As Saudi Arabia celebrates its 95th National Day, the celebration honors not only a kingdom’s past but also the bold strides that continue to shape its present and define its modern identity. Saudi women are playing a pivotal role in Saudi Arabia’s revolutionary transformation and securing special places in the Kingdom’s journey toward sustainable development, global leadership, and a more inclusive future.
From 2024 to 2025, Saudi females achieved remarkable milestones and pioneering advancements, reflecting the aspirations of a nation looking confidently toward the future.
Leaders MENA Magazine highlights the trailblazing women who have shined this year, celebrating their accomplishments as symbols of progress and inspiration.
Noof Alotaishan
Noof Alotaishan has achieved a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic representation by becoming the first Saudi female diplomat to be seconded to the Office of the President of the United Nations General Assembly.
Alotaishan, an alumna of Keele University in the United Kingdom, has made a real difference in the Saudi diplomatic landscape and shed light on the evolving role of Saudi women in international representation.
Her groundbreaking appointment has received widespread acclaim on social media by pioneering regional and international figures. In a message shared on social media, Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan, the Saudi Ambassador to the United States, congratulated Alotaishan on her “amazing” accomplishment. The princess also noted that Alotaishan’s presence in this role represents a diplomatic breakthrough for Saudi women unleashing new horizons for their representation in diplomatic spheres all over the world.
Groundbreaking Achievement
Currently, Alotaishan is representing Saudi Arabia at the 79th session of the General Assembly, taking place at the UN Headquarters in New York.
She expressed hope that her position will serve as a source of inspiration for Saudi women seeking to secure careers in diplomacy and international affairs.
“Hopefully my experience can help other women in Saudi Arabia believe in themselves and think ‘I can do it, too’. There is an idea that is a male dominated world, and females won’t be supported but I have been supported by my Ambassador H.E. Abdulaziz Alwasil as well as my male colleagues, so it is a mentality more than facts,” Alotaishan added.
In her current position, Alotaishan serves as an advisor to the Political, Peace, and Security Affairs team at the United Nations, with a particular focus on the Middle East issues, including Gaza and Palestine.
Interestingly, she has recently achieved a notable career milestone when her contributions were reflected in remarks delivered by H.E. Philemon Yang, President of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly, during his address on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
Sarah Al-Suhaimi
Recognized this year with Princess Nourah Prize for Women’s Excellence in Economic Projects, Sarah Al-Suhaimi has made a revolutionary shift in advancing sustainable financial practices.
In 2017, Al-Suhaimi became the first woman to chair the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul), unleashing new horizons for gender inclusion and opening doors for women in the financial sector.
Her pursuit of excellence has earned her international recognition, including selection to the World Economic Forum’s list of 100 Young Global Leaders in 2018 along with acknowledgment by Bloomberg Businessweek in 2017 as one of the ‘50 People to Watch.
Being selected among Forbes’ list of the most powerful businesswomen reflects the depth of Ms. Al-Suhaimi’s influence. As CEO of Saudi National Bank Capital (SNB Capital) from 2014 to 2021, she achieved remarkable advancements, driving a sharp increase in assets under management, and expanding brokerage market share.
With bold leadership and concrete vision, she positioned the bank among the leaders in debt capital markets and mergers and acquisitions.
Notably, the year 2022 marked a turning point in Al-Suhaimi’s career and expanding her effective impact on a global scale by assuming the position of Chair of Lazard’s financial advisory business for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
In line with Saudi Vision 2030, she has dedicated her work to aligning the Saudi capital market with global standards.
Farah AlYousef
Saudi driver Farah AlYousef made history as the first Saudi woman to secure a Wild Card entry into the F1 Academy at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah.
“Racing as a Wild Card entry in the F1 ACADEMY on home soil here in Jeddah is truly a dream come true,” AlYousef said.
This remarkable victory not only carved AlYousef’s name into Saudi sporting history but also marked a national achievement that mirrored the Kingdom’s commitment to empowering women in all sectors.
“Motorsport has been my passion for as long as I can remember, and to line up alongside some of the most talented young drivers in the world at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit is an incredibly proud moment,” she added.
In 2022, the 22-year-old was also crowned champion at the Saudi Women’s Karting Championship.
Her determination and competitive spirit have not only inspired young female athletes in Saudi Arabia but have also established the Kingdom on the global map of inclusive sporting excellence.
“I hope my participation inspires young girls across Saudi Arabia to believe in themselves and chase their dreams. The journey hasn’t always been easy, but moments like this remind me why I love racing. I’m ready to give it my all and represent my country with pride.”
Princess Mashael Saud Al-Shalaan
Princess Mashael secured national recognition in 2025 by securing the Princess Nourah Award for Women’s Excellence in Health Sciences.
Al-Shalaan is the founding partner of AEON Strategy, an interdisciplinary advisory firm dedicated to promoting environmental, economic, and social sustainability.
Being an advocate of equitable development, she also co-founded AEON Collective, a cross-disciplinary Waqf that generates, curates, and shares culturally grounded, evidence-based knowledge on sustainability within the Kingdom.
With approximately a decade of experience, Al-Shalaan has developed extensive experience and deep understanding of international climate negotiations as well as climate-related policies and regulations.
Moreover, she has co-authored numerous research papers on climate policy and remains an active voice in global forums discussing climate change, neutrality goals, as well as sustainability.
She earned a master’s degree in international Affairs from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), where she focused specifically on Earth sciences, energy economics, and climate policy.
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