Fuad El-Hibri

1958 - 2022

El-Hibri

Fuad El-Hibri

Fuad El-Hibri, visionary, entrepreneur, business leader, philanthropist, passed away on April 23, 2022, in Potomac, MD. He was 64 years old.


Born Yahia Fuad El-Hibri on March 2, 1958, in Hildesheim, Germany, to parents Elisabeth (Trunk) and Ibrahim Yahia El-Hibri, he was the product of a multifaith and multicultural upbringing that set the foundation for a life full of understanding and respect for diversity and inclusivity, purposefully in sync with the tenets of his Islamic faith.


After spending his formative youth in Lebanon and Germany, Fuad followed his dream to attend Stanford University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics followed by his graduate work at Yale University, earning a Master's in Public and Private Management from the School of Management. Fuad's early career took him around the globe from Saudi Arabia to Indonesia to Australia before finally settling back in the US. It was with his father, Ibrahim, that his career in telecommunications took off and was instrumental in the formation of several GSM networks internationally that successfully brought accessible mobile communication to over 100 million people.


In 1998, Fuad founded what would become the publicly traded American multinational biopharmaceutical company Emergent Biosolutions. Fuad served as its Chief Executive Officer for about fourteen years and its Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors until his retirement in 2022. During that tenure, he gave leadership that was "instrumental in growing the company's portfolio to its current suite of marketed and procured products for a variety of public health threats, including medical countermeasures for anthrax, smallpox, botulism, and chemical warfare agents, as well as overseeing the company's role in fighting the opioid crisis." He led the company in "delivering over 120 million dose equivalents of COVID-19 vaccine." He was personally dedicated to the mission of protecting life, so much so that he'd made that language part of the company mission: "We protect life."


Fuad served as the founding Chairman of the El-Hibri Foundation (EHF), which was inspired by his father, Ibrahim El-Hibri, and founded by the family in 2001. He recognized that strategic philanthropy was the best way to address complex societal issues and utilized his business acumen to focus on innovative solutions. Fuad was inspired by the universal values of Islam and supported EHF in its vision of building an inclusive society where everyone can achieve the American Dream in a diverse and inclusive world.


Fuad was deeply grounded in his faith and seamlessly connected in interfaith relationships. He set a high bar, leading with integrity, honesty, excellence, and professionalism that is a model for our communities. Fuad's philanthropy has helped millions in our communities, most of whom have never met him but have been impacted by his generosity.


Fuad received many accolades for his business successes and philanthropic contributions, especially in protecting and enhancing the lives of millions around the world through life sciences innovation and combating public health threats, including a Citation for Public Service from U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski; the Dar Al-Aytam Shining Stars Award, for his philanthropic contributions for the well-being of orphans; and the Vaccine Industry Excellence Award from the World Vaccine Congress; to name a few. He served on the Board of Trustees of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the International Biomedical Research Alliance, an academic joint venture of the National Institutes of Health, Oxford University and Cambridge University. He also served on the Yale Healthcare Conference Advisory Committee and had the honor of an annual prize (the Fuad El-Hibri '82 Entrepreneurial Award) for students established in his name at the Yale School of Management.


Fuad was the deeply-adored husband to Nancy El-Hibri and father of two daughters, Faiza (Mitch) and Yusra (Travis) El-Hibri, and a son, Karim (Carley) El-Hibri. In addition to his wife, daughters, son, and beloved mother, Elisabeth El-Hibri, Fuad leaves behind three grandchildren, in whose presence he found great joy. Among those he is survived by from among the El-Hibri diaspora around the world include his brother, Samir (Rima) El-Hibri, and sister, Yasmine El-Hibri Gibellini.

Above all Fuad, whose name means "heart", will be remembered for his generous heart; a heart that brought people together and encouraged all to be their best in spreading good to this world.


In Arabic there is a saying that seems just as fitting as his name, being that Fuad was a man of virtue, honor, and integrity with the highest appreciation for the equestrian sports: after his battle with pancreatic cancer, "the knight stepped down from his horse."


The El-Hibri Foundation will carry on Fuad's legacy. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to the Foundation at: 1420 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 or by visiting www.elhibrifoundation.org

The funeral prayer will be held at the Islamic Community Center of Potomac, 10601 River Road, Potomac, Maryland 20854, on Tuesday, April 26 at 12:30 p.m.