---
title: Kamal Bahamdan, Founder and CEO of Safanad, Appointed to U.S.-Saudi Business Council Board of Directors
description: Kamal Bahamdan joins a newly formed Board of Directors at the US-Saudi Business Council, enhancing economic ties and strategic partnerships between the two nations.
image: https://safanad.com/hubfs/Kamal%20Abdullah%20Bahamdan_wide.jpeg
---

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 2 min read

# Kamal Bahamdan, Founder and CEO of Safanad, Appointed to U.S.-Saudi Business Council Board of Directors

[News](https://safanad.com/news/author/news)  May 18, 2026, 3:39:56 AM

[News](https://safanad.com/news/tag/news)

From Asharq Al-Awsat: US-Saudi Business Council Unveils Powerhouse Board of Directors

![Board of Directors](https://safanad.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Board%20of%20Directors.jpg?width=2688&height=800&name=Board%20of%20Directors.jpg)

The US-Saudi Business Council (USSBC) has announced the appointment of its significantly expanded and reconstituted Board of Directors, featuring an unprecedented lineup of global industry leaders.

“This strategic move underscores the Council’s revitalized mission to deepen and diversify economic ties between the United States and Saudi Arabia by leveraging expertise from critical sectors shaping the global economy,” USSBC said in a statement on Tuesday.

Co-Chaired by Chair of the Corporate Board of the Olayan Group Lubna Olayan, and Jane Fraser, Chair and CEO of Citi, the new Board brings together influential figures across finance, energy, technology, travel, defense, infrastructure, consumables and advanced industry.

“Their collective leadership will uniquely position the Council to drive innovation, investment and strategic partnerships aligned with US economic priorities, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the evolving global landscape,” the statement added.

![1539330_0.jpeg](https://safanad.com/hs-fs/hubfs/1539330_0.jpeg.webp?width=600&height=353&name=1539330_0.jpeg.webp)

The newly appointed US members include:  
Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google  
Brian Moynihan, Chair and CEO of Bank of America  
Brendan Bechtel, Chairman and CEO of Bechtel Corporation  
Larry Fink, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock  
Mike Wirth, Chair and CEO of Chevron  
Chuck Robbins, Chair and CEO of Cisco  
James Quincey, Executive Chair of The Coca-Cola Company  
Noel Wallace, Chair, President and CEO of Colgate-Palmolive  
Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines  
Jim Fitterling, Chair and CEO of Dow  
Darren Woods, Chair and CEO of ExxonMobil  
Jenny Johnson, CEO of Franklin Templeton  
Chris Nassetta, President and CEO of Hilton  
Vimal Kapur, Chair and CEO of Honeywell  
James Taiclet, Chair, President and CEO of Lockheed Martin

![1539357](https://safanad.com/hs-fs/hubfs/1539357.jpg?width=600&height=400&name=1539357.jpg)

Jane Fraser, CEO, Citigroup, speaks during a Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee oversight hearing to examine Wall Street firms on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

They are joined by leaders from key sectors driving Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation, including:  
Tareq Amin, CEO of Humain  
John Pagano, CEO of Red Sea Global and Managing Director of AlUla Development Company  
Kamal Bahamdan, CEO of Safanad  
Tareq AlSadhan, CEO of Saudi National Bank  
Abdullah Al Zamil, Chair of SENAAT (formerly Zamil Industries)

The Board also retains long-serving members Amin Nasser, President and CEO of Aramco, Robert Wilt, CEO of Ma’aden, Rami Al Turki, President and CEO of Alturki Holding, and Charles Hallab, President and CEO of the US-Saudi Business Council.

“This Board represents an extraordinary alignment of global leadership at a pivotal moment in the bilateral relationship, one that is consistent with a reinvigorated and reimagined role for the Council in the US-Saudi partnership,” said Hallab.

“Their collective expertise across areas critical to both economies positions the Council to advance bilateral trade, investment, and business collaboration like never before. We are very excited for the next chapter, and we are also deeply grateful to our long-serving Board members for their commitment and contribution to the Council’s mission over the years.”

Olayan said she looked forward to translating the partnership into a meaningful collaboration, and long-term value for the two countries’ economies.

As for Fraser, she said: “The caliber of leaders joining our board signals the significant momentum of the US–Saudi business partnership.”

The formation of the Board comes at a time of accelerating economic engagement between the US and Saudi Arabia.

“With a refined and revitalized mission, the US-Saudi Business Council is reinforcing its role as a leading platform for private-sector leadership and engagement—strengthening connectivity between US and Saudi businesses, enabling strategic partnerships, and supporting the expansion of bilateral trade and investment,” USSBC said.

Full article [here](https://english.aawsat.com/business/5272672-us-saudi-business-council-unveils-powerhouse-board-directors)

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