Areije Al Shakar is the Chief Executive Officer of BeVentures, the venture capital arm of Bapco Energies dedicated to building and investing in high-impact energy ventures. BeVentures aims to enhance Bahrain's National Energy Strategy by fostering energy security and supporting the transition to a greener, more diversified economy. With over 22 years of experience in banking and venture capital, Areije is a recognized leader in Bahrain’s financial industry. She is a Kauffman Fellow and was the first from Bahrain and the first female in the GCC to earn this prestigious fellowship in venture capital. Before her appointment at BeVentures, Areije held senior roles, including Head of Innovation at Bahrain Development Bank and Fund Manager & Director at the Al Waha Venture Capital Fund of Funds. She is well-known as a media commentator and columnist, contributing to outlets such as CNBC, Entrepreneur magazine, and Arabian Business. In 2020, she was recognized among Bahrain’s Most Influential Women by Business in Gulf. Her early career includes roles at Lehman Brothers, BNP Paribas, Citibank, and Investcorp, where she played a pivotal role in establishing advisory and investment management desks. Areije holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from the John Molson School of Business and a Master of Science in Public Policy and Management from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. Passionate about literature, Areije is also recognized as a talented writer and storyteller.