STATEMENT
‘’I am passionate about advancing the collaboration between the US-UAE business communities, especially being in a leading US financial institution where I actively support promoting investments and creating vital business bridges between the US and the UAE. My recent appointment to the Dubai International Chamber’s Advisory Board for 2025 further strengthens my commitment to this mission, allowing me to contribute to shaping strategic trade and investment initiatives. My extensive background, including my previous role managing the bank’s largest multinational corporate business cluster across MEA, combined with over 21 years for experience, positions me well to advocate effectively for our members and foster cross-sector engagement to support their growth in the UAE and internationally’’.
ABOUT
Experienced corporate banker with over 19 years of successful experience at Citi in many locations including UAE, Brazil, UK, and Ireland. A credit officer, currently heading the largest multinational corporates business cluster in MEA. Previously worked as a senior business and relationship manager responsible for regional multinational clients in the MENA region, supporting MENA head in the completion of projects and alignment of the regional team.
Very successful at building an excellent team, client relationships leading to trusted advisor and partnership status, resulting in a high degree of client satisfaction, rewarded in turn by double digit revenue growth for Citi. Some core competencies include Delivering Results, Performance Management, People Development, Process Re-engineering, Project Management and Client Experience.
Shamsa Al-Falasi has been appointed as CEO of Citibank N.A. UAE in April 2023 and will also assume the role of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) UAE across all Citi entities operating onshore & offshore in the United Arab Emirates.
Prior to her current role she was Citi’s Global Subsidiaries Group (GSG) Head for GCC & Iraq since April 2018, while she managed UAE and Iraq since 2015. She also performed duties as the Senior Business and Relationship Manager for Middle East North Africa, Pakistan and Turkey (MENAPT) region based in the UAE supporting MENAPT Relationship Managers and Country Heads to ensure that they are on track to deliver plans.
GSG is an institutional client coverage group structured to serve Citi’s clients uniformly around the world, and to originate and manage clients, across the totality of Citi’s products and services. GSG has dedicated teams of coverage bankers located in more than 80 countries serving the regional and local needs of Citi's core multi-national customer base.
Prior to being a Senior Business Manager, Shamsa worked across many geographies including: Corporate Banking and GSG – Dublin, Ireland (Sep 2012/Jan 2014), Transaction Execution Group – London, UK (Feb 2012 / Aug 2012), Global Subsidiaries Group - Sao Paulo, Brazil (Feb 2010/ May 2010)
Shamsa started her career at Citi as a fresh graduate on July 4th, 2004.
Other short-term experiences prior to Citi include Commercial Bank of Dubai, Emirates Bank International, National Bank of Dubai, Emirates Airlines and Dubai Horse Racing Club.
Awarded by Citi CEO and His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah for being the best UAE national female banker in the UAE in 2013.
Shamsa is also a Board Member and Vice President for memberships at AMCHAM Dubai since 2018. She acts as an independent voice speaking on behalf of financial institutions active in the UAE, GCC, and Iraq working closely with American corporates that happen to be clients of Citi. She enhances the collective voice of American businesses in the UAE and ensures they are well represented in private sector forums, as well as advocates on behalf of American business interests with various government circles as well as US government entities. Shamsa is a certified professional coach and participates actively as a mentor/coach. She participated as a mentor at the AccelerateHer programme organized by DIFC Fintech Hive for a few years. She is also the Co-Chair of Citi Women’s Network in the UAE and Citi Women Leadership and Development Program Community Ambassador.
Shamsa is fluent in Arabic and English, conversational in Spanish and a beginner in Brazilian Portuguese.