About Mela

Accelerating growth since 2010

Mela is the Middle Eastern arm of a global network spanning North America (SIBF); Central Eurasia (CELA); and South East Asia (SEALA). Together, the global network extends across 46 countries, with approximately 2,000 network members. When you join Mela or partner with Mela, you enable long-lasting, positive development for our region.

In Mela, we make it possible for executives to get exposed to best practices in leadership, to exhibit excellence in management and personal performance, and to get plugged into a global network of peers and professionals. Leaders' potential multiplies exponentially. The main driver for personal and professional growth across the MENA region.

Mela Today

Mela, the Middle East Leadership Association, is a non-profit leadership development network accelerating personal and professional growth across 14 Arab countries, fostering responsible and ethical leadership best practices. Mela was established by a group of committed Arab and American business executives who identified the critical need for the establishment of a community of interconnected, up-and-coming, high-potential Middle Eastern business leaders. Today, this non-profit leadership development network, established in 2010, accelerates personal and professional growth and decision-making across 14 Arab countries – fostering responsible and ethical leadership best practice. Mela is a non-religious, non-political, non-profit organization registered in Jordan, and with chapters across Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and the United Arab Emirates. Mela is one of four sister networks: the Society of International Business Fellows (SIBF) based in North America; the Central Eurasia Leadership Alliance (CELA); and the South East Asia Leadership Association (SEALA). Together, the global leadership network extends across 46 countries, and more than 1,500 members. The global network powers business opportunity, leadership development and personal and professional growth across the lifetime of its members.

A Middle East filled with Mela alumni playing active roles in enabling positive change in the region and the world.

Mela exists to build, connect and nurture leaders who think globally and seek to create a better future for the Middle East and the world.

Our Values

Sustainable Growth

Creating a stimulating learning environment in which to connect, develop, nurture and grow leaders throughout their lifetime as part of our network.

Trust-Based Relationships

Enabling and nurturing genuine, value-added professional relationships that honor each member’s accomplishments and potential.

Active Engagement

Committing to counseling, mentoring and putting each member’s uniqueness in the service of others, while seeking help when needed.

Respect

Treating others as we would like to be treated while encouraging the expression of diversity, and honoring others by exhibiting care and consideration of needs, feelings and personal beliefs.

Royal Patronage

Mela events receive exceptional welcome across their host countries and have operated under the auspices of His Royal Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan, His Royal Majesty King Mohamed VI of Morocco, as well as ruling representatives and dignitaries across the region.

Global Network

Mela is part of a 47-nation global network that has grown rapidly over the past 35 years and continues to expand in the service of up-and-coming leaders; celebrating their skills and promoting their growth. The sister networks are CELA – the Central Eurasia Leadership Alliance, SEALA – the South East Asia Leadership Academy, and SIBF – the Society of International Business Fellows. Together, the global network extends across 47 countries, with more than 1,500 members.

Testimonials

"Leadership skills and characteristics are key for any young professional today, and the extensive training that MELA offers and the opportunities within its network can benefit the next generation of Omani and regional business leaders. We are delighted to be associated with this excel-lent training scheme. A number of PDO staff have entered the academy since its launch in 2011 and have been schooled in areas such as team building, conflict resolution, social media, decision making, operational excellence and high productivity."

"At Omantel, we recognize what it takes to be a leader on corporate and individual levels. Being the largest and the leading inte-grated telecommunications services provider, we place an immense significance on providing our people with quality training that can enhance and shape their leadership skills and thought processes to ensure that Omantel leadership is maintained for years to come. We believe the MELA scheme is a perfect program that can enable us to achieve our training and development objectives."

"I would like to thank Shell for sponsoring me and the Mela management for accepting me to participate. The Mela masterclass actually have changed my views on leadership and how it will impact my personality, hopefully take that forward in real life. And I would recommend all of you if you had the chance to join the Mela program."

"Without exception, this program was the most impactful professional development program that I have ever been a part of. The depth of the interaction between myself and others in the program, particularly the people in my small group, was nothing short of amazing. Mela is definitely a game changer.”

"Mela is an amazing experience with great people, facilitators and friends. This program has given me so much exposure and I only hope we work together to have more MELA's in the future."

Partners

Mela recognizes with thanks its partners supporting the development of leadership across the region

Impact Report 2020

This fully comprehensive 98-page report showcases Mela’s commitment to serving its membership; extending its outreach efforts to benefit the lives of every Mela member across the MENA region.

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