Sahia Ahmad, is Executive Vice President at the Department of Economy and Tourism, Government of Dubai. She is an Emirati, who studied Law at Kings College, London and is a member of Lincoln's Inn. Sahia is the first UAE National to become a member of the English Bar. Her career has spanned over 25 years both in private practice at Allen & Overy and Reed Smith and inhouse, as founding General Counsel of Dubai World and Emirates Investment Authority, the Sovereign Wealth Fund of the UAE Federal Government. She has advised governments and multinationals through her career, been on the boards of several organisations including as the first President of the Association of Corporate Counsel in the Middle East. She has led significant global transactions during her career and has also been integral in drafting Dubai and UAE Laws. In addition to her professional role, Sahia is fervent about gender parity, diversity and education and currently serves on the Global Board of the Association of Corporate Counsel, on the Advisory Council of Dubai International Academy and the Board of the Dubai College of Tourism where she also serves as the Chair of the Audit Committee. Sahia is married and has four children.