Leadership

Experienced leadership for international markets.

The U.S. MENA Chamber of Commerce is led by globally positioned executives, advisors, and specialists with proven experience across international business, market development, digital trade, technology, and institutional engagement.

Decades of proven international business leadership.

The Chamber’s leadership brings decades of international executive experience across global commerce, entrepreneurship, digital trade, market development, technology, and institutional engagement.

Our leadership is globally positioned and includes experience recognized through U.S. Government award recognition for international business, supporting the Chamber’s mission to advance credible commercial engagement between the United States and the MENA region.

Proven leaders with demonstrated results in global commerce and international markets.

The Chamber’s executive leadership brings practical experience building, operating, advising, and supporting organizations across international markets. This leadership foundation is built on demonstrated execution, cross-border commercial judgment, global market development, operational expertise, and the ability to move from strategy to measurable results.

Strategic guidance from leaders across business, trade, markets, and institutional engagement.

The Chamber’s Board of Advisors is being developed as a senior advisory network to support the Chamber’s 20-market mandate and long-term U.S.-MENA commercial platform.

Richard Russell

Richard Russell

Chairman & CEO

Advisor Profile

Richard Russell

Richard Russell serves as Chairman and CEO of the U.S. MENA Chamber of Commerce, bringing founder-led international business experience, global market development perspective, and U.S. Government-recognized international business achievement to the Chamber’s advisory platform.

Allyson McKithen

Allyson McKithen

Director – North Africa

Leadership Profile

Allyson McKithen

Allyson McKithen brings institutional experience, diplomatic fluency, international programming leadership, and trade-facing engagement to the Chamber’s North Africa mandate.

Liane Ventura

Liane Ventura

Board Advisor

Advisor Profile

Liane Ventura

Liane Ventura brings nearly four decades of leadership across international trade, economic development, foreign trade zones, logistics, public policy, and cross-border business engagement to the Chamber’s advisory platform.

B

Ben

Board Advisor

Advisor Profile

Ben

Ben serves on the Board of Advisors of the U.S. MENA Chamber of Commerce, bringing technology perspective across digital infrastructure, member access systems, platform development, and scalable Chamber services.

Gary McCausland

Gary McCausland

Board Advisor

Advisor Profile

Gary McCausland

Gary McCausland brings more than three decades of international experience across property, investment, development, corporate strategy, media, and institutional engagement, with senior leadership experience spanning the UK, Europe, and global markets.

Chris Harper

Chris Harper

Board Advisor

Advisor Profile

Chris Harper

Chris Harper brings more than 25 years of global telecommunications, international connectivity, data center, and operating leadership experience to the Chamber’s advisory platform.

Gabriel Jimenez Vargas

Gabriel Jimenez Vargas

Board Advisor

Advisor Profile

Gabriel Jimenez Vargas

Gabriel Jimenez Vargas brings advisory expertise in commercial diplomacy, international expansion, Gulf-Latin America engagement, market access, regulatory awareness, and cross-border partnership development.

Tony Colapietro

Tony Colapietro

Board Advisor

Advisor Profile

Tony Colapietro

Tony Colapietro brings advisory expertise in media strategy, brand development, digital communications, audience growth, content platforms, and entrepreneurial execution.

Kadambari Lakhani

Kadambari Lakhani

Board Advisor

Advisor Profile

Kadambari Lakhani

Kadambari Lakhani brings advisory expertise in luxury beauty, premium retail, brand distribution, consumer positioning, India-Gulf market perspective, and international beauty distribution.

Connect with Chamber leadership.

For membership, partnerships, advisory engagement, market intelligence, or institutional collaboration, contact the U.S. MENA Chamber of Commerce.