4 Saudi women to watch at the Future Investment Initiative

The Future Investment Initiative (FII), a three-day conference that aims to be a platform for debate on current and long-term global investment trends, starts in Riyadh on Oct. 24. Backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the event will bring together some of the most powerful thought leaders, investors, business personalities and public officials.

Argaam takes a look at some of the key women leaders attending the event.

Sarah Al-Suhaimi

Chairperson at Tadawul & CEO at NCB Capital

Chief executive officer at Saudi Arabia’s leading investment bank, Al-Suhaimi took charge as the chief of Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) in February. As the chairperson of Middle East’s largest stock market, Al-Suhaimi is heading the efforts to integrate the Saudi capital markets into the global system, including changes to Tadawul’s operational activities, systems and regulations. Also, during Al-Suhaimi’s tenure NCB Capital has more than doubled its assets under management to $32 billion as of April 2017.

Rania Mahmoud Nashar

CEO at Samba Financial Group

Nashar became the first woman to be named chief executive at a listed Saudi commercial bank as she took the CEO’s post at Samba Financial Group earlier this year.  She is also a member of the board at SambaCapital, Samba’s Global Markets Limited, and Samba Bank Limited, and has over 20 years’ experience in the banking sector. Nashar was also the first Saudi woman to be a certified ‘anti-money laundering specialist’ by the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists in USA.

Lubna Olayan

CEO at Olayan Financing Co.

Other than holding the top job at Olayan Financing Co., Lubna Olayan is also a board member at Alawwal Bank, Ma’aden and Schlumberger. An influential businesswoman, Olayan is said to be the first woman to deliver a keynote address at a major Saudi conference, when she spoke at the Jeddah Economic Forum in 2004. At the event, Olayan spoke about the need for creation of “real opportunities and jobs for young Saudi men and women.”

Manar Al-Moneef

CEO (Renewable Energy-MENA & Turkey) at GE

As the president and CEO, Al-Moneef is responsible for driving the growth and operational excellence for GE Renewable Energy, bringing together technology, services and digital solutions across the entire spectrum of renewable energy development. She leads a broad renewable portfolio, including on-shore wind, off-shore wind, hydro and concentrated solar power. Before joining GE, Al-Moneef was at the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA).