The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues to pave the way for women in business.
So much so, as part of the annual Forbes Middle East ’50 Most Powerful Businesswomen’, four Saudi businesswomen have topped the power list.
With that, meet four of the most powerful businesswomen who’ve topped the annual MENA power list this year.
Sarah Al-Suhaimi
Ranking fourth on the whole list, Sarah Al-Suhaimi is the first Saudi woman to chair the Saudi Arabian stock exchange, Tadawul , the largest stock market in the Middle East. With years of experience in portfolio management, she’s managed to grow the companies she’s worked for and increase their assets under her wing.
Basmah Abdulaziz al-Mayman
By bringing over 17 years of experience to the table, Basmah Abdulaziz Al-Mayman has served as the regional director for the Middle East at the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) since 2018 and she’s constantly on a mission to strengthen the Kingdom’s relationship with other international organisations. While empowering women, she’s constantly innovating and protecting the rich heritage that Saudi Arabia has to offer.
Hutham Olayan
Hutham Olayan is the chairperson for The Olayan Group, having been the head of the group since 1985. As a former director of Morgan Stanley and Thermo Electron Corporation, she brings all her technical experience to the table has always been responsible for the group’s investment activities globally and is ranked sixth on the list.
Lubna Olayan
Having created a niche for herself in the market, Lubna Olayan was the first woman to join the board of directors for a Saudi-listed company. She went on to hold the role of CEO of the Olayan Financing Company for over 33 years, before retiring in 2019. Known for her vast clout of knowledge and her insurmountable expertise in the industry, she has always championed women in the country by ensuring that they continue to be the most prominent denomination within her company, From holding stakes in several popular restaurant franchises to managing investments in several multinational companies, she’s assumed multiple roles over the years and has been named one of the most influential personalities of her time, giving her the eleventh position on the list.
To see the complete list of women on the Forbes Middle East’s 50 most powerful list visit forbes.com.
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