Show-Me State Times

Hadi Alhorr, Ph.D., a professor at Saint Louis University, was honored with the Global Ambassador Award from the World Trade Center St. Louis. Alhorr was one of five foreign-born leaders recognized at the event held on September 25. The award highlights individuals who have elevated St. Louis's international profile, aligning with this year's theme: Global Talent, Local Impact: Fueling Regional Economic Growth.

“Receiving the global ambassador award from the World Trade Center St. Louis is a true honor and a reflection of the dedication and passion that my team members at the Boeing Institute of International Business at Saint Louis University has for international business education," Alhorr expressed. "It is also a reflection of the collaborative role that we play with our partners within the St. Louis business community to enhance the city’s global profile."

The World Trade Center stated, “When our committee looked at options for this year’s award, we came away with one question – how do we award one person to represent the diverse and impactful contributions of global talent in the region? We couldn’t. So, we narrowed this search to five incredible leaders in the fields of Non-Profits, Education, Arts, Science and Business.”

Alhorr received recognition in Education for his expertise in international business strategy and global trade. Originally from Lebanon, he has contributed significantly to shaping educational programs aimed at preparing future global business leaders.

Other honorees included Yemi Akande-Bartsch, Ph.D., president and CEO of FOCUS St. Louis; Sekhar Prabhakar, CEO and founder of CEdge; Luz Irina Calderón Villalobos, Ph.D., scientific affairs manager for Americas and China at KWS Gateway Research; and Marie-Hélène Bernard, president and CEO of St. Louis Symphony.

Since 2016, Alhorr has led SLU's Boeing Institute for International Business which offers various academic programs in international business through its Department of International Business.

In 2019, under Alhorr's leadership, the Institute received recognition from the World Affairs Council of St. Louis with an Emerson Gateway Globe Award for Business: Global Outreach Award.

A project initiated by Alhorr resulted in Alpha Kappa Epsilon sending 10,000 business books to Pakistan as part of their involvement in the 39 Country Initiative—a program allowing university faculty members from countries with low GDPs access to Ivey Publishing’s digital catalog without charge since its inception in 2014.

This shipment marked a first for any U.S.-based university participating in such an initiative aimed at distributing educational resources globally.