Muna AbuSulayman, a philanthropist and international development leader with diverse cross-sector work experience spanning over 25 years, is partner at Transform VC that focuses on untapped talent.
Since 2020, AbuSulayman has been a member of Gucci’s Global Equity Board where she is an adviser to the CEO.
A serial entrepreneur, AbuSulayman co-founded several tech companies including Healthkey Tech in 2020 in Luxembourg where its blockchain Health Passport app and medical verification network enables safe travel and facilitates events worldwide.
In 2018, she co-founded the Arabic Digital Research Institute based in New Zealand and Bahrain and was the lead investor until 2022 where she facilitated effective implementation and distribution of using artificial intelligence and machine learning in translation and publishing academic Arabic content.
AbuSulayman launched Niya in 2017, a phone application that aims to support CSR fundraising through an innovative embedded Arabic social media engagement interface.
Prior to that, AbuSulayman co-founded Meedan Labs, assisting a global team of technologists aimed at improving tools used to create and share meaning over the internet to bridge ideas between different language communities.
She was an adviser at Misk Foundation from 2017 to 2019, where she supported in restructuring, transforming, relaunching, and guiding a nonprofit foundation devoted to cultivating learning and leadership in youth. She has been advising global philanthropists and foundations since 2011.
In 2001, AbuSulayman founded and co-hosted the famous MBC TV female-led roundtable discussion show “Kalam Nawaem” until 2018.
She was the secretary-general at Alwaleed Philanthropies until 2011, overseeing grant-making processes and managing all public- and private-sector partnerships.
In this post, AbuSulayman worked on economic and community development, women’s empowerment, interfaith dialogue, and natural disaster aid, where she directed a charitable initiatives portfolio exceeding $1 billion for one of the largest global philanthropic grant-giving foundations.
She holds both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from George Mason University in Virginia, US and is a World Economic Forum young global leader and Yale University Fellow.
