Abeer Shoukry-Al Otaiba
Abeer Shoukry-Al Otaiba is a passionate entrepreneur, philanthropist and advocate for mental health and women’s empowerment. She is the Founder and Creative Director of SemSem, a luxury fashion brand launched in 2015, and the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Otaiba Investments, where she leads initiatives that drive both business and social impact.
Beyond her work in fashion and business, Abeer is dedicated to expanding access to critical resources that improve lives. As a Board Member of Takalam, an AI-powered platform offering innovative screening tools, online counseling and coaching, she helps advance mental health support for individuals, couples and organizations. Through her leadership, she continues to champion meaningful change, ensuring more people have access to the care and opportunities they need.
In addition to her entrepreneurial and philanthropic work, Abeer serves as a Steering Committee Member for Ras Al Hekma Development — one of Egypt’s most ambitious coastal mega-projects. In this role, she helps lead the livability portfolio, guiding efforts to integrate high-quality urban design, wellness, education, culture and sustainability into a vibrant, inclusive global destination.
SemSem
Inspired by her daughter Samia, Abeer founded SemSem — a luxury, ready-to-wear fashion brand for women and girls — in 2015. Drawing inspiration from her background as an entrepreneur, civil engineer and lifelong creative, Abeer incorporates her experiences and heritage into every design. The SemSem line reflects Abeer’s passion for motherhood, women’s empowerment and the collective responsibility to give back. Building off her dedication to advancing women’s rights, each seasonal collection features a partnership with an organization dedicated to a cause surrounding SemSem’s philanthropic priorities.
Otaiba Investments
Abeer is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Otaiba Investments, an investment firm with offices in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Washington, DC. Dedicated to driving sustainability, growth and impact around the world, Otaiba Investments’ thoughtful strategies support the changemakers of tomorrow.
philanthropy
Abeer is deeply interested in charitable efforts that benefit children, and she has given significant support to Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC, 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 in the areas of 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 DC area, including the National Portrait Gallery and the Washington Ballet.
News & Articles
Read the latest news published about Abeer Shoukry-Al Otaiba, her fashion brand SemSem, Otaiba Investments and the philanthropic efforts she supports.