Joana de Almeida Cruz holds a Pharm.D in Pharmaceutical Sciences and currently serves as Head of Global Partnerships at M42, in Abu Dhabi, where she leads the development and execution of international strategic partnerships at the intersection of healthcare, artificial intelligence, and precision medicine.

She is also the founder of the Portuguese Business Council in Abu Dhabi, having played a pivotal role in strengthening economic and institutional relations between Portugal and the United Arab Emirates within the healthcare sector.

Prior to her current role, she built an executive career in the multinational pharmaceutical industry, holding responsibilities across regulatory affairs, medical affairs, and market access at organisations such as UCB Pharma, MSD, and AstraZeneca.

Born and educated in Portugal, Joana brings an international and systemic perspective shaped by her experience in highly regulated and multicultural environments, spanning both the corporate sector and public-interest initiatives.

She holds several postgraduate qualifications in Political Science and International Relations, Health Products and Pharmaceutical Regulation, Pharmacy and Medicines, as well as Law and Ethics.

She is currently a PhD candidate focusing on public policy design in digital health, with particular emphasis on the integration of artificial intelligence into healthcare systems.

Joana de Almeida Cruz has been a member of the Portuguese Diaspora Council since January 2024.