Talal N. Kensara is the Chief Strategic Management Officer at the Diriyah Gate Company
Limited (DGCL) a $20 billion-plus giga-project aimed at restoring and reimagining the
ancestral home of the original Saudi State; with the objective of developing one of the
largest heritage and culture destinations in the world. Upon completion, it will attract
27 million visitors which will contribute to diversifying the economy and enhancing the
cultural landscape in the Kingdom.
In this role, Kensara is charged with supporting DGCL in defining its objectives, directions
and priorities, while assisting various functions in creating and maintaining their
strategies. Kensara is also carrying out different business planning activities such as
setting and monitoring KPIs, developing strategic partnerships and managing
international relations, leading on different strategic activities including conceptualizing
cultural assets and verifying narratives to ensure it is associated with the overall
development and operation of DGCL. Kensara is also proactively looking into the future
trends in tourism sustainability and quality of life as well as socio-economic
development to ensure an overall sustainability in DGCL’s projects.
Kensara received his master’s certificate in information technology project management
in 2007 from George Washington University in Dubai; following his bachelor’s degree in
management information system in 2003 from King Fahd University of Petroleum and
Minerals in Dhahran, and now has more than 20 years of professional experience.
In October 2003, Kensara began his professional career as a Project Coordinator and
Loyalty Program Manager at Al-Othaim Commercial Company in Riyadh. In 2005, he
joined Samba Financial Group as a Senior Business Analyst which he left in 2007 to join
the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) as a Program Manager
overseeing the Economic Cities’ Agency Programs.
In October 2010, he joined the Economic Cities Authority, King Abdullah Economic City,
where he worked in two different positions: first as Director and Chief of Staff at the
Secretary General Office, and second as the Director of Socioeconomic Development
from September 2012 until January 2013.
Kensara has also worked as Director of Projects and Business Development at Waad
Holding Company from February 2013 to June 2016; where he later joined the Ministry
of Economy and Planning as the Vice Deputy Minister for Shared Support Services until
December 2017. And prior to joining DGCL, he was the Head of Support Services at King
Salman Youth Center.
In his personal life, Kensara is married with three children and has many hobbies such as
traveling and volunteering, and interests such as Music, History, Culture and Culinary
Arts.