Amr Al-Dabbagh

Jobs
Businessman , philanthropist
Date of birth
Jul 2, 1966
Nationality
Saudi
Place of birth
Saudi Arabia , Riyadh
Constellation
Cancer

Biography

Amr Al-Dabbagh: A Visionary Bridging Business and Philanthropy

Amr Al-Dabbagh is not just a prominent Saudi entrepreneur—he is a symbol of the modern business leader who blends commercial ambition with deep-rooted social purpose. As Chairman and CEO of the Jeddah-based Al-Dabbagh Group, his influence spans industries, continents, and causes.

After earning his business degree, Al-Dabbagh sharpened his executive acumen at elite institutions such as Harvard and London Business School—an educational path that reflects his lifelong commitment to excellence and global perspective.

But beyond boardrooms and bottom lines, Al-Dabbagh is deeply invested in social transformation. He is the driving force behind major philanthropic platforms such as Stars Foundation and Philanthropy University, the latter of which attracted over 400,000 enrollments from around the world in its first month alone. These initiatives underscore his belief that lasting impact requires empowering others to lead change.

His public service track is equally noteworthy. He served as Saudi Arabia’s honorary consul to Kazakhstan and held a key role as commissioner in the Global Business and Sustainable Development Commission, where he championed inclusive, forward-thinking business policies on the international stage.

Al-Dabbagh also stands out as a thought leader in innovative governance. His books, Governpreneurship and Omnipreneurship, explore fresh paradigms of leadership that intertwine entrepreneurial risk-taking with a strong moral compass. These frameworks continue to influence CEOs, public officials, and changemakers worldwide.

At Arageek, our spotlight on Amr Al-Dabbagh celebrates a man who defies conventional boundaries—between sectors, between profit and purpose, between national and global. His legacy is one of synthesis: where enterprise meets empathy, and leadership becomes a tool for shared progress.

Early Life

Born in Riyadh on July 2, 1966, Amr Al-Dabbagh pursued business administration at King Abdulaziz University before completing programs at Harvard and the London Business School. These foundations provided him with the tools indispensable for his entrepreneurial journey, deeply shaping his strategic outlook on business and social responsibility.

The Personal Life

Amr Al-Dabbagh is married and has five children—two daughters and three sons.

Quick Facts

He briefly experienced detention in 2017 amid Saudi Arabia’s anti-corruption drive but was promptly released without charges.
Under his leadership, Philanthropy University saw extraordinary initial success, registering participants from over 190 countries.
He served as Governor of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority with ministerial rank appointed by King Fahd and was reappointed during King Abdullah’s reign.
Al-Dabbagh holds various advisory roles globally, including involvement with the World Economic Forum and Eisenhower Fellowships.
In 2006, Arabian Business Magazine named him “Businessman of the Year.”
Pakistan honored him with their distinguished “Sitara-i-Imtiaz” award in 2008.

Famous Quotes عمرو الدباغ

“Success is delivering beyond the expectations placed upon you.”
“Tomorrow is, of course, in the hands of God. As youth, we can strive, work hard, and let society judge the results.”
“Two motivations constantly drive me forward—the trust a leader places in an individual by assigning responsibility and, secondly, serving my homeland and its people.”

— عمرو الدباغ

Achievements

Chairman and CEO of Al-Dabbagh Group since succeeding his father, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Dabbagh, expanding its reach into automotive, food industries, housing solutions, and more.
Founded numerous humanitarian initiatives such as Stars Foundation and Philanthropy University aimed at empowering communities and nonprofit leaders globally.
Appointed Governor of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority in 2004, launching King Abdullah Economic City during his tenure.
Authored books promoting innovative approaches to governance and sustainable leadership, notably “Governpreneurship” and “Omnipreneurship.”
Regularly participates in global economic panels and forums, contributing insight at platforms like Davos and Columbia University’s Middle East Advisory Council.

Other

In 2015, in pursuit of revolutionizing education for nonprofit leaders around the world, Al-Dabbagh launched the innovative Philanthropy University. Providing free online courses globally, this initiative significantly boosted the effectiveness and impact potential of countless philanthropic organizations, seeking to positively influence millions of lives by 2020.