International businesswoman Hikmat Al Kaitoob has been named the Official Ambassador for Face Forward in the United Arab Emirates by Deborah and Dr. David Alessi, co-founders of Face Forward. Madam Hikmat will be in attendance of Face Forwards 7th Annual Charity Gala, a Havana Nights themed event, which will be held at Vibiana in Los Angeles, CA on September 24, 2016.  She will also be one of event's honorees, and will be recognized for her global philanthropy work. Other honorees will include Los Angeles Laker Byron Scott and Domestic Abuse Survivor Shantel Jackson with a performance by Platinum-Grammy-winning artist Nelly.

Madam Hikmat is a well-respected, international, successful business woman with diverse interests in life and in business. She began her career as a Board Executive for the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development while simultaneously starting her first of many entrepreneurial ventures. She is a notable social figure, loving mother and wife as well as a highly influential businesswoman.  She has largely shaped the face of Dubai’s tourism market with her various ventures and took a stance for women being treating equally in industry.  Hikmat has always had a desire to create change, which is reflected in her work with many charities.  “Face Forward is such a beautiful organization that is changing the landscape of the world for woman and I am so excited to be part of the great work they do,” Hikmat says.

Along with becoming the Ambassador for Face Forward in the United Arab Emirates, Hikmat will be partnering with Deborah and Dr. David Alessi on a VIP event next March in Dubai that will also benefit Face Forward. “We are honored and ecstatic to welcome Hikmat as an Ambassador for Face Forward in the United Arab Emirates as well as to partner with her on events in Dubai in the future,” says CEO/Founder Deborah Alessi. 'And with our newly formed collaboration with the Dubai Foundation for Women & Children, and now Madam Hikmat becoming a new Ambassador, we look forward to a very strong presence for Face Forward in the UAE, helping even more survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking.'