Ibrahim Abouleish (Arabic: إبراهيم أبو العيش; 23 March 1937 – 15 June 2017)[1] was an Egyptian philanthropist, drug designer and chemist.

He did his doctorate in 1969 in the field of pharmacology and then worked in leading positions within pharmaceutical research.

The organisation began using biodynamic farming methods in Egypt, successfully demonstrating a model for sustainable agriculture on arid desert lands without requiring irrigation.

Abouleish later expanded SEKEM to include a Waldorf school, a medical center, various businesses, and adult education initiatives ranging from vocational training to the establishment of Heliopolis University.

In 2013 he received the [5] Global Thinkers Forum 2013 Award for Excellence in Positive Change.