Women of MENA — Spotlights

In this spotlight, we profile Mirvatte Mtanos , a Lebanese interior architect, graphic designer, and entrepreneur who is redefining the creative landscape through her signature philosophy of “design with emotion” . Since 2013, Mtanos has led her firm, Mirvatte Architect & Design , focusing on the intersection of elegance, functionality, and deeply human-centered experiences . This episode expl...

In this episode of Women of MENA , we profile Amal Dokhan , a powerhouse who has spent more than a decade as an entrepreneurship advocate, venture capitalist, and ecosystem builder in the region. We explore her current role as Managing Partner at 500 Global , where she leads the Sanabil 500 MENA seed accelerator fund, focusing on high-impact early-stage tech startups. The episode traces her journe...

In this episode of Women of MENA — Spotlights , we profile Eng. Rana Algowaiz , a leader at the intersection of public-private collaboration and industrial growth. Currently serving as the Executive Director of Business Development and Partnership at Saudia Cargo , Rana has dedicated her career to opening markets and turning strategic ideas into tangible outcomes through ecosystem leadership. Her...

In this profile episode of Women of MENA , we explore the career of Noor Sweid , a trailblazer who has fundamentally reshaped the Middle East’s entrepreneurial and financial ecosystems. As the Founder and Managing Partner of Global Ventures and the Founding Chairwoman of the Middle East Venture Capital Association , Noor stands at the forefront of the region’s venture capital evolution. We trace h...

In this spotlight, we profile Deemah AlYahya , the founding Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) and a prominent tech diplomat. Over a twenty-year career spanning leadership roles at Microsoft, the Misk Foundation, and the Saudi National Digital Transformation Unit, AlYahya has emerged as a fervent champion for digital inclusion and transformation . This episode explores...

In this spotlight, we profile Vera Futorjanski , a Dubai-based serial entrepreneur, investor, and global innovation strategist. As the Founder and CEO of Veritas Ventures Global , she operates at the critical intersection of innovation, venture capital, and policy, advising governments and investors across the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Asia. The episode explores Futorjanski’s pivotal role i...

In this profile episode of Women of MENA — Spotlights , we explore the career of Nada Nasri , a financial engineer and the Founder and CEO of Strategic Alpha Ventures® . With a career spanning over 15 years, Nasri has dedicated herself to closing the gap between entrepreneurial ambition and the robust financial infrastructure required for institutional scaling. We trace her professional evolution...

In this spotlight, we profile Sandra Atallah , the Managing Director of Marketing and Communications for Accenture Middle East & Africa . Based in Riyadh, Atallah brings over 20 years of experience to her role, where she leads integrated strategies designed to accelerate business transformation and market leadership. The episode explores her focus on "Total Enterprise Reinvention" an...

This episode of Women of MENA — Spotlights profiles Nouf Badr Al Saud, a strategic leader dedicated to driving positive change through the intersection of business, education, and public service. Currently serving as a Consultant for the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and Director of Investment and Financial Sustainability at the National Livestock & Fisheries Development Progr...

Welcome to Women of MENA — Spotlights . In this series, we highlight women shaping industries, institutions, and communities across the Middle East and North Africa. In this profile, we explore the career of Adwa AlDakheel , the Founder and CEO of Falak Investment Hub . With more than 12 years of experience in finance and entrepreneurship, AlDakheel has dedicated the last six years to growing Fala...

In this episode, we profile Nouf Al Moneef , a pivotal figure in Saudi Arabia’s cultural and architectural transformation. As a Senior Director and Creative Arts Advisor for the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, she serves as the Festival Director for Noor Riyadh , leading significant initiatives within the Riyadh Art program. The episode explores her career trajectory, from her early work designi...

In this episode of Women of MENA — Spotlights , we profile Nora M. Alsarhan , the Chief Executive Officer of Saudi Venture Capital Company (SVC) . Appointed to the CEO role effective July 1, 2026, Alsarhan has been a central figure in the rapid evolution of Saudi Arabia’s venture capital ecosystem. We trace her professional journey from her foundational years in transaction advisory at EY to her l...

In this episode of Women of MENA — Spotlights , we profile Her Royal Highness Princess Sora bint Saud , a visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist who is redefining the intersection of Saudi tradition and modern innovation. As the founder of Sora Saud Company , HRH has established a diverse portfolio of culture-driven brands—spanning luxury hospitality, fine jewelry, and conscious retail—each des...

In this spotlight, we profile Ashwaq AlShathri , a distinguished leader and AI specialist driving digital transformation in Saudi Arabia. Currently serving as the Saudi Country Lead and Managing Director at Publicis Sapient , AlShathri’s career is defined by a unique blend of corporate leadership and entrepreneurial spirit. With a background in Computer Science from King Saud University and specia...

In this episode of Women of MENA — Spotlights , we profile Sara da Silva Díez , the CEO and Co-Founder of RELOF Private , a platform redefining the luxury resale market in the UAE and beyond. Drawing on a career built at the intersection of scale and execution, Sara transitioned from leading massive healthcare integrations at PureHealth and maintaining premium brand standards at Emirates to addres...

In this episode of Women of MENA — Spotlights , we provide an editorial profile of HRH Lamia M Al Saud , a purpose-driven leader whose career spans over two decades at the intersection of media, storytelling, and sustainable development. As the Secretary General of Alwaleed Philanthropies and a Goodwill Ambassador for UN Habitat , she leads with a "people-first" approach, overseeing impa...

This episode of Women of MENA — Spotlights profiles Samia Bouazza , the CEO of 2PointZero Group PJSC . She leads one of Abu Dhabi’s largest listed investment holding companies, managing AED 134 billion in assets with operations spanning more than 85 countries. Bouazza achieved a historic milestone as the first female CEO to take a company public on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) . The pro...

In this episode of Women of MENA — Spotlights , we explore the professional journey of Samia Bouazza , the CEO of 2PointZero Group PJSC . Based in the United Arab Emirates, Bouazza leads one of Abu Dhabi’s largest listed investment holding companies, overseeing a portfolio with AED 134 billion in assets and operations in more than 85 countries. This profile traces her path from founding an origina...

In this episode of Women of MENA — Spotlights , we profile Batool Alkhaja , a leading figure in the Middle East’s rapidly evolving financial technology sector. As the Director of Public Policy at Rain , the region’s first regulated crypto assets service provider, Batool plays a critical role in bridging the gap between cutting-edge innovation and regulatory frameworks. Drawing on over 12 years of...

In this spotlight, we profile Jubeda Akther , a distinguished leader in workforce transformation and the Skills and Partnerships Director at Maximus KSA . With a career spanning more than 25 years across the United Kingdom, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, Akther has become a central figure in designing systems that improve economic participation and institutional capability at scale. We explore her jou...

In this episode of the Women of MENA series, we take an in-depth look at the career of Hala Hayek , a powerhouse in the world of strategic communications and public affairs. Currently serving as the Deputy Managing Director at APCO Saudi Arabia , Hala brings over 15 years of expertise across the GCC and Levant regions. We explore her versatile professional journey, which includes her time as an en...

In this episode of Women of MENA — Spotlights , we profile Khadija Riyad Hakim , a Senior Legal Consultant and energy law expert who operates at the vital intersection of international law, resource strategy, and institutional reform. With nearly two decades of experience advising governments and corporations across Lebanon, Kuwait, and the broader GCC, Khadija has become a pivotal figure in shapi...

In this episode of Women of MENA — Spotlights , we profile Raghad Alkhojah , the Chief Executive Officer of the American Chamber of Commerce in Jordan (AmCham-Jordan) . As a prominent expert in trade and investment , Raghad has become a central figure in bridging Jordanian markets with the United States and the broader global economy. Her work focuses on market entry, export promotion, and investm...

In this episode of Women of MENA — Spotlights , we profile Dima Khashan , the Founder and Managing Partner of Khashan Law Legal & Consultancy . A prominent figure in Palestine’s legal landscape, Khashan represents a new generation of leadership grounded in both rigorous academic expertise and results-driven execution . We explore her dual capability as a strategic legal partner , navigating co...

In this episode of Women of MENA — Spotlights , we profile Zunaira Ulfat , a powerhouse in the Middle Eastern financial sector who operates at the vital intersection of corporate finance, private equity, and strategic leadership . Zunaira’s career is defined by a remarkable evolution from core execution to high-level influence. We trace her journey from her technical foundations in accounting and...