Adam Torres and Khloud Alkhalaqi discuss FII PRIORITY.
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Show Notes:
Listen to FII PRIORITY coverage. In this episode, Adam Torres and Khloud Alkhalaqi, Board Member of Ta’ayeed. Founder of Decision Support Association, explore FII PRIORITY.
Full Unedited Transcript
Hey, I’d like to welcome you to another episode of Mission Matters. My name is Adam Torres, and if you’d like to apply to be a guest in the show, just head on over to mission matters.com and click on Be Our Guest to Apply. All right, so today is a very special episode. This is part of our FII Priority Miami coverage.
We’ve been creating an entire series around this. I’ll tell you the first time I went out there was this year. And I was just so hooked. Hearing about all the things happening in Saudi Arabia, seeing all the work being done, hearing about what’s going on in Riyadh, like just, I, was fascinated and I’m happy to continue bringing on this completing this series.
And my guest today is Khloud Alkhalaqi and she’s a board member over at Ta’ayeed and also founder of Decision Support Association. Khloud. Welcome to the show. Thank you Adam, like pleasure to meet you and looking forward to make this enjoyable and excitement. Amazing. So Kalu I’m curious. So, FII, Miami, it was the first time I went there.
it was my introduction to the FII Institute, I’ll be honest. One of my friends invited me to go and he’s like, you gotta come see this. Adam. And I, cover conferences all over the world. And I’m like, well, I don’t know it. Like, do I need to be there? And he’s like, you have to come. There’s some things going here.
You’re gonna, be really mad if you don’t know what’s going on. And I was like, okay, I’ll go. I’ll go. He knows. So then I went and I was just blown away. I was just an amazing experience. The people I met, the networking, the stories, it was amazing. My question for you, K , how did you get introduced to FII and just that whole ecosystem and, was that your first event or like, tell me a little bit more.
So if I, I, for me, like like that conference that I would like to be part of their member mm-hmm. And also delegates as it’s, I would say the cornerstone to build, I would say effective networking and walking the talk and. Like taking plan into implementation with a different stakeholder and investor and learn also new things.
And if you don’t know anything about Saudi Arabia mm-hmm. FI is the right place that you need to visit and you be like there. Yeah. So like I have been invited to FYI last year. Like the janero, but unfortunately I was already committed to a different conference. Mm-hmm. When I have been invited this year, I decided to not miss it and reschedule everything and give it like, my focus, my full attention and be prepared, mm-hmm.
To meet the people there. Like get like networking and for sure, like already identified what. Like I would say discussion or session that would like to attend. That’s amazing. And was this, have you been to Miami before? I’m just curious on that one. Have you been to Miami before or was this the first time to It was my first time and I enjoyed to the max.
It was fun, right. We had good, but it was raining a little bit. At one point. I was wondering how people, everyone from the desert was either enjoying the rain or not enjoying it. Is that an unfair question? It’s unfair. Okay. I’m sorry. Saudi Arabia. A diversified climate. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Like it is like in the middle, like originally desert weather.
Mm-hmm. However, it’s a very modern city. It’s a capital of Saudi Arabia. Yeah. And the western, like the western side of Saudi Arabia. Yeah. Has the raining like it is. All over the red Sea Coast where one of the giga project that I’m proud, like I’m a part of their team also, like the I would say the southern side side of Saudi Arabia has different climate.
Mm-hmm. Along with the eastern side, up north. Like you will be surprised if I tell you like, snowing in the year, like in the winter. Oh, wow. Yeah. I don’t mean to use you as my tour guide, but it’s one of my dreams one day to go to Saudi Arabia, so that’s why I asked you. I was like, okay, I need to learn.
I’m, I’m learning. I’m learning as I go along. Right? Yeah. And, and believe me, with the diversified culture, yes. Like especially in the area, you will be amazed, like you different, like if you have visited like the eastern side of Saudi Arabia and the western side, and also the central and the capital of Saudi Arabia.
You will be amazed how diversified the culture. Mm-hmm. And how there is a link that connect them all along. Mm-hmm. So it is like you moving from a country to a country, but you it is just Saudi Arabia. Wow. That sounds, that sounds beautiful. That sounds amazing. So Kalu, let’s talk a little bit, so Swift focus slightly here.
I see you do work at TAE as a board member and also Decision Support Association. You’re a founder there. Maybe let’s take it one at a time. Maybe start with Tae, talk to us a little bit more about your work there please. So I have been working with TAed since last year. Okay. And with the success story that we have made with the expertise like.
Join us. I have been nominated to be like a partner with ED and then nominated to be part of the b the board member. Hmm. Ed is actually a company that based in Riyadh, right? Like it’s run by a diverse team of consultant practicing expert in the field of, I would say public relation communication.
like, bridging between the investor and also like strategic consultation and other service we have different field. Mm-hmm. So we are focusing on sustainability and socioeconomic impact and also in the health sector education. And we have side profile that focusing on a specific event that like for auction purposes.
Hmm. That’s amazing. And how did you originally learn about the TA organization? I’m just curious on how that originally took place. So like I have been in the consultancy field mm-hmm. For more than seven years mm-hmm. Along with as a, part-time job. Mm-hmm. However, I do have different fa like full-time job and ta it actually reach me.
Mm-hmm. Specifically for a specific file that focusing on I would say development, sustainable development, and peace. Mm-hmm. And investing in human capital based on recommendation of different client like internationally and also mm-hmm. From, I would say public sector. Mm. So this is how they reach to me.
And we have been working on numerous of files mm-hmm. Related to the field that I just was, giving you a tip about, mm-hmm. And then like it went very successfully. And it’s our re the relations become not just about, you know between like a consultant expert and with the b the board, board member, and also with the CEO level team and the management.
Mm-hmm. That’s become, mm. More than that. Like it’s become like about a passion and I would say how like we can achieve the goals that our client is looking for and how together, making sure like TA is successfully achieve it’s a strategy and also meeting the expectation of our client.
Yeah. That’s amazing. So from that perspective, yeah, that’s how, and then I’ve been, have been nominated to become a board member of TAed. Wow. Well, congratulations. That’s amazing. It sounds like you’re doing great work. And and TAed as well with the socioeconomic impact that they’re making, so that’s amazing.
I noticed that you’re also a founder of Decision Support Association. May maybe tell us a little bit about that too, please. So decision association support is like an association, which is for sure nonprofit organization. Mm-hmm. That were like providing a service for government sector and a private sector, like to support them in decision making.
Mm-hmm. Either and also building the capacity of the second layer of their leader ship. And I like it has been, two years now since it’s Este establishment. Mm-hmm. And we just last year we become a registered association and we have already draft our strategy and it has been accepted by the chair board.
And this year we are into implementation process. Oh, wow, that’s, you got a lot going on. This is great. Yeah. Yes. I I wanna get into a little bit more just your over eyes. I see the work, I see the overlap of, socioeconomic impact, impact investing. Maybe can you talk a little bit about your mission just overall and like what excites you, what motivates you?
So like, you came to a really deep question, Adam. Mm-hmm. So my motivation, I would say I usually take any, I would say that work, I work like or I would say initiative or a program. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Like, like a cause for me. So I put my effort, my passion to making sure that. Successfully achieve the goals and beyond.
Hmm. And I like the one that has more challenging or gaps. And identify and mitigating any risk covid like because my personality is a solution oriented person, okay? Mm-hmm. And I always like to identify opportunities and ma and always ha like to put a sustainable exit strategy for any plan.
Mm-hmm. So I’m really good at like analyzing and prediction. And capturing any opportunities and maximize its impact. Hmm. And yes, there is a time there where you can see I did horse project where you say, no, this is not a, not not, there is, there is no way to invest on it. However, you can know where is the gap and create something of it.
Hmm. And were you always like this Claude, or where did this inspiration come from? I’m curious. So I would say from my dad, my dad worked in the finance field, ah, actually field. So you grew up with this, like this passion and this other, is that like, is that true or am I, I don’t wanna, you know, is that true?
Yes, it, it is true. He is a banker and he is like to capturing opportunity, maximizing the impact. And my mom is a more of a teacher, so let’s say human beings. Mm-hmm. So getting like, I would say, exposed to different kind of personality mm-hmm. And linking them together to come like, to, I would say, to close the gap between, you know, being a very, like, I would say I don’t want to be rude, but to be really, I would say focus financially.
Okay. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Or at the same time not leaving human part behind. Mm-hmm. Yes. I feel like it’s a combination of my mom and dad. I’m just trying to picture what it would be like around the dinner table. It was probably pretty fun, huh? Like, you have your dad on the finance side, you have your mom teaching, you have you in the middle, you’re getting all this information and you’re like, ah.
Yeah, indeed it is. And believe me, like sometimes teasing and arguing and like challenging each other. And that’s where motivate me to take into consideration socioeconomic impact and impact because. I believe the value of it. Mm-hmm. Where you can give back to the organization or the company that you own or you work for.
Mm-hmm. At the same time, you’re giving to the community and you are the one who take to take care of the stick to make sure this balance is happening. So, wow. That’s amazing. That’s great. And I’m sure they’re very proud to hear all these different things that their daughter is accomplishing. it’s an amazing story and one that I, love to bring these type of success stories to, my audience and also share them from all around the world so that people get to know, you know, other cultures.
They get to hear about what others are doing, and also other countries. I mean, you gave me a, I think you gave me a, a beautiful description of some of the, climate and other things, and I this is what I like about FII is that you get, you bring many different people together.
They get to share information and they get to grow together. Right. I agree with you. And like I would give you something exclusive. I have like met a lot of, I would say investor and a lot of a stakeholder at FII. An exclusive partnership in the way. Very nice. All, all very nice. I love to hear all these things.
I think it’s a, it’s a great thing and this is how partnerships are made, so I think it’s great. Kalu, I’m curious, so if somebody, well, first off, thank you for coming on the show today. This has been a lot of fun having you on and getting to know you better, getting to hear more about your, your background and your mission that matters.
if somebody’s listening to this. And if they wanna follow up or if they wanna learn more about your work or any of the initiatives you’re working on, how do people do that? So usually people, they reach me through LinkedIn, the, like the direct messaging or through my Gmail account or like to eat like email.
Mm-hmm. And that’s how people, or by recommendation sometimes, like they mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. I don’t know. Like now my personal number has become very popular.
Fantastic. And also mm-hmm. Go ahead. Lately with FII, and I’m thankful for their apps. And their directory because really there is number of like companies, they they reach out and you are Adam, one of them. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Like, they reach out through the directory of the FII. Mm-hmm. And that connection like chat and messaging through that app and it, I, I think it’s a very useful tool, also.
Amazing. And I. Perfect. So for everybody listening, just so you know, we’ll put some information in the show notes so that you can reach out if you like. And then for my audience as always, thank you for tuning in. This has been a, lot of fun for me to create this episode. I really hope you enjoyed it.
And if you did, don’t forget to hit that subscribe or follow button because this is a daily show. Each and every day we’re bringing you new content. New ideas and hopefully new inspiration to help you along the way in your journey. So again, hit that subscribe or follow button and Khloud. Thanks again for coming on the show.
Thank you, Adam. And allow me, if you like people who visit Miami and they wanna, like, they wanna see something similar, they can come to Saudi Arabia, visit Jet the City. Amazing. Thank you. Thank you.
