The Proteges

Shamlan Al-Bahar: Shamlan is a marketing professional with over nine years experience in the business field, five of which he spent working and specializing in the marketing arena. He possesses solid, all-round experience in marketing, corporate communications, sales-tasking and brand marketing, consumer public relations, alternative and social marketing and sell-side and buy-side media sales. He has a penchant for creative activities and his hobbies include cinema, art, novels and various genres of music. He holds an ACII degree from the University of Guildhall, London and is the CEO of Pink Coffee, a newly-launched PR and Marketing firm. He is also a member of the founding team of The Protégés program and a generation I mentor.

Nawaf Al-Sharekh: Nawaf Al-Sharekh- Managing Partner of Universal Food Company, which was established in 2004. Universal Food Company today is the operator of different food concepts in more than 8 locations in Kuwait and they are Zaatar W Zeit, FATBURGER, and Life With Cacao. Nawaf is a graduate of Kuwait University in the College of Business Administration where he decided to start his career in his early college days. Nawaf holds interests in all major sports.

RANA ALRUSHAID: Rana is an individual with 15 years diverse experience in services industry, who is seeking to work in a challenging environment that strives to succeed in its strategy and mission to contribute in building it success holding a Bachelor in Computer Engineering Kuwait University. Rana has worked in MTC-Vodafone from 1994 to 2006 in several departments including IT, Sales and Marketing. Rana was also the Director of Marketing in Zain Kuwait for two years, AGM of Marketing & Product Development in Burgan Bank and The Director of Marketing in Viva Kuwait. Beside her work history, she had also volunteered in Injaz program mentoring teenagers how to establish their own business projects, giving few lectures in several universities in Branding, Marketing Principles and Business Development.

Abdullah Al-Eisa: At the age of 30 Abdullah Al Eisa has been able to accomplish what many have only dreamed of. An engineer graduate from Boston University, Abdullah established in 2004 Lofat Group , which consists of 8 restaurants and two Nutrition Weight Loss Centers. He is also the Business Development Director of the company Out of the Box LLC and the Director of GT Ideas LLC both situated in Singapore. Abdullah also enjoys challenging himself in different ways, which is why he climbed Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. His hobbies consist of reading, skiing, golf and all types of sport. Abdullah is also a member of The Protégés founding team and a generation I mentor

Alaa Al-Omar: Alaa Al-Omar, Currently a project engineer in The Ministry of Public Works. Alaa holds a solid experience in Project management, combined with administrative management skills, aims to respond to new challenges. Prior, Alaa had worked in Projacs (Project Management Firm) as a PCS engineer for almost three years on the project site. She was a member of the Student Affairs Administrative Committee, currently a member of Kuwait Society of Engineers and the Executive Office of the National Democratic Alliance. Alaa holds interest in Politics, Volunteer Work and Sports she is an active triathlete already participated in sprint distance triathlon. Alaa holds a Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering, Kuwait University and MBA, Kuwait Maastricht Business School.

Mishari Al-Mufarreh: MISHARI AL-MUFARREH: Mishari is a Business Psychology Consultant | Certified Business Coach | Certified Trainer | Speaker, Managing Director of Global Manifesto, General Manager of Al-Mufarreh Cosultations. Mishari worked in various fields in business such as Investment Firms, Banks and Real Estate Companies. He also worked in the telecommunications and Oil sector where he was involved in training the Senior management. Mishari has worked in Kuwait, United Sates, Jeddah, Malaysia and has been involved as a certified wealth manager for investments in Brunei and Singapore. Mishari is also a member of The Protégés founding team and a generation I mentor.

YARUB BURHAMA: A film director, producer and a writer with 13 yrs experience. Managing director of Lightbug Media Production. Voluntarily designed and led several media campaigns that call for human and civil values like tolerance, pluralism, respect for the law, ethics and integrity at work. Mentoring in youth-based projects and partnering with organizations like Zawaya for Public Awareness. He is a generation I mentor in The Protégés and one of its founders. He is the director of Oqsim media campaign, "Give me a Chance", a campaign that calls for the right of the employment of people with special needs, and 'Heb Le Kuwait'. Director and producer of Viva telecom 'Giving' musical video and 'Al Mukhliseen' short videos. He is also a media Consultant to Kuwait Center for Autism. Director and producer of the first Arabic documentary on dyslexia in the ME, UN certified. He has Produced, managed, wrote and directed Kuwait's annual national day musical 'Sabah AlWatan.' He has collaborated with Kuwait's four biggest musical artists. Yarub is also the Creator and Director of the first live TV show in the Gulf region, 'Taw Illail', AlWatan TV Channel. Yarub obtained his BA in Radio and Television Directing and Broadcasting, Minoring in Organizational Communication and in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, US.

Reem Al-Hunaidi: Is wholly self-made individual. Ms. Al-Hunaidi has contributed towards the field of personal development in the country and has made lasting, positive changes in the lives of scores of people of all age groups, both from the corporate and the non corporate sectors in Kuwait and other states in the GCC. She is a business adviser-specialist in Human capital and professional development, holding certificates in Strategic planning and management as well as being an Internationally Certified Knowledge Manager. A graduate of Bachelor of English literature from KU. Besides the above qualifications, Ms. Al-Hunaidi also has the honor of being the first Arabic speaking trainer for the internationally renowned best seller book by Susan Jeffers "Feel the Fear and Do it anyway". She is also the only representative from the GCC certified to deliver this course. She held different workshops, from which her very own personal workshop series "My Life - the Way I Want to Be" and "See the invisible - Elevating to a higher level", an open course for the general Public that focuses on self motivation and encourage people to be the best they can be. Reem is also a member of The Protégés founding team and a generation I mentor.

Rana Al-Khaled: Over the past 3 years, Rana has been designing and executing media campaigns and youth training programs and workshops that serve to raise awareness for human and civil values, most importantly the values of tolerance, pluralism, and celebration of difference, respect for the law, ethics and integrity at work, respect for public goods and resources, and the value of volunteer work, mainly in conjunction with organizations like Zawaya, Lightbug Media Productions and local universities. Such projects also applied techniques for positive reinforcement of and investment in the youth's individual talents and interests. Prior, Rana has had 12 yrs of experience in corporate finance and private equity in Kuwait, first with the Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research (KISR), then with Global and NBK Capital, having serviced transactions totaling close to $1bn in volume. Rana is a generation I mentor in the Protégés Program and a member of its founding team. She has also served as an Injaz volunteer and a member of founding board of Young Arab Leaders Organization (YAL), Kuwait Chapter. Rana has an MSc in Development Studies from The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and a BA in Economics and International Relations (double major) from Tufts University, Ma, US.

Abdulaziz Alloughani: Abdulaziz is currently a Vice President with the Private Equity Group at Global Investment House "Global" and has played a major role in managing key investments within the Private Equity Group of Global by handling various assignments on corporate restructuring, business planning, deal sourcing, IPOs, M&As, due diligence reports and exit strategies. Abdulaziz currently serves as a member of board on a number of companies within the MENA region including Al Manar Financing & Leasing Co. (Kuwait), Mazaya Holding Co. (Kuwait), Model Restaurants Co. (Jordan), Bank Muscat International (Bahrain), Ajlan & Bros. Co. (KSA) and other committee memberships in the region. Abdulaziz was also the Managing Partner of 6alabat.com until June 2010. He is currently completing his MBA program at London Business School and holds a double major degree in Business Administration majoring in Information Systems & E- Commerce from the University of Toledo, USA. Abdulaziz is also a member of The Protégés founding team and a generation I mentor.

Mohammed Al-Nughaimish: Mohammed Alnughaimish is a writer specializing in management, holding a Bachelors degree in Marketing from Kuwait University's Business Administration Department and MBA from Maastricht School of Business. Mohammed writes a weekly column specializing in business administration in Asharq Alawsat newspaper, in business administration in Al- Qabas newspaper and in listening in 'Alrajul' magazine, the first of its kind in an Arabic publication. Mohammed is also a member of the American Management Association (AMA), the Academy of Management (AOM) and is considered the first Arab member of the International Listening Association (ILA), grouping writers and specialists in the field of listening. He has also delivered training courses and public lectures at universities, colleges, training centers, and private companies. "Listen to be Loved", "Women Love Good Listeners", "Are You Happy at Work?" and "Don't interrupt me!" are the published books of Mohammed.

Ahmad Al-Majed: Al Majed has more than 8 years of experience in sport business and events management. He holds a Master degree in Sports Management and Technology from the IMD Business School & University of Lausanne, Switzerland. Ahmad has achieved so much in his young age, having already participated in more than 62 international races, he definitely proud to be the first IRONMAN triathlete specialist in the region. As well as being the founder and Managing Director of Extreme Sports Retail and Distribution Company, Ahmed is also the founder and CEO of Pro-Vision Sport Management Company, and of The 3 Triathlon training club. Lastly, Ahmed is the founder of Kuwait Extreme Team, a team of adventure seeking athletes who train day-in day-out to compete around the world in triathlons, adventure races, and also mountaineering. He is also a skilled climber and has a few summits under his belt. Mount Elbrus in Russia the highest peak in Europe, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania the highest peak in Africa, Mount Kinabalu the highest peak in South East Asia. Ahmed along with Kuwait Extreme team have their eyes set on many more IRONMAN races, summit attempts, and even possibly taking up the challenge to attempt to climb Mount Everest (world's highest mountain) within the coming years. Ahmed is surely a shining star in endurance events.