About Abeer Shoukry-Al Otaiba
Abeer Shoukry-Al Otaiba has held many roles throughout her life, both professional and personal — student, engineer, designer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, daughter, mother. Through her business ventures and philanthropic efforts, Abeer promotes economic growth, sustainability and social change, helping individuals and industries reach their full potential.
Education and Early Career
Born in Alexandria, Egypt, Abeer grew up in a family of engineers, including her parents and uncles. She attended Catholic schools in France, where she developed a love for math and physics before returning to Egypt to pursue a degree in civil engineering.
She began her career as a civil engineer at Orascom Telecom in Egypt, quickly distinguishing herself in a traditionally male-dominated field. Her expertise led her to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where she continued to excel in the industry.
While in the UAE, Abeer met Yousef Al Otaiba, who in 2008 was appointed as Ambassador of the UAE to the US. The couple married in 2010 and now reside in Virginia with their two children.
“I pursued a career in civil engineering as it came naturally to me — I am a designer and problem solver at my core, and I still enjoy finding solutions and creating infrastructure systems in my daily life. Fashion, however, has always been my passion.”
— ABEER Al OTAIBA, JDEED MAGAZINE
Founding SemSem
Shortly after her daughter, Samia, was born, Abeer felt a calling to pursue her lifelong passion for fashion. Inspired by the bond she shares with her daughter, Abeer named her new company SemSem, the Arabic word for “sesame seed” — and also her daughter’s nickname. In founding the luxury fashion house, Abeer blends Eastern and Western influences to inspire and support women by integrating her creative work with women’s rights advocacy.
SemSem is committed to corporate social responsibility, partnering with nonprofit organizations each season to address gender equality, education and healthcare.
A reflection of her engineering background, her designs utilize movement, layers and dimension. She spends her days drafting designs, inspecting fabrics and supervising the business as a whole — prioritizing sustainability and inclusivity wherever possible.
With a team that spans from Washington, DC, and New York City to all around the globe, Abeer works diligently to bring her vision to the world. SemSem’s commitment to sustainability and inclusivity has positioned it as a globally recognized brand, earning Abeer a place on Forbes Middle East’s list of 40 Women Behind Middle East Brands.
Past partners include:
- Women for Women International
- Every Mother Counts (EMC)
- International Rescue Committee (IRC)
Founding Otaiba Investments
In October 2020, Abeer launched Otaiba Investments, an international investment firm committed to driving impact, growth and sustainability across the globe.
With headquarters in Abu Dhabi and Washington, DC, Otaiba Investments strategically invests in private equity, real estate, luxury brands and innovative startups. Under Abeer’s leadership, the firm supports pioneering entrepreneurs and global enterprises, ensuring long-term success through strategic capital allocation.
Key investments include:
- Ferretti Group: A leader in luxury yacht manufacturing
- Arte di Mare: Exclusive Ferretti dealer in the UAE, Oman and Egypt
- Ultimate Motors: High-performance automotive dealership in the UAE
- CarioHouse: Investments advancing infrastructure and technology
At its core, Otaiba Investments is dedicated to fostering sustainable growth, scaling innovative ventures and catalyzing business success worldwide. With a team of industry experts and forward-thinking professionals, the firm empowers entrepreneurs, executives and companies to create lasting impact across diverse industries.
“As a mother raising a daughter, I believe it is vital to support and recognize other women. No one attains true success on their own and giving back is something that was instilled in me, by my parents, from a very young age.”
BOARD MEMBERSHIPS
In addition to her business ventures, Abeer is deeply involved in philanthropy, sustainability and mental health advocacy. Through partnerships with mission-driven organizations, Abeer helps empower communities to improve well-being and resilience on a global scale. Her work focuses on both immediate-impact and long-term, sustainable solutions that foster inclusive growth.
Takalam
Abeer currently serves on the board of directors at Takalam, an award-winning, AI-powered platform offering personalized mental wellness tools, confidential online counseling and culturally responsive coaching sessions. Takalam — Arabic for “speak” — aims to break the stigma around mental health, especially across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. In her role, Abeer helps advance the platform’s mission to provide accessible, tech-driven mental health care to individuals, families and organizations.
Ras Al Hekma
Abeer is also a member of the steering committee for the Ras Al Hekma development project — one of the most ambitious transformation efforts along Egypt’s North Coast. The initiative aims to create a world-class destination by investing in sustainable infrastructure, modern housing and tourism to promote economic opportunity. Her involvement highlights her broader vision for future-focused developments that balance economic growth with community advancement and environmental stewardship.
PHILANTHROPY & SOCIAL IMPACT
Abeer’s philanthropic work spans healthcare, education and cultural initiatives. She actively supports organizations that improve pediatric healthcare, gender equality and disaster relief.
Abeer advocates for pediatric healthcare advancements, a cause close to her heart after her daughter, Samia, underwent surgery for a rare lung condition at Children’s National Medical Center.
Her contributions include:
Co-chairing the Children’s National Ball, raising over $10 million. The hospital awarded Abeer and her husband the Joseph E. Robert, Jr. Prize in Philanthropy for giving back after going through a harrowing medical experience with their own family.
Establishing a Goodwill Fund for underprivileged children receiving care at the King Hussein Cancer Foundation.
Supporting The Kennedy Center, National Museum of Women in the Arts and the Washington Ballet.
Through her business, philanthropy and advocacy, Abeer continues to break barriers, empower communities and inspire the next generation of leaders.