Prof. Dr Qalyoubi is an economist by training and is a former academic and served as executive board member to a number of NGOs. Dr Rula Qalyoubi has over 20 years of experience in economic development, sustainability strategies, knowledge-based economy, green economy, and the human development index. She has experience in government, the private sector and NGOs coupled with knowledge of the GCC, North Africa and the MENA regions. Combining a mix of leadership and managerial strategy, Dr Rula worked for the Abu Dhabi government where she led policy design and impact assessment framework projects. Prior to that, Dr. Rula was an associate professor of economics at the University of Wisconsin and a social activist for the National Peace Foundation. Rula has her PhD in two fields of study in Environmental Economics and Natural Resource Management, and, Public Finance and Taxation from Colorado State University. Her MSc. is also in Economics with emphasis on Economic Development and Econometrics fields. She also enjoys car racing.