Dana Al Yazeedi has been appointed as Grant Thornton UAE’s first Emirati advisory partner in the Abu Dhabi office, the company shared in a press release.

Al Yazeedi brings over 14 years of experience in Internal Audit, Risk Management, and Corporate Governance across different organisations within the UAE, including Mubadala Investment Company.

“Dana adds a wealth of experience to the team and will sustain our momentum of strengthening our resources to cater to a growing clientele and our exceptional track record in the market,” said Hisham Farouk, CEO, Grant Thornton UAE in a statement.

Prior to joining Grant Thornton UAE, Dana was the Internal Audit Division Director at the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi, where she led the audit function, established a corporate compliance and integrity function, optimised the audit function to boost operational effectiveness and ensured excellence in quality metrics, the company said in the statement.

She has also served prominent roles at the Department of Education and Knowledge in Abu Dhabi, as well as Emirates Investment Authority and UAE Accountability Authority. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Abu Dhabi University, a diploma in accounting and finance from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and several certifications, including Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP), and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).

“It is an exciting business environment in the UAE and I’m enthusiastic about joining a powerhouse such as Grant Thornton UAE as they shape the industry. I look forward to working with a range of clients and supporting them in their growth by lending my expertise,” said Dana Al Yazeedi, Advisory Partner, Grant Thornton UAE.

She is also an alumnus of McKinsey’s Leadership Program. Her audit committee experience includes positions with Daman Health Insurance and the UAE Internal Auditors Association.