Meet the judges of the Qatar Tourism Awards

Sheikha Al Anoud Al Thani is the deputy CEO and chief business officer at Qatar Financial Centre. She has played a crucial role in transforming Doha into a global financial and commercial hub that attracts foreign direct investment. Before joining, she also expanded Silatech's operations within Qatar by connecting many young people to private sector opportunities and supporting economic development across the Arab region.

She holds several positions with United Nations agencies and international organisations specialising in economic development, education and youth employment. Alanoud has received numerous awards and was recently selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. She holds degrees from the London School of Economics, the University of Oxford, and HEC Paris and has authored numerous reports on private sector development and foreign direct investment.

Dr Abdulla Hassan Al-Mehshadi is the CEO of Al Wa'ab City and boasts impressive CEO-level experience. His remarkable journey includes past roles as CEO of Msheireb Properties, where he contributed to Doha's transformation and as the maintenance manager at the Qatar Fertilizer Company. His expertise extends to various major projects in the oil and gas sector and he actively engages in organisations like the Qatar International Center for Conciliation and Arbitration and the Qatar Society of Engineers. 

Dr. Al-Mehshadi's educational resume includes a bachelor's in mechanical engineering, an executive MBA from HEC Paris, an executive MBA in leadership and innovation from Georgetown University, and a Doctor of Business Administration degree from the Paris School of Business.

Dr. Ghalya Al Thani is an accomplished scholar and professional. She holds a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, a master's degree in public policy, and an executive master’s degree from HEC Paris. Currently, she is pursuing a doctorate in humanities and social sciences.

Ghalya has an impressive career journey, from Qatar Science & Technology Park to director of international cooperation at the Qatar National Human Rights Committee, and now as the director of talent management at Qatar Foundation. In addition to her academic and professional achievements, she co-founded Barara Bilingual Nursery and My Little World Kindergarten, focusing on early childhood education and holistic development.

Khalid Al Jumaily, a distinguished Qatari TV Presenter and Communications expert, has amassed a wealth of experience across various media and communication channels. Prior to captivating audiences on Stars of Science with his dynamic, season-long narratives, Aljumaily made a name for himself globally as an esteemed sports journalist.

In 2012, Al Jumaily's career took a significant turn when he became a part of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, the Qatari authority overseeing development for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He was instrumental in orchestrating community outreach efforts, ensuring the local community played a vital role in the planning and execution of the event.

Marcel Leijzer has been part of UNWTO since 2006. As the manager of Technical Cooperation and Silk Road, he helps create and oversee tourism projects focused on strategy development, marketing, poverty reduction, biodiversity conservation, and capacity building. 

With dual master's degrees in Human Geography and Policy Science from Nijmegen University, Marcel brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. His expertise has impacted over 200 tourism projects in over 50 countries across Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe and the Middle East. 

Ramzan Al Naimi is a seasoned innovation expert and entrepreneur with over 23 years of experience in media, marketing and branding. He is the founder of two companies, Innovation Cafe Qatar and Be Creative Qatar. Both these companies specialise in design, media production, and creative innovation.

Ramzan holds a bachelor's degree in media and an executive master's degree from HEC Paris. He is also a graduate of the Qatar Executive Leadership Centre and completed several specialised leadership training programs at renowned institutions such as Harvard Business School, Georgetown University, and Oxford Business School.

Rana Sobh is an esteemed professor of marketing and the dean of the College of Business and Economics at Qatar University. Having served as the director of the Core Curriculum Program, she brings a wealth of experience. With a PhD in marketing from the University of Auckland, she has made significant contributions to both national and international projects. Currently, she is a member of the board of directors at the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) and the advisory council of the Middle East and North Africa Association for Advancing Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). 

Prof. Sobh's dedication to enhancing educational standards is reflected in her published research in consumer culture, behaviour and marketing. She has been the recipient of various local and international accolades for her exceptional teaching and research. Prof. Sobh is a firm believer in reimagining higher education curricula to equip graduates with the necessary skills to confront contemporary challenges, enabling them to contribute to their communities and the global landscape.