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Dr. Buthaina Hassen Al-Ansari is one of Qatar’s most influential leaders, a visionary whose work across multiple sectors has left an indelible mark on strategic planning, human resources, and women’s leadership in the Middle East. With an impressive career that spans decades, Dr. Buthaina has consistently demonstrated a commitment to advancing women’s roles in leadership and contributing to Qatar’s economic development. Her ability to blend academic expertise with practical experience has made her a sought-after advisor, leader, and public speaker on both national and international stages.
Early Life and Education
Born in Qatar, Dr. Buthaina’s journey to leadership was shaped by a deep commitment to education and personal growth. She pursued higher education with vigor, obtaining a Ph.D. in Business Administration from Nottingham Trent University in 2019. Her academic achievements are complemented by a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Qatar University (2006), a Master’s in Strategic Planning from the American University in Cairo (2008), and an Honorary Doctorate in Civil Law from Northumbria University (2022). In addition to these academic accolades, Dr. Al-Ansari is a graduate of the Executive Program at Qatar Leadership Centre (2018) and is PMP certified (2021), showcasing her broad expertise in project management and leadership.
A Career Rooted in Leadership and Strategic Planning
Dr. Buthain’s career journey is a testament to her strong leadership skills and her ability to navigate complex organizational structures. She has held key positions at some of Qatar’s most prominent organizations, including Ooredoo, Masraf Al-Rayan, and the Qatar Investment Authority. In these roles, she has consistently leveraged her expertise in human resources, strategic planning, and leadership development to drive organizational transformation and growth.
At Ooredoo, where she served as Senior Executive Director of Human Resources, Dr. Buthaina played a pivotal role in aligning HR strategies with the company’s goals, with a particular focus on Qatarization—an initiative aimed at increasing the representation of Qatari nationals in the workforce. Her leadership in establishing performance management systems and employee engagement programs helped to foster a high-performance culture within the organization, setting the stage for sustainable growth and development.
Her work at the Qatar Investment Authority, where she served as Acting Human Resources Director, further exemplifies her entrepreneurial mindset. Dr. Buthaina spearheaded a number of initiatives that enhanced organizational performance, including the revision of salary scales, the development of new recruitment strategies, and the strengthening of relationships with prestigious educational institutions like Harvard Business School and London Business School. These efforts not only advanced the Authority’s mission but also reinforced its commitment to building a robust and capable workforce.
Achievements and Recognition
- Launched and developed a podcast titled “فنجان مع بثينة,” offering a platform for sharing insights, experiences, and meaningful discussions.
- Awarded as one of the most successful women entrepreneurs in Qatar in 2016.
- Classified as one of the most powerful women in the Middle East by Arabian Business magazine.
- Recognized as one of the most successful women in enhancing education by Insights magazine.
- Recognized as one of the 13 most influential women in the Islamic world at an awards ceremony in Malaysia in 2019.
- Nominated as the Honorary Ambassador of the Qatar Cancer Society.
A Champion for Women’s Empowerment
One of Dr. Buthaina’s most notable contributions has been her unwavering commitment to women’s leadership and empowerment in the Middle East. Throughout her career, she has been a vocal advocate for the advancement of women in the workforce, using her platform to break down barriers and challenge societal norms. Her doctoral research, which focused on empowering Qatari women in employment, is a reflection of her lifelong dedication to this cause.
In addition to her research and advocacy, Dr. Buthaina has published several influential works on the subject of women’s empowerment and Qatar’s economic development. Her 2019 book, Strategic Management Planning: Empowering Qatari Women in Employment, is a critical analysis of the challenges and opportunities facing women in Qatar’s workforce and offers practical strategies for fostering greater inclusion and leadership.
Dr. Buthaina’s work in this field has not gone unnoticed. She has received numerous awards and accolades for her efforts, including being named one of the 100 most influential Arab women, a recognition that underscores her impact on the region’s business and economic landscape. Her contributions have also been acknowledged through her involvement with various boards and advisory groups dedicated to women’s empowerment and economic development.
A Strategic Advisor and Thought Leader
In her current roles, Dr. Al-Ansari continues to influence key sectors in Qatar and beyond. As Chairman Adviser at Just Real Estate, she provides strategic counsel to the senior leadership team, ensuring that the company’s vision aligns with its operational strategies. Her insights into policy changes, organizational impact, and leadership development have proven invaluable to the company’s growth and innovation.
Beyond the corporate world, Dr. Al-Ansari serves as an economic advisor and collaborative trainer at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies. In this role, she helps shape the minds of future leaders, fostering an environment of entrepreneurial thinking and innovation. Her work with the Qatar Leadership Centre and the National Service and Government Development Commission further highlights her commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders and promoting continuous development across Qatar.
Her strategic foresight is not confined to the private sector. As a board member of Estithmar Holding, Dr. Al-Ansari continues to play an active role in shaping Qatar’s economic future. Her weekly column as an economist writer in Alwaten Newspaper allows her to share her insights on economic development, human resources, and strategic planning with a wider audience, further solidifying her influence as a thought leader.
Recognized for Excellence
Dr. Al-Ansari’s achievements have been widely recognized, both in Qatar and internationally. In 2022, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Civil Law from Northumbria University in recognition of her contributions to education and economic development. She has also been a keynote speaker at numerous international conferences, sharing her expertise on topics such as strategic planning, human resource development, and women’s leadership.
Her leadership and innovation in digital transformation, corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies, and national competency development have set new benchmarks for excellence across the organizations she has served. Her contributions to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Qatar have made her a highly respected figure in both academic and business circles.
An Entrepreneurial and Intrapreneurial Mindset
Throughout her career, Dr. Al-Ansari has consistently demonstrated an entrepreneurial mindset, whether by driving innovation within existing organizations or by influencing broader economic and social policies. Her ability to identify opportunities for growth, implement transformative strategies, and foster a culture of continuous improvement has made her a role model for aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs.
Her work exemplifies the power of intrapreneurship—the ability to drive innovation from within an organization. By applying entrepreneurial principles to her roles in HR, strategic planning, and advisory capacities, Dr. Buthaina has shown how one can affect meaningful change and create lasting value, regardless of the industry or sector.
She specially stresses on the growing AI technology, and she believes as women, regardless of different roles in society, we must ask ourselves if we are truly prepared to embrace and engage with this transformative technology. It is time to bridge the gap and fully prepare to harness the potential of AI as a tool for empowerment. The opportunities AI presents are vast, and it is essential that we, as women, position ourselves to benefit from and contribute to this new era of technological advancement. Now is the moment to take action and ensure we are not left behind in this critical transformation, highlights Dr. Buthaina.
A Legacy of Leadership
Dr. Buthaina Hassen Al-Ansari’s journey from a young Qatari scholar to a leading figure in business and economic development is nothing short of inspirational. Her career reflects a steadfast dedication to excellence, innovation, and empowerment. Through her work, she has not only advanced her own career but has also paved the way for countless others, particularly women, to follow in her footsteps. As Qatar continues to grow and evolve, Dr. Buthaina’s influence will undoubtedly continue to shape the country’s business landscape and inspire future generations of leaders. Her story is a powerful reminder of the impact that one individual can have on an entire industry—and indeed, a nation—through vision, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
