Tarik I. Awad is the Executive Director of the King Abdullah II Fund for Development (KAFD),  a position he held since 2001. Being the first director of the Fund, he managed to develop the Fund from His Majesty King Abdullah II vision to become one of the leading entities in Jordan, aiming to achieve socio-economic development in all governorates.
 
Over the period of 8 years, Awad provided leadership to the establishment of companies and investments in various industries, from the Dead Sea Company which owns the King Hussein bin Talal Convention Center, to the undergoing establishment of the King Hussein Institute for Biotechnology and Cancer and the South Company for Construction and Development (Ma’an Development Area).
 
He has also managed the execution of several Royal initiatives and programs at a national level: the IT Community Centers (Knowledge Stations), agricultural projects, numerous youth programs, among others. At a regional level, Awad ensured the implementation of initiatives such as the Middle East Science Fund and the King Abdullah II Award for Youth Innovation and Achievement.  Under Awad’s management, the Fund has gained credibility among international donors and partners. The Fund hosted and organized leadership programs in partnership with  Inspirational Development Group at Sandhurst, as well as the Harvard Kennedy School executive education program, of which Awad himself is an Alumnus.
 
Awad has a long standing commitment to the development of Jordan, which reflects on his serving on boards of directors/trustees to several companies and NGOs in Jordan, such as the National Microfinance Bank, National Company for Urban Studies, among others.
He is the Vice Chairman and Acting CEO of the Dead Sea Company for Tourism and Real Estate Investments. Awad has been entrusted to be a member of the Greater Amman Municipality City Council, and has been elected as the Chairman of the Jordan Amateur Boxing Association.
 
Prior to joining KAFD, Awad spent over 10 years as a senior executive with major multinationals in the US and the Middle East: Mobil Oil Corporation, Pepsi Cola International, Boscan Middle East Investment Ltd.
 
Awad holds an MBA degree in Finance and Investments from the University of North Texas, and obtained his Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of Louisiana.
 
Tarik Awad was born in 1963, and is married with three children.