ABEER AL OTAIBA
OUR FOUNDER
Abeer Shoukry-Al Otaiba grew up on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in Alexandria, Egypt. She attended Catholic school in France before deciding to follow in her family’s footsteps as a civil engineer. After earning her advanced degree, she moved to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where she worked in civil engineering for several years.
While in Dubai, Abeer met Yousef Al Otaiba, the UAE’s ambassador to the United States. In 2010, the couple married and moved to America, where they live today with their two children.
THE BIRTH OF SEMSEM
Emerging from a traditionally male-dominated industry, Abeer has challenged societal norms and served as a role model for women across the Arab World. She credits her time as a structural engineer with giving her the foundation and motivation to achieve her childhood dream of becoming a fashion designer.
The concept behind SemSem emerged from Abeer’s strong bond with her daughter Samia. Inspired by love, she envisioned a fashion brand that connects mothers and daughters through elegant designs that effortlessly complement each other.
As Founder and Creative Director, Abeer draws inspiration from her technical background, as well as the Eastern and Western cultures that shaped her upbringing. As a young girl, she would alter her clothes to fit her unique sense of style. Abeer approaches SemSem with that same inherent passion. Through her multicultural aesthetic and high-quality designs, Abeer’s hand-crafted garments portray the strength of women and girls around the world.
FASHION, FAMILY, & PHILANTHROPY
Throughout her life, Abeer has always desired to support others through charitable giving. Dedicated to philanthropy, SemSem partners with a different non-profit organization each season to support disadvantaged women and children throughout the world. SemSem’s philanthropic partners have included Angele.H International, Every Mother Counts, Women for Women International, and The Afya Foundation to help combat the spread of COVID-19, among many other important initiatives.
Outside of SemSem, Abeer engages in a number of philanthropic initiatives with her husband, Yousef Al Otaiba. One of the organizations the couple holds dearest is the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. In 2014, Abeer and Yousef co-chaired the center’s Children’s Ball with Bret and Amy Baier, raising $10.9 million — one of the most successful non-profit fundraisers held in the capital that year. The following year, Children’s National awarded the Al Otaibas the Joseph E. Robert, Jr. Prize in Philanthropy. This award honors families who have provided support after their own personal experience with the hospital.
Amid the outbreak of the coronavirus, the couple also sponsored the first Children’s National drive-up COVID-19 test site and funded emergency food assistance programs throughout the United States.
Abeer actively champions global health initiatives, lending her support to the Meridian International Center, the Hope for Henry Foundation and the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC. In her dedication to improving healthcare accessibility, she established a Goodwill Fund through the King Hussein Cancer Foundation, ensuring that underprivileged patients receive critical financial assistance for life-saving treatments. Furthering her advocacy, Abeer also serves on the Board of Directors at Takalam. An AI-driven platform that enhances mental health support through cutting-edge screening tools, virtual counseling and tailored coaching for individuals, couples and businesses, Abeer works to bridge the gap in access to mental health resources for those who need it most.
