Education For Employment (EFE) proudly announces the promotion of Amr Abdallah to Senior Director of Gulf Programs at EFE Global, recognizing his leadership in expanding EFE’s presence and impact across the Gulf and the broader MENA region.

A long-standing leader within the organization, Amr has played a pivotal role in strengthening EFE’s partnerships and programs across the region. He led the establishment of EFE Saudi Arabia, expanded EFE’s footprint in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and introduced new workforce development programs aligned with emerging sectors. Under his leadership, EFE launched innovative training initiatives in ICT, hospitality, beauty, and retail services, helping connect young people—especially women—to quality employment opportunities in those countries.

Amr has also been instrumental in advancing program growth and partnerships across Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Egypt, working closely with colleagues, corporate partners, government institutions, and philanthropic organizations to expand opportunities for youth employment. His leadership has helped position EFE as a trusted partner for workforce development and private-sector collaboration in the region.

“Amr has been instrumental in expanding EFE’s reach and strategic partnerships in the Gulf and beyond,” said Andrew Baird, CEO of EFE. “His leadership in establishing EFE Saudi Arabia, launching innovative sector-focused programs, and driving growth across key markets reflects both his strategic vision and deep commitment to creating pathways to employment for young people.”

In his expanded role as Senior Director of Gulf Programs, Amr will continue to lead EFE’s engagement with stakeholders and partners across the Gulf while advancing local and regional initiatives that align workforce development with the evolving needs of employers, emerging sectors, and the growing integration of AI and digital skills into the future of work.

“I am honored to take on this expanded role at a time when the Gulf region is undergoing significant economic transformation and investing heavily in the future of its workforce,” said Amr Abdallah. “Through EFE’s partnerships with governments, employers, and philanthropic leaders, we are creating practical pathways for young people—particularly women—to build meaningful careers in growing sectors and through the expanded use of AI.”

Prior to joining EFE, Amr served as part of the MENA leadership team at the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and has held senior roles across the nonprofit and private sectors in the region. Earlier in his career, he taught Public Administration, Strategic Management, and Business Strategy and Policy at universities in Egypt and the Arab world and worked on development programs funded by international partners, including USAID. In addition to directing, implementing, and evaluating public and private sector programs, Amr has provided management consulting services to government institutions, public entities, and private companies across the MENA region.

Amr regularly speaks at conferences and forums on workforce development, youth employment, and economic trends in the MENA region, including events organized by global institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. He studied at the Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University, where he was a Mason Fellow in Public Policy, and he is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). He currently serves as Chair of the Harvard Alumni for Global Development.

In his free time, Amr enjoys reading, swimming, and spending time with his wife and their three daughters.

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