Abeer Shoukry-Al Otaiba
Entrepreneur and founder of SemSem, a luxury fashion line that launched in 2015. In addition to serving as the Creative Director of SemSem, Abeer is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of investment firm Al Otaiba Investments. She holds a degree in civil engineering and has emerged as a philanthropist, women’s rights activist and role model for women and girls around the world.
SemSem
Inspired by her daughter Samia, Abeer founded SemSem — a luxury, ready-to-wear fashion brand for women and girls — in 2015. Utilizing her background as an entrepreneur, civil engineer and lifelong creative, Abeer incorporates her life experiences and heritage into every design. The SemSem line reflects Abeer’s passion for motherhood, female empowerment and the collective responsibility to give back. Building off her passion for advancing women’s rights, each seasonal collection features a partnership with an organization dedicated to a cause surrounding SemSem’s philanthropic priorities.
Al Otaiba Investments
Abeer is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Al Otaiba Investments, an investment firm based in the United Arab Emirates with offices in Washington, DC and Abu Dhabi. Dedicated to driving sustainability, growth and impact around the world, Al Otaiba Investments’ thoughtful and strategic investments support the changemakers of tomorrow.
philanthropy
Abeer is especially interested in charitable efforts that benefit children, with significant support going to Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., the King Hussein Cancer Foundation and the Hope for Henry Foundation, among others. Through SemSem, Abeer also supports humanitarian organizations that promote the empowerment of women and girls, through gender equality, literacy, health, legal awareness and education. With a lifelong passion for creativity and the arts, Abeer has also supported cultural arts programs in the D.C. area, including the National Portrait Gallery and the Washington Ballet.