Faisal Saeed Al Mutar

Faisal Saeed Al Mutar is a social entrepreneur and executive with extensive experience in economic development, innovation, and nonprofit leadership.

Over the past decade, Faisal has driven large-scale change and fostered growth in the Middle East and beyond. As the founder of Ideas Beyond Borders, he has built the organization into a leading platform for advancing free market thought, innovation, and policy reform in the Arab world, particularly in Iraq.

Al Mutar has collaborated with intergovernmental organizations and private-sector stakeholders to promote growth and entrepreneurship. His work focuses on identifying transformative opportunities in diverse societies and implementing actionable policies to create jobs, reduce bureaucracy, and empower businesses with the tools necessary to grow.

A sought-after speaker and thought leader, Faisal has delivered talks on global platforms, including TED, and engaged with audiences across the U.S. and the Middle East. His expertise spans innovation, counter-extremism, and geopolitical stability. He also supports startups and aspiring leaders, helping empower the next generation of changemakers.

Faisal received the President’s Volunteer Service Award from President Barack Obama and an honorary doctorate from Whittier College in California.

Splitting his time between New York and the Middle East, Faisal blends global insights with local expertise, building bridges between cultures and advancing meaningful change.