Women Of Influence 2025: WPP Media's Patricia Abi Fadel
The Head of Investment for the MENA at WPP Media has been named one of Inc. Arabia’s Women of Influence 2025, which showcases 30 women rewriting the rules of business in the MENA region.
As the Head of Investment for the MENA at WPP Media, Patricia Abi Fadel oversees the global media group’s investment strategies across its core agency brands—including EssenceMediacom, Wavemaker, Mindshare, and Keyade—across 10 markets in the region.
Her role, which entails designing and implementing investment approaches that deliver immediate and long-term value for a client list that includes the likes of L’Oreal, Mars, Colgate, du, PIF, Qiddiya, Sony, and The Coca-Cola Company, has helped to set new benchmarks for client engagement across the region.
Abi Fadel tells Inc. Arabia that while taking up a group-level position at WPP’s investment team has pushed her well beyond her comfort zone, it has also provided her with a broader strategic mandate, allowing her to contribute to the growth of the business globally.
“On a personal level, I take pride in having positively impacted the women around me, both in their professional and personal lives, as I firmly believe that the influence we have on others can be truly transformative,” she says. “In the media industry, which has traditionally been male-dominated at the leadership level, I view my position as both a privilege and a profound responsibility. As the only woman in a senior role overlooking investment in the MENA, I am passionate about using this platform to pave the way for the next generation, ensuring they have the inspiration, skills, and support needed to achieve their career aspirations, and become the inclusive leaders who will shape our industry’s future.”
Lessons Learned: Q&A With Patricia Abi Fadel
Looking back on your journey, if there is one piece of advice you’d give yourself before you embarked on your career, what would that be? Additionally, if you could go back in time and tell yourself something that you should avoid or simply not do, what would that be?
To the women who follow in my footsteps, I want to share this: true growth often lies beyond the boundaries of your comfort zone, and many of the greatest opportunities come wrapped in challenges. Be courageous in stepping forward; however, remember to rely on your community. Success isn’t achieved alone—it’s about supporting one another, embracing continuous learning, and confidently forging your own path.
Pictured in the lead image is Patricia Abi Fadel, the Head of Investment for the MENA at WPP Media. Courtesy of Mena's WPP Media.
Patricia Abi Fadel was one of Inc. Arabia's Women of Influence 2025, a showcase of 30 women rewriting the rules of business in the MENA region. For the full list, please click here.
