Yara El-Saadani

Yara El-Saadani, EMEA Director, Commerce Strategy, GroupM, demonstrated a remarkable ability to drive business growth and innovation within the media sector. El-Saadani rebuilt a high-performing, multicultural commerce team during the pandemic, drawing talent from eight nationalities and achieving consistent year-on-year growth. Their pioneering approach led to the adoption of new hiring strategies across GroupM, and El-Saadani was promoted to a regional directorial role. Noteworthy achievements included securing major client wins under pressure, developing a proprietary Retail Prioritisation Matrix used by global brands such as L'Oreal and Nestle, and being recognised as a runner-up for Team of the Year. El-Saadani championed a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion, setting a new company standard for team composition and collaboration. Their leadership inspired a broader transformation across GroupM, fostering a more dynamic and inclusive workplace. Beyond operational excellence, El-Saadani contributed to thought leadership by moderating panels at industry events, joining the Ascendant Network Council, and embarking on sustainability research to reduce carbon footprints in commerce media. Peers and senior leaders described El-Saadani as a driving force behind GroupM's commerce and retail media practice, praising their strategic vision, passion for innovation, and empathetic leadership. The testimonial sentiment highlighted El-Saadani's influence on both business growth and organisational culture. As one judge noted, "Exceptional strategic thinker already shaping the industry's future through innovation, leadership and sustainability."

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"Exceptional strategic thinker already shaping the industry's future through innovation, leadership and sustainability."

Feedback one-liner:

El-Saadani has demonstrated outstanding innovation, leadership, and commitment to sustainability, establishing themselves as a key industry leader and role model.