Kanari is very passionate about developing talent and helping others achieve their fullest potential. As well as partnering with progressive organizations to lead multi-tiered change initiatives, she supports efforts to build a strong CSR footprint within the region and create a positive long-term impact on society.

 

Kanari is a single parent and the very proud mother of an 18-year-old son Abdulaziz, who is studying International Studies at the American University of Sharjah.

A native of Saudi Arabia, Kanari holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources Management, is a certified Leadership Coach from ICF, and is currently completing her MBA.

Starting her work life at the early age of 18, Kanari is a strong advocate for empowerment initiatives that target the aspiring youths and females within Saudi Arabia. Equality and diversity have always played an important role in her life and she has keenly adopted a strategy of embedding them in every aspect of her career. In her efforts to instill a more balanced mix of leadership strengths within the organization, her priority of progressing gender equality and developing millennial talent, has always been the focus for many of the Diversity & Inclusion projects she has participated in leading throughout her career.

 

For one, Johnson & Johnson, was the first company in Saudi Arabia to hire Saudi females into the Medical Devices Salesforce. Prior to her current role with Johnson & Johnson, Kanari managed Talent Sustainability– PepsiCo Foods & Beverages GCC; with overall responsibility of the region’s talent, culture and diversity agenda. During her tenure with PepsiCo she also led several HR projects that successfully positioned PepsiCo as an employer of choice within Saudi Arabia. This involved major achievements in increasing Saudization rates and elevating the company’s Diversity and Inclusion scores.

 

In addition to PepsiCo, Kanari’s HR career has spanned across a variety of industries from healthcare to urban development and construction. She has worked with the Saudi National Guard Health Affairs, Sika AG and Emaar, King Abdullah Economic City. Kanari’s experience has been focused on Saudi Arabia and the GCC region.

 

Kanari’s interests include leadership and personal development, creative writing, interior design, architecture and photography.