Focus on Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia represents one of the most transformative markets of the coming decade — a nation reshaping its economic future through Vision 2030 and opening unprecedented opportunities for global partners.
At AYA Strategic, we have established a dedicated business unit focused exclusively on the Kingdom, supporting its bold transformation agenda across artificial intelligence, digital transformation, cybersecurity, and construction technology. Through our deep regional expertise and global network, we work with public and private stakeholders to identify high-impact opportunities, deploy innovation, and accelerate strategic growth initiatives aligned with Saudi Arabia’s national vision.
We maintain high-level partnerships with some of the Kingdom’s most prominent family-owned diversified holding companies, actively collaborating on investment opportunities in real estate and hospitality—particularly in anticipation of Saudi Arabia’s plan to open real estate ownership to foreign investors in 2026.
Our presence in the Kingdom is both strategic and expanding. With a team of five Saudi professionals on the ground and a new AYA Strategic office set to open in January 2026 in the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), we are positioned at the heart of Riyadh’s emerging global business hub.
From transformative technology deployments to cross-border investment structures, AYA Strategic is committed to shaping and enabling the next phase of Saudi Arabia’s economic evolution.
OUR TEAM
Behind AYA Strategic
Harry Leff
Founder and Principal
Harry Leff is the Executive Director of AYA Strategic, advising family offices, enterprises, and governments on technology transformation, market entry, and capital allocation strategies. His clients include top-tier enterprises, venture capital firms, and global cyber and digital transformation leaders, as well as prominent family offices in the GCC and beyond.
Harry is a senior business leader with deep expertise in driving investment, technology partnerships, and strategic initiatives across the Middle East, GCC, and Europe. Fluent in Arabic, he has worked closely with governments and high-level institutions in the region, leading cross-border economic and commercial programs and advancing large-scale investment initiatives.
He previously managed the Cyber Sector for a major government in Europe creating consulting frameworks for national technology events and shaping strategic engagement between government, enterprises, and investors. While based full-time in the UAE, Harry built strategy, established hundreds of high-level business relationships, and facilitated significant capital deployment for technology ventures across multiple sectors.
Harry has also advised some of the largest family-owned business groups in the MENA region on their digital transformation and investment strategy, and accompanied major Western corporations as they entered the MENA market, helping them navigate local business environments and establish key partnerships.
Recognized for his ability to operate at both a high-profile and highly discreet level, Harry has successfully navigated sensitive geopolitical and business environments, creating enduring commercial relationships that continue to generate substantial deal flow.
Alon Shahak
Senior Consultant
Cybersecurity & Defense Tech
Alon Shahak is a senior consultant specializing in cybersecurity and defense technologies, with extensive experience advising leading global organizations on strategic resilience and innovation.
As a Global Lead Cyber Scout at Deutsche Telekom and other world-class enterprises, Alon has played a central role in shaping corporate cyber strategies, identifying emerging technologies, and guiding executive teams through complex digital transformation challenges.
With a multidisciplinary background spanning cyber strategy, innovation management, and business development, Alon bridges the worlds of defense technology and enterprise cybersecurity. He is also an active investor and thought leader, frequently participating in international forums on technology strategy, cyber innovation, and risk governance.
Alon holds an Executive MBA (with honors) from the Quantic School of Business and Technology and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations. Certified in cybersecurity, penetration testing, and digital marketing, he brings a rare combination of technical fluency, business insight, and global perspective to every engagement.
Leel Sinai
Senior Advisor, North America
Leel Sinai is an attorney, business leader, and advocate in New York City. His legal practice focuses on transactional and regulatory issues in the financial services and FinTech sectors. Leel has represented clients across the globe, spanning markets in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Through years of work with diplomats, government ministries, and community leaders, Leel identified an acute need for services that facilitate dialogue and action between public and private sector clients pursuing their business and economic statecraft goals. This has been accentuated by the signing of the Abraham Accords, promotion of the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor, and other modes regional engagement, which have established new avenues for private and public sector opportunities.
Leel is an experienced attorney and management consultant. He holds a joint J.D.-M.B.A. from Hofstra University, an M.A. in Middle East Studies from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel, and a B.A. in Psychology from the State University of New York – Buffalo.
David Leff
Director of Capital Markets
David Leff serves as Director of Capital Markets at AYA Strategic, where he oversees the firm’s capital strategy and financial structuring. Leveraging his deep relationships with hedge funds, private equity firms, and public market investors, David develops and executes innovative investment opportunities and financial products that bridge capital with strategic growth.
Prior to joining AYA Strategic, David spent two decades at Republic National Bank/HSBC Treasury as a Portfolio Manager and Fixed Income Trader, where he pioneered multi-asset fixed income strategies and credit hedging approaches that helped the bank successfully mitigate losses during the 2007–2008 financial crisis.
Following his tenure in banking, David founded 84 Capital LLC, an advisory firm focused on defensive investment strategies, including structured credit and precious metals.
David holds a B.A. from Columbia College and an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School.