Profile

Elena Akopiyants

Director of F&B Operations
Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq)

Elena Akopiyants is the Director of F&B Operations at the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), where she oversees a portfolio of restaurants and hospitality concepts, including retreats that are shaping the emirate’s dining landscape. With a degree in Hospitality Management from Les Roches, Switzerland, she blends international expertise with regional insight to redefine the balance between casual and luxury dining. Elena is dedicated to curating experiences that spotlight local chefs, celebrate regional ingredients, and integrate sustainable practices, ensuring operations are both authentic and future-ready. Passionate about collaboration, she partners with chefs, artisans, and communities to create unique dining concepts that connect people and tell stories.