Cannes: The U.S.-Saudi Business Council announced yesterday the appointment of its significantly expanded and reconstituted board of directors, featuring a lineup of global industry leaders. This strategic move underscores the council's revitalized mission to deepen and diversify economic ties between the United States and Saudi Arabia by leveraging expertise from critical sectors shaping the global economy.
According to Saudi Press Agency, Co-Chaired by Chair of the Corporate Board of the Olayan Group Lubna Olayan and Chair and CEO of Citi Jane Fraser, the new board brings together influential figures across finance, energy, technology, travel, defense, infrastructure, consumables, and advanced industry. This highlights the council's renewed mandate to strengthen and diversify Saudi-American economic ties while leveraging international expertise across sectors shaping the future of the global economy.
The newly appointed U.S. members include President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google Ruth Porat; Chair and CEO of Bank of America Brian Moynihan; Chairman and CEO of Bechtel Corporation Brendan Bechtel; Chairman and CEO of BlackRock Larry Fink; Chair and CEO of Chevron Mike Wirth; Chair and CEO of Cisco Chuck Robbins; Executive Chair of The Coca-Cola Company James Quincey; Chair, President and CEO of Colgate-Palmolive Noel Wallace; CEO of Delta Air Lines Ed Bastian; Chair and CEO of Dow Jim Fitterling; Chair and CEO of ExxonMobil Darren Woods; CEO of Franklin Templeton Jenny Johnson; President and CEO of Hilton Chris Nassetta; Chair and CEO of Honeywell Vimal Kapur; and Chair, President and CEO of Lockheed Martin James Taiclet.
They are joined by leaders from key sectors driving Saudi Arabia's economic transformation, including CEO of Humain Tareq Amin; CEO of Red Sea Global and Managing Director of AlUla Development Company John Pagano; CEO of Safanad Kamal Bahamdan; CEO of Saudi National Bank Tareq AlSadhan; and Chair of SENAAT (formerly Zamil Industries) Abdullah Al Zamil.
The board also retains long-serving members such as President and CEO of Aramco Amin Nasser; CEO of Ma'aden Robert Wilt; President and CEO of Alturki Holding Rami Al Turki; and President and CEO of the U.S.-Saudi Business Council Charles Hallab.
'This board speaks to the depth and maturity of the U.S.-Saudi economic relationship,' said Olayan. 'We look forward to translating this partnership into a meaningful collaboration and long-term value for both economies.'
'The caliber of leaders joining our board signals the significant momentum of the U.S.-Saudi business partnership,' said Fraser. 'This is an important inflection point in the council's work to strengthen economic ties between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia and advance our shared long-term growth.'
'This board represents an extraordinary alignment of global leadership at a pivotal moment in the bilateral relationship, one that is consistent with a reinvigorated and reimagined role for the council in the U.S.-Saudi partnership,' said Hallab in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency. 'Their collective expertise across areas critical to both economies positions the council to advance bilateral trade, investment, and business collaboration like never before. We are very excited for the next chapter, and we are also deeply grateful to our long-serving board members for their commitment and contribution to the council's mission over the years.'
The formation of the board comes at a time of accelerating economic engagement between the United States and Saudi Arabia. With a refined and revitalized mission, the U.S.-Saudi Business Council is reinforcing its role as a leading platform for private-sector leadership and engagement-strengthening connectivity between U.S. and Saudi businesses, enabling strategic partnerships, and supporting the expansion of bilateral trade and investment.
The U.S.-Saudi Business Council serves as the principal forum for U.S.-Saudi commercial engagement, facilitating access and dialogue for its member companies with key American and Saudi institutions and policymakers to advance bilateral business, trade, and investment.
