High-stakes work needs

clarity and follow-through

We work alongside government partners and impact organizations as a venture studio; designing, piloting, and scaling initiatives that deliver real-world outcomes.

High-stakes work needs

clarity and follow-through.

The future doesn’t wait for the perfect plan.

We help leaders make smart choices and move from design to execution through clear governance, structured action, and hands-on delivery support.
Book a call with me to identify where you are and what to do next.
You’ll leave with clarity and a practical next step.

If we are not the right fit to support, I’ll recommend alternatives.

With Melissa Saoudy

Founder of THE WHY

The faces behind The Why...

We built The Why to be LEAN, embracing the multidimensionality of humans and the expertise of our team. We prioritize projects over jobs, collaborating with a core network of talent aligning their passions to make change happen

Melissa Saoudy

Founder

I am a sociologist by background and a consultant by trade, working across the GCC for over a decade. I have spent the better part of the last 15 years as an impact advisor, thinker and doer at the nexus of purpose, strategy, and innovation.

As a purpose-driven strategist, I believe in balancing audacity with a healthy dose of pragmatism. In 2022, I founded The Why to not just design programs and strategies, but to deliver with heart to create outcomes that matter.

Alexandra Draycott

I am a foresight and innovation expert with over 20 years experience delivering future focussed change initiatives for governments, corporates and volunteers across the world.

My mission is to help organisations anticipate change and use foresight to take advantage of future challenges and opportunities. Training and upskilling organisations on foresight tools allows organisations to incorporate futures thinking as a daily practice, not just a one-off project.

Nagwa Elkarawy

I am a leading regional resource management advisor, specialist, and consultant with over thirty years of experience in environmental sustainability and circularity.

My mission lies in passing down the torch to younger generations of environmental activists, sharing my knowledge and expertise, and engaging in capability building for them to lead the way to sustainability.

Nathalie Salas

I am a service designer and strategist, enjoying revealing clarity to complex challenges and transforming them into innovative and people-centered solutions.

My passion lies in crafting experiences that simplify and enhance daily interactions with services, but my ambition extends beyond that. I aim to go beyond just services and improve people’s experiences on a systemic level.

Lameen Abdulmalik

I am a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, with over 20 years of experience in international management working in the UK Government, United Nations and an impactpreneur. I have deep experience in Africa, some in the GCC and the UK.

My mission is to positively impact one billion lives by helping individuals and nations realize their unique potential. I believe that everyone is a leader and should embrace their uniqueness to create positive change.

Ngibuini Mwaura

I am a program strategy leader with over a decade’s experience in education, entrepreneurship and livelihoods NGOs and startups across multiple markets in sub-Saharan Africa. I have more recently begun to build academic and practitioner expertise in viable and equitable grassroots climate initiatives.

I am motivated to help organizations with a mission to improve livelihoods for grassroots communities and mitigate climate change equitably. I facilitate collaborative trainings, workshops and retreats to co-create localized strategies for the African market and the Global South.

Paul Dumble

I am a climate, resource and waste specialist in land-use and supply chain with a lifetime of experience influencing strategically focused change for governments, corporates, institutes and International Organizations across the world.

My mission is to help organisations to anticipate change, use foresight and take advantage of challenges and opportunities. Influencing, developing and implementing organisational base on wide ranging knowledge and experience allows them to incorporate futures thinking as a daily practice, not just a one off project.

Ayesha Kumar

I am a public policy professional and consultant with over eight years of experience working across India, Singapore, and the UAE, designing solutions at the intersection of inequality and possibility. Through my work with civil society and international development organizations like the World Bank, I’ve had the privilege of shaping education systems and public programs that center equity and community voice.

Whether supporting school reforms or advising government clients in the UAE, I aim to design impact-driven strategies that shift systems with intention and care.

Khalid Sherwani

Khalid Sherwani is a Fulbright Scholar in International Education Policy and an impact and strategy practitioner passionate about driving practical, system-level change.

With a background in policy, leadership, and strategy, he has worked across higher education, non-profits, government, and corporate environments to design initiatives that strengthen institutions and empower communities. His experience includes strategic partnerships, stakeholder engagement, and mentorship and capability-building programs that support diverse populations and advance equity and

Shape Future Leaders Through Foresight Programming?

Shape Future Leaders Through Foresight Programming?

Build A Circular Social Enterprise?

Build A Circular Social Enterprise?

Drive Sustainable Impact Through National Cross-Sectoral Programs?

Drive Sustainable Impact Through National Cross-Sectoral Programs?

a city street with cars and motorcycles on it
Reimagine The Future Of Work In The Public Sector?

Reimagine The Future Of Work In The Public Sector?

Identify The Next Generation Of Government Leaders?

Identify The Next Generation Of Government Leaders?

Empower Public Sector Leaders to Drive AI-Powered Transformation?

Empower Public Sector Leaders to Drive AI-Powered Transformation?

Shape A Family-centric Future Of Work With The Private Sector?

Shape A Family-centric Future Of Work With The Private Sector?

Understand Systemic Barriers To Creating A Climate Resilient Future?

Understand Systemic Barriers To Creating A Climate Resilient Future?

We don't like to brag, but we're changing the game

“Your team’s dedication, professionalism, and attention to detail were evident throughout every phase. The impact of your work goes far beyond the sessions themselves. In fact, it helped shape a new generation of leaders who think differently, act purposefully, and lead with vision and empathy.”

Senior Manager - Director of Strategy and Planning

“One of the main reasons why The Why is able to accommodate so well is because the team is agile,flexible and visionary. The team works hard to get to the root cause, and to get to know the client very well and how they work to best align with their objectives.”

Associate - Dubai Centre of Government

“Working with The Why Consultancy was an outstanding experience. They not only delivered under significant pressure but truly operated as an extended part of our team. Their ability to represent us with professionalism and excellence on behalf of the Dubai Government was exceptional. We are very pleased with the outcome and look forward to collaborating
with them on future projects.”

Entrepreneur in Residence, Dubai Centre of Excellence

What types of organizations do you work with?

Do you only deliver strategy decks?

Can you support implementation?

Yes. We offer delivery and implementation support through timeboxed engagements or monthly execution support retainers.

What is your typical engagement length?

Do you run workshops and facilitation?

Do you work with internal teams or replace them?

Do you partner with other organisations?

How do we get in touch?

Are you an organization that puts purpose at the heart of what you do?

Interested in how this could apply to your organisation?