Nadine Zeidan and Sandra Badra

Our Hero, Nadinepersonal photoNadine Zeidan, LE Staff Economic Specialist in Embassy Riyadh’s Economic Section, is a hero in Mission Saudi Arabia for providing invaluable support to Mission’s economic and commercial goals and objectives, especially the mission-critical response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nadine has helped the Mission stay informed on Saudi Arabia’s response to the public health pandemic, including the economic and social impacts on its 34.7 million residents, by reviewing statistical data, daily Ministry of Health press conferences, and Arabic news stories on the pandemic. Her insights have been incredibly helpful in understanding the financial status of Saudi Arabia’s economy during the COVID-19 crisis and instability in global oil markets. Further, we rely on Nadine’s background and contacts in finance and banking to understand the latest developments of Saudi Aramco and SABIC, Aramco’s multinational chemical manufacturing subsidiary, including major overseas investments by Saudi Aramco. Nadine also assists the Economic Section to meet Mission priorities for U.S.-Saudi cooperation on cybersecurity, intellectual property rights protection, renewable energy, and water resources. For her incredible contribution to advancing U.S-Saudi economic relations, Nadine is our hero.

Our Hero, Sandrapersonal photoSandra Badra, LE Staff Economic Assistant in Embassy Riyadh’s Economic Section, is a hero in Mission Saudi Arabia for her direct contributions to the Mission’s economic and commercial goals and objectives. With her impressive set of contacts and extensive experience in Saudi Arabia, Sandra plays a vital role in connecting Economic Officers with senior-level Saudi officials. Sandra has provided outstanding insights on Vision 2030, the Crown Prince’s socio-economic reform program, and its various initiatives designed to reduce the Saudi economy’s reliance on oil, create job opportunities for young Saudis, and develop new tourism and entertainment sectors. Her tireless efforts to support trade and investment opportunities between the United States and Saudi Arabia, including on some of the Kingdom’s multi-billion dollar tourism and entertainment projects, have delivered real value. Sandra has provided outstanding support for VIP visitors to the Kingdom, including during Saudi Arabia’s G20 presidency in 2020. Among others, she has supported multiple visits by the Secretary of Treasury, as well as visits by the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank, the Acting President of Ginnie Mae, and the Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. As a subject matter expert, Sandra has also helped us to understand significant macroeconomic developments in the Kingdom, including women’s economic empowerment, trade policy, labor issues, intellectual property rights protection, new tax policies, and the Saudi budget and fiscal issues. A valued member of the Economic team, we are proud to call Sandra our colleague and hero.