Zainab is an independent consultant and senior investment professional with more than 20 years of experience across asset management, market expansion, and strategic growth in London and Dubai. Until February 2023, she served as Head of Middle East and Africa and Senior Executive Officer of the Dubai branch at Invesco Asset Management. Since then, she has advised asset management firms on market entry and fundraising initiatives, while supporting a number of fintech ventures. Earlier in her career, she was part of Fidelity International’s Institutional Marketing and Sales team covering the Middle East and UK. 

Throughout her career, Zainab has built and scaled regional businesses, expanded client relationships, and contributed to global strategy within multinational firms. She is recognized for combining commercial leadership with a strong commitment to developing high-performing teams. In 2021 and 2022, Forbes Middle East named her among the region’s Power Businesswomen, and she was also a recipient of the Forbes Global Meets Local Award. 

A strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, Zainab actively mentors emerging female leaders within and beyond the investment industry. She served on the Board of the Dubai Chapter of Ellevate, mentored through Reach Mentoring, and is an Advisory Board Member for The Female Factor Middle East. 

Zainab is deeply engaged in the Middle East’s startup and venture ecosystem, believing in the role of private enterprise in driving inclusive economic growth. She has judged the Middle East Women’s Inventors and Innovators Awards, is a member of the Iraqi Angel Investor Network and a member of the Atlantic Council working group on Iraq’s Entrepreneurship and Investment Sector. Zainab holds advisory and governance roles including Independent Non-Executive Director at Vault Wealth Ltd, advisor to fintech company Sinder, and collaborator with V5 Verde, an agritech venture focused on circular food systems. 

Her humanitarian work focuses on refugee and migration issues. She has volunteered in refugee camps in Greece and currently serves on the advisory boards of Irida Women’s Centre and CuriousIQ, organizations dedicated to refugee inclusion. 

Zainab holds a BSc in Economics and International Studies from the University of Warwick, the Investment Management Certificate from CFA Society UK, and the Certificate in Securities and Financial Derivatives. She completed the Harvard Fintech Program and holds a Certified Investment Fund Board Director designation from the Institute of Bankers in Ireland. She is fluent in Arabic and English.