Loula Zaklama, one of the first woman entrepreneurs in the Middle East, founder of two successful companies in Egypt, professionally renowned for her experience of more than 45 years in communications, advertising, marketing research, and public relations. Her special expertise lies in designing marketing and communication strategies for Egyptian companies and multinationals in Egypt, such as IBM, Chrysler, Procter & Gamble, Cadbury, Avon, France Telecom. In addition, She is a communication consultant and strategic planner to various government entities. Zaklama began her career at the beginning of the sixties when she founded in 1962 Radar Advertising Agency, the only private sector advertising agency in a completely state-run economy, at a time when granting contracts to private firms was difficult. In 1982, Zaklama founded Rada Research & Public Relations Company, to become the first woman to establish a company in this field, and is currently its President and Managing Director. The company is the only one in Egypt specializing in both disciplines, research, and public relations. She faced many hardships and challenges mainly because Egyptians lacked knowledge about the importance of this field for the private sector. By time, she was able to turn her small company into a great marketing and advertising company. The company was chosen by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take charge of a promotional campaign to increase foreign investments in Egypt. Zaklama has been given the title of the “Iron Woman” by the press. Moreover, Zaklama has taught Public Relations as a part-time professor at the American University in Cairo from the period of 1995 to 1998, and at the Misr International University from 1999 to 2001. She has also worked as an active Board Member at the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt from 1992 to 1994. She has joined several meetings and discussions with members of the House of Representatives, the Senate, and officials of the U.S. administration, on topics of a common interest between Cairo and Washington. Zaklama also served as the President of Africa Public Relations Associations (APRA), covering North Africa in 2014. In 2006, Zaklama was elected as the World President of the International Public Relations Associations (IPRA), which combines 1200 members in 90 countries. It was the first time, in the 50-year history of the association, that a person from the Middle East to be elected to this position. In October 2014, Zaklama was chosen as one of the 200 Arab Most Powerful Businesswomen in the Middle East by Forbes Middle East. In 2006, Zaklama was also selected as one of the 50 Arab leading businesswomen in the Middle East by Forbes Forbes Middle East. She also received Special Achievement Award from the American Chamber of Commerce in 2004, and selected as one of the 50 leading women entrepreneurs of the world by the Star Group, sponsored by IBM and Fortune Magazine in 1998. She was also received the Samir Fares Award at the International Advertising Association Congress held in Cairo in May 1998 for outstanding contributions. In addition, Zaklama received the Medal of Merit from the International Advertising Association, Chicago in 1986. Zaklama graduated from the American University in Cairo with a BA in Mass Communication. She continued her studies in advanced marketing research in Burke Institute, in Cincinnati, USA.