Microsoft appoints Siwar Zein as International Talent Management Director
Microsoft has elevated Siwar Zein to the position of International Talent Management Director for EMEA, APAC, Japan, and the Greater China region, effective immediately.
In her new role, Zein brings over two decades of HR leadership experience. Based in the United Arab Emirates, she joined Microsoft in 2019 as HR Director and subsequently transitioned into key roles, including MEA Talent Director, Area HQ HR Leader, and most recently, EMEA Talent Management Director.
Announcing her new role, she posted, “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as International Talent Management Director - EMEA, Asia Pacific, Japan and Greater China at Microsoft! I’m thrilled to share that my role in Talent Management is expanding beyond Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) to now include Asia Pacific, Japan and Greater China.”
She added, “Over the past couple of years in EMEA, we’ve made incredible strides on our Talent Management Agenda:
- Built strong leader capability and benches across the countries and segments.
- Developed & promoted exceptional talent from within to lead regions and functions.
- Attracted top-tier leaders from the market to help us shape the future of our organization.
As I step into this broader scope, I’m energized by the opportunity to learn deeply about the Asian context, landscape, and culture. Asia is home to over 60% of the world’s population, and its influence on the global stage is undeniable...this is a region of immense talent and growth potential, and I’m excited to partner with our teams to shape a talent agenda that reflects its dynamism and diversity.”
Before joining Microsoft, Zein served at Nestlé in Dubai as the Head of Talent & Development for nearly eight years. Previously, she worked with Barclays and also as a Life Coach.
On the academic front, she holds a Master of Science in HR Management from King's College London and a bachelor's degree in Marketing from the Lebanese American University. She is a certified Co-Active Coach and also holds the Microsoft Gold Club certification.
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Recently, Microsoft also appointed Mirna Arif as General Manager of Middle East and Africa Growth Markets. This is a promotion, as Arif previously served as General Manager of Microsoft Egypt since 2020.
Other recent appointments include, Ahmad El Dandachi joining as General Manager of Qatar, and Lana Khalaf moving into a new role as Public Sector Lead for MEA region.