Powering Strategic Partnerships. Meet the Team Behind The Council.
Leadership
Charles S. Hallab
Charles Salem Hallab is the President & CEO of the U.S.-Saudi Business Council (the “Council”). Mr. Hallab is a long-standing member of the Board of Directors of the Council and the founder of Barrington Global, an international legal and strategic advisory firm focused on the intersection of law, business, and policy between the Middle East and the West.
Mr. Hallab has led key practices, groups, and initiatives at two of the largest and most prominent law firms in the world (Baker McKenzie and Mayer Brown), including Middle East, Corporate & Securities, Joint Venture & Strategic Alliance, and Climate Change & Sustainability Transactions. Most recently, Mr. Hallab chaired both the Middle East Practice and the International Joint Venture Practice at Mayer Brown.
For more than 25 years, Mr. Hallab has represented and advised scores of stakeholders on major international transactions, ventures, projects, crises and disputes between the U.S. and the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia.
Mr. Hallab received his Juris Doctor and his M.B.A. from Georgetown University, and he prides himself on his ability to work well across multiple areas of law, business and policy as well as across cultures, politics and personalities. He strives to define himself both professionally and personally by his humanity and humility, including with a highly positive outlook, a respectful and supportive disposition, a commitment to integrity and a drive for collective success.
Charles S. Hallab
President & CEO
Susanne M. Lendman
Susanne Lendman is the Chief Operating Officer of the U.S.-Saudi Business Council (the Council), overseeing a wide range of activities in programs, member services, market research and information services, financial management and administration. She directs the day-to-day operations of the Business Council and supervises a team of experts on a wide range of issues affecting the U.S.-Saudi Arabian commercial relationship. Susanne assists the Co-Chairmen and Board of Directors in developing the Council’s strategic objectives, and ensures their implementation. She maintains the Council’s strategic external relationships with U.S. and Saudi Government officials, organizations, and corporate clients, and communications with the the Council’s Board of Directors.
With more than 39 years of experience working with Saudi Arabia, Susanne has unique and extensive knowledge of the Kingdom, its governance, business environment, and cultural sensitivities, and has extensive contacts in the public and private sectors of Saudi Arabia. She has advised Fortune 500 companies on strategic issues for expanding their business in Saudi Arabia, as well as consulting with U.S. companies interested in entering the market. Susanne has led numerous missions to the Kingdom, including two U.S. Department of Commerce Certified Trade Missions, several exploratory Trade and Investment Missions, including trade finance and private equity, as well as Leadership Study Missions, which bring high-level business and civic leaders to Saudi Arabia in order to better understand the country’s political, economic, social, and cultural trends. She is also the Council’s lead organizer of the U.S.-Saudi Business Opportunities Forum, seminars, business roundtables, and high-level events such as receptions and dinners honoring high-ranking government officials from both countries.
Susanne is responsible for working with member companies to present bilateral business issues to the Saudi and U.S. Governments on their behalf. Susanne Lendman has been with the Business Council since 1996. From 1996-2006 she was Director of Research and Information Services, responsible for creating and developing the Council’s website, publications, and many of the its programs. She served as Vice President from 2006-2012. Prior to joining the Council, Susanne was Vice President of Projects for a management consulting firm that provided strategic advisory services, project management, technical and industrial development assistance, and product and market research to government ministries and private sector companies in Saudi Arabia. Susanne began her career at the Federal Reserve Bank in New Orleans, Louisiana. Susanne Lendman received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Relations and German from the University of Wisconsin. She also studied at the Albert Ludwig Universitaet in Freiburg, Germany.
Susanne M. Lendman
Chief Operating Officer
Hutham AlJalal
Hutham Aljalal serves as the General Manager of the U.S.-Saudi Business Council (USSBC), where she oversees the Council’s activities within Saudi Arabia. In this role, she leads stakeholder outreach, engaging with Saudi member companies and government partners to strengthen business ties and foster U.S.-Saudi trade and investment. She also manages the administrative operations of the Riyadh office, along with marketing, event planning, and member services.
Prior to her current role, Ms. Aljalal served as a Business Development Manager at Flash Entertainment, gaining extensive experience in strategic partnerships and industry engagement. She also previously worked as a Business Development Advisor at the USSBC, where she was responsible for business development initiatives, event planning, and database management.
Ms. Aljalal holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Information Technology from King Faisal University. Her leadership and expertise continue to enhance the Council’s mission of fostering economic cooperation and expanding business opportunities between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.
Hutham AlJalal
General Manager
Business Advisory Services
Jamil Alothman
Jamil Alothman is Vice President, Industrial Development, of the U.S.-Saudi Business Council. In this position, Jamil Alothman offers more than 35 years’ worth of expert guidance to Council professionals and corporate executives in the area of Saudi Arabia’s top-leading industrial capacities, strategies, and developments. Prior to his current role, Mr. Alothman served as Senior Advisor, Industrial Strategies, at the Council where he regularly counseled clients coupling his in-depth knowledge, experience, skills, and expertise working with Saudi Arabia.
Before joining the Business Council, Mr. Alothman held several senior management level positions including Director of Industrial Cluster Department, Director of Investor Relations Department, and Director of Economic Development Department with the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu (RCJY). His scope of work at the RCJY was related to economic and industrial development in Jubail Industrial City with primary concentration in to the chemical and petrochemical fields with proven accomplishments in assessing, analyzing, negotiating, and recommending optimum investment proposals based on strategy and organization objectives.
Jamil Alothman holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Howard University in Washington, D.C.
Jamil Alothman
Vice President, Industrial Development
Ana Carmen Neboisa
As the Council’s Vice President, Ana Carmen Neboisa provides market intelligence, partner identification, and consulting services to member and non-member companies. She also oversees the Council’s strategic partnership with Oregon and Washington, implements various export promotion activities, and represents the Council at exhibitions, conferences, and seminars across the U.S. Ms. Neboisa has been the lead strategic coordinator of numerous business development missions to Saudi Arabia, as well as trade missions to the U.S. Other areas of expertise include macroeconomic analysis, foreign direct investment, the national and regional impact of Saudi Arabia’s “economic” and “industrial” cities, Saudi efforts to advance science, technology, and innovation, and entrepreneurship. Sector interests include education, energy, financial services, healthcare, information technology, retail, and transportation.
Prior to joining the Council, Ana held several positions related to the Middle East and Africa in academic and non-profit institutions. She has also worked in business development and logistics for multinational companies based in the U.S., Italy, and the UK. Ana Carmen Neboisa earned a Master of Arts Degree in International Peace and Conflict Resolution from the American University in Washington, D.C., as well as a Masters in International Relations from the National School of Political Science and Public Administration in Bucharest, Romania.
She also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Transactions from the Academy of Economics Studies in Bucharest, Romania. Ana has conducted research and published articles on social, political, and economic issues related to the Arab world, especially Saudi Arabia.
Ana Carmen Neboisa
Vice President
Wiam Alwazir
Wiam Alwazir serves as Chief of Staff at the U.S.-Saudi Business Council (The Council). In this role, she supports the CEO in managing strategic initiatives, organizational priorities, and day-to-day operations to ensure the Council runs efficiently and delivers on its mission. She works across departments to improve internal coordination, streamline processes, and oversee the execution of key projects that enhance member engagement and organizational impact.
Before being appointed Chief of Staff, Ms. Alwazir served as Senior Director of Programs and Communications, leading the Council’s events, programs, and marketing initiatives. She directed high-level conferences, roundtables, and trade missions while advancing the Council’s brand and outreach efforts across both U.S. and Saudi markets.
Earlier in her career, Ms. Alwazir participated in a learning program at the World Bank, supporting sector research in collaboration with economists and field specialists. She also worked with Publicis Groupe in Dubai, U.A.E., as an Account Executive providing advertising and communication solutions for global brands.
Ms. Alwazir holds an M.B.A. from Marymount University and a bachelor’s degree from the Lebanese American University.
Wiam Alwazir
Chief of Staff
Alanoud AlOtaibi
Alanoud Alotaibi is currently employed in the Riyadh office of the U.S.-Saudi Business Council as a Business Development Officer. Before joining the Riyadh office, Alanoud gained valuable experience by completing her internship at the U.S. office. Alanoud’s educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a minor in Intelligence Analysis from George Mason University.
Alanoud AlOtaibi
Business Development Officer
Membership Services
Jay Ennis
Jay Ennis is an international business and trade promotion professional with over 18 years of experience spanning market analysis, strategic management, communications, and global affairs. He currently serves as Director at the U.S.-Saudi Business Council, where he fosters client engagement and international commercial development to advance bilateral business ties.
Jay brings singular expertise in Middle East markets and industries, including oil and gas, power generation (conventional and alternative), defense and security, construction and real estate, and mining and mineral resources. He spearheaded numerous high-level business development missions to Saudi Arabia, including a delegation led by former U.S. Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen, which facilitated engagements for over 20 leading U.S. defense firms.
Before joining the Council, Jay held roles with the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee and the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies at Georgetown University. He earned a Master’s Degree in Global Affairs and Management from The Thunderbird School of Global Management and a Bachelor of Science in International Politics, cum laude, from Georgetown University.
Jay Ennis
Director, Projects
Salma Alarfaj
Membership Specialist
Communications and Information Services
Ali Alwazir
Ali Alwazir serves as Manager, Public Relations at the U.S.-Saudi Arabian Business Council. In this role, he specializes in promoting trade and investment between the United States and the Kingdom through media and communications services while assisting member companies in reaching targeted U.S. and Saudi audiences. Ali works in close coordination with the Member Services, Business Advisory and Economics teams to develop, translate and disseminate press material, industry reports, market overviews, and other Council publications.
Ali has built an expansive network of media contacts across both the Saudi and American media landscape, including in major publications and trade press, and utilizes these platforms to communicate the Council’s events, publications, and trade missions. In following the latest news and media trends, he identifies opportunities for the Council and its members to demonstrate thought-leadership through timely and strategically placed editorial placements.
Prior to joining the Council, Ali worked as a PR executive at Ogilvy & Mather and Adalid PR in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where he handled day to day communication strategies for multi-national and local Saudi companies, government institutions and NGOs.
Ali Alwazir
Manager, Public Relations
Robert Murden
Robert Murden is a Project Manager supporting the Communications and Business Advisory teams at the U.S.-Saudi Business Council (USSBC). In this role, he manages publication of the Council’s public and member-exclusive content, supports U.S. member companies with their objectives for the Saudi market, helps organize and run the Council’s in-person and virtual events, and provides a broad range of operational and technical support to his team. Prior to joining the Council, Robert was a project manager and account manager at an enterprise software company, where he led virtual and in-person software training sessions, coordinated timelines and implementation between internal and external teams, and supported the sales team with customer recruitment. Before that, he worked in a variety of research, writing, and tech-based roles in the private and non-profit sectors in the DC area and overseas.
Robert brings to the Council operations and research experience as well as extensive international travel experience in Europe, Africa, and elsewhere. Robert holds a B.A. in International Affairs from James Madison University and an M.S. in Global Technology and Development from Arizona State University.
Robert Murden
Project Manager
Visa Services
Sahar Nadri
Sahar Nadri is the Director, Visa Services at the U.S.-Saudi Business Council. She has over 20 years of experience processing visas to Saudi Arabia, including Commerce, Employment, Government, Escort, and more. Previously, she worked at the Saudi Consulate as a Certification Officer for commercial documents from 1996-2008, at the embassy for the United Arab Emirates, and for the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission.
Ms. Nadri graduated from the University of Aleppo with a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature.
Sahar Nadri
Director, Visa Services
Salem Edelbi
Salem Edelbi serves as the Visa Service Assistant at the U.S.-Saudi Business Council. Prior to joining the Business Council, Mr. Edelbi worked in the Consulate Department and Cultural Office at the Syrian Embassy in Washington D.C., where he served as Senior Office Manager and Consul Assistant and Academic Advisor.
Mr. Edelbi graduated from the University of Aleppo with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics.
Salem Edelbi
Visa Service Assistant
Finance and Organizational Support
John Emmert
John Emmert is a graduate of the University of Maryland and became a Certified Public Accountant in 1996. John has broad experience in accounting and finance and has served as the controller for organizations in software development, computer hardware, state contracting, professional services, and the non-profit sector.
John Emmert
Controller
Jessilyn M. Joyner
Jessilyn Joyner is the Executive Liaison / Office Administrator of the U.S.-Saudi Business Council. Jessilyn provides high level confidential administrative, logistical, and project support to the CEO and President and other senior-level management of the organization in all areas. She manages the day-to-day workflow of the CEO, including maintaining his calendar, answering and screening calls, and making travel arrangements. She drafts correspondence and reports, in addition to assisting the senior management in background research as needed. Jessilyn Joyner holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Relations and Advertising from Winston-Salem State University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Jessilyn M. Joyner
Executive Liaison / Office Administrator
Anne Dawson
Anne Dawson is the Receptionist and provides Administrative Support to the U.S.-Saudi Business Council (the Council). She receives phone calls and greets visitors meeting with Council staff; assists in preparation and shipment of conference materials; and maintains office and conference supplies.
Anne Dawson also assists the Council’s Visa Manager with xeroxing documents and preparing shipments.
Anne Dawson has worked in Administrative Support at companies supporting the US Navy, US Air Force, and the Joint Services SERE Agency as well as with companies in private industry.
Anne Dawson holds a BA from the University of Maryland, and an MFA from the American University.
Anne Dawson
Receptionist & Administrative Support
Saad Al Nagither
Saad Sultan Al-Nughaither is currently serving as an Administrative Assistant/HR at the Riyadh office of the U.S.-Saudi Business Council. Before joining the U.S.-Saudi Business Council, Saad gained valuable experience as a Manufacturing Observer at Mostar Manufacturing. There, he observed work processes, assisted with inspections, identified areas for improvement in manufacturing operations, and contributed to documentation and reporting. Saad holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Financial Management from Shaqra University.
Saad Al Nagither
Administrative/HR Assistant
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