May Nasrallah

May Nasrallah is a prominent figure in the Middle Eastern financial sector, known for her extensive experience and leadership in corporate finance and investment banking. Here are the key aspects of her career and accomplishments:

Professional Background

May Nasrallah is the Founder and Executive Chairman of deNovo Corporate Advisors, an independent, Middle East-focused corporate finance advisory firm.12 She established deNovo in 2010, offering international expertise to MENA-wide and centric corporates and institutions.1 Under her leadership, deNovo has become a pre-eminent independent, regionally-headquartered boutique advisory firm.1

Career Highlights

Morgan Stanley:: Prior to founding deNovo, Nasrallah spent almost 16 years at Morgan Stanley in various roles and locations, including New York, Hong Kong, London, and Dubai.1 Her last position at Morgan Stanley was Head of Investment Banking for the Middle East and North Africa region, where she established and grew the firm's first on-the-ground investment banking presence in the Middle East.1

BlackRock:: Nasrallah served as the Non-Executive Chairman and Senior Advisor for the Middle East Region at BlackRock, a global investment manager and technology provider.13

PJT Partners:: In a recent development, PJT Partners entered into an agreement to acquire deNovo Partners in September 2024.4 Following this acquisition, Nasrallah will continue her leadership role in the Middle East while also becoming a key part of PJT Partners' senior team.4

Education

Nasrallah holds impressive academic credentials:

• Bachelor of Science in Economics from MIT
• Bachelor of Science in Political Science from MIT
• Masters in Management and Finance from MIT's Sloan School of Management1

Achievements and Recognition

• Ranked one of 50 most Influential Women in the Middle East in 2019 by Financial News2
• Named Businesswoman of the Year for the UAE in 2015 at the Arab Woman Awards Ceremony2
• Ranked in the top 500 Most Influential Arabs in Arabian Business magazine in 2013 and 20122
• Featured in the Financial Times' List of The Leading Business Women in the Arab World2

Board Positions and Affiliations

Nasrallah holds several non-executive positions, including:

• Board Member of the Dubai International Chamber of Commerce
• Independent Board Member for The Kanoo Group Holding Company
• Chair of the Board of Directors of the Lebanese Professional Diaspora Organization "LIFE"
• Member of the International Advisory Council of the Middle East Institute (MEI)
• Member of MIT MENA Senior Advisory Board2

May Nasrallah is fluent in Arabic and English, and lives in Dubai with her husband and four sons.12 Her career trajectory and accomplishments make her a significant figure in Middle Eastern finance and a role model for aspiring professionals in the region.