The Center on Global Energy Policy hosted a Women in Energy lunch and roundtable discussion with Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany, Director of Sustainability, Masdar, and Director, Zayed Future Energy Prize. Dr. Al-Hosany discussed her unique international experiences across the energy, sustainability and cleantech space, as well as her perspectives on what it means to be a female leader in the energy and sustainability space.
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Biography
Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany is Director of Sustainability, Masdar, and Director, Zayed Future Energy Prize.
In her role as the Director of Sustainability at Masdar, Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany leads a team responsible for developing Masdar Corporate and Masdar City’s sustainability standards and policies. She is also mandated to oversee the processes of sustainability auditing, monitoring and reporting.
In 2011, Dr. Al-Hosany also assumed the post of Director of the Zayed Future Energy Prize. As director, she oversees the strategic global direction of an annual US $4 million award, mandated by the UAE government to reward outstanding achievements in the fields of renewable energy and sustainability.
Dr. Al-Hosany is a board member of Masdar Investment LLC and of the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Meteorology. She is also an Adjunct Professor and member of the External Advisory Board at the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology.
In her commitment to remain at the forefront of the social science and sustainable development landscape, she has participated in numerous continuing professional development courses and continually seeks opportunities to stay updated on latest project management methods, as well as leadership, planning and decision-support mechanisms.
Dr. Al-Hosany has been published globally in international journals and newspapers, including the International Journal of Management of Environmental Quality, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Renewable Energy, and International Journal of Renewable Energy Engineering.
Throughout her career, Dr. Al-Hosany has been an active member of various boards in the UAE and around the world including the Advisory Panel for the Momentum for Change initiative of the UNFCCC, the Troika Plus of Women Leaders on Gender and Climate Change, and the Energy Efficiency Global Forum.
Dr. Al-Hosany has also served as Sherpa to the UN Secretary General High Level Group for ‘The Sustainable Energy For all’ initiative for its Principle, HE Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar.
In 2011, Abu Dhabi Magazine cited Dr. Al-Hosany as one of the 40 most influential Emiratis who have helped shape the emirate. She has also received several medals and accolades for her professional achievements, including a Chevening Fellowship from the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Emirates Business Women Award in the Professional and Career Achievements category.
Prior to assuming her current roles, Dr. Al-Hosany held senior leadership positions with the General Headquarters of the Abu Dhabi Police, including Head of Design and Studies in the Engineering Department. In 2007, she became the first-ever female Deputy Director in the Abu Dhabi Police.
Dr. Al-Hosany graduated from the Faculty of Engineering at the UAE University and obtained her PhD from Newcastle University in the UK. She is also credited as one of the first two Emirati women to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world at 5,895 meters above sea level.
