Meet Our Leaders

With 23 years of experience in healthcare management and leading systemic transformations, Dr. Emilio Herrera has held high-responsibility roles across public and private sectors, as well as non-profit organizations. Internationally recognized for his innovative vision, he has pioneered holistic approaches to revolutionize traditional health systems.

An expert in public health and healthcare integration, Dr. Herrera specializes in developing and implementing forward-thinking programs that merge healthcare and social services, fostering more compassionate and efficient health systems. His leadership promotes compassion and empowers communities to take an active role in care.

A Medical Doctor and Surgeon, with specialization in Family and Community Medicine and advanced training in Palliative Care, he serves on several advisory boards, is a distinguished conference speaker, and has earned numerous national and international accolades. His contributions are further underscored by his extensive publications in the healthcare field.

Dr. Bassam Sayad is a Lebanese American board-certified Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) and is the current president of ACHE-MENA group. He is currently the Chief Operating Officer of alkalma Holdings [alkalma Investments (Pvt. Ltd. – UAE) & alkalma Specialized Healthcare (KSA)]. alkalma is a joint venture between Burjeel Holdings (UAE) and Keralty (Latin America & USA) specialized in population health management and related health care delivery models, including population health risk stratification, social and community care, mental health, and advanced primary care. Dr. Sayad has over 25 years of experience in the United States and internationally, including managing investments across markets, growth and strategic planning, investment advisory, system assessment and governance, health care operations, population health management and value-based care.

Educated and trained in the Unites States, Dr. Sayad worked for over 20 years at the renowned American academic medical center Johns Hopkins Medicine. Prior to joining alkalma, Dr. Sayad was the founding Chief Executive Officer and Chief Ventures Officer of Elegancia Healthcare group based in Doha, Qatar. At Elegancia Healthcare, Dr. Sayad developed and executed the strategic plan for the newly established health care portfolio, developing affiliations with international partners such as Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angles, USA, Asan Hospital Foundation in Seoul, Korea, and a joint venture with a German operating partner. Dr. Sayad also led the regional growth strategy for the group with opportunities in Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. In addition to his academic medicine and private investment expertise, Dr. Sayad oversaw collaboration initiatives with the public sector to develop public private partnerships, and to plan for population health and value-based healthcare.

Additionally, Dr. Sayad served as the first General Manager and member of the board of Clemenceau Medical Center in Dubai (CMC- Dubai). Prior to joining CMC – Dubai, Dr. Sayad was part of Dubai-based private equity TVM – Capital, as Chief Operating Officer and member of the executive committee of the board of its portfolio company Cambridge Medical and Rehabilitation Center (CMRC). Dr. Sayad also served as the Chief Executive Officer of Al Noor Hospital, in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and as Associate Vice Chancellor for Administration & Finance and Chief Operating Officer of New York University-Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Sayad has a Bachelor of Science degree from Marquette University, an executive MBA from Loyola University of Maryland, and Doctor of Health Science from Nova Southeastern University in Florida.