Exemplary Leader

It is no mean feat to make it to the Forbes – Middle East ‘Most Powerful Arab Women’ list for four consecutive years. Yet Haifa Al Khaifi, Finance Director of Petroleum Development Oman, has managed this time and again. The Woman spoke to Haifa, who is an avid proponent for the 21st century Working Women’s agenda, balanced against a backdrop of diversity and inclusion

Haifa Al Khaifi has been listed as one of the ‘Most Powerful Arab Women’ in a ranking by Forbes - Middle East for four consecutive years. She has received other awards including Bonds & Loans Alternative Financing Solutions – 2016, Woman of the Year – Oman 2015, Middle East and North Africa Financial Executive of the Year – 2015 and the Woman in Finance Award by the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants – UK 2014.

Haifa was appointed PDO’s Finance Director in 2012. She has broad international experience across the oil and gas sector gained during a 20-year career, which has included senior roles in various sectors. She has worked in Oman, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates. Haifa’s previous roles include being Shell’s Regional Manager for Planning & Reporting (Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia), and PDO’s Finance Manager for Enhanced Oil Recovery projects, Finance Controller and Business Finance Manager. In addition to her current role as the Finance Director, Haifa is the PDO Company Secretary and the Secretary to the Oil and Gas Boards.

On a pro bono basis, Haifa sits on various boards outside of PDO. External appointments now include Board Director of the Oman Society for Petroleum Services (OPAL), and the Sultan Qaboos University Academic Innovation Assistance Programme Advisory Board (SQU-AIAP).