital Transformation & Industrial Development Strategy
Eng. Adnan Halwani is a senior industrial consultant with more than 40 years of international experience driving industrial growth and modernization across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. With a foundation in mechanical engineering and an MBA from Oxford Brookes University (UK), he has led strategic consulting assignments for both public and private sectors, supporting government agencies, investment funds, and manufacturing groups. Over his career, Adnan has directed industrial feasibility studies, privatization projects, and greenfield factory developments, including work with the Saudi Grain Organization (SAGO), Tabuk Agriculture Development Company (TADCO), Qatar National Food Security Program, and multiple private-sector clients in food and consumer industries. His expertise covers technical operations, commercial structuring, mergers and acquisitions, and industrial transformation strategies. Adnan’s approach integrates operational efficiency with sustainable growth, helping industries transition toward automation, resource optimization, and value-chain competitiveness.
Haji Muhammad Israr, FCA, APFA
Industrial & Emerging Market Development, Risk & Assurance
Haji Muhammad Israr is a senior financial governance and risk assurance expert with more than 16 years of experience advising governments, development partners, and private enterprises on institutional reform, risk management, and financial transformation. As Senior Manager at PwC (A.F. Ferguson & Co.), he has led assignments for the World Bank, FCDO, USAID, and SDC, covering governance reviews, procurement audits, and public financial management reforms. His experience spans industrial and infrastructure development projects, including PPP advisory for the National Highway Authority, feasibility and financial modelling for engineering and energy firms, and policy frameworks for donor-funded economic programs. He specializes in helping emerging market companies and SMEs strengthen governance, internal controls, and assurance systems to achieve transparency, operational resilience, and sustainable growth.
Eng. Esam Al-Kubati
Industrial Development, Trade & Blue-Green Economy
Eng. Esam Al-Kubati is an industrial development and trade expert with over 23 years of experience leading large-scale manufacturing, investment, and economic transformation initiatives across the UAE and the GCC. His career spans senior roles in industrial policy, renewable energy, infrastructure, and blue-green economy development, combining strong engineering capability with commercial and strategic depth. He currently serves as Principal Project Manager at the UAE Ministry of Economy, providing technical and policy advice on rules of origin, trade defense, and industrial policy under CEPA agreements. He also leads initiatives supporting local manufacturing competitiveness and national trade resilience. As Managing Director of The Ninth Consultancy LLC, Esam has designed and executed multi-billion-dollar investment opportunities in green energy, aquaculture, and industrial modernization, supporting semi-government entities in factory acquisition, ICV enhancement, and export readiness. His earlier leadership roles include senior positions in Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company (SWS), ADCO/ADNOC Onshore, and Ghantoot Group, where he oversaw industrial infrastructure, supply chain, and vendor performance systems.
Nidal Qart
Tourism, Hospitality & Travel Technology Innovation
Nidal Qart is a distinguished leader in the travel, tourism, and aviation sectors, with more than three decades of experience shaping the regional and global travel landscape. A graduate of Business Administration from North Carolina, Nidal began his career at Royal Jordanian Airlines, completing an intensive four-year management rotation across operational departments that laid the foundation for his career in airline and travel management. He went on to establish Travel One Group in 1991, which became one of Jordan’s leading travel and destination management companies. Building on that success, he founded Travel Group Holding (TGH) a group now operating multiple digital travel platforms, including the world’s first AI-powered booking engine capable of generating end-to-end travel packages from inspiration to payment in one seamless flow. A former national athlete for Jordan in football and squash, Nidal brings discipline, vision, and teamwork to his professional endeavors. His work in strategic growth, tourism innovation, and digital transformation has positioned him as a trusted advisor driving modernization and competitiveness across the global travel and hospitality industries.
Mohammed Salem Turk
Economic Development, Investment & Public–Private Partnerships
Mohammed Salem Turk is a results-driven executive recognized for leading regional economic growth and large-scale development initiatives across the Middle East. With extensive experience in economic planning, industrial and real estate investment, and public–private partnership structuring, he has delivered high-value projects with a focus on governance, sustainability, and social responsibility. His leadership spans senior roles at Investors and Eastern Arab for Industrial and Real Estate Investments, South Company for Construction and Development (King Abdullah Fund for Development), and Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC). As CEO and Vice Chairman of ADC, Mohammed spearheaded the transformation of strategic national assets within the Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZ)—driving multinational partnerships, large-scale infrastructure investments, and institutional reforms that strengthened Jordan’s economic competitiveness. A strategic thinker and practitioner, Mohammed combines policy insight with operational precision to advance integrated economic and industrial ecosystems across emerging markets.