5 Inspiring Saudi Arabian Women Leaders

Women have come a long way over the years and today we have some incredible women who continue to fight for our rights and dedicate their careers to making a difference. Saudi women have put their foot in the door and demonstrated their incredible influence on women’s rights and making the world a better place.

From the first female CEO of a Saudi-listed company to the first all-female law firm, here are some of the most incredible and powerful Saudi women who define powerful femininity.

Basmah Al-Mayman

Basmah Al-Mayman is a successful woman who holds a position as the Middle East Regional Director at the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Mayman has over twenty years of experience in the tourism industry. Mayman dedicated most of her time to getting sites including AL-Diriyah and Al-Ula to be registered as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Mayman demonstrates her passion for her country and continues to fight to preserve Saudi’s historical architecture.

Lubna AlOlayan

Lubna AlOlayan was the first Saudi woman to lead a bank. In 2019, AlOlayan was made the chairperson of the Saudi British Bank (SABB). AlOlayan has presented herself as an incredible influence on young women everywhere. In 2005 AlOlayan was listed as the Top 100 Most Influential People in Time Magazine. Today, AlOlayan continues to demonstrate her incredible influence on young women as she remains on the list of Most Powerful Women as stated by Forbes. AlOlayan also devotes much of her time to the Board of the Down Syndrome Charitable Association.

Princess Reema Bint Bandar

Princess Reema Bint Bandar is the first woman to ever be an ambassador to the United States. Princess Reema uses her position to fight for women’s empowerment by working in many fields to fight for her fellow women. Princess Reema has dedicated her time to promoting women’s rights. Princess Reema has even worked as the Vice President of women’s affairs at the Saudi General Sports Authority. Princess Reema used her position to develop policies and programmes to improve the rights of women and children.

Rania Nashar

Rania Nashar is the definition of a powerful woman. In 2017, Nashar became the first woman to become the CEO of a Saudi-listed company Samba. Nashar is a credit to female empowerment and currently features on the Forbes list of 100 Most Powerful Women. Nashar became part of the Samba tea after graduating with a bachelor's degree in computer science and information Technology from King Saud University. Nashar has also spent much of her time fighting for female empowerment.

Sofana Dahlan

Sofana Dahlan is a talented lawyer who founded the first law firm to have all-female staff in Saudi Arabia. Dahlan specialises in areas including commercial, cultural, and creative, as well as being a legal consultant working to protect human rights and settle disputes. After graduating in 200, women were not allowed to practice law, thirteen years later, Dahlan was given her well-deserved right to practice law. Dahlan represents a woman's determination to be who she wants to be.