Iyad Joudeh is the founder and managing director of Solutions for Development. He founded Solutions with the vision to provide advisory services to a range of clients committed to the development of the Palestinian economy.
As one of the leading members of the Palestinian business community, Iyad is recognized for his active role in development initiatives that support the Palestinian private sector’s resilience and encourages its commitment to social responsibility.
Iyad leads Solutions’ work primarily in the provision of support services to Palestinian businesses. These include increasing Small and Medium Enterprises’ (SMEs) access to finance and markets, economic development strategies and planning, industrial sector development, trade development and promotion, and business development services.
He is an avid advocate for a business enabling environment and public policy regulations that contribute to enhancing the competitiveness of Palestinian producers locally and internationally. His networks and hands-on experience are the reeling force behind aligning the interests of public and private interveners in building the Palestinian private sector.
Underpinning his 25 years of private sector development expertise, Iyad led several organizations in this field. He served as the Chief Executive Officer of PalTrade, the National Trade Promotion Organization; additionally, he was the Marketing Director of Bethlehem 2000, the General Manager of Development Resource Center (DRC) and the General Director of the Economic Development Group.
Iyad serves on the boards of a number of public and private sector organizations and NGOs that focus on social responsibility, affordable housing, economic development, education, and tourism. He is the chairman of AMAL Affordable Mortgage and Loans Company, and Grand Engineering Systems Company. He is a member of the board of directors of The Palestine Trade Center- PalTrade, and the Grand Park Hotels and Resorts Company; additionally, he is a founding and a board member of the Palestine International Business Forum (PIBF) and serves on Birzeit University’s Board of Trustees.
Iyad is a Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow and holds a postgraduate diploma in Finance and Management from Boston University and a B.A of Economics from Birzeit University.