HE. Saud Hassan Al Nowais is the current Commercial Attaché “Counselor” for the United Arab Emirates to the United States of America. Since being appointed in July of 2009, he has worked closely in assisting Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba in strengthening the bilateral trade relationship between the US and the UAE. Saud operates at all levels of government and business in a continued effort to bring prosperity and growth to both economies as well as facilitate the development of commercial relationships between the two nations.
Previously, Saud held a managerial position at the Executive Affairs Authority of Abu Dhabi (EAA) in the Economic Department. He worked on energy-related projects and programs, such as oil and gas initiatives, alternative sources of energy and the UAE’s nuclear program. He also worked on environmental and social issues in tandem with industry representatives to affect positive change throughout the country. The Executive Affairs Authority is a government entity that supports the President of the UAE, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Privately, Saud holds several board seats and is regarded as the leading Emirati “Early-Stage Venture Capital investor” having invested personally in over 30 funds with an exposure to over 700 venture financed portfolio companies. Saud is the Vice-Chairman of Nowais Capital, Board member Now Investment founder of GoldCleats.com, and founder of Epic Padel USA.
Saud completed a master’s degree in Strategic Intelligence & Security Studies from the U.S. National Defense University Fort McNair - College of International Security Affairs in Washington, DC. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the American University of Sharjah (AUS). Saud graduated from the American Community School of Abu Dhabi (ACS).