Manal AlBayat

Manal AlBayat is the Chief Engagement Officer of Expo City Dubai, the innovation-driven, human-centric city of the future carrying forward the impactful legacy of Expo 2020 Dubai.

Manal leads the Commercial and Engagement Division responsible for driving strategic engagement programmes that support Expo City Dubai’s objectives, delivering commercial, educational, and social value. This includes attracting local and international businesses to set up their headquarters at Expo City Dubai and building strategic partnerships and programmes for the exchange of knowledge and expertise, enhancing the City’s positioning as a hub of excellence and innovation, education and sustainability and an ecosystem for businesses, educational entities, innovators and more.

Prior to taking up the position at Expo City Dubai, Manal was Chief Engagement Officer at Expo 2020 Dubai, responsible for engaging with local and international stakeholders across both the public and private sectors. She also led the organisation’s outreach efforts, targeting youth, local and international businesses (with a special focus on SMEs), government, students and community-based groups, building awareness and excitement about Expo 2020 and providing platforms and initiatives for them to be part of its journey and legacy.

Among her previous roles, Manal was Group CEO at Falcon and Associates, where she worked to enhance Dubai’s positioning on the world stage, and led the Marketing and Communications efforts for the UAE’s successful bid to host Expo 2020 in Dubai. Her international experience includes roles at Gulf International Bank in Bahrain and Bank One in the United States.

Manal holds an MBA from DePaul University, with a concentration in Marketing and Change Management, and a Bachelor’s degree from Purdue University in Organisational Management.

Manal has spoken on panels across the globe on a wide range of topics, including business development initiatives, the power of cultural diplomacy, youth empowerment, the role of women in the economy and enabling human capital to achieve its potential in the public and private sectors.