Samia Amal Benaissa Fourali

Samia Amal Benaissa Fourali is an accomplished, driven and a highly experienced business leader with expertise in promoting co-operation and combined action, and has a proven ability to successfully take on new and complex challenges. Ms. Fourali is very adept at working under pressure, where attention to detail, clear communication and organization are paramount, and she always bring a high degree of professionalism to her work. As a highly organized individual, who is dedicated and self-motivated, her skills in building successful connections with clients and colleagues makes her an excellent addition to any team.

WORK HISTORY

General Manager, 11/2018 to Current

COM SIMBA

• General Manager and Founder of COM SIMBA
• Running a business office and communications company
• Contributing to continuous improvement, quality and growth of the company

Partner, 01/2018 to Current

US Algeria Business Council

• Preparing a Forum on the Green & Circular Economy with the US
• Algeria Business Council
• Focusing on Algerian start-ups within the Environmental field

Project Manager, 01/2008 to 01/2018

RedMed Group

• Provided a wide array of logistics services to businesses operating in the Oil and Gas Industry, including BP, Total, Statoil, Halliburton & Gaz de France
• Reported to the Managing Director & CEO of RedMed Group
• Worked closely with US-Algeria Business Council (US ABC): a private, American, non-profit organization
• Responsible for all activities relating to the promotion of trade and investment between Algeria and the United States of America
• Reported to the President & CEO of US-Algeria Business Council
• Organized the annual American Pavilion at the Algiers International Trade Fair
• Prepared promotional and advertisement literature for the event
• Responsible for preparing project budgets and forecasts
• Managed all recruitment operations
• Prepared weekly reports for the Managing Director
• Managed relationships with the Public Administration and the Embassies' commercial services
• Prepared the event's financial report and clients' satisfaction appraisals
• Daily liaison with Algerian companies in several fields and with American companies active in Algeria
• Facilitated communication between the Algerian and U.S. Business communities
• Managed membership of US-Algeria Business Council

Main Achievements

• Established an extensive partner network for each project
• Successfully provided event credibility to all participants
• Recruited a range of high-profile sponsors
• Reduced overheads by 50% in the first year and 20% in the second year, despite the global financial crisis

Various Roles, 01/2008 to 01/2018

• Involved in partnership training programs, such as: Injaz El Jazair program: providing Algerian young people with entrepreneurship knowledge - PNB Napeo: Partners for New Beginning's North Africa Partnership for Economic Opportunity
• Worked with the President & CEO of US Algeria Business Council on “ALGERIA 2020”, a project focused on innovation in the Biopharmaceutical Industry in Algeria, in conjunction with the Algerian Government and PhRMA (Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America)
• Consultant to the American Company, Varian Medical Systems, from April 2014 until the creation of the Algerian Entity
• Assisted the American company, First Solar, with arranging important meetings with key decision-makers in the Algerian Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Industry Mines, and the CEO of SONATRACH
• Provided assistance to an Agricultural American Group following the successful set-up of a joint venture with an Algerian Group
• Worked with the Agricultural Group to set up its other projects in Algeria and across Europe

Marketing & Resources Coordinator, 02/2005 to 12/2008

Algeria World Trade Center, Algiers, Algeria

• Organization belonging to the World Trade Center Association, New York, whose main objective is to develop and expand relations between nations through trade.
• Responsible for all missions related to the international relationship
• Organized inbound and outbound trade missions
• Developed and expanded the membership of WTC Algeria
• Managed important events such as the FMI Show in Chicago in 2007, which included the first participation of Algerian Companies, fifteen in all, including eight exhibitors
• Successfully facilitated future business opportunities

Administration Manager, 01/2001 to 01/2005

Trust Investments & Co., Algiers, Algeria

Trust Investments & Co. belongs to the “Trust Group”, acting in the

Services sector, mainly in the insurance and re-insurance fields.

• Took part in the launching of two Group companies: Trust Investments Co. and the World Trade Centre Algeria (member of the World Trade Center Association, New York, as mentioned above)

Main Achievements:

• Followed up the establishment of both companies by launching the restoration of offices; standardization of the administrative and legal aspects and files, and maintaining close contact with government representatives
• Managed all recruitment operations
• Participated in many member seminars and Spring meetings overseas
• Followed up the accountancy of both companies
•  Led trade missions from Algeria to European countries, USA, and the Middle East
• Received foreign delegations coming to Algeria to meet their peers in several fields
• Led the organization of several International Conferences addressing diverse topics such as great distribution, cybercrime and international contracts
• Developed marketing tools and advertising campaigns to attract new members seeking to invest abroad or desiring to obtain foreign partnerships
• Accompanied foreign investors to penetrate the Algerian Market, as well as helping them to certify a technology and/or product
• Contributed to achieving the signing of the MOU between PhRMA and the Algerian Ministry of Health in San Diego, during Bio 2014 contributed to the signing of the agreement between Sonatrach and Varian Medical Systems, as part of the Algerian Program framework for the fight against cancer

Chief of Studies, 01/1999 to 01/2001

Prime Minister Office, Algiers, Algeria

In charge of the following files:

• International Co-operation: met important dignitaries from different countries, and had the opportunity to be in touch with the Algerian government's main players
• Projects of Investing in Algeria: worked with various foreign companies to encourage investment in Algeria, such as the Trust Group

Research Attaché, 09/1998 to 11/1998

National Archives Centre

• Assigned as Research Attaché at the National Archives Centre, under the auspices of the President.

Trainee, 09/1997 to 02/1998

Algerian Foreign Office

• Undertook practical training in the Algerian Foreign Office
• Gained experience in the various steps of recruitment and career management planning

Graduate Teacher, 08/1993 to 08/1996

Algiers University

• Taught the students in French
• Worked with Injaz El Djazair to promote entrepreneurship, workforce readiness, and financial literacy
• Selected as a judge for the Annual Students Competition of Injaz El Djazair
• Supervised two groups of students preparing their dissertations

EDUCATION

Master of Business Engineering

(MBE), EM Business School,

University of Strasbourg (2017)

• Focus on Strategic Management

Executive MBA, Strategic

Marketing Plan, Business School,

Algiers & Lille (2007)

Managerial Vision Training,

Foreign Affairs Ministry, Algiers,

High School of Administration and

Management (1997)

CERTIFICATIONS

• Techniques in Archives and Documentation, Archives de France
• English Language Certificate, British Center, Algeria

MEMBERSHIPS

•  Algerian Managers and Businesswomen Association
• Algerian Association of International Relations

LANGUAGES

• English (Fluent)
• French (Fluent)
• Arabic (Fluent)
• Middle East Dialects
• Tamazight (Fluent)