Mr. Mohamed Zhioua: The Voice of Integrity in a Changing World

Mr. Mohamed Zhioua
Mr. Mohamed Zhioua

Share on :

Facebook
X
LinkedIn
Pinterest
WhatsApp
Email

Throughout each chapter in the life of Mr. Mohamed, what doesn’t change is his sense of direction and deeply ingrained values. Influenced by a family heritage, Mr. Mohamed infuses a humble yet persistent and visionary spirit into all aspects of his work. It is not a tale of success professionally alone, but of personal development, social responsibility, and a sense of determination to make an impactful difference.

From rags to becoming an influential leader for environmental sustainability, Mr. Mohamed’s journey boasts not only in technical know-how but also in human-focused leadership, rooted in integrity, empathy, and the courage to start again and again and again.

He was born in Menzel Temime, a peaceful coastal town in Tunisia known for its agricultural heritage and close-knit community. His maternal and paternal families, Zhioua and Bouaziz, deeply shaped his values—one through civic engagement in the municipal council, the other through a strong legacy in education and culture. His father is a veterinarian, and his mother is a devoted teacher.

He grew up in a home where education is the backbone of his family’s identity. His brother is an electromechanical technician, his older sister earned a PhD in electrical engineering, and his younger sister holds a master’s degree in legal sciences.

After completing his engineering degree in agricultural sciences in Tunisia, Mr. Mohamed moved to Canada to pursue a professional master’s in Environment and Sustainable Development, followed by a research master’s in Earth Sciences. Adapting to a new country and culture while funding his studies was challenging. He took on various modest jobs—washing dishes, delivering pizzas, and even working in a car wash.

During this period, two life-changing encounters transformed his path. First, he met Dr. Rabih Saad, Founder of Enviro-Experts, who offered Mr. Mohamed his first professional opportunity in the environmental sector. Second, he met the love of his life—his wife, Zeineb—whose constant support continues to fuel resilience and purpose.

From a young age, Mr. Mohamed was very much inclined towards social and volunteer work. He was an active member of Tunisia’s “Jeunes Sciences” association, organized astronomy nights, and joined SOS Environnement. After the 2011 revolution, he also participated in ATID to promote electoral transparency. In Canada, he served as a WWF ambassador, joined the Sustainable Development Club at the University of Montreal, and became VP of Sustainability in the Tunisia–Quebec Young Chamber of Commerce.

He believes that “Social engagement isn’t a duty—it’s who I am.” He expresses, “Through these associations, I found a second family—friends bound by shared purpose. These human connections have nourished my journey and taught me that meaningful impact is always amplified by collective effort.”

Thriving with Purpose, Leading with a Vision

Mr. Mohamed’s passion for the environment started long before he began his professional tenure, back when he was a child growing up by the Mediterranean Sea in Menzel Temime. Surrounded by the sea on one side and the hills of Sidi Salem on the other, and shaped by a lifelong connection to agriculture, he developed a deep and instinctive bond with both land and sea.

He helped people in agricultural activities, raising livestock, and sowing wheat and legumes, which taught him to respect nature and understand its rhythms. That connection eventually led Mr. Mohamed to pursue agricultural sciences, and over time, his curiosity evolved into a stronger, more urgent calling: environmental protection.

Years later, his journey in the environmental field took a pivotal turn, in the most unexpected place: a car wash in Laval, Canada. That’s where he met Dr. Rabih Saad. He approached Dr. Rabih with a bold request: “Give me a chance to prove myself.”

Mr. Mohamed began as a field technician intern, working on environmental remediation sites across Canada, often in extreme winter conditions reaching -30 to -40°C. The early days were humbling, sampling contaminated soils before sunrise, installing monitoring wells, and solving field issues one frozen pipe at a time. But he gave it all, and little by little, he gained Dr. Saad’s trust, and eventually, Mr. Mohamed was promoted to the role of Director of Operations and Technical Sales Support.

When environmental demand surged globally, Mr. Mohamed saw an opportunity to expand his vision. He chose to move to the Middle East, specifically Saudi Arabia, to explore a fast-growing but still underdeveloped environmental sector. Once again, he started from scratch, but this time on a new continent and in a highly competitive arena.

Today, he leads Enviro-Experts KSA, where his mission remains the same: deliver high-impact environmental solutions with heart, science and resilience.

Overcoming Adversities with Resilience and Values

As with most leaders, Mr. Mohamed struggles to find equilibrium between long days and top-level decisions while not shortchanging family life. His solution is inclusion. He involves his family in his working life—not just practically but emotionally as well. He shares his ideas, his failures, and his aspirations, which creates a unique bond and sense of responsibility. “They ask me about how my meetings went or if a project got approved. That engagement keeps me plugged in and motivated.”

“As we say in the house: ‘Happy Wife, Happy Life.’ To me, it’s not a joke—it’s an attitude. A home surrounded by love and stability puts the mind in order and the heart uplifted.”

Approach that Defines Adept Leadership

Mr. Mohamed’s appetite for business is deeply rooted in purpose, not profit. For him, entrepreneurship is a powerful tool to solve real-world problems, especially those linked to the environment, sustainability, and social impact. “I don’t just see a business opportunity; I see a mission to make things better, smarter, and more ethical,” he notes.

He always had a mindset rooted in commitment, excellence, and a deep desire to achieve meaningful results. Even in his early days as a field technician, he wasn’t just following instructions, he was observing, questioning and proposing improvements. That mindset evolved into something larger when he realized that true change often comes from those who dare to lead, to innovate, and to take risks. Emphasizing this, he adds, “I thrive in discomfort. I’m not drawn to comfort zones; I’m driven by challenge zones.”

Leaving Tunisia for Canada was his first major leap. Especially when he created a stable life there, he chose to start again in Saudi Arabia, with a new culture, a new market, and fierce global competition. Why? He supposes, “Because that’s where I grow. I believe success comes not from luck, but from presence, preparation, and perseverance. As my friends like to joke. I’m the guy who sleeps at 7 a.m. and wakes up at 6:45.”

What excites Mr. Mohamed the most about business is the process of building: identifying a gap, designing a solution, assembling a team, and watching an idea transform into impact. He is especially drawn to bridging science and market needs, turning complex environmental technologies into scalable solutions.

He shares, “Business for me isn’t about ease, it’s about impact. I’m hungry for ideas that matter, for partnerships that last, and for ventures that don’t just generate profit, but leave a legacy. That’s my appetite: bold, visionary, and rooted in values, across three continents: Africa, America, and Asia.” And that’s why, in 2025, he created a new Canadian company called EcoVision Engineering, just to collect and realize ingenious ideas in the field of sustainability.

A People First Approach

What truly drives Mr. Mohamed is human connection, the ability to build meaningful relationships that transcend borders, cultures, religions and backgrounds. Throughout his career, and especially through his involvement in nonprofit organizations, he learned that the most impactful projects are born from genuine collaboration between people who trust, respect, and inspire one another.

My passion is to create bridges between people, sectors, countries, and ideas. Whether I’m working on an environmental project in Canada, building a partnership in Saudi Arabia, or mentoring young professionals in Tunisia, I am always driven by the desire to connect,” he shares. Because behind every contract, every challenge, and every success, there are people. And he believes that when people come together with good intentions and a shared vision, everything becomes possible.

This passion is also the foundation of Mr. Mohamed’s professional growth. Mr. Mohamed explains, “I believe that networks are the real engines of opportunity.” A strong network, built on trust and mutual value, is what transforms ideas into action. But networks are not just transactional, they’re human. That’s why he focuses on cultivating long-term relationships based on integrity, transparency, and empathy.

Over the years, he understood that a good reputation, solid competence, and proven success are essential. Still, it’s the quality of human relationships that truly determines the sustainability and reach of one’s impact. For Mr. Mohamed, the journey is not only about achieving goals, but also about who he walks that journey with.

His passion is global, inclusive, and people centred.

It’s about building a better world, not just through technology or policy, but through connection, compassion, and shared humanity.

Defining Adeptness

One of Mr. Mohamed’s greatest strengths is self-confidence, combined with perseverance and a deep love for his work. He truly believes that when you’re passionate about what you do, you’re naturally inclined to push boundaries, improve constantly, and remain resilient through adversity.

Gratitude is also a strength he values deeply. He has been fortunate to receive support that changed the course of his life: his parents gave him the opportunity to complete his studies in Canada, and Dr. Rabih Saad gave him his first professional job in the environmental field. He shares, “Their trust planted a seed in me, a lifelong commitment to live up to their expectations and never take their belief in me for granted.”

However, on the other hand, one of the most important lessons came from recognizing a personal weakness: sometimes, his ambition pushes him to skip steps, trying to achieve too much too fast. Over time, he learned that growth is most sustainable when moving from simple to complex, step by step, milestone by milestone.

Another weakness he worked on is the tendency to create “self-obstacles.” In both his personal and professional life, he caught himself imagining barriers, doubting how a client or supervisor might react, when those doubts only existed in his head. He learned not to solve problems that haven’t happened yet. Instead, he now focuses on addressing issues when they arise, with clarity and composure.

Self-awareness and humility are essential on the path to leadership. Mr. Mohamed believes that embracing both strengths and weaknesses is the only way to grow honestly, sustainably, and with purpose.

Achieving Excellence in Every Move

Mr. Mohamed’s journey from field technician to General Director at Enviro-Experts KSA is a reflection of dedication, resilience, and lifelong learning. This leadership role is one of his most significant career milestones, the product of many years of building clients’, teams’, and partners’ trust.

He has overseen more than 1,000 environmental site studies and 400+ remediation projects within a wide array of industries. His expertise earned him a feature in Oil & Gas Magazine as he authored two technical articles relating to in-situ remediation-a distinction within the environmental industry.

He won honors from Saudi Arabian Yamama University and Princess Noura University for his leadership in the environment and was featured by The Arab Icons Magazine in its feature series on leadership.

AQVE-certified Environmental Site Assessor (CESA™), he holds specialized certifications by the UN University Institute for Water, Environment and Health.

Academically, Mr. Mohamed is an engineering graduate in Agricultural Sciences, possesses two Master’s in Environment and Earth Sciences, and is currently pursuing a PhD in nutrient recovery and circular economy in wastewater treatment.

Outside of qualifications, he considers his team, client, and family trust as the ultimate accolade.

Timeless Wisdom for Emerging Leaders

Mr. Mohamed imparts genuine wisdom to future leaders: “Leadership is not about titles or power—it’s about responsibility, consistency, and the courage to move forward, even when the path is unclear.”

He emphasizes being present and prepared. “Opportunities don’t always knock. Sometimes, you have to be there—awake, alert, and ready to meet them. Show up early, stay focused, and never stop learning.”

Humility and curiosity, he believes, are vital. True leaders listen more than they speak and learn from everyone, from interns to executives. “Don’t fear failure—fear stagnation. Mistakes are inevitable. What matters is how quickly you adapt and grow.”

Relationships are another cornerstone. “Build your network with sincerity. The strongest leaders invest in people, not just in performance. Trust, empathy, and collaboration are what drive meaningful progress.”

He urges young professionals to stay grounded in their values. “In a world full of pressure, integrity will always set you apart. And never underestimate the power of a balanced life. A stable, loving family isn’t just support—it’s fuel.”

Looking back on his own journey spanning three continents, he says: “Success isn’t perfection—it’s perseverance. Even if you feel behind, remember, you’re just on a different timeline. Delays aren’t failures; they’re lessons in preparation.”

His final mantra is “Believe in yourself, stay humble, and lead with purpose. The house you build to keep balance, serve with integrity, and most of all—lead with your heart.”

“Your legacy among people will always be more permanent than your project or job. Keep showing up. Be real. Remain resilient. And someday, the path you walk will turn into someone else’s cause to believe.”

Related Articles: