A globally recognized Group Chief Sustainability Officer and trailblazing business leader, Ghada Hammouda brings over 35 years of experience in reshaping the business landscape across Egypt and the MENA region. As the Group Chief Sustainability & Marketing Officer at Qalaa Holdings, she has been instrumental in driving cross-functional collaborations and embedding sustainability at the core of business strategy. Beyond her leadership at Qalaa, she serves as Chair of the Arab Federation of Capital Markets Board’s Sustainability Committee and is an active board member across organizations such as IGU, AmCham’s Sustainability & Corporate Impact Committee, and Qalaa Holdings. Her work has made her a bridge between global ESG frameworks and local execution.
Hammouda’s thought leadership is widely recognized. She is a sought-after speaker, writer, and advocate for responsible investing, ESG integration, and sustainable growth. Her efforts have been acknowledged with several prestigious honors, including Forbes Middle East Sustainability Leaders 2025, Best Woman Leader in Sustainability 2025 by Women’s Tabloid, and recognition in Forbes’ Top 50 Most Impactful Storytelling Professionals in the Middle East. With visionary leadership and strategic foresight, Ghada Hammouda has become one of the most trusted voices in global sustainability practice.
The Beginning
Reflecting on her early journey, Hammouda explains:
“From the very beginning, my curiosity was rooted in understanding what unites us, what drives us, and how we can come together for what truly matters. This fascination led me into market research, where I built both a quantitative and qualitative foundation for uncovering human needs, behaviours, and aspirations. When I first arrived in New York, I was driven by this pursuit of insight: discovering what pains people face, what inspires them, and how these stories connect us. Even earlier, during my time with Rotaract in Egypt, I found purpose in serving communities, especially women and vulnerable groups, while nurturing a belief in our shared destiny.”
That sense of responsibility shaped her career choices.
“I made an early conscious decision to step away from industries that conflicted with my values—like tobacco or sugary drinks marketed to children. That choice became a principle I have followed ever since: aligning myself only with businesses rooted in integrity, ethical impact, and long-term societal wellness. From then on, my mission was clear: to help build responsible businesses.”
Creativity and exposure across industries also played defining roles.
“Working with startups, creative directors, and campaigns that challenged us to think about the future gave me the courage to think differently. My career journey—from AT&T, Ogilvy & Mather, and N.W. Ayer in New York, to shaping Qalaa Holdings in Egypt—offered me a multidimensional view of business. It reinforced my belief that integrating diverse perspectives leads to holistic solutions and strengthened my advocacy for inclusion, especially through capacity building in Africa and working alongside remarkable women leaders.”
Returning to Egypt became a turning point.
“I had the privilege of working with visionary leaders to help build Qalaa Holdings into a powerhouse, a ‘House of Brands’ spanning strategic sectors with responsibility at its core. At every step, I sought to measure not only financial performance but also the environmental and social implications of corporate behaviour. My career has been more than a professional evolution—it is a journey of gratitude, shaped by mentors, colleagues, and shared belief that together we can build businesses that uplift society and honor our collective future.”
Her Role at Qalaa Holdings
Since joining Qalaa Holdings in 2008, Hammouda has led the Marketing and Sustainability functions, spearheading the company’s public listing, business transformation, and expansion into one of Africa’s largest energy and infrastructure companies. The group’s portfolio today spans renewable energy, river transportation, waste management, mining, agrifoods, cement, and financial services.
As Group Chief Sustainability Officer since 2015, Hammouda has driven Qalaa’s decarbonization and sustainability strategies, embedding EESG (Environmental, Economic, Social, and Governance) principles into governance frameworks and operations. Under her leadership, Qalaa became the first Egyptian company to sign the Net Zero 1.5°C Climate Action Pledge in 2019, positioning it as a regional leader in climate action and innovation.
“My focus is on institutionalizing world-class corporate citizenship, environmental stewardship, and social sustainability, while fostering partnerships with NGOs, governments, and development finance institutions. Today, my role remains about ensuring sustainability drives resilience, growth, and societal impact, aligning Qalaa with both the UN SDGs and Egypt’s Vision 2030.”
What Sets Qalaa Apart
Describing the company’s unique value proposition, Hammouda notes:
“Qalaa Holdings has been building sustainable and responsible businesses for over 20 years. We evolved from a private equity firm at our founding in 2004 into a fully integrated operator and long-term developer of industries. With a diversified portfolio across energy, cement, agrifoods, mining, transportation, and packaging, Qalaa creates value for economies, empowers communities, and advances development through responsible investment.”
The company’s impact is measurable:
- USD 10.5 billion Investment projects sponsored by Qalaa Holdings with the support of DFI partners,
- Over 80 businesses established,
- More than 40,000 jobs created to date, and
- Around 17,500 employees are currently across subsidiaries.
Beyond financial growth, Qalaa has invested over EGP 1 billion in human capital development, education, health, and community programs.
“What makes Qalaa unique is our ability to combine deep sector expertise with a long-term sustainability vision, ensuring that investments create lasting value and shared prosperity for all stakeholders.”
Navigating Challenges
Hammouda’s leadership journey has not been without challenges.
“Sustainability is never a one-size-fits-all agenda. In some regions the urgency lies in clean energy, in others in water access or social equity. At first, aligning these diverse perspectives felt daunting, but I learned to listen deeply, approach with humility, and translate global commitments into locally meaningful goals. Building diverse teams and empowering them to design context-specific solutions has been key.”
She also recalled the early skepticism from boards and investors.
“Reconciling the short-term demands of business with the long-term nature of sustainability was difficult. To overcome this, I reframed sustainability as a strategic investment—demonstrating its value through efficiency gains, resilient supply chains, and enhanced trust.”
Operating in emerging markets brought volatility, political upheaval, and global crises like COVID-19, all of which demanded agility, resilience, and transparent communication.
“Through it all, purpose was my anchor. Embedding governance discipline and long-term sustainability strategies helped us not only withstand disruption but emerge stronger.”
Her journey also deepened her advocacy for women:
“Witnessing barriers women face worldwide—from glass ceilings in the U.S. to structural challenges in Egypt—strengthened my resolve to empower women in leadership. Collaborating with the EGX, FRA, UNGC, UN Women Egypt, and the NCW, we built databases of qualified women and launched capacity-building and collective action programs such as Africa Business Leaders Coalition (ABLC) and Africa4Africa Women. These experiences taught me that advancing inclusion is inseparable from building resilient, sustainable businesses.”
The Role of Technology
On the role of technology in shaping sustainability, Hammouda observes:
“AI is now a strategic enabler for the green transition—from predictive analytics in asset maintenance to emissions tracking, real-time ESG monitoring, and optimized energy allocation. But innovation cannot happen in isolation. It must be aligned with sustainability imperatives, be feasible and scalable, and deliver inclusive growth.”
She emphasizes that private sector partnerships and adaptive regulation will be critical.
“Corporate governance is also under transformative pressure. For companies serious about the future, leveraging AI is no longer optional—it is foundational to building climate-resilient, trusted business models.”
Looking Ahead
Hammouda sees governance and sustainability becoming the cornerstone of competitiveness.
“We are in a moment of global realignment where climate risks, nearshoring, and shifting trade dynamics are reshaping value chains. Success will depend not just on operational efficiency, but on credibility, transparency, and governance frameworks that inspire investor confidence and unlock climate-aligned capital. Increasingly, corporate governance is evolving from compliance to a strategic differentiator.”
A Message for the Next Generation
In closing, Hammouda offers advice to aspiring professionals:
“Creating impact requires a dual mindset: technical competence and purpose-driven leadership. Build fluency in ESG metrics, climate frameworks, and green finance—but equally, cultivate empathy, resilience, and the ability to lead with integrity. Sustainability is about navigating complexity, challenging entrenched systems, and working across silos with courage and humility.”
Her final words encapsulate her philosophy:
“Stay curious, stay grounded, and never compromise on your integrity. The path to impact is rarely linear, but with the right balance of technical expertise and emotional intelligence, you can help shape a more sustainable and inclusive future.”
📌 Connect with Ghada Hammouda on LinkedIn to learn more about her journey.
📌 Find Qalaa Holdings on LinkedIn and visit their website for more about their sustainability strategy and initiatives.
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