Advisory Board

Companies participating in Access Abu Dhabi will be paired with experts from various industries via an advisory board led by Kevin O’Leary. Advisors will also help cultivate strategic partnerships and synergies with emerging markets; provide direction in their respective fields and offer access to their internal networks.
Expand Now

Each company will be paired with an advisory board member who will provide support on one of the core needs listed below to help ccessful entry into Abu Dhabi.

Strategy Development

Branding & Positioning

Negotiations

Licensing Agreements

Financial Services

Fundraising

Corporate Law

International Taxation

Public Relations

Kevin O’Leary
CHAIRMAN, O’SHARES INVESTMENTS
JUDGE, ABC’S “SHARK TANK”
HOST, CNBC’s “MONEY COURT”
Kevin O’Leary is a renowned entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and star of ABC’s “Shark Tank.” Born to an entrepreneurial Lebanese mother, O'Leary has a profound passion for supporting women in business and sharing the vast business opportunities available in the Middle East. As the program's official ambassador and advisory board member, O’Leary will bring his far-reaching business and investment experience to Access Abu Dhabi, providing companies with general insights on business, motivational wisdom, and financial literacy.
Sarah Omolewu
FOUNDER & MANAGING PARTNER, MAVEN MARKETING & EVENT; FOUNDER, MAVEN GLOBAL ACCESS
As an American who has built an award-winning entertainment marketing agency in the Gulf over the last decade, Sarah Omolewu is living proof of the enormous success expats can achieve in the UAE. She has been named top 100 most influential people in the UAE three years in a row and pioneered several regional firsts leveraging celebrities to amplify brand marketing. Her highly-reputable firm also creates communications plans and corporate social responsibility campaigns for top tier brands. As the advisory board's founding member, she will provide companies direction on market entry PR strategy and advise on region-specific marketing opportunities and partnerships.
Eric Janowak
MANAGING DIRECTOR, KPMG LOWER GULF
Eric Janowak is a Managing Director with KPMG’s global asset management tax practice in New York, but is seconded to KPMG Lower Gulf in Abu Dhabi and leads the US tax desk for the Middle East. He specializes in international tax advisory for corporations, asset managers, and sovereign wealth funds.  Eric has substantial experience helping companies enter the UAE market, and has worked in the UAE for over a decade.  His experience in the region makes him an invaluable resource for American companies establishing business operations in Abu Dhabi.  He can also discuss individual US and UAE tax implications of being an American citizen working in Abu Dhabi.