Executive Team
Hand picked expertise
Walid El Hindi
MD and Board Member
A Senior Executive with over 26 years of experience. As a founding partner in OUTLIVE, Walid leads the Real Estate consultancy and advisory business. Prior to OUTLIVE, he held the position of Group CEO for Northacre and CEO of Real Estate at Shuaa Capital, where he managed USD 14 Billion of Real Estate Assets in the UK, UAE and Saudi Arabia.
In his past experience, Walid established IMKAN Properties from inception to one of the leading developers in the region, with a portfolio of 30 million sqm of land, which spans 26 projects globally, valued at over AED 100 billion, with offices in the UAE, Egypt and Morocco.
In addition to his roles as CEO, Walid held the positions of board member with Northacre London, Astrea Asset management, IMKAN Misr, and HHRM, an international hotel management company. In his previous role with Emaar Misr as the Chief Development Officer, Walid led an international large-scale portfolio of developments valued at more than $15 billion, where he led its IPO process until its listing in 2015. His previous experience included working for AECOM, and Ellness Swenson Graham Architects. Walid also taught Architecture for 6 years as an Adjunct faculty member at the University of Minnesota, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture degree.
Karim El Guanaini
CCO and Board Member
With more than 22 years of experience in the fields of hospitality, marketing and Business Development. As a founding partner in BLUEGATE, Karim leads the creation and execution of Sales, marketing and communication strategies, as well as brand strategies and activations.
Prior to founding OUTLIVE, Karim led the Business Development and commercialization vertical for Miral Asset Management, where he led the development and execution of the strategic plans for Destination Yas Island’s local and global sponsorships and local/international partnership programs. Karim’s experience also included working for Aldar, one of the leading real estate companies in the UAE and the region, where he was responsible for overlooking Marketing activities for Yas Island, Aldar Academies, Aldar Marinas, and Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi.
His past experience included working in the hospitality industry, leading the Food and beverage verticals for reputable hospitality hotels such as the Four Seasons, Hilton and Le Meridien to name a few. Karim attended the University of Les Roches, Switzerland where he studied Hotel Management and holds an MBA degree in International Hospitality, specializing in Marketing and Innovation from Glion Institute of Higher Education. He speaks three languages, English, French, and Arabic.
Andrew Dull
Executive Director, Design
Andrew is the Executive Director of Design and Research at OUTLIVE, bringing over two decades of design leadership to the company. He employs a research-driven process to develop projects, challenging his team and consultants to create principled work. Andrew has worked on ambitious commercial and residential projects in the Middle East, MENA, and Europe as Design Director at IMKAN and SHUAA Capital.
Before working in the Middle East, Andrew was a designer at VJAA, HGA, and Design Director at Snow Kreilich Architects, winner of the 2018 AIA Firm of the Year. He has worked on a wide range of project types, including concert halls, baseball stadiums, higher education facilities, private and multi-family residences, many of which have won local or national AIA awards.
Additionally, Andrew has taught at the University of Minnesota, College of Architecture. He holds a degree in Art from Luther College and a Master’s Degree in Architecture from the College of Architecture at the University of Minnesota.
Dr. Ahlam Zainal
CEO, Bahrain Office
Dr. Ahlam Zainal serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Al Areen Holding, a subsidiary of GFH Financial Group, dedicated to the development of the transformative Al Areen desert project in Bahrain. With over 16 years of experience in the real estate investment and development sector, Dr. Zainal has a notable history of bringing both public and private design and infrastructure projects to life. She has held various senior roles at leading Bahraini real estate companies, including Infracorp, Amlak Company, Bahrain Real Estate Investment Company (Edamah), and Ithmaar Development Company.
Appointed in 2023, Dr. Zainal leads the strategic development of Al Areen Holding, focusing on establishing it as a premier destination for hospitality, entertainment, and healthcare. This involves overseeing the expansion of the Al Areen masterplan, which spans approximately two million square meters near the Al Areen Wildlife Park and Reserve. This ambitious plan includes significant attractions such as the Lost Paradise of Dilmun Water Park and the Raffles-operated Al Areen Palace and Spa.
Holding a Master’s degree in Architecture in Urban Design from Harvard University and a doctorate in Urban Engineering from the University of Tokyo, Dr. Zainal’s passion is focused on delivering solutions that foster a symbiotic interconnection between holistic sustainability and urban development.
Sharif Makki
Project Director
Sharif Makki is a service-oriented and forward- thinking Project Executive. Articulate, self-directed and motivational leader well versed in full project lifecycle for real estate developments, commercial, institutional, and infrastructure industry needs. Highly effective at refining workflow and schedules to enable successful projects. Collaborative leader with a strategic mindset. Strong communication, time management and planning abilities. Adept at setting budgets, developing scopes and overseeing project implementation. Excellent follow-through with a disciplined approach and full knowledge of the project life cycle. Ready to bring 28 years of experience of program and project management to a growth-oriented programs and projects.
Sharif has extensive and sustainable experience in Bahrain working for Hill International a leading project management consultant, where he managed and executed major capex programs such as the latest Bahrain International Airport Modernization Program (2011-2022). Sharif served as Vice President for Hill International, and he has an in-depth knowledge of the Bahrain industry spanning over 12 years in the fields of engineering and construction management managing government and private-sector stakeholders.
Dr. Reda Tolba
Chief Medical Adviser
Dr. Reda Tolba is the Chief Medical Adviser at OUTLIVE. With more than 20 years of experience in the medical field, he is a key opinion leader in the field of pain management. He served many leadership roles at various major health systems across the US and UAE.He is a Clinical Professor of Anesthesiology at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio.
He is currently serving as the Founding Chair of the International Society of Pain and Neuroscience. He is also served on several committees at major medical societies such as the American Society of Pain and Neuroscience (ASPN), the American Society of Regional Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (ASRA) and the North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS). He authored numerous publications and book chapters published in major journals in the field of pain medicine. He has a particular interest in improving the well-being of the geriatric population.