In this episode of Women of MENA — Spotlights, we profile Dr. Maqboula Derbazi, an Executive Advisor specializing in global IT vendor governance, contract strategy, and cost optimization.

Holding a D.Phil. in Nanotechnology alongside engineering degrees from Algeria and France, Dr. Derbazi bridges deep technical understanding with commercial acumen. This editorial profile examines her two-decade international career across high-tech, aerospace, and telecom sectors—from engineering instrumentation for NASA projects and leading technical operations at Apple, to directing multi-hundred-million-dollar procurement programs at Bombardier and advising IT executive leadership at BRP.

Join us as we highlight her journey of transforming digital supply chains, navigating complex vendor ecosystems, and driving enterprise value across international markets.

In this episode of Women of MENA — Spotlights, we profile Nawarh Faran, an award-winning healthcare executive and patient safety strategist currently serving as Corporate Executive Director of Quality and Patient Safety at Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group. With over two decades of leadership in hospitals and health programs across Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the UAE, Faran has driven the evolution of healthcare quality from a compliance-focused framework to a performance- and outcomes-driven system.

This profile examines her journey from directing critical care operations—including leading operations for 100 ICU beds—to shaping corporate quality strategy and clinical governance. We highlight her track record in zero-harm benchmarks, such as maintaining Zero Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) status in adult ICUs and executing multi-million dollar pressure injury prevention protocols. Recognized as a Global 200 Women Power Leader and recipient of consecutive National Patient Safety Awards, Faran's career showcases the impact of strategic governance and institutional excellence across the region.

In this Women of MENA profile episode, we examine the career of Lamise A. Negm, an Egyptian banking and institutional professional whose trajectory spans commercial banking, government relations, financial regulation and public institutions.

Her career includes more than two decades at Citibank Egypt, where she progressed across banking operations, cash management, product development and government relations, ultimately serving as Vice President. She later spent six years as CSR Advisor to the Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt, followed by two years as CSR Advisor to the Executive Chairman of the Financial Regulatory Authority. Today, she serves as Economic Investment Expert at the Egyptian Intellectual Property Authority (EGIPA).

This episode looks beyond titles to explore the architecture of a career built across some of Egypt's most consequential financial and public institutions. We examine how banking experience became government interface, how regulatory proximity became institutional influence, and what her trajectory reveals about the women operating within the systems shaping Egypt's economy.

This is not an interview. Lamise A. Negm does not appear in this episode. It is an independent Women of MENA editorial profile based on publicly presented professional information.

In this episode: banking, regulation, government relations, institutional influence, economic development and the evolution of women's leadership within the MENA region.

Women of MENA. People. Institutions. Ideas. Impact.

In this spotlight episode, we profile Yasmine Helal, an executive leader, board member, and strategic advisor with over two decades of experience steering digital transformation, banking, and governance.

We trace her career from her pivotal role leading FinTech strategy at the Central Bank of Egypt and serving as CEO of ADI Consumer Finance, to her current board-level contributions at Taly for Digital Payments and her strategic leadership of Athar Consultancy.

Beyond her extensive work in digital payments, consumer finance, and board oversight, Yasmine brings a rare perspective that bridges the structured world of finance and the expressive worlds of art, culture, and design.

Currently serving as a member of Egypt's Ministry of Culture Investment Council, she operates on the foundational belief that true economic development is not solely financial, but is deeply cultural, educational, and human.

This single-narrator profile offers an editorial look at a leader dedicated to building responsible, inclusive, and future-ready financial ecosystems across the region.

This editorial spotlight profiles Captain Intisaar Al Hosni, a commercial pilot and Advanced Air Mobility strategist who made history as the first Omani female BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) drone pilot.

From operating passenger and cargo aircraft in remote Australia to directing complex uncrewed endurance flights and leading AAM strategy at ESBAAR, she is actively bridging conventional aviation and the emerging technologies shaping the skies of the Gulf region.

In this episode of Women of MENA — Spotlights, we profile Maram Kokandi, a trailblazing operations and strategy executive who made history as Saudi Arabia’s first female hotel General Manager.

We follow her career journey across major regional and international hotel brands, including her landmark leadership at the Park Inn by Radisson in Jeddah and her operational oversight at premier properties like the JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh and DoubleTree by Hilton.

The episode highlights her commercial expertise, her dedication to local talent development through successful 80% Saudization initiatives, and her historic recognition as the first Saudi and Arab female to win the "Best Hotelier" award at the Worldwide Hospitality Awards.

In this episode of the Women of MENA spotlight, we explore the career and vision of Dr. Husa Alangari, a pivotal figure in Saudi Arabia’s educational and technological transformation.

As the GM and CEO for KSA at Ultimate Learning Academy, a venture-backed regional edtech company, Dr. Alangari is at the forefront of building the "human layer" necessary to sustain the Kingdom’s rapid AI advancements.

We dive into her professional philosophy—the belief that while technology is essential, countries truly run on the people capable of utilizing it.

The episode profiles her extensive impact on Vision 2030, including her leadership in developing Saudi Arabia’s first national AI competency frameworks for educators and learners.

We also discuss her influential roles as a Strategic Advisor at Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University and her work defining national e-learning standards for the Kingdom.

Join us as we profile a leader who is not just implementing technology, but is architecting the talent, leadership, and governance frameworks that turn national ambition into lasting impact.

In this installment of Women of MENA — Spotlights, we profile Rema Alyahya, a leader in Saudi Arabia’s investment and startup landscape.

Currently serving as Vice President at Merak Capital, Rema focuses on venture capital, portfolio management, and ecosystem enablement.

Her career is rooted in a deep understanding of innovation and entrepreneurship, beginning with her studies at Northeastern University in Boston.

During her time in the United States, she served as a Venture Coach for Northeastern’s IDEA accelerator and held marketing leadership roles at Wise Systems, a Boston-based B2B logistics startup that successfully raised a $50 million Series C.

Returning to Riyadh, Rema held pivotal positions at the Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG), including serving as a VC at SRMG Ventures and leading strategic initiatives.

Additionally, she has contributed to international relations as a member of the steering committee for the U.S. Embassy’s Cultural Exchange Program.

This episode highlights Rema’s journey from the Boston startup hub to the forefront of Saudi Arabia’s venture capital sector.

In this spotlight, we profile Hanouf Bin Saeed, the Executive Director of Sector Advisory at the Saudi Investment Promotion Authority (SIPA), where she leads the identification and structuring of high-impact investment opportunities aligned with Vision 2030.

With an 18-year career spanning Saudi Arabia’s most prominent financial institutions—including HSBC, Gulf International Bank, and Riyad Bank—Bin Saeed has built a career on the conviction that the right institutional frameworks are essential for moving capital and building economies.

We examine her extensive background in fintech and venture investment, her leadership in real estate digitization, and her current mandate to position Saudi companies as credible partners in the global investment ecosystem.

This episode highlights a professional journey defined by precision, trust, and a long-term view of the Kingdom’s economic architecture.

In this spotlight, we profile Her Royal Highness Dr. Maha Al Saud, the Chief Executive Officer of the FII Institute.

With a distinguished career spanning over 25 years, Dr. Al Saud has built a professional legacy rooted in healthcare, international engagement, and institution-building.

This episode explores her extensive journey, from her 31-year tenure as an Internal Medicine Consultant at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center to her pivotal role as Vice President of External Relations and Advancement at Alfaisal University.

We examine how her leadership now guides the FII Institute in its mission to address global challenges through investment and innovation, aligning with the priorities of Saudi Vision 2030.

Join us for a profile on a leader dedicated to advancing humanity through interdisciplinary collaboration and global leadership.