Sara El Dallal

Country Director at Amideast UAE

Speaker

Sara El Dallal is an accomplished senior executive and strategic leader with over 20 years of experience in education, workforce development, digital transformation, and strategic partnerships across the Middle East, with a strong focus on the UAE and GCC markets.

As Country Director of AMIDEAST UAE, Sara leads the organization's strategic direction and operations, overseeing initiatives in international education, professional development, standardized testing, skills assessment, capacity building, and workforce development.

Throughout her career, Sara has collaborated extensively with government entities, educational institutions, multinational corporations, and industry partners to advance education, professional development, and organizational capabilities. Her experience at Microsoft included supporting digital transformation initiatives across the region, leveraging technology and strategic partnerships to enhance teaching, learning, and institutional effectiveness.

Passionate about developing people, strengthening institutional capabilities, and connecting education with the future of work, Sara combines executive leadership, regional expertise, and hands-on experience in assessment and talent development. Her work offers valuable insights into how organizations can move beyond traditional qualifications and self-reported competencies toward more reliable, skills-based approaches to recruitment, employee development, and strategic workforce planning, particularly as artificial intelligence reshapes the skills required in today's workplace.

Sara serves as Co-Chair of the Arts and Education Committee at AmCham Abu Dhabi and is a member of the Human Resources Committee at AmCham Dubai, contributing to cross-sector dialogue on education, talent development, and workforce readiness in the UAE. She has spoken at national and international events and received several professional recognitions, including the AMIDEAST Presidential Award and awards from Microsoft and the U.S. Department of State.

Sara is currently pursuing an Executive MBA at Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Public Administration from the American University of Beirut, as well as a professional diploma in Digital Marketing Strategy and Planning.