Nazar Poladian

Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company | AI Acceleration & Institutionalization

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

About

Nazar is an Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company with more than eight years of experience across banking, telecommunications, and the public sector. He specializes in designing and activating large-scale data and technology strategies, with a focus on AI strategy development, implementation, and institutionalization for leading financial institutions in the Middle East. He holds an MSc in Smart Cities and Urban Analytics and a BBA in Communication and Marketing. An entrepreneur at heart, Nazar has founded three startups, including Yawmi, an Arabic business and technology newsletter that grew to more than 15,000 subscribers in just 16 months. Nazar’s leadership and impact have been recognized through several prestigious honors, including the Civic Action Fellowship for emerging city leaders in Toronto and the Chevening Scholarship at University College London. Beyond his professional pursuits, he is passionate about art and poetry and has performed at multiple showcases, including two TEDx talks.

Experience

  • McKinsey & Company (Full-time · 3 yrs 10 mos)
    • Engagement Manager
      May 2025 - Present · 1 yr 2 mos

    • Senior Associate
      Jan 2024 - May 2025 · 1 yr 5 mos

      Focus areas: Growth, marketing, and sales and new business development, with engagements spanning CX strategy, business strategy, new business blueprints, product blueprints, and technology and digital readiness assessments Geography: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Egypt and Qatar

    • Associate
      Sep 2022 - Dec 2023 · 1 yr 4 mos

  • Technology Strategy Consultant at PwC Canada
    2021 - 2022 · 1 yr

  • Management Consultant at Deloitte Canada
    2018 - 2021 · 3 yrs

  • Retail Banking at RBC
    2015 - 2017 · 2 yrs