Erica Pettit Alkhfaji

MEPRA Strategy Board Member and Associate Director, Communications at Crescent Petroleum

I am the Group Head of Corporate Communications & ESG at Orascom Development, a leading international developer of vibrant, integrated communities across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. In this role, I lead a broad agenda focused on strengthening the company’s reputation, building a cohesive corporate brand, and advancing sustainable practices.

I believe effective communications is about building trust, shaping culture, and creating stories that move people and performance. At the heart of my work is the ability to translate strategy into clear, actionable, and measurable plans that create sustained reputation capital and deliver meaningful impact. I’m passionate about navigating complexity with clarity and bringing internal and external audiences together around shared ambition and purpose. My approach blends insight, structure, and storytelling to position communications as a true strategic lever.

With more than 25 years of experience building reputations and brands, I previously played a pivotal role in establishing the Corporate Communications function at ADQ, the Abu Dhabi–based sovereign wealth fund, and served on Visa’s regional Corporate Communications team for Central & Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. My background in leading communications programs for high-profile financial services, technology, and consumer brands—across MENA and the US—has given me a distinctive perspective on industry trends and best practices.

I hold a Master of Business Administration from the University of Bradford in the UK and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, San Diego in the US.