Ali Shafi

Ali Shafi

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INTRODUCTION اهلاً وسهلاً

I am a C-level Director and a Key Founder

An Arab/Canadian living in the UAE

ABOUT نبذة عني

My approach to building amazing brands of tomorrow.

My journey has been about working hard to achieve excellence, leading teams to success, and creating strategies that turn problems into opportunities. Across 20+ years in the MENA region, that approach has delivered real results: from 25% revenue growth to scaling market expansion. Now, I’m excited to bring my skills in innovation and leadership to a new organization, ready to start the next chapter of success together.

MY STRENGTH نقاط قوتي

What I can do.

I can use my extensive experience to improve any team.

  • Training

    "My experience in training and development allows me to design programs that truly make a difference. I believe in building people up; creating leadership pipelines, coaching teams to perform better, and putting in place the kind of learning that sticks. Whether it's boosting performance or preparing the next generation of leaders, I focus on real growth that lasts: like boosting performance by 30% and building pipelines that promoted 15 future leaders."

  • Developments

    "My extensive background in business development enables me to identify growth opportunities, build strategic partnerships, and implement innovative solutions that drive long-term success and competitive advantage for any company. I focus on what's possible then make it happen: whether that's 25% profit growth or 30% client expansion. "

  • Marketing

    "My approach to marketing is part art, part science. I craft strategies that connect with people, strengthen brand positioning, and deliver campaigns that actually drive results: like 95% on-time delivery and 30% engagement growth. With experience across the MENA region, I adapt to local markets while keeping the bigger picture in view; always aiming for sustainable growth and real engagement."

  • Operations

    "I see operations as the engine that makes everything else possible. My focus is on streamlining processes, improving efficiency, and building systems that help teams do their best work. Whether it's reducing costs, boosting productivity, or creating smoother workflows, I work to make sure the business runs as well as it possibly can."

RESUME (CV) سيرتي الذاتية

Experience

A confident Director  with a unique blend of Arab and Canadian backgrounds, offering 20+ years of senior managerial experience.

SCHIZZO INTERIOR DESIGN (L.L.C) - DUBAI, UAE

Oct 2025 - Present

Director of Strategic Development (EMEA) | مدير التطوير الاستراتيجي - أوروبا والشرق الأوسط وأفريقيا

Schizzo is a joint venture of Excellence Art, where I lead its strategic growth initiatives. I focus on business expansion, brand positioning, and market development across the UAE and international markets. I bridge creative excellence with commercial strategy to strengthen Schizzo's positioning among top-tier clients while identifying new opportunities that drive measurable expansion.

EXCELLENCE ART CARPENTRY & DECORATION (L.L.C) - DUBAI, UAE

Oct 2025 - Present

Research & Development Director (EMEA/APAC) | مدير البحث والتطوير - آسيا/أوروبا/أفريقيا والشرق الأوسط

I lead the company's innovation and growth initiatives by translating market research into actionable business strategies. My role focuses on developing forward-thinking approaches, improving internal operations, and driving continuous improvement across teams and projects to increase revenue and market share.

MOZON FOR TECHNOLOGIES & WEB SERVICES - DUBAI, UAE

May 2023 - Present (3 Years)

Key Founder (Global/Remote) | المؤسس الرئيسي - إدارة عن بعد / مستوى عالمي

I lead marketing strategy, business development, and client relations for this startup. I direct a dynamic team of contractors delivering IT, social media marketing, web design, and content creation solutions while ensuring exceptional client satisfaction and strict adherence to project timelines across an international client base of 50+ businesses.

WAVES INVESTMENTS & PROPERTIES (L.L.C) - DUBAI, UAE

Jan 2024 - Oct 2024 (10 months)

Business Developments & Sales Operations Director (Global) | مدير التطوير وعمليات المبيعات - مستوى عالمي

I led industry forecasting, budget management, and operational transformation to drive efficiency and growth. Through strategic alignment and CRM implementation, I reduced costs by 20%, boosted productivity by 15%, and increased overall revenue by 25%.

NAJAM ALBAREEZ PROJECT MANAGEMENT - DUBAI, UAE

Jun 2022 - Jun 2024 (2 Years)

Director of Marketing (MENA) | مدير التسويق - الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا

I led marketing campaigns and project delivery across the MENA region, delegating tasks to marketing managers and communicating with internal and external stakeholders. I directed 10+ major projects from conception to completion, achieving 95% on-time delivery and 20% budget efficiency improvement.

ALBAIT ALCANADI (AL AWADHY GROUP) - SHARJAH, UAE

Jun 2015 - Jun 2022 (7 Years)

Director of Investment Strategy (GCC) | مدير إستراتيجية الإستثمار - دول الخليج

I originated new investors across the GCC market and strengthened existing relationships to drive business growth through high-quality client relationship management. I delivered 25% profit margin growth within the first year and expanded the client base by 30% through strategic investment planning and personalized relationship building.

CANADIAN DEVELOPMENT CENTRE (CDC) - ONTARIO, CANADA

Jun 2011 - Jun 2015 (4 Years)

Senior Talent Development Manager مدير تطوير المواهب الأول - الشرق الأوسط وأمريكا الشمالية

I partnered with senior leadership, including the SVP, HR leadership, and the Director of Talent Development, to design and implement world-class supervisory, managerial, and executive leadership development programs. My work boosted employee performance by 30% and led to 15 internal promotions within two years.

CANADIAN DEVELOPMENT CENTRE (CDC) - ONTARIO, CANADA

Jan 2007 - Jun 2011 (4.6 Years)

Training Manager (US/CAN) | مدير التدريب - أمريكا وكندا

I built relationships with new governmental and non-governmental clients to achieve annual revenue targets aligned with E-Learning strategy. I collaborated with the SVP, HR, and Director of Talent Development to implement a world-class training curriculum that increased training retention rates by 40%.

ALSHAYA GROUP - DUBAI, UAE

Jan 2006 - Jan 2007 (1 Year) - Contract

Brand Manager (Retail) | مدير - محلات قطاع التجزئة

I developed store strategies to raise repeat business, expand store traffic, and optimize profitability. I met sales goals by training, motivating, and mentoring store staff while ensuring high levels of client satisfaction through leading by example, resulting in a 20% sales increase within one year.

JASHANMAL NATIONAL COMPANY - CHRISTIAN DIOR - DUBAI, UAE

Feb 2003 - Jan 2006 (3 Years)

Brand Consultant (Retail) | إستشاري العلامة التجارية - قطاع التجزئة

I promoted the brand's beauty products, demonstrated effective sales techniques, and advised clients on product features and application methods. I attracted more than 5,000 new clients through innovative marketing strategies and drove a 20% sales increase.

EDUCATION التعليم

Bolton Business School - www.bolton.ac.uk

Bachelor of Science – Business Management 2:1

with (Honours) – Manchester, UK

بكالوريوس العلوم مع مرتبة الشرف – جامعة بولتون الحكومية – مانشستر بريطانيا

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SKILLS المهارات المكتسبة

Skills I have collected
over the years and days.

Leadership

98%

Strategic Planning

96%

Decision-Making

95%

Operational Efficiency

95%

Negotiation

95%

Ethical Judgment

99%

EMPLOYERS شركات عملت معها

Companies I have worked for:

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TESTIMONIALS توصيات خاصة وشهادات

What my colleague
are saying about me?

LEADERSHIP قيادتي للفريق

Turning strategy into aligned execution and measurable results

ali-shafi-strategy-creation-and-execution

FAQs أسئلة شائعة

Straight answers to common leadership questions

  • How do you measure success?

    Success is measured through business outcomes, not activity; such as clearer market positioning, stronger growth pipelines, improved operational efficiency, leadership alignment, and decision clarity. KPIs are defined upfront and reviewed consistently.

  • What roles are you currently open to?

    I am open to fractional, contract, and fully remote leadership roles at Director and Executive level, with a focus on business development, market strategy, growth, and operations. I also consider full-time remote roles where the mandate is strategic and outcome-driven.

  • How do you define your leadership focus?

    My work sits at the intersection of strategy, growth, and execution. I help organizations clarify direction, unlock growth opportunities, and translate strategy into scalable operational outcomes; particularly in complex or growth-stage environments.

  • Which industries and markets do you have experience in?

    I have led and supported organizations across investment, retail, interior design, construction, services, and technology, working in Canada, the GCC, and international markets. My experience includes both established groups and growth-stage companies.

  • How do you approach fully remote leadership?

    Remote leadership works when there is clarity, structure, and accountability. I establish clear goals, KPIs, communication rhythms, and decision frameworks early, ensuring teams remain aligned, empowered, and execution-focused across locations and time zones.

AWARDS الجوائز والأوسمة

Best Awards Received

PHOTO GALARY صوري

Photos of Me

CONTACT تواصل معي

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