Dr. Madhavi Ayyagari
Sr. Advisor – International Development Programs
Dr. Madhavi Ayyagari brings to FGi over 30 years of leadership experience across education, corporate, government, and non-profit sectors, with impactful work spanning 20 countries including the UAE, Qatar, South Africa, Ethiopia, and India. She has led major initiatives in partnership with global organizations such as the World Bank, UNICEF, and ILO, and contributed to national programs for the governments of the UAE, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Qatar.
As Country Lead of Nielsen Qatar, she built the division from the ground up, achieving a 5-star MENA rating and delivering high-impact projects across telecom, retail, automotive, and public sectors. Her strategic insight and execution have shaped policy and development programs, and she continues to serve on boards of universities and research networks, advising on governance and academic excellence.
Dr. Ayyagari has also played transformative roles in higher education, founding and leading three business schools in the Middle East, and holding senior academic positions including Academic Director at Curtin University Dubai and Head of Business School at Murdoch University Dubai. With over 40 publications and a Ph.D. in Social Marketing, she has successfully bridged the gap between academia and industry.
A serial entrepreneur and conscious business advocate, she co-founded two consulting firms and a wellness-focused design studio supporting breast cancer survivors. She is a regular speaker on sustainable business and entrepreneurship at international forums, including World Expo 2020 and ISOA 2023. At FGi, she strengthens our mission-driven approach by integrating strategy, innovation, and impact into business development and stakeholder engagement.
