Dr. Hussain Abusaaq, Dip. Dir., CFA

Advisory Board Member

Distinguished by a strategic vision and backed by a Ph.D. in Economics and CFA certification, Dr. Hussain Abusaaq stands as an eminent figure renowned for his abilities as a macroeconomic expert and strong public policy leader. He has set a legacy of surpassing conventional boundaries and creating significant value in diverse leadership roles, consistently leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of economic theory and practice.

Dr. Hussain has been instrumental in advancing Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 agenda and accelerating the country's economy through various projects. His work primarily focused on aligning development goals with economic plans, marking a significant aspect of his career.

He currently heads the Economics analysis at the Strategic Management Office (SMO), working on strategic initiatives to support ambitious GDP growth plans. He collaborates with the Central Team and GDP component owners, evaluating economic studies, strategies, and programs to support strategic decision-making while prioritizing the SMO's economic leadership and innovation.

Before that, he served as Chief Economist & Head of Research at SME Bank for one year, where he was instrumental in establishing and overseeing a dynamic Center of Excellence for research and analysis. Earlier, in his challenging role as Chief Economist at the Saudi Data & Artificial Intelligence Authority, he regularly provided executive management with updates on policy changes & challenges, both domestically and globally, offering insights into potential unintended consequences and their impact on the Saudi economy. As a renowned economist, he presided over 20+ impactful studies in diverse fields, such as measuring Saudi Arabia's economic development, analyzing its labor market, and evaluating its policies. He also helped establish a comprehensive economics department from the ground up.

Throughout his professional journey, he has left lasting impressions, delivering irrefutable value at mission-critical organizations and ministries including KPMG, Center for Strategic Development, MEP, and SAMA. He emerged as the principal researcher and writer for major KPMG policy publications and reports on economic areas, including potential investments, public policy, and technology; played a pivotal role in establishing the Center Head of Decision Support System & Nudge Unit, contributing to holistic social development through effective public policies for the labor market.

In recent years, he has been involved in mentorship and community engagement by mentoring university students in the Qimam Fellowship Program and recently becoming a mentor at Project 1932. He also stayed engaged in teaching economics at Prince Sultan University from 2018 to 2023, focusing on applying economic theory to managerial decisions and improving students' practical skills through project development.

Leveraging a solid foundation of expertise, he attained mastery with dual Master's degrees in Financial Engineering and Economics from Florida State University. His commitment to continued growth has earned him the distinction Certificate in Board Directorship in 2023 along with completing prestigious programs at Oxford University and MIT Sloan School of Management.

Dr Hussain is well-positioned to continue creating value in future roles. His combination of strategic foresight, analytical acumen, and collaborative leadership style makes him a sought-after expert in macroeconomics, public policy, and strategic management. Dedicated to promoting long-lasting economic growth, he is ready to make significant contributions to the economy in the years to come.