Sarah Saddouk is the Director of Innovation and Strategy at Entrepreneur Middle East, with over 15 years of experience working at the intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship, and human-centered ecosystem development across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.

Throughout her career, she has led large-scale innovation programs spanning more than 135 countries, advised C-suite executives, and developed cross-sector initiatives that empower entrepreneurs, support women’s leadership, and mobilize youth-driven innovation. Her work ranges from organizing global startup competitions to contributing to national transformation and innovation agendas, helping build ecosystems that are inclusive, forward-looking, and impact-driven.

In her current role, Sarah leads the strategy and implementation of innovation programs that create tangible value for governments, institutions, and emerging entrepreneurs. Her work includes AI-enabled accelerators, policy-aligned training platforms, and regional capacity-building initiatives designed to foster sustainable entrepreneurial growth.

Sarah regularly speaks, writes, and advises on innovation culture, entrepreneurial mindset, startup development, AI integration for inclusive growth, and the empowerment of women and youth through entrepreneurship. She is particularly passionate about bridging technology with trust and shaping innovation ecosystems that are not only advanced, but deeply human.